Dream Later Dining 8:15

[AmandaRG]

Late diners here! We eat about 5 or 6 when we are at home, but on the cruises, it just doesn't fit our schedule. I'm looking forward to swimming and the Aquaduck on our next Dream cruise during that time. We love some of the shows, others not so much, so we won't feel like we are missing out if we don't see them all. The next is a b2b, so we can just ride one evening and do Remy/Palo the other nights on the second leg.

The girls love watching out for the counselors to come around for dine n play!

 

[mimmi]

We like eating late at home and if there was no time difference I would request late dining without hesitation, but being six hours ahead this would be way too late, even 6 pm is midnight for us.

 

[disneymouse16]

We have late dining on our upcoming cruise on the Dream, is it likely you will miss the shows? It is our first cruise and I don't want to miss any of the shows! What time typically do the shows start? Thanks!

 

[texasmelrose2]

I am so glad I found this thread. I have been stressing over our dinner time. Our TA recommended late because of the option to have the kids eat and then go play. It sounded so late but since we will be so busy all day I bet it works out perfect. We have a 3 year old and a 9 year old..hope it all works out. I am so glad to hear that we will not miss the Pirate show, I was worried about that too.

 

[CamColt]

We have late dining on our upcoming cruise on the Dream, is it likely you will miss the shows? It is our first cruise and I don't want to miss any of the shows! What time typically do the shows start? Thanks!

No, they have 2 shows every night. The first was 6:15 for those with late dining.

 

[ccourtney]

We did early dinner on our Wonder cruise in 2009. It was our first cruise so I really didn't know what to expect. We really needed to rush to be ready for dinner in time. I chose late for our 11/13/11 Dream cruise. With all the food options onboard, it's not like we will be starving by the time 8:15 rolls around. My son, 11, has this insane obsession with wanting to order room service all the time during the cruise. I keep telling him " uh, we have an entire cruise ship! Why are we going to hang in the room and eat?" I guess it's the novelty of it. The dinners they serve at the restaurants are not huge, enormous, heavy meals either. You feel satisfied but not stuffed so you can eat late and not worry about dancing the night away in the clubs or going to bed feeling weighed down. Personally I'd like to dance the night away! (but will probably fall asleep!)

 

[lisaradz]

I'm so glad someone started this thread. We currently have main dining, but I have been thinking about switching to late. For one, I know that families with little ones would appreciate the space. Also, with our youngest being 8, I think we will do just fine eating late. I didn't even know about the dine & play option. Now late sounds like definitely to way to go. I think I will switch today!

 

[SlimKat]

We just returned from our cruise in October and had main seating. I still do not understand what the big plus is to eating later when you still have to rush to catch the show at 6:15. The show is the same time as dinner so in either case you have to rush back from port, etc either for main seating dinner or the show. Am I missing something?

 

[Skatetigger]

The early seating is actualy 5:30 at least it was on our cruise. We went to the 6:15 show and didn't feel rushed at all getting back from our excursions and getting ready for the show. We got to the theater at 6 and had no problem finding seats.

 

[IrenicMom]

I still do not understand what the big plus is to eating later ..

For us, it's just that - eating later. We eat dinner at 7 o'clock (or so) at home, so dinner at 5:30/6 to us is awful.

We love the late seating, too, because of the dine & play, and the fact that it just doesn't feel rushed at all. The first seating seems like it's on more of a regimented schedule. The second? not so much.

 

[mikeymouse1223]

Hi! Newbie here!! Just wondering what the "dine & play" is? Is it only available for the late seating? Our maiden DCL cruise (or any cruise for that matter) is Jan/13 on the Fantasy. Thanks!

 

[JonKPest]

Your breakfast seating for the last day is the same — earl or late — as your dinner seating. We were glad we had the earl seating as we had an earl return flight out of MCO (1 PM).

 

[Cruiselady]

I picked late eating. I am glad on the last day that you eat later. I like my sleep in the morning. Are there less young kids in the late seating?

 

[Bear3412]

Hi! Newbie here!! Just wondering what the "dine & play" is? Is it only available for the late seating? Our maiden DCL cruise (or any cruise for that matter) is Jan/13 on the Fantasy. Thanks!

Yes, only available for late dining, however it's no big deal to step away from the table for a bit and take child yourself to club. You won't be alone. Many do this. Dine & Play is where the CM's come and escort you child to to clubs @ a point during dinner, I'd guess about an hour in or so, when in the main dining room. Interesting thought as I type, since the buffets are now sit down do they offer this there too? I've never read about the CM's taking children from the buffet so I am confident this doesn't occur

 

[princessmom29]

We will be first time cruisers in Feb. and have an 8 year old. We requested late dinig becuase we don't usually eat at home until around 7 anyway and we didn't want to have to cut our day so short. I am glad to hear so many say such postive things about it.

 

[NancyIL]

I had late dining only once on DCL - and that was enough! I don't need to eat 4 meals a day, and I don't like finishing dinner at 10 p.m. and then going to sleep not long after.

My preference is for ANYTIME DINING on other cruise lines.