Allure of the Sea early vs late dining?

newr · #1 (**permalink**) September 8th, 2011, 03:35 PM

Hi, I know there are threads for this in general. But I am wondering if anyone who's been on Allure can help me decide.

I have always done early sitting...but I think it would be better to do late to have more time for activities and also more time to digest all the lunch!

However, I wonder would a late seating affect opportunities to see shows and activities in the evening? I know the main shows are fine as they have several time options....but what about the smaller activities in the evening.

Do people find doing the late seating will end up missing some shows/activities?

Thanks for the advice!

johnthed0g · #2 (**permalink**) September 8th, 2011, 04:22 PM

We never do early sitting.

ydoodle · #3 (**permalink**) September 10th, 2011, 02:27 PM

I haven't cruised previously on the Allure, but we are planning our October 23 trip. We selected early dinner seating because the shows seemed easier to get with that seating. Some shows start at 9 or 10, and it seemed like too much of a rush to get from the dining room to the shows when dining later. Especially since you should be at the shows 30 minutes early. Just didn't seem to work for late seating. Having said that, some of the comedy shows, etc were later .......about 11 or 11:30PM. Those were a bit too late for us. We have three dinner reservations at specialty restaurant reservations and were able to work around the shows. IMHO, the shows seem to be the attraction on this ship.

Not sure when your cruise is, but dining and show reservations seem to reserve very fast when they are posted. At least the best times did. Also, they save some reservations for on board passengers that didn't know to make them online.

Hope this helps.

Manuel · #4 (**permalink**) September 10th, 2011, 04:20 PM

If you opt for early dinner than you have room for a snack later on in the evening.

We like early dinner,because we usually have early dinner at home. It works well for us and we have plenty of time to catch all the shows.

TM

Donna · #5 (**permalink**) September 10th, 2011, 07:17 PM

If I had, had a choice on my upcomming Allure of the Seas cruise, it would of been early for me. Gives us more time after dinner for all the shows, casino, etc. In most cases, you are leaving ports around 5:00 anyway, so its pretty easy to change and get ready for dinner and usually have lunch at mid day too, so by 6 or 7, I am ready to eat again. Unfortunately, I was only able to get anytime dinner, so we'll make do and most likely eat early anyway...There are pro's and con's to both, just book what works best for you, the time you would normally eat dinner.

johnthed0g · #6 (**permalink**) September 10th, 2011, 07:30 PM

We tend to think that early is too soon after sailaway or getting back, we like a bit of a rest after the days activities, a drink before dinner so having to start getting ready at about 5pm is too much of a rush for us. Never done early but I wonder if you get hurried out to make room for the next lot. If you are on lates you can go out before dinner too.

Spartan kent · #7 (**permalink**) September 10th, 2011, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnthed0g

We tend to think that early is too soon after sailaway or getting back, we like a bit of a rest after the days activities, a drink before dinner so having to start getting ready at about 5pm is too much of a rush for us. Never done early but I wonder if you get hurried out to make room for the next lot. If you are on lates you can go out before dinner too.

We have not tried the Allure but normally book my time on the IOS :-)