That's a tough one.... First off, I don't know what cat room you have, unless it's an oceanview or above, you're going to have a hard time (ie no room) to have a crib next to the bed. The beds are also only queens, which could be a tight squeeze for all 3 of you. I've read that those on late returning excursions are still encouraged to go to the dining room if they have early dining, so that shouldn't be a problem. The high chairs on board are the standard wood ones, so I think your 6 month old would be fine in them. Personally, if your little one is used to going to bed around 8-9, I'd stay with early seating. If you think he/she will have an issue with early mornings going to bed later and then getting up early for those early excursions, then stick with early. Late is more convenient for those late returns, though we probably will be going to the buffet on those days, as I don't think we want to deal with having to "dress" for dinner after a long day. I think all of the Italy ports, unless the menu in the dining room is so unbelievable, we'll head to the buffet, we have late dining. I'd say base your dining decision on your baby's schedule of late, which sounds like late would work best. You can be out of the dining room by 10PM, and then put him/her down. I'd also bring a stroller onboard, so they can rest in it during the meal, so you don't have to hold them during your meal. I know I haven't been much help here, but I tried.....I have a question for you seasoned cruisers.... I am very concerned with this dining time thing. I will have a 6 month old on the next cruise. Would you think she would be better in the earlier setting or the later setting? We breastfeed and will not be introducing solids before the trip (that is a lot to handle at one time!) so I was just curious what your opinion is. We don't tend to use a stroller so I highly doubt she will just sleep there as she only likes to sleep in my wrap or in her bed (our bed, we cosleep but she is put down before we go to sleep in her crib next to the bed). I guess I am just so confused as to which setting would be best for us. Right now we have the early seating but I have called the travel agent like three times and switched it back and forth. AGH. She recommended the late one bc of the ports being later but that does not seem like a problem to us, we are only planning one intense day (rome) so if we happen to miss dinner then we will just go up to the buffetEither way, I just wanted your opinion, it's my first kid. She has been staying up later lately because the sun does not set until 10:15PM most nights.
Also, as a 6 month old she probably would not fit into the high chairs they provide either. OY, does that mean I have to hold her the whole time?! OK, ramble over. Which should I do? haha would it be best to try to get her to engage at dinner and then stand in the back of the shows with my wrap on and sway her to sleep while watching? (would that be allowed???) Or would it be best to try to go to the late seating and hope she is sleeping in a stroller (which we have not yet decided we want to even bring on board and I know the rentals do not recline). OK HELP.
I'll email mine to you for some pointers! 
I may have a kid, but am sooooo not a teacher!no you did help a bit. I just wish I would know which is more popular so we can sign up for that and if it does not work out with us we would be more easy to switch, you know? LOL. DH hates to eat late and thinks 8:30 is too late... but who knows. We are planning on doing early mornings to sorta beat the heat and then return to the cruise ships early afternoon, nap, go to dinner, show, go to sleep.
That sounds doable right? 
Also, she does not sit up yet so who knows if she will be sitting up by herself at 6 months, I hope that the high chairs work out. We are flying Span Air, we never used them before... what do you mean booster? She is a lap infant (friggin huge though! 18lbs and 4 months right now... she is exclusively breast fed and hoping her weight gain slows or the carrying around Europe in our ergo is going to be taxing!) The airline only says that pram/pushchairs are free. We have a travel system we were thinking of bringing and gate checking it hoping that they consider it all one part of eachother.... but then again, that might be more hassle then it's worth lugging around Barcelona on the public transit! LOL.
Adsmama said:
so it might be free?
the number costs money for us to call from our home phone, so I have been looking for an email.
