Dinner Seatings?

[ExecuMom]

When we were on the 8/3 Magic this year (our second cruise) they were piloting new dinner seating roations. Instead of 6:00 and 8:30 pm, they were 5:30 and 7:45 pm.

Our first cruise we were on the early seating, but the last cruise the late seating, which we enjoyed.

I believe that the "test" ended this summer and the times went back to 6 and 8:30. Does anyone have any feedback on whether this is going to stay, or how the tes went.

We are having family discussion around what to do for our upcoming 12/27/03 cruise for dinner seating time. Any thoughts/recommendations from those who've been on the New Year's cruise is welcome, as is from those "in the know" about dinner seating going forward.

Thanks, in advance!!!

Michele

 

[floridaminnie]

IN our July cruise, we also had the test seating. We had the early seating at 5:30 and I literally had to run back onto the ship to shower myself and DD to get to dinner on time. Our March cruise we've opted for the later seating along with our Dec. cruise with the thinking if we get hungry before than, we can always snatch a snack. My DD loves eating in the club and makes such a fuss about eating with us. In Dec. I am going to make sure she eats dinner for the tropical night, because I think she will really enjoy it and she missed out on it last time. I'll just make sure she has a later nap that day and a late snack.

 

[ExecuMom]

Thanks, sdoane.

We will have a 14-year old, 11-year old, and 8-year old on the next cruise. Our later seating (7:45 pm) was great on the last cruise, but am thinking the 8:30 for the upcoming cruise will be too late.

We have some time, yet. I guess I was hoping that the "test" would be implemented so that we could take advantage of eating at 7:45 instead of 8:30 pm.

Michele

 

[mmouse37]

Hi Michelle....we were also on the 8/3 cruise and loved the new late dining time of 7:45. That would be ideal if they bring that back, but from what I heard onboard when we sailed 1/4/03 they are keeping the original times for now.

We have sailed 7 times on DCL and always had the late seating by choice. 8:30 does seem a bit late to eat, but we adjusted just fine and found early seating just way to early for us.

MJ

 

[jilljill]

Our first 3 cruises we had the 8:30 seating which we loved - even with our DD, who was 5 on her first cruise. Last Sept. they put us on the 5:30 rotation, which I hated, too rushed from the sail-away parties and too early to leave the pool and Castaway Cay.
We missed our afternoon snacks of pizza or tacos by having the early seating - didn't want anything like that late at night.

 

[Michelle]

The test is over and it failed. Dining times are back to 6:00 and 8:30 pm and there are no plans to change that. The other dining times made it too difficult for the servers to set up both meals.

 

[ExecuMom]

Thanks, everyone for your responses.

I'm with jilljill and mmouse on the late seating, but my family isn't sold yet and thinks it will be too late. I'm going to take your feedback and send it to them - hopefully they'll reconsider.

Thanks, again!!

Michele

 

[floridaminnie]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=337088

You probably already read this thread, but I'll go ahead and place a link just in case. This link talk about how wonderful the late seating is. Just a few more points to make your case with the family!

 

[jilljill]

Originally posted by ExecuMom
Thanks, everyone for your responses.

I'm with jilljill and mmouse on the late seating, but my family isn't sold yet and thinks it will be too late. I'm going to take your feedback and send it to them - hopefully they'll reconsider.

Thanks, again!!

Michele

Good luck with the family. You won't regret the late seating. In fact, you may call DCL and see if you have the late seating to see if you try it out the first night and if your family doesn't like it you may be able to change to the earlier seating.