What is rotational dining?

by DreamFinder Travel agent Kim Merrill

Today I wanted to take the time to highlight one of the details that places Disney Cruise Line head a shoulders above the competition:  Rotational Dining!

Disney outfits its ships with not just one or two, but THREE main dining rooms, and with all things Disney, they are beautifully themed with menus to match.  But you know what?  You don’t have to make reservations or fight to get into these restaurants during your sailing.  With rotational dining, you get to visit all 3 on a three-night cruise, and begin to repeat them on four-night and longer cruises! 

The other beautiful detail is that you are assigned to a dining team (or they are assigned to you?).  You are given a table number, the same for all three dining rooms, and your servers follow you from dining room to dining room.  How is that a benefit, you ask?  How lovely would it be to have your favorite non-alcoholic drink delivered to your table shortly after you sit down without having to ask?  Your servers get a feel for your likes and dislikes, and in true Disney fashion, take care of the details seamlessly. 

So how do you know what rotation you are assigned to?  Well, there are two ways. The first is the most obvious if you have never been on a Disney Cruise.  In your stateroom, you will find a “ticket” that lays out which dining room you will eat at each evening, as well as the time to arrive.  The other, far more convenient method, actually involves your “key to the ship” card:

Take a look at the card above.  I was on the Disney Magic on the dates shown above.  It was a 3-night cruise, and if you look at the bottom line that starts with “dinner”, you’ll see that my dining time was at 8:15pm.  You also see that I was assigned to table 20, but you may also see “CLA”.  That right there is my dining room rotation!  “C” stands for “Carioca’s”, “L” stands for “Lumiere’s”, and “A” stands for “Animator’s Palate”. For a longer cruise, these letters begin to repeat, but not necessarily in order, so that’s why I said this is a great way to keep track of where you’re going to be.   You need this card to get in your stateroom, so most people adopt a lanyard to wear around their neck to hold it!

Rotational dining is included in your cruise fare.  Disney's ships also have two adult-only restaurants to choose from if the adults need an adult outing, but if you choose not to do this, your cruise experience will not be diminished in the least!  More on the adult-only options at another time.

As I mentioned, the menus change from restaurant to restaurant, and also from night-to-night.  They do not repeat, so you will not be culinarily bored (I’m not sure that’s a word, but hopefully you get the point).  Your servers take your order, and typically, it’s a four-service meal: Appetizer, soup/salad, main dish, and dessert, however, you can order whatever you want (and as much as you would like.)  No appetizer pique your interest but want soup AND salad?  No problem.  Two entrees?  Ok!  And most importantly, if Mickey Bars are your thing, they carry them on domestic cruises!!

Hopefully this gives you a bit of info so that you can hop on board and just relax!

But wait! ”What is that giant K on the lower left of the card” you ask?  That has nothing to do with dining: That is your lifeboat drill station!  (I'll cover that at another time!)

Can't wait to cruise and find out more?  Visit the DreamFinder Travel website today and request your complimentary no-obligation pricing quote to find out just how affordable it can be for your family.