Late 2nd seating!

[jlawall]

In the summer of 02, we sailed on the late seating of the Magic and our late seating time was 7:45pm. With this time, the evening adult events started around 10:30pm and it seemed like there were more crowds in Rockin' Bar D. Does anyone else agree that the earlier seating time would work better for the second seating on the Magic?

 

[tvguy]

We prefer the traditional 8:30 pm late seating. I would prefer that the shows for late seating were AFTER dinner, instead of before.
But we are West coast folks, so late seating really is 5:30 for us. Even on an Alaska cruise we had late seating and loved it.
Just don't like being rushed after days in port to get ready for dinner and shows.

 

[Tandyc]

I agree with tvguy. West coasters think alike!

 

[ALBA]

I must admit, we loved the late seating on our last cruise and have requested the same again.

It just gives you more time on shore rather than rushing back to get ready for dinner.

Alba

 

[webray]

I am an east coaster..but, like the later seating..for the same reasons they do...don't like to be rushed in ports if I am going back to the ship for dinner.

Usually we have dinner on whatever island..but, just in case..don't like to have to rush.

 

[musicgirl]

Another vote for late seating, especially on the first night. After the lunch buffet, I wouldn't be ready for dinner!

I agree also about not having to rush. I know that there is always food available, but one of the things we enjoy about the cruise are the dinners. I don't want to eat off the ship, I've already paid for dinner! LOL!

 

[JJsmama]

Really ? All these votes for late seating! I wish some of you could trade with me. We are waitlisted for the early seating and if we don't get it, it is going to make a MAJOR obstacle in our cruise since we have 2 little boys who pass out about 8:00 every night and that is without the benefit of the exhausting sun and sea.

I'm TRYING to think good thoughts and plan around it happily, but it won't be good.

 

[lurontravel]

JJsmama,
We have the same dilemma, a two and a half and four and a half year old boys with a late seating on our seven day cruise. We've done this before (almost two years ago), and found that it worked out ok. We usually took care of feeding the boys at their usual time at a hamburger/pizza/lunch type of bufet, and then found that dinner worked out ok. We only had to worry about feeding ourselves a good meal and the boys having a "snack" while we ate. Sometimes we let the older one go to Fun Factory (kids club), sometimes we got babysitting for the little guy after dinner (it was a 14 night), and sometimes they'd nap at dinner (we put the big guy under the table with his head on a napkin, and the little guy would nap in a sling). The key was to feed them when they were used to eating, and it made an enjoyable evening for us. We'd optimally choose the early seating this time, but it wasn't available (last time we chose the late seating, and it worked out b/c we fed them at their regular time).

PS our kids have an 8:00 bedtime at home too, and we live on the East Coast.

 

[lurontravel]

Anyone have much luck with the wait list for early seating?

 

[Mickeyhugger]

We were assigned late seating our first cruise because it's all that was left. We ended up loving it for all of the reasons mentioned. However, our DD was 7 and it was only 1 hour later than our normal dinner time. (Central time.)

I can certainly sympathize w/those of you who MUST have early because of younger children. We all know too well how toddlers and preschoolers are mostly routine-regimented, and when they're tired and cranky (especially at mealtime) Mommy and Daddy are tired and cranky too.

 

[aprilgail2]

I like early seating but I would not rush back to the ship for it....if we miss dinner then we just eat someplace else on the ship...The dinners in the restaurant on board are not that important to cut shore time short for!

 

[Daisy5115]

Luron,
I'm sorry to hear that you have late seating! We are on the same cruise so I wonder how we got in for early seating? I guess maybe because we reserved back in the fall. Do you know if the ship is full? It sounds like it may be with early seating unavailable. I have two young boys too, so that's why we went for early seating.
I'll cross my fingers that you get the switch that you want!

 

[lurontravel]

I am not counting on getting changed to early seating, and I won't worry about it if I don't. THere is always the other way of doing things like we have before... sometimes things happen for a reason (even if you never find out what that reason is ). We will go to the port early b/c I like to get my "ducks in a row" so that I am not stressed, and can enjoy my time there. I don't know if it will be a good thing to check too early for a seating change, b/c maybe there won't be anyone who is already checked in who wants to switch.

I get the impression that the ship will be pretty full for our cruise Daisy5115, and it'd be great to get early seating b/c it would make it easier to meet up with you!

 

[krhardy]

I too was on the sailing with the "experimental" dining times. Personally, I liked the 7:45 time...you still had time to get back on board during land days, but you were also able to get to some of the adult cabaret nights. Apparantly, the time didn't fly too well, because they didn't keep it. Back to 8:30 for us, I guess.

 

[mickeyboat]

We were wait-listed for the 3/6 Magic cruise. When we arrived at port, we found we had been put in early. There's still hope for all of you, but if it is not possible, it sounds like all of you have the right attitude, you can work with it.

Denae

 

[jlawall]

Thx Kelley! I finally got a vote for the 7:45pm time!