Main Seating Vs Late Seating

[Ozarkglittergirl]

August in AK is surprising. Sun never really sets but it can be rainy and chilly. My sister lives in AK. We visited the first week in Aug and were on the Spit in Homer, wearing hoodies and mittens brrr

 

[mischief32]

We did late seating on our first cruise the other week. We will pick first seating next time. We had plenty of time to make that seating and were really just waiting around with second seating. Also we got seasick on the first day after the boat left port. I think an early seating would not have been so bad since we got worse the faster the ship got moving away from port. Same thing happened the last night but not as bad since we were cruising slowly most of the day but picked up speed to get home to port they next morning. My daughter was not happy about the late seating either and she is 9.

 

[Flossbolna]

We prefer early seating as i don't like going to bed feeling full.

Everyone who opt for second seating say they don't like to feel rushed but you will still have to be ready at the same time if you want to see the show???

The first seating is usually at 5:45pm, the first show at 6:15pm. We usually go to the show just as we are (and then get pretty between show and dinner) and are not picky about where we sit. So, for us it works if we start heading to the show at 6pm. If we had dinner at 5:45pm, we most likely would start getting ready for that at around 5pm. So, this is nearly a full hour - and our favourite time at the adult pool!

 

[mcd2745]

The ideal time for dinner (at least for us), is somewhere in between the fist and second seating times.

Main seating is generally too early in our opinion. You have to put and an end to your daytime activities too soon for our liking in order to get ready for dinner. Plus we rarely, if ever, eat dinner that early at home.

The big problem with the second seating, in our minds, is that your showtime is before dinner. It just feels backwards - show then dinner instead of the "traditional" dinner then a show. It would be great if there was a third showtime later on - say at 10:30pm - for those with second seating to go to after their dinner. Plus, there's so little else going on around the ship by that time anyway.

 

[taymorel]

We have a 10 year old and love Late seating because we like to take our time getting back on the ship on port day's. We also like to see the shows before dinner.

 

[scootch]

Even though there is food onboard everywhere, for us, we need to be closer to our at home dinner, which is early.

 

[emnems34]

I've always done main seating but I think from here on out I will be doing late. You're completely right with all of your thinking- everything is less crowded for you if you do late seating, like meet and greets, movies, etc. Have fun on your cruise!

 

[abja09]

Just remember that when you get to Alaska there will a 4 hour time change. We live in Illinois and had late dining on a Alaska cruise and it was rough to stay awake for dinner! Hope this helps.

That's what I am afraid of for our Mediterranean cruise in 2017. I always book early dining but I did late dining for this cruise thinking with it would be better choice but now I'm thinking with the time difference it may be tough. Plus after being out all day in port we maybe too tired to eat so late.

 

[Floridatinaherb]

We have always done main seating (even when it was just me and DH) and for our cruise next year we are choosing late dining for the first time! The kids are older now so staying up late is not an issue anymore. This is the kids' 1st trip on the Fantasy and I can't wait!!!

 

[Amunet]

I always do second seating with Disney because of the no rushing back to the ship after excursions, later departure breakfast and higher chance of own table.
Granted, my cruises don't include children.

I thought there was a special service for kids at second seating that goes to the clubs? Does anyone know more about this?
I could see that as a plus for a family with kids that get second seating.

While I prefer second seating, I understand the appeal of first seating for families with kids

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I always do second seating with Disney because of the no rushing back to the ship after excursions, later departure breakfast and higher chance of own table.
Granted, my cruises don't include children.

I thought there was a special service for kids at second seating that goes to the clubs? Does anyone know more about this?
I could see that as a plus for a family with kids that get second seating.

While I prefer second seating, I understand the appeal of first seating for families with kids

If you want your kids to participate in the "Dine and Play" program, you just need to let your server know your kids will be leaving early. The kid's club CMs (Oceaneer's) will be at the dining room door about an hour after service begins to pick up the kids participating. You need to keep your eyes open for them. Your servers will bring the kids' food out quicker (so that they are basically eating their entree when you are eating your appetizer).

 

[Holli L]

If you want your kids to participate in the "Dine and Play" program, you just need to let your server know your kids will be leaving early. The kid's club CMs (Oceaneer's) will be at the dining room door about an hour after service begins to pick up the kids participating. You need to keep your eyes open for them. Your servers will bring the kids' food out quicker (so that they are basically eating their entree when you are eating your appetizer).

Question about Dine and Play.. isn't there an option to feed your kids at the kid's club? Or it's just early eating and going to the club from dinner? I was hoping to feed our 3 year old early and then her stay in the club while we go to dinner with our 11 and 13 year old. Think it would be best to take her to eat at the buffet before our dinner and then drop her off on the way? Shes going to be hungry before 8 anyway! New Disney cruiser here and first time ever taking our kids, so I really appreciate any and all info that will help me make it as easy breezy as possible for the span of ages on our trip!

 

[Weedy]

There are different options to feed your child. You can:
Pick up food at the fast food restaurants on the pool deck. There is lots to choose from. Pizza, chicken strips, fruit and milk. You can feed her there or take the food back to your cabin.
Room service is free. You can order and have her eat as everyone gets ready for dinner.

 

[Debbie]

One thing I found with late seating, is that we missed some of the trivia/games. While a game might begin at 9:45, it was a rush, and no seats to be had by the time we got there.

 

[Ozarkglittergirl]

Is there a charge for the trivia games? I know there is for Bingo. What sorts of trivia games?

 

[Debbie]

No charges. Just meet, make a team and answer. Fun for the Trivia buff. (I loved the Disney songs one that I caught the tail end of) They have lots of different games throughout the cruise.

 

[lovedisney123]

The later breakfast on the last day really appeals to us. On our last cruise, we were on the one when the time changed (3 night, Thursday-Sunday and official time change was on Saturday night). Disney had us change over night on Friday so all day Saturday we were on the new time while on Castaway Cay. The thing we did not realize was that our phones would change on Saturday night. So my husband had set the alarm based on the time change the day before, but with the REAL time change we were awaken at 5:00am thinking it was 6:00. We did not realize it until he was in the shower and by then we couldn't go back to sleep. It was not a pleasant way to end our cruise. If we had had the later dining it would not of seemed so bad. Next curse we won't be on for the time change, but we both decided we want more sleep on our last day, so we booked second dining for 2017. I am hoping for a much more pleasant last morning on the ship.

 

[Flossbolna]

The later breakfast on the last day really appeals to us. On our last cruise, we were on the one when the time changed (3 night, Thursday-Sunday and official time change was on Saturday night). Disney had us change over night on Friday so all day Saturday we were on the new time while on Castaway Cay. The thing we did not realize was that our phones would change on Saturday night. So my husband had set the alarm based on the time change the day before, but with the REAL time change we were awaken at 5:00am thinking it was 6:00. We did not realize it until he was in the shower and by then we couldn't go back to sleep. It was not a pleasant way to end our cruise. If we had had the later dining it would not of seemed so bad. Next curse we won't be on for the time change, but we both decided we want more sleep on our last day, so we booked second dining for 2017. I am hoping for a much more pleasant last morning on the ship.

One hour isn't so bad! My sister and I once managed to not adjust our phones which we used as an alarm on a trip from Germany to WDW. So, the first morning the alarm goes off and we get up and shower. I then head to the Mara (we were staying at AKL) to get our mugs refilled and to pick up some pastry. I was surprised that it was still pitch dark outside (it was January though) and then looked at my watch that I had put on, to see if we were still on track to make it for rope drop. It took me about 30 seconds to really understand what I was seeing. It was not 7:30 am, it was 1:30 am. We had forgotten about the 6 hour time difference and that the phones needed to be adjusted!! No wonder that the jet lag felt so really horrible that morning! I turned around, and told my sister to get out of the shower to get back into bed!! And, yes, we managed to go back to sleep for another 6 hours then!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Question about Dine and Play.. isn't there an option to feed your kids at the kid's club? Or it's just early eating and going to the club from dinner? I was hoping to feed our 3 year old early and then her stay in the club while we go to dinner with our 11 and 13 year old. Think it would be best to take her to eat at the buffet before our dinner and then drop her off on the way? Shes going to be hungry before 8 anyway! New Disney cruiser here and first time ever taking our kids, so I really appreciate any and all info that will help me make it as easy breezy as possible for the span of ages on our trip!

Dinner is served in the kid's club. But it's at a set time, and a basic meal (chicken fingers; pasta of some sort; fruit; milk). I think it's generally during the early dinner seating. OK, checked a past Navigator dinner was served 5:30-6:15. I've also been told that they only announce "dinner is here", they don't make anyone sit down and eat.

 

[lovedisney123]

One hour isn't so bad! My sister and I once managed to not adjust our phones which we used as an alarm on a trip from Germany to WDW. So, the first morning the alarm goes off and we get up and shower. I then head to the Mara (we were staying at AKL) to get our mugs refilled and to pick up some pastry. I was surprised that it was still pitch dark outside (it was January though) and then looked at my watch that I had put on, to see if we were still on track to make it for rope drop. It took me about 30 seconds to really understand what I was seeing. It was not 7:30 am, it was 1:30 am. We had forgotten about the 6 hour time difference and that the phones needed to be adjusted!! No wonder that the jet lag felt so really horrible that morning! I turned around, and told my sister to get out of the shower to get back into bed!! And, yes, we managed to go back to sleep for another 6 hours then!

That is funny! But the time change on the cruise did not go well for us. We were exhausted the rest of the day (had to go right to the airport for a flight that was earlier than they recommend, so it was a bit stressful that morning. We did make it in plenty of time, but just a really rushed and tiring morning). I don't think I want to book another cruise on the time change weekend.