I’ve been surprised this week by the amount of cruisers who were still confused about freedom dining. This is still a fairly new option in cruising terms but is getting more and more popular, but is it as good as it seems or are the other two options better for some people? Today I’m going to be talking a little about the different dining options available on cruise ships with their associated pros and cons.
First dining – This is one of the normal, ‘set dining’ options. It usually starts about 6:00 to 6:30 although it’s worth noting that if you’re on an Italian Cruise ship like MSC or Costa it may start a bit later, about 7:00 – 7:30.
As with all set dining you would request a table size of 2, 4, 6 or 8 people normally, and that will be the table you dine on for the entire cruise. It’s important to remember that the people sitting on your table will also be sitting there for the whole cruise, so it’s important to try and get on with them. You can request a table for 2 but this is only ever on a first come first serve basis and isn’t guaranteed.
My favourite table size is 6. If I book a table for 4 and it turns out we don’t get on with the other couple it can make the dining onboard very awkward. You can ask the Maître-d to move you, but again some people feel awkward about this. If you book a table for 8 you tend to end up talking to the couple opposite you, and thus over everyone else., whereas with a table for 6 you just need to turn to your left to chat with one couple or to your right to chat with the others.
One of the downsides to first dining that I have found in the past is that if I’m out on a shore excursion and get back around 5:00, by the time I’ve got to my cabin, had a shower, got dressed and waited for my wife to do the same, a dinner time of 6:00 feels a bit rushed – but that’s just my own personal opinion, I know plenty of people who feel 8:00 is too late to be eating dinner.
Second Dining - The second of the ‘set dining’ options. This dinner tends to be held about 8:00 to 8:30, although the same applies with MSC and Costa, they’re late dining will be around 9:00 to 9:30. Another point that can cause a lot of confusion around the dining option is the shows. As well as late and early dining there will be a late and early show, so if you’re on early dining you’ll see the late show and vice versa.
Second Dining tends to be my favourite dining option as I’ve found that whenever I’m on holiday I’ll get out of bed later, eat breakfast later and thus dine later, so 8:00 to 8:30 is actually quite nice. All the other tips I've mentioned with first dining, ie table size etc also apply to the second dining option.
Freedom Dining - With what I’m sure was a deliberate attempt to confuse people, (joking), all the cruise lines call this option by different names, but it all means the same thing – Freedom Dining, My Time Dining, Personal Choice and so on. Most cruise lines have this option, a couple of notable exceptions being Cunard and Fred Olsen who only offer set dining times, although NCL offer nothing but freedom dining, taking it in the complete opposite direction to these.
In its simplest terms freedom dining aboard a cruise ship is as it sounds, you can eat in the main dining room anytime you want. Please note all the set dining times only ever apply to the main dining room, the buffet and self service dining options are all on a freedom dining basis.
The Head Waiter will have some tables put aside and will hand them out as and when people turn up, be it 6:30, 7:00 or 8:15. When you arrive you will request your table size and be seated. If you request a table for two you may have to wait a little longer, but if you're prepared to be patient you will get it.
The downside to freedom dining, (yes, there is a down side), is that you will be seated on a different table each night. One of the major aspects of cruising that people enjoy is making new friends and dining with them all cruise long. You wont have that with this option, but will be seated with different people each night depending on when you show up and what table size you request.
Phew, OK, I think that covers it all but if anyone thinks I've missed out any points feel free to post any tips or advice you have below.
Happy Cruising
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