One of the best parts of cruising is the nightly tradition of dinner in the Main Dining Room (MDR). Whether it’s your first sailing or your tenth, those shared meals become a highlight of the trip. But what if your family or friends booked separate reservations? Can you still sit together?
The short answer: yes, usually. But you’ll want to know the process and a few insider tips.
Why Families Book Separately
There are lots of reasons families end up on different reservations:
- Grandparents book their own cabin.
- Siblings or adult children make their own arrangements.
- Friends join last-minute on a different booking.
- Travel agents split large groups into multiple reservations.
Whatever the reason, the end goal is the same, everyone wants to share meals together.
Step 1: Link Your Reservations
This is the first thing you’ll want to do, either in the app or on the website.
- In the Royal Caribbean app:
- Tap the profile icon.
- Select “Don’t see your cruise? Let’s add it.”
- Enter the last name, date of birth, and reservation number.
- On the Royal Caribbean website:
- Use the Cruise Planner’s “Link a Reservation” feature.
📌 Tip: You can link up to six cabins in the app. For bigger groups, you’ll need to call Royal Caribbean or work through your travel agent.
Step 2: Call or Email Royal Caribbean
Linking is a start, but to make sure you’re seated together, make a dining request:
- Call Royal Caribbean (or ask your travel agent). Request that your bookings be “cross-referenced for dining.”
- Email option: About 30 days before sailing, email RCLDining@RCCL.com with:
- Ship name and sail date
- All reservation numbers
- Names of each guest
- Your preferred dining time
They’ll usually confirm the request has been noted.
Step 3: Choose the Same Dining Style
Everyone in your group needs to select the same dining option:
- Traditional Dining (Early or Late):
- Fixed time (around 5:30 or 8:00).
- Same table and servers every night.
- Best for families who want consistency.
- My Time Dining:
- Flexible times each night.
- Seating together is possible, but harder, especially for groups larger than 6–8.
📌 Recommendation: Families usually have the most success with Traditional Dining.
Step 4: Confirm Onboard on Day 1
Even if you’ve linked and emailed, always confirm in person:
- After muster drill, head straight to the Main Dining Room host stand.
- Bring all reservation numbers and names.
- Ask to have the group seated together for the week.
Most of the time, the maître d’ can make it happen right away.
What to Expect for Family Groups
- Table size limits: Most MDR tables max out at 10–12. Larger groups are often split into two or more tables side by side, usually with the same wait staff.
- Allergies or dietary needs: Always note them in the app and remind the maître d’ so your group stays seated together.
- Specialty restaurants: Options like Chops Grille and Giovanni’s have smaller dining rooms, so expect multiple tables if you’re a group larger than 6–8.
Pro Tips
- Check right away. Fixing seating on Day 1 is much easier than after the first dinner.
- Bring kids early. Families with little ones may want early dining times (5:30 PM) to avoid long waits.
- Split smartly. If your group is too large for one table, ask for adults at one table and kids at another nearby. Servers are used to this setup.
- Consider specialty dining for variety. Book in advance and request adjacent tables.
FAQs: Dining Together on Royal Caribbean
Q: What if my group booked at different times?
As long as you have the reservation numbers, you can still link them.
Q: Can part of the group dine separately some nights?
Yes. Linking just ensures you can dine together . You can always break off for a specialty dinner or buffet night.
Q: What happens if our dining request isn’t honored?
Talk to the maître d’ on Day 1. They usually work hard to seat families together.
Q: Can I switch dining times mid-cruise?
It’s possible but depends on availability. Ask Guest Services or the maître d’.
Q: What about large family reunions (20+ people)?
Royal will often reserve a section for you, but expect to be split across multiple tables.
Bottom Line
Yes, you can sit together at dinner on Royal Caribbean even if you booked separately, you just need to plan ahead.
- Link your reservations.
- Call or email Royal Caribbean with your request.
- Make sure everyone selects the same dining option.
- Confirm with the maître d’ on Day 1.
Do that, and you’ll be swapping stories over appetizers and dessert every night of your cruise.
Want to feel prepared for your cruise?
I pulled the most important Royal Caribbean prep steps into a printable checklist bundle that walks you through what to do before you leave, what to bring, how embarkation works, and what to expect on disembarkation day—so you’re prepared instead of guessing.
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