Ahoy there, Marycelis!
Welcome back to planDisney! I love that you’re thinking ahead about dining times—it’s one of those details that can really shape the rhythm of your cruise. Since you’ve sailed before, you already know how special those
rotational dining experiences are, but this time around, your itinerary (and those epic Port Adventures) give you a whole new adventure to plan around.
Let’s take a look at the current plan for your all-aboard times for this itinerary:
• Cagliari: Ashore at 7:00 AM | All aboard at 3:45 PM
• Naples (Pompeii): Ashore at 9:00 AM | All aboard at 7:15 PM
• Civitavecchia (Rome): Ashore at 7:00 AM | All aboard at 7:00 PM
• Livorno: Ashore at 8:00 AM | All aboard at 8:00 PM
Whew—that’s a schedule that would make even Hercules break a sweat! Those are some long days exploring, and I can see why you’re weighing your dining options carefully.
In the past, dining times on European itineraries have been 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM. While 8:30 PM may sound late, it often works out perfectly on these
Mediterranean sailings. Why? Because with those later port return times, you won’t feel like you’re racing Rapunzel to the tower to make it to dinner in time. Instead, you can come back, freshen up, maybe even catch a sunset on deck, and then head to dinner without the stress of sprinting from adventure to appetizer.
That said, there are a few things to weigh. If you’re traveling with younger Mouseketeers, sometimes the later seating can feel like a stretch after a big day ashore. Jet lag can also play a role—depending on when you
arrive in Barcelona and how quickly your family adjusts, an 8:30 PM meal might feel pretty late if your body clocks are still catching up. A nap on the bus when you're heading back to the ship is highly recommended!
So, while it’s always a personal choice, I’d recommend giving late dining some serious thought for this particular itinerary. It will allow you to fully enjoy those once-in-a-lifetime Port Adventures without rushing back to the ship for dinner.
I hope this helps you chart the right course for your family’s dining plans. No matter what you choose, you’ll find Disney magic woven into every detail, whether you’re creating a masterpiece in
Animator’s Palate or raising a glass with the servers in Enchanted Garden.
Sea ya real soon with boo-tiful nights and frightfully fun days,
Dustin