Suggested Dining Rotation on 7-Night Fantasy Western Caribbean Cruise?

[jaw55]

Hi there! First-time cruiser here. I've read that you can request (although not guaranteed) a particular rotation for the rotational dining. We're a family of 5 -- my husband, me, DD (5) (PICKY EATER ALERT), DS (7) (sophisticated palate alert -- favorite meal is grilled fish or shellfish, asparagus and fruit) and my mom (68). Most of our group enjoys interesting high-quality food options. What is best rotational restaurant and why? Should I request a particular dining rotation? Thanks in advance!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi there! First-time cruiser here. I've read that you can request (although not guaranteed) a particular rotation for the rotational dining. We're a family of 5 -- my husband, me, DD (5) (PICKY EATER ALERT), DS (7) (sophisticated palate alert -- favorite meal is grilled fish or shellfish, asparagus and fruit) and my mom (68). Most of our group enjoys interesting high-quality food options. What is best rotational restaurant and why? Should I request a particular dining rotation? Thanks in advance!

11 cruises on DCL and never requested a specific dining rotation.

Everyone onboard will have the opportunity to dine in all the dining rooms, with the same menus over the duration of the cruise.

Some people prefer to eat in a specific dining room for various reasons (one room "feels" fancier than others for formal night, or they want to dine in XX room on a special day, for example).

 

[LSUfan4444]

On your first cruise I don't know if I would suggest requesting a specific rotation. The choices are specific to the individual I really think you need to experience them all yourself before choosing which ones you like more than another.

On our most recent sailing we requested RAAE with Palo scheduled the night of Enchanted Garden. This pic below was our table to Royal Palace...now I know a different rotation can yield a different table but after being stuck in a corner for animators palate at an 8 top with a family of 5 that had two people who showed up for one meal we would have much preferred Royal Palace twice.

 

[truck1]

Every body has their own personal favorite rotation for 1 reason or another. Some don't care. Its up to the individual. The one thing to keep in mind is, that no matter what mdr you are in each night, the same food is served at all 3. For example on lobster night, youll have lobster whether you are in RP/RC, EG or Animators.

With that said, we like having Animators 3x on the 7s simply because we like seeing the water like swimming around the screens at dinner. But that's us.

If I were you, Id let the chips fall, and see what DCL gives me, before I decide what rotation that I wanted on your next cruise.

 

[Main Street Matilda]

I requested a specific rotation on our first cruise because I thought we'd enjoy Animator's best and so we got to go there 3 times on our 7-day cruise. Turned out, my family really preferred the other two MDRs. It was just personal preference - and we still liked Animators - but we would have preferred to have an extra night at one of the others.

I'm with the previous posters - on this first cruise, take your chances.

 

[phinz]

We always request a rotation to match our adult dining schedule so that we are not in Royal Court two nights. It's our least favorite, so we try and schedule Remy for one night we will be in Royal Court. This is much easier if cruising Concierge, as we've never had an issue getting the rotation and reservation we wanted.

 

[apathetic]

I would say the best one is what they give you. Don't overthink dinner. Everyone has their own preferences which may or not appeal to you. Planning for a cruise is good, but picking dining rotation is unnecessary. Once you do it a few times, maybe you prefer certain restaurants. But I like to leave some things as a surprise.

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

I agree with the other posters about not over thinking your MDR rotations, but... if anyone in your party has issues with motion, I would recommend Enchanted Garden or Royal Palace for your first night because the aft of the ship may have more movement and vibration due to the speed of the ship getting to its first port.

 

[Dug720]

I agree with the other posters about not over thinking your MDR rotations, but... if anyone in your party has issues with motion, I would recommend Enchanted Garden or Royal Palace for your first night because the aft of the ship may have more movement and vibration due to the speed of the ship getting to its first port.

The extra motion the first and last nights out of Port Canaveral is actually due to you having to cross the Gulf Stream. Nothing to do with "the speed of getting to its first port".

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

The extra motion the first and last nights out of Port Canaveral is actually due to you having to cross the Gulf Stream. Nothing to do with "the speed of getting to its first port".

The purpose of my post is to warn people about the two issues, not to be technical as to why the ship has vibration and motion. Some people will be sensitive to any type of movement if they are new to cruising. I simply wanted to make them aware that there is a difference in the experience in the MDR dining rooms on the first night. Experienced cruisers have seen people have to leave the dining room because of the motion and vibration of the ship.

 

[RedSox68]

On your first cruise I don't know if I would suggest requesting a specific rotation. The choices are specific to the individual I really think you need to experience them all yourself before choosing which ones you like more than another.

On our most recent sailing we requested RAAE with Palo scheduled the night of Enchanted Garden. This pic below was our table to Royal Palace...now I know a different rotation can yield a different table but after being stuck in a corner for animators palate at an 8 top with a family of 5 that had two people who showed up for one meal we would have much preferred Royal Palace twice.

I have to ask -- what is the dish that your DH has in front of him? Looks interesting. And what a great table -- in 10 Disney cruises we've never got window seats except at breakfast!

 

[LSUfan4444]

I have to ask -- what is the dish that your DH has in front of him? Looks interesting. And what a great table -- in 10 Disney cruises we've never got window seats except at breakfast!

That was the Escargot. My daughter has been pumped to try it but didnt want a full order until trying mine.

And I agree about the table...once we saw that location we were sad it would be our only time to get to experience it. We stayed there for quite a while that night.

 

[phinz]

That was the Escargot. My daughter has been pumped to try it but didnt want a full order until trying mine.

If she liked that escargot she'll love good escargot. I've stopped ordering the DCL escargot because I'm disappointed every time.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Its not the best for sure but its the best I could have gotten that night.