Yes, in many cases you can change your dining time after booking a Princess cruise. Maybe you originally picked an early seating but realized you prefer sunsets on deck, or you chose late seating and now want an earlier meal schedule for the kids. Or perhaps you want more flexibility with Anytime Dining instead of a fixed traditional dining time.
Princess generally allows you to request adjustments, but availability depends on how full each seating is and when you ask. The earlier you try to change, the better your chances.
Before you change anything, it helps to understand the main styles of dinner service:
Traditional dining
Fixed table, fixed dining time (usually early or late).
You dine in the same main dining room with the same tablemates and waitstaff.
Anytime Dining
Flexible meal schedule within certain hours.
You can arrive at various times and may be seated at different tables each night.
When you first book, you choose a preference. But if that choice no longer fits your plans, you can usually request a change: either adjusting your traditional dining seating time or updating your Anytime Dining access.
If you know in advance that you want to change dining time on Princess cruise, it’s best to do this before embarkation.
You can often:
Log in to your Princess online account or app.
Go to your booking and look for dining preferences or similar options.
Check your current selection: early, late, or Anytime Dining.
Submit a request to:
Switch from early to late seating Princess, or
Move from late to early, or
Request Anytime Dining instead of traditional.
If there’s space, your request may be confirmed right away. If not, your preference may be waitlisted, and you’ll be notified closer to sailing or onboard.
Updating your preferences early gives you a better chance of getting the meal schedule you want.
Many guests decide later that their original traditional dining choice doesn’t fit their routine:
Early seating might feel too rushed after port days.
Late seating might be too late for kids or early risers.
To switch from early to late seating Princess (or the other way around):
Make the request online if the option is available in your booking management area.
If it’s already showing as full, your request may be placed on a waitlist.
Once onboard, you can also visit the dining room team during the open “dining changes” hours, usually listed in your embarkation materials. They’ll review your request and let you know if your dining time can be adjusted based on availability.
If you prefer flexibility, Anytime Dining is a good fit. You don’t have a fixed dining time – instead, you can choose when to eat within the open hours of the designated dining rooms.
Before the cruise
Log into your booking and select Anytime Dining as your preference if it’s available for your sailing.
During the cruise
If you’re assigned traditional seating but want flexibility, you can visit the dining desk to update Anytime Dining request Princess and see if there’s space in the flexible program.
Keep in mind that Anytime Dining can be popular. At peak times, you may experience brief waits, similar to a busy restaurant on land. Still, for those who value a flexible meal schedule, it can be worth it.
If you want to modify dining preferences online Princess Cruises, here’s a general process:
Log in to your cruise personalizer or app
Use your booking number and last name, or log into your Princess profile.
Access your booking
Click on your upcoming sailing and look for dining or onboard preferences.
Review current dining assignment
Check if you’re set for early traditional, late traditional, or Anytime Dining.
Submit the change request
Choose a new dining time or dining style.
If the system allows the change immediately, you’ll see your updated assignment.
If it shows as “waitlisted” or “request,” it means it’s pending availability.
Confirm closer to sailing
Revisit your booking or check your cruise documents as your departure date approaches.
On embarkation day, look at your key card or welcome information to see which option you received.
Doing this online ahead of time is usually the easiest way to align your meal schedule with your travel style.
If you couldn’t change things in advance, you still have options once you’re on the ship. Knowing who to contact for dining changes on Princess is key:
Main dining room team
On embarkation day, there’s often a window of time when headwaiters or dining managers are available to help with seating changes.
You can ask to change dining time on Princess cruise, switch from early to late seating, or move to Anytime Dining (if space allows).
Guest Services (if needed)
If you’re not sure where to go or can’t find the dining desk, Guest Services can direct you to the right location and times for dining changes.
The earlier in the cruise you make your request, the better your chances of finding a dining time that fits your routine.
Here are some practical tips to manage dining time, traditional dining, and Anytime Dining on Princess:
Choose carefully at booking
Think about port-heavy days and your normal meal schedule. Early risers might prefer early seating, while night owls might enjoy late seating.
Request changes early
Use the online system to modify dining preferences online Princess Cruises as soon as you realize your needs have changed.
Be flexible
If your preferred time isn’t immediately available, being open to another restaurant booking time or trying Anytime Dining might get you closer to your ideal.
Check specialty restaurants
Even if you stick with your assigned main dining schedule, you can adjust your overall meal schedule by booking specialty venues on certain nights at times that suit you better.
Visit dining staff on day one
If you still need changes, speak to the dining team on embarkation day. They are the best who to contact for dining changes on Princess while onboard.
1. Can I change dining time on Princess cruise after I’ve booked?
Yes, in many cases you can. You can request changes online before sailing or speak to the dining staff onboard to adjust your dining time, depending on availability.
2. How do I switch from early to late seating Princess?
You can try to switch from early to late seating Princess through your online booking preferences before your cruise. If it’s full, you can ask to be waitlisted or visit the dining team on embarkation day to see if a change is possible.
3. Can I move from traditional dining to Anytime Dining?
Often, yes. You can update Anytime Dining request Princess online or onboard, though it depends on how many guests are already assigned to each option on your sailing.
4. How do I modify dining preferences online Princess Cruises?
Log into your booking or app, open your upcoming cruise, and look for dining or preference options. From there, you can change or request different dining time or style, like early, late, or Anytime Dining.
5. Who to contact for dining changes on Princess once on the ship?
Once onboard, speak with the main dining room management during their posted hours, usually on embarkation day. Guest Services can also direct you to the right place if you’re unsure where to go for restaurant booking adjustments.
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