What are our chances of getting main dining?

[Tulles]

We just booked our November 2017 cruise this weekend. We've been given 2nd dining and are on the wait list for main dining.

We are traveling with 2 other families and since they booked months ago they both have main dining.

We're going to link our reservations and hope that helps.

What are our chances of getting moved to main dining?

 

[Keira1387]

You should have no problem getting it. I have always had this request granted.

 

[crowls]

Following - we are in the same situation.....

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We just booked our November 2017 cruise this weekend. We've been given 2nd dining and are on the wait list for main dining.

We are traveling with 2 other families and since they booked months ago they both have main dining.

We're going to link our reservations and hope that helps.

What are our chances of getting moved to main dining?

Did you book directly with DCL? Or online? Or through a TA?

If you booked online, the default is late seating. Once the reservation is made, you have to call DCL and ask to change. I've been told that you can also do this online, once your reservation is made, but I don't know how to do that.

Since you've booked fairly far out, I'd say your chances are good. As a suggestion, it's not a bad idea to give DCL a call every once in a while to "confirm" that you're on the wait list (remember the squeaky wheel?).

 

[Tulles]

Did you book directly with DCL? Or online? Or through a TA?

If you booked online, the default is late seating. Once the reservation is made, you have to call DCL and ask to change. I've been told that you can also do this online, once your reservation is made, but I don't know how to do that.

Since you've booked fairly far out, I'd say your chances are good. As a suggestion, it's not a bad idea to give DCL a call every once in a while to "confirm" that you're on the wait list (remember the squeaky wheel?).

We booked through a TA. I called today and was told we're on the wait list and that linking to our friends should help as they like to seat people with their travel groups.

I will continue to call and get updates though. Thanks for the tip.

Maybe since it's my DDs Make-a-Wish trip we'll get the news sooner.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We booked through a TA. I called today and was told we're on the wait list and that linking to our friends should help as they like to seat people with their travel groups.

I will continue to call and get updates though. Thanks for the tip.

Maybe since it's my DDs Make-a-Wish trip we'll get the news sooner.

Well, your TA would need to make the follow-up calls, then.

You have a couple of things going for you - you booked fairly far out. You're linked with others who already have main dining. And, you're Make a Wish.

I'm fairly certain you'll get it.

 

[Tulles]

You should have no problem getting it. I have always had this request granted.

How soon do you normally know?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

How soon do you normally know?

We've been on the wait list almost every time we've booked. And only once it didn't come through. The other times it's happened anywhere from immediately after booking to 3 days pre-cruise.

 

[Tulles]

We've been on the wait list almost every time we've booked. And only once it didn't come through. The other times it's happened anywhere from immediately after booking to 3 days pre-cruise.

That takes a load off my mind. Thank you!

 

[n2mm]

Been on the waitlist 3 times and only got it once. Didn't find out until we checked in at the port.

 

[SDJEL]

We've been unable to get it off the waitlist for 3 of our cruises. At embarkation we went to the main dining room and were switched every time. We even got our own table this last cruise.

 

[Tulles]

We've been unable to get it off the waitlist for 3 of our cruises. At embarkation we went to the main dining room and were switched every time. We even got our own table this last cruise.

So up until you were on the boat it said 2nd dining? And you got it switched while aboard?

 

[SDJEL]

Yes. When we got on board we asked where to go to change our dining time. There was a line because they opened at 2. We told them what we wanted and it was changed. I'm guessing they only have limited spots so be there early.

We are early morning people. I can't conceive of eating every night at 8. I know there are plenty of other places to eat on the boats but dining is a huge part of the cruise experience.

 

[hanscarlet]

If you're linked to a main dining stateroom then your chances are pretty good, assuming you want to eat at the same table

 

[cscream13]

We've been on the waitlist for main dining 3 times and we have gotten main dining all 3 times. Our last cruise, we book less than 2 weeks prior to sail date and still made it off the wait list. I believe it helps if you have very small children -- last time we sailed our kids were 3 y.o. and 1 y.o.

 

[apathetic]

With 1 exception, we've always been bumped up to first seating. However, the exception we booked a cruise at about 4 months from sail date. Usually we book closer to 12 months out. I will be more pessimistic than above and say there is a probably a good chance you won't get main seating. You have to be at the bottom of a long wait list. I would still keep hope, but also start thinking about how you will feel about 2nd seating.

You can try to link your reservations, but I would be worried they would pull the other couples back to 2nd seating. On the other hand, it could work to your advantage because we've always been put on a 6 person table (3 couples) when traveling as a couple (no kids). Unfortunately, some people have to do 2nd seating. Some like it and some couldn't get off the wait list.