rob

We have booked a early seating on our cruise and we are not sure it is the right decision. We are in our late 30's and are fairly early risers. Please tell us how your dining arrangements turned out and whether you would do things differently. Please help!!

sandy

You didn't say where you are going or when, but generally speaking, we prefer late seating because we never feel like we are being rushed. Second of all, we like to be on deck for the sunset, instead of in the dining room. We never go to the midnight buffet because we're not hungry after late seating, but also because we like to get up early and see the sunrise. The ship usually gets into port at dawn, and it is a wonderful experience to stand on deck with your first cup of coffee, watching the island emerge form the pre-dawn gloom.

Kathleen

Please change to a late seating. There is so much to do at night on a cruise,like moonlight strolls! You won't want to have to worry about getting up early to eat-and you will want to have the sit down meal in the dining room even if you are not usually a breakfast eater. It is nice to get up early and sneak up on deck for coffee and a roll too. If you come back from a shore trip and missed lunch, remember that you can order something from room service anytime(like a fruit basket).The midnight buffet is something to see but I don't recommend eating it or any of the outdoor luncheon buffets,better to eat in the dining room. Remember to get lots of exercise so you will still fit into your cruisewear! Have fun.

shari

We always choose the late seating even when taking our kids. Most days you'll be getting back on board the ship at 4-6pm. That means you have to hurry back, jump in the shower and into dress clothes and be to dinner at 6pm. Whereas with dinner at 8pm, you can come back, take a little nap, or relax before dinner. We also are early risers and usually choose to go to breakfast at the outdoor/indoor buffet or in our cabins and get rolling. Many days lunch and breakfast are open seating, which means you can go when you please. Yes, do change, shouldn't be a problem, just see the Maitre D when you get on the ship. I also recommend a table for 6-8 that way if one of your tablemates doesn't float your boat, you'll have others to visit with. Most elderly people choose early sitting so you should be able to change.

Lisa

I agree with the others--change to the late seating. My husband and I took a honeymoon cruise and on the advice of friends chose the early seating. We were on NCL. They rush you to get in, order, eat and get out. As a result of the way the meals ran and the "herding" at mealtime, my husband refuses to cruise again.

Johanne Jeane

Our first cruise was 5 yrs ago on Carnival - Celebration. We had early seating and loved it. We still had plenty of time to see the shows without having to try and get past the early crowd for seating to see the shows. We could take those strolls without having to be up to the wee hours of the morning. Going cruising again same line and ship, different route. Going with a group of 6 friends have recommended early for all of us. It was wonderful to eat early and enjoy the rest of the evening with shows and clubs.

Sue

We have tried both. It depends on what your used to, if you are early risers than you might find the late seating and shows afterward a little much. After running all day, we are usually tired in the evening.
If you enjoy the clubs and late shows then the late seating would work great. I like to get up early and watch the sun rise while we are pulling into port. Either one has it's benefits, and some drawbacks. There is always the fact that unless the ship is totally packed, most will change your seating from late to early or vice versa if the one you picked doesn't suit you.

Alicia

This is an issue between my husband and I. I prefer the late seating and he the early. Guess what happens? We always go first seating. The time of the first seating for me is too early, either 6 or 6:30. The perfect time for me would be 7:30, but no cruise offers this time, except for the very exclusive, expensive ships where they allow open seating. The 8:30 second seating is a little late for my taste. We never eat breakfast nor lunch in the dining room, but either have breakfast on the pool deck or our stateroom. Lunch is either in our destination in a local restaurant, or back on ship in the cafeteria. If you eat all meals in the dining room, by the 3rd day, you will be sick of looking at your waiters & co-passengers. When you just have dinner, you will have plenty to talk about. I agree with the other writer that you should pick a table with 6 to 8 people, at least. Conversations can get pretty boring if you're stuck with just another couple. Have a great cruise, I know you'll love it.

Rachel

If you are not travelling with children, you should change to the late seating. People travelling with children are encouraged to take the early seating. On our first cruise, my husband and I took the early seating because we are early risers, and ended up at a table for 12 with 4 kids around 3 years old. This is not fun! You probably are going to want to eat breakfast on deck anyway, so take the late seating, and just go to dinner in the dining room

Sharon

I agree with the late seating suggestions. WeI have been on two cruises with late seating each time. It allows time to relax at the end of the day without rushing to dinner. We took in the shows and then went to bed (after a romantic walk). The next morning we were up early and went to the buffet every day so it does not matter which seating you have reserved. We only went to the midnight buffet once - for the experience. It is quite a show, but I was not impressed with the food. Same food as earlier in the day. We sat with a table of eight people and had great conversations!

Megan

My family chose the early seating. We wanted to get up early and see those beautiful islands. Late-seaters talk about rushing for food,-who is rushing? They feed you so much you can barely look at food by the end of the cruise. Also a good remedy for sea-sickness was to get some food in you stomach right away. I always felt better after breakfast. The early seating also leaves you enough time to visit the midnight buffet-very beautiful.

Dave

Early,Early,Early- can't recommend it enough, particularly for a first time cruiser. I worked on a couple of RCI ships and spoke to thousands of passengers. Both seatings have their pros & cons but e.mail me for more info if you like <BR>