Freestyle Dininig on Cruise Ships
 

Last year DH & I took our first cruise, with NCL. One aspect we particularly liked was the Freestyle dining, rather than having to sit at a particular table at a certain time.

I would like to find out if other cruise lines offer a similar option; have checked on Cruise Critic and Fodors posts, but most comments are now quite out of date.

Feedback would be much appreciated! Di

I'm surprised that the cruise critic comments are out of date--perhaps you could post this question there to get current answers.

I think it's becoming more common on lots of lines. Oceania only has open seating dining and I know that Princess offers it as an option. Haven't cruised other lines recently.

Just about any cruise line these days offers so called "your time dining" option in the main dining room. You have to request it during reservation for the cruise.

Also, the newer bigger ships have many dining options (Steakhouses, Italian, Fish/Sushi, etc.) for an extra cost. They are a step above the traditional main room free dining, <b>in most cases</b> :-). You do make reservations early during the day but on many occasions you can just take a chance and walk in at any time.

Holland America currently has freestyle dining.

Utahtea

Thanks to all of you for those responses . . . gives me some more options when planning another cruise, Di

While almost all cruise lines have more dining options these days, it's not the norm on many lines. What you'll see on lines like Holland America and Carnival (and to a lesser degree Celebrity and Princess) is more people choosing set dining times, but you almost always have the option of dining when you wish. However, dining when you wish is still not an option on Disney, where you get a set meal time (unless you eat at the specialty adults-only restaurant one night). The newest Royal Caribbean ships are offering all as-you-wish dining (though these ships haven't launched yet).

If you sail on a truly luxurious ship, you'll find all as-you-wish dining. So look to Silversea, Seabourn, and Regent Seven Seas and do it all as you wish.

Thanks for your contribution, Doug. It seems that there are more options of cruise lines offering this type of dining than I had thought, Di

More and more cruisers choose freestyle or "my time" dining, so make your reservations ASAP as the seating may be limited.