I agree about the children and the ages.
Our daughter was 7 when we first cruised in 2002, and I'd wanted early seating as that was closer to our normal dinner time.
We booked our cruise too late and couldn't get it, and were assigned the later seating.
It worked out for the best, as we were able to enjoy our shore excursions w/out having to rush back early to shower before dinner.
Now when we book early, we request the later seating. I don't know if we'd want it, though, if she was only 5 or 6.