New dining times

[SusanB]

We're sailing on the July 20th Western cruise. I received a letter yesterday from DCL advising that both the early and late dining times will be moved up by 1/2 hour. So dining times will now be 5:30 and 7:30.
They say this is due to feedback from guests requesting this.
It does create a problem for guests taking excursions that are longer (6-7 hours). On the Cozumel day, we have planned to take the Tulum tour. I called DCL and asked if we would be back in time for the early dinner. The rep called the ship and reported back to me that we would not be back in time to make our dining assignment.
I would think Disney would work with their shore excursion vendors to move up the excursion so guests could still make dinner.
I know we can always get room service or go up to the pool deck for pizza or something. It just seems odd that they would do this.
Any other opinions?

 

[Scott H]

Just curious

The statement "due to feedback from our guests" always makes me wonder. I know Disney listens and responds at times. Call me a skeptic but I wonder if this is an easy line for Disney to use when making changes. Kinda reminds me of early entry to the parks.

As the folks here on this board represent a small yet significant number of folks who cruise with DCL. Has anyone here mentioned anything about the times of the evening meals?

I wonder how many or what percentage of responses triggers these changes?

Just curious, I am.

I agree about the timing with the shore excursion vendors.

 

[AnnMorin]

Well I think this sucks! We opted for the early seating and six worked great for our last two cruises-although we did cut it close twice,once is St. Thomas and other Castaway Cay. now I have to either choose a good excursion or a good dinner... I have no desire to eat pluto's pizza for dinner when I could be getting pork tenderloin, and I really wanted to see the islands. 5:30 seems way to early! I hope by december they change their minds!

 

[mmouse37]

My letter from DCL stated late dining was at 7:45, not 7:30. We are on the 8/3/ cruise this year.

I am sure they will alter excursion times to fit in with the new dining time testing. DCL must realize if they change dining times it will affect shore excursions and evening entertainment. I am sure they will take that into consideration.

MJ

 

[westjones]

This will be my first time with the 'early' seating. Our last two cruises we had 'late'. The new times works good for the late serving, but I am sure that since we will be early my kids will want a snack before bedtime.

I guess I never found myself hungry at all the whole time I was on the ship, so the times don't bother me. We moved to the early dining because it seemed like the kids clubs had a fun activity each evening that the children in the late seating would miss out on (our kids eat with us, not the club).

So, I think it sounds much better for the late seating people.
DJ

 

[kfahygc]

I wonder if the dining times on the 4 day wonder will be changed also. Do you think that this is across the board for all of their cruises?

 

[CamColt]

Are you sure that change is for everyone? This was posted here earlier in the week and from what was said, this was being done as a trial basis for a few(I think 4 ) specific cruises.

 

[Michelle]

To reiterate what I said in another post, THIS IS A TEST ONLY FOR FOUR MAGIC CRUISES:

7/13, 7/20, 7/27 & 8/3

If you are not one one of those cruises then your dining time has NOT CHANGED.

DCL is just testing this at this point. If they make any permanent changes rest assured we will post it here.

 

[Mickey7811]

I personally thought the 8 pm seating was way too late. We did not finish dinner until after 10 each night - and then half the night is over with.

I am not sure I would like the earlier one changing - but the late one changing seems like a good idea to me.

We went on the Tulum ruins excursion and when we returned we were starving - so we did the casual dining in Topsiders. I could not wait until the late seating that night so we ate around 7 pm.

Ideally tht would be the time i would like to eat every night.

Darlene

 

[mmouse37]

But in order to make the late seating earlier they have to also make the main seating earlier or the dining staff would not have enough time to set-up the dining room for the second seating.

MJ

 

[Fawn]

Michelle

I'm sorry. Did you say this was a permanent change or not? heehee

 

[CamColt]

Thanks Michelle! I was beginning to think I imagined your posts. With 12 days until we sail, I dont need any unexpected changes.

 

[Michelle]

LOL Fawn -- just wanted to be sure everyone got the message! I hate to see anyone change their dining time based on the test dates, if they're not on one of those cruises.

 

[SusanB]

I didn't realize the change in dining times were just for a few cruises, as a test. The letter certainly didn't imply that at all. For us early diners on those affected cruises, I certainly hope that Disney reconsiders! I did send an email, but I'm sure being this close to the cruise, they won't change anything else now.

 

[BarbaraB]

SusanB

We are in the same situation as you. We are booked on the Aug 3 cruise, with early dining. We had planned on doing the Tulum Ruin Tour as well. I am really interested to hear how the early seating works for you on your July cruise. I was thinking maybe this would be a good night to do Palos (if we are going to miss our dinner anyway), but maybe we will be too exhausted to enjoy it. So many decisions. . . .

Barbara