On the waitlist for the 1st seating, what are my chances?

[Pooh667]

Hi,

We are thinking of taking the 11/27 eastern carribean cruise. After getting the price quote we are told that the 1st dinner seating is full and we are waitlisted for the 2nd. Anyone know our chances of getting the 1st seating?

Thanks,
Susan

 

[CGC33A]

I think it helps if you are a small group (versus 10 or 12 people). I have not had much luck switching to early seating but other people report they have done it. Sometimes it can be done on the ship right after embarkation. Therefore get there early to make this request.

 

[CurtS]

Hi Pooh667




We are also on the Nov. 27th cruise and waitlisted for early dining. I was advised by my TA that while we may not get early dinner by the time our docs arrive, we can always try again when we get on board. From some of the threads I've seen, the chances for a late to early aren't really all that good. However, there is a positive side--a lot of the threads on this forum say that late dinner was preferred by many people for a variety of reasons, primarily because the kids get so engrossed in what they are doing that getting them ready for late dinner is a hassle, along with them falling asleep during the late theatre (on a full stomach no less). On the other hand our DS3 and DS4 aren't too flexible when it comes to their stomachs!

 

[CindyandBrice]

Just remenber, the early seating must exit the rooms and the ship on teh last morning of the cruise. If I can remenber, this was 6;45 am for breakfast and 8 am of the ship. THe later seating gets the later breakfast the last morning.

 

[kcashner]

Your best bet for getting moved to early seating is to go to "Dining Changes" after you board and put in a request there. They will move you if possible.

 

[CurtS]

However, there is a positive side--a lot of the threads on this forum say that late dinner was preferred by many people for a variety of reasons, primarily because the kids get so engrossed in what they are doing that getting them ready for late dinner is a hassle,

Sorry about that--I really need to read my own writing before I post, I guess. What I meant was that the threads mentioned that the kids were so engrossed that EARLY seating was a hassle. Many people said that this was particularly the case when the kids were swimming and they had to pull them out of the pool by 5:00 for early seating. Plus, there was the issue that CandyandBrice mentioned. Many also said that time did not seem to be a factor on the cruise because of the number of activities. Either way, I think we can make the best of ANY dinner time! If all else fails, the DS3 and DS4 can always enjoy a Pluto dog before the theatre.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

During the week of 9/27, call every day to check for openings in the early seating (or call your TA and ask them to call). This is the week when final payment is due and when most cancellations happen. The waitlist is only consulted once a day, so if something has opened up between the time they check the waitlist and the time you call, you will get the opening.

I've used this method a few times and it has always worked for me (your mileage may vary). And as has been posted, you can always ask to switch once you're on board. Luckily, I've never had to do that.

 

[rjones69]

On night 3 of our 4 night cruise we told the head waiter that the last night we would not be at dinner due to the late hour. He told me he would see what he could do to get us a early dining seat. He was able to get us in but we were not able to have the same servers as the 1st 3 nights.

 

[LisaGoeke]

We were able to switch on our last cruise. We drove down, so boarded the ship pretty early. We went to request the change right away, but were told that since we were such a big party (9 people) that most likely it wouldn't happen. Imagine my surprise a few hours later when we got the call that we were switched to early dining!

 

[mickeyboat]

The four of us were wait-listed for early seating. When we boarded, we found out we had been switched. Good luck to you!

Denae

 

[jenlovesdisney]

It seems like a lot of people want the early seating so I am glad we got it! I just knew that my kids would poop out soon afterwords so I figured it was the best bet. Plus I am not sure how well they would sit through the shows anyway!

 

[NJ Cruisers]

Susan - we cruised that same week last year and we changed from late to early when we boarded the ship. We didn't have a problem doing that, but we were among the first 100 or so people to board. If you get to the port early you have a better chance.

Hope to see you on the 11/27 sailing ...we're doing it again this year. (We rebooked last year so we able to get early seating when we booked).

Diane

 

[DaveUK]

Chances are slim - but are improved if you :

1 ask to be waitlisted now

2 ensure you are early in line to board the boat - ask at check in - but if fails, then go straight to Dining Changes desk once boarded.

They will try to accomodate you - but early seating is very popular

 

[soccermomrn]

H! I was with a group of 8 women and 20 kids on the July 18 Wonder, and about 8 of us were waitlisted for early seating. Everyone else had early seating already! I called several times before our trip and they always said -- "You're on the waitlist". When we arrived at the ship to check in, we got our Key To The World Cards, and we were ALL on 1st Seating! Didn't have to ask or anything!!
Hope it works out for you! The only thing I didn't like about 1st seating was the 6:45 breakfast time the last morning - yuck.

Have a great time!!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Pooh667.......don't sweat it......we had early seating on our first sailing and second on our next 3. WE LOVE THE SECOND!!!! I have 2 DDs 14 and 12 and by the time we get to the room from an excursion, shower, put on their "war paint" get there early for some pictures.....it's a hassle. Every day I would see people running down the halls and stairs trying to make the early seating........We are from the mid west so there is a two hour time change as you sail......8:30 is 6:30 for us.........

 

[TexasGirl]

When we cruised last year we were waitlisted for 1st. We got on the boat fairly early and beelined it to the area where they were taking dining requests. One table was to change seating times, the other was to take Palo reservations.

We were on the spot changed to 1st seating. We got our Palo dining choice too. Very convenient.

For our cruise that was supposed to be going out today. We were waitlisted for 1st for months. Finally about a week before the saildate we were moved up. I had called my TA to see what they could do. I guess there will be MANY empty tables on the 1st and 2nd seating now since it is a 5 day.

For our rescheduled cruise, the 18th of this month, they also were able to get us to 1st seating.

I guess the rule is to not just sit back. Call and or go to the dining area once on board.