Booking a cruise is one of the most exciting parts of planning a vacation — the thrill of exploring new destinations, indulging in luxurious onboard experiences, and savoring exquisite meals prepared by world-class chefs. Among the many details that make your cruise enjoyable, dining time is one of the most important aspects. It sets the rhythm of your day, determines how you coordinate your activities, and ensures that you enjoy every meal without feeling rushed.
If you’ve booked a Celebrity Cruise, you might be wondering: Can I change my dining time after booking? The answer is yes, in most cases, you can. However, the process and availability depend on several factors such as the type of dining plan you selected, the ship’s policy, and how early or late you make the change request.
This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about modifying your dining time on a Celebrity Cruise — from the different dining types offered, how to make changes before and after boarding, to practical tips that help ensure you get the mealtime you prefer.
Before you can change your dining time, it’s important to understand the different dining arrangements Celebrity Cruises offer. Celebrity has evolved its dining concept over the years, focusing on flexibility and guest satisfaction. The main dining options can generally be divided into two categories: Traditional Dining and Celebrity Select Dining (Flexible Dining).
Traditional dining on Celebrity Cruises operates with fixed seating times — typically Early Dining and Late Dining.
Early Dining: Usually around 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM
Late Dining: Typically around 8:30 PM or 9:00 PM
When you book your cruise, you can select your preferred dining time. You’ll be assigned a specific table in one of the ship’s main dining rooms, and you’ll dine with the same group of people and have the same servers throughout your voyage.
This consistency is part of the charm for many cruisers, as it allows you to form friendly relationships with your tablemates and dining staff. However, it also means your dining schedule is more rigid — unless you request a change.
For guests who prefer not to be tied to a fixed dinner schedule, Celebrity Select Dining offers more flexibility. With this option, you can choose when to dine each evening — typically between 6:00 PM and 9:30 PM — either by reserving a time in advance or walking in when you’re ready.
You can make or modify your reservations using:
The Celebrity Cruises App
The Cruise Planner on the Celebrity website
The onboard dining host or maître d’ once you are on the ship
This flexible option is ideal for travelers who like to plan their evenings around shows, excursions, or spontaneous activities without worrying about missing their assigned dining time.
Yes, you can change your dining time after booking a Celebrity Cruise. However, how and when you do it will determine your success. Celebrity Cruises allows passengers to modify dining arrangements before the cruise through the online portal or after boarding by speaking directly with the dining room staff.
Let’s look at both scenarios in detail.
If you decide to change your dining time before you even step on board, you have multiple convenient options.
Once you’ve booked your cruise, you can access your reservation details through the Celebrity Cruises online portal. Here’s how it typically works:
Log into your account on the Celebrity Cruises website.
Go to Manage My Reservation.
Select your sailing and open the Dining Preferences section.
Choose your new preferred dining time (Early, Late, or Select Dining).
Save your changes.
If the dining time you prefer is available, your reservation will update instantly. If not, you might be placed on a waitlist, and Celebrity will notify you if a spot becomes available before your cruise departs.
The Celebrity Cruises mobile app is another user-friendly way to manage dining preferences. You can:
Review your current dining schedule.
Switch to flexible dining if available.
Book or modify reservations at specialty restaurants.
View menus and availability in real-time.
Using the app early — ideally a few weeks before sailing — increases your chances of securing your desired dining time.
If you booked through a travel agent, they can often handle dining time changes on your behalf. You can also call Celebrity Cruises’ customer service team and request assistance. They will check the current availability for your sailing and make adjustments where possible.
Pro Tip: If your preferred dining time is not available, don’t worry. You can still try to change it once you’re on board, as there are often cancellations and adjustments made on embarkation day.
If you weren’t able to change your dining time before the cruise or simply want to make adjustments once you see how your schedule unfolds, you can still make requests after boarding.
On embarkation day (the day you board), the maître d’ or dining room host will usually be available during designated hours to handle dining changes. You can find their location and hours in your Celebrity Today daily newsletter or on the Celebrity Cruises app.
When you visit the dining host desk:
Explain that you’d like to change your dining time.
Mention any special requests (such as a table for two, or dining near friends or family).
Be polite and flexible — sometimes the exact time might not be available, but the staff can offer alternatives.
Celebrity staff are known for their hospitality and will do their best to accommodate you, especially if you make the request early on embarkation day.
Even after boarding, the Celebrity app remains your best friend for managing dining times. You can use it to:
Check current availability in the main dining room.
Adjust reservations for Celebrity Select Dining.
Book or cancel specialty dining experiences.
If you’re using flexible dining, you can modify your dinner time daily depending on your mood or schedule.
If you’re assigned a fixed dining time but find it consistently inconvenient, you can speak to your waiter or the restaurant manager. Sometimes, they can arrange a switch mid-cruise, especially if there’s a cancellation or change in another guest’s plan.
It’s not guaranteed, but it’s worth asking — particularly if you’re sailing during less crowded weeks.
When your preferred dining time is full, Celebrity Cruises may place you on a waitlist. This is common for popular early dining times. The waitlist is managed automatically, and if a seat becomes available, you’ll be notified by email or through your travel agent.
If you’re still on the waitlist when you board, head straight to the dining room host desk on embarkation day. Many guests make last-minute changes, freeing up spots for others.
Celebrity Cruises also features specialty restaurants that offer unique dining experiences, such as:
Murano – Classic French fine dining
Tuscan Grille – Italian steakhouse
Le Petit Chef – Animated dining show experience
Lawn Club Grill – Open-air grill experience (on select ships)
These restaurants require reservations and sometimes charge an additional fee. You can change or cancel these reservations through:
The Celebrity Cruises website
The Celebrity app
The specialty restaurant’s host stand onboard
Most specialty venues allow you to modify or cancel reservations up to 24 hours in advance without penalty. For popular venues, book as early as possible to secure the best dining times.
Changing your dining time after booking is usually straightforward, but availability can be limited — especially for early dinner slots. Here are some practical tips to increase your chances of getting your ideal dining schedule:
Book Early: When you make your initial cruise reservation, select your dining preference immediately. Early dining times fill up fast, especially on popular itineraries.
Check Frequently: Availability can change as other passengers modify their bookings. Log in periodically to see if your preferred time becomes available.
Use the Celebrity App: It’s the easiest way to view real-time availability, make changes, and confirm reservations.
Visit the Maître d’ on Embarkation Day: Be among the first in line to make in-person requests for dining time changes.
Be Flexible: If your preferred time isn’t available, try opting for Celebrity Select Dining (if the ship offers it). This provides flexibility to dine anytime within a set window.
Consider Specialty Restaurants: If you can’t get your preferred time in the main dining room, book specialty dining instead. It’s a great way to enjoy a unique culinary experience and control your schedule.
Plan Around Showtimes: Many guests want to dine before or after major entertainment events. Check the show schedule and adjust your dining reservations accordingly to avoid crowds.
Celebrity Cruises also offers Celebrity Select Dining Plus on certain ships, an upgraded version of flexible dining. This allows you to make dining reservations before your cruise for specific times each night, ensuring your spot is secured.
With this option, you can dine at any time between 6:00 PM and 9:30 PM, and you can make reservations for the entire voyage in advance. It’s ideal if you prefer flexibility but don’t want to wait for a table each evening.
If you’re cruising with family or friends, you may want to ensure everyone dines together. In that case, the process of changing dining times might involve a few extra steps.
Before the cruise: Your travel agent or group coordinator can request the same dining time for all cabins.
After boarding: Visit the dining room host desk together and explain your situation. They’ll try to seat your group at the same table or nearby tables.
It’s always easier to arrange group dining early, so make sure to communicate everyone’s preferences before departure.
If you have a fixed dining time and arrive late, the staff will usually try to accommodate you if space allows. However, repeatedly arriving late might cause delays for others or inconvenience your tablemates.
With Celebrity Select Dining, you have more freedom — but even then, it’s courteous to show up close to your reserved time or cancel if you won’t be dining there that evening.
Many guests worry about returning from excursions too late for their assigned dinner time. If your tour returns close to your scheduled dining hour, you can:
Inform your waiter in advance if you expect to be late.
Visit the dining host desk to request a one-time change for that evening.
Opt for Celebrity Select Dining so you can dine anytime after your return.
Celebrity Cruises strives to accommodate shore excursion schedules, especially if the tours are organized through the cruise line itself.
Yes, changes can be made even after your cruise has started. For instance, if you initially chose early dining but later prefer late dining due to show schedules or excursions, visit the dining host desk.
They’ll check current availability and try to move you to your desired slot. It’s not always guaranteed, but cancellations happen frequently — especially during longer voyages.
Changing your dining time doesn’t affect your special dietary requests. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or have specific allergies, Celebrity Cruises’ culinary team can accommodate your needs.
Just make sure your dietary preferences are noted in your booking or mentioned to your waiter each evening.
Yes, to an extent. Many cruisers enjoy combining flexible main dining with specialty dining or casual options like the Oceanview Café buffet or AquaSpa Café.
For example, you could:
Dine at 6:30 PM in the main restaurant on some nights.
Try a specialty restaurant at 8:00 PM on another night.
Enjoy casual open seating when you prefer a quick meal.
This combination keeps your dining experience fresh and lets you enjoy the variety that Celebrity Cruises is famous for.
Once you’ve booked your cruise, you can verify your dining assignment by:
Logging into the Celebrity website under “Manage My Reservation.”
Checking your boarding pass or cruise confirmation email.
Reviewing the Celebrity app, which displays your dining time and restaurant name.
If something doesn’t look right, you can easily contact the cruise line or adjust it online before sailing.
So, can you change your dining time after booking a Celebrity Cruise? Absolutely — Celebrity Cruises gives guests multiple options to modify dining arrangements both before and during the voyage.
Whether you prefer the structure of traditional dining or the freedom of Celebrity Select Dining, the line’s goal is to ensure you enjoy every meal at your preferred time. The key is to plan early, use the Celebrity app, and communicate your preferences clearly once you’re onboard.
Cruising with Celebrity is as much about culinary excellence as it is about relaxation and adventure. And with the ability to customize your dining schedule, you can truly make your cruise experience your own — one delicious meal at a time.
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