Late arriving for early dining?

Do you think O'Gills would have their appetizers out on the first night? We leave on the 7th and don't want to miss the bridge either.
 
This is such a dilemma, (I know 1st world problem)! I'm so excited to sail out of NYC and see everything but I really don't want to miss the MDR the first night, there is so much excitement in there. Oh well, I've got 371 days to figure it out!
 
This is such a dilemma, (I know 1st world problem)! I'm so excited to sail out of NYC and see everything but I really don't want to miss the MDR the first night, there is so much excitement in there. Oh well, I've got 371 days to figure it out!
There is something exciting sailing out of a large iconic city. I wouldn't have missed sailing out of Vancouver in favor of dinner. I certainly wouldn't want to miss NYC. It is a bit more daunting when faced with the extended time to get out of port and to open ocean. I think as a human we are drawn to watching things going by while sailing.

For me, I would let the head server know that you will not be arriving to the dining room until after the ship passes under the bridge. Personally, on the first night, it is chaos anyway and the first meal is at a quicker pace as they are trying to get everyone in. Most people aren't seated until about 10-15 minutes after. Others are just late for whatever reason. They'll still work to serve you a full meal regardless of when you show up. As long as your are apologetic, sincere, and willing to tip a few extra bucks at the end of the week, no big deal.
 
There is something exciting sailing out of a large iconic city. I wouldn't have missed sailing out of Vancouver in favor of dinner. I certainly wouldn't want to miss NYC. It is a bit more daunting when faced with the extended time to get out of port and to open ocean. I think as a human we are drawn to watching things going by while sailing.

For me, I would let the head server know that you will not be arriving to the dining room until after the ship passes under the bridge. Personally, on the first night, it is chaos anyway and the first meal is at a quicker pace as they are trying to get everyone in. Most people aren't seated until about 10-15 minutes after. Others are just late for whatever reason. They'll still work to serve you a full meal regardless of when you show up. As long as your are apologetic, sincere, and willing to tip a few extra bucks at the end of the week, no big deal.

However, if it is as late sailing as it was yesterday I would be VERY surprised if they were able to seat you or if they were to give you the full meal. You would DEFINITELY be rushed as they have to turn over the whole dining room before the second seating. I would NOT want to be the party that held up an entire dining room because they wanted to watch sail away and eat when it suited them.

If you for sure want to see the sights AND hit the MDR the first night, I would suggest going to second seating.

TO CLARIFY: I don't mean go to second seating on the first night. I mean CHANGING YOUR RESERVATION TO SECOND SEATING.
 
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However, if it is as late sailing as it was yesterday I would be VERY surprised if they were able to seat you or if they were to give you the full meal. You would DEFINITELY be rushed as they have to turn over the whole dining room before the second seating. I would NOT want to be the party that held up an entire dining room because they wanted to watch sail away and eat when it suited them.

If you for sure want to see the sights AND hit the MDR the first night, I would suggest going to second seating.


I was surprised how late they set sail yesterday. Normal time is 4:45 ish right? We're going in the cruise at the end of Oct. if we leave at 5:30 I think it will be dark!! Doing the late seating that night is a good suggestion. I wonder if they would accommodate you for late seating for just that one night.
 
I was surprised how late they set sail yesterday. Normal time is 4:45 ish right? We're going in the cruise at the end of Oct. if we leave at 5:30 I think it will be dark!! Doing the late seating that night is a good suggestion. I wonder if they would accommodate you for late seating for just that one night.

I think it was late yesterday - don't know for sure when it sails, but I'm guessing between 4:30 and 5.

I had meant change to late dining for the cruise. This isn't RCCL or NCL or any with anytime dining. Those tables are taken up each seating. I have never heard of them doing a one night only change. (Besides, the odds of you being able to be at your assigned table at a different dining time are slim to none.)
 
I think it was late yesterday - don't know for sure when it sails, but I'm guessing between 4:30 and 5.

I had meant change to late dining for the cruise. This isn't RCCL or NCL or any with anytime dining. Those tables are taken up each seating. I have never heard of them doing a one night only change. (Besides, the odds of you being able to be at your assigned table at a different dining time are slim to none.)
Actually I have heard of them accommodating people for late, late dining is less full since everyone wants early dining. That wait list of people who are trying for early dining and get moved once boarding the ship, their tables are empty. Now whether their server would have an open table who knows, but I certainly do t think it would be out of the realm of possibility and probably worth asking.
 

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