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I've experienced both styles of dining and prefer the open dining. We never experienced any long lines or waits to be seated on NCL. The only wait was when the host/hostess was seating another party and we had to wait for them to return or if you were the first ones at the restaurant in the evening there would be a wait because of the volume of people. Just go a little later and avoid the rush. We actually requested the same seating area each time and had the same waiters. As a benefit the ships restaurant manager assisted the waiters and we had excellent service each time. The benefit of open dining for us was that we were not rushed and watching the clock to get to dining and any specific time. If we were tired from the days excursions or other activity we could rest a bit before a meal. We cruised with another couple of friends and it gave us time to relax. But, if you just wanted the 2 of you to sit down to a meal that was fine, if you wanted to join others that was fine. I'm not into getting dressed in a tux to impress the stowage passengers. I like a relaxed meal with casual dress, with open dining you can do that. As far as the quality of the food, that depends on the chef not the ship you are on. It's like I prefer steaks from Morton's and not Ruth's Chris but that doesn't make Ruth Chris bad.

<blockquote data-quote="electricflyer" data-source="post: 1239870"><p>I've experienced both styles of dining and prefer the open dining.&nbsp; We never experienced any long lines or waits to be seated on NCL.&nbsp; The only wait was when the host/hostess was seating another party and we had to wait for them to return or if you were the first ones at the restaurant in the evening there would be a wait because of the volume of people.&nbsp; Just go a little later and avoid the rush.&nbsp; We actually requested the same seating area each time and had the same waiters.&nbsp; As a benefit the ships restaurant manager assisted the waiters and we had excellent service each time.&nbsp; The benefit of open dining for us was that we were not rushed and watching the clock to get to dining and any specific time.&nbsp; If we were tired from the days excursions or other activity we could rest a bit before a meal.&nbsp; We cruised with another couple of friends and it gave us time to relax.&nbsp; But, if you just wanted the 2 of you to sit down to a meal that was fine, if you wanted to join others that was fine.&nbsp; I'm not into getting dressed in a tux to impress the stowage passengers.&nbsp; I like a relaxed meal with casual dress, with open dining you can do that.&nbsp; As far as the quality of the food, that depends on the chef not the ship you are on.&nbsp; It's like I prefer steaks from Morton's and not Ruth's Chris but that doesn't make Ruth Chris bad.</p></blockquote><p></p>

[QUOTE="electricflyer, post: 1239870"] I've experienced both styles of dining and prefer the open dining. We never experienced any long lines or waits to be seated on NCL. The only wait was when the host/hostess was seating another party and we had to wait for them to return or if you were the first ones at the restaurant in the evening there would be a wait because of the volume of people. Just go a little later and avoid the rush. We actually requested the same seating area each time and had the same waiters. As a benefit the ships restaurant manager assisted the waiters and we had excellent service each time. The benefit of open dining for us was that we were not rushed and watching the clock to get to dining and any specific time. If we were tired from the days excursions or other activity we could rest a bit before a meal. We cruised with another couple of friends and it gave us time to relax. But, if you just wanted the 2 of you to sit down to a meal that was fine, if you wanted to join others that was fine. I'm not into getting dressed in a tux to impress the stowage passengers. I like a relaxed meal with casual dress, with open dining you can do that. As far as the quality of the food, that depends on the chef not the ship you are on. It's like I prefer steaks from Morton's and not Ruth's Chris but that doesn't make Ruth Chris bad. [/QUOTE]