Table to ourselves or group table?

[Pennipops]

We are a social family, and wouldn't mind being seated with others at mealtimes. However what do you do if you don't like your tablemates? Do they tend to put 1st timers together? Many thanks for your thoughts.:)

[billfish]

We are a social family, and wouldn't mind being seated with others at mealtimes. However what do you do if you don't like your tablemates? Do they tend to put 1st timers together? Many thanks for your thoughts.:)

 

 

 

When I first read the subject line I thought that if you are asking the question you belong at a small table for two. After further thought I would suggest you opt for the large table .

 

We have done this on most of our dozen cruises and have enjoyed some wonderful people some of which we still see from time to time.

 

If in the rare case that you are seated with people you just can't handle the Maitre d will take care of finding a better seating situation.

 

 

ENJOY

[Daisy16178]

We always opt for a table with other people too. It's nice to chat to someone other than your other half.

 

Upon saying that on the cruise last month we were on a table for 8, and the first and second night we sat there on our own. For the following nights we were joined by a mother and her young daughter.

 

I'd opt for a larger table because as we found out it doesn't necessarily mean others will join you anyway.

[Pennipops]

Thanks for your replies, I might just opt for 'any' table size and leave it to fate! :)

[cb at sea]

We prefer a larger table....we enjoy talking to others! We have all day and night to talk to each other!

And yes...I'd opt for the larger tables, as you will find that folks will skip dinner some nights for various reasons...so a larger table should give you some tablemates nightly!

[ONT-CA]

The beauty of "Anytime" dinning is that you make that decision as to how you may feel at the moment. Each evening can be different. We have noted that the Head Waiter is astute enough to place people together in some congenial determination. At least we have found that. Plus, in ship activities you may meet people you enjoy and with whom you would like to dine. If however you are on fixed seating there is no table allocation that cannot be altered whenever necessary.

[PunkiC]

I am also for anytime dining. That way if you do meet a stinker, you only have to endure them for one night. On the other hand, if you meet some really wonderful people you can always make arrangements to eat with them whenever you would like.

[AKman2495]

I just got off a 17 day cruise. For some meals we shared a table for others we were apart (we were traveling with my mother so there were 3 of us).

 

There were times, I requested a port window for the view. Other times we were sat in different sections.

 

They usually asked if we wanted to share or not. Sometimes we did-other times we did not.

 

By the last week of the cruise, the head waiter had a pretty good idea of who was in the dining room and he was always looking to fill seats as needed.

 

All in all, I was never disappointed when we shared and never disturbed when we ate separately. I think that is the measure of a good head waiter.

[caribill]

We are a social family, and wouldn't mind being seated with others at mealtimes. However what do you do if you don't like your tablemates? Do they tend to put 1st timers together? Many thanks for your thoughts.:)

 

When you enter the anytime dining room, you will be asked if you are willing to share a table.

 

If you want to eat just as a family, say "no."

 

If you want to eat with others, say "yes."

 

If you are eating with others chances are you will either be led to a table of people who were recently seated or will start a new table and soon be joined by people who were in line after you.

 

It is unlikely that they purposely seat other first time cruisers with you. If you do not like your tablemates, well, it is just for that one meal.

 

Above is if you are in anytime dining.

 

Breakfast and lunch in the dining room works the same way.

 

If you are in traditional dining, your cruise card will have your dining time and a table number on it. The first evening you will be escorted to your table.

 

If you do not like your tablemates, speak with the headwaiter or Matre d' before you leave that evening and you will likely be assigned to a different table for the rest of the cruise.

[BoPippy]

The Real Truth!! Did Traditional for years,then anytime and next year back to Traditional.Only once,out of about 20 cruises did we sit with others.Did not like it at all.Very tiring!!IMHO.We do like our own company and always find things to talk about.We sit with others sometimes at lunch in main dining and that is fine for a short period of time.This year we travelled to a resort for 15 days with one brother,3 SIL,and FIL and this being family and we will never do it again!!!So,that being said we could never endure 10 days,similar on a cruise with strangers.We booked our next cruise and have not told anyone(family) until the last minute.Other family want us to go to Hawaii with them and we say we can't afford it this year!!!:eek:DIfferent strokes for different folks.We would have to meet a couple with very similar tastes as us or it wouldn't work.Not even family cuts it.Monday to Friday working and socializing is more than enough.We need a rest.

[geoherb]

We enjoy a table with six or eight. On our last cruise, however, we had a table for four with a Canadian couple. They were terrific. In all our cruises, we've only had a few duds for tablemates. Once was when we were at a table for 10, so it did not matter so much that Fred and Ethyl did not join in the conversation much.

[Droop]

We usually prefer traditional dining with a larger table. I personally like Traditional because it gets old having to go through the usual questions about where are you from etc. etc.. It's wonderful when you click with everyone at the table, but there are times when you don't. So like others have said you can always arrange it to move to another table. I like the larger table because if someone does not show we have a better chance having someone to socialize with. Again this is just our preference. :D

[TracieABD]

We prefer a table for 2 in TD. I am like other posters, I don't want to work that hard, but that is just us.:)

[pris993]

We prefer a table for 2, late traditional. Shared tables with others years ago, do find it more relaxing to simply due a table for 2. We don't eat all the courses either, so that is another reason.

[Droop]

Re: We don't eat all the courses either, so that is another reason.

 

You might be on to something. It's a great way to not gain any weight. :p:D

[patch62]

We prefer a table for 2 in TD. I am like other posters, I don't want to work that hard, but that is just us.:)

 

Same with us.....we enjoy our own company....for a quiet dinner at least..