You’re on vacation. You want to eat when you want — not when a clock says it’s time. You want flexibility: sleep in, catch a late shore excursion, or linger at a show and still enjoy a relaxed meal. That’s the promise of My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean: dine when it fits your day without being tied to a single, rigid seating.
But freedom comes with rules. Miss one step and you could end up waiting in line, split from your party, or losing the table you hoped for. Worse: your whole evening could devolve into scheduling headaches instead of a carefree night out.
If you plan to use My Time Dining, you need to understand the system, its boundaries, and the best ways to make it work for you and your group. This guide explains the rules clearly, shows practical strategies to get what you want, and warns you about the common pitfalls that cause FOMO—missing out on the best dining slots, shows, or nights together.
Read on and you’ll be able to master My Time Dining: know when to use it, how to reserve smartly, and how to make sure your group stays together without sacrificing flexibility.
My Time Dining is Royal Caribbean’s flexible main dining option. Instead of being assigned a fixed early or late seating with the same table every night, My Time lets you choose your dining time each evening from the available slots. That means:
You can eat whenever you like within the restaurant’s operating window (subject to availability).
You may reserve a dining time in advance, or walk in on the night and wait for a table.
You’re not guaranteed the same table and server every night (though sometimes you can request the same table).
It’s ideal for families with varying schedules, people who prefer late dinners, or those who want to plan around shore excursions and shows.
Royal Caribbean created My Time Dining to give passengers flexibility while still offering the Main Dining Room experience—multiple courses, service, and the opportunity to socialize. But because it’s flexible, it’s governed by rules to keep the system fair and efficient for everyone.
Understanding those rules helps you avoid long wait times and fighting for tables, and lets you enjoy the best of both worlds: freedom plus structure.
Imagine this: you wake up late after a late-night shore excursion, skip the buffet, and stroll into the Main Dining Room at 8:30 p.m. without worrying you’ll be turned away. Or imagine your group goes ashore for a sunrise activity and still gets a dinner reservation later that night for everyone to gather. That’s the dream My Time Dining sells.
Benefits:
Flexibility: You choose the time each night. Perfect for variable days.
Convenience: Book around shows, excursions, or naps.
Choice: You aren’t locked into an early or late slot that might clash with your plans.
Social freedom: Guests who like to mingle or have varying schedules don’t have to miss out.
When My Time Dining might be a poor fit:
If you must have the same table and same server every night (e.g., large family tradition), traditional fixed seating might be better.
If you are travelling with a large group and want guaranteed seating together every night, My Time can be trickier unless you reserve early and link bookings.
If you absolutely must dine at a very specific prime time (e.g., 7:00 p.m. on formal night) and the sailing is busy, that time can fill up.
The rest of this guide explains the rules and practical steps to get the benefits while avoiding the downsides.
Below is a practical, stepwise breakdown: what the official rules are, followed by tactical moves to maximize your odds of success. Treat this as the playbook.
Rule 1 — You must add My Time Dining to your reservation (or select it during booking)
When booking your cruise you’ll typically choose either Early or Late Traditional Dining, or My Time Dining.
If you booked a fixed seating and later decide to switch to My Time, you can request the change through Royal Caribbean Reservations or your travel agent—subject to availability and possible reallocation rules.
If you booked My Time at the time of purchase, your booking is already flagged for flexible dining.
How to use this rule: Confirm your dining selection immediately after booking. If you want My Time, switch early—availability on some sailings can be limited.
Rule 2 — You can reserve a My Time Dining table in advance, but time slots may be limited
My Time offers reserveable time windows that open when dining reservations are released (often when your cruise appears in the Royal Caribbean app or when the dining reservation window opens).
Most ships allow online booking for My Time slots via the Royal Caribbean app or website under Dining → Main Dining → My Time.
Popular time slots—especially during peak nights, formal nights or large-sailing dates—can sell out.
How to use this rule: As soon as dining reservations open (watch for the booking window in the app), secure your preferred time. If you can’t get the exact time, pick an adjacent one and ask to be waitlisted for your preferred slot.
Rule 3 — Walk-ins are allowed, but wait times vary
If you do not reserve, you can walk in during the operating hours and ask for a table.
Wait times depend on ship occupancy and the night’s demand. Some nights are slow; others have long waits.
Guests with urgent needs (medical, mobility, infants) often receive priority seating—be sure to mention special needs.
How to use this rule: For spontaneous nights, arrive early or check with the Maitre D’ or dining host for estimated wait times. Use this approach on quieter nights to enjoy flexibility without planning ahead.
Rule 4 — My Time Dining does not guarantee the same table or server every night
Unlike traditional early/late seating where you often keep the same table, My Time seats may vary night-to-night.
If consistency matters, request the same table at time of reservation or ask the Maitre D’ onboard; sometimes the restaurant will honor the request for consecutive nights if capacity allows.
How to use this rule: Include a note when reserving (via app or agent) requesting the same table and server. If the app doesn’t support the note, call Reservations or confirm during embarkation at the dining desk.
Rule 5 — Parties and linked reservations: coordination is essential
If your friends or family booked separately, linking reservations helps the staff seat everyone together.
The app and reservations team can link separate bookings; once linked, requests for a common My Time slot are much easier to fulfil.
Large parties (eight or more) may be treated as a group and need special coordination; sometimes group leader permissions are required.
How to use this rule: Link all reservations early and make dining requests in one session or through the group leader. If linking fails, reserve adjacent tables and ask to be seated together.
Rule 6 — Dining policies on formal nights and specialty events
On formal nights or special-theme dinners, the Main Dining Room can be busier and favourite slots fill faster.
Royal Caribbean occasionally reserves certain times or sections for functions; during these periods, standard My Time availability can be reduced.
Specialty dining (steakhouse, specialty restaurants) is separate—reserve these individually; My Time does not automatically grant priority for specialty restaurants.
How to use this rule: If you plan to attend formal night or celebrate a special occasion, reserve early and consider booking a specialty restaurant for one night to guarantee the experience.
Rule 7 — Arrival, check-in and showing up on time
If you reserve a My Time slot, arrive within the restaurant’s policy window—typically the time you reserved plus a short grace period.
Extended delays without notification may result in the restaurant releasing the table to waiting guests.
If you’re running late due to an excursion, tell Guest Services or the Maitre D’ as soon as you can.
How to use this rule: Allow buffer time between shore excursions and dining. If you’re late, call the dining desk from the port area if possible, or notify Guest Services on board.
Rule 8 — Children, dietary needs, and special requests
My Time Dining accommodates dietary restrictions, allergies, and children’s preferences, but advance notice helps the kitchen prepare.
Cribs, highchairs or kid-friendly seats are typically handled by the dining staff—request them when you reserve or at check-in.
For strict medical diets, contacting Guest Services ahead of sailing gives the best outcome.
How to use this rule: Add dietary preferences and special needs in your reservation notes or call Guest Services pre-cruise. Onboard, remind the host when you arrive.
Rule 9 — Cancellation, no-show and waitlist rules
If you have a reservation and don’t show up, the Maitre D’ may release the table after a set time. Chronic no-shows can reduce future reservation priority.
Waitlists exist for full time slots: guests can join the list and will be seated as tables free up.
Some ships allow you to cancel My Time reservations in advance via the app; doing so courteously frees space for others.
How to use this rule: Cancel any reservations you won’t use as early as possible. If you’re running late, inform the dining desk so they can hold the table or manage the waitlist.
Reserve early, even if you plan to be flexible. Secure a time and change later if needed. Reservations often have easier cancellation policies than last-minute walk-ins.
Pick slightly off-peak times. 6:00–6:30 p.m. and 8:30–9:00 p.m. are peak slots; 5:30 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. often fill less.
Link reservations for group travel. This increases chance of being seated together.
Request the same table in the reservation notes and again at embarkation. If a consistent experience matters, persistence helps.
Use the app to monitor cancellations. If your preferred time is full, check often; people change plans and slots open up.
Combine My Time with one specialty night. Reserve a premium restaurant for one or two nights so the group is together at least once at a guaranteed time.
Be polite and explain special needs. Servers and Maitre D’s are more likely to help guests with family or medical considerations.
Arrive 10–15 minutes early for reservations. It reduces the chance your table will be reallocated.
If traveling with children, reserve earlier times on some nights. That ensures a relaxed meal before bedtime on those evenings.
For single travelers or couples, My Time is ideal—use it to dine at your preferred moment without commitment.
Problem: Your group is split across two tables nightly.Solution: Ensure reservations are linked and request adjacent tables or group seating when you reserve. If already onboard, speak to the Maitre D’ immediately—they often rearrange early in the cruise.
Problem: Favorite time is sold out.Solution: Join the waitlist, monitor the app for openings, or reserve an adjacent slot and ask the Maitre D’ to move you if a table opens.
Problem: You get a different server each night and want the same one.Solution: Ask the Maitre D’ for the same server; being at consistent times increases the chance of the same staff. Tip politely if you get great service—staff remember appreciative guests.
Problem: Dietary needs weren’t handled.Solution: Notify Guest Services immediately and document your communication. Royal Caribbean’s kitchen typically accommodates most needs with proper notice.
Problem: You’re late after an excursion and lose your reserved table.Solution: Call the dining desk or Guest Services while still onshore if possible. Otherwise, check the Main Dining Room upon ship return—staff often find seating alternatives.
You’ll dine together when you want without last-minute stress.
You’ll avoid sitting on waitlists by reserving strategically.
You’ll make the dining experience smoother for special needs with advance notice.
You’ll reduce FOMO for prime times and formal nights.
You’ll get better value from your cruise by aligning meals with activities rather than sacrificing experiences.
Mastering My Time Dining is mostly about timing and communication. If you plan a little and use the app and the dining staff wisely, you’ll enjoy the freedom the system promises with minimal compromise.
My Time Dining is a powerful option that gives you control over when you eat onboard a Royal Caribbean ship. It’s perfect for flexible schedules, families with varied routines, and anyone who likes to plan evenings around activities, shows, and shore excursions. But it’s not a free-for-all: there are clear rules about reservations, walk-ins, waitlists, linking bookings, and dining etiquette.
The secret to success is this: decide what matters (same table vs. total flexibility), reserve early, link bookings for groups, and communicate your needs. Use the app to secure times, monitor changes, and cancel unused reservations. If problems come up, treat Guest Services and the Maitre D’ as allies rather than adversaries—polite, documented requests produce the best outcomes.
In short: My Time Dining can deliver the ideal cruise dining experience, but you must play the system intelligently. Do that and you’ll enjoy dinner without the clock—and without the Fear Of Missing Out?
Q1: Can I switch between My Time and Traditional dining?
A1: Yes. You can usually switch your dining selection by contacting Royal Caribbean Reservations or your travel agent, but changes depend on availability and timing. Earlier requests are easier and less likely to incur restrictions.
Q2: Will My Time Dining guarantee my party sits together?
A2: Not automatically. Linking reservations improves your chances. For large groups, coordinate through the group leader or agent. If you can’t secure one table, ask the Maitre D’ to seat adjacent tables.
Q3: Can I book My Time Dining the same day?
A3: Yes, many ships accept walk-ins and same-day reservations, but availability varies. For peak nights, booking ahead is recommended.
Q4: Do I get the same server each night with My Time Dining?
A4: Not guaranteed. Traditional seating more often provides the same table and server. If consistency matters, request the same table and server when you reserve or upon embarkation.
Q5: Is there a fee to reserve My Time Dining?
A5: No. My Time Dining reservations for the Main Dining Room are generally included with your cruise fare. Specialty restaurants are separate and usually require payment.
Q6: What happens if I don’t show up for my reserved My Time slot?
A6: The restaurant may release the table after a brief grace period. Repeated no-shows could affect future reservation priority. If you’re running late, notify Guest Services or the dining desk.
Q7: Are children accommodated with My Time Dining?
A7: Yes. The dining staff provide children’s menus, highchairs, and special handling. Add requests for kid-friendly seating when reserving, and consider earlier times for family convenience.
Q8: Can I change my My Time reservation onboard?
A8: Yes. Speak to the Maitre D’ or dining desk—changes are often possible, especially early in the cruise.
Q9: How far in advance can I make My Time Dining reservations?
A9: Reservations open when dining bookings are made available for your sailing, typically when your cruise appears in the Royal Caribbean app. Exact timing varies; make reservations as soon as possible.
Q10: Does My Time Dining affect specialty restaurant bookings?
A10: No—specialty dining is booked separately. If you change your main dining time, check specialty reservations to avoid conflicts and modify them as needed.
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