Anytime vs Assigned time dining


Traditionally cruise ships offered 2 different dining options for dinner, either assigned or buffet. The assigned dining was either around 6pm or 8pm. However, in recent years, most cruise lines have begun allowing the main dining hall dinner either by assigned time or anytime dining (each cruise line calls this something different, so I am using “assigned time” and “anytime” dining as a generic term).

Although your situation may warrant a different conclusion, I feel any kosher diner would benefit more from an assigned time than anytime dining.

Anytime dining
When choosing anytime, you go to your assigned dining hall during the diner period; typically approximately 5-8pm.

Advantages
The advantage of this is the flexibility. If there is a late port day or an early show, you can go at a different time, and not allow diner to be the reason you miss something you wanted to do. For example, if you have a 6pm dinner you would never be able to make a 6:30 show.

Many people on vacation hate feeling like they are on a schedule, and anytime dining allows you to come and go as you please.

Disadvantages
One disadvantage is you may need to wait for a table, typically not more than 15 minutes, but I have seen this up to 45 minutes. Carnival allows you to book your time daily through their app, which will cut down on wait times, but currently no other cruise line offers this.

When you get to your table, nothing will be set up for kosher, so you will need to wait for them to clear everything out of the way. Although this might not be a big issue, it’s a nice feeling to get to your table and everything is ready for you.

If you aren’t there when you thought you would be, it could make your meal less enjoyable. When you order your food the night before they will ask you when you want it ready. If you are early, your food might not be ready yet causing a 45 minute wait while they thaw your food and warm it. If late, your food is cold because it sat in the kitchen waiting for you.

Another big disadvantage to me is you are not guaranteed the same wait staff from day to day. You will need to review everything with a new waiter every day. In addition you order your entire days food the night before after dinner, changing waiters everyday make it more likely that they will forget and cause you to have to look for them to order.

Assigned time
Assigned time dining as I mentioned typically has 2 options, either 6pm or 8pm (give or take a few minutes). When doing assigned time dining I suggest see the maitre’d your first day on the ship in order to request a private table, otherwise you may be assigned a group table.

Advantages
When you come to the dining hall you are guaranteed to have no wait time. You find out your seat assignment on the first day, which creates a bit of a line entering the room, but after that you walk right in and right up to your table, no waiting needed.

When you get to your table the trief dishes are not set at your seat after the first day. You have your paper plates and plastic utensils with plastic cups set up waiting for you. Norwegian does give you the option for actual kosher plates (read more at: Keeping kosher on Norwegian Cruise Line). After the first day, when you discuss the bread situation with the waiter, they know what you want and your double wrapped bread will be at your seat warm and waiting for you.

You are always eating at the exact time you expect to be. Meaning your food is hot and ready when you want it. The kitchen staff knows exactly when you will be eating and can plan accordingly for that.

To me the biggest advantage is that you have the same wait staff every day. They know what they want from day 1 and cater to you. They know you are tipping them, so they never forget to be on top of your needs, unlike with anytime dining where tips are just pooled.

Disadvantages
A big disadvantage of assigned time dining is you have zero flexibility. If you do not want to eat at your assigned time you are out of luck. Most cruise lines do not allow you to get kosher food in the buffet area during dinner. If you have an 8pm dining time and want to see an 8pm show you are out of luck.

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