Early seating , late seating?

[tanyababanya]

Hello, can anyone please tell me which one is better, early or late seating for dinner? My teenage daughters prefer late ,you know how young ladies are, it takes them forever to get ready .I want to go to that ice show everybody's talking about, is it during daytime or at night.Sorry I asked alots of silly questions,but this is our first cruise. Thanks.

[Greyson]

We did the early seating 2 years ago and the late seating this time. I really liked the late seating better because we were in some of our ports after the first seating and didnt have to rush back to eat. The last time we cruised we only made it to the formal dining room once, where this time we made it 5 out of the 7 days. One we missed because of some motion sickness, the other we just chose not to go because nothing looked good on the menu.

[Cruise Fanatic]

The major shows on the ship will be scheduled to accomodate both dining seatings. There are usually two times for the major shows. Dining time is a personnal preference. I prefer early dining because I cannot stand getting done with dinner at 10:30 at night. I always eat my meals at home around 6-6:30pm. Some people think early dining interfers with their shore time. I have never found this to be the case because you have to be back on ship usually 1/2 hour before sale time anyway. Although with your daughters if they take as long as you say then you may want the late.

[tanyababanya]

Thank you for the speedy replies,I think we are going to stay with the late seating.

[Greyson]

Cruise Fanatic, Depends on when you ship leaves ports. We had two ports in Alaska where the ship did not leave until after 9pm at night. It is a personal preference for sure. Our seating was 7:30pm so we were out by 9pm at the latest, then to the show. Whatever you decide, if you cant make it to the dining for any reason, there is always the Lido deck buffet

[Jim C.]

I'm with Cruise Fanatic on the early sitting. My wife physically can't eat that late (she get sick to her stomach) and we are used to eating dinner at 5 or 6 anyway. I do concure with Greyson as in Alaska, the early dinner did cause us to have to rush back to the ship to eat... but that's only a minor inconvience and for our Caribbean cruise, I don't remember ever having that issue.

[Mandi]

We like the later seating because then you have a little time to relax and get ready for dinner after a day in port or at the pool. The late dinner also gives you the opportunity to watch the sun set before dinner.

[h2owatson]

We had the early seating and also had a window table where we could watch the sun set as we were eating. It was absolutly wonderful and added to our dining and cruise experience. I have requested the same from my TA this time. I can't imagine anything more special!

[penny3333]

Princess offers any time dining which is great. For traditional seating, we used to do late, but now that my tummy doesn't like me anymore (GERDS), we have to do early. Like Cruise Fanatic stated, the main shows run twice an evening to accomodate both seatings. Late seating is more relaxed since they don't have to worry about clearing out and cleaning up the dining room for the next seating. Have a wonderful time!!

[Dwayne]

I like the 8pm seating when going to the Formal Dining Room. I can't enjoy lido deck and happy hour and have time to be at the main/early seating. Is up to what you enjoy about your cruise and tolerence for flexibility. I hope you have a wonderful time too!