Dinner is served……… whenever you like!

Traditionally on ships there have been two main dinner sittings, early or late. A feature that has only been introduced over the last couple of years on many cruise ships is ‘Freedom Dining’, and although it is becoming a very popular option very quickly, many people find the dining options confusing, so I thought I would just run through the options to try to simplify it a bit.

First Sitting
Usually 6.30pm. It will be in one of the main dining venues on board, your ship will advise you which one, and you will get waiter service.

Second Sitting

Usually 8.30pm, although on Mediterranean ships such as MSC cruises it can be as late as 9.15pm, so be prepared. Also in one of the main dining rooms, and waiter service.

Freedom Dining or Celebrity Select/ Royal Caribbean My Time Dining/ P & O Anytime Dining
At a time to suit you,usually between 6pm and 10pm, you arrive at one of the main dining rooms where you will be seated. You will never be seated at a table where people are already eating, and once you are eating other people will not be seated at your table. You will get waiter service as with theother two sittings. This dining option should not be confused with ‘buffet style’ dining – it’s not.

People who have not cruised before worry about which dinner sitting to choose as they think they will miss the evenings entertainment if they dine late. Don’t worry about this, all entertainment is shown twice during an evening, so you’re not going to miss a thing.
Just one more point worth mentioning – if you want to opt for freedom dining, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity will require payment of Gratuities up front. This is because you will not necessarily have the same waiters every night so the ‘tips’ need to be shared out. Both cruise lines have an inflexible appproach to this, so you will have to cough up if you want to have flexible dining.