Late seating question....

[Gupsmom]

We have 3 little kids (5, 4, 3). We booked late and were given a late seating. We are on the waiting list for the main seating...

The more I look into it, I'm not sure I want to switch. It's only a 3 day cruise. Of those 3 days I really want the kids to see the animation meal. I'm wondering if on the other 2 nights there will be a way we can feed them somewhere else on the ship. I think I saw that there was a pizza place. Then they could be in the kid's club during our dinner. I also like the idea of being able to take them to the early show.

What do you guys think? Am I still better off pushing for main seating?
What are the advantages to each seating?

Jess

 

[tkd lisa]

Our family really liked late seating. There will be more food options that you can possible use! There's pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken strips, etc. by the pools. There's also a pretty good variety from room service (no extra cost except for drinks, just tip the waiter). The shows are a really big part of the cruise, and I'd think that your kids would enjoy the early show much better. At their age, sitting in a dark theater at 8:30 at night they'll probably fall asleep!

You also have more time to enjoy the pools in the evening while the early folks are getting ready for dinner. It's pretty easy to go straight to the show, then get ready for dinner between the show and the 8:30 start time for dinner. The show is almost always done by 7:35 or 7:40.

The kids can also eat with the kids clubs. Check the navigator's for times, my kids didn't do dinner with them hardly ever, so I don't remember when it was. They take them up to topsiders and feed them typical kids food.

 

[mmouse37]

Late seating really does give you more time. If you have early seating, you need to be dressed and in the dining room by 6:00 pm. You see the show late and as the other poster said, kids will probably fall asleep.

If you take late seating, your show starts at 6:30 (already saved a 1/2 hour) and you don't necessarily need to be dressed up for the show (I would not go in my bathing suit, but you know what I mean). You then have a whole hour between the show and your dinner time at 8:30 to either get ready or just relax.

We have cruised 7 times on DCL and ALWAYS take late seating. There are tons of food choices available. We usually order late afternoon/early evening room service of sandwhich or cheese and cracker trays, cookies, etc.

MJ

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We did had the early seating Feb 2000 Wonder and late seating Dec 1 Wonder. I have DD 12 and DD10. We liked the late seating much better. I you want pics. in your dining attire you really need to be at the rest. about 20-30 mins. early. That means in your stateroom @ 4:30 (maybe earlier if your kids are like my girls) to get showered and dressed. The shows start at 6:30 for the late seating guests. That gives you an extra hour for shore excursions etc. and maybe longer if you don't mind missing the show. I booked late seating for our next cruise.

 

[natt]

The only problem I could see if you are really looking forward to your kids getting to see Animators, and they do what my dd-6 did! It was the first night after having getting up before the birds and the whole travel excitement. My daughter feel asleep at the table (cheek resting on hand and drooling - great picture!). We never even realized that there was a light show because we all decided to call it a night before desert!