SO WHATS THE DIFFERENCE PLEASE BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND SEATING DINING? - WHICH ONE DO YOU PREFER AND WHY?

[anjuan]

When my daughter was younger I preferred early dining. But now that she is older we agree that late dining is better. It seems less crowded and there are more adults in the second seating.

 

[mmouse37]

We prefer late dining....even when our kids were young and now even when we bring our very young grandkids. My thoughts are that they can eat mac and cheese anytime at home but how often are they able to see Broadway style shows with their favorite characters....I would rather they were alert and awake for the show than for dinner. If they fall asleep at the table so be it.

MJ

 

[cedricandsophie]

We do late dinner. Tried early once and hated it.we have been to all the ports so we rarely get off. We just hang by pool most days. We go to early show at 6ish, then my husband and I head to the piano car while my daughter and her friend, who we always take, look for characters. Then we meet up at dinner. After dinner we might go to the adult area for the adult show

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

If you're on an Alaskan cruise, many of the port departures (and excursions) won't be until after early dining. We always choose 2nd seating.

Europe cruises are like that too.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

We prefer late dining....even when our kids were young and now even when we bring our very young grandkids. My thoughts are that they can eat mac and cheese anytime at home but how often are they able to see Broadway style shows with their favorite characters....I would rather they were alert and awake for the show than for dinner. If they fall asleep at the table so be it.

MJ

That was a huge reason why we liked the second dinner even with preschool age kids. They enjoyed the shows and honestly they don't care that much about the dinners as much at that age (some but not as much as when older) and we could always get them snacks if hungry. So we would then just go to dinner and they ate quick and went to the kids clubs.

 

[jimmymc]

The difference is the time you eat.

Sorry, I had to. First seating is normally full and has more children. People don't want to eat so late with their young children. Second seating is less full, which can mean both better service and a higher chance of getting a table request. I've never seen or heard of the main restaurants running out of a dish during second seating, so I don't think it's something to consider.

Another thing to consider is your port schedule. If you'll be in port late, you may want a later dining time to accommodate excursions.

 

[CaseyCruiser]

We always do second seating. It's very relaxing and perfect for a cruise vacation.

 

[Pixarfans]

We like early. My son loves to go to the tween (this trip teen) club after dinner and we are not late night people. I like getting dinner over with rather than having to wait to get it started (and then snacking all the way up to it). We are big dessert people and like to let it settle while watching the show or a movie on deck. We almost never get off the ship, so port times don’t matter to us. I actually feel more rushed at late seating as they clean the dining room and we are still there.