Table companions from hell

[Rum Rat]

We always book a multiple table, usually an 8, and have 'nearly always' been very very lucky with whom we sit. Only once did we receive an obnoxious couple and they very soon took themselves off to another Dining Room, 'Fancy putting us right down the back of the ship when our cabin is at the front of the ship and I have walking difficulties'. They were shifted to the middle dining room :-) He was fine, but her manners were dreadful and treated the waiters as servants. Waving them off with the back of the hand when a dish was not wanted, 'URGH, what's that' to a dish of Courgettes just as a couple of examples.

 

Our last cruise, the first two legs of Arcadia's Worldie, Southampton to Singapore was our best table yet. So good we tried to book another leg so we could stay together but the ship was full.

 

What are YOUR stories of 'Table companions from hell'? and how did you deal with them?

 

NB to newbie cruisers, TCFH are very few and far between and should not worry you. :D

[jeanlyon]

Ha ha, on our first cruise, not with P&O, we were put with another couple. She was fine and quite friendly, he was from Liverpool and spent the first three days taking the proverbial p*ss out of my husband, who likes to dress well and is a total honey. We had in the meantime met another couple who were on a big table, but on their own, so we simply moved over to them.

 

Since then we have always requested a Table for 8 and although on one cruise, the rest of them were very quiet, we have had marvellous tables since.

[chockhead]

Rum rat are you same one from rum ration?

[Rum Rat]

No.

 

Did you draw or were you 'T' ? :rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

and don't say UA :)

[Bestbubba]

Have always really enjoyed our dining companions and found meal-times a real highlight of our cruise. A few years ago I started to lose my hearing (now almost gone) so sadly have swapped from large tables to requesting tables for 2. I lip-read up a storm but it is stressful and tiring so now enjoy a stress-free dinner and save the L.R for socialising in general.

 

Anyway, back on topic, a few cruises ago we found instead of a 2 top, we were sharing a table for 4. Maitre d' apologised but nothing else available:(. Still, 4 is better than 10 so off we went on day one. Introduced ourselves to the couple who were already seated, she was adorable he was totally overpowering....full of his own importance, argumentative, treated the wait staff like servants, we were mortified. Day 2! Back to the dining room to see if the previous encounter had been a fluke but no such luck. This time he actually made our young assistant waitress so nervous she began dropping things and eventually dissolved into tears. That was enough for us! I excused myself from the table, saying I was off to the ladies room, found our Head Waiter, told him the man was a total a*****e, the HW AGREED with me as he had been aware of some of the goings on, and assured me we would be seated at a different table the next evening. Went back and endured the rest of the meal and the next night a table for 4 (but only laid up for 2) was waiting for us at the other end of the dining room - phew! Of course we had the embarrassment of meeting them on numerous occasions (it was a 14 night cruise) but DH explained we had met up with friends who had 2 spare seats on their table! (Liar, liar, pants on fire;))

 

Sue

[tom_uk]

I don't know of these example are quite 'TCFH' - but we were surprised.

 

Our very first cruise was with MSC - 7 nights W Med from Genoa. There were very, very few English-speaking passengers on board that week, and at first we were put on a table for 4 with an elderly German-speaking Swiss couple. Nothing wrong with them, but we don't speak German and they didn't speak English, so conversation was, perforce, extremely limited. W requested a change and the following night found ourselves on a tab;e for 8 with 6 Swedes, and several of them spoke excellent English. (Needless to say, we don't speak Swedish.) This was a big improvement and we had several good evenings, but they got off the ship at Barcelona (MSC sell their repeating cruises with various start points, for different national markets) and for the rest of the cruise (2 more nights?) we had the table to ourselves.

 

The other odd occurrence we've had was on our most recent Celebrity cruise, on Solstice. We requested a table for 8 as on our previous cruises with Celebrity we'd had excellent tables. This time we arrived at our tab;e to find that the other six diners were all french canadians, most of whom didn't speak English. Furthermore, one of them that did started the conversation by asking us if we could leave! They had some friends that they wanted to join them at that table. We stayed where we were for that first meal, but the following day we asked for a move. The Maitre d' obviously found the stray French Canadian couple and simply swapped us over. Fir the rest of the cruise we had a great time, with a table to a Scots couple, and English couple and an American couple. Possibly our best table ever.

 

I'm pleased to say, however, that we've always had good tables on our three P&O cruises.

[louhun88]

I hope we don't find TCFH when we go on our cruise - im fine as long as im not seated next to someone who thinks they're better than everyone else and proceeds to let everyone know why. As long as you've got manners im fine at the end of the day treat people as you would want to be treated yourself. I don't know why but some people who have money (very few i do realise that this is the case!) seem to expect thing to be done with a click of their finger??

 

Sorry thats my little rant over:D

[jeanlyon]

Money doesn't mean manners!

[LibraLass41]

Have always really enjoyed our dining companions and found meal-times a real highlight of our cruise. A few years ago I started to lose my hearing (now almost gone) so sadly have swapped from large tables to requesting tables for 2. I lip-read up a storm but it is stressful and tiring so now enjoy a stress-free dinner and save the L.R for socialising in general.

 

Anyway' date=' back on topic, a few cruises ago we found instead of a 2 top, we were sharing a table for 4. Maitre d' apologised but nothing else available:(. Still, 4 is better than 10 so off we went on day one. Introduced ourselves to the couple who were already seated, she was adorable he was totally overpowering....full of his own importance, argumentative, treated the wait staff like servants, we were mortified. Day 2! Back to the dining room to see if the previous encounter had been a fluke but no such luck. This time he actually made our young assistant waitress so nervous she began dropping things and eventually dissolved into tears. That was enough for us! I excused myself from the table, saying I was off to the ladies room, found our Head Waiter, told him the man was a total a*****e, the HW [b']AGREED[/b] with me as he had been aware of some of the goings on, and assured me we would be seated at a different table the next evening. Went back and endured the rest of the meal and the next night a table for 4 (but only laid up for 2) was waiting for us at the other end of the dining room - phew! Of course we had the embarrassment of meeting them on numerous occasions (it was a 14 night cruise) but DH explained we had met up with friends who had 2 spare seats on their table! (Liar, liar, pants on fire;))

 

Sue

 

Sue

I have similar probs to you re hearing, not as bad, perhaps we can chat on Azura? See other Azura thread about meet u on board, noon, saturday at sea 17th Planet bar..

 

Sue

[Bestbubba]

Sue

I have similar probs to you re hearing, not as bad, perhaps we can chat on Azura? See other Azura thread about meet u on board, noon, saturday at sea 17th Planet bar..

 

Sue

 

That would be great Sue, and hope to see you at the Terrace Bar after muster if you can make it too:)

 

Sue

[bigpete47uk]

Have to say, up to now, we've not experienced any.

 

Do you find that freedom dining gets a little tedious on the conversation front? The chances are you will sit with different people every evening and have to start the same old conversations again and again. Do you cruise often? Which other ships have you been on? What did you do today? Do you have a balcony? Where are you from? Before you know it pudding arrives and it's time to leave your new found friends behind without really having discussed anything. Club dining, on the other hand, gives you the chance to really get to know everyone over the entire cruise. Just another consideration when choosing Freedom or Club.

 

Incidentally on our first cruises (26 nights b2b) we had a table for two every night. This suited us because it was our first time and we didn't understand any of the etiquette and didn't want to show ourselves up.

 

Pete.

[tom_uk]

Do you find that freedom dining gets a little tedious on the conversation front? The chances are you will sit with different people every evening and have to start the same old conversations again and again. Do you cruise often? Which other ships have you been on? What did you do today? Do you have a balcony? Where are you from? Before you know it pudding arrives and it's time to leave your new found friends behind without really having discussed anything. Club dining, on the other hand, gives you the chance to really get to know everyone over the entire cruise. Just another consideration when choosing Freedom or Club.

 

That is indeed our biggest reservation about Freedom dining. We haven't done it yet, however, so we don't know the answer.

[Elaine0138]

We had awful table mates on an RCI cruise the young guy ate like a pig with sound effects, we never returned to the dinning room on that cruise after the second night.

 

On Ventura we opted for freedom dinning which was great lots of tables for 2. One night we had to share with a couple who left us in do doubt they were in a suite, we made it though the main course then we left, this man's language was appalling as was his attitude to the waiting staff.

 

I am sure our table mates on Arcadia next year will be lovely

[Funky Face Painter, UK]

Yes when we were on Eclipse, the suite folks used to leave their 'gold' cards on the table and stuff, it's so pretentious.

 

Only had a shared table once when my husband and I had our first cruise on Artemis. The other 4 people were lovely on that cruise. If I had other companions I didn't like I would move....

 

If my husband and I cruised on our own again, I would choose freedom dining that's for sure I think! But we cruise with my girls who are 10 and 11 years and my parents so have a table for 6.

[CASPALL]

Do you find that freedom dining gets a little tedious on the conversation front? The chances are you will sit with different people every evening and have to start the same old conversations again and again. Do you cruise often? Which other ships have you been on? What did you do today? Do you have a balcony? Where are you from? Before you know it................

 

 

You are so right! This is what puts us off having lunch in the main restaurant unless we could be sure of getting a table for 2.

The same old boring conversation can be absolutely exhausting!

Club dining for us every time.

 

Caryl

[Rum Rat]

Club Dining with a Table of 8.

 

Sit in the same place each night or move around?

 

On our last cruise we had a Table of 8 and 'clicked' on the first night. Fantastic. We soon got into the 'routine' of splitting up and sitting with others. The table was such a laugh, others complained, they couldn't hear the jokes which going backwards and forwards.

 

However, nearby there was a Table for 8 which on the first couple of nights was normal, after that, only 2 or 3 maximum. Even on the second leg when more passengers joined, first couple of nights the same, then down to 2 or 3

 

???????????

 

:confused:

[Beckyfaye-2008]

We have had Freedom Dining on P&O and any-time dining on Thomson, some nights we chose a table for two, but mostly a table for eight, have never found it boring. Had some great laughs, and would if I had the choice, choose Freedom every time.

One night on Oceana, although we had asked for a table for 8, we were led to a table for 6, already seated were a family of 4 adults, and they all looked as if they had just swallowed a wasp. However by the end of the evening we had such a great night, lots of laughs, one of them was a very funny guy. As we got up to leave at the end of the meal, I thanked them for a lovely night, and jokingly said, could we book them again tomorrow night.

The next night we were led to a table for eight, and yes sitting down at the table, were the same family, another terrific night, but the other couple who made up the eight, were very hard going. Never had a table with guests from hell.:)

[jeanlyon]

We don't fancy Freedom dining either. Our tables for 8 have on the whole been perfect. We've made some good friends, had interesting conversations.

[Freecall]

The same old boring conversation can be absolutely exhausting!

 

Caryl

 

I totally agree. Although we have been lucky and never really had ‘a table from hell’ we have over the years had our share of self-important or simply boring folks. It’s all part of the game though really since we have also met some facilitating and interesting people with whom we have had many laughs.

 

The most difficult situations are where there is only a limited common language. You know the kind of thing, where it is almost impossible to get beyond the exchange of names and countries stage. It can be really hard work.

[Somerset Cruiser]

Do you find that freedom dining gets a little tedious on the conversation front? The chances are you will sit with different people every evening and have to start the same old conversations again and again. Do you cruise often? Which other ships have you been on? What did you do today? Do you have a balcony? Where are you from? Before you know it................

 

 

You are so right! This is what puts us off having lunch in the main restaurant unless we could be sure of getting a table for 2.

The same old boring conversation can be absolutely exhausting!

Club dining for us every time.

 

Caryl

 

We love eating lunch (and breakfast) in the restaurant and freedom dining in the evening, sure you meet some bores but some interesting and funny people as well. All part of the experience IMO. We eat on our own most of the time so a change is good.

[CASPALL]

I really meant that it was our own converstion we find boring -eg -having to explain over nd over again where we come from, what we do, how many cruises etcetcetc!!!

 

Caryl

[Somerset Cruiser]

I really meant that it was our own converstion we find boring -eg -having to explain over nd over again where we come from, what we do, how many cruises etcetcetc!!!

 

Caryl

 

Caryl, I see what you mean. I guess it was training for a job I had years ago but I tend to ask questions that need long answers, then I let them get on with it while I drink wine and eat.

 

Or is the Whine, eat and drink :)

[Captain Canuck]

I have been the tablemate from hell...had lunch with a nice couple from New York...but they were very socialist and had preconceived notions on everything...I took the opportunity on a question on the Canadian form of government to go on and on and on and on...it was fun but it was mean

[Rum Rat]

Caryl, I see what you mean. I guess it was training for a job I had years ago but I tend to ask questions that need long answers, then I let them get on with it while I drink wine and eat.

 

Or is the Whine, eat and drink :)

 

I had to laugh when I read that. When our eldest daughter was about to leave school, the school careers man came and we were invited to meet him as well. All met, went into a small room, Julie, Mum and Dad one side of the table, careers man other side. All settled down.

 

"Well Julie. Have you thought of what you want to do when you leave school?"

 

"Yes"

 

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One of those situations where you do not ask a question which gives a 'yes / no' answer.

 

"Well Julie you are about to leave school, what do you want to do? What sort of career are you looking towards?' ........... sort of thing.

 

Came in very useful later on in my life when I was in a position setting exam questions .............................. 'Discuss' .... 'Explain' .... etc

 

:-))

[Merlin7]

Aways had marvellous company on club dining.

 

It's lunch in the MDR that can be annoying. Those individuals who insist on having every course and coffee, as if they are never going to eat again!!!

 

That may be completed fairly quickly, but in addition to ordering every course they have to chat extensively all the way through each course and each mouthful takes forever.