When sailing with Carnival Cruise Line, dining is a highlight of the experience — from gourmet dinners in the main dining room to relaxed buffets and specialty restaurants. However, sometimes your original dining time doesn’t fit your vacation schedule. Maybe you’d prefer an earlier dinner before a show, or a later one after exploring a port.
So, what happens if you’ve already booked your cruise? Can you change your dining time after booking a Carnival Cruise? The short answer is yes, but there are a few conditions and procedures you’ll need to follow.
Before changing your dining time, it helps to understand how Carnival Cruise Line structures its meal service.
Carnival offers three main dining options in the Main Dining Room (MDR):
Usually between 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM.
Great for guests who prefer to eat before evening shows or early risers.
Typically between 7:45 PM – 8:15 PM.
Ideal for those who like a relaxed evening or plan late-night activities.
Allows you to choose your dinner time daily, usually between 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM.
You can make reservations via the Carnival HUB app or by visiting the dining desk onboard.
Choosing the right dining plan during booking helps ensure the smoothest experience, but you can modify it later if your plans change.
Yes, you can change your dining time after booking your Carnival Cruise, but it depends on availability. Carnival allows guests to modify their dining preference through:
The Manage My Booking section on the Carnival website.
The Carnival HUB app after boarding.
Customer service or your travel agent before sailing.
Your ability to change depends on how full the ship is and whether alternate dining slots remain open.
If you want to adjust your dining time before boarding, follow these steps:
Visit the Carnival Cruise Line website.
Click on “Manage My Booking” and sign in using your reservation details.
Under the “Booking Details” or “Cruise Manager” section, you’ll find your Dining Options.
Check your current choice (Early, Late, or My Time Dining).
Choose the new dining time that best suits your schedule.
If your preferred time is available, Carnival will confirm the change instantly.
If it’s unavailable, you’ll be added to a waitlist and notified if space opens.
Once confirmed, your e-documents and Sail & Sign account will reflect the updated dining time.
If you can’t change your dining time before sailing, you can still try after boarding.
On embarkation day, go to the Main Dining Room or Maitre D’s desk (usually open the first afternoon).
Politely request a change in your dining time or table assignment.
If space allows, the Maitre D’ can accommodate you immediately or place you on a priority list.
For My Time Dining guests, the Carnival HUB app allows you to:
View current table availability.
Reserve dinner times daily.
Receive notifications when your table is ready.
This makes it easy to enjoy a flexible meal schedule without worrying about fixed seatings.
Changing your dining time can make your cruise experience more comfortable and enjoyable. Common reasons include:
Excursion conflicts: You don’t want to rush back from a port activity to make dinner.
Show schedules: You prefer to dine before or after evening entertainment.
Travel companions: You want to sit with friends or family booked under different dining times.
Personal habits: You might prefer a lighter meal early or enjoy late-night dining.
Carnival’s flexibility helps accommodate such preferences, though earlier requests increase your chances of success.
If your desired dining slot is full, you can request to be added to the waitlist. Carnival processes these requests automatically as cancellations or adjustments occur.
If space opens before sailing, you’ll receive an email confirmation.
If not, you can check again on embarkation day with the Maitre D’.
Guests on the waitlist are usually accommodated based on booking order and loyalty status (e.g., VIFP Club members may get priority).
Carnival offers several ways to enjoy meals beyond the main dining room. If your preferred dinner slot isn’t available, you can explore:
Specialty Restaurants: Steakhouse, Cucina del Capitano, or JiJi Asian Kitchen, which often accept flexible reservations.
Buffet Dining: The Lido Marketplace offers self-serve and grab-and-go meals from morning to late night.
Room Service: Available 24/7 for relaxed in-cabin dining.
Casual Venues: Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, and Shaq’s Big Chicken offer all-day dining without time restrictions.
This flexibility ensures you can always find a meal that fits your schedule, even if main dining availability is limited.
For maximum flexibility, Carnival’s My Time Dining option is the best choice. Here’s how it works:
No fixed dinner seating — you dine when you wish between 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM.
Reserve your time through the Carnival HUB app or walk in.
You’ll still have the same wait staff if you dine around the same time each night.
Perfect for guests with unpredictable schedules or varied port days.
If you like more control over your meal times, My Time Dining is an excellent alternative to fixed seatings.
Here are some expert tips to make changing your Carnival dining time easier:
Request changes early: Dining slots fill quickly, especially on popular routes.
Be flexible: If early seating is full, try the My Time Dining option.
Check again after boarding: Many passengers change plans, freeing up tables.
Arrive on embarkation day: Visit the dining team immediately if you want a change.
Use the HUB app daily: For flexible dining, you can schedule or modify dinner times conveniently.
Changing your dining time after booking a Carnival Cruise is both possible and straightforward. Carnival offers guests flexibility through online booking management, the HUB app, and onboard assistance from the Maitre D’.
Whether you prefer early dinners, late meals, or full flexibility through My Time Dining, you can easily adjust your cruise dining schedule to match your vacation style.
The key is to act early, check for availability, and stay flexible — ensuring you enjoy every delicious moment aboard your Carnival adventure.
1. Can I change my dining time after booking my Carnival Cruise?
Yes, you can change your dining time online before the cruise or through the Maitre D’ after boarding, subject to availability.
2. How do I request a dining time change on Carnival?
Log in to your booking, select “Dining Preferences,” and choose a new time. If unavailable, request to join the waitlist.
3. What if my preferred dining time is full?
You’ll be added to a waitlist automatically, or you can request a change with the Maitre D’ once onboard.
4. Can I use the Carnival HUB app to manage my dining schedule?
Yes, for My Time Dining, you can reserve or modify dinner times each day through the Carnival HUB app.
5. Does changing dining time affect my travel companions’ seating?
If you’re traveling with others under separate bookings, contact Carnival to link reservations so you can dine together.
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