Seating in the MDR

[MadWoofter]

Sorry, I have a feeling this is going to be a very dumb question with a very obvious answer, but I'm going to ask it anyway !

 

I've read a lot of reviews, and it seems one of the first things that people do is head straight to the MDR to find out their table. How does this work?

 

Do they have your name and a table number printed somewhere? Do you ask the maitre d'? Or do you just rock up at your dinner seating and wait to be seated at your table?

 

Can you tell I haven't cruised before :D

[Essiesmom]

When you check in on Carnival, you will be given a credit card sized card that is your Sail & Sign card. Printed on that card will be your seating time, dining room, and table number if you are doing traditional dining.. You can go to the dining room and see what size table you have, and where it is located. If you don't like it, you can asked to be changed. If you want a different dining time, you can also request that. EM

[paul929207]

Note that the above only applies if you have Traditional or fixed dining. Many people sign up for the open seating arrangement which is like a nice restaurant at home. You go when you want and tell the staff at the entrance what size table you want. You are seated as so as a table become available. Sometimes there is a wait and you will be given a pager.

[John Bull]

Essiesmom said that her response was specific to Carnival, but on any cruise line for fixed (traditional) dining - when you're assigned the same table & time for the whole cruise - you'll be told your dining room & table number when you board.

 

No, most folk don't head straight for the dining room but some do to see where their table is & whether it's the size of table (two-top or foursome or big shared table or whatever) that they'd asked for.

 

JB :)

[Jimnbigd]

The dining tables have numbers on them, and your ship's card (which is both a room key and ship credit card) has your dining table number. Also, on my last cruise, the waiter told me table numbers might change from cruise to cruise, so table "123" might not always be the same table on the next sailing. Frankly, I seldom see in advance where my table is. Just show up to the rather long line on the first night and someone will show you to your table. On the 2nd night, just walk to your table. I think most cruise lines now have open seating for breakfast and lunch -- for these meals you'll usually be escorted to the next available table and seated with friends you have not yet met. Some ships have dining entrances on multiple floors, so it does help to know in advance which floor you need to be on, but this should be on your card also (maybe as a dining room name rather than a floor number). Carnival often has two dining rooms with the galley (kitchen) in the middle, so know which dining room to go to. When you first check in and all in your group have their ship card, you should make sure you have the same dining table and time. If you do not, go immediately to a dining room room to get this straight. If you have a group going (more than one cabin), the term is "linking" -- link the dining times and tables. If you have a TA (travel agent), your TA should link the dining times for you. Also, you might not get the dining time you requested (early or late) -- If not, go to the dining room to get the time switched. You might have to eat the first dinner at your assigned time, but the next day you might get a card on your bed or desk, or a phone call, saying your requested dining time has been honored along with a new dining table number.

 

Don't rule out the buffet for dinner. It is usually very good and not crowded. The buffet is a good alternative if you are running late, or just don't want to eat that night at your usual dining time.

Edited April 2, 2014 by Jimnbigd

[LA_CA_GAL]

You can have anywhere from 500 to 1,500 people showing up for dinner the first night, most looking for their table.

 

I like to know where mine is prior so that when it is time for the first meal in the MDR I can just walk in and go to my table, rather than have to ask for help with a whole bunch of others.

[Cruisin' Chick]

We have never gone to the MDR during the first afternoon to see where our table is. On every cruise (except the one we didn't clear the waitlist and got stuck with anytime, which we hated), when we go to the dining room the first night, we have been asked for our cabin card, which has the dining time and table number on it. Then we're led to the table and we met our tablemates (if they're there already) and the waitstaff.

 

Because of how this works out, there's usually a line to get in (on the first night only for traditional dining) so we will wait about five minutes before going. After that, we go on time (it's not polite to keep your tablemates waiting).

 

Some people will insist on certain locations (by the window, for instance, but unless you are on an Alaskan cruise, where it stays lighter later, what's the point?).

[t_car]

Personally, we like to check out the table we'll be sitting at for most dinners.

If the table is in the middle of the dining room, it's no big deal where we sit.

But if is a corner or window table, then we like to show up early on the first night of dinner seating, so that we choose good seats, so not facing the wall.

Might as well have a good view of things when you are having dinner too.

You always sit at the same seat every night after that, regardless if you are a little late sometimes.

[navybankerteacher]

Personally, we like to check out the table we'll be sitting at for most dinners.

If the table is in the middle of the dining room, it's no big deal where we sit.

But if is a corner or window table, then we like to show up early on the first night of dinner seating, so that we choose good seats, so not facing the wall.

Might as well have a good view of things when you are having dinner too.

You always sit at the same seat every night after that, regardless if you are a little late sometimes.

 

That has not been our experience - in assigned dining, it is the table, and not the seats which get assigned. Particularly at a large table, of 8 or 10, it is good to switch seats so you have a chance to talk with everyone. If we get to the table before others, we will take the seats we want, not necessarily the ones we had the night before. We surely will not continually accept the least attractive tables just because we might have gotten stuck with them the first night.

[Shmoo here]

That has not been our experience - in assigned dining, it is the table, and not the seats which get assigned. Particularly at a large table, of 8 or 10, it is good to switch seats so you have a chance to talk with everyone. If we get to the table before others, we will take the seats we want, not necessarily the ones we had the night before. We surely will not continually accept the least attractive tables just because we might have gotten stuck with them the first night.

 

We always switch seats. Our last cruise we were at a 6 top (but only us and another couple - 4 people). Every night I sat 1 seat to the right of where I sat the night before.

 

Our first cruise we were at an 8 top with 3 other couples. Every night we sat in different seats/configurations. Sometimes couples sat next to each other, sometimes across the table from each other, other nights all the "girls" were on one end and the "boys" were on the other. First couple to the table got to figure out how everyone was seated that night. We had a ball. And the servers never missed a step in who got what drinks.

[Kroozen]

In addition to looking for your table ahead of time, I recommend checking with the maitre'd as well. When I sailed Royal Caribbean, I went into the MDR to check out my table, and it was a table for 2 like I requested. Then, at dinner time, I went to the MDR, and the table numbers had switched and I was then at a 6 person table.