Dinner Times/Suggestions

[sprat10]

First cruise and PUMPED! Want to hear opinions on dinner times? 6:30 seems early and 8-8:30 seems late? I dont want to crash after dinner and be so full I cant have a good time, but I dont want to go to early and cut time out from excursions and early activities? I know 6:30 dinner means 5-5:30 prep time for GF :D

[TakeMeAway1001]

For us, late 20's and late 30's we prefer early. We like to go out and have fun in the evening and just cant after eating a big meal. Most of our ports have a 6pm departure and we are always on board well before we are set to sail. Everyone has their preferences and I think I see more late seating choices but we definitely prefer the early and really hope we get our request this cruise :)

Have a great time :)

[nanuak]

First cruise and PUMPED! Want to hear opinions on dinner times? 6:30 seems early and 8-8:30 seems late? I dont want to crash after dinner and be so full I cant have a good time, but I dont wa nt to go to early and cut time out from excursions and early activities? I know 6:30 dinner means 5-5:30 prep time for GF :D

 

We love the late dinner time. It enables us to leisurely get ready for dinner, have a couple of drinks, and watch the wake/sail-away from our balcony.

[deborah grimes]

We have tried both, we like early. So after ward we can go to the shows, play with the one arm bandit,;) go to the different lounges to see whats going on then go get a snack before heading to bed. Can't wait only 8 more weeks! Have fun on your FIRST CRUISE! You will be one of us when you come back, YES, A CRUISE ADDICT!:D

[brt49]

Sprat, I undestand you want an answer, but why did you post your question five times. I mean it really clogs up the forum. You should delete the other four and just keep one.

[susan123]

It depends on when you like to eat dinner. We rarely have dinner at home before 7:30, so we prefer late seating. We enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the dining room, go on an excursion in the afternoon, return to the ship and take a nap or just relax, and then enjoy dinner and the shows. Families with children tend to eat at the early seating, and that might influence your preference. If we have early seating, we are flexible and just adjust to fit that schedule. If you get hungry before late seating, get a snack. If you have early seating and are hungry before bedtime, get a snack. You'll have plenty of opportunities to eat as much as you want 24 hr/day.

[lvcrzn1016]

Sprat, I undestand you want an answer, but why did you post your question five times. I mean it really clogs up the forum. You should delete the other four and just keep one.

 

Geesh! Touchy subject I see. :rolleyes:

 

Enjoy your 1st cruise Sprat! I like the late seating so I don't feel rushed in the ports. Have a good time!!

[Catrin]

I think it really depends what you are used to at home and your social life.

 

We always had early seating... mostly because we cruised with our kids. When we cruised alone, we chose late seating.... and hated it! We were just used to eating early, going to shows, and crashing. We realized we were not meant for late eating, late partying and late rising.

 

We are early people!!

 

Enjoy your first cruise!!

Catrin

[luvscruising2007]

I have only been on RC cruises so far, but the dining times seem comparable. Why does late seating exclude going to shows? On RC shows are scheduled for each dining time. Does Carnival not schedule shows twice per evening? If that is the case it will be difficult to adjust to a new cruise line.

I am looking forward to trying Carnival and experiencing a different itinerary and cruise line.:)

[Froufie]

Always choose late - I'm on vacation and don't want to feel rushed - last thing I want to do when I get back to the ship from port is start rushing to get ready for a 6 pm dinner - I need around 45-60 mins.....

 

I want to RELAX - grab some sushi - watch sailaway - go to my cabin and rest? then around 7 pm I can think of showering and primping and getting ready for dinner! If I'm ready early I can go have a drink and people watch til dinner time! After dinner there is time for the late show, casino, piano bar and ??? Usually back in my cabin around midnight-1 am!

[DqALEX]

I like early. I eat early at home. 5:30 6:00

[Chigirlcruzin]

I have only been on RC cruises so far, but the dining times seem comparable. Why does late seating exclude going to shows? On RC shows are scheduled for each dining time. Does Carnival not schedule shows twice per evening? If that is the case it will be difficult to adjust to a new cruise line.

I am looking forward to trying Carnival and experiencing a different itinerary and cruise line.:)

 

 

Where did you hear you wouldn't be able to go to the shows if you have late seating? It's absolutely not true! I always have late seating, and I've never missed a show (unless I chose to miss it). There's usually an 8:30 and a 10:30 show. Sometimes, usually on deck party nights, they might have the late seating show at 7:30 or so; you just have the show before dinner. Sometimes (Legends show night), there will just be one show, but it will be at 10:30 so both seatings can attend.

[Chigirlcruzin]

I prefer late. I just finished eating dinner. By the time I leave work, go work out, drive home, make dinner, I'm not eating until 8 - 8:30. Families with children are usually in the early seating. I also like to chill out and not have to rush to get ready after a port day. With early seating, after dinner and the show, there's not much going on yet. Night life doesn't really pick up until after the late show.

 

FYI - early seating is at 6, not 6:30, which might make a difference to you.

[Megnolia]

I love late seating. Have made it to every show, which are perfectly scheduled around both seatings.

 

We like the leisure when getting back on board - usually grab a cold drink, sometimes swim or go for a rest in the cabin or on the balcony. After dinner we have a great evening dancing for a couple hours, and guess what, we don't sleep in, in the morning! Up bright and early to enjoy the next day.

[luvscruising2007]

thanks for clarifying the show schedules. One of the earlier posts had indicated that they chose early seating so they could go to the shows. I must have misinterpreted.

I have to wait two years for my Carnival cruise but I am looking forward to it and as I read this board, I get even more excited.