Need Dining Words of Wisdom

[biledo]

We're 24 days from our trip on the AoS.... and are really getting excited... booking our excursions tomorros...

 

Now I'm looking for any pros/cons to dining later rather than earlier...:o

 

My son (14) and daughter (10) are fine either way... I'm just not too sure if the reality once we're on the ship of dining at 8:30 (as reserved) will be as good as the theory.

 

Suggestions? Recommendations?

[time4u2go]

We're 24 days from our trip on the AoS.... and are really getting excited... booking our excursions tomorros...

 

Now I'm looking for any pros/cons to dining later rather than earlier...:o

 

My son (14) and daughter (10) are fine either way... I'm just not too sure if the reality once we're on the ship of dining at 8:30 (as reserved) will be as good as the theory.

 

Suggestions? Recommendations?

We prefer earlier because we can leisurely see shows/go to casino/whatever after we eat, and still have a decent bedtime for the next day's port. It also makes a late-night snack more enjoyable. Just our preference.

 

I know some like later because they don't have to get back to the ship so soon from port to get ready for dinner.

[time4u2go]

We're 24 days from our trip on the AoS.... and are really getting excited... booking our excursions tomorros...

 

Now I'm looking for any pros/cons to dining later rather than earlier...:o

 

My son (14) and daughter (10) are fine either way... I'm just not too sure if the reality once we're on the ship of dining at 8:30 (as reserved) will be as good as the theory.

 

Suggestions? Recommendations?

Also consider when do you usually eat dinner? We usually eat on the early side (6-6:30).

[time4u2go]

You might think about posting with a different subject line, more to the point, like "Which is better, early or late dinner seating?" I'm sure that would generate a lot of interest.

[DonnaK]

One good thing about the Voyager ships is that for the late diners, the evening show is often scheduled prior to the meal, around 7 or 7:30pm. This gives you more time to get ready after coming in from port or the pool than if you had the early seating, yet doesn't keep you waiting with nothing to do till the late seating. (You can always grab a light snack when the Windjammer opens at 6pm if you feel you need something to hold you until the late dinner time). I find that with the early seating, we are too rushed. Also, because we are fast eaters, we often have an hour or and hour-and-a-half to kill after the meal, before the scheduled showtime for early diners (about 8:30-9pm). We ended up going back to the cabin to relax after the heavy meal with the intention of heading to the show, and often never made it back out again.

[Captain Crunch]

One good thing about the Voyager ships is that for the late diners, the evening show is often scheduled prior to the meal, around 7 or 7:30pm. This gives you more time to get ready after coming in from port or the pool than if you had the early seating, yet doesn't keep you waiting with nothing to do till the late seating. (You can always grab a light snack when the Windjammer opens at 6pm if you feel you need something to hold you until the late dinner time). I find that with the early seating, we are too rushed. Also, because we are fast eaters, we often have an hour or and hour-and-a-half to kill after the meal, before the scheduled showtime for early diners (about 8:30-9pm). We ended up going back to the cabin to relax after the heavy meal with the intention of heading to the show, and often never made it back out again.

I don't think that's a good thing. The show for the late seating ought to be after dinner, about 10:30

[Buccaneergirl]

We always choose late due to the fact that we don't normally eat at home until 7:30. You don't have to rush back from excursions on port days and I always go for a snack (pizza) at around 4:00 so I don't starve until dinner.:) It really is a personal preference and what you think your children would rather have. Honestly, there are not many children at the late seating.

[DonnaK]

I don't think that's a good thing. The show for the late seating ought to be after dinner, about 10:30

 

LOL - for some of us early risers, that's way too late!! *YAWN*

[sandbag7]

I think the kids will enjoy the late dining; it's cool to eat late, and they'll feel more grown up.

[dougp26364]

I don't think that's a good thing. The show for the late seating ought to be after dinner, about 10:30

 

I'd have such a sore neck from sleeping in the theater plus, I bet my snoring would throw the singers way off.

 

I prefer the show before dinner if I'm on late seating but, we've found we much prefer early seating. It's easier for us to dine early and then find things to do around the ship, like the shows, without feeling like we're forced to stay up to participate.

 

Initially, I let the itenerary decide for us and we'd always eat dinner in the dining room. If port days were long, I'd choose late seating. This hasn't really worked out all that well for us as we're usually wiped out by the time we get to dinner. We found that it's not such a bad thing to eat in the alternative dining venues like the Windjammer, specialty restaurants (surcharge for JR's, Portifino's and Chops), the Seaview Cafe (on Radiance class ships) or Sorrento's pizza (various ships but not all).

[Captain Crunch]

LOL - for some of us early risers, that's way too late!! *YAWN*

 

Maybe they should have an early bird dinner for you like in the retirement communties. You know, 4pm dinner, 6pm show 8pm bed.

 

I;d hate to think RCI schedules for the lowest common denominator

[ckrobyn]

We had early seating on our recent AOS cruise and preferred it to late.

When I first booked, I wanted late seating so I wouldn't feel "rushed" to get to the dining room on time after a port day or whatever else we happened to be doing..... When all was said and done, we did early seating and never felt rushed once. We still had the whole evening to do what we wanted and weren't still sitting in the dining room at 10pm. The other reason I decided on early was so that we could actually "eat" the midnight buffet instead of just looking at it because we were still too full from dinner.....

I chose early seating again on our next cruise :)

[sandbag7]

Of course RCI schedules for the lowest common denominator-Americans; just check the spelling on these boards, and consider this is the "creme-de-la-creme" of American intellect, but it ain't Mensa.

[Captain Crunch]

Of course RCI schedules for the lowest common denominator-Americans; just check the spelling on these boards, and consider this is the "creme-de-la-creme" of American intellect, but it ain't Mensa.

 

There is no way Mass Market cruising is the crème de la crème of American intellect. it is strictly middle America.

[cruisinfanatic]

I don't think that's a good thing. The show for the late seating ought to be after dinner, about 10:30

If that happenned, all on late seating would miss the quest, not so newlywed game, karaoke twice, and more.

[Seaside2358]

I prefer late to early. Even if I ate early I could never have room for the midnight buffet. Just too much food, but that's just my opinion. Nice to look at and take pictures, but eat, no way. Also like to relax when returning from shore excursions. I did early once because my parents were along but much prefer late. If I had small children I would probably go with early.

[Lewdog]

We prefer early

[DonnaK]

Maybe they should have an early bird dinner for you like in the retirement communties. You know, 4pm dinner, 6pm show 8pm bed.

 

I;d hate to think RCI schedules for the lowest common denominator

 

Nah - I would hate eating at 4pm. 7pm show, 8:30 dinner is much more reasonable.

[TKinAZ]

We've done both, and found that each had its advantages and its disadvantages. We're booked for the early seating this time, as we're travelling with an 8-year-old. If we can't make it, there always seems to be food around somewhere! ;)

[5ofus]

Our kids are 11 13 15. TA advised that late goes first so are best off to take it and then if you want to switch later. We chose late even though we are generally early eaters at home because we felt that early would have younger children. Also plan on doing excursions, eating a snack and then getting to dinner when we are ready....

[Merion_Mom]

Your TA is not correct. It depends on the sailing. This means that it depends on the demographics of your fellow passengers. On some cruises, there are more people who want main seating, on others, more want late seating. You should ask for the seating you WANT, and NOT count on being able to switch later.

 

JMO YMMV.

[Rala]

Merion Mom is right. We have always had early seating and have never had many small children at our seating or ,at least , they were not noticeable by their noise or actions. However, we usually sail in the spring when there there would be fewer young children than in summer. Definitely, book the seating you want.

[crusinmama06]

I agree with Merion mom. You pick the time you want to eat. Main Seating is always perfect for us (I have 2 kids). They would be sleeping on their plates if I waited till the late seating.

[Cloudmaster]

We like to dine later in the Western Caribbean because of the difference between ship and shore time. We prefer overall to dine at the main seating. There seems to be more families at the main seatings then the late one.

[Nliedel]

I always elect to dine later. I don't like to rush to get ready or have my pre dinner drink or be pushed out of the dining room. I love late seating.