Dining - Early or Late? Upper or Lower?

[TN Cruise Traveler]

This is my 5th cruise but first on Holland. I noticed that some people felt strongly about when and where they sat in the dining room.

 

I would like some input on what I should consider when selecting my dining time. I am especially clueless on whether I would prefer the upper or lower eating areas.

 

Also, we have an included dinner in the Pinnacle Grill and I was hoping for suggestions on which night and entree I should save that for. So far I have only heard that the chocolate volcano dessert, I think, is highly recommended.

 

Thanks!

[jhannah]

Everyone has a favorite time to eat. Some like early seating because they're not night owls and eating late is just too late before retiring for the evening. They want time to digest before climbing in bed.

 

Others prefer to enjoy leisurely cocktails before dinner, and it's harder to do (but not impossible) after a shore excursion that gets back late in the afternoon. They need time to freshen up, enjoy their drink and listen to some music before going to dinner.

 

It's all about what YOU want. What best fits into your schedule. Neither time is better, per se, than the other one. Seating will be in the upper or lower dining room depending on the time. Most ships now have early upper/early lower and late upper/late lower seating time. (These, however, appear to be morphing toward a window of time to show up.)

 

An informal dress night is good for going to the Pinnacle, IMO. Gentlemen would wear a jacket, and you don't miss the extra-special menu offerings of a formal evening in the dining room. Yes, the chocolate volcano cake is to die for! Love it! And their steaks are out of this world!

[seaisme]

This is my 5th cruise but first on Holland. I noticed that some people felt strongly about when and where they sat in the dining room.

 

I would like some input on what I should consider when selecting my dining time. I am especially clueless on whether I would prefer the upper or lower eating areas.

 

Also, we have an included dinner in the Pinnacle Grill and I was hoping for suggestions on which night and entree I should save that for. So far I have only heard that the chocolate volcano dessert, I think, is highly recommended.

 

Thanks!

dining time is based on personal preference. we like to dine late...it gives us more time to enjoy the ship/activities prior to dinner and we are not rushed coming off of shore excursions. we like the Pinnacle Grill first night...kinda' kicks off the cruise on a special note. and as for food selection...close your eyes and just point to something on the menu...you won't go wrong!

Cass

[Krazy Kruizers]

Really depends on what people like to do.

 

DH takes a lot of medications so early dine is for us. That way if we want to go to a show, we can and still be able to have a nightcap before retiring.

[RuthC]

I like to be the last passenger to call it a night, get to breakfast as the curtain is dropping (sometimes I don't make it :rolleyes: ), have fun all day, cocktail before dinner.... Whew.

Oh, and I need a nap. Can't keep burning the candle at both ends anymore. :eek:

Late dinner is for me.

[bruce-r]

Early to bed (yes even on vacation), early to rise mean early to dinner for us.

[WNYCRUISER]

Early to bed (yes even on vacation), early to rise mean early to dinner for us.

 

Ditto

 

We usually opt in the AM for room service (even if it is just for coffee, but usually for more) between 6:00 and 6:30. This is AFTER we have been up and done our three miles out on deck.

[Djptcp]

DH and I took our 10th cruise in April and our first early dining time. We were diehard late seating fans, but decided to try early for a change. We loved it and will do it from now on. We spend all of our evenings in the casino and by eating earlier, we don't have to stay up until 2am to get in enough gambling each day. We are ready to turn in around midnight. I was always so tired on our cruises because of staying up until the early morning hours and then getting up by 9am to start the new day's adventures. There always seemed to be too much downtime until the late seating, so I'm glad we tried early. Works for us!

Holland America - 2004, 2006

Carnival - 1995, 1998, 2006, 2006

NCL - 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003

Royal Caribbean - 2002