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(I bet I already know the answer but it will be interesting to see if I'm right!)
Our personal preference is the early seating because we are relatively early risers, myself for instance about 5:30 but my better half will usually sleep a little later. We also enjoy having the full evening together after supper. We don't feel rushed to get back to the ship when on shore as there are always alternate dinner choices available throughout the evening if we are running a tad late.As far as getting ready for the formal dinner, we just plan the extra time into the works for that particular day and don't plan any late shore excursions.
EatEatEat,YahYahYah!!!
Peter
My wife and I like to eat unrushed. We like to linger. We like to chat with people. On "le France" and QE2 there was no need to rush! The dining room was a delightful experience it itself.
ON "Nordic Prince" in 1975, there was a "third setting" which was the crew waiting at the gates for us to finish. This we did not like.
I feel that those who really enjoy good food will opt for the later sitting. I somehow get the motto for early diners has been:"Gentlement Start Your Engines!" rather than "Dinner is now being served!"
'nuff said.
(Could my 'guess' be wrong?)
We like to have a full day in the port or do a full day shore excursion. Eating at 6.30pm is too much of a rush - hardly time to get back to the cabin and have a shower!
I also like to be on deck as the ship leaves the port.
Usually we choose a ship w/ one or open sitting for dinner though - to save the aggrevation of having to decide.
I have to agree with the late seating arguments now though. I am going on the Carnival Spirit this Sept. to Hawaii. I have a cabin in the very aft of the ship and I can't wait to be sitting on my balcony, drink in hand, watching us leave another beautiful port or watch a sunrise or sunset. Early seating wouldn't allow for much of that now would it?
I have heard Carnival is offering added seatings for dinner....6:00, 6:45, 7:45 & 8:30?? if I'm not mistaken...except on the Spirit also? Anyone tried this lately? Is it better, worse, neutral?
Second seating dinner seems more leisurely - but I guess it really depends on your normal eating habits. We normally dine about 8pm.
I was right all along! - I thought 2nd sitting to be the most popular! & is what we have always chosen.
However since I posted this question, I have found out that on our next cruise ( Mistral 4th May) the second sitting is likley to be @ 9:15pm! Tell me all you 2nd's - is this to late? what do you think?
This was the same on Bolero, presumably to accommodate the Continental French passengers.
We switched to first sitting at 7.00. This turned out fine. We never felt rushed to prepare for dining, also, we never felt pushed to end our meal.
We like to spend a full day out and about when we are at a port, then go back to the room, take a nap, and get ready for the evening activities.
M.S.Grumple, Who gives you that guarantee? To paraphrase Sam Goldwyn, a verbal guarantee isn't worth the paper it's written on.
Regards, Colin.
quote:Originally posted by topgun:I do think that 9.00-9.15 is late for second sitting.This was the same on Bolero, presumably to accommodate the Continental French passengers.We switched to first sitting at 7.00. This turned out fine. We never felt rushed to prepare for dining, also, we never felt pushed to end our meal.
I think it's too late for a cruise ship - but having done land vacations in both Spain and Portugal it seems to be the norm.
7.00/7.30 would be a good time but I can happily live with the 8.15 time slot.
Happy cruisin'
quote:Originally posted by Colin:M.S.Grumple, Who gives you that guarantee? To paraphrase Sam Goldwyn, a verbal guarantee isn't worth the paper it's written on.Regards, Colin.
Which is the reason our invoices usually state either "late seating confirmed" or "second seating requested".
While the latter is not really a guarantee it would probably carry a little weight if necessary. We've never had a problem but will not book with a cruise line if they won't even make an effort to accommodate us.
Ascendency listed reasons for choosing 2nd seating seating over first and I have to agree. I would just change #5 though and replace children with older folks, I guess it's all in how you look at things Joan
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