1st or 2nd Seating

[rpcvpanama]

We are a family of 4 (all adults) going on a Disney cruise in November. We are experienced cruisers but we have never been on a Disney cruise. Currently we are booked for the 2nd seating for dinners. Are there any advantages/disadvantages unique to a Disney cruise with having 1st or second seating? We are debating whether to switch to the 1st seating. Thanks.

 

[Dug720]

As all adults, I would stick with second. There tend to be fewer children (not NO children) at that seating - and ergo at the shows. You can go to the show beforehand and then take your time at second rather than being rushed because they have to turn the room (not saying that people are rushed out, but I just sense that you can take a little longer to linger over wine or coffee or something if you're second seating because there is not another group coming in after yours. I always have second seating and love it.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I prefer 1st - with or without kids.

The biggest difference you'll find with disney like Dug mentioned is that the first has more kkids, but that really isn't any different than any other cruise line.

 

[cedricandsophie]

It's really a personal choice. Some people think late seating is too late but we love it for many reasons

Early seAting is just too early for us. We usually eat dinner about 7 to 730 at home so eating at 545 to 6 doesn't feel right.

early seating is rushed. If you leave ship in a port there isn't much time to get ready. And even if you are just hanging out onboard I like to get back to room about 5 or 530, take a shower, dress a little nicer for dinner, have s drink before dinner or see the early show, then have another drink and listen to music before dinner. Very civilized and relaxed. Then after dinner we go to one of the adult lounges for more music or an adult oriented show.

The servers aren't rushed at all and there are fewer loud children at second seating.

You will lots of opinions. We have also been on many other cruises and always choose either second seating or open seating at 8 or later.

 

[GeneralTso]

We have the 2nd seating and prefer that. Less kids, less commotion. No kids with us, so we have nothing but time.
Also zero rush to get dressed and put together after a day of activity, etc. Just chill and have a late dinner.

 

[Weedy]

Later works for us. We eat a big breakfast so don't eat lunch until 1:00. So we're not hungry for early dinner.

 

[rpcvpanama]

Thanks everyone...kinda confirmed what I was thinking. Think we will stick with the second seating for once!

 

[hanscarlet]

yup we always do first seating because we have little ones but if we were on a just adult only cruise we'd definitely do second seating

 

[belac]

We have a younger child and do second seating, so there are kids, just not as many. We did first seating many moons ago and did feel rushed to get out for the turn around. Since then second seating. Also if you stick with second it is way easier on you if you have late arrival excursions. We did an excursion once that got back at 5:45 pm, noway in time for first seating. We like to also freshen up after an excursion (especially that one) and got room service cheese plate while getting ready. So depends on a lot of factors.

 

[Soontobegoodsell]

We preferred the second seating since it's usually quieter, plus we are night owls. This also allowed us more time in between our port excursions and time to shower and get ready for dinner without rushing.

 

[Bishoparc]

Our last cruise we just got off of, we only had the choice of late dining (because it was a last minute booking). I thought about getting on the wait list but decided we'd give it a try. Surprisingly, we liked it. You definitely felt like you had a lot more time on your hands than you do with first seating. The only thing we did notice was that the lines to get into the MDR's for second dining were crazy long (longer than I've ever seen). We still got in fairly quickly but it was interesting. I know for most people with young kids, second seating doesn't work but if you can try second seating, I'd recommend trying it at least once.

 

[Weedy]

The restaurants don't open their doors until the seating time. No need to line up for dinner. You seat will always be there. We wait in our cabin or usually at the bar until our seating time and then head to the restaurant. That way by the time we get to the restaurant the line is moving or already gone.

 

[mammacaryn]

We have kids and prefer second. We don't feel as rushed if we are in port to get back to the ship in time to shower etc.

 

[New England Mickey]

I've always did 1st seating, but I would like to do 2nd seating one day. For your case I would do second seating. With all adults 2nd seating is better because there are less kids and it is much quieter. I would disagree with being rushed at 1st seating but I do suppose that with 2nd seating is it more relaxing given the fact that there are less people.

 

[Chandra C]

On our first and only cruise we booked fairly last minute so the late dining was all that was available. Now booked for a second cruise and this time we had a choice and went with late seating again. We have kids but as working parents we are accustomed to eating late. Also, I just like seeing the show at the earlier time and then dinner, just a personal preference.

 

[xlxo]

I like the 2nd feeding.

• more time in port, have a local snack before reboarding and let it settle
• 2nd feeding is less crowded and rushed, it feels more relaxing
• does DCL have a 3pm high tea? You need extra time post-tea to let that settle.
• clothes are cleaner for shows and photos as you eat after the show
• kids are taken to the evening program right after the meal
• if you have a cabin near a busy elevator, being a night owl and sleeping after midnight means the corridor is quieter
• you get to sleep in an extra hour on debarkation morning for the 2nd breakfast.
  • more time to pack
  • get to relax and wait in the dining room for your assigned debarkation time

 

[ChicosWife]

We have kids and prefer second. We don't feel as rushed if we are in port to get back to the ship in time to shower etc.

We had the early seating on our last cruise and now we were only given the option of second seating for our upcoming. Looking at the times in port (one doesn't leave until 5:30), I think the second seating may just work out for us. I don't want to be rushed back to shower, change and go to dinner, from a day on the islands. I'm glad to hear that the late seating works for a family with kids as well.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

We had the early seating on our last cruise and now we were only given the option of second seating for our upcoming. Looking at the times in port (one doesn't leave until 5:30), I think the second seating may just work out for us. I don't want to be rushed back to shower, change and go to dinner, from a day on the islands. I'm glad to hear that the late seating works for a family with kids as well.

Glad that works for you. One question that I would ask you or the OP, do you plan to go to the nightly shows? If so, they usually start at 6:15 for those with late seating, so if you want to get there 15 minutes early (for example) to get good seats, you may only have 15 minutes extra time to get ready than if you had early dining. Of course, if you aren't going to the shows, then that won't matter.

 

[Kyle James]

My family and I always had 1st seating so it was a disappointment at first on our most recent cruise when we got 2nd seating. But it was very nice and not as loud. I'd stick with 2nd seating!

Also, It seemed that the food came out a lot quicker than the 1st seating. Maybe because the staff got into the swing of things later in the evening.