Dining assignment?

[SUNFLOWER93]

Hi,
We are going on the Wonder over Spring Break and have a late dining assignment, what is the probability of having this changed as my daughter is nine and would hate for her to wait unitl 8:30p.m. to eat. Will they sit us with a couple since most small children will be at the earlier assignment? Has anyone been successful in changing their dining time or do you have to wait until you board the ship to try to change it?
Thank you,
Donna

 

[floridaminnie]

Go ahead and call and try to get it switched. If they aren't able to switch it, they can place you on a waiting list. If you still have a late seating when you check-in, you can try to switch it when you board. Just look at your Navigator and they will tell you where and when you need to go.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

Even after you're on the waitlist, call every few days or so and ask if there are any openings for the early seating. In my experience, this works better than relying on the waitlist.

If all else fails, you can request a change once you board. They usually can accomodate you.

 

[currycook]

I have children 8 and 10 and like the late dinning time. But we are the exception. Just keep calling and be on the list. We especially like the late time because on that last morning you get that extra time to get off the boat.

 

[GenieDana]

I just got off the phone with DCL reservations, and they changed our seating assignment from late dining to main (early) seating. I told them that my kids (DD-9, DS-7, and DD-3) would be terrors if they had to wait until 8:30 PM, and they changed it - No problems!

 

[SUNFLOWER93]

Thanks to all who replied!!!
I did call last night and she said we are on a waiting list, and they donot officially make the seating arrangments until thirty days before the cruise, is this true? or should I just keep calling?
We are early risers, we make the most of our day and then usually go to bed around 9:30-10:00 the latest.

Donna

 

[CathyCanada]

Donna, if you don't clear the waitlist, have a late afternoon snack around 4:30-5 to tide your daughter over. You can get room service or something up on deck 9 (pizza, chicken fingers, burger, etc). That is what my son, aka the Bottomless Pit, does.
CC

 

[jessicajulie]

GenieDana -

What number do I call to try to change?

Thanks for the help

Kristin

 

[westjones]

If you can't switch, there will be plenty of food around in the afternoon to hold you over. We loved ordering room service. The PB & J sandwiches were a big hit with my kids, and we all loved the cheese plate!
DJ

P.S. Room service is free, you just want to give the server a tip when he delivers. I didn't know that on our first or second cruise, but I sure enjoyed room service on our third cruise!

 

[GenieDana]

I called DCL at (800) 951-3532. I had to provide my confirmation number. I was told that they could only assign a seating (main dining or late seating) in in their reservation system.

I also asked about dining rotation (why not, while I had them on the phone and in an accomodating mood), but the CA said that "Hospitality Services" begins coordination of dining rotation about two weeks before sailing, and national reservations has no idea what that will be.

Dining Rotation selection was explained to me as a function done at the offices at the cruise terminal - in conjunction with the ship kitchen managers; she said there is real "economic" science in provisioning the ship and the ages / sexes / restaurant rotation assignment impacts what and how much provisions they buy.

I guess in today's economy, every chance to cut costs matters.

 

[Regina]

I've always had second dining, and I've seen children of all ages there.

My DD is much older than your's, but boy did she enjoy our room service feast! It's such a treat.

Keep in mind that you're not going to be languishing around waiting for 8:30. You'll be enjoying a wonderful show before your meal. (And there's a very tempting refreshment stand located outside the theater.)

 

[mcnuss]

Will they sit us with a couple since most small children will be at the earlier assignment?

You would think that there would be few small children at the late seating, but that's not the case. We saw kids of all ages at late seating.

Our first table assignment did not work out: they put DH, DD8 & me with a honeymooning couple and a couple with a Goth teenage daughter. (Ok, DCL could not know she was Goth ahead of time, but they did know my DD was 8 and the other girl was 16.) We promptly asked for a change, and they put us with another couple our age and their terrific DD10.5. She and my DD hit it off and had a lot of fun the rest of the week. It did make me wonder how much "care" they put into the arrangements since there was another family so closely matched to ours and they did not put us together originally. We never did find out what happened to their original tablemates.

The funny thing about late seating is that I picked it bc my DD is normally a night-owl. However, with the excitement of the cruise, she was exhausted by the time dinner came around, and did not enjoy mealtime as much as she could have. So if we go again, I'll pick early seating.