Traditional vs. My Time Dining – Which is Right for You?

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If you are planning a cruise, you will likely be asked the question, traditional “early” or “late” dining?  Do you prefer My Time dining?  What does all of it mean? Is it just about time, or are there dress code differences?  Does one have an extra fee? Traditional vs. My Time Dining – Which is right for you

In this post, I’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of traditional (or set) time dining and My Time dining so that you can best determine which one suits your cruising style.

But, for the new cruisers…

First, What the Heck is MDR?

Both traditional set-time dining and My Time Dining are the main dining room options, which cruisers often refer to as The MDR.

The meals served in the MDR are included in your cruise fare, and all dining options follow the same dress code. So, if it’s an “elegant night” in the dining room for traditional—set-time dining, it will also be an “elegant night” for My Time dining. The menu is also the same.

There are typically two set dining times: early, which is usually around 6 p.m. On some ships, it’s 5:30, and on others, it’s 6:30, but you get the idea. The late seating option for set dining varies slightly but is typically around 8 p.m.

My Time Dining is flexible dining, and you make a reservation for each night of your cruise.  Or, if you are willing to wait a few minutes (similar to a busy restaurant at home), you can just drop in when it’s convenient for you.

Advantages of  the Traditional (Set Time) Dining

You will eat at the same time each evening and dine at the same table.  This creates a comfortable routine for your cruise evening.

Maybe you enjoy early dining, grab an after-dinner cocktail and head to the main stage show.

When we travel with extended family, we enjoy the routine of regrouping, catching up with each other at dinner, and then heading to the show together.

If you prefer late dining, you can typically enjoy the mainstage show before your meal and then head to your favorite lounge or the casino afterward. If an early show isn’t offered, a later show time will align with your dinner time.

I hear a lot about the advantage of late seating: Cruisers don’t have to rush back from port to get ready for dinner.

The food is “typically” good, but one thing I hear most often from other cruisers is specifics about the waiters. For many, having the same waiter and assistant waiter each evening is an advantage.

For example, my Dad always orders a diet coke at dinner.  He ordered it night one and night two.  By the third evening, it was brought to him shortly after being seated, and he didn’t even need to request it.

This relationship builds over the course of your cruise. Many times, a few hugs are shared on the last night of the cruise.

Isn’t it amazing how bonds are created over food?

Disadvantages of Traditional (Set Time) Cruise Dining

The most expressed disadvantage of set-time dining is that you may feel rushed getting back from a certain port and ready for your dinner time.  Or you may be at dinner during a sail-away or other activity onboard scheduled at the same time.

If you are traveling as a small group, you may be seated with “strangers.” If you love meeting new people, this could be a huge advantage for you. On one sailing, we were a group of seven, and we were assigned to a table with a family of three.

They were lovely people, but we would have enjoyed the private family time. But, we assumed that since we were already a group of seven, we would be on our own. Oops…live and learn, and we had the opportunity to meet new people.

Want to change your table?

You can always check your table on embarkation day.  Just stop by the dining room and see where your table is located. If the table seats larger than your group, you are likely scheduled to sit with others.

Speak with the head waiter during their posted times to request an adjustment. Do this on the first day so that if you would rather sit alone, you aren’t inadvertently sending the wrong message to your table mates if you switch the next day.  😉

Advantages of My Time Cruise Dining

My time dining offers the most flexibility for your cruise vacation. Based on your schedule, you can decide your dining time for each evening of your cruise. You can also plan around port departures or other onboard activities.

My time dining also coordinates nicely if you plan on purchasing a dining package for your cruise vacation.  And, let’s be honest, there may be a night when you want to grab a slice of pizza.

You can plan dinner at a specialty restaurant one night and then make a reservation for the dining room the next night.

Try and roughly plan your schedule and book your desired times.  The “best” times will go quickly, especially on port days. You can reserve ahead of time in your online cruise planner.

Disadvantages of My Time Cruise Dining

Of course, there are pros and cons to all choices in life.  Including cruise dining!

In my experience, the service level isn’t as high with My Time dining.

Let me rephrase: the service is very good. But sometimes, with My Time dining, you lose the relationship aspect of the traditional dining experience. You can request the same waiter, but that’s not standard procedure. So, if that’s important to you, speak up. The head waiter will do his/her best to accommodate your request.

So, which main dining room experience do you prefer? Share below!

If you want even more cruise dining options, you can also try out the specialty dining options for an additional fee or head to the buffet in your shorts and flip-flops.  It’s your cruise!

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