This Common Dining Mistake Could Make Your Cruise Experience Less Enjoyable

Are there reasons you should never take a cruise? For some of us, nothing beats the feeling of being on a cruise. It feels like you're in a floating city or hotel, visiting your dream destinations with little or no stress. All day, you savor every moment while exploring different ports and enjoying beautiful views with a great level of convenience. 

But the evenings are when things start to become more alive on a cruise — with live shows, sunset cocktails, and the thrill of everyone getting ready for dinner. And, of course, dinner is the highlight of the entire cruise for many travelers. That's when you socialize with friends, family, and other cruisers after a day of excursions. Everyone gathers to share stories, laugh, and enjoy dishes. It's also when first-timers begin to ease into the whole experience. However, as amazing as this might sound, it can all become sour if you do not know when to go for it. Yes, knowing the right timing is important.

Cruise lines often have two dining times you can choose from: An early seating and a late seating. This is where you have to be careful, because picking the wrong option can ruin your experience in ways you never imagined. Many cruisers opt for early dining, likely because it's at the same time they're used to eating at home. But it's a different ball game when you're on a cruise ship. Knowing not to pick the wrong dining option is crucial if you don't want your evening to be less enjoyable.

Ordinarily, dining early might seem like the most convenient and practical thing to do for anyone who wants to have some more time ahead for the night. But the reverse is true for many cruisers who have come to realize that the early slot can be more of a burden than a benefit. It clashes with some of the best parts of the experience, like when the ship is leaving the port and the decks are brimming with music and exhilarating sunset views. Early dining won't allow you enough time to prepare, as you might find yourself having to hurry to your table. Moreover, in some cases where you come back from excursions later in the afternoon, you won't be able to have enough time to shower, change, or relax before your dinner. This leaves you scrambling instead of easing into your evening.

Apart from the issue of rushing, there's also a social factor to consider. People you'd most likely find at early seating are families with younger kids or perhaps travelers who just prefer a quieter evening. In this case, it all boils down to choice and situation. If you have young kids or prefer a less crowded environment, go earlier. Otherwise, you might unintentionally dash your hopes of rolling into the nightlife and taking in all the lively moments you have planned for. So, it pays to be careful here if you don't want to go headlong into one of the most embarrassing on-cruise mistakes many people make.

It's important to note that neither of the two dining options is exactly bad; at the end of the day, it's all a matter of choice. But it's necessary to be aware of what each one involves so you can make informed choices. Late dining is simply the best option if you want more freedom during the day while also getting to enjoy the nightlife without any hitch. With late dining, you'll have yourself more time to shower after a long day ashore, witness the sail-away from the deck, and later enjoy your dinner without feeling rushed. On the other hand, early dining may work better if you genuinely prefer turning in early or if you're with kids.

The good news is that many cruise lines now have flexible dining options commonly known as "Anytime Dining." It's also called "My Time Dining" or "Freestyle Cruising." The flexibility here is that you have the chance to decide your own dining time, or even select a table, which means you absolutely have no reason to be in a rush or think too hard when planning your day. 

All the same, whether you're going for the early sitting, the late sitting, or the "Anytime Dining" option, it's still all about you deciding what matters most to you. Most importantly, your dining choices shouldn't be a reason to have a less rewarding cruise adventure, especially if you already did all the perfect packing for your cruise vacation.