Dining Room Ettiquette

[WetToes]

Thank you.

[JP4GA]

We always sit in the same seats at dinner. Maybe it is habit for us since we do the same thing at home.

 

We enjoy assinged dining. On all of our cruises we have been seated with people who have similar careers, interest and children in the same age group. On our last trip everyone was from the ATL area, we are still in contact and meet up for dinner every once in a while.

 

It can be hit or miss depending on who you are seated with and the preferences of other diners. DH and I are a "go with the flow" type couple. If people wanted to switch seats we would not have an issue with it, it just has not ever come up.

 

On our last NCL cruise they escorted us to the table each night and the waiter pulled out my chair each night, and he sat me in the same chair nightly and did the same with all of the other women at our table. I guess on that trip with that waiter we had "implied" assigned seats.

[BeachChik]

Thank you for the frank revelation! :)

 

The way I see far-too-many people "handling" their knives and forks

it's quite clear that there is no need for etiquette on most Carnival cruises.

 

.

 

Yes and it is the epitome of good manners and etiquette to bash strangers on a message board. :rolleyes:

[CRUZBUDS]

What you need to do is go to the dining room in the afternoon and put a flip-flop or towel on your seat of preference so it will be saved when you arrive for dinner. :) There you go. Problem solved.

 

Cheers!

 

That is the funniest line I have heard in a long time LOL!!! :D:D:D

[cathyoo]

We even sit at the same chairs at home.

 

Us also. Even when my grown adult children come home they sit in "their" chair.

[T. Advisor King]

If the dining room has a view out toward something interesting (the sea, park, mountains, skyline), then the lady is seated facing the view. If the table is not by the window, then the view is toward the dining room or entrance.

 

I don't see anything antiquated about the word "Lady". I hope our world hasn't sunk that low yet.

 

On your first point, isn't that extremely subjective? So, for example, if the table is near, but not immediately next to the window, wouldn't there be some who would consider the window a "view" and others who would think, "hmmm, we're about 20 feet away from it, the glass is kind of grimy and I can't really see anything"? I'm not sure how you would conclude whether or not that is a "view".

 

Secondly, say you have a table for eight and suppose there is a consenus that the window is, in fact, "a view". Do you sit all the women on one side and all the men on the other? I thought there was also a rule about boy-girl-boy-girl. And isn't there also a rule about not sitting next to your partner?

 

Again, I don't understand "view toward the dining room". How can you be "toward" the dining room if you're "in" the dining room? I'm also surprised that facing the door is considered a prime location, particularly if your table is, say, 15% of the way from the entrance to the opposite end of the room. But in any event, aren't you still ending up with all the women on one side and all the men on the other.

 

As for "lady", I have no issue, as long as you're consistent and make the point of using "gentleman" as the male equivalent. But "lady" is not the equivalent of "man". I do appreciate it is a common mistake.

[Esjohnso]

I would hope that any question of a pretty view or whatever would be trumped by actual needs (not preferences). If someone uses a cane, give them the seat that they find easiest to reach. If someone is hard of hearing, give them a seat where they can lip-read the waiter (or where the waiter can speak into their "good ear.") Anyone who reads Miss Manners knows that practicality and consideration for others always beats rigid etiquette.

[Big_G]

This thread is just too funny. With all that's wrong with human behavior on cruise ships, I never thought I'd see complaints about MDR table seating etiquette especially on the Carnival boards. :confused::p:D

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

[mfs2k]

I prefer elbow room, so when I light up a cigar at the table, everyone moves away from me and I can sit where I want.

[Cigar Dude]

I prefer elbow room, so when I light up a cigar at the table, everyone moves away from me and I can sit where I want.

 

 

LOL! I'm with you! But...I'm sure this is tongue in cheek. Oh, I'd love to be able to light up my cigar after dinner if I could!

 

As far as the original thread, I can't believe this is a serious question. Changing seats every night is certainly an option. Just get there early if you want a particular seat. Problem solved!

[Kew Gardens Cruiser]

I can see your husband's point about the tour bus seat. There are window vs. non-window, left side vs. right side, back vs. front and then there's always that uncomfortable wheel-well seat to deal with. Sorry, but I'm with him on this one! :)

A few years ago My wife and I did one of the Carnival excursions from Ochos Rios. I remember it being a long ride, more than an hour and I got stuck on of those crappy fold out seats which was very uncomfortable and I wasn't able to sit next to my wife either.

On the way back we made sure to get to the bus early and we got 2 regular seats together. A few people that passed by us getting back on the bus were complaining that "we took their seats" and that everyone should sit in the same seats going back. I am sorry but I had little sympathy for those people as I had paid the same price for the excursion and didn't think it was fair that I should get stuck in that seat both ways on a long, uncomfortable bus ride

[TerReuv]

In traditional dining with a well trained staff that learns the passengers likes and dislikes, the waitor will set the table up with each passengers preferences: seat A will have ice tea waiting, seat b will have the glass of milk, a child's place will have the child sized utensils and sippy cup (we would bring with us and the staff kept them and cleaned them for the cruise duration, seat d will have the coffee cup and soy milk, etc.

 

Changing the seats messes up the service. It is the custom on a cruise to maintain the same seats for the duration of the cruise.

 

I have only done one cruise (next this October) and we did ATD. Does this really happen? I do not remember seeing any table set up before with people's drinks.

[DKane]

I know this may sound like a crazy question but last week we were on a cruise and some people at our table changed chairs each night. This upset others at the table and one of the guests was told that there is dining room ettiquette that says you should always sit in the same chair spot each night. I was not aware of this myself so if anyone has any idea if this is a fact or just a made up theory can you let me know. Thanks.

 

If you want the same chair every night you better be the first one at the table. This is dining room etiquette:)

[WetToes]

A few years ago My wife and I did one of the Carnival excursions from Ochos Rios. I remember it being a long ride, more than an hour and I got stuck on of those crappy fold out seats which was very uncomfortable and I wasn't able to sit next to my wife either.

On the way back we made sure to get to the bus early and we got 2 regular seats together. A few people that passed by us getting back on the bus were complaining that "we took their seats" and that everyone should sit in the same seats going back. I am sorry but I had little sympathy for those people as I had paid the same price for the excursion and didn't think it was fair that I should get stuck in that seat both ways on a long, uncomfortable bus ride

 

I agree with you and would have gotten to the bus early too. Smart move! ;)

[swedish weave]

Being a lefty, I try to get a seat on the corner so nobody needs to gnaw on my elbow or bump into it with their right arm. Beyond that, I don't care where anyone sits.

[Yvonne]

I've never minded sitting in different seats for dinner in the dining room, in fact I prefer it and we've changed seats often on cruises, even when seated with strangers. Never thought it would be offensive to some. When we cruise with my husband's sister and her husband we trade seats every night, just to get a "different view" each night instead of always seeing the same tables, wall, crew station, etc.

 

The table is assigned, not the seats. I feel if someone wants "their" same seat each night, then they need to get there early and claim it.

[broberts]

A few years ago My wife and I did one of the Carnival excursions from Ochos Rios. I remember it being a long ride, more than an hour and I got stuck on of those crappy fold out seats which was very uncomfortable and I wasn't able to sit next to my wife either.

On the way back we made sure to get to the bus early and we got 2 regular seats together. A few people that passed by us getting back on the bus were complaining that "we took their seats" and that everyone should sit in the same seats going back. I am sorry but I had little sympathy for those people as I had paid the same price for the excursion and didn't think it was fair that I should get stuck in that seat both ways on a long, uncomfortable bus ride

 

Same thing happened to me and I took the same action.

[repo-cruiser]

The part you highlighted is indeed proper etiquette. One seats ladies to enjoy the view, or toward the dining room. I was a server in a formal dining room. The oldest lady gets the best seat.

So if I seat my wife across from me so her view is of me , then she's getting a good view seat correct.:rolleyes:

[RWolver672]

The part you highlighted is indeed proper etiquette. One seats ladies to enjoy the view, or toward the dining room. I was a server in a formal dining room. The oldest lady gets the best seat.

 

A cruise ship is not a formal dining room.

[broberts]

So if I seat my wife across from me so her view is of me , then she's getting a good view seat correct.:rolleyes:

 

I suspect it's the other way round.

[mfs2k]

A few people that passed by us getting back on the bus were complaining that "we took their seats" and that everyone should sit in the same seats going back.

 

Just because they said it, doesn't make it right. I think you were right to sit where you wanted. (But then again, maybe I'm not right)

[angeleyez915]

Or some got chairs they liked, nearer a window or not next to the servers stand and wanted to keep them so made up rules.

 

If someone had a window seat and I wanted it, Id get there early the next time so I could get it. Let them say something.

 

hahahahah i can always count on your posts to be blunt and to the point!! LOVE IT!!!!! :)

[misstopgun]

After many cruises, this was one thing I had never thought about until my last cruise.

 

Of the ten sitting at our table, only 6 of us showed up the first two nights. We all got along famously.

 

On night three another couple showed up and took the seats we had occupied the first two nights sitting us futher away from the group we had become aquainted with. I remember thinking at the time that it was a bit rude of them to do so as they were not aquainted with anyone at the table to this point.

 

On night four, still another couple showed up though the previous new couple did not. They left our two previous seats intact, just as we left the seats empty where one of the original couples had been all the previous nights. (they arrived a few moments late rushing from the show) I remember thinking all was right again.

 

The following night, the first newer couple returned as did the second. They each switched places still leaving the original group intact.

 

I am not saying it was actually rude or against any etequitte, I am just saying that the perception at the time was lack of respect. They were friendly enough, just seemed a bit wrapped up in themselves and unconcerned about others in the group that had already bonded.

 

It was an eye opener for sure. Until this I had never thought about seating and what is proper. I know I will from now on though as I wouldn't want to be the one to offend.

[Racegirl6]

I have a question, what about if you have kids, how does the seating generally work? Our dd is going to be 9 and has great manners, so do they seat families with families, or does it not matter?

[DirtyDawg]

After many cruises, this was one thing I had never thought about until my last cruise.

 

Of the ten sitting at our table, only 6 of us showed up the first two nights. We all got along famously.

 

On night three another couple showed up and took the seats we had occupied the first two nights sitting us futher away from the group we had become aquainted with. I remember thinking at the time that it was a bit rude of them to do so as they were not aquainted with anyone at the table to this point.

 

On night four, still another couple showed up though the previous new couple did not. They left our two previous seats intact, just as we left the seats empty where one of the original couples had been all the previous nights. (they arrived a few moments late rushing from the show) I remember thinking all was right again.

 

The following night, the first newer couple returned as did the second. They each switched places still leaving the original group intact.

 

I am not saying it was actually rude or against any etequitte, I am just saying that the perception at the time was lack of respect. They were friendly enough, just seemed a bit wrapped up in themselves and unconcerned about others in the group that had already bonded.

 

It was an eye opener for sure. Until this I had never thought about seating and what is proper. I know I will from now on though as I wouldn't want to be the one to offend.

 

Did you say anything on night three?

 

It could have been rudeness on their part but more than likely just ignorance of the group dynamic that you had established on the first two nights. People can't read other people's minds. It would be great if we did, so many misunderstandings would be cleared up so quickly and easily. It sounds like you had established a good group in the first two nights. If it was me I would want the new couple to sit right in the middle of the group in order to join in the fun, not shuffled off to one side.