Formal Or Not So?

Big news this week, Royal Caribbean have done a”U turn ” and brought back formal dining.

Royal were trying a new way to dine, called “dynamic” dining, which was more informal and allowed you to eat when you wanted and where. I don’t think Royal were expecting so many people to complain. On the new Anthem ship 36% of passengers have opted for the old fashioned way of dining, so much so that Royal have now changed it all back to the more traditional style, but now called the classic dining. I have to admit this does surprise me, as there are a large number of people picking the “my time/freedom” dining options.  However, I guess the people who prefer the more traditional dining are older and more the cruise “veterans”, if you pardon the pun!  It is nice to be allocated a table at a certain time, with the same people at that table, as you do get to know them and can make friends for life.

There is also a lot to be said for the more in formal dining of course. NCL cruises have the “free style” dining which is really popular. You can get dressed up or dress down, no fixed dining times or the same table every night – is that not the better way to make friends on a cruise?

I wonder in the future if it will always be the more formal dining or in time, will this change as more and more younger people cruise, and the ships change to reflect that?  Interesting times ahead I think.  What are your thoughts?