# Can I change my dining time after booking a Princess cruise?

Yes, in most cases you **can change dining time** after booking a Princess cruise Call us **<a href="tel:[phone]">[phone]</a>** —but how easy it is depends on availability, your current assignment, and when you make your request. Many guests book their cruise, later realize early dinner is too soon or late dinner is too late, or discover that [**My Time dining Princess**](https://www.portjourney.com/blog/can-i-change-my-dining-time-after-booking-a-princess-cruise) (Anytime Dining) suits their style better than a fixed schedule.

Princess offers a mix of traditional fixed dining and more flexible options, so there are several ways to adjust your **Princess dining request** before and even during your sailing. The key is knowing where to make the change, what to expect if your preferred time is full, and how to work with the waitlist or the onboard team.

* **How to change traditional dining time on Princess cruise**
* **Switching from late to early seating on Princess** (and vice versa)
* **Requesting new dining time in Princess app**
* **Options if preferred dining time is waitlisted on Princess**
* **Changing from fixed dining to Anytime Dining Princess**


## Understanding Princess dining options

Before you change anything, it helps to understand the main choices:

1. **Traditional fixed dining**

* Assigned table
* Assigned **early vs late seating** time
* Same waitstaff and tablemates each night

2. **Anytime / My Time–style dining (Princess’ flexible option)**

* Often referred to as **Anytime Dining** or “Dine My Way” in the app
* You choose your dining time within a general window
* You can make reservations for specific times or join a walk-up queue

You can usually request a change between these setups, but availability is not guaranteed, especially at popular **early vs late seating** times.

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## How to change traditional dining time on a Princess cruise (pre-cruise)

If you’re assigned a fixed time that doesn’t work for you, here’s **how to change traditional dining time on Princess cruise** before you sail:

### 1. Use your online cruise personalizer or booking management

Before your cruise, log into your Princess account and open your booking. Look for:

* Dining options
* “Dine My Way” preferences
* Early/late seating choices

If alternative times are available, you may be able to:

* Switch from late to early seating
* Move from early to late seating
* Change from fixed dining to more flexible **My Time dining Princess**–style scheduling

If the system shows your preferred option as available, confirm it and you’re done.

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### 2. Request a change through your travel agent

If you booked through a travel advisor, they can place a **Princess dining request** on your behalf. Ask them to:

* Switch your party from late to early or early to late
* Put you on the waitlist for your preferred time if it’s already full
* Request a change to Anytime Dining, if available

This can be especially helpful if you booked multiple cabins or a group and want everyone on the same schedule.

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### 3. Call Princess or a cruise specialist

If you’re confused by the system or not seeing options online, you can:

* Contact Princess customer service directly, or
* Talk to a cruise support specialist at **<a href="tel:[phone]">[phone]</a>** for help understanding what’s currently available and what’s only offered as waitlist.

They can confirm whether your **dining changes** request can be confirmed in advance or must be handled once you’re aboard.

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## Switching from late to early seating (or early to late)

Many guests want **switching from late to early seating on Princess** once they realize their current choice doesn’t suit their schedule. Here’s how it usually works:

* **Before the cruise:**

* Change it in your online account or through your travel agent, if early seating still has space.
* If not, ask to be waitlisted for early seating while keeping your late assignment as a backup.

* **Once on board:**

* On embarkation day, the daily program usually lists a place and time to see the dining team about **dining changes**.
* Go early, as lines can form, and politely ask to move from late to early (or the other way around).
* If they can’t confirm right away, they may keep you on a waitlist and inform you later in the cruise.

Because early seating is popular with families and those who sleep early, and late seating is popular with night owls, flexibility helps. Sometimes moving to **Anytime / My Time dining Princess** is a good compromise if your ideal traditional time is full.

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## Requesting a new dining time in the Princess app

With Princess’ digital tools, **requesting new dining time in Princess app** is increasingly convenient, especially for flexible/Anytime style dining.

Once your booking is linked and you’re in the pre-cruise window:

1. Open the Princess app and go to the dining or “Dine My Way” section.
2. Select your preferences, including:

* Preferred dinner time window
* Party size
* Whether you’re okay sharing a table or prefer private tables
3. Look for options to reserve or choose specific dining times on individual nights.

During the cruise, the app can let you:

* Adjust your dining reservations day by day
* Shift from one time slot to another
* Decide whether you want to dine earlier on port days and later on sea days

If you’re on a fixed traditional plan, the app may show your assigned time. You might also see messages about limited availability if you try to change. In that case, a mix of app requests plus speaking to the dining staff in person can be helpful.

**Also Read:
[Can I change my dining time after booking an Oceania Cruises?](https://www.portjourney.com/blog/can-i-change-my-dining-time-after-booking-an-oceania-cruises)
[Can I change my dining time after booking a Seabourn Cruise Line cruise?](https://www.portjourney.com/blog/can-i-change-my-dining-time-after-booking-a-seabourn-cruise-line-cruise)
[Can I change my dining time after booking a Disney Cruise Line cruise?](https://www.portjourney.com/blog/can-i-change-my-dining-time-after-booking-a-disney-cruise-line-cruise)**

## What if your preferred dining time is waitlisted?

It’s common for favorite options—especially early seating or prime-time slots—to be fully booked before sailing. That’s where **options if preferred dining time is waitlisted on Princess** come in.

Here’s what you can do:

1. **Accept the waitlist but keep a backup**

* Stay waitlisted for your ideal time (e.g., early seating).
* Keep your current assignment so you have guaranteed dining.

2. **Check again closer to the cruise**

* People cancel or change plans, and space can open up.
* Review your **Princess dining request** online before departure.

3. **Visit the dining team on embarkation day**

* As soon as you board, check the daily schedule for the location and time where the dining staff will handle changes.
* Politely explain that your **change dining time** request is on the waitlist and see if they can accommodate you.

4. **Use Anytime or flexible dining as a backup plan**

* If a specific traditional time won’t open up, ask whether **My Time dining Princess**–style Anytime Dining is available instead.
* You may find that reserving flexible times works better than a fixed slot, especially if your schedule changes from day to day.

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## Changing from fixed dining to Anytime Dining on Princess

Some guests discover that fixed dining feels too rigid and want **changing from fixed dining to Anytime Dining Princess** instead.

How to handle it:

* **Before the cruise:**

* In your booking or app, look for an option to switch from traditional seating to flexible/Anytime.
* Confirm for your entire cabin or traveling party so you stay together.

* **On board:**

* Visit the dining desk or talk to the maître d’.
* Ask if you can be moved from fixed dining to the Anytime/Dine My Way system.
* Availability depends on how full the ship is and how many guests are already on each plan.

Benefits of Anytime Dining include:

* Greater control over your **dining changes** each night
* The ability to adapt to excursion times or show schedules
* Choice of earlier or later dining within a broad time window

The trade-off is that you may not have the same tablemates and waitstaff every night, unless you reserve the same time and location consistently.

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## Tips for getting the dining time you want

To make your **change dining time** request more successful, try these tips:

* **Act early.** The sooner after booking you request your preferred time, the more likely it is to be available.
* **Be flexible on table size.** If you’re open to sharing, the staff may find you a spot more easily.
* **Use both digital and human channels.** Combine **requesting new dining time in Princess app** with a polite in-person request to the dining team.
* **Keep checking.** People change plans, and waitlists can clear closer to sailing or even mid-cruise.
* **Work with an expert.** A good travel agent or cruise specialist can help navigate waitlists and options.

If you feel overwhelmed or unsure how to phrase your request, calling a cruise support specialist at **<a href="tel:[phone]">[phone]</a>** can help you understand what’s realistic for your specific sailing and party size. For broader cruise tips and planning resources, you can also browse helpful guides on **portjourney.com**.

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## FAQs about changing dining time on Princess Cruises

**1. Can I change my traditional dining time after booking a Princess cruise?**
Yes, you can often **change dining time** for traditional seating before you sail and sometimes onboard, depending on availability. **How to change traditional dining time on Princess cruise** usually involves updating your preferences online, asking your travel agent, or visiting the dining team on embarkation day. The earlier you request the change, the better your chances.

**2. How do I switch from late to early seating (or vice versa)?**
For **switching from late to early seating on Princess**, log into your booking or app and see whether early seating shows as available. If not, ask to be waitlisted and keep your current assignment as a backup. Once on board, speak to the maître d’ or dining host; they may be able to move you, especially if there are last-minute cancellations or adjustments.

**3. Can I use the Princess app to request a new dining time?**
Yes. **Requesting new dining time in Princess app** is common, especially for flexible or Anytime dining. Use the “Dine My Way” or dining section to select preferred time windows, make nightly reservations, and adjust plans. If you’re on fixed dining, the app may show your assigned time, and you might still need to talk to onboard staff to request a different seating.

**4. What if my preferred dining time is waitlisted on Princess?**
If your ideal slot is full, there are several **options if preferred dining time is waitlisted on Princess**. Stay on the waitlist and keep your current time as backup, check again before sailing, and visit the dining team as soon as you board. You can also ask whether moving to Anytime Dining is possible, which gives you more flexibility in choosing times each night.

**5. Can I change from fixed dining to Anytime Dining on Princess?**
Often yes, but it depends on capacity. **Changing from fixed dining to Anytime Dining Princess** can be requested before the cruise through your booking or app, or on board by speaking with the dining staff. Anytime Dining (My Time–style) offers more flexibility but may mean different servers and tablemates. For help understanding your specific options and what might work best for your party, you can also call a cruise specialist at **<a href="tel:[phone]">[phone]</a>**. For more general cruise planning tips and dining advice, you can explore resources available on **portjourney.com**.