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want2beamom
Love my boys soooo much!!!
Member since 8/06 10164 total posts
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True love doesn't end with happily ever after...
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Cruise goers...second seating help
Thanks to all ur advice, we are close to booking our cruise!!! On the dates we wanted, the only option available for eating is the second seating. This is not until 8. We have 4 little kids, and usually eat at home around 530-630. Do u think it is smart to change dates based on this?
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Posted 1/6/14 3:36 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Paramount
Sweet!
Member since 7/12 4289 total posts
Name:
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Cruise goers...second seating help
IMHO they will sometimes change your seating when you get on board, but you cant COUNT on it. One thing you can do is order room service snacks so they have something before dinner....but that does not help with the meltdowns.....
I would base it off how your kids do if they were up later and can handle eating later. Since I'm not a parent I don't have a ton of advice.
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| Posted 1/6/14 3:42 PM |
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Pinkisles
<3
Member since 11/13 2868 total posts
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Cruise goers...second seating help
What cruise line? Carnival has my time dining where you can go at any time during dinner hours (6-845 I think?) do they have an option like that?
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| Posted 1/6/14 3:44 PM |
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JP826
=)
Member since 9/06 10903 total posts
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Me!! All about ME!
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
Honestly, by the tme you get back from excursions, back to your stateroom, showers & then getting 6 people (including 4 little kiddies) dressed, it will be close to 8pm. If anything, theres an abundance of food round the clock on the ship. I would definitely see if you can change it to the earlier seating once your on board, but I wouldn't change the date of the cruise based on that alone.
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| Posted 1/6/14 3:47 PM |
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JP826
=)
Member since 9/06 10903 total posts
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Me!! All about ME!
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
Posted by Pinkisles
What cruise line? Carnival has my time dining where you can go at any time during dinner hours (6-845 I think?) do they have an option like that?
Im assuming they are sailing RCCL, because they are the only ones that I know do the dual seating times. (I may be wrong)
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| Posted 1/6/14 3:48 PM |
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Pinkisles
<3
Member since 11/13 2868 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
Posted by JP826
Posted by Pinkisles
What cruise line? Carnival has my time dining where you can go at any time during dinner hours (6-845 I think?) do they have an option like that?
Im assuming they are sailing RCCL, because they are the only ones that I know do the dual seating times. (I may be wrong)
No, carnival does two seatings and the my time dining. Another option is eating on lido deck
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| Posted 1/6/14 3:50 PM |
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
I agree that 8 might sound late at home but in reality on a cruise, it is not.
There is so much food available all day, you won't have to worry about them getting hungry.
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| Posted 1/6/14 3:56 PM |
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want2beamom
Love my boys soooo much!!!
Member since 8/06 10164 total posts
Name:
True love doesn't end with happily ever after...
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
Thanks everyone! It's the Disney cruise. I was hoping the majority would say not to change! How long does dinner usually last? Also if dinner if second seatig, does that mean breakfast seating is later as well?
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| Posted 1/6/14 4:07 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
Posted by want2beamom
Thanks everyone! It's the Disney cruise. I was hoping the majority would say not to change! How long does dinner usually last? Also if dinner if second seatig, does that mean breakfast seating is later as well?
Not sure about Disney but I would assume most lines are the same -- set dinner time but breakfast/lunch is free seating.
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| Posted 1/6/14 4:08 PM |
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SusiBee
. . . . .
Member since 3/09 8268 total posts
Name:
S
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
Posted by want2beamom
Thanks everyone! It's the Disney cruise. I was hoping the majority would say not to change! How long does dinner usually last? Also if dinner if second seatig, does that mean breakfast seating is later as well?
Dinner is as long as you make it, and seatings are generally, 90 minutes.
This is my experience on RCCL.
Only dinner is a set time dining, unless there is a freestyle option.
Breakfast and lunch are whenever.
There is food available 24 hours a day on the ships.
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| Posted 1/6/14 4:13 PM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
The Dream doesn't seem to have a buffet for dinner, but Flo's café is open until 7 for burgers, sandwhiches, pizza, etc. The buffet (Cababana's) seems to turn into a casual table service restaurant--so it seems that is not part of the main dining experience & you can eat there on your own schedule.
There is a lot of info on Disney's site
Dining on the dream[/L]
Also, if your kids are in the kids club, I think they can eat there if you want them to.
Oceaneer Club
You can learn a lot on the Cruise Critic Disney board too.
(Edited to correct buffet info.)[L=http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/dream/dining/]
Message edited 1/6/2014 4:33:52 PM.
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| Posted 1/6/14 4:22 PM |
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want2beamom
Love my boys soooo much!!!
Member since 8/06 10164 total posts
Name:
True love doesn't end with happily ever after...
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
Posted by tourist
The Dream doesn't seem to have a buffet for dinner, but Flo's café is open until 7 for burgers, sandwhiches, pizza, etc. The buffet (Cababana's) seems to turn into a casual table service restaurant--so it seems that is not part of the main dining experience & you can eat there on your own schedule.
There is a lot of info on Disney's site
Dining on the dream[/L]
Also, if your kids are in the kids club, I think they can eat there if you want them to.
Oceaneer Club
You can learn a lot on the Cruise Critic Disney board too.
(Edited to correct buffet info.)[L=http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/dream/dining/]
Thanks for all the info!!!
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| Posted 1/6/14 4:38 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
I too had the second seating at booking (booked 3 weeks out), but called and was waitlisted for 1st seating. On board I was in fact given 1st seating. Also requested a table alone (they seat you with other families FYI). In the end, I didn't like it. Too rushed to get there after a day of fun activities. The seating for the shows after dinner was JAM PACKED!! Very hard to find seating. So we ate in the dining rooms 2 nights, and the other 2 we ordered room service (free).
Also, just a tip, when you board, they will direct you to Cabanas for the buffet, along with everyone else. The Royal Palace IS in fact open (Deck 2) and is sit down, and SOOO much quieter than the buffet.
Breakfast isn't assigned times. You go when you want. The only assigned time is your last day. We ate at the buffet for breakfast most days, and Royal Palace one morning.
If you search my name on Travel from September, you can find the Dream 4 night Navigators posted. That will give you an idea of everything on board, times, etc.
Message edited 1/6/2014 6:07:42 PM.
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| Posted 1/6/14 6:04 PM |
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Jugglemom
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/12 809 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
We had the second seating on the Disney cruise. It was great. we were not rushed to get back from excursions and took our time showering and getting ready (we didn't attend all the shows). We usually ordered a room service snack around 5:30, showered, dressed and when not attending the show went around get pictures with characters etc.
Also, the advantage of the 8 pm dinner is that the kids club will come and pick up the kids and take them to the club at around 9. The kids loved it and so did we!
You are going to have an awesome time. I would def keep the 8pm.
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| Posted 1/6/14 6:21 PM |
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Sixofus
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/13 594 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
We had first seating for our Disney cruise, and I thought I would love it, but like previous posters have said, we felt like we were cutting short our day in order to get ready for dinner. Also, our little ones are not great sitting at dinner to begin with (we ended up sending them to the nursery the last couple of nights), and our older ones were racing thru dinner to get to go to the kids club. There are other dinner options, though we didn't try them-there is Flo's, and I believe cabanas serves dinner, and there is also room service, which is free. If we go again, I would feed the kids early and send them off on their activities, then have a relaxing dinner with dh!
Also, if you have second seating, you can go to the early show instead of after dinner.
Message edited 1/6/2014 6:54:54 PM.
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| Posted 1/6/14 6:53 PM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Cruise goers...second seating help
On Disney they have a Dine and Play where in the second seating they will serve the kids when the adults have their apps and the kids club comes to the dining room and takes the kids away lol.
You can check on the first day of the cruise to change the times too and most of time you can change it.
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| Posted 1/6/14 7:51 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
Late seating is rough with young kids if you expect them to come with you. Remember you are taking about 1.5-2 hr meals. I know that would not work with my kids. We looked into a disney 7 day and had to skip it bc on the dates we could travel the early seating was booked. You can wait list but you have to be okay with NOT getting it before you should book. It is a real gamble. We decided against disney also bc I hear play and dine is best with older kids...it is almost 9 before they take the kids. Mine would not do well with that.
What cruiseline as there are alternatives. Buffet? Kid clubs often serve dinner, room service, alternative restaurants. You could feed the kids at the buffet, room service or kids club. Then send them to the kids club while you dine late seating. We like eating all or at least 99% with the kids so it wouldn't work for us,,,but it depends on your personal tastes, vacation goals, etc. if you can live with that...go for it, otherwise I would change the date.
Message edited 1/6/2014 9:27:55 PM.
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| Posted 1/6/14 9:25 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Cruise goers...second seating help
During our dinner meal on our first night, we skipped out before dessert. The head waiter saw us leaving and I politely explained that my kids just don't care for long drawn out meals, especially my son (with special needs). He made a point to tell our serving team this and the next time we dined, we were in and out. This obviously doesn't work if you are seated with other families, but we were seated alone (thankfully).
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| Posted 1/6/14 9:31 PM |
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Melmel821
Love being a mom!
Member since 5/08 2776 total posts
Name:
Melanie
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
Posted by want2beamom
Thanks everyone! It's the Disney cruise. I was hoping the majority would say not to change! How long does dinner usually last? Also if dinner if second seatig, does that mean breakfast seating is later as well?
I was on the Dream last year. Breakfast is buffet, lunch is counter and dinner is seating. I usually remember there being character meetings at 7pm so it may not be terrible to wait.
With that said I booked a cruise and put myself on a waitlist for earlier seating.
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| Posted 1/9/14 12:09 PM |
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jlk51496
Mom of 3 - YIKES! =)
Member since 10/09 6758 total posts
Name:
Katie
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
We are going on the disney cruise in May with 3 little kids (6,5,2) and I intentionally booked the late seating! Like previous posters said - it may seem late when you are at home but on a vacation it is better - you are not rushed from the beach/pool etc and on a cruise there is lots of activities all day
And on the disney cruise the dine and play is what I am looking fwd to the most! The kids get fed right away and then get picked up by the kids club so my DH and I can enjoy the rest of our meal! I never had that on a vacation before!
I am sure the kids will be tired - so a late nap or early dinner AT&T he buffet might be good to re-energize them before we all go to dinner and they leave to go to the kids club!
Message edited 1/10/2014 5:53:56 PM.
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| Posted 1/10/14 5:53 PM |
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sapphire
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/06 568 total posts
Name:
Elizabeth
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
Heading on Disney Cruise in a few weeks,...didn't know we weren't dining alone. Should I wait till we board to request otherwise or should I call ahead ? Do think they usually allow you to dine by yourselves ? (we are 5). We also have second seating, wasn't thrilled with the time but I am hoping the dine/play works out.
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| Posted 1/10/14 7:49 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
Posted by sapphire
Heading on Disney Cruise in a few weeks,...didn't know we weren't dining alone. Should I wait till we board to request otherwise or should I call ahead ? Do think they usually allow you to dine by yourselves ? (we are 5). We also have second seating, wasn't thrilled with the time but I am hoping the dine/play works out.
I would call now to request it. They assign the tables ahead of time. From what I understand, most families are seated with other families (unless you request otherwise).
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| Posted 1/10/14 8:14 PM |
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sapphire
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/06 568 total posts
Name:
Elizabeth
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by sapphire
Heading on Disney Cruise in a few weeks,...didn't know we weren't dining alone. Should I wait till we board to request otherwise or should I call ahead ? Do think they usually allow you to dine by yourselves ? (we are 5). We also have second seating, wasn't thrilled with the time but I am hoping the dine/play works out.
I would call now to request it. They assign the tables ahead of time. From what I understand, most families are seated with other families (unless you request otherwise).
Thanks so much ! Will do that :)
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| Posted 1/11/14 5:02 PM |
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want2beamom
Love my boys soooo much!!!
Member since 8/06 10164 total posts
Name:
True love doesn't end with happily ever after...
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
How man people dine together? We are 11...hoping we will eat together!
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| Posted 1/11/14 8:50 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cruise goers...second seating help
Posted by want2beamom
How man people dine together? We are 11...hoping we will eat together!
Were your ressies made together or linked together? If not, call and link them. You will get a table for your entire party, I saw large groups of people at long tables.
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| Posted 1/11/14 9:06 PM |
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