Cruise Talk: late seating or early seating

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Topic: late seating or early seating

newbee
Just Boarded
Member # 724

posted 03-29-1999 09:52 PM

trying to figure out the bonuses of late vs early seating. Any comments appreciated...thanks...

Posts: 2 | Registered: Mar 99

corinne at travelpage
First Class Passenger
Member # 537

posted 03-30-1999 01:16 PM

It's a matter of preference. We take late seating because we don't like to rush back from port, hurry up and change and go straight to dinner. Instead, we come back to the ship, stand on deck to watch the ship leave the port, leisurely change for dinner and then go for a before dinner cocktail.

But, that's just our preference. Sometimes people prefer the early sitting so that they can get to the shows earlier.

Posts: 48 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

Bob
First Class Passenger
Member # 41

posted 03-30-1999 02:25 PM

Yes it really is a personal thing. We have Tried both and are now main (1st) seating people. If it is your first time and you normally eat supper later I would stick with that plan. As Corinne says you get to watch the ship leave port from the deck. We have missed this on a few occasions. Generally however you can get the waiters to open the curtains in the dining room if the sun is not too bad. And you are near the windows (if there are windows). We have always been able to take advantage of this. After diner is when the time change kicks in; when the 2nd guys are eating your show is on; when their show is on you are free to relax anywhere and get ready for the midnight buffet. Never been able to do that much either still too full. If you are a second seating person the buffet comes really really fast so this would be something to consider also. Both times have their pros and cons as you can see. You will get lots of good food either way. Another thought is how early you want to get up. If you want formal breakfast it comes a little early. If you like to stay up late and sleep in you can likely forget about the dining room and grab room service or a buffet breakfast or hit the alternatives. Tough decision.. not really! flip a coin and have fun..

Posts: 25 | From: BC Canada | Registered: Jan 99

Little Mermaid
Just Boarded
Member # 283

posted 03-30-1999 04:52 PM

One thing to consider, do you have
children?

Most folks with the little ones do
the early seating so they can eat
early & then put them to bed.

Some cruise lines have an alternative
dinner buffet, and they take the kids
to eat, and then go to late seating
for a more formal experience for
themselves.

We like to go to late seating for
some of the same reasons as listed.

Hope this helps! Bon Voyage, Lil M

Posts: 2 | From: Texas | Registered: Mar 99

corinne at travelpage
First Class Passenger
Member # 537

posted 03-30-1999 08:16 PM

Hey Lil M... You are right on target with the kid routine. We've gotten in the routine of the later seating because we like to feed the kids at the buffet, hire a babysitter, and then have a nice civilized adult dinner. We've found that the cruise lines always leave two empty seats at our table in case our kids join us. This works to our advantage on formal nights because the maitre d' usually sits some ships officers with us in the empty seats. This has been a real treat.

Posts: 48 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

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