Princess Cruises changed the set dining times for guests who had chosen “traditional dining.”
In response to the many upset passengers, Princess Cruises tweeted that the changes had been made based on preferences and trends they had seen on their ships.
The cruise company added there had been "a demand for earlier Traditional Dining seatings, and a large percentage of Anytime Dining guests were arriving early to dine." Lines started to form in the atrium as early as 4:30 p.m.
Princess Cruises ships have discretion to adjust times based on the demographic, itinerary, and onboard demand.
The change is not implemented on all itineraries or ships. Many of the passengers are complaining there was no advance notice being given. Many discovered the change by chance.
Others are complaining that the early dinner times conflict with shore trips, especially when a ship is staying in port past 5:00 p.m.
Princess Cruises also announced that there would be adjustments to the schedules onboard in order to accommodate the times, for events like afternoon tea, Elite cocktail hour, champagne waterfall, Captain’s Circle cocktail party.