Royal Caribbean My Time Dining: The Complete Guide and FAQs
Royal Caribbean gives most guests two choices for dinner in the Main Dining Room: Traditional Dining or My Time Dining.
The names sound simple, but they create a surprising amount of confusion.
Does My Time Dining mean you can arrive whenever you want? When can you reserve a dinner time? Will you have the same servers? Can you request a window table? Do you have to prepay gratuities? Will you be seated with strangers?
After using both Traditional Dining and My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean, I found that each option can create a very different dinner experience.
Here is how they work, how to choose one and what you should do before your cruise.
What is Royal Caribbean My Time Dining?
My Time Dining is Royal Caribbean’s flexible dinner option for the Main Dining Room.
Instead of receiving one assigned dinner time for the entire cruise, you can reserve different dinner times for different nights. You can also arrive without a reservation and wait for an available table.
My Time Dining uses the same Main Dining Room, menu and included food as Traditional Dining. The difference is how your dinner time and table are handled. Royal Caribbean strongly recommends making reservations because walk-in guests are seated according to availability.
On some Royal Caribbean booking pages, you may see this labeled “Anytime Dining” rather than My Time Dining. In the booking example shown below, Anytime Dining is listed from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. That is the flexible option; the specific early and late times are Traditional Dining.
Traditional Dining vs. My Time Dining
| Traditional Dining | My Time Dining |
|---|---|
| One assigned dinner time each night | Choose or reserve a dinner time each night |
| Usually an early or late seating | Usually operates during a designated evening window |
| Same assigned table | Table may vary |
| Same wait staff each night | You may have the same staff, but it is not guaranteed |
| No nightly reservation needed | Reservations are strongly recommended |
| Arrive near your assigned time | Check in for your reserved time or join the walk-up line |
| Best for guests who like routine | Best for guests who want more scheduling flexibility |
Traditional Dining times vary by ship and itinerary. Depending on the sailing, you may see choices such as 5:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Royal Caribbean assigns your table, dining room and deck, and the information appears on your SeaPass card.
How do you choose My Time Dining?
You normally select your dining preference when you make your cruise reservation.
The booking page may give you choices such as:
- Early Traditional Dining
- Late Traditional Dining
- My Time Dining or Anytime Dining
The exact language and available times can vary by ship and sailing.
If you have already booked, sign in to Manage Reservation and look under the dining section. Royal Caribbean says guests may switch between Traditional and My Time Dining after booking, subject to availability. If you booked through a travel advisor, the advisor may need to make the change for you. You can also contact Royal Caribbean by phone or chat.
Choosing My Time Dining does not automatically reserve a table for every night. After selecting the dining style, you should make individual dinner reservations through the Cruise Planner.
When can you reserve My Time Dining before the cruise?
Royal Caribbean’s current dining guidance says dining reservations can begin 90 days before sailing and continue until two days before the cruise begins. Royal also recommends booking My Time Dining before your vacation, especially during the popular 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. window.
However, the exact time reservations appear in Cruise Planner can vary by ship and sailing. If you are 90 days from your cruise and do not see My Time Dining reservations yet, keep checking.
Popular times around 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. may fill first. I would not wait until embarkation day if you already know when you prefer to eat.
How do you make My Time Dining reservations?
After My Time Dining has been added to your cruise reservation:
- Sign in to your Royal Caribbean account.
- Open your sailing in Cruise Planner.
- Select Dining.
- Look for My Time Dining or Main Dining Room reservations.
- Select a day, time and the guests who will be dining.
- Repeat for each night you plan to eat in the Main Dining Room.
You do not need to choose the same time every evening.
You might reserve 6:30 p.m. on one night, 7:15 p.m. after a port day and skip the Main Dining Room entirely on a night when you have specialty dining booked.
Royal Caribbean strongly recommends making these reservations before sailing because dining times can fill. Reservations may also be made onboard, based on remaining availability.
Is a My Time Dining reservation required?
Royal Caribbean’s FAQ describes My Time Dining reservations as strongly recommended, not universally required.
Without a reservation, you may join the walk-up line and wait for a table. Guests with reservations normally use a separate check-in line, although the exact setup varies by ship.
The booking page for some cruises says guests selecting Anytime Dining “must reserve” their dining time after completing the cruise reservation. Regardless of the wording shown during booking, making reservations is the safest way to get the time you want and reduce your wait.
What time does My Time Dining start?
My Time Dining does not necessarily begin when the Main Dining Room opens for the early Traditional seating.
On many sailings, Traditional Dining begins around 5:00 or 5:30 p.m., while My Time Dining begins closer to 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. The booking example shown here lists Anytime Dining from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Other Royal Caribbean materials describe windows extending as late as 9:30 p.m., with times varying by ship and itinerary.
This is important because some guests choose My Time Dining assuming they can arrive at 5:45 or 6:00 every night. That time may not be offered on their sailing.
Check the available times for your specific cruise rather than assuming My Time Dining is available whenever the Main Dining Room is serving dinner.
Where do My Time Dining guests go?
You do not necessarily walk into any Main Dining Room entrance you find.
Royal Caribbean designates a specific dining room and deck for My Time Dining. Your SeaPass card will show the dining room and deck number, and there will be a My Time Dining check-in desk at the appropriate entrance.
Royal Caribbean’s Main Dining Rooms are generally multi-level. On larger ships, including Oasis Class ships, the dining room may span three decks. My Time Dining may operate from one specific floor while Traditional Dining uses other floors.
Always check your SeaPass card or the Royal Caribbean app before heading to dinner.
My experience with My Time Dining
For years, my family selected the early Traditional Dining seating at 5:00 p.m. We arrived before 5:15 and had the same table and dining team throughout the cruise.
I liked the consistency, but 5:00 often felt early. The late Traditional seating, sometimes 8:30 p.m., would be much too late for us.
On our most recent cruise, we tried My Time Dining and reserved dinner for approximately 6:45 p.m. That ended up being a much better time for our family.
Because we had reservations, we used the reservation check-in line and did not have to wait in the much longer line for guests without reservations.
We had the same wait staff on nights one and two and were seated one table away from a window. I believe we probably would have remained with that team if we had returned on night three. Instead, we did not like the Main Dining Room menu that evening and booked a specialty restaurant. We already had another specialty dinner reserved for night four.
My Time Dining gave us a better dinner time without completely losing the consistent service we enjoyed with Traditional Dining.
That does not mean every My Time guest will receive the same table or wait staff each night. It does show that consistency is possible, especially when you reserve similar times and request the same team.
Who should choose Traditional Dining?
Traditional Dining may be better for you when:
- You prefer the same schedule every evening.
- You want the same table and servers.
- You do not want to make separate dinner reservations.
- One of the available early or late times works well for you.
- You enjoy getting to know your dining team throughout the cruise.
- You are traveling with a group and want a more predictable seating arrangement.
Because your table is assigned, Traditional Dining is usually the easiest option for guests who value routine.
Who should choose My Time Dining?
My Time Dining may be better when:
- Early Traditional Dining feels too early.
- Late Traditional Dining feels too late.
- You want dinner to fit around shows, activities and port days.
- You are willing to reserve dinner times before sailing.
- You may eat in specialty restaurants on some nights.
- You prefer to adjust your schedule from one night to another.
My Time Dining works particularly well for guests who make reservations. Choosing My Time and then relying entirely on the walk-up line can create a much less flexible experience than people expect.
Royal Caribbean My Time Dining FAQs
Is My Time Dining only for dinner?
Yes. The My Time versus Traditional choice applies to dinner in the Main Dining Room.
Breakfast and lunch operate differently. When the Main Dining Room is open for those meals, guests normally arrive during the posted hours without using their assigned dinner seating.
Is the Main Dining Room included in the cruise fare?
Yes. Dinner in the Main Dining Room is included in the Royal Caribbean cruise fare whether you select Traditional Dining or My Time Dining. Some premium menu upgrades may carry an additional charge, but the regular multi-course menu is included.
Does My Time Dining have a different menu?
No. Royal Caribbean states that My Time Dining uses the same menu as Traditional Dining.
Can I use My Time Dining without making reservations?
Yes, based on availability.
You may join the walk-up line and wait for the next available table. Royal Caribbean strongly recommends reservations to reduce delays.
How early can I make Royal Caribbean My Time Dining reservations?
Royal Caribbean says dining reservations may open approximately 90 days before your sailing, but the actual release date can vary by cruise. Once My Time Dining appears in your Cruise Planner, you can reserve a time for each night you plan to eat in the Main Dining Room. Popular times, especially around 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., may fill first, so book when reservations become available.
Can I make a different reservation time every night?
Yes. One of the main advantages of My Time Dining is that you can select different times for different evenings.
You might eat earlier before a show, later after returning from port or skip the Main Dining Room on a specialty-dining night.
How late can I arrive for a My Time Dining reservation?
Royal Caribbean does not publish a universal grace period.
Try to arrive at or within a few minutes of your reservation. Arriving 10 or 15 minutes late may not create a problem, but you should not assume the table will be held indefinitely during a busy dinner period.
If you know you will be late, modify the reservation in the app if possible or speak with the dining staff.
What happens if I miss my My Time Dining reservation?
Go to the My Time Dining check-in desk and ask whether you can still be seated.
Depending on availability, the staff may seat you, give you a later time or place you in the walk-up queue. Missing the reservation does not mean you are permanently excluded from the Main Dining Room that evening, but immediate seating is not guaranteed.
What happens if I miss my Traditional Dining time?
Speak with the Main Dining Room host.
If you are only a few minutes late, they may still seat you at your regular table. If you arrive substantially late, your assigned dining team may already be serving the next courses.
The dining staff may offer another solution, but you should not assume you can simply move into My Time Dining for one evening. Royal Caribbean treats My Time and Traditional as different dining styles for the sailing.
Can I choose my exact table with My Time Dining?
You can request a particular table, area or waiter, but you cannot guarantee the assignment.
Royal Caribbean says its dining staff will try to accommodate special table and waiter requests based on availability. Advance reservations improve the likelihood of receiving a preferred waiter or table.
Can I request a table by a window?
Yes, you can request one, but window tables are limited and never guaranteed.
Before sailing, email Royal Caribbean’s dining team at:
Include:
- Guest names
- Reservation number
- Ship
- Sail date
- Dining style and time
- Number of people
- Your request for a window table
You should also visit the Main Dining Room on embarkation day and confirm the request with the maître d’. Royal Caribbean says dining-time and table requests can be discussed at the hospitality desk after boarding.
A window request may be easier to accommodate with Traditional Dining because one table is assigned for the entire cruise. With My Time Dining, table availability changes throughout the evening.
Can I request the same waiter with My Time Dining?
Yes, but it is not guaranteed.
When checking in, ask whether the same team is available. Reserving approximately the same time each evening may make the request easier to accommodate. Royal Caribbean specifically allows My Time guests to request a preferred table or waiter, subject to availability.
Will I be seated with strangers?
With My Time Dining, Royal Caribbean says you will be seated with the people who arrive with you. That makes it unlikely that a couple or family will be placed at a large shared table without asking.
Traditional Dining may involve an assigned table sized for more people than your immediate party. To avoid shared seating, request a table for only your group before sailing and confirm the request onboard.
Private tables and specific table sizes are subject to availability.
How do separate cruise reservations dine together?
First, make sure everyone has selected the same dining style.
For My Time Dining, link the cruise reservations in the Royal Caribbean app or online account and include everyone when making each dinner reservation. You will generally need the other reservation number and the primary guest’s last name.
If the website or app will not allow you to add the entire party, contact Royal Caribbean, your travel advisor or the dining team. Larger groups may require assistance, and Royal Caribbean warns that seating a large My Time group together cannot always be guaranteed.
How to sit together at dinner when your Royal Caribbean reservations were booked separately.
Can people in the same stateroom eat at different times?
Yes. Royal Caribbean says My Time Dining guests may separate and dine at different times. Each person will be seated with whoever arrives with them.
Make sure each smaller group has an appropriate reservation or understands that it may need to use the walk-up line.
Can someone with Traditional Dining join people using My Time Dining?
Possibly, but this is not intended as a one-night switch.
Royal Caribbean says a Traditional Dining guest may join a My Time group if space is available. Once that guest switches, however, the guest must use My Time Dining for the remainder of the cruise.
It is better for everyone who plans to dine together regularly to select the same dining style before sailing.
How does My Time Dining work with food allergies or special diets?
The Main Dining Room is one of the best places onboard to handle food allergies and special dietary needs because the dining team can document the requirements and plan future meals.
Royal Caribbean says it can accommodate many needs, including food allergies, gluten-free, kosher, low-fat and low-sodium diets. Vegetarian choices are available regularly, and vegan menus are available upon request in the Main Dining Room.
For requests requiring advance preparation, contact:
Include the guests’ names, booking number, ship and sailing date.
Royal Caribbean asks for many special dietary requests at least 45 days before sailing and earlier for certain international itineraries. Guests should still speak with the head waiter after boarding and tell their waiter about the allergy every time they dine.
Having the same dining team can make allergy communication more consistent, but My Time guests can still be accommodated even if the staff changes.
Do I have to prepay daily gratuities to choose My Time Dining?
For most U.S. bookings, choosing My Time Dining and prepaying daily gratuities are separate decisions.
Guests who do not prepay generally have Royal Caribbean’s daily service gratuity added to their SeaPass account during the cruise.
Choosing My Time Dining does not ordinarily mean you must personally pay your waiter in cash every evening.
Should I tip the waiter and assistant waiter in cash?
Additional cash tipping is optional.
Royal Caribbean’s automatic daily service gratuity is pooled and applied toward compensation for crew members, including dining, bar, culinary, stateroom and hotel-services employees. Guests may leave additional cash for exceptional service, but it is not required. This charge can also be removed for many sailings.
With Traditional Dining, some guests often place an additional cash tip in an envelope for their waiter and assistant waiter on the final night because they had the same team all week.
With My Time Dining, you may not have the same staff every evening. Guests who want to leave extra cash can:
- Tip each evening.
- Wait to see whether they receive the same team repeatedly.
- Leave an additional tip on the final night for the team that served them most often.
Some guests remove or modify the automatic gratuities and instead tip specific crew members directly.
Do I have to dress formally for the Main Dining Room?
No. You do not have to participate in every theme night or follow the suggested attire to eat in the Main Dining Room.
Royal Caribbean may list evenings as casual, smart casual, or Dress Your Best, but these descriptions are primarily guidance for guests who want ideas about what to wear. You do not need a suit, tuxedo, cocktail dress, or formal gown to eat in the Main Dining Room, even on Dress Your Best night. Royal Caribbean also publishes packing guidance saying guests can wear casual dinner clothing such as jeans, T-shirts, and sundresses.
Smart casual generally means clothing that looks a little more polished than pool or beachwear. Examples might include:
- Jeans, pants, or shorts with a neat shirt
- A polo or collared shirt
- A blouse, casual dress, skirt, or jumpsuit
- Comfortable vacation clothing that you would wear to a casual restaurant
Theme nights are optional. You do not have to wear white on White Night, tropical clothing on Caribbean Night, or formal clothing on Dress Your Best night.
Royal Caribbean’s published FAQ does say that bare feet are not allowed and that tank tops are not permitted in the Main Dining Room or specialty restaurants at dinner. In practice, enforcement can vary, and I have personally worn a tank top in the Main Dining Room while my husband and son have worn shorts without an issue. That is my experience rather than an official guarantee.
My advice is to wear clean, comfortable clothing and avoid arriving directly from the pool in wet swimwear or without shoes. Do not skip the Main Dining Room because you think you need an expensive outfit. The dining team wants guests to come enjoy dinner, and the atmosphere is generally much more relaxed than many first-time cruisers expect.
Can I change from My Time Dining to Traditional after boarding?
You can ask, but the change depends on availability.
The early Traditional seating often fills before the late seating. Visit the Main Dining Room or dining hospitality desk as soon as possible on embarkation day. Royal Caribbean says the maître d’ can assist with requests to change an assigned dinner time or table.
The dining staff may be able to help, but they cannot create space in a seating that is already full.
Which is better: My Time Dining or Traditional Dining?
Neither is universally better.
Choose Traditional Dining when you want the easiest routine, the same table and the same dining team.
Choose My Time Dining with advance reservations when the Traditional times do not work for you or you want more flexibility around shows, port days and specialty dinners.
For our family, 6:45 p.m. My Time Dining was the best balance. It was later than the 5:00 p.m. seating, much earlier than 8:30 p.m., and having reservations meant we avoided the long walk-up line.
Final recommendation
My Time Dining works best when you treat it like a restaurant reservation rather than assuming it means unrestricted access to the Main Dining Room.
Choose My Time Dining when you book, begin checking for reservations around 90 days before sailing, reserve your preferred evenings and confirm which dining room deck you should use once onboard.
You will keep the flexibility of choosing your dinner time without unnecessarily spending part of your cruise waiting for a table.
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