Early or late sitting - QM2

[Summergee]

This is my first posting so please be patient with me if this has been discussed before.

We are planning a cruise on QM2 for next year. Could anyone advise on whether an early or late sitting for dinner be best if we want both pre-dinner drinks and to see the entertainment in the evening.

[paul1959]

You can have it all, don't worry. There are two performances of everything whenever there is a show. 7:00 and 8:45 is a common set up, but there are also some 10:00 performances as well. While exact show times may vary, the ability to have drinks, do either seating, and still see a show, remain!

 

There are benefits to both seatings. We had a late seating since we had a child whom we enrolled in the Zone which freed us up for an adult dinner. The late seating gives you long cocktail time, and the meal becomes the focal point of your evening. Late seating is more popular. Late seating I thought, was a bit more sophisticated crowd - maybe fewer families, fewer of the senior 'early-bird-special' type ( NOT that there's anything wrong with that!) and generally were the people who wanted to make the dinner an event.

 

But, because there were lots of tables available, and we wanted to eat as a family a few times we switched for a few nights to the early seating. What a difference! The views out the windows were better with better light, the evening was so open and long after dinner that it added a certain glamour to be able to see a show after dinner then go for drinks in the Commodore Club. We did not go to bed stuffed! We even did the casino a few times. Early dinner seemed more relaxed and friendly, more families.

 

The two seatings are very different in feel, we found, but the same great service. There are strong points to either one. The late seating we were told is always full.

 

Hope this helps a bit.

Paul

[Summergee]

Thanks, Paul. That does help. I think I would be inclined to go late, but hubby might prefer early!

[Jimsgirl]

On the March Caribbean cruise, the shows were 8.45 and 10.30, Those doing the late seating found they were "at a loose end " prior to dinner and very tired after trying to do the show after dinner . They were also unable to go to the balls in the Queens room which seemed to start around 9.45.

 

You did not say which cruise you were taking , transatlantic are different to Caribbean or Med cruises, in feel and also the ages of passengers.

 

Perhaps if you post which cruise, time of year etc there will be others on the board who have done that cruise and can really narrown down your options.

[Summergee]

Hopefully, we will be doing summer splendours or similar ie TA- east coast-TA. Otherwise it will be a summer cruise in the med.

[The Real PM]

In the past my husband and I always enjoyed the late seating, however on the March 24th Caribbean cruise we found it to be just too late so we switched to the early seating. Both have their disadvantages. As Jimsgirl said the late seating doesn't allow you to attend the balls. Most times the late seating ends around 10:30. On the other hand at the early seating you must give up afternoon activities earlier in order to prepare for dinner. Often times you have just finished tea in the Queens Room and are not really hungry at six o'clock. We tried the alternative dining on three different occasions, once at Todd English at 7:00 (it was wonderful and well worth the money) once at the Piazza, (also excellent food and service) and the Chef's Galley (again great food and very entertaining). The down side of these are that you must make reservations and both Todd English and Chef's Galley cost extra. No matter which seating you choose, if you find that you would like to switch seatings you will find that they are more than willing to accommodate you. .

[Cunarder Man]

Late sitting - personally, I wouldn't like to be seated at dinner and miss the sailaway from an interesting port. There's always time to have pre-dinner drinks and still enjoy the entertainment afterwards.:)

[pepperrn]

I've done both, late and early. My thoughts? You'll tend to find more elderly people and those with young children at early dinner. Others at late.

 

Early dinner is better on TA, late dinner on a cruise. This is because... On a TA the evening is yours after dinner (take in a show, a few drinks in the Commodoe Club) but, when on a cruise, you might return from a shore visit and require a little time time to get ready for the evening...

[imacruizer]

Lots of very good posts about the pros and cons of early and late seating for dinner. Even though we eat fairly early at home, we always enjoy late seating on cruises. Being able to enjoy afternoon tea and dinner later in the evening, is one of the main reasons, we always choose late seating. If we had early seating, we would have to skip tea!

 

Beth

[Atomica]

Late sitting - personally, I wouldn't like to be seated at dinner and miss the sailaway from an interesting port. There's always time to have pre-dinner drinks and still enjoy the entertainment afterwards.:)

 

I feel the same way. I enjoy the late seating dinner for this same reason, and also for the fact that it's later than I normally eat dinner, which gives it that special occasion quality. Tried early seating on a couple cruises and didn't like it - felt too rushed, and missed most sailaways.

[Wasasalad]

The open seating option is what we like. You can eat whever you like. Some days early some days late.

The shows are incredible! I can be on some ships and see one or two shows! The QM2 shows...............I saw many twice!....We would plan to eat so that we could see the first show, eat, and make it to the second show!

The open seating option is a bit more cost but to us well worth it! The cabins are AA on Deck 12 near the indoor pool. Perfect location away from the crowds!

Check it out on the website!

 

This is my first posting so please be patient with me if this has been discussed before.

We are planning a cruise on QM2 for next year. Could anyone advise on whether an early or late sitting for dinner be best if we want both pre-dinner drinks and to see the entertainment in the evening.

[Wasasalad]

The open seating option is what we like. You can eat whever you like. Some days early some days late.

The shows are incredible! I can be on some ships and see one or two shows! The QM2 shows...............I saw many twice!....We would plan to eat so that we could see the first show, eat, and make it to the second show!

The open seating option is a bit more cost but to us well worth it! The cabins are AA on Deck 12 near the indoor pool. Perfect location away from the crowds!

Check it out on the website!

 

AA Cabin is open seating

[PDAZ]

There are benefits to both seatings. We had a late seating since we had a child whom we enrolled in the Zone which freed us up for an adult dinner. The late seating gives you long cocktail time, and the meal becomes the focal point of your evening. Late seating is more popular.

 

Maybe the QM2 is different, but on all the cruises I've taken, the early seating is by far more popular -- it always books up first.

 

I like the late seating because there are less kids and less cranky people ;). Plus I don't have to rush back on ship to get ready for dinner. If there's an event that coincides with dinner time, I can always go to the buffet instead.

[cunard_cruiser]

Glad to hear the early sitting is more popular/better for children on TA as we have just requested this!

[Fifty Dollar Bob]

The open seating option is what we like. You can eat whever you like. Some days early some days late.

The shows are incredible! I can be on some ships and see one or two shows! The QM2 shows...............I saw many twice!....We would plan to eat so that we could see the first show, eat, and make it to the second show!

The open seating option is a bit more cost but to us well worth it! The cabins are AA on Deck 12 near the indoor pool. Perfect location away from the crowds!

Check it out on the website!

 

That's all well and good, but not everyone can afford AA grade, and not everyone wants single seating (I can't understand why not, but some do prefer sittings). Nor does everyone want to be at the top of the ship, especially on a TA.