Choose Early or Late Dinner Seating on a Cruise

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You read the brochures, visited many websites and it's time to book your cruise. But you're wondering if you should choose early or late seating with dinner. If your cruise line is NCL, no problem � they offer �freestyle� cruising where you dine in any restaurant whenever your like. Most of the other lines still offer early or late seating. No matter which you choose, there are usually alternate restaurants on board plus buffets and other places to grab a meal if you miss your assigned mealtime.

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Look at your destination to see whether you'll need to be up early most mornings to catch the tours at the ports you'll be stopping at.;

See what time the later port tours get back to the ship. If you spend a long day in port, you might want extra time to get ready for your evening meal and activities.;

Understand your personal preference. Do you like to sleep in a bit, especially on vacation? Or, do you get up early? Do you want dinner at five or six o'clock or do you prefer dinner around eight?;

Consider which activities you will participate in during �at sea� days when you don't go into port. Will you be catching the sun's latest rays until as late as possible? Will you be dancing until the wee hours?;

Also decide how large a table you'd like to be assigned to. If you're a woman traveling solo, you will often be placed with other women traveling alone. Be sure to request a mixed table if you don't want this.;

Once you've answered all of the above questions, you're ready to choose your preferred seating. Just tell your travel agent or the booking agent with your cruise line which you prefer. If your preference is full, ask them to waitlist you for the dining option you want.

If you couldn't book your preferred dining option, visit the maitre'd when you board the ship. They can usually switch people around to accommodate your request.;

Don't care for your table mates? Too many people at your table? Not enough people at your table? Just go to the maitre'd and request a change. It's best to do this on the second day.