Changing your Dinner Seating Time

[awallbank]

We are currently scheduled for the second dinner seating on our April cruise. Our kids are very little and we definitely prefer the first seating.

Has anyone had experience changing their seating time this close to their cruise date? Were you able to change it online beforehand, or did you have to change once you were on board?

Anyone not able to change their dinner time?? :/

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are currently scheduled for the second dinner seating on our April cruise. Our kids are very little and we definitely prefer the first seating.

Has anyone had experience changing their seating time this close to their cruise date? Were you able to change it online beforehand, or did you have to change once you were on board?

Anyone not able to change their dinner time?? :/

You need to call DCL and request to be placed on the wait list for early dining. Then, call up every once in a while to "confirm" the request is there (remember the squeaky wheel?).

If the change doesn't happen before you check in at the port, go to where the dining changes are handled (it will be listed in the Navigator you get at check in as to where/when this is) and make the request again. Most times these efforts will succeed. Sometimes not.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Call DCL (or have your TA call if you used a TA) and request to be wait listed for main dining.

 

[starousse]

I had posted this same question last week. Many had said to call DCL directly to see if they could switch, if not, wait till you board the ship and you can speak with someone to switch it.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

We got off our DCL ship Saturday. Our February 13th Fantasy cruise was February break for schools so a ton of school age children and siblings. Many people wanted first seating but did not get it. We had an early port arrival time and were able to be moved to first seating which my 84 year old mom felt necessary because of her acid reflux problems. One night Mom and I had reservations at Remy and we were called to see if we would be using our dinner table- but my daughter was going to the dining room as she is too young for Disney Upcharge restaurants.

Our last two cruises (without my mom) we had second seating and the meals were so much quieter, peaceful, relaxed. Seriously the main dining rooms were so loud I will eat second seating if possible in the future and leave first seating for people with young children.

 

[sund23]

We have a 3yo, 9yo and 11yo and are scheduled at the later dinner... i was a little upset at first but this way, we'll be able to see the early shows and then eat...by eating early, we might not "make it" until the later shows... after reading what everyone has said...sounds like the later dinner might be better for us anyway....would be intereted in hearing other people's experience.

 

[TigerTown]

Our last two cruises (without my mom) we had second seating and the meals were so much quieter, peaceful, relaxed. Seriously the main dining rooms were so loud I will eat second seating if possible in the future and leave first seating for people with young children.

I never thought about the second seating being less crowded. I might have enjoyed dinner a bit more. We were at a large table (14 people) and it took forever to get our food. Many times we were still trying to finish our deserts when the lights came on and the crew had to prep for second seating. We're definitely asking for a smaller table next time and possibly second seating if its less crowded.

 

[scootch]

Many times the dining requests don't go through until they start working on your cruise... so just days beforehand. I am on a waitlist for a cruise in a couple weeks and getting anxious. My daughter has reflux and we dinner at 3pm at home... so even 6pm is late for us. I did file a special needs form, hoping that helps.

 

[FamilyHolidayPlanner]

I booked our June cruise in January and only noted after confirmation that we'd been scheduled for late dining. I phoned Disney immediately and was put on the wait list for early dining. When I checked our booking online a few days ago, we'd been changed to main seating.
(I would actually prefer the later seating, but our 1 yr old would never tolerate it)

 

[xlxo]

This is also a chance to change dining times at the first moment you step on the boat. After your name is announced, go straight to where they make dining changes to be put on a waitlist.