has anyone tried the anytime dining and liked it better than assigned dining?

I know we will like it better because we can still eat in the dinning room and it will be a table with only us.

We tried it on the 9.13.09 cruise on the Legend.  The concept is great and we only had to wait 20 minutes the first night.  We were able to get a table for 2 each night and the hostesses are great.  BUT, the service was the worst we had in 9 cruises.  The key is to get a waiter you like and ask for a table with them each night.  A group that always seemed to be near us had the same waiter and had a great relationship and were always being taken care of.  Since we were a party of two, we had different tables and servers; none we would have recommended.  We waited for tea, they forgot our salads one night, and we barely saw our waiter the last night-we were seated at 7:30 and the 8:15 seated were done before us.

We did not try the Steakhouse this time, but heard many many folks raving about it. On our list for next cruise.

We our booked for Jan. cruise for early dining. Can you change to anytime on board or do you have to do it ahead of time. Can you do both?

We recently had to change dinner plans on the Imagination after a long excursion.  We just spoke with the Maitre'D staff upon arriving to the dining room.  No problem.

My hubby and I love My Time Dining. We could have a table for two, instead of sitting with strangers. Also, we loved our waitstaff the first night that we were there, so we made a point of asking for them each night. The Maitre D' accommodated our request, as well as my food allergy, each night with no lengthy wait times. We never waited for more than 5 minutes for a table in our requested section. That being said, hubby and I are later dining people (8pm or later, usually), so the dining room was emptier at that time.

We cruised on the Carnival Legend from 9-20-09 -9-27-09 and had anytime dining and it was great, because of the shore excursions and not having to rush for early dinner seating. Weate at approximately 7:00 PM. Would do it again.

We had the late seating and loved it because there was never a rush to get dinner, and being out all day we needed to relax for awhile, most days taking a long nap!  We also enjoyed eating with the same people every night because you get comfortable with each other so there's no akward silences and it's neat to compare stories of your day.  Useful for planning future vacations! 

Also, when you eat at the same table you have the same wait staff the whole time and they learn what you like and anticipate what you're going to order.  After the first night I didn't have to tell him my dessert order anymore (melting cake and a glass of milk!) and they knew what my husband was going to be drinking. 

I was on the Carnival Legend from 25 Oct - 1 Nov and had the anytime dining.  We loved it.  We never had more than a five minute wait no matter what time we went.  There were four of us and we always had a table for four.