What is your preferred dining option

[JohnTheDog]

We did "Freedom" for the first time on Azura for the GE I had my doubts but we both loved it! We did the MDR only on Formal nights, the rest we dined where we wanted Glass house/Sindhu/Italian/ even the buffet for Indian night. Didn't use 17 as it was we thought taking the mick as £28 each & probably too "rich'' for my wife. We detest early sitting & would never do it, getting ready for dinner at maybe 5pm? not us thanks, then having to get out so they can get your table ready for the later sitting? We tend to linger over cheese & then coffees sometimes being late for a show chatting with the table mates. On Azura for instance we see the early 7-15 show, then a drink, then dinner, then after off down to Manhattan for the alternative show...don't miss much, on other ships you may though, like Arcadia it's show-v-Quiz.

[Onelife]

We prefer 2nd sitting as it gives my wife and daughter more time to pretty themselves up after a day ashore...it also allows me to take in the early show or try a few hands of blackjack before escorting them off to dinner.

We’ve been very fortunate with all our dining companions so it’s club dinning every time for us.

Regards

OL

[Suekersh]

Freedom is our preferred option as we like to eat between 7 and 7 :30. If that is not an option then we would go for early sitting as we like to go to the show, go dancing and do the quiz. We are early risers so generally retire to the cabin at midnight so wouldn't want to eat late. We often use the select dining options.

[Dark Knight]

we also did the freedom on Azura GE and found it very relaxed, met some nice folk and felt it added to the experience rather than detract from it
it allows a more relaxed day, especially after a day on trips etc

[Kendhni]

Am i the only one who felt freedom dining was a little more rushed than club dining

[Romig1]

I've done Freedom Dining a couple of occasions and I must agree that we felt to be rushed a little.

[dorsetlad]

We did freedom on the GE cruise, and although the meals didn't seem to last so long, I feel that it's because on club dining you tend to spend more time getting to know your table companions. I didn't think we were rushed, just didn't talk quite so much.

Brian

[Suekersh]

Never felt rushed on freedom dining but do agree the meals don't last as long.

[wolfie]

Second sitting every time.

Time to relax after a day shore, get ready without being rushed or, on a sea day, linger longer in the sun. I also usually do the quiz at 5.30pm.

Then drinks pre dinner and a stroll on deck if it's warm enough.

We are quite selective about which shows we go to, so many theatre company shows are repeats or re hashes, and often so are the guest artistes, so, missing a show and enjoying the company of our table companions is our preferred option most evenings.

If it's a port the next day then a nightcap and off to sleep as we both love being up for the approach to any port, even if we have visited before, and that is often pretty early!

We choose select dining on evenings when we wish to eat earlier or book with our table companions just to ring the changes.

[Lulucat]

Second sitting for us - although we do enjoy Freedom. We like a table for 2 as our holidays lately have become more 'for us'. We find that we would go at about 7.30 for Freedom, but of course that is when everyone else wants to go. We have rarely had to wait longer than 15 minutes, but because there are lots of other people wanting tables for 2, we thought that was why it felt 'rushed'. Interesting that others on larger tables also had the same impression.

If you book a cruise, you go with the dining times that are set - I would never restrict myself to a few ships just for the sake of Freedom dining. However if we were on a last minute and could only get first sitting, we would probably use select/buffet far more as 6.30 is a little too early for us.

[Ellen07886]

I would prefer freedom or 2nd sitting. We're on Azura next month and waitlisted for freedom but they've put us done for first sitting, which I'm dreading. I don't want to have to be all dressed up and at dinner for 6.30...... at that rate I'll be in bed for 10.00

[Queasy]

First sitting for me even though if on an all day or afternoon tour it can be a bit of a rush . Like Ken I like the increased choice in evening entertainment that early dining gives me
Alan

[towny44]

For us it would be early sitting or freedom dining, because
- I hate eating too late (and 9PM is too late for me)
- the evening entertainment is a massive part of the cruise experience

We have enjoyed freedom dining but I have opted for early sitting because I felt it is more relaxed and less rushed.

Come on Ken, how can Freedom dining be rushed, our experience is that it runs as fast or as slow as we dictate; and rushing to be ready for 6:00 or 6:30 early sitting really is way too stressed for us.

[Kendhni]

Come on Ken, how can Freedom dining be rushed, our experience is that it runs as fast or as slow as we dictate; and rushing to be ready for 6:00 or 6:30 early sitting really is way too stressed for us.

While we really enjoyed freedom dining, and would gladly do it again, both Julie and I felt that you had no sooner finished one course and the next was being served. Maybe there is a desire to turn the tables as quickly as possible. I suppose some people would refer to that as 'good service'

We didn't get any bad tablemates or anything like that, just wasn't the same atmosphere.

[Kendhni]

I notice several people saying that they feel they have to rush for early dining. We have done all the sailaways etc. that I ever want to do so we generally head to the gym in the late afternoon and Julie then heads back to the cabin about 17:15 while I go for a drink or two ... or three. I usually head back to the cabin about half an hour later and get showered and changed and ready for the night before 18:15.

We head for a drink and then wait for the mad rush to clear before heading in for our dinner (about 18:35). By the time the orders have been taken and starters arrive it is 19:00 (which is a perfect eating time for us). We then usually head to the main show lounge for the early show and then across to the alternate venue for the late show (or the deck party) ... we try to get there before most from second sitting have left the dining room to ensure a good seat

[Gill W]

I voted for freedom dining.

I prefer not to be tied to a set time, and if we are late back from an excursion, or suddenly fancy a different dining venue we don't feel beholden to anyone, whether it's our table mates or waiters, we can just do as we feel.

If not freedom, I like 1st sitting, so I can enjoy two evening shows if they are on offer

[GillD46]

Just returned from the QE where we had a table for two, VERY close to another table for two. We could dine any time between 6.30 and 9pm, so always saw our "neighbours" at some stage......we normally went in around 7.15, they came in about 7.30........that for us was absolutely perfect.

[Kendhni]

Early days in the poll, but i wonder how long it will be before more space is given over to freedom dining.

[RB1961]

We are not too fussed about the entertainment so eat at 20:30. The first couple of cruises we did 18:30.
We always go for a table of 8 and so far have been ok, we are still in touch with some of our table mates.
Not done freedom as yet but may give it ago this year.

[Capt Black]

Second sitting for us. A Guards officer once told me that gentlemen did not dine before eight.

Did Freedom dining once - a late booking, and that's all that was left. I found Freedom dining ok, but Captainess Black vowed never again.

[karenandbob]

We voted for 2nd sitting, but we also like Freedom Dining. The 1st sitting is too early for us, especially if we have been ashore - to much of a rush. We have also been very lucky on our last 3 or 4 cruises to have a table for 2 - not because we are unsociable but because we never have the full menu, only 2 or courses and we do like to go and see the show after dinner.

On Azura a couple of year ago they did 3 different times for the show in the theatre, so we were able to see the show before dinner and then after dinner we could go the bars, or the casino or whatever. We thought that this was a very good idea, just wish they still did it now.

[lioness]

I only ever have 2 course, although other half usually has dessert as well. We never miss the show though even on a table for 8

[Silver_Shiney]

Second sitting for us. A Guards officer once told me that gentlemen did not dine before eight.

What would a Guards officer know about gentlemen?






We prefer the first sitting and, like Ken, have never found the preparation rushed. We did a second sitting in 2011, and that was too late for us. If we can't do first in future, we'll opt for Freedom.

[JohnTheDog]

Isn't it curious the different preferences? We are confirmed late or Freedom diners & would never consider dining at 6-30, I see people all togged up at 5pm when we are just watching the ship sail or have barely boarded from a day ashore, people say we miss things while at dinner but they equally must miss what we do when they are at dinner. I suppose some have medical reasons for being unable to eat later.

[Quizzical Bob]

Isn't it curious the different preferences? We are confirmed late or Freedom diners & would never consider dining at 6-30, I see people all togged up at 5pm when we are just watching the ship sail or have barely boarded from a day ashore, people say we miss things while at dinner but they equally must miss what we do when they are at dinner. I suppose some have medical reasons for being unable to eat later.

We strongly prefer second sitting. I suppose it depends on whether you'd rather be outside early evening watching the sunset or maybe the ship leaving port, or whether you prefer the inside evening entertainment.