When you going on a cruise, which is better...asigned dinning or any time dinning?

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Time travler

I kind of like the variety of anytime dinning, but I have cruised with Princess 9 times and all but 3 were traditional dinning. The only thing you would miss if you did anytime dinning is the baked Alaska parade which is the waiters parading around with the dessert before serving it. In anytime dinning, you can still have baked Alaska, but not with the parade. E-mail me if you have any questions as I do have a lot of insight about Princess cruises. I love Princess! BTW, there is a simple way of getting the same table every night with anytime dinning. You just make reservations for the next night as you are leaving the dinning room. That way, the wait staff really gets to know you well, but you have different people to talk to each night. By doing this, you also never have to wait for a table to open up as long as your a on time kind of person.

TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

I have been on about 20 cruises and many had the option of traditional vs anytime dining. My preference is assigned because I have had bad experiences with the anytime, or as Norwegian calls it "freestyle" dining. On several occasions when we had the anytime dining it was fine on days when there was a port stop as people were coming back to the ship at a variety of times and thus seeking dinner at various times. But on days when we were at sea (no port stops) it seemed that everyone wanted to eat at the same times as soon as the main dining room opened. So what we encountered were waiting lists to get a table. On one cruise they even handed out buzzers to the waiting people to alert them when a table was ready.

The other thing I don't like about anytime is you get a different table and wait staff each time you go to the main dining room. So you never develop a rapport with your wait staff so that they can truly serve you. WE also found that anytime dining didn't necessarily mean you did not have to sit with strangers for dinner each evening. I prefer to get to know my table mates (I prefer a table for 2, 4 or no more than 6.) I certainly don't like sitting with strangers every evening.

So I prefer the traditional assigned dinner seating so that I have MY table, MY wait staff, and know at the end of the cruise that MY gratuities that I paid are going to them and not in a pot for everyone to share.

You will probably find strong opinions on this on both sides. My suggestion is select the assigned seating and then if after a day or two its inconvenient then just go to the buffet for dinner or ask to be reassigned.

big_mustache

We prefer any time dining. This way you can meet new people at each meal.

nolainkansas

I was on a cruise with a family group of 12. We chose assigned for the evening meal as that was the only time some of us saw each other all day.
Out wait staff got to know us what we would want to drink and and would pamper us with extras.

TheZomper7

Well if you have children younger, than it is better to do anytime dining because on most cruises they meals are served later and the children get fussy and antsy. If it is just you and older people than i would go with Assigned its much more organized and not people running in and out and you have a seat ready at all times and servers who are assigned to JUST your table.

Fundancer

I've cruised 10 times and I'd prefer assigned over anytime dinning. The reason is for anytime dining It is great that you can dine whenever you like (between 6-10pm), dress however you like and eat with whoever you like but the restaurants are haft empty most of the time while assigned dinning is truly cruise diner where people dress up occasionally from casual to formal (check with cruise line for more dress code detail) and you get to know people you sit with (of course you can always ask to change seat if you are not comfortable with who you sit with either). It's a feeling of being on the cruise although you have to be on time. However, it makes your plans easier without missing any events, shows, games,...There are normally 4 dinner times: 2 early (5:30 & 6pm) and 2 late (8 & 8:30pm) and I suggest the 6pm since you have sometime to get ready after shore excursions plus you will have room for midnight buffet (don't miss this one, GREAT FOOD). Oh and don't miss the formal dinners either.

Hope it helps, enjoy your cruise.

mike s

I've enjoyed assigned dining. Met interesting people & got to know them over the course of the cruise. Also prefer the late seating since you didn't need to rush from shore for diner. Of course, I wasn't ever hungry for the midnight snack.
Talk with the seating captain & express any preferences or interests.
Don't think you'll ever have a problem with being hungry since most lines have food available 24/7.

Barkley Hound

First they both serve the exact same food and the dining rooms are the same size and ambiance. The main difference is that you do not sit with the same people and at the same table with anytime dining. With anytime dining you get to meet new people every night. With either you can choose the table size. Traditional dining has the waiters putting on a show at times while anytime dining does not.

As for tips, due to the fact that there is anytime and buffet dining available, they add $10.50 to your shipboard account every day. That can be adjusted on the last night of your cruise. It is optional. If you give a personal tip the staff person must give it to the pool. They only get to keep extra tips if you have given the automatic $10.50.

I will also be on a Princess Alaska cruise in June.

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randall_nd

We most definately like the assigned. Unfortunately, last time, we got a table for 2. If that happens, you can request a new assignment. Even if you do have the assigned seating, you can always eat up on the Lido Deck instead of the main dining room, but we figure we can eat up there at noon. We feel that evening dinner is one of the highlights of the cruise. We especially like the formal nights.
On Princess, honey roasted peanuts are available from any lounge and room service anytime at no extra charge.

Natty D

Personally I've always preferred assigned dining. Just like in a normal restaurant, you can be guaranteed a seat when you expect it to be available, and don't have to risk standing in line and waiting through a massive crowd if you make the mistake of going during "peak" anytime dining. It's also a great way to really get to know the guests, although of course there are lots of opportunities to do so. Either way, you're sure to have a good dining experience, it's just that my preference has always been to assigned dining.

Lily

According to their personal hobbies, random selection

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