Set dining time

That's interesting, I didn't know that. Of course we have only sailed only on HAL , Regent and Princess. Been over 5 years now since HAL and Regent only has anytime you want to eat service.----Wouldn't surprise me though that Princess goes with this policy too, as we hear a lot of complaints from anytime diners, (which we are too), about the traditional types coming unexpectedly into the anytime dining room and creating longer waits.

On Princess, on our last cruise, we had "Club Class Dining" which we loved. Trouble is, the chances of getting it are limited, since they open up only a few of these each cruise, only a select few mini-suites and all full suites get it. Personally, I don't think we book anymore unless we can get Club Class though. The dining room staff really has to be on its toes with C.C.D. Some try to sneak in while others try to bring friends in that haven't paid for or are designated Club Class. More than once we saw them giving guests the old heave-ho.

If you want anytime dining on Carnival you need to be assigned that dining or switch once on board. People with assigned dining can't just go to the anytime dining because they missed their assigned seating. The buffet suggestion and or the specialty dining above are both good options.

It sounds like you have assigned dining. We always get anytime dining, so this might not work, but you could go to the anytime dining room and ask to be seated.

Buffet if assigned or anytime deadline missed.

I'm assuming you have "traditional" seating. Meaning, assigned dinner time, assigned table, assigned dining room and assigned table mates. If you know you aren't going to make the assigned time before hand, let your table mates know you are going to be late as well as your dinning room staff. That way they won't be concerned about you. If you are going to be much later that 10 or 15 minutes then try an alternative as your table has to be ready for the second seating. Alternatives are, go to the anytime dining room or buffet or a specialty.

Last time I was on a ship (Princess) they did not ask to see my S&S card when I went in line for anytime dining. Worst thing that could happen if you try is you'd be told to go to the buffet, I'd give it a try.......but I bend rules

Ok great. Thanks so much!!

I'll answer the second part of your question first - I don't believe you can get an anytime table or anything else if you're too late to dinner. You'd just have to go to the buffet or find another alternative dinner. However, to answer the first part - I think you're allowed to be about 10-15 minutes late (it depends on the cruise line though so I'm not positive about Carnival) and then they ask people to go to the buffet for dinner if they're later than that.