Any input on which is better? We've always had Late Seating. We are going with another couple who want early seating. I am apprehensive about the switch, as I don't want to be hurried to dinner. Is there any difference..other than there will probley be more children.. We are in our 40's..

We much preferred the late as we were not in a rush to get back from shore excursions, or out of the sun, or doing ANYthing that we would have to cut short to go get ready for dinner.

Also, I have heard of them rushing you THROUGH dinner in order to get ready for the late seating. No thanks.

The more kids thing at the early seating would on its own be enough to keep me from doing it.

I would definately do the late seating, no question asked. It gives you time to relax and get back to the room to get ready, wihtout being rushed, and it gives you more time at the pool, beach or wherever. The show don't usually start until later anyway, so you won't be missing anything.

We are going on vacation next week with another couple and are remembering again about compromising. You don't want hard feeling. Do you have to choose for the entire cruise? If so, is there a reason that they want to do the early seating, i.e. heartburn issues and needing to eat earlier, or being afraid that they will be too hungry (suggest an appetizer from room service), etc? Once you understand what the reasoning is, you might both be happier with your choice.

I agree you have to compromise sometimes. If the other couple has no "real" resason for wanting early seating, I'd go with the late seating. For all the reasons stated in the previous posts. I hate having to rush back to the ship. I LOVE watching the sunset from the deck of the ship. I like the time to relax after returning to the ship from the shore. I don't know which cruise line you are using, but many of them have "Freestyle" dining where you make reservations at different restaurants each night. That way you could vary your dining times.

2 years ago we went with 2 other couples who both preferred late seating. We are opposite we prefer the early. I hate eating so late, feeling so full. Well we compromised and went with the late so we could all eat together. My husband grumbled about it quite a bit. IF I had it to do over again, I think everyone on vacation should do as they please when choices present themselves. I would have stuck with my early seating and let them choose to eat later. We all would have been better off. Once when my husband complained they said "well why did you change it you should have kept it at the time you liked." Point well taken. I don't think either is better or worse. It is just what one prefers.

Late for sure.I have done early and it is just to rushed.Late is much more relaxing and most of whats happening after dinner doesn't start until after late seating anyway.If you want to be on deck while the ship leaves port it is just a big rush getting showered and ready for dinner.I would never choose early again.If your friends think they would be too hungry maybe suggest a little something from room service.