Early or Late Seating - which is best and why?

[Less2me]

My first cruise will be in Feb 2007 on the Mariner and we chose late seating because we live in California and have a 3 hour time change. If we had early seating we would be eating at 3 o'clock in the afternoon Pacific time. Late seating allows us to eat at our normal dinner time. Of course because we are sooo excited to be cruising anytime is a good time.

[Bruin Steve]

Looks like it's time for me to delve into my personal FAQ file and cut and paste my standard answer:

 

Early versus Late Seating

 

Probably the most debated and most polar question on the board...

 

Some people prefer late, others early...and both groups seem to be convinced they are absolutely right...

 

There are arguments pro and con both seatings...though most may be rationalizations...Most folks could probably adapt well to either seating...but it really is a matter of personal preference...

 

Here's the basic rundown:

 

Late seating afficianados claim:

 

--Late seating has fewer kids (I guess they don't like kids)...

The argument counter to this is that they usually don't seat you at a table with kids unless you yourself have kids...and, depending on time of year and itinerary, most cruises don't have a lot of kids anyway...Also, on some European cruises with a large European contingent, the European families --with kids--are all at the late seating

 

--You don't have to rush through dinner to make way for the next seating...

Counter argument: This is total hogwash...They leave about a 2 to 2-1/4 hour window for EACH seating...plenty of time...and the wait staff wants you out of second seating so they can get their very short sleep time before breakfast...They move you along at BOTH seatings on a very similar schedule...

 

--You don't have to rush back from port to get ready for dinner...

There's sometimes some truth to this one, though far from the absolute some would have you think. Check your itinerary...If the ship sets sail at 5 pm in most ports, you've got to be back on board by maybe 4:30...There's plenty of time to get ready for dinner by 6 (remember "Formal nights" are typically on "at sea days")...unless. of course, you're married to that woman who "needs" 3 hours to dress for dinner...It only really becomes a problem for most of us when a ship is in port very late...and that's where it makes great sense to avail oneself of Specialty restaurants and alternative dining...Last cruise, we were in LeHavre late and merely arranged with the Maitre d' to have ourselves accommodated at late seating in that one port--no problem...

 

--They like to have a lot of time pre-dinner to drink martinis and go up on deck and watch the ship shove off from the dock...

This is important, I guess, for some people...not important at all for others...it's a lifestyle choice at best...

 

The arguments for Early Seating:

 

--It leaves a longer window for more nighttime activities...You're done with Dinner by 8:30, you can go to a show, then Karaoke or dancing or the casino...there's a longer night to enjoy the amenities of the ship...

The late seating argument is that there's always a later show...or a pre-dinner show (But, somehow, doesn't that counter the more time to get ready, drink martinis and watch the sailaway argument?)...or that the shows aren't that good or who gives a dang about the Karaoke or the Piano Bar or whatever...Again, it's a lifestyle choice...

 

--You don't go to bed on a full stomach...

I guess it depends on when you go to bed...

 

--You aren't still full for the Midnight Buffet

Well, most ships don't do many Midnight Buffets anymore...and, who can eat again even if you ate back at 6 to 8:30? But, of course, it does leave room for a little late night pizza or other snack...

 

--You don't come back from port hungry and have to wait around several hours before you can eat...

Of course, the Late Seating crowd will tell you they come back and go to the buffet or sushi or wherever for a bite to tide them over while waiting for dinner...

 

Personally, we prefer Early seating because we're accustomed to eating a little earlier while home and don't need much time to get ready for dinner...We also enjoy all of the nighttime activities on the ship...We've often been lucky and have been seated at tables near windows where we can watch the ship shove off while enjoying appetizers and the company of tablemates...

 

But, the real answer is....Whatever works for you...

[tw67]

I have two small children, and I always pick late seating. At home, thanks to my husbands long commute, we don't eat until well after 7, and most of the time we don't eat until after 8! On the ship having the late seating gives me time to get the kids for a late nap (yea, I like to dream that they would actually nap!!). We never had a problem with my older son who will be 8 this time around. He was 3 and 4 on the last two cruises. This is the first cruise for my 3 year old, so we will see how it goes for him the first two nights. We like to think we have 2 back up plans...the first one is to see if our server will give us their chicken fingers and french fries, and then send them to Adventure Club, and our second plan is to feed them at Windjammer Cafe, and then off to Adventure Club. I am not going to let my children misbehave at the table and ruin dinner for others, so I will pull them out as soon as they start complaining!

[dixieduo]

We just got back from the Alaska cruise on Vision of the Seas. We wish we had chosen late seating due to more port time. Some nights we ate in Windjammer because we ran late. Personally, the dining room was a much better experience than the Windjammer (for all meals). Bottom line if I had it to do over/Late seating all the way, it just seems to make for an easier transition after a day at port. Good luck! and have a great trip.

[ballarinamom]

To answer your question about the Rhapsody. Just off from the July 23rd sailing. The opening night show was only one sho time for both seatings. (around 7:45). There was a special motown show that was for both seatings at 10:30 on night 6. The rest of the shows were before dinner for late seating and 9:00 for main seating. You will need to get there around 15-20 minutes early to get a decent seat regardless of the time for dinner. So if you have late seating and want to enjoy the shows, you will still be rushing if you want to freshen up and get a good seat. As far as getting the kids to the kids program, I don't think you should get your kids fed and to the kids program so you can eat. That seems redundant. We had main seating and the waiter always had her dessert ready by 7:00 and she would eat it and be ready for the kid's program by 7:15. After dinner we would have cocktails. The repeaters cocktail party was at 7:45. We also attended art history lectures (not auctions) that took place twice in the library around 7:30. We would head to the theater around 8:45 and when the show was over around 10:00 we would pick up DD at the kid's program.

We have cruise 9 times and have always chosen main seating. We never felt rushed and enjoyed the scheduled events throughout the evening.

Have a great trip no matter which you choose!

[Brittgrrl]

I hope no one takes offence (none intended) but as it's not been said yet...

 

we have always noticed that the second seating consists of A LOT of "party people". The change is visible as the first diners are leaving and the second are heading in. Don't get me wrong, we've just hit our 30's and can outlast most everyone when it comes to hitting the clubs-but we like the more peaceful, relaxed first seating dining experience.

 

Plus, with first seating, you can also get in and out of the shows if you choose to attend, and still have loads more time to simply enjoy the evening however you choose. And by the time Midnight Buffet comes around, you've digested dinner and can take part if you so desire.

 

Have fun!

[LivnLife]

I've done both early and late, and after trying early I definetly prefer late! I like knowing that we can stay on land for a few more hours rather than feeling "rushed" back to the ship for dinner. In fact, we gave up a great excursion on our last cruise because we docked late and would have had to be back by 5pm to shower and get ready for dinner. Just not our style. Plus I loved, loved, loved, being able to have a cocktail, go to a show, then dinner. The evening just seems to run so much smoother for us that way.

 

~Steph

[cruisePRN]

Depends on your family. We chose early seating for no other reason than an experienced cruiser friend of ours said we wouldn't enjoy eating dinner at 9:00pm.

 

Advantages to main (6:00) seating:

1. Not starving to death when you eat

 

 

 

If you have the late seating, you're in danger of missing the shows (they start at 7:00pm for the late seating guests) and you're more likely to be starving by the time you eat.

.

 

I'm laughing that anybody could come close to starving on a cruise.

[ballarinamom]

Also in regards to your question about the Rhapsody, you must be on board as follows for the Ocho Rios itinery

Ocho Rios- 5:00

Cayman- last tender 3:15

Cozumel- 5:30

I don't think spending more time on the island should effect your decision with this being considered

[cruisePRN]

Since you were just on the rhapsody how did you find the dining room food and service. I'll be sailing on her after she's been in drydock and am looking forward to knowing what changes they'll do for her.

[ballarinamom]

9th cruise for us (6th RCI), 21st for MIL (1st RCI) We all commented on the quality of food. It all tasted awesome. The variety was not as varied as in the past and it was not as gourmet per se, but every meal TASTED GREAT! For scheduling purposes, we ate breakfast in the windjammer on port days. There is a two sided buffet as you first come in. They are both about the same. (One side has grits, oatmeal and biscuits/ gravy ). In the middle of the dining room there is a buffet with french toast, waffles and pancakes, smoked salmon and condiments, and an egg dish that changes daily. There is also a fruit area and a pastry area.

Lunch in the dining room was a menu that didn't change ( There was a special) and a pasta station. The Solarium was really stuffy during lunch time because they did not retact the roof. But we did get pizza as a late night snack most night. Pepperoni and cheese each night with a special flavor each day.

The Windjammer had burgers and hotdogs everyday in the center buffet. A variety of salads, sandwhich fixins and hot foods on the buffets as you first enter.

I'll keep checking this thread if you have any more questions!

[boltnut55]

At home, I'd love to eat around 5:30 to get it over with, so I can do other things for the rest of my night. However, a couple of cruises ago, we were assigned late dining, and I doubt I'll ever go back to early dining for two reasons...

 

The main one is that I have time to work out at the gym. I spend about two hours there, depending on the offerings, and I'm a late riser, so the only time I can work out is right before dinner and then shower. No, I don't do this at home although I really need to! The other reason is that I don't have to rush back from port.