First seating or second seating and why?

[Meghatron]

Someone above mentioned being able to show up to your early dinner at 6 or 6:15. That's really not a good idea, as it will throw off your serving team's schedule and ability to provide excellent service, and possibly delay the meals everyone else at your table (and even the whole section) wants to order at 5:45.

Originally Posted by rentayenta

Our CC days says 8:30-4:45. It doesn't seem like we'll be rushed. Is the 4:45 the time the ship takes off? Dinner is at 5:45. I have no clue though as we've never done this.

The times in the schedule are offshore and all aboard times. If you walk up the gangway right at 4:45, meaning you do not leave CC early at all, you still have an entire hour before dinner. Again, the rushing thing is a circumstantial, changing thing, and should not be considered as something that will ALWAYS be relevant to your choice for early dining. In fact, the only time we have ever felt rushed was before LATE dining when our spa villa appt started late and went way over what we had planned.

[rentayenta]

Originally Posted by Meghatron

Someone above mentioned being able to show up to your early dinner at 6 or 6:15. That's really not a good idea, as it will throw off your serving team's schedule and ability to provide excellent service, and possibly delay the meals everyone else at your table (and even the whole section) wants to order at 5:45.



The times in the schedule are offshore and all aboard times. If you walk up the gangway right at 4:45, meaning you do not leave CC early at all, you still have an entire hour before dinner. Again, the rushing thing is a circumstantial, changing thing, and should not be considered as something that will ALWAYS be relevant to your choice for early dining. In fact, the only time we have ever felt rushed was before LATE dining when our spa villa appt started late and went way over what we had planned.

All aboard meaning we must be on board at the time? Not the time it leaves the port? That's perfect then. Leaving CC early was my concern. I want as much as possible there. Plus, like others, we aren't doddlers and with only two of us, it should take any time to get ready.

[tajz90]

On late port days, they hold the early dinner allowing for more time. At least that is what they did during Med and Baltic cruise. A majority of people with early would be late, but it's not advisable to just show up late because you want to

We have had late once and early on all subsequent cruises. Our children are 14 and 20 now and we all still prefer dinner and a show in that order and we generally meet on deck around 11:30 for a midnight snack of pizza.

[SnipsNSnails]

Originally Posted by bahacca

2.Someone here mentioned "If you do late seating, your kids will more than likely be awake for the early show. I'd rather have my kid sleep through dinner than a show they'd enjoy." I agreed with this.

On our upcoming 8 day, there is a 2 or 2:30 showing of several of the shows so I was happy to see that as an alternative to the late after dinner shows.

[neg58]

Originally Posted by rentayenta

Our CC days says 8:30-4:45. It doesn't seem like we'll be rushed. Is the 4:45 the time the ship takes off? Dinner is at 5:45. I have no clue though as we've never done this.

Usually the ships pull away exactly at 5. I was sitting on the verandah waiting for it, got up for 3 seconds and when I returned they had the ropes off and the crew was waving goodbye.

Nancy

[CaptainJacq]

In answer to the OP, late seating for us as a couple as less children around.

If we had any children with us we would do early.

[momtomattclare]

Yikes, I'm a first timer and we're scheduled to have early seating on the Dream this March. Reading all the posts about not having to rush to get ready for dinner are ringing true for me....do you think I'd be able to switch it? There are 3 of us in my group....

[tajz90]

Originally Posted by momtomattclare

Yikes, I'm a first timer and we're scheduled to have early seating on the Dream this March. Reading all the posts about not having to rush to get ready for dinner are ringing true for me....do you think I'd be able to switch it? There are 3 of us in my group....

I do think you will be able to. I've never heard of a waiting list for second seating

[Stitch'sCousin]

Normally people want to switch to main dining from second dining so you should have no problems going to the later dining time.

[jahber]

We are night owls, but I actually prefer early seating. For one thing, my 5yo and 8yo are better behaved. I don't need to inflict my cranky kids on anyone .

The more important thing, though, is that eating early gives us plenty of evening time to swim, play, sit on the verandah and drink some decaf with Bailey's and a cheese plate, maybe order a room service cookie, and for the kids: spend more time at the clubs! Everyone's vacation is different, but even as a night owl I feel like the night is pretty much over by the time of get out of dinner. We were still finishing dessert at 9:30! Then how can you fit in second dessert???
And don't forget the pirate buffet!

[rentayenta]

Thank you everyone for the insights and replies.

Originally Posted by neg58

Usually the ships pull away exactly at 5. I was sitting on the verandah waiting for it, got up for 3 seconds and when I returned they had the ropes off and the crew was waving goodbye.

Nancy

Really?

Originally Posted by jahber

We are night owls, but I actually prefer early seating. For one thing, my 5yo and 8yo are better behaved. I don't need to inflict my cranky kids on anyone .

The more important thing, though, is that eating early gives us plenty of evening time to swim, play, sit on the verandah and drink some decaf with Bailey's and a cheese plate, maybe order a room service cookie, and for the kids: spend more time at the clubs! Everyone's vacation is different, but even as a night owl I feel like the night is pretty much over by the time of get out of dinner. We were still finishing dessert at 9:30! Then how can you fit in second dessert???
And don't forget the pirate buffet!

The bold is my thinking exactly. If we do late seating there's little to no chance we'll spoil ourselves with room service. Believe it or not, it's one of things DS is most looking forward to.

[lovetotraveltx]

Originally Posted by jahber

We are night owls, but I actually prefer early seating. For one thing, my 5yo and 8yo are better behaved. I don't need to inflict my cranky kids on anyone .

The more important thing, though, is that eating early gives us plenty of evening time to swim, play, sit on the verandah and drink some decaf with Bailey's and a cheese plate, maybe order a room service cookie, and for the kids: spend more time at the clubs! Everyone's vacation is different, but even as a night owl I feel like the night is pretty much over by the time of get out of dinner. We were still finishing dessert at 9:30! Then how can you fit in second dessert???
And don't forget the pirate buffet!

You said it better than me but just how we feel!

[MoserFamily]

We do first, but only because my son can't stay awake. We don't eat early at home, but on the cruise, he's so tired out that he usually just barely makes it through first seating as it is. He's almost 4, but I honestly don't know if that will ever change (although it will hopefully gradually get later) - he just doesn't do nights. My daughter, however, at any age would have been completely fine with late dining. So, it probably depends on how good you are with eating late. It is a bit of a pain to have to leave the pool deck to get ready for dinner. But, it's better than the alternative of a cranky boy through dinner, for us.

[crundell]

Wow, this is a very informative thread for a newbie. Even though I will be "stuck" with late dinning since main dinning is booked I am realizing since we will be traveling from PST East late dinning will work better for us. Thanks!

[DVCNuts]

Late dinner = fewer kids and slower pace. Good for some of us, not for everyone.