Table Assignments

[TravelerNC1]

Does anybody know how RC determines table assignments. My partner and I (29 and 35) are going on the AOS and were wondering what are chances would be that we got seated with other gay passengers. Or if we could request it. Thanks

[geoherb]

My theory is that the maitre d' tries to balance out the extra guys with extra women. At least for two of our cruises that's how it seemed. We were at a table with a family from Georgia. It was the mother and father, two daughters, and son-in-law. On another cruise, we ended up a table with two straight women travelling together from the UK. Both tables were great. Out of a dozen cruises, we've never been at a table with another gay couple. But we've never requested it either.

[bdjam]

Unless passengers are forthcoming with the information that they are gay, how is the cruise line going to identify them? It wouldn’t seem to be something possible to ask for…

[NovemberJoseph]

They try to put single couples with other single couples. They also try to put passengers of the same age together. Families with children are seated with families with other children.

 

NovemberJoseph@msn.com

Joseph

[stebul]

Would not want to assume that two people of the same sex travelling together are Gay or Lesbian (many are not). Light off the gaydar, or go to a FOD social. If you find people you want to dine with for the rest of the cruise, then ask the Maitre D' to move you to the same seating/table as your new found friends. This can often be done, and you might be able to get a table sized just right for the group. Don't forget to tip the Maitre D' if he moves mountains to accomodate you.

 

Open seating seems much more GL friendly to me. If you get an unpleasant table mate, you can usually make it through the meal knowing you will be dining with someone else at the next meal. If you find a group of friends you want to dine with, you just show up as a group when you are ready to eat.

[digby]

We would always ask for a table for two at least to begin with.

[BonnieSeattle]

We would always ask for a table for two at least to begin with.

 

I hope we're not going to regret that we didn't go this route!

 

My partner and I are taking our first cruise (on HAL, to Alaska) in August. I toyed with the idea of requesting a table for two (we have the 8pm seating), but figured we'll be having breakfast alone on our balcony every morning and that dinner might be a fun opportunity to meet people. I requested seating at a table for 8, with the idea of broadening the field. Since doing so, I've been concerned about how easy it'll be to get out of it, if we end up with any obnoxious, homophobic tablemates (and am almost to the point of calling to see if there are any tables for two left).

 

If it's true that the cruise lines tend to pair "single" men and women, I think it would be wonderful to end up with a couple of gay men. Completely out of my hands, I know. ;)

 

Bonnie

[Jedwin]

On two occasions my partner and I were seated with lesbian couples. My guess is that the Maitre'D was simply pairing up single guys with single gals. Needless to say, the "matchmaking" didn't work -- but we enjoyed the company!

[DallasGuy75219]

I agree, it seems the maitre d's try to play matchmaker. On our last cruise my partner and I were seated with two straight men cruising together and two straight women travelling together. There was also a mother seated with her grown son at our table, making it somewhat unlikely he was trying to create a 'family' table as they would have probably appeared to be a straight couple in their reservation.

 

Like stebul said, I don't think they assume two people of the same sex travelling together are gay (e.g., in our case, "Let's seat the three gay couples together and throw in a couple of straights for some drama and awkwardness").

[CelebrityMan]

Hi,

 

Since the late '90s we've sailed exclusively on Celebrity. On all of our cruises together, we've been seated with other straight couples. We've never experienced the above reported table arrangements of singles with singles. Nor have we had a truly horrendous table experience. Quite the opposite, the majority have been delightful pairings.

 

Wishing you a wonderful, relaxing time.

 

 

 

 

CM

[thulewx]

out of 23 cruises so far - on Carnivore Victory I was seated at a table for 10 (I always ask for big tables) - 8 single men and 2 single women. Out of the 10 of us I was the only gay man (at least at the start - one guy learned otherwise mid-cruise but that's another story ;) ), and the 2 women were definitely husband hunting. None of the men were interested (for good reason) so by the end of the week the table had more or less dissolved to other dining venues nightly. But overall it was a fun and interesting teaching ;) cruise.

[ScottC4746]

Just remember even though (restaurant industry term coming up) cruise lines use flying service for food delivery, the larger the table the slower the service sometimes. I have been on an 8 top and usually it takes two waiters to deliver the plates split between two trays on two jack stands meaning they have to wait until a free waiter is available to help carry the other tray then the second waiter returns to his station as he has no idea who ordered what.

[bdjam]

out of 23 cruises so far - on Carnivore Victory I was seated at a table for 10 (I always ask for big tables) - 8 single men and 2 single women. Out of the 10 of us I was the only gay man (at least at the start - one guy learned otherwise mid-cruise but that's another story ;) ), and the 2 women were definitely husband hunting. None of the men were interested (for good reason) so by the end of the week the table had more or less dissolved to other dining venues nightly. But overall it was a fun and interesting teaching ;) cruise.

Reading stories like this almost makes you wish they’d bring back the Love Boat and run it on Showtime or something. Sounds like a great time!

Personally, when I’ve sailed single, I seem to be put at tables with odd numbers of family members…I make that number even. When my ex and I sailed together we always were at tables with straight couples. I’ve only once been at a table with another gay man and we were both sailing single, and there were three single people at the table of 10.

OK – so I’m rambling… :rolleyes:

[premiumrican]

My bf and I were on the AOS last April we were assigned to a table of 10. Our tablemates were all straight couples who happened to be on their honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary. I think we got placed there due to me ordering the Romance package on the ship which included a romantic breakfast in your cabin. About 3 couples including us had ordered the package, we found out when the head waiter came up to our table and asked us who ordered the package when we wanted our romance breakfast. Lets just say he confirmed to the others what they were thinking.

[GW Phoenix]

On both of our cruises we were at tables for eight, always populated with straight couples. On our last cruise, by the end of the week all eight of us were meeting for every meal and going to the shows and casinos together!

 

As it turned out, one of the women at our table taught in the same school system where I went for Elementary School and knew all my early teachers as contemporaries!

[Canadianguy]

Thanks for asking the question. My bf and I are set to sail on our first cruise together aboard Navigator of the Seas and are really nervous about this whole table arrangement thing. I posted a thread to try and find some family before we board...hoping we can hook up for dinner. Can you switch around after the initial assignment?

[mjlafarr]

Thanks for asking the question. My bf and I are set to sail on our first cruise together aboard Navigator of the Seas and are really nervous about this whole table arrangement thing. I posted a thread to try and find some family before we board...hoping we can hook up for dinner. Can you switch around after the initial assignment?

 

We will be going on our second cruise in a few weeks. The first cruise we were on we had a rough couple of days because there were some unenlightened people who happened to be from Texas at the next table they harrassed us and made rude comments. (We were at a table for 2). We found an lovely (straight, but lovely) couple from Toronto. We asked to be moved to a table with them and things were much better after that. I wish we would have switched after the first nightmare dinner.

 

I am sure you wont have any problems.

[RMS Olympic]

My friend Brion and I normally seek out the maitre d soon after boarding. He normally has a table set up somewhere to discuss seating concerns of passengers. Well we have stopped by and and told him or his assistant that we were traveling together and wondered where our table was...that we were interested in a fun table. Well these people are savy and normally change our table on the spot and we either get a table for 2 if we want it or get a table with other family.

One time we thought it backfired...were brought to a table with 2 ladies,,,a table for four is always the worst. Well no sooner than we at down the one lady said we are a couple...will that bother you.......duh. The waiter was family, so was the wine steward....

[tjamiga]

my bf and I travelled on the Navigator last year and we were nervous at first regarding the table arrangement, however, we went to the MD prior to our seating and he paired us up with a great table. Towards the end of the cruise we were all hanging out in the ports and meeting before dinner for drinks at the wine bar. Just have a great time. We are off on our 4th cruise in 3wks on Celebrity Millennium.

 

 

 

Thanks for asking the question. My bf and I are set to sail on our first cruise together aboard Navigator of the Seas and are really nervous about this whole table arrangement thing. I posted a thread to try and find some family before we board...hoping we can hook up for dinner. Can you switch around after the initial assignment?

[Canadianguy]

my bf and I travelled on the Navigator last year and we were nervous at first regarding the table arrangement, however, we went to the MD prior to our seating and he paired us up with a great table. Towards the end of the cruise we were all hanging out in the ports and meeting before dinner for drinks at the wine bar. Just have a great time. We are off on our 4th cruise in 3wks on Celebrity Millennium.

 

 

Kewl! Thanks for the encouraging words. We are not adverse to dining with hetros but family chatter can be way more fun!! Maybe we'll get a real nice mix of all types...that would be awesome. Thanks again and good luck with your next cruise. Cheers!:)

[smidge]

My husband and I were once seated with 2 guys (gay) and 2 women (straight). We and the gay guys had a great time. We had a lot of similar interests. Unfortunately the 2 women didn't. I think it was quite stressful for them and even though they tried to interact it was obvious they were uncomfortable with the situation. They should have requested a switch but I think they didn't want to offend anyone.

[mccanna]

My partner and I have been on numerous crusies on RCCL and Celebrity and have never had a problem - have been seated twice with another gay couple.

 

Only once have we requested a table change - a group that was obviously related to each other and did not speak English - ignored us through the whole meal!

 

Actually, we're going on the SUN Princess on Mar 9 with a couple from Tampa we met last year...we have kept in touch with many fellow travellers and would never request a table for two.