1st vs 2nd seating for dinner

[Anchors Away 2016]

To each there own, and the exact times of the seating vary a bit by itinerary, but I just want to point out one thing that hasn't been mentioned on this thread.

If your main goal for late seating is to have more time to get ready, that probably won't happen if you also plan to see the nightly shows. As stated, the show for late seating is before dinner, so when you look at the show start time, and consider adding 15 minutes onto that to get a good seat to the show, you really only get an extra 15 minutes compared to early dinner seating time, if that.

 

[85glht]

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

Second seating watches the shows first as Stitch'sCousin has posted. One of the reasons we like the first seating..... we eat, then go watch the show to let our stomach digest food negating going to bed on a full one.... just our preference.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

We would much rather have first seating. We had second seating twice and never again if we can help. We are early eaters at home, hate going to bed stuffed, not ones to sit for long after we have finished; so we don't feel rushed to finish any ways and really really love having the entire evening free to do what we want.

 

[kerry1379]

For us personally, the second seating was just too late. I had kids falling asleep at the dinner table on several nights (ages 4 and 8 at that time). Our personal experience with the kid pick up during second seating was that it wasn't all that helpful. Maybe we are just fast eaters but we would arrive on time to the MDR, enjoy what we thought was a leisurely dinner, and be about to enjoy dessert when the kid pick up would begin. We found we only had about 15 minutes of "adult time" with our dinner. (And honestly my youngest kids really just wanted to go back to the room and go to bed.) But I do hear a lot of people love it!

 

[pontikes67]

hands down 2nd seating.

 

[RoseSanti]

We have done both and ultimately prefer second seating. Each seating has it's pros and cons. While DS was little we tried first seating. It was a good time for our little one to eat at a normal time and we were able to see all the shows and everything as clockwork. Yet we realized that we had to get everywhere, especially to the shows, early. This made us feel a bit more rushed.
The next time we tried second seating and that worked out better for our family. As others have mentioned, we didn't feel rushed to get places. Also, it seems that many people tend to favor first seating, so second seating shows and the MDR's seemed less crowded.
DS loves being picked up from dinner by the cast members. Sitting for the entire length of the dinner is too long for him, he'd rather eat then go enjoy the activities in the oceanears club.

 

[Uncleromulus]

To each there own, and the exact times of the seating vary a bit by itinerary, but I just want to point out one thing that hasn't been mentioned on this thread.

If your main goal for late seating is to have more time to get ready, that probably won't happen if you also plan to see the nightly shows. As stated, the show for late seating is before dinner, so when you look at the show start time, and consider adding 15 minutes onto that to get a good seat to the show, you really only get an extra 15 minutes compared to early dinner seating time, if that.

Point well made--but to add there aren't really any BAD seats at the shows. IN fact, we always sit near the back and to the right so we can make a hasty exit and get to the bon Voyage bar before dinner.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Point well made--but to add there aren't really any BAD seats at the shows. IN fact, we always sit near the back and to the right so we can make a hasty exit and get to the bon Voyage bar before dinner.

Good point. I sat in several spots just to try them out, including the balcony, and there isn't really a "bad" seat. But there are some "better" ones. My kids enjoyed being near the aisles, when cast members would go past as part of the shows, and some of the shows have streamers and things from the ceiling that they got a kick out of, which you don't get if you are in the back (under the balcony) or up in the balcony.

Lastly, I was traveling with my sister's family and her husband always likes to sit in the front row or two. Personally, I didn't think it was worth the extra wait time (more like 1/2 hour than 15 minutes for other seats), but in order to keep the families together, we waited the extra time with them some nights, and I have to say, in some ways, he was right. Details were clearer, we felt more "involved" and throughout the week we recognized cast members in other performances, or even elsewhere on the ship. When we sat farther back, I never could have seen their faces clearly enough to do that.

 

[scootch]

Since you have to be ready for the shows anyhow, I dont' feel late dining offers any extra time. Maybe for those who don't go to the shows? We don't like going to be so full. Early dining is our choice and since it always fills up and late doesn't, it is the most popular. Nice meal, a little time in between for character meets and then enjoy the show and off to the D Lounge for family fun.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Sometimes even first seating can be a challenge for younger ones. Last year on our Wonder cruise my dd was 5 turning 6. Our servers were amazing!! After the first night they quickly brought her meals out then when she started to nod off they'd make her a little bed and she'd sleep while we ate! They brought her an extra chair plus tables cloths for a pillow and blanket! She'd nap for a bit then be raring to go for the rest of the evening!

 

[mevelandry]

One or the other could happen during a movie you might wanna see at the movie theater but that's about it. If you get 2nd seating, you go see the show before dinner.

If you have kids, they might get very sleepy. Both time we've seen kids sleeping at the tables around us.

 

[cedricandsophie]

Another second seating lover. Tried main seating once. Hated it. We eat at 7 or 730 at home. Eating before 6 is way too rushed.

 

[Shanti]

Now I'm wondering if second seating will be too late for my girls (11,10,6) at the time of sailing.

My 11 year-old son had no problem with second seating, but of course you know your own kids best.