Dinner Assignments

[globalwife]

We will be cruising for the first time in less than two weeks and I got to thinking about something. We have been assigned first turn dining. From what I have read, it seems we will be assigned a table. Are the chairs at each table actually assigned also, or just the table? I want to make sure I am always sitting next to my DH, not just at the same table as him. (The cruise I am going on is a Spanish line with mostly Spanish speaker and I might need him to help me with some translating.) Just wondering....

[uppitycats]

We will be cruising for the first time in less than two weeks and I got to thinking about something. We have been assigned first turn dining. From what I have read, it seems we will be assigned a table. Are the chairs at each table actually assigned also, or just the table? I want to make sure I am always sitting next to my DH, not just at the same table as him. (The cruise I am going on is a Spanish line with mostly Spanish speaker and I might need him to help me with some translating.) Just wondering....

 

While your eating time is assigned, and the table (and tablemates), you just show up at the table and take an empty seat. They don't assign seats. If there happens to not be two seats side-by-side (or whatever is convenient for you), just let your tablemates know your discomfort, and I'm sure they'll move. Generally it seems that couples do sit side-by-side.

 

You also should know, by the way (we didn't, when we first cruised!) that if, for some reason, you and your tablemates just aren't compatible, you can ask the maitre'D' on your way out of the dining room (or early the next day) to be moved. They'll do this if it's at all possible, upon request.

[paul929207]

Chairs are not assigned. You can take eny empty seat when you arrive. Normally, couple sit together and people take seats so that the last tow seats are together.

[cb at sea]

You can sit in any chair you like. Sometimes, the entire table will take the same chairs everynight...at other tables, folks will move about a bit....really, it depends on who get to the table first!!!

[mlj555]

In our experience couples sit together and usually keep the same seats for the cruise. After this has been established, the waiters will often have any special drinks waiting, i.e. coke for one couple, iced tea for another. We enjoy a large table with several other couples. Usually we have been seated with couples roughly in our age group and have enjoyed interesting conversations.

[Jimnbigd]

It will be a crowded madhouse the first night because no one knows where their table is, so everyone has to be escorted to their table. The other nights, you just go to your table. Try not to arrive more than 15 minutes late.

 

As was said before, generally out of habit you will probably take the same chairs each night. But don't get upset if someone is in that chair another night -- just take a different chair. Have fun. Remember, you can order as much as you like. I often get 4 or 5 appetizers and 2 entrees. :D

[Shmoo here]

On our first cruise we were assigned to an 8-top table (as it turns out there were 3 other couples). The first night we all sat next to our spouses. Since we were on a long cruise (14 night), we all decided by the second night that we would vary the way we sat every night. One night all the men were on one side, women on the other. Another night the women all sat at one end of the table, the men at the other. Another night spouses sat opposite each other, alternating on each side of the table male/female. And so on.

 

:)

[FTLcruisers]

On our Panama Canal cruise, we had 10 at our table. The 2nd night, the assistant waiter started handing out water, iced tea, etc. according to where we had all sat the first night --- except we weren't sitting in the same seats! She was embarrassed, we just thought she was cute and that we could make this a really fun cruise. So, every night we moved around or did something to try to play a joke on her - one night we had her convinced that the waiter had forgotten to put out our bread plates. Unfortunately we got caught as we were all pulling them out from under the napkins on our laps. She soon was doing things to us - when she brought the bread around, if I selected a roll, then my husband had to "match" and have a roll too! Needless to say, all 10 of us looked forward to dinner each night!

 

Marianne