2nd seating

[Tulip2796]

When we went to book our 1st Disney cruise it was only about 2 weeks before the sail date so only 2nd seating was available. We didn't initially book bc with a 6 and 2 year old who were accustomed to eating early, 2nd seating was a deal breaker. But, a friend convinced me to book and make the best of it if we didn't get the early time. Well, we booked and were waitlisted for early seating and 8 days before sailing, I noticed that we'd been moved to the early seating!!! (we were a party of 4). I couldn't believe it so I took a screenshot, lol. I didn't receive an email or anything, I'd just check several times a day. I can't say what would've happened if we hadn't been switched and whether we would have enjoyed the cruise as much as we did, but just wanted to share my experience. We sailed in July which I'm guessing is a peak period but I could be wrong.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

We sailed last August on the Fantasy with a group of 9. We were wait-listed for early seating for 8 months with no luck, but when we got on board we asked to be moved and they did it no problem. Having said that, i think last seating would have been fine. There is plenty of food everywhere, so it isn't like being home where eating late means starving for hours. Likewise, there is no cleanup afterwards so it really isn't that late when you get out of dinner. We switched to early for the same reasons you are talking about. The adults thought they would be too tired after such a late dinner, but we were amazed how much stamina we had well into the evening. Must be the sea air, or maybe just the more laid back schedule.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

typical timeline

• 8:15pm sit down
• 8:30pm meals served
• 9:15pm kids club pickup
• 9:30pm slow eaters depart

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
• 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
  • the extra hour is great on Alaskan sailings where you lose an hour of sleep with the time zone change.

This is great information!! Thank you!!! I was nervous about second seating myself, but my boys are 7 & 10 so I think this later seating may be perfect for us! We can always rest midday sometime if needed. I've noticed when we vacation even at Disney, the boys prefer to be up late to see everything and then sleep in a bit later than we normally would. And thank you original OP for the question, I was about to go on a Disboards thread hunt for info on 2nd seating!

 

[Trera]

We booked last minute for a cruise that we are taking this week and second seating was the only choice. We wait listed for main seating and got notified today that we got it.

Hang in there..............you could still get main seating.

 

[CamColt]

I personally would not cancel the cruise over this. Even being an early eater at home, I always get late dining. Not only is our daily routine very different when on vacation, but I wouldn't want to miss any of the daytime activities to get ready. There are some plusses to late dining, along with the negatives.

With that said, if you feel late dining would ruin the cruise for you, then cancelling may be your best option. It really comes down to just how important this is to you.

 

[Luv2cruise!]

We are also on the wait list for first seating for our cruise in October. For those who did get switched after being wait listed, how long before your cruise was it? And do you think I should call periodically before our trip- has anyone ever got switched by doing that?

 

[Trera]

We are also on the wait list for first seating for our cruise in October. For those who did get switched after being wait listed, how long before your cruise was it? And do you think I should call periodically before our trip- has anyone ever got switched by doing that?

Our cruise is 3/9 and we got the main seating notice today. I have never heard of anyone getting switched to just by calling unless there was room.............in which case you could just do it online without calling.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are also on the wait list for first seating for our cruise in October. For those who did get switched after being wait listed, how long before your cruise was it? And do you think I should call periodically before our trip- has anyone ever got switched by doing that?

We've been moved from late to early anywhere between a week following making the initial cruise reservation (about 3 -4 months out) up to 4 days prior to cruise.

 

[cheermom2four]

We had second seating both times and had our dd5 with us (and a teenager). It worked fine even though it seemed it was late eating at 8ish but we are on MST so it was only an hour later than usual if we stayed on our time (which we never did as we adjusted to the ships time just fine). Our dd5 did fall asleep at the table the 1st night as it was just a go go go type of day (embarking can be like that). AFter that we enjoyed the later dining as she would be awake for the shows since we saw them before dinner. If she got hungry before 2nd seating we would just get her a snack. Worked like a charm. Plus we didnt have to rush back from port to get all four of us in the showers and dressed in time for early seating. I'm sure they will accommodate your wish of being on the earlier dining time.