Late dinner and room codes

[michelle white]

Im about to book a cruise in November. 1 could someone please explain the room codes to me. What is the difference in the room numbers,(5b,4a,5a) ive looked and cant figure it out. 2. Also the November 4th cruise only has late dinner left. We have a 5 year old with us. She goes to bed late around 9pm, but starts to get very tired at that time. I would hate to miss the dinners at night, but don't want it to be a night mare for everyone. Im not sure if I should wait until the spring to book( I would hate to wait, im afraid if we wait we wont go). I heard you can get on a wait list, but how often do they switch people, to first dinner. As you can tell this is are first cruise. I want it to be fun for everyone. Thank you

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

The number category tells if it is inside, ocean view, verandah. The lower numbers are verandah or Suites. Category 10 and 11 would be inside.

A lot of people are successful moving to main dining from the waitlist. That usually happens very close to sailing. You can also go to the dining changes location onboard the ship on embarkation day. They can also help with that. It is not a guarantee though.

 

[lanejudy]

The room categories have 2 designations -- first is the number part, which also corresponds to room type (10-11 = inside, 8-9 = oceanview or 7-4 = verandah). The letter part is a finer designation that generally indicates location on the ship, with "A" being the "best" location (which may be subjective). A's are generally midship on higher decks (or the highest deck with that category number). Other letters may be further forward or aft on the same deck, or may be midship on a lower deck. It's confusing; personally I wouldn't get too caught up in the specifics as long as you find a room in a location you like and it fits your budget.

As for dining -- I think the default is late dining. You may be able to change in during the booking process. If not, contact DCL (or have your TA do so) to get put on a waitlist for the earlier dining time. Reports are that most people waitlisted get changed. If you aren't changed prior to boarding, go to the location for dining changes as noted on your Navigator at embarkation to ask again. There are also posts with several suggestions of how to make late dining work for families with young kids. I'll see if I can find some for you.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[michelle white]

The room categories have 2 designations -- first is the number part, which also corresponds to room type (10-11 = inside, 8-9 = oceanview or 7-4 = verandah). The letter part is a finer designation that generally indicates location on the ship, with "A" being the "best" location (which may be subjective). A's are generally midship on higher decks (or the highest deck with that category number). Other letters may be further forward or aft on the same deck, or may be midship on a lower deck. It's confusing; personally I wouldn't get too caught up in the specifics as long as you find a room in a location you like and it fits your budget.

As for dining -- I think the default is late dining. You may be able to change in during the booking process. If not, contact DCL (or have your TA do so) to get put on a waitlist for the earlier dining time. Reports are that most people waitlisted get changed. If you aren't changed prior to boarding, go to the location for dining changes as noted on your Navigator at embarkation to ask again. There are also posts with several suggestions of how to make late dining work for families with young kids. I'll see if I can find some for you.

Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you. Would you not book due to late dinner?

The room categories have 2 designations -- first is the number part, which also corresponds to room type (10-11 = inside, 8-9 = oceanview or 7-4 = verandah). The letter part is a finer designation that generally indicates location on the ship, with "A" being the "best" location (which may be subjective). A's are generally midship on higher decks (or the highest deck with that category number). Other letters may be further forward or aft on the same deck, or may be midship on a lower deck. It's confusing; personally I wouldn't get too caught up in the specifics as long as you find a room in a location you like and it fits your budget.

As for dining -- I think the default is late dining. You may be able to change in during the booking process. If not, contact DCL (or have your TA do so) to get put on a waitlist for the earlier dining time. Reports are that most people waitlisted get changed. If you aren't changed prior to boarding, go to the location for dining changes as noted on your Navigator at embarkation to ask again. There are also posts with several suggestions of how to make late dining work for families with young kids. I'll see if I can find some for you.

Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you, this is very helpful.

 

[cmph]

Regarding dinner seating - you might be fine, depending on what time zone you're in and where you are cruising. We're on the west coast, and Bahamas/Caribbean cruises mean that late seating is closer to our regular eating time at home (we aim for 6:30 but who am I kidding, it's usually closer to 7 when we sit down to eat). If you are trying to get going early in the morning for day-long excursions on all port days, that wouldn't work all that well. But if you just have, say, one early morning - you could eat on the pool deck or in Cabanas for one night. Late dining a few months ago worked great for us, even though my 8yo is in bed by 8:45pm at home. He and his sister slept in in the morning, far later than I would have guessed!

 

[lanejudy]

Thank you. Would you not book due to late dinner?

Admittedly, we've always had main dining. But I would not hesitate to book and waitlist for early dining, and if it didn't come through we'd roll with it. You know your family best if that might work or not.

Here are a few threads that might have tips about late dining with kids:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/early-or-late-dining-and-why.3586851/
https://www.disboards.com/threads/2nd-seating.3584846/
https://www.disboards.com/threads/wait-list-for-dining.3578007/
https://www.disboards.com/threads/help-disney-cruise-main-late-dining-question.3571959/
https://www.disboards.com/threads/h...ng-with-5yr-olds-which-do-you-prefer.3549215/


Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Happy2BMommy0812]

On our last cruise my kids were 7 and 4 and I was worried because we put them to bed at 8 here at home on the east coast. We had the later dining. It was fine. Our sleep schedules were off anyway being on vacation.

 

[FigmentSpark]

A few years ago, when they had 'children are free' deals I was about to book and didn't because of the late dining. I regret that now.

I didn't know that there was a chance to change that on board. I didn't know that there were other options besides the MDRs. I didn't know that kids change their schedules with the families and people stay up later for things like fireworks and shows and kids' clubs. And I didn't know that there was the option at late dining for kids to be fed quickly so they can get to the clubs (CMs will pick them up outside the MDR), leaving DH and I to have a relaxing meal.

Some have suggested that late is better for kids because they are more awake for the shows and can play in the water more and there's more time to get ready for dinner.

You have to make your own choice, but don't make my mistake. If dinner is the only thing holding you back, go for it. You'll make it work. Disney will help you make it work. You're on vacation and so is your daughter.

 

[eva]

We are wait listed for main dining too. Sure hope it comes through. It is just DH and me, but I don't know how many times I went to bed with heartburn and didn't sleep well when we had late seating. For health reasons I really need main dining. Weird but when we have main seating, we usually feel so much better and actually stay up later. When I eat that late at night, I just feel so tired. Now we are not normally early eaters, but that late seating can have dinner served at 8:30 or later. We have still been in the dining room at 10pm. Think a doctor's request would work to get it changed?