Why aren't there more 2-tops?

[PS90]

Maybe this is just a stupid question that has an obvious answer, and I'm not smart enough to figure it out on my own.

 

But, if tables-for-two are so coveted and in-demand, yet so hard to get, then why don't the cruise lines just add more two-person tables in the MDR? :confused:

 

I don't see how it is any more difficult for a waiter to handle 4 two-person tables than it is for one eight-person table (for example).

 

I guess 4 two-person tables might take up more room on the floor of the MDR than one eight-person table, but it seems like it would only be slightly more, since the center of the bigger tables is often just wasted space anyway.

 

This is meant to be a general-knowledge question, more so than anything that will affect my upcoming cruise. I'm just wondering...

[cb at sea]

There aren't more because larger tables are just more fun. You'll have ALL DAY to be alone, as a couple...dinner is a festive time, and socialization is part of it....everyone, including the wait staff, has more fun with a larger table! If you do get a 2-top, take notice of the larger tables and the fun they're having...tablemates are an integral part of cruising...it's something we look forward to!

[JanineM]

My opinion is that there are several things involved:

• Desire for cruiselines to follow the tradition of getting people to socialize by placing them with others at a table (and that's actually something we enjoy)
  
• More work for waiters and assistant waiters. It may not seem like more work, but as a former waitress, I can tell you that it IS more work to take care of more tables.
  
• More space required ... you need a modicum of space between table to allow for servers and patrons to walk through
  
• I would bet that there would be capital expenditures ... more tables, more table cloths, more S&P, etc.
  

I believe that if you spend time here then there appears to be a great demand for two-tops, but in reality, Cruise Critic represents and extremely small subsection of cruisers and they aren't really that much in demand. We have always received a 2-top, even when we don't request it.

[cherylandtk]

I agree with water baby, a larger table will order at the same time and be served the same courses together, whereas two tops will all eat at their own pace and will need subsequent courses served at different times; each serving of a course requires a separate trip down to the kitchen and back up to the dining room, they cannot bring up all the food together as they do for larger tables.

[sail7seas]

I think it's a space available issue, as well. Every square inch of space on a ship is so valuable, they want to make the most use of dining room space by having fewer small tables and more large.

[kitty9]

The basic answer is, there's just not enough space to have only tables for two and then have enough to accommodate the thousands of passengers.

[John Bull]

Maybe this is just a stupid question that has an obvious answer, and I'm not smart enough to figure it out on my own.

 

But, if tables-for-two are so coveted and in-demand, yet so hard to get, then why don't the cruise lines just add more two-person tables in the MDR? :confused:

 

 

It's partly a hang-over from earlier days of cruising, when socialising with others at large tables was the norm., something everyone looked-forward to.

Still is for CB, for Water-Baby, and for myself, and for many many other cruisers.:)

 

But you're right - cruisers are changing, and on many ships the demand for 2-tops outweighs the supply.

 

Having done my time as a restaurant proprietor I can confirm that, unless you give four inches between tables which hardly makes them separate, large tables are much more space-efficient in a large DR - I could get in 25% more diners in Christmas groups than the more usual 2s & 4s at other times of the year,

And large tables are indeed much quicker & easier to serve, from kitchen through to table staff & on to the pot-wash.

 

Will things change, due to demand?

 

Well, they already have.

With premium-pay restaurants. ;)

No need to pander to twosomes in the MDR.

Just a small extra charge to your account. sir.

Kerrrching !

John Bull

......in cynical mode.:rolleyes:

......again.:D

[Langley Cruisers]

There aren't more because larger tables are just more fun. You'll have ALL DAY to be alone, as a couple...dinner is a festive time, and socialization is part of it.......it's something we look forward to!

 

 

Your opinion. Not everyone agrees with you.

[PS90]

My opinion is that there are several things involved:

• Desire for cruiselines to follow the tradition of getting people to socialize by placing them with others at a table (and that's actually something we enjoy)
  
• More work for waiters and assistant waiters. It may not seem like more work' date=' but as a former waitress, I can tell you that it IS more work to take care of more tables.
  [*']More space required ... you need a modicum of space between table to allow for servers and patrons to walk through
  
• I would bet that there would be capital expenditures ... more tables, more table cloths, more S&P, etc.
  

I believe that if you spend time here then there appears to be a great demand for two-tops, but in reality, Cruise Critic represents and extremely small subsection of cruisers and they aren't really that much in demand. We have always received a 2-top, even when we don't request it.

 

I actually have the complete opposite opinion on socializing - I feel like I have to make meaningless small talk all day long with my clients at work - so I have no interest in "socializing" with random people that I don't know when I'm on vacation.

 

My TA actually advised me against requesting a 2-top, because she said that they are VERY hard to get, because everyone wants them. So it's seems like there are others who think like me...

[PS90]

It's partly a hang-over from earlier days of cruising, when socialising with others at large tables was the norm., something everyone looked-forward to.

Still is for CB, for Water-Baby, and for myself, and for many many other cruisers.:)

 

But you're right - cruisers are changing, and on many ships the demand for 2-tops outweighs the supply.

 

Having done my time as a restaurant proprietor I can confirm that, unless you give four inches between tables which hardly makes them separate, large tables are much more space-efficient in a large DR - I could get in 25% more diners in Christmas groups than the more usual 2s & 4s at other times of the year,

And large tables are indeed much quicker & easier to serve, from kitchen through to table staff & on to the pot-wash.

 

Will things change, due to demand?

 

Well, they already have.

With premium-pay restaurants. ;)

No need to pander to twosomes in the MDR.

Just a small extra charge to your account. sir.

Kerrrching !

 

John Bull

......in cynical mode.:rolleyes:

......again.:D

 

Thanks for the excellent post.

 

I completely understand your point about the money/time issue, but I hope that cruiselines will start to cater to smaller crowds in the MDR, even if it doesn't necessarily make them more money, if the demand is big enough.

[marshhawk]

I love dining with new people. The ability to socialize is becoming a lost art, because of this,chat roms, email, tweeting, cellophones, all the things where we connect to a thing, instead of a human.:(

[PennyAgain]

I strongly dislike dining at large tables especially now that my husband is having hearing problems. He feels very left out when the conversation is going on and he can't make out what is being said across a large table.

 

In about 30 cruises I/we have had mixed results with large tables. I dislike them in most circumstances.

 

I don't think dining at a large table is fun at all.

[PS90]

I love dining with new people. The ability to socialize is becoming a lost art, because of this,chat roms, email, tweeting, cellophones, all the things where we connect to a thing, instead of a human.:(

 

That may be true, but I, personally, have no interest in texting or tweeting, or whatever. I'm way too old for that stuff.

 

The inability to interact with other people has nothing to do with it for me. To me, it's an effort to "make nice" with people I will never see again (I guess I'm an introvert) - so I don't want to do it on vacation, when effort of any kind is the last thing I want to do.:)

[PS90]

I do appreciate all the replies. It does make sense that it is easier/cheaper for the waiters to serve a big table than a small one, as well as more space efficient.

 

But I can still hope that they will listen to all the people like me (and it seems like there is a lot) and make it easier to get a private table, right? :D

 

Thanks so much again to everyone.

[celyvabeach]

We try to do a 2-topper when we can. I cruise to see and enjoy new places I have not been to and enjoy whatever the cruise ship has to offer. I have more than enough friends at home I socialize with. I enjoy meeting new people but I want a quiet dinner time with DH. To each his own...

[cruizinforever]

Specialty dining ( Solstice class ) does feature many tables for 2 .

Many are window tables with a lovely view.

[PS90]

Specialty dining ( Solstice class ) does feature many tables for 2 .

Many are window tables with a lovely view.

 

Hey Cruizin,

 

Do you think it's generally easier to get a 2-top using Specialty Dining (I mean, without a REALLY long wait), than it is to get assigned one using Traditional Dining?

 

Thanks for the help. ;)

[runner15km]

We had anytime dining on the Valor and requested a table for 2 for 6 of the 7 nights. Let me tell you that the 2 tops are only 8-10 inches from another table. Everyone chatted with each other just like if you were at a table for eight. :D

[BruceMuzz]

I do appreciate all the replies. It does make sense that it is easier/cheaper for the waiters to serve a big table than a small one, as well as more space efficient.

 

But I can still hope that they will listen to all the people like me (and it seems like there is a lot) and make it easier to get a private table, right? :D

 

Thanks so much again to everyone.

 

You shouild always be very careful what you wish for on a cruise.

A table for 2 takes nearly as much space as a table for 4.

More tables for 2 would require reducing the capacity of the dining room.

That results in longer waits and longer lines to go to dinner.

Are you willing to wait in line an additional 30 to 60 minutes in order to get a table for 2??

[PS90]

You shouild always be very careful what you wish for on a cruise.

A table for 2 takes nearly as much space as a table for 4.

More tables for 2 would require reducing the capacity of the dining room.

That results in longer waits and longer lines to go to dinner.

Are you willing to wait in line an additional 30 to 60 minutes in order to get a table for 2??

 

Well, for me personally, if I am not assigned a table for two in traditional dining, then I will immediately ask to change to Select Dining, and yes, I will wait for a table for two.

 

Again, it's just personal opinion, but it's my vacation and I have absolutely NO interest in sitting at a table with people I don't know.

 

So the short answer (for me) is yes, I would rather wait 30-60 minutes than sit with a group of strangers. Which is why I would rather the cruise lines add more 2-tops. Call me anti-social, I guess. :o

 

Let me edit this by saying that I completely understand if people do want to socialize. I don't want to make it sound like they should add more 2-tops just because I want them. BUT, it sounds like they are in very high demand by MANY people, that is the reason for my question.

 

Thanks for all the replies!

[firefly333]

If I got one of the two tops, Id go and ask to have it changed to a larger table probably. We got stuck once in a booth by ourselves. ... and it was a short cruise, so I let it go, but never again.

 

Just because some people want to eat alone, doesnt mean everyone does.

[<3 2 Cruise]

I agree with the small table. I prefer my dining room meals to be like a restaurant meal on land. If there were to be a long wait, I would just go to the buffet.

 

My experience with large tables, is that I always get that one guy who drinks all day and is really obnoxious by dinner time. Flip flops and all!

[PS90]

If I got one of the two tops, Id go and ask to have it changed to a larger table probably. We got stuck once in a booth by ourselves. ... and it was a short cruise, so I let it go, but never again.

 

Just because some people want to eat alone, doesn't mean everyone does.

 

I completely understand.

 

But, again, I'm not trying to imply that there should only be tables for two and nothing else. According to my TA, and many people on CC, tables for two are in high demand - which means that there are people that want them - so I would think that the cruise lines would add more for that reason.

 

In no way was I trying to start an argument that everyone should want to sit by themselves.

[RoofingPrincess]

I did "My Time Dining" on my last Royal Caribbean cruise. About 3/4 of the time, it was just my roomie & I going down for dinner, so they sat us at a table for two.

Well, for all the room between most of those tables for two, they might as well have seated us at a rectangular table for six. The tables were so close that we ended up chatting with the people at the tables next to us. It felt like there was maybe 6-8" of space between the tables. Now, there were a few tables against the wall at the back that were true isolated two-tops, but many of the two-tops were grouped three-deep along the balcony railing (MTD was on the top floor of the MDR).

[PS90]

I did "My Time Dining" on my last Royal Caribbean cruise. About 3/4 of the time, it was just my roomie & I going down for dinner, so they sat us at a table for two.

Well, for all the room between most of those tables for two, they might as well have seated us at a rectangular table for six. The tables were so close that we ended up chatting with the people at the tables next to us. It felt like there was maybe 6-8" of space between the tables. Now, there were a few tables against the wall at the back that were true isolated two-tops, but many of the two-tops were grouped three-deep along the balcony railing (MTD was on the top floor of the MDR).

 

Thanks for the perspective.

 

The difference to me between a big table of strangers, and two-tops that are close together - is that you feel obligated to make small talk, or else risk an awkward silence, at a big table. At a smaller table however, it seems easier to make a little quick joke, or funny observation, or witty comment to the people at the next table, but it doesn't need to be a long, in-depth, "etiquette-required" conversation.

 

It's not that I don't like other people, really! :D

I just want to hang out with my wife and relax on vacation...