Topic: POLL: Dining - How do you like it most?

I always like second sitting as you are not rushed to finish your meal as the waiters have to relay the table for the next sitting. As I like to be on deck when the ship sails it would be a tight squeeze to shower and get ready for first sitting. I have tried first and by 10p.m. I am hungry again due to the small portions or not liking what is on offer and just sit and talk while others are eating. Glad that there is late night buffet for this reason. Trying to get meals without the sauce is a real hastle sometimes.
EDNA

Traditional late sitting for me too. Although the problem is that sometimes especially on the American Lines in order to cater for the Spaniards who for some reason like to eat really really late - I dont like it when late sitting is too late ie 8.45 or 9pm.

8.15 is an ideal time, I like the traditional seating and being able to build up a rapport with the table waiters.

Flexible or Freedom dining for us, different table each night, with different guests, last two cruises mainly table for eight. Would not be interested in fixed dining time.

second dining every time with same crowd. So far have always been lucky and met interesting and nice people. John Ridout

I've booked for the first sitting, but purely on the grounds that I thought second sitting would make it difficult to go to shows etc.. Was this a mistake, perhaps?

2nd sitting for me, though I would prefer 8 to 8:30.

The thought of going through the "how many cruises/ where are you from etc etc routine every night doesn't appeal. We'll cheerfully do it at lunchtime, but in the evening the unwind with the regular table companions becomes very special because we all experience a different cruise and it's great to compare

Once we discovered freedom, we've never looked back. It must be becoming more popular, as we late bookers on the roll call for Ventura recently, were all put on standby for freedom, and ended up with 2nd sitting. Our aging bodies can't cope with that, so we only went once, much prefering the buffet and speciality dining rooms.
And yes- we did go down on the last evening to give the waiters their full tip, as well as adding to the buffet tip boxes.
Jo.

QUOTE:

2nd sitting for me, though I would prefer 8 to 8:30.

The thought of going through the "how many cruises/ where are you from etc etc routine every night doesn't appeal. We'll cheerfully do it at lunchtime, but in the evening the unwind with the regular table companions becomes very special because we all experience a different cruise and it's great to compare

I can understand that Meg but as we prefer a table for 2 this really is not an issue.

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It's the MDR for us, late sitting a must, and on the largest table possible.

Absolutely anytime dining. I would hate to be rushing to be ready for an early sitting and late may be too late for me. I have no need for waiters to know my name and my preferences, they can ask and I can speak for myself. I wouldn't cruise a ship without the anytime option.