Evening dinners are usually two seatings at 6PM and 8:30pm. You generally choose your seating time at the time of booking. Excursions can be pricey. I like renting a moped ashore and exploring the itineraries. I also like the early dinner and enjoy dressing up for the formal dining room. But there are many ways to get meals aboard that don't require dressing up. Lots of shows, lectures, music cruises, piano bars, libraries, internet rooms, three or four pools, workout and spas, and shopping aboard as noted by other cruisers. Moonlit nights are the best. Have fun!