One of the most enjoyable parts of any Royal Caribbean cruise is the dining experience. From lavish main dining rooms to specialty restaurants and buffets, every meal onboard can feel like an event in itself. However, many passengers realize after booking that their originally selected dining time doesn’t quite suit their schedule. Perhaps your excursion ends later than expected, or you prefer a more relaxed evening routine — whatever the reason, adjusting your dining time after booking is a common question among travelers.
The good news is that Royal Caribbean offers flexibility when it comes to dining arrangements, though the process depends on the type of dining you’ve chosen, the timing of your request, and availability onboard. In this detailed guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about changing your dining time after booking a Royal Caribbean cruise — including how to do it, the differences between dining options, what to expect onboard, and tips to get the dining time you prefer.
Before learning how to change your dining time, it’s important to understand the two primary dining systems offered by Royal Caribbean: Traditional Dining and My Time Dining (MTD).
Traditional Dining is the classic cruise ship dining experience. You’re assigned a fixed dining time (either early seating or late seating) and a specific table. The same waitstaff and tablemates serve you every evening, creating a personalized and familiar experience.
Early Seating: Typically around 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM.
Late Seating: Usually between 8:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Many guests enjoy Traditional Dining for its structure, consistency, and the chance to build rapport with waiters and fellow diners. However, it’s less flexible since your dining time is fixed for the duration of the cruise.
My Time Dining is Royal Caribbean’s flexible dining option, allowing you to choose when you want to dine each evening. You can make daily reservations at different times or simply walk in when you’re ready (though reservations are recommended to avoid waiting).
MTD works well for guests who prefer more freedom with their schedule, especially if they plan to participate in evening shows, excursions, or kids’ activities that vary each day.
Yes, you can change your dining time after booking a Royal Caribbean cruise, but how and when you do it depends on whether you’ve selected Traditional or My Time Dining.
Royal Caribbean understands that passengers’ plans can evolve between booking and sailing. The cruise line allows guests to adjust dining preferences through the Cruise Planner online, by contacting customer service, or once onboard the ship. However, availability may vary depending on ship capacity and demand.
The most convenient way to change your dining time before your cruise is through the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner, available online after you’ve completed your booking.
Steps to change your dining time online:
Log in to your Royal Caribbean account.
Navigate to your upcoming cruise itinerary.
Click on “Dining” under the Cruise Planner menu.
You’ll see your current dining assignment (either My Time or Traditional).
Choose to modify your dining preference.
If you’re currently on Traditional Dining, you may have the option to switch to My Time Dining if space is available, or vice versa.
Confirm the change and check your updated reservation details.
Royal Caribbean’s system typically allows changes up to three to four days before sailing, but availability can fill up quickly, especially for popular dining times or larger groups.
If you booked your cruise through a travel agent, you can contact them directly to modify your dining time. Travel agents have access to the same reservation management tools and can help check availability or request adjustments on your behalf.
Another option is to call Royal Caribbean’s customer service line. Provide your booking number, ship name, and sailing date, and ask about available dining time changes. The representative can help process your request if options are open.
If you were unable to change your dining time before departure, don’t worry — you still have options once you’re onboard.
On the first day of your cruise, the Main Dining Room (MDR) staff typically holds a special desk or designated area where passengers can request changes to their dining assignments. This is usually available during the afternoon or evening of embarkation.
Go there as soon as you board to make your request, as changes are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. If space permits, they’ll switch your seating time or dining style right away.
The Maître d’ (the dining room manager) has authority over seating arrangements. If you have a specific reason for changing your dining time — such as medical needs, traveling with family on different bookings, or excursion timing conflicts — politely explain your situation. They often do their best to accommodate such requests.
If your preferred dining time isn’t available immediately, don’t give up. Many passengers change plans after the first night, freeing up spots at different times. You can check back with the dining staff after a day or two to see if new openings have appeared.
If you’ve opted for My Time Dining, you already have significant flexibility. You can adjust or cancel your dinner reservations daily via:
The Royal Caribbean App onboard.
Guest Services desk.
Directly with dining room staff.
You can make reservations for specific times each night or show up as a walk-in (though during peak times, there may be a short wait).
Pro tip: For smoother dining experiences, reserve your MTD slots early in the day or through the Cruise Planner before boarding.
FeatureTraditional DiningMy Time Dining
Fixed TimeYes (early or late)No, flexible
Change Before CruisePossible (if space allows)Possible (any time)
Change OnboardThrough Maître d’ (limited)Easily via app or host
TablematesSame each nightVaries (unless reserved)
Recommended ForGuests who like routineGuests who prefer flexibility
Act Early – Dining time slots, especially the early seating, fill up quickly. Make your request as soon as possible after booking.
Be Polite and Clear – When talking to the Maître d’ or customer service, be courteous and specific about your preferred time. They’re more likely to help if you explain your situation clearly.
Consider Specialty Dining – If your preferred main dining room slot isn’t available, explore Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants, which often have more flexible timing options.
Link Your Reservations – If you’re traveling with friends or family in separate cabins, make sure your bookings are linked. This ensures you’re seated together and helps synchronize dining arrangements.
Check the App Daily – The Royal Caribbean app updates with any new openings or time slots. Use it to adjust your dining preferences in real-time.
Plan Around Shows and Excursions – Many evening shows, especially on Oasis and Quantum class ships, overlap with dinner hours. Knowing your entertainment schedule helps you pick the most convenient dining time.
Remember Time Zone Changes – On longer cruises, local port times can differ from ship time. Always follow the ship’s official time when planning dining or activities.
If you skip your assigned Traditional Dining time, there’s no penalty, but the staff will mark you as absent. You can always dine elsewhere — such as at the Windjammer Marketplace buffet or a specialty venue.
However, if you repeatedly miss your assigned seating without notifying the staff, they may release your spot to accommodate other passengers requesting time changes.
For My Time Dining guests, missing a reservation time is not a major issue, but it’s courteous to cancel in advance through the app or by informing the dining host.
You can log into the Cruise Planner before sailing to switch to the late seating if spots are available. If not, speak to the Maître d’ on embarkation day to request a change.
Ask your travel agent or Royal Caribbean directly to link your bookings. This allows the system to seat everyone together and align dining schedules.
If My Time Dining is available, you can request the change through the Cruise Planner or customer service. Sometimes the switch can only be made once you’re onboard due to limited space.
It’s possible to have My Time Dining but also reserve a table at the same time each evening, giving you both structure and flexibility. Some guests also mix in specialty dining nights to vary their schedule.
Royal Caribbean’s Specialty Dining venues — like Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Izumi, and Wonderland — operate separately from the main dining room. These restaurants offer flexible reservation times, typically from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM, and can be booked via:
Cruise Planner before sailing.
Royal Caribbean app onboard.
At the restaurant entrance.
If your main dining room time isn’t ideal, consider reserving a specialty restaurant instead. Not only does this give you more control over your schedule, but it also offers a chance to enjoy a diverse culinary experience.
Yes, once onboard, you can use the Royal Caribbean mobile app to manage dining reservations. The app allows you to:
View your current dining time and venue.
Modify or cancel My Time Dining reservations.
Book specialty dining or additional restaurants.
See wait times for walk-in dining options.
However, Traditional Dining changes typically require staff assistance since seating is pre-assigned.
While policies are consistent fleetwide, the ease of changing dining times can vary depending on the ship’s class and capacity.
Oasis Class Ships (e.g., Wonder, Harmony, Symphony of the Seas): Larger ships with multiple dining rooms and more flexibility.
Quantum Class (e.g., Odyssey, Anthem of the Seas): Often uses a “Dynamic Dining” style with separate themed venues.
Freedom & Voyager Class: More traditional layouts but still allow My Time Dining flexibility.
Radiance & Vision Class: Smaller ships may have limited dining change availability, so early requests are essential.
If you have dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, kosher, or allergies), these can be accommodated regardless of dining time. However, inform the dining staff early so your meals can be prepared properly. If you change your dining time, remind the staff of your dietary requirements to ensure seamless service.
More convenient schedule – Align dinner with your shore excursions or evening shows.
Better family coordination – Eat together at a time that suits everyone.
Improved relaxation – Avoid rushing from daytime activities to early seating or waiting late for dinner.
Enhanced flexibility – Combine My Time Dining and specialty dining for a varied experience.
Limited availability – Popular dining times (especially early seating) often fill up quickly.
Split tables – Changing times last-minute might mean you don’t sit with your original tablemates.
Inconsistent servers – With My Time Dining, you may not have the same waitstaff each night.
Still, for most cruisers, these are small trade-offs compared to the overall convenience of dining flexibility.
Use the Cruise Planner early – Log in as soon as your sailing opens for dining reservations.
Book My Time Dining if unsure – It’s easier to change within My Time Dining than Traditional Dining.
Arrive early on embarkation day – Dining changes are processed on a first-come basis.
Download the Royal Caribbean app – Manage your dining schedule on the go.
Stay flexible – If your exact time isn’t available, choose a close alternative; openings often appear later.
Changing your dining time after booking a Royal Caribbean cruise is entirely possible — and often quite simple. Whether you prefer the structure of Traditional Dining or the freedom of My Time Dining, Royal Caribbean provides multiple avenues to tailor your experience to your liking.
By acting early, staying flexible, and communicating politely with staff, you can enjoy your meals at the time that suits you best. Dining on a cruise is more than just eating; it’s a central part of your vacation — a moment to relax, indulge, and share stories of your day at sea.
So if your schedule changes or you simply decide to dine a little earlier or later, rest assured that Royal Caribbean’s friendly crew and flexible dining system make it easy to adjust and keep your cruise experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
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