1st vs 2nd seating for dinner

[northshoremama]

pros and cons?

i requested 2nd seating for a cruise i currently have on a courtesy hold. i've read many posts where folks do 2nd seating and take advantage of the aquaduck on the fantasy while folks go to dinner during the 1st seating.

besides that, what are other pros and of course, cons to doing 2nd seating? would we miss any shows or entertainment that night? second seating, per the quote, is at 8:25pm.

also...what time does the aquaduck close at night?

 

[85glht]

You will not miss any shows. There are two shows per evening, one for the early dining group and one for the late diners. We like the early dining only cause we don't stay up late..... even on vacation. We had late dining a few times and going to bed on a full stomach is not favorable. Having late dining though, you will have plenty of time to get ready for dinner after a day at a port.
Not sure when The Aquaduck closes for the evening.
Have fun on your trip!

 

[Love2Cruz]

I did both, much prefer second seating....I felt the servers were more laid back, less rushing. I liked not having to rush for dinner every night...plus we had relaxing time in the cabin every day to rest between activities.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

pros and cons?

i requested 2nd seating for a cruise i currently have on a courtesy hold. i've read many posts where folks do 2nd seating and take advantage of the aquaduck on the fantasy while folks go to dinner during the 1st seating.

besides that, what are other pros and of course, cons to doing 2nd seating? would we miss any shows or entertainment that night? second seating, per the quote, is at 8:25pm.

also...what time does the aquaduck close at night?

Second seating has the kid's club pick up, if you use it. As noted, you won't miss any shows.

For us the biggest con - we're "early to bed" types. Eating that much food just before bedtime is hard on my tummy.

 

[Jillywilly143]

I had second seating and I loved it. I can't imagine having to be ready earlier for dinner. Also, having second seating at breakfast for debarkation was awesome.

 

[Judyat]

We prefer first seating. We do that and then go to the main event . It works the other way too. We just prefer not to eat so close to bedtime.

 

[Shanti]

besides that, what are other pros and of course, cons to doing 2nd seating? would we miss any shows or entertainment that night? second seating, per the quote, is at 8:25pm.

also...what time does the aquaduck close at night?

Second seating is actually at 8:15. For Eastern Caribbean cruises you spend most of the cruise in a time zone that is an hour earlier than EST, so you might take that into consideration, as well. Some people like late seating because fewer small kids/babies tend to be there, making it a bit quieter.

You can check a Personal Navigator (on Dis or on Disney Cruise Line Blog) to find when the Aqua Duck closes on most days of your type of cruise- it's typically 10 or 11pm. If you're on a winter cruise & the Aqua Duck is a priority, I'd do 2nd seating to be able to ride it late afternoon while others are at first seating dinner, before it gets chilly out).

 

[northshoremama]

Second seating has the kid's club pick up, if you use it. As noted, you won't miss any shows.

For us the biggest con - we're "early to bed" types. Eating that much food just before bedtime is hard on my tummy.

What's kids club pick up??

Second seating is actually at 8:15. For Eastern Caribbean cruises you spend most of the cruise in a time zone that is an hour earlier than EST, so you might take that into consideration, as well. Some people like late seating because fewer small kids/babies tend to be there, making it a bit quieter.

You can check a Personal Navigator (on Dis or on Disney Cruise Line Blog) to find when the Aqua Duck closes on most days of your type of cruise- it's typically 10 or 11pm. If you're on a winter cruise & the Aqua Duck is a priority, I'd do 2nd seating to be able to ride it late afternoon while others are at first seating dinner, before it gets chilly out).

Looking at WC on the Fantasy in April 2018. Now I'm wondering if second seating will be too late for my girls (11,10,6) at the time of sailing.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What's kids club pick up??

At the second seating there is the Dine N Play option. About 45 minutes into dinner service the kid's club CM show up a the door to escort kids to Oceaneer's Club/Lab, leaving the adults with an adult-only dinner. You need to give your server a head's up that your kids are participating, so they can get their meals out in a timely manner. They will usually serve the kid's entree with your appetizer service.

 

[northshoremama]

At the second seating there is the Dine N Play option. About 45 minutes into dinner service the kid's club CM show up a the door to escort kids to Oceaneer's Club/Lab, leaving the adults with an adult-only dinner. You need to give your server a head's up that your kids are participating, so they can get their meals out in a timely manner. They will usually serve the kid's entree with your appetizer service.

Oh, I like the sound of that! Thank you for the info

 

[Lilylogan]

I've only done late bc I've only traveled with adults - it's nice but sometimes its 10pm and it's like come on already because you start to get sleepy.

And we always felt rushed trying to get to the pirate party.

 

[northshoremama]

You will not miss any shows. There are two shows per evening, one for the early dining group and one for the late diners. We like the early dining only cause we don't stay up late..... even on vacation. We had late dining a few times and going to bed on a full stomach is not favorable. Having late dining though, you will have plenty of time to get ready for dinner after a day at a port.
Not sure when The Aquaduck closes for the evening.
Have fun on your trip!

So would the shows be after dinner for the 2nd seating or before dinner? Like we'd be watching a show (before dinner) while folks are at 1st seating for dinner? Then while folks are at 2nd seating, the folks at the 1st seating would be watching a show/shows?! Sorry for the silly questions.

 

[Laundress]

So would the shows be after dinner for the 2nd seating or before dinner? Like we'd be watching a show (before dinner) while folks are at 1st seating for dinner? Then while folks are at 2nd seating, the folks at the 1st seating would be watching a show/shows?! Sorry for the silly questions.

Yes that's how it works.
Also if you are in an excursion is nice that you don't have to rush back for dinner

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

So would the shows be after dinner for the 2nd seating or before dinner? Like we'd be watching a show (before dinner) while folks are at 1st seating for dinner? Then while folks are at 2nd seating, the folks at the 1st seating would be watching a show/shows?! Sorry for the silly questions.

Your last statements are the correct ones. The shows are before dinner for second seating. Then while second seating is eating, first seating gets to see the shows

 

[Skittlesmom]

We prefer second seating...gives us more time to get cleaned up and dressed for the show and dinner, relax at the show, and to take our time at dinner. No rushing to make deadlines while on vacation.

 

[xlxo]

I love second feeding.

• more relaxed than the first dining
  
• you get an extra hour in bed or to pack on debarkation day
  
• the 2nd breakfast means you can be waiting comfortably in the dining room for your debarkation time
  
• more time in port.... you can always try a local late afternoon snack while waiting for your 2nd feeding
  
• 2nd dining 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
    
  • really important for Alaskan cruises because all the posted times are Pacific Daylight savings..... you LOSE an hour of sleep leaving Alaskan time the night before

 

[dragynally]

I love second seating because I eat breakfast and lunch late. I could just see me heading to first seating on a full stomach.

 

[loril13]

OP - thanks for asking this. We're going on our first cruise in February. We took 2nd seating because eating dinner at 5:30 is way to early. On a regular day, I am just getting home from work at 5:30.
All the advice given here is very helpful.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Second seating is less rushed.

At the first seating they MUST clear everyone out in time for the second seating-at second seating all they have to do is clean up and close, so no need to rush anyone out.

And as has been said you can eat a big lunch. And at a Port, if you leave the ship, --no need to rush back just in time for dinner.

 

[steves100]

There must be a reason that 1st seating is always sold out.

If you have young kids and live on the east coast its very difficult to eat 2nd seating (in our opinion)

We have only eaten 1st seating (11 cruises) but at times it is difficult to get ready. if your with a large group some of your table mates might not get there on time...