Anytime vs Traditional for 3

[Ratdoggie]

There have been recent posts regarding Anytime vs. Traditional dining for groups of 6 or 12. Responses were quite specific based on the large group size, so I would like opinions on what might be best for a small group of 3.

 

The facts:

We are traveling on the Sapphire in March with a pre-teen.

We tend to eat earlier...like 5:30 or 6:00.

We are fine with sharing a table with other people.

I don't like feeling crowded by the tables around me (which I read can happen in the anytime DR's).

We don't mind waiting to be seated...but anything over 30 minutes might get old night after night.

 

We have cruised only once (with Princess) before the anytime option was available, so we have experienced Traditional Dining and enjoyed it.

 

I know this topic has gone around and around, but would still appreciate any advice! Thanks :):)

[LuvTheGoodLife]

We came back from the Crown a few weeks ago and did Anytime as is our preference. We were a group of 2 and tended to dine between 7:30 pm and 8:00 pm (peak times) with no reservations. We never waited even 1 minute - we just presented ourselves and said 2 - willing to share and they always escorted us right to a large table. Worked out well for us and we met some very nice table mates.

 

For 3, I do not think Anytime will be a problem...

[malindac]

We just sailed on the Sapphire Princess. For the three of us, we never had to wait. Once they did put us at a larger table, but no one opted to join us.

 

Also, my DD is a picky eater and only ordered off the kids menu. The nice thing is the waiter always asked if we would like her food to be brought as soon as possible versus waiting for us to get our main courses. This worked out great.

[gertz]

We have always liked first seating. It fits with our time schedule. We like a large table to meet new friends. Same waiters each night. Gets us to the show in time. We also get out of the show in time for Crooners where they make a mean banana something for kids as well as adult beverages.

 

You will get the same for anytime dining. It is all what fits your lifestyle.

 

For breakfast and lunch we still like the dining room where we get to meet new friends each day.

[Quacker]

We took our 14 year old grandson on a cruise. Did anytime and went early. Ask for a table for just the 3 of us. Had such a great waiter team we went back to the same table every night.

[cynbar]

We have done anytime several times for 3 when we have had our daughter with us. It's never been a problem. We usually ask for or are just given a table for 4 with one seat vacant. You can certainly ask to be seated with others, but sometimes you have to wait a few minutes for the table to fill up. We have done both traditional and anytime, and I don't feel the anytime dining rooms have the tables any more crowded together. Also, I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this, but there are usually a couple of nights where the kids club programs offer group dinners for the kids -- if your preteen is interested, this would give you and your spouse time to eat alone or try the specialty restaurants, where the meals are often too lengthy to hold the interest of young people.

[Ratdoggie]

Thanks for your responses. We initially requested Anytime but I've read some stories of long waits, but that seems to be for bigger groups. It sounds like it's much easier with 2 or 3 people.

 

And yes, we will be signing my daughter up for the kid's club, so maybe hubby and I will enjoy a couple of intimiate dinners on our own!

[Tatka]

I don't think there will be any wait time at 5:30.. It's definitely not a peak time. Now at 7:00 you might experience a problem.

 

We are also party of 3, but only two of us actually ate in DR, and at 5:30 there were plenty of tables available.

 

There are plenty of tables for four where you can be seated if you wish to dine alone. Plus I am not sure about Sapphire, but on sister ships (Ruby, Caribbean) there are many "couch" seats with several tables for two adjacent.

[tovin]

We did the Golden Mexican Riviera in April '08 and we had 30 minute waits between 5 and 6:30pm most nights for 4 people. We were willing to sit at any size table with anyone at all.

 

Next time, we're definitely doing traditional dining room, we couldn't get out of dinner fast enough to get the seats we wanted for the shows most nights!

 

I guess it all depends on what you're looking for, and what others on your cruise are doing.

[ModelDoc]

As stated earlier, do whatever suits your lifestyle, wants, needs, etc. You shouldn't encounter issues with either dining choice, especially since you're willing to be seated with others.

 

Angela

[Grego]

Shouldn't be any more of a problem than a party of 4. They will either put you at a 4 top if you state you don't want to join others or if you do then it's a 6 top and you be with a twosome.