Wait listed for first seating question...

[Luv2cruise!]

We have a group of 14 going on the Fantasy this fall, and were told that the first seating for dinner was already filled up but we could be put on the wait list for first seating. Has anyone else had this happen and did you end up getting first seating? We have a couple young children, so we were really hoping to get first seating, as that is just what we prefer. I was just wondering what the chance of us actually getting first seating with us being a bigger group was, or if there was anything we could do to get switched. Thanks!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

If you don't get it also ask first thing when you get onboard. There is a place they will tell you dedicated to dining changes and reservations. You might have luck here. Others may have switched. Good luck!

 

[Neptune's Fork]

We were wait listed on the Fantasy but ended up getting main seating.

 

[gotomu212]

A lot of families have success being moved up, BUT you said you're a party of 14? That's going to be more difficult and I really wouldn't count on it. On the plus side we live late dining, even with young kids so you might find it a better fit. They'll be more awake for the shows and you can always get the kids food out with your appetizers and let them enjoy the Clubs or nap at the table while adults finish eating.

 

[Kontos]

Hmmm I'm in a similar situation and sailing in August. We booked mid October so I'm hoping something opens up since we were still pretty far out when waitlisted. I'd assume there's usually quite a bit that opens up once the PIF date passes

 

[Dug720]

A lot of families have success being moved up, BUT you said you're a party of 14? That's going to be more difficult and I really wouldn't count on it. On the plus side we live late dining, even with young kids so you might find it a better fit. They'll be more awake for the shows and you can always get the kids food out with your appetizers and let them enjoy the Clubs or nap at the table while adults finish eating.

I agree - I think 14 is going to be tough. (Do they even have a table for 14??)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

(Do they even have a table for 14??)

Yes. This particular cruise it was only set for 8, but they can put more there:


They can also put smaller tables together to seat larger groups.

 

[Dug720]

Yes. This particular cruise it was only set for 8, but they can put more there:
View attachment 214028

They can also put smaller tables together to seat larger groups.

Gotcha. Thanks!

 

[cedricandsophie]

We tried early seating once and will never do it again. Granted my grandkids are older now but even when 3 or 4 they handled lat seating just fine with a nap and some snacks. The shows for late dinner are at 630 while the shows for first seating are closer to 10 I think. Getting ready for dinner st 530 is just too stressful.

 

[MrsDuck]

With a party of 14, I'd say it's unlikely.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We tried early seating once and will never do it again. Granted my grandkids are older now but even when 3 or 4 they handled lat seating just fine with a nap and some snacks. The shows for late dinner are at 630 while the shows for first seating are closer to 10 I think. Getting ready for dinner st 530 is just too stressful.

Except for two cruises where we had late port times, we've always done early seating. Early seating is generally around 5:45 and late around 8:30. The shows are at 6:15 and 8:30 nightly.

 

[n2mm]

I have waitlisted the last two cruises (2016) for main seating and it never came through. I have a cruise next month and am waitlisted again for main. I doubt it comes through as it never has in the past. Btw, we are a party of 2.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have waitlisted the last two cruises (2016) for main seating and it never came through. I have a cruise next month and am waitlisted again for main. I doubt it comes through as it never has in the past. Btw, we are a party of 2.

We've been waitlisted on 7 of our DCL cruises. We were moved to early seating on 6 of them. The change happened any where from 3 months out to 4 days prior.

 

[n2mm]

We've been waitlisted on 7 of our DCL cruises. We were moved to early seating on 6 of them. The change happened any where from 3 months out to 4 days prior.

Wow, I'm impressed. I must be doing something wrong. My next cruise is 4 weeks out. I don't even check anymore.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

We were a party of 9. We were on the wait list for 8 months and didn't get it, but when we went and asked first thing when we got on the ship, they accommodated our request. It was definitely two smaller tables put together, but it was a nice location in each dining room, not like some undesirable leftover.

One other thing to consider when you get on board, would be if your party would agree to being at two tables, maybe one of 8 and one of 6. Perhaps they could even be close to each other, and you could switch people on different days so you could still see everyone at some of the dinners. That might be an issue for the servers, but just ask them, they may not mind. If someone has special dietary needs, maybe keep them with the same servers and have the others switch around them.

 

[Kontos]

We were a party of 9. We were on the wait list for 8 months and didn't get it, but when we went and asked first thing when we got on the ship, they accommodate our request. It was definitely two smaller tables put together, but it was a nice location in each dining room, not like some undesirable leftover.

One other thing to consider when you get on boards would be if your party would agree to being at two tables, maybe one of 8 and one of 6. Perhaps they could even be close to each other, and you could switch people on different days so you could still see everyone at some of the dinners. That might be an issue for the servers, but just ask them, they may not mind. If someone has special dietary needs, maybe keep them with the same servers and have the others switch around them.

Were you able to make that request on board by yourself? I've got 3-possibly 4 reservations that will be linked. Can I request we be moved to first seating as long as I have all the reservation numbers? Or does someone from each reservation have to be there and confirm/approve?

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Were you able to make that request on board by yourself? I've got 3-possibly 4 reservations that will be linked. Can I request we be moved to first seating as long as I have all the reservation numbers? Or does someone from each reservation have to be there and confirm/approve?

I can't say for SURE, because my adult sister, from the other cabin in our group was with me at the switch, but I THINK I could have moved all the linked reservations by myself. They weren't too strict about it.

They did try a little bit to make SURE I wanted to switch. They pointed out that our kids were tweens and teens and it is usually families of younger kids that want the early seating. I responded honestly, that it was the adults worried that they'd be too tired by late seating (we were also traveling with my mother, who is 70). So they gladly moved us. They just wanted to make sure I had thought it through.

As it turned out, I think we would have been fine with either seating. Since we saw the shows almost every night, it comes out to be a wash. Often after the show, my mother went back to the room to sleep and the rest of us did other things.

 

[Rungkb]

I am traveling on the wonder how do you get on a waitlist?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am traveling on the wonder how do you get on a waitlist?

Call DCL and request it. If you used a TA, they must make the call.

 

[Rungkb]

Call DCL and request it. If you used a TA, they must make the call.

Thank you!