Welcome aboard, Darlene!
It sounds like you're planning your first adventure at sea with Captain Mickey and his crew. Unique
dining is one of the best parts of sailing with Disney, so believe me, you're in for a real culinary treat!
When you book your cruise, you get to choose from
two dining times: either Main Dining, which is the first dinner seating around 5:45 p.m. each evening, or Second Seating, which is around 8:15. Times vary slightly based on ship and itinerary. If you'd prefer the Main Dining, simply request that. However, there are times when one dining seating is already full, and you'll automatically be assigned the other. If that's the case, there's still a good chance of switching. Call the agents at Disney Cruise Line a month or so prior to departure to see if you can switch. If not at that time, keep checking either with them or through the Planning Center online, as guests do change their plans all the time. Finally, if you arrive at port and still really want the alternate seating, there is a time on embarkation day when the Head Servers are available to talk with guests about dining changes if at all possible. Just look for that notice in your Personal Navigator (the ship's schedule of events that you'll get as you check in at port) or on the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App.
Remember, if you're wanting the first seating because you think 8:15 sounds too late to eat, don't worry! My family and I have discovered that there is always somewhere to get snacks or complimentary room service prior to that late dinner to keep the kiddos satisfied until it's time to dine. Second seating is our favorite!
Happy planning, Darlene!
Marcy