Early or Late Seating for Meals on the Disney Cruise Line?

Question

We are cruising in January and I am debating on if we should have early or late seating. I was thinking early because we have kids (3 and 5) but now I am thinking late seating.

We are from California and our whole family are night owls. It is 10PM right now and everyone is wide awake.

What are the pluses and minuses to each dinner seating. (Ex. show times, out at port, etc)

We eat dinner when we are hungry pretty much anytime between 5-9 (my husband works weird hours)

Not sure how the time change will affect time we eat though.

Also for those who have been on a Disney cruise I heard you watch the show prior to late seating dinner. Is that true? What time does the shows start?

Answer 1

We did the Disney Cruise when our kids were 4 and 6. We're from the Mtn. time zone. We ended up in the late seating. It worked out fine! First off you get ready, showers etc. then go to the show, then eat. (BTW the shows are the same for early or late and they are fabulous!) The kids got to bed late but they also then slept in really late too. We really never took them off the home time zone. The real benefit was at the end of the cruise: the late seating gets the late breakfast seating and you get to eat breakfast last and thus don't have to get up at 5:00 am!

Another positive is on port days you can come back to the ship and take your time resting or getting ready you don't have to rush through showers etc. to be to dinner!
Either way you will love this cruise.

Answer 2

If you take the late dinner - you will have to go to the early show (Before dinner).
I would suggest the early dinner - that way you have the rest of the evening to see the shows and do what ever you like.
I have been on Disney, and the early seating is about 6:30. Gives you plenty of time to get ready and into the dining room.

Answer 3

It in many situations looks that folk with little ones choose early seating or open seating, whilst many without youngsters or who only choose ingesting later choose previous due seating. verify the cruise line information superhighway internet site approximately tipping/gratuities. each and every company handles them slightly in any different case, however the final situation is an assessment on your shipboard account of around $10 in line with man or woman in line with day. you could regulate that up or down or perhaps do away with it, yet shouldn't do any downward adjustment or do away with it -- it is going right into a "tip pool" what's shared with each and every of the nutrition provider workers and cabin stewards/house popular jobs team on the very low levels. those team contributors are paid very, little or no and incredibly truly matter on that share of the pot, and are the human beings who paintings their tails off for you! Please do no longer stiff the employees!

Answer 4

Late is better. I had early dinner one time and it seemed like too much of a rush to get back to the ship when you are out at port. Also with late dinner you can take your time with ship activities during the day. check this site for more info on cruise food etc:
http://allcruiselines.info/cruise-accomodations-and-activities/

Answer 5

We have 3 children and we always went to the early seating. It was nice because then we went to our room to change and then on to the show! Do whatever will make your family the most comfortable though. If your children are ok with eating later and seeing the show 1st, then do that! Have a great trip! You are going to LOVE it!!!

Answer 6

late i would say for sure. For me if i spend all day on the island and chasing kids an in the hot sun. getting back to the ship about 3 or 4ish is good you can relax in your room and take a nap and be ready for 8 oclock meal.

Answer 7

i would go with what you are used to at home. If dinner is usually at 6:30PM then i would do the first seating. If you like the later, then choose that. MY opinion is the earlier one.(esp with kids)
cruiseclues.com has great packing tips
cruisecritic.com