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I've done both, traditional on RCCL and HAL, anytime on NCL and Windstar. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages.

Anytime is nice when you've had a long day ashore and you don't want to rush back to dinner. You can also eat when (and in the case of NCL...where) you desire. You can eat when you're hungry, not when you're scheduled to dine. Of course, even traditional is somewhat flexible, you can always go to the buffet when you want. NCL does anytime better than anyone, with a wider choice of restaurants, although most are extra cost.

Of all the times we've had traditional dining we've always had really nice table mates, and dinner was something to look forward to. Over a week or more you could get to know people, and your wait staff got to know you and your desires. We've continued to correspond with friends we made at dinner. With anytime dining, even sharing a table the conversation tends to be repetitive with new people every night. On RCCL we lucked out and had officers assigned to our table twice. They didn't show up every night, but when they did it was a treat.

Personally, I look to itinerary and cost when choosing a cruise. Dining options is way down on the list.

<blockquote data-quote="davejohn" data-source="post: 1224263">I've done both, traditional on RCCL and HAL, anytime on NCL and Windstar.&nbsp; Each has it's advantages and disadvantages.Anytime is nice when you've had a long day ashore and you don't want to rush back to dinner.&nbsp; You can also eat when (and in the case of NCL...where) you desire.&nbsp; You can eat when you're hungry, not when you're scheduled to dine.&nbsp; Of course, even traditional is somewhat flexible, you can always go to the buffet when you want.&nbsp; NCL does anytime better than anyone, with a wider choice of restaurants, although most are extra cost.Of all the times we've had traditional dining we've always had really nice table mates, and dinner was something to look forward to.&nbsp; Over a week or more you could get to know people, and your wait staff got to know you and your desires.&nbsp; We've continued to correspond with friends we made at dinner.&nbsp; With anytime dining, even sharing a table the conversation tends to be repetitive with new people every night.&nbsp; On RCCL we lucked out and had officers assigned to our table twice.&nbsp; They didn't show up every night, but when they did it was a treat.Personally, I look to itinerary and cost when choosing a cruise.&nbsp; Dining options is way down on the list.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="davejohn, post: 1224263"] I've done both, traditional on RCCL and HAL, anytime on NCL and Windstar. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages. Anytime is nice when you've had a long day ashore and you don't want to rush back to dinner. You can also eat when (and in the case of NCL...where) you desire. You can eat when you're hungry, not when you're scheduled to dine. Of course, even traditional is somewhat flexible, you can always go to the buffet when you want. NCL does anytime better than anyone, with a wider choice of restaurants, although most are extra cost. Of all the times we've had traditional dining we've always had really nice table mates, and dinner was something to look forward to. Over a week or more you could get to know people, and your wait staff got to know you and your desires. We've continued to correspond with friends we made at dinner. With anytime dining, even sharing a table the conversation tends to be repetitive with new people every night. On RCCL we lucked out and had officers assigned to our table twice. They didn't show up every night, but when they did it was a treat. Personally, I look to itinerary and cost when choosing a cruise. Dining options is way down on the list. [/QUOTE]