Pros & Cons of Flexible and Set Cruise Dining Options

Cruising can be intimidating for first-timers, because you have to make several choices different than a traditional vacation, and you may be unsure about what to choose. One of these options is your preference for Main Dining Room (MDR) options. The MDR is included in your cruise fare, so this is no additional cost, unlike the cruise line’s specialty dining options, but you’ll need to designate your dining time preference.

Cruise Dining Times

When you book your cruise, you’ll generally have to select whether you want flexible or set dining times. The cruise lines refer to these as different things. Carnival, for instance, calls its flexible option “Anytime Dining,” whereas Royal Caribbean refers to it as “My Time Dining.”

Flexible Dining Pros & Cons

If you opt for the flexible dining option, you can head to the MDR at any time during the dining hours, which can vary from line to line but are generally between 5:30 and 9:00 PM.

Pros of Flexible Dining: It’s pretty obvious—the flexibility! I generally prefer to have dinner a little earlier in the day, but if I have a busy port day and don’t get back to the ship until 6 PM, I want plenty of time to shower, change, and relax before heading to dinner. I can’t always do that with set dining, but flexible dining allows for it.

Cons of Flexible Dining: This option can mean a wait for your table, sometimes a lengthy one. However, many cruise lines now have an online dinner check-in option on their various apps, which helps a bit with this. You’ll still have to wait, but at least you can explore and do other things while you wait for your table. (Tip: I generally check in while I’m still getting ready for dinner in my stateroom. Once you are notified your table is ready, you generally have 10-15 minutes to get there, and waiting in your stateroom is better than crowding around outside the MDR).

Related: Check out 5 Secrets to Maximizing Your MDR Experience.

Set Dining Pros & Cons

If you choose set dining, you’ll need to decide whether you want early or late dining. These times can vary based on the cruise line, but early dining is generally around 5:30 PM, and late dining is around 8:00 PM.

Pros of Set Dining Times: The biggest benefit of cruise set dining time is that you generally won’t have to wait long for your table. Another perk is that you will be seated at the same table each evening, and you’ll have the opportunity to get to know your wait staff team and, if you’re social, the other cruisers who are seated nearby. Cruise MDR wait staff are often exceptional, and they will likely even remember your individual preferences, which is a fun benefit. For example, if you prefer extra lemon in your water, you often won’t need to ask for it after that first night.

Cons of Set Dining Times: The downfall of set dining is the lack of flexibility. Perhaps you have early dining, but you just aren’t very hungry at 5:30 PM because you had a late lunch that day. But with set dining, there’s little wiggle room on time. You can arrive a bit past your dining time, but not by much. Of course, the buffet is always an option, but many cruisers (like me) strongly prefer the MDR experience over the buffet (I avoid it as much as possible). Keep in mind, too, that the included entertainment, such as shows, comedians, live music, etc., is a big benefit of cruising, and it can sometimes prove difficult to attend the shows you want when they interfere time-wise with your set dining time.

Cruise Dining Time Tips for the MDR

1. Sailing with Others – If you’re sailing with family and friends, you can request that your reservations get linked with the cruise line so you can enjoy MDR meals together (and FYI – the MDR isn’t just for dinner!). Many groups find set dining a better choice in this scenario since you’re coordinating multiple people, and it’s easier to ensure you get a table together, as large tables are limited for flexible dining options. It’s also simpler that everyone knows one time each night, every night, to meet up for dinner.

2. MDR To Go – If you’re determined to enjoy an MDR meal but you (or a cabinmate) just aren’t very hungry, and you’re stuck with a set dining time, you can request your meal to go. Many cruisers are unaware of this option, but the wait staff team will prepare your desired meal for you and provide you with a dish cover so you can take it to your room to enjoy it later. However, some cruise lines won’t always allow this, citing “health and safety” reasons for denying “to go” food. This seems inconsistently applied across and even within the various cruise lines, so my advice is always just to ask.

3. MDR Tipping – If and how much to tip in the Main Dining Room is a varied and sometimes controversial topic. Tips are included in the gratuities that are paid by cruisers, but some cruisers (that’s me!) also choose to tip extra. When I have flexible dining, I generally tip a few bucks each night, as the wait staff team can vary each evening. If I have a set dining time, I’ll generally wait until the end of the cruise and tip a larger amount at the end of that final dinner.

4. Don’t Delay Making Your Choice – Don’t be indecisive about your cruise main dining room dining time selection because these options DO “sell out”. It’s advisable to make your choice when you book (it’s possible to change later if your newly desired option is still available). Each sailing has a limited number of options for each of the three options (flexible, set early dining, and set late dining), so if you don’t make a choice early on, your reservation will be allocated to whichever option is available, which may not be your preferred choice.

Clothes featured in photo: Lilly Pulitzer Romper & Women’s V-Neck Sparkle Dress in Rose