Early or late dinner seating???

dave 3261 · #1 (**permalink**) February 23rd, 2009, 11:32 PM

I will be going on the Explorer of the Seas on a caribbean cruise on April 17th. It will be just me and my wife and I was wondering If we should pick the early or late dinner seating. Thank You for your input -Dave-

Pafuncouple · #2 (**permalink**) February 23rd, 2009, 11:48 PM

Dave, take the early because it would be easier to change to late than the other way around.

dottiel · #3 (**permalink**) February 24th, 2009, 09:26 AM

Enjoy the Explorer, she's an awesome ship!

We always book the early seating cause we travel with kids and there will be kids in the dining room, trust me!

If you are wanting a "romantic" dinner, the I would book the second seating. It you don't mind the kids, then book the earlier.

Either way, you'll be fine and amazed

galenajen · #4 (**permalink**) February 24th, 2009, 03:47 PM

It depends on your prefence. As the last poster stated the earlier dinner will have the children from the ship, and some older couples who prefer to eat earlier on. The later dinner has couples as well, but usually younger couples and singles. I heard the later dinner is good if you are really active and do not want to hurry up your activites to go and eat. This was advice from my mother who is leaving on her 9th cruise with RCC. I will be leaving soon for my firt cruise and would be lost without her! She is in her early fifties and does the later dinner in a large table, he said this is the most fun. Hope this helps.

Jen

Trip · #5 (**permalink**) February 24th, 2009, 08:25 PM

If you are accustomed to eating around 6 pm at home..then do early..I have found that taking late seating, and, sometimes still eating around 10pm, is just too late.

We always choose early excursions, so, we never have an issue about staying late in the day in port. Once your great dinner is behind you with early seating, you can look forward to the evening ahead, and maybe even a midnite nibble

Samira0207 · #6 (**permalink**) February 25th, 2009, 12:17 PM

I usually go for the later seating-usually because i feel like when you eat early, see the early show, then it's 9pm and you're looking at your watch figuring out what to do next-I'm more of a night own and like to relax during the early evening not rush to dinner... eat late, see the late show, whatever adult activites they have (comedy show, quest game) and then hit the night club.

Lynn Knickers · #7 (**permalink**) February 26th, 2009, 09:08 AM

I always enjoy the early seating for Dinner.
When at home, i always enjoy supper around six.ish, so whilst at sea, I try and keep the same dining routine. Plus it gives us the advantage of walking around the ship, having a drink, and chatting to new friends.
The shows are often great, but sometimes it just happens that we meet nice people on deck or in the cocktail bar, sit back and converse. Its so nice to mingle and meet new people.

Headusher · #8 (**permalink**) February 26th, 2009, 01:03 PM

Our group usually takes the late seating because this allows up to get back from excursions later and gives us time to have a drink or two at one of the bars before enjoying dinner. On some ships this is a little inconvenient because we may miss all or part of one of the shows BUT we do not like to be rushed. It's a matter of what you prefer.

We'll be boarding the Explorer when you get back. We leave on the 26th.

headusher

gerif · #9 (**permalink**) February 27th, 2009, 12:37 PM

We always have late except when traveling with DGS. It's nice to come back from an excursion, have a room service snack (cheese platter usually) and a glass of wine on the balcony, then shower and dress for dinner. Also, you can enjoy the pool longer while early seating folks have left.

I will say that when we've had early seating, I've actually lost weight as there was no time for an afternoon snack - but also spent more in the casino. You feel less rushed with late seating as they are not trying to turn over the dining room for the next group also.

paul1815 · #10 (**permalink**) February 27th, 2009, 01:05 PM

In other words, if the late seating is scheduled for 8:30 (not sure if that is the accurate time) does it tend to start late? I am concerned that those in the early seating linger or cause the people in the 2nd seating to be late.

Does that happen often?

dave 3261 · #11 (**permalink**) March 1st, 2009, 02:56 PM

What is DGS?

Carnival Victory 2003
Carnival Victory 2004
Explorer of the Seas April, 2009

seadog2 · #12 (**permalink**) March 1st, 2009, 08:02 PM

We always go early that way we can eat and let the evening activities begin. Plus you can always grab a snack later.

jdh · #13 (**permalink**) March 21st, 2009, 07:54 PM

We are also going on the Explorer of the Seas on April 17th! This is our 3rd cruise with Royal Carribean. We choose the late seating. Gives you a more relaxed dinner after a day of excursions. Allows for showers, naps or just relaxing. See you onboard!

WildRover · #14 (**permalink**) March 21st, 2009, 11:20 PM

I have only had late seating but choose early seating for the next cruise b/c I don't like finishing dinner at 10 pm. We'll see if the adjustment was a good one.

SAAdds1 · #15 (**permalink**) March 22nd, 2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildRover

I have only had late seating but choose early seating for the next cruise b/c I don't like finishing dinner at 10 pm. We'll see if the adjustment was a good one.

I cannot imagine eating dinner that late. We always chose the early seating, but then we eat dinner around 5PM at home.

Snoozeman · #16 (**permalink**) March 22nd, 2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave 3261

What is DGS?

My guess is: dear grandson

Royalchump · #17 (**permalink**) March 22nd, 2009, 07:00 PM

We like early dinner, I guess we are just a habit we have at home.

felix_the_cat · #18 (**permalink**) March 22nd, 2009, 07:37 PM

We are definitely early diners. If we eat late we tend to go back to the cabin to "relax" and don't see the world until morning. That is just no good for the waistline!!!!

We've done late seating a couple of times but just end up in WJ or something as I'm starving before 8/8:30 but if I eat a bit I lose my appetite.

Also, we find that in the Med. they go for 8:30 - 9PM and that really isn't waaaaaaaaay too late.

If we are back late from an excursion we just eat elsewhere.

IloveVegas · #19 (**permalink**) March 25th, 2009, 11:03 AM

Our July cruise will be our first early seating for dinner. (Me and my nieces are going) We normally do late seating. But last year, I felt like it was just too late to be eating at 10 pm! Plus we missed the shows, so this time we want to see the shows.

August cruise we are doing late seating though. My husband likes the late seating better.

asmith91303 · #20 (**permalink**) March 25th, 2009, 02:08 PM

We had early seating once and didn't like it. Always felt rushed and were rather bored after dinner. Ended up back in the cabin early instead of enjoying the evenings activities that started a little later. We like late seating because we can grab a nap before dinner after a long day in the sun. Then we are refreshed and ready to go for the night. We normally eat dinner early at home but hey it's vacation. We usually grab a snack when we get back on the ship, crash for a while, and then off to dinner.

dave 3261 · #21 (**permalink**) March 26th, 2009, 01:23 AM

asmith, that really sounds like good advice. When reading postings from some that they eat at 6:00 at home so that's what they want to do on the cruise, I thought to myself that a vacation should break up the monotony of everyday life. Thats a good point that if we will be waking up at 6am to get to port early, getting back on the ship around 5pm or so and then go to dinner at 6pm I will probably be exhausted after dinner. A little nap(or lounging around the pool area when half the ship is at dinner) might be just what the doctor ordered to keep my swirve on all night long!!!

My wife does not believe in naps but then again we will be on vacation so spoil your self and take a nap!!! This way we will not be ready to retire by 11 or 12:00. If starving(like some suggested) could always grab a light snack before dinner. Thank you for your input.

Dave

Carnival Victory, 2003
Carnival Victory, 2004
RCI Explorer of the Seas April, 2009

jdh · #22 (**permalink**) March 27th, 2009, 05:07 PM

Sorry about no reply, life got in the way. All the more reason to need a vacation- still looking for interesting excursions in Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic for Explorer. We sail on April 17th. I don't mind if I book outside of RCI as long as I am not mountain climbing. Just my husband and I traveling. I am 50, he is 56.