When planning a Royal Caribbean cruise, one of the most exciting aspects to look forward to is the dining experience. The cruise line is known for its incredible culinary variety—from formal main dining rooms and casual buffets to specialty restaurants serving global cuisines. Among these dining options, “My Time Dining” has become a favorite for many travelers who want flexibility rather than a fixed dining schedule.
If you’re wondering what the rules are for “My Time Dining” on Royal Caribbean, this detailed guide covers everything you need to know—from reservations and timing to dress codes, tipping, and best practices. Whether you’re new to cruising or a frequent Royal Caribbean guest, understanding how My Time Dining works can make your onboard dining experience smoother, more enjoyable, and perfectly tailored to your preferences.
My Time Dining is Royal Caribbean’s flexible dining option that allows guests to eat in the main dining room at any time during open hours rather than adhering to a set early or late seating. Traditionally, cruise lines offer two fixed dining times—early (usually around 5:30 or 6:00 PM) and late (around 8:00 or 8:30 PM). With these fixed seatings, guests have the same table, waiter, and dining companions every night.
My Time Dining changes this format by giving you control over when you dine each evening. You can eat early one night and later the next, depending on your plans. This flexibility is perfect for travelers who enjoy spontaneity or have activities, shows, or shore excursions that vary in timing.
While My Time Dining is designed to be flexible, it does come with a few important rules and guidelines to ensure smooth service and organization for everyone onboard. Let’s break them down:
Although My Time Dining is “flexible,” Royal Caribbean encourages guests to make reservations for specific times each evening. You can do this before your cruise via the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean’s website or app. Alternatively, you can make or change reservations once onboard through the Royal Caribbean app or at the dining room entrance.
Reservations help the staff manage table availability and reduce wait times, especially during peak hours between 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM.
However, walk-ins are still allowed—you can simply show up during dining hours, but you might experience a wait, particularly on sea days or formal nights.
Guests with My Time Dining usually dine in a designated section of the main dining room separate from those with fixed-time dining. While you’ll likely be seated in the same dining room throughout your cruise, you may not have the same table or waiter each night unless you specifically request it.
If you prefer consistency—such as having the same waitstaff who learns your preferences—you can request to be seated with the same team for the duration of the cruise. This can often be arranged if you book your dining times consistently in advance.
My Time Dining is available during a set range of hours, typically from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM, though times may vary slightly by ship and itinerary. You can dine at any time within that window, as long as there’s availability.
One key rule for choosing My Time Dining is that you must prepay your gratuities before the cruise begins. This is because your service team may change nightly, and prepaid gratuities ensure that all waitstaff and dining room employees are properly compensated regardless of who serves you each evening.
This policy helps maintain fairness and consistency across the dining teams and eliminates the need to manage tipping manually.
Even though My Time Dining offers flexibility in timing, the same Royal Caribbean dress codes apply. On most evenings, the attire is “Smart Casual,” meaning collared shirts and trousers for men and dresses or blouses with skirts/pants for women. On “Formal Nights,” guests are encouraged to dress up—think cocktail dresses, evening gowns, or suits.
Swimwear, tank tops, flip-flops, and shorts are not permitted in the main dining room, regardless of your dining time.
Guests are expected to arrive on time for their reservations and check in at the My Time Dining entrance. If you’re running late, the staff will do their best to seat you promptly, though your table might be given to another party if you’re more than 15 minutes late.
Additionally, it’s polite to inform the staff if your plans change or if you decide to skip dining in the main restaurant on a given night.
If you’re traveling in a group and all have My Time Dining, it’s best to link your reservations together in advance through the Cruise Planner. This ensures the dining room staff can seat everyone together. Without linked reservations, your group may be placed at separate tables.
Groups larger than eight may need to make special arrangements since seating for large parties can be limited during peak hours.
You can choose the My Time Dining option when you book your cruise. During the booking process, you’ll be asked whether you prefer:
Early Dining
Late Dining
My Time Dining
If you select My Time Dining, you’ll also be prompted to prepay gratuities. Afterward, you can go into the Cruise Planner to select your desired dining times for each night of your voyage.
Alternatively, if you decide later that you’d prefer more flexibility, you can switch to My Time Dining (subject to availability) before your cruise begins or even onboard by visiting Guest Services or the dining reservations desk.
Royal Caribbean makes it easy to manage My Time Dining reservations through the Royal Caribbean app. Once onboard, you can view available times and reserve or adjust your dining schedule as your plans evolve.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Open the Royal Caribbean app.
Tap on “Dining.”
Select “Main Dining Room” under My Time Dining.
Choose your preferred time slot.
Confirm the reservation for your party size.
You can make one reservation per evening, and if your plans change, simply cancel or modify your booking in the app or by visiting the dining room in person.
The flexibility of My Time Dining offers several advantages that appeal to a wide range of cruisers:
Freedom to Plan Your Evenings – You can dine whenever it fits your schedule rather than rushing to make a set seating time. This is especially helpful if you have excursions that run late or prefer to see an early or late show.
No Fixed Companions – Unlike traditional dining, you aren’t assigned a table with strangers unless you choose to share. This is perfect for couples, families, or solo travelers who prefer privacy.
Consistent Service Option – If you fall in love with a particular waiter or section, you can request to be seated with them again.
Better Flow for Families – Families with children often appreciate the flexibility of early dining some nights and later dining on others, depending on activities or nap schedules.
Reduced Pressure – My Time Dining removes the stress of arriving at a set time every evening. You can dine when you’re ready and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.
While My Time Dining offers convenience, there are a few downsides to consider:
Wait Times During Peak Hours – If you arrive between 6:30 and 8:00 PM without a reservation, you might experience a wait.
Different Servers Each Night – Unless you make consistent bookings, you may not have the same waitstaff who remember your preferences.
Requires Prepaid Gratuities – Some guests prefer to handle tipping personally, but this option requires prepaid service charges.
Group Coordination Can Be Tricky – Large families or friend groups may have difficulty being seated together without prearranged times.
Royal Caribbean maintains specific attire guidelines across all dining rooms, and My Time Dining is no exception. Here’s what you can expect:
Casual Nights:
Polo shirts, casual dresses, skirts, or slacks.
Jeans are allowed if they are clean and not torn.
No swimsuits, sleeveless shirts (for men), or baseball caps.
Smart Casual Nights:
Dress shirts and trousers for men.
Dresses, skirts, or stylish pantsuits for women.
No shorts, flip-flops, or ripped denim.
Formal Nights:
Cocktail dresses, evening gowns, or suits.
Some guests even wear tuxedos or elegant gowns.
You can check the Royal Caribbean app or daily Cruise Compass for information about which nights are designated as formal.
Book in Advance: Reserve dining times before your cruise for smoother service.
Avoid Peak Times: If you want to minimize wait times, book before 6:30 PM or after 8:00 PM.
Use the App Daily: Check the app for open slots and update your plans as needed.
Ask for the Same Waiter: If you find a waiter you like, request their section for future nights.
Communicate Dietary Needs: Inform the staff of any allergies or dietary restrictions at your first meal—they’ll note it for the remainder of your trip.
Be On Time: Arriving promptly ensures smooth flow and timely service.
Try Different Times: Experiment with dining at different hours to see which atmosphere you prefer. Early dinners tend to be quieter, while later ones are livelier.
My Time Dining takes place in the Main Dining Room, which is included in your cruise fare. Specialty restaurants—such as Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, or Izumi—are paid venues with their own unique menus, ambiance, and service.
While My Time Dining offers flexibility and variety within the main restaurant, specialty dining provides a more intimate, elevated experience for an extra charge. Many guests choose a combination of both: enjoying My Time Dining most nights and booking specialty dinners for special occasions.
Myth: You can just walk in anytime without waiting.Reality: While possible, peak hours can involve lines without a reservation.
Myth: You’ll miss formal nights.Reality: My Time Dining guests can still fully participate in formal nights with the same menus and atmosphere.
Myth: You don’t get as good service.Reality: Service quality is identical. The only difference is you may not have the same waiter nightly.
Myth: It’s only for small groups or couples.Reality: Families and large parties can enjoy My Time Dining with proper coordination and advance booking.
Here’s an example of how a 7-night cruise might look for a couple using My Time Dining:
Day 1 (Embarkation): 7:30 PM dinner after exploring the ship.
Day 2 (Sea Day): 6:00 PM dinner before catching the 8:00 PM show.
Day 3 (Port Day): 8:30 PM dinner after a late return from shore excursions.
Day 4 (Formal Night): 7:00 PM dinner dressed elegantly.
Day 5: 6:30 PM early dinner before an evening comedy show.
Day 6: 8:00 PM relaxed dinner to enjoy a longer day at the pool.
Day 7 (Farewell Night): 7:30 PM final dinner with your favorite waiter.
This flexibility highlights the convenience of My Time Dining—you can adjust your mealtime each evening according to your day’s activities.
1. Can I switch from traditional dining to My Time Dining during my cruise?Yes, you can request to switch onboard, though it depends on availability. Visit Guest Services or the dining room reservations desk early in the cruise.
2. Do I have to eat in the main dining room every night?No. You can alternate between the main dining room, the Windjammer buffet, Café Promenade, or specialty restaurants.
3. Is My Time Dining available on all Royal Caribbean ships?Yes, every ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet offers My Time Dining.
4. Can I still attend themed or formal nights with My Time Dining?Absolutely. My Time Dining guests have access to the same menus, celebrations, and dress-up opportunities as traditional diners.
5. What if I have food allergies or dietary restrictions?Inform your waiter during your first meal. Royal Caribbean accommodates most dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.
Today’s travelers value flexibility and freedom over rigid schedules. My Time Dining reflects this shift perfectly. It caters to modern cruising lifestyles—families with kids, couples who want romantic dinners, or solo travelers who prefer spontaneity.
It also fits seamlessly with Royal Caribbean’s entertainment schedule, which features multiple showtimes, late-night activities, and dynamic itineraries. Guests can dine when it suits them without missing out on onboard fun.
The system also works beautifully for travelers who enjoy exploring ports and may return to the ship at varying times. My Time Dining allows them to eat on their schedule, not the ship’s.
My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean offers an ideal balance between structure and freedom. You can enjoy the elegance and service of the main dining room without committing to a fixed schedule. By understanding the rules—such as making reservations, prepaying gratuities, following the dress code, and arriving on time—you can enjoy a seamless and stress-free dining experience.
Whether you’re sailing on a short Caribbean getaway or a long transatlantic voyage, My Time Dining ensures that your evenings are as flexible and enjoyable as the rest of your cruise. It’s the perfect option for travelers who want to experience Royal Caribbean’s world-class dining their way.
So, when planning your next Royal Caribbean adventure, consider choosing My Time Dining for a truly personalized culinary journey at sea—because your vacation should run on your time.
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