How to Choose the Best Dining Time on a Carnival Cruise

AvatarByDale Richard Cruise/Cruising

How to Select Dining Time on a Carnival Cruise

Carnival Cruise Line offers a variety of dining options for its guests, including multiple restaurants, buffets, and room service. One of the most important decisions you’ll make when booking your cruise is choosing a dining time. The time you select will affect your dining experience, so it’s important to choose wisely.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different dining times available on Carnival cruises, and we’ll help you choose the one that’s right for you. We’ll also provide tips for making the most of your dining experience on your Carnival cruise.

So whether you’re looking for a leisurely breakfast, a quick lunch, or a romantic dinner, we’ll help you find the perfect dining time on your Carnival cruise.

Dining Time Dining Location Description
Early Dining Main Dining Room Dinner is served from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.
Main Dining Room Main Dining Room Dinner is served from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
Late Dining Main Dining Room Dinner is served from 9:00pm to 11:00pm.
Steakhouse Steakhouse Dinner is served from 5:30pm to 11:00pm.
Pizza Pirate Pizza Pirate Pizza is served from 11:00am to 11:00pm.
Guy’s Burger Joint Guy’s Burger Joint Burgers are served from 11:00am to 11:00pm.

Dining Times on Carnival Cruise

Carnival Cruise Line offers a variety of dining options for its guests, including multiple dining rooms, specialty restaurants, and casual eateries. The dining times on Carnival cruises vary depending on the ship and the type of dining experience you choose.

Breakfast

Breakfast is served in the main dining room on most Carnival cruises. The buffet typically opens around 7am and closes around 10am. There are also a variety of grab-and-go options available throughout the ship, such as coffee shops and cafes.

Lunch

Lunch is served in the main dining room on most Carnival cruises. The buffet typically opens around 11am and closes around 2pm. There are also a variety of other dining options available, such as pizza, burgers, and sandwiches.

Dinner

Dinner is served in the main dining room on most Carnival cruises. The first seating typically begins around 6pm and the second seating begins around 8pm. There are also a variety of specialty restaurants available on most Carnival cruises, which offer more upscale dining experiences.

Snacks

There are a variety of snacks available throughout the day on Carnival cruises. You can find snacks in the main dining room, the buffet, and the various cafes and shops on the ship.

How to Select a Dining Time

When choosing a dining time on your Carnival cruise, there are a few factors to consider.

  • Your personal preference. Do you prefer to eat early or late? Do you want to have a leisurely meal or a quick bite?
  • The number of people in your party. If you are traveling with a large group, you may want to choose a later seating so that you can all eat together.
  • Your activities. If you have scheduled activities in the evening, you may want to choose an earlier seating so that you have time to eat before your activity.

Once you have considered these factors, you can make your dining time selection. You can make your selection online when you book your cruise, or you can make your selection at the cruise terminal when you check in.

Factors to consider

When choosing a dining time on your Carnival cruise, there are a few factors to consider.

  • Your personal preference. Do you prefer to eat early or late? Do you want to have a leisurely meal or a quick bite?
  • The number of people in your party. If you are traveling with a large group, you may want to choose a later seating so that you can all eat together.
  • Your activities. If you have scheduled activities in the evening, you may want to choose an earlier seating so that you have time to eat before your activity.

When to make your selection

You can make your dining time selection online when you book your cruise, or you can make your selection at the cruise terminal when you check in.

  • Online: When you book your cruise, you will be asked to select a dining time. You can choose from the following options:
  • Early seating: 6:00pm
  • Main seating: 8:00pm
  • Late seating: 10:00pm
  • At the cruise terminal: If you do not make your dining time selection online, you can do so at the cruise terminal when you check in. You will be given a choice of the three dining times listed above.

Making changes to your selection

If you need to make changes to your dining time selection, you can do so at the cruise terminal when you check in. You can also make changes to your selection online up to 72 hours before your cruise departure.

Choosing a dining time on your Carnival cruise can be a difficult decision. There are a few factors to consider, such as your personal preference, the number of people in your party, and your activities. By considering these factors, you can make the best decision for you.

How to Select Dining Time on Carnival Cruise?

When you book your Carnival cruise, you will be asked to select a dining time for your main dining room meals. There are three options: early, late, and anytime.

  • Early dining is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is the most popular option, as it allows you to get your meal in before the showtime rush.
  • Late dining is from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This option is less popular, but it does offer some advantages. For example, you will have a shorter wait for a table, and you will be able to enjoy the show without having to rush back to your cabin.
  • Anytime dining is available from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This option gives you the most flexibility, as you can eat whenever you want. However, you may have to wait longer for a table, especially during peak times.

Once you have selected a dining time, you will be assigned a table in your dining room. Your table will be the same for each meal, unless you request a change.

If you have any dietary restrictions, be sure to let your server know when you first sit down. The dining room staff will be happy to accommodate your needs.

Here are some tips for selecting the best dining time for your Carnival cruise:

  • Consider your schedule. If you have shows or other activities planned for the evening, you may want to choose an early dining time so that you have plenty of time to get ready.
  • Consider your preferences. If you like to eat early, then early dining is a good option for you. If you prefer to eat later, then late dining or anytime dining may be a better choice.
  • Consider your party size. If you are traveling with a large group, you may want to choose an early dining time so that you can get a table together.

No matter what dining time you choose, you are sure to enjoy your meals on your Carnival cruise. The dining room staff is friendly and attentive, and the food is always delicious.

Dining Options on Carnival Cruise

Carnival offers a variety of dining options for its guests, including:

  • Main dining room. The main dining room is the traditional sit-down dinner experience. You will be assigned a table for each meal, and you will be served by the same waiter or waitress each time. The main dining room offers a wide variety of menu items, including international cuisine, comfort food, and vegetarian options.
  • Specialty restaurants. Carnival offers a variety of specialty restaurants, each with its own unique cuisine. Some of the specialty restaurants that Carnival offers include:
  • The Chef’s Table. This exclusive restaurant offers a multi-course tasting menu prepared by the ship’s executive chef.
  • Blue Iguana Cantina. This Mexican restaurant offers authentic Mexican cuisine, including tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.
  • Steakhouse on the Grill. This steakhouse offers USDA Prime steaks, grilled seafood, and other classic American dishes.
  • Buffets. Carnival offers several buffets, each with its own unique selection of food. Some of the buffets that Carnival offers include:
  • The Lido Marketplace. This buffet offers a wide variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items, including fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood.
  • The Pizza Corner. This buffet offers a variety of pizzas, calzones, and other Italian dishes.
  • The Ice Cream Parlor. This buffet offers a variety of ice cream, sorbet, and gelato.
  • Other dining options. Carnival also offers a variety of other dining options, including:
  • Room service. Room service is available 24 hours a day, and you can order anything from breakfast to dessert.
  • Carnival Bars. Carnival offers several bars, each with its own unique atmosphere. Some of the bars that Carnival offers include:
  • The Piano Bar. This bar offers live piano music and a variety of cocktails.
  • The Sports Bar. This bar offers sports games on the big screen and a variety of beers.
  • The Nightclub. This bar offers dancing, live music, and a variety of cocktails.

No matter what your dining preferences are, you are sure to find something to your taste on a Carnival cruise.

Tips for Enjoying Your Dining Experience on Carnival Cruise

Here are a few tips for enjoying your dining

How do I select my dining time on a Carnival cruise?

There are a few different ways to select your dining time on a Carnival cruise.

  • Online: You can select your dining time when you book your cruise online.
  • By phone: You can call Carnival Cruise Line and speak to a reservations agent to select your dining time.
  • At the terminal: You can select your dining time when you check in for your cruise.

Once you have selected your dining time, it will be confirmed on your cruise ticket. You can also check your dining time on your Carnival Cruise Line account.

What are the different dining times available on Carnival cruises?

Carnival offers a variety of dining times to choose from, including:

  • Early dining: 5:30 p.m.
  • Main dining: 6:30 p.m.
  • Late dining: 8:00 p.m.

You can select the dining time that best suits your schedule and preferences.

Can I change my dining time after I have booked my cruise?

Yes, you can change your dining time after you have booked your cruise. However, there may be a fee for changing your dining time.

To change your dining time, you can contact Carnival Cruise Line and speak to a reservations agent. You can also change your dining time online or at the terminal.

What happens if I miss my dining time?

If you miss your dining time, you can still eat at the main dining room. However, you may have to wait for a table to become available.

You can also eat at one of the other dining options on the ship, such as the buffet, the grill, or the pizza shop.

What is the dress code for the main dining room?

The dress code for the main dining room is casual elegant. This means that you should dress in comfortable clothes that you would wear to dinner out.

For men, this typically means khakis or dress pants, a collared shirt, and a sweater or sport coat. For women, this typically means a dress, skirt, or pantsuit, and a blouse or sweater.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

Carnival Cruise Line offers a variety of dining options for guests with dietary restrictions. You can find more information about dietary restrictions on the Carnival Cruise Line website.

You can also speak to your cruise director or the dining room manager to discuss your dietary restrictions. They will be able to make arrangements for you to eat at a dining option that meets your needs.

there are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a dining time on a Carnival cruise. First, consider your personal preferences and what time of day you typically like to eat. Second, take into account the dining options that are available at each time slot. Finally, think about how important it is to you to have a table with a view. By considering these factors, you can choose the dining time that is best for you and make the most of your cruise experience.

Here are a few key takeaways:

  • There are three main dining times on Carnival cruises: early, late, and anytime dining.
  • Early dining is typically offered from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, late dining is offered from 8:00 to 10:00 PM, and anytime dining is offered from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
  • The dining options that are available at each time slot vary depending on the ship.
  • Having a table with a view can be a valuable experience, but it is not always necessary.

Author Profile

Dale Richard
Dale Richard
Dale, in his mid-thirties, embodies the spirit of adventure and the love for the great outdoors. With a background in environmental science and a heart that beats for exploring the unexplored, Dale has hiked through the lush trails of the Appalachian Mountains, camped under the starlit skies of the Mojave Desert, and kayaked through the serene waters of the Great Lakes.

His adventures are not just about conquering new terrains but also about embracing the ethos of sustainable and responsible travel. Dale’s experiences, from navigating through dense forests to scaling remote peaks, bring a rich tapestry of stories, insights, and practical tips to our blog.