Dining Partners

[Sun-n-Fun]

I have only been on 2 cruises. The first was in 1986 and was work related and there were about 50 of us and we had arranged to all sit at tables together. The second was 2 years ago and there were 5 of us friends and we were at a table of 10 that was pretty fun.

 

Question: this trip it will just be my husband and I. While we don't plan on eating in the dining room every nite, it wouldn't be very fun if they put us with another couple that wasn't compatible. How do you handle this? I would hate to hurt the other couple's feelings by asking for another table for the rest of the trip and I would be embarrassed if I saw them. Or, maybe we would be seated at a larger table with more people, so that could work.

 

Just curious on the best way to handle this situation.

[Keksie]

I always try to sit at a large table. That way there are usually more than one group so if one group is a dud the others are fun. I have always had great luck with my tables - maybe not friends forever - but a great time for a week. I have always had a least one couple at my table from a different country and it is great to get to learn about how people live in other parts of the world.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Now we only sit at a table for 2.

But there was a time when we sat at tables for 4 - 6 - 8. And we had some bad tablemates. You can tell right away whether you all will get along or not. We have gone to the matri'd and asked for a new table and never thought anything about it. You would be surprised at the number of people who do get table changes after the first night for whatever reason. If you see them later in the cruise, just say hello or nod your head and keep on walking to whereever you were going. You don't owe anyone an explaination as to why you are sitting at a different table.

[lel5344]

Our most recent cruises were NCL (with Freestyle dining) so it was always up to us whether we chose to eat with the same people repeatedly or with someone different at each meal or just by ourselves.

 

But this year we're sailing on Celebrity and we asked for a table of 6. We are merely hopeful that our tablemates will be pleasant conversationalists - we don't need perfect compatability. And if, for some reason, we don't like who we're sitting with, we'll ask to be changed. And let's put it in perspective: if we don't enjoy the company of our tablemates, chances are they don't enjoy our company either.

 

However, as long as our tablemates aren't rude and inconsiderate, I'm sre we'll find some topics to share for that total of 20 hours or so that we'll spend together.

 

Case in point: free-style on an Alaskan cruise, we met a gentlemen (and his wife) who had worked for the Army Corps of Engineers at the Panama Canal for 35 years before his retirement. His wife happened to have the same nursing specialty as my wife. Sheer coincidence. We made it a point to connect with them for 4 or 5 other meals on the ship.

 

But on that same cruise, we also had a lunch with a couple for whom nothing was satisfactory. Over and done. No further contact.

 

Whether you choose to dine alone or with others (scheduled or unscheduled), you will have both good and bad (although I think there are considerably more good) table companions. Let's be realistic: there are times when my lovely wife would choose a table companion other than me, even on a cruise. You pay your money and you take your chances.

 

All that being said, our singular focus on a cruise is having a good time, and no table companions are going to change that focus.

[creek42]

The cruise lines are usually pretty good at matching similar age groups . We were on our honeymoon with 2 other couples from our wedding party, they put an English couple with us who were on their honeymoon, we looked forward to dinner and talking to them! On another cruise, it was just us, we were put with other couples, we immediately did not like one man...very loud and domineering....but the other couple disliked him more, and it was very interesting to watch! I wasn't going to let it ruin my vacation though, and I even learned a few smart come backs from it!

[fun cruiserz]

We were on our honeymoon cruise on Carnival last year and went to dinner the first night to find out that we were seated at a table of 4, and the 2 people they put us with, we didn't have anything in common with. The way we handled this was, we didn't eat in the dining room again, from then on we always had dinner at the buffet with our new found cruise critic friends and enjoyed it much more than the dining room. Also at the buffet we could eat in our bathingsuits if we wanted to!!

[biolabetty]

How does one request a table for 2? Do you have to do it before you embark, or can it be done when you have arrived on the ship? We don't dislike other people, we just never get to talk with just each other at home (since we have a house full of 4 kids and their various friends arriving all the time.):)

[madelinerose]

Have your TA request a two-top with your reservation. Your cruise docs may state if your request was granted. If not, go to the diningroom when you board and see the maitre d' about reserving the two-top. DH and I always request a two-top. Good luck. ;)

 

How does one request a table for 2? Do you have to do it before you embark, or can it be done when you have arrived on the ship? We don't dislike other people, we just never get to talk with just each other at home (since we have a house full of 4 kids and their various friends arriving all the time.):)

[Sun-n-Fun]

Thanks for all of the great replies. We get along with everyone, but I was just wondering how people handle this. I know we'll do formal night for sure - we may not do the dining room again until the last night.

 

Saturday - leave

Sunday - formal night

Monday - Cozumel (We'll eat there)

Tuesday, Playa del Carmen (We'll eat there)

Wednesday - last night - may eat in Dining Room

 

So it really may never be a problem!

[mr green]

After 13 cruises we have never been upset with our table- mates. Cruisers normally want to have a good time, and everyone that we have sat with have been more than pleasant. We have never worried about it. :) john

[mrsfuzzmo]

We always request a large table, whether it is just the two of us sailing or a group of 4 or 6. We figure the more the merrier and usually it works out that way, though we have had some real hum-dingers that we could have done without. It makes for some great stories down the road. The worst we ever had it was when we (the two of us) were seated at a table for 10 and there was only one other couple seated at the table with us. We had absolutely nothing in common with them, but stuck it out the entire week. We just tried to make pleasant conversation with them and if they weren't willing to participate (as was the problem) then we just went on conversing with ourselves as if we were alone. It worked out fine. Other times we had an absolute blast and enjoyed each other company immensly.

 

You just never know, but it really is a short period of time on the cruise, so don't fret.

[Floflegs]

We have asked to be seated at a large table in the dining room and hope to make many new friends. If we don't like someone so what. There are sure to be others we get along with.:)

[Happy ks]

We usually like to sit at a large table of 8-10 and this has always worked out fairly well for us. Most of the time we have our kids (now teens), so we have been seated with other families in the past. There have been a couple of times where it wasn't particularly fun-filled, but mostly we meet very nice folks.

 

If I were you, I would request a table for 8 - 10, not 4 -6, your chances of meeting several other couples will be better and you won't run the risk of a couple you can't stand. Or, 2 couples travelling together who don't include you in the conversation. As much as I enjoy my DH, I do need the conversation from other adults during the week.

 

You might just find the dinners to be one of your favorite parts of cruising. Don't just go one or two nights, enjoy them all!

[robthens]

We have only had one BAD match Re: table assignment. After the first night, we asked to be ressigned and were.

 

We didn't care if we ran into the other people because we really didn't feel like we owed them an explanation.

 

You pay a lot of money to go on a cruise and lets face it, dining is a major part.

 

FYI: If you would like to be at the Captain's table or an officer's table you can request it. You may or may not get your request, but if you do the service is always excellent. Be prepared to buy the wine for the table at least one night.

[DonLou]

It's a gamble to dine with complete strangers. But the other alternative is to be "safe" and just dine with your spouse. This would be at least three times a day for at least seven consecutive days. Hope you have a lot to talk about being that you'll be together for most of the time anyway. ;)

 

On the other hand, by dining with other couples you may get some new and useful information on various topics. Maybe get to hear or tell some interesting stories. The people you will be dining with are in the same boat you're in. (pardon the pun). They're cruisers, too, who are looking for a little adventure. We've found this experience to be nerve-wracking but ultimately very exciting.

 

But to get back to your original question. Being stuck with an incompatible dining companion, there would be four choices.

 

1. Don't do anything and try to make the best of the situation for the remainder of the cruise.

2. Lie. Say something like "I have Hepatitis A and I think I should get another table."

3. Tell the truth. "You're boors and I'm getting another table!"

4. Disappear. Don't say anything and dine elsewhere or ask the maitre'd to move you.

 

I think you'll find that for the most part, dining with others makes for a more interesting cruise. Have fun!:)

[Wennfred]

it wouldn't be very fun if they put us with another couple that wasn't compatible.

 

I dont understand your question? how could another couple not be compatible? are they from another race? not sure what you mean sorry, I have sat with tons of different people and prefer it that way. People from all walks of life and all ethnic backgrounds with wierd types of jobs. Its all about communications, if you cant figure out how to break the ice, then I guess a table for 2 would work for you.

[Belle2002]

We always ask for a large table and hope for the best. The dining experience can be a highlight of the cruise if the people that you are with blend. We have been on over 30 cruises I always would say that we have never had a bad experience until our last cruise. We had a couple at the table that really made us feel uncomfortable. They would talk amongst themselves, holding the menu up to their mouth so that no one would know what they talking about. The other couple was pleasant but didn't any speak English. We could have decided to eat at the buffet, but then we decided not to give into these very rude individuals. Belle

[Sun-n-Fun]

We're probably weird because we aren't cruising necessarily for the food. It's more for the experience. On vacation or weekends we pretty much eat only one meal a day. It is maybe a small something for breakfast and always dinner. We will definitely be eating Mexican food at the two stops, so that cancels out eating dinner on the ship those two nights.

 

By "not compatible" I mean more like really quiet, not talkative people. We'll also be having lots of cocktails - not to the point of being rude, obnoxious or intolerable, but we do like a small party! The more the merrier!

 

Wennfred - relax - you misinterpreted my question!

[mrsfuzzmo]

Wennfred... I can answer that from our experience. One cruise my husband and I (mid 30s at the time) were seated at a table for 10, but only one other couple showed up the entire week. Our tastes were very different in what we wanted to discuss, what our plans were for the week, what we did with our lives and we had absolutely NOTHING in common. My husband and I are both adventerous, active, and VERY sociable and love to talk and meet new people. The other couple (both college professors, one physics, I don't recall the other) were aboard to read their next semesters agendas and work on their schedules. Fine for them, but as conversationalists.....nada! They didn't get off at any of the ports, they didn't see any shows, they just basically sat on their balcony and read. They were in their mid-sixties, very quiet, extremely intelligent, and didn't seem to find humor in anything we said. Completely not compatible! We tried every evening to start up converstions, but is was a slow and agonizing conversation, until finally we just conversed with ourselves.

 

On our last cruise (there were 4 adults and one child in our party) we were seated with another group of 5 (2 parents, 1 grandmother and 2 young girls), and the father of the other family was so rude to the waitstaff, demanding all kinds of things and snapping smart remarks at his family as well as ours. He was completely obnoxious, and we could tell that his family was terribly embarrassed by his behavior. It made everyone uncomfortable. The two little girls were the only ones from the other party that would talk to us (the father and his mother were too "high and mighty" to even try and converse) and the wife was too embarrassed to deal, so she just sat there every meal. Her husband ordered for her, and changed her order if she tried to order first. He scolded them all and sent every meal back. It almost became a joke to our party by the end...it would have been funny if we didn't feel so bad for the rest of his family. That was a very uncompatible situation! Has nothing to do with race or ethnic background.....just social, and manners.

[Wennfred]

Wennfred... I can answer that from our experience. One cruise my husband and I (mid 30s at the time) were seated at a table for 10, but only one other couple showed up the entire week. Our tastes were very different in what we wanted to discuss, what our plans were for the week, what we did with our lives and we had absolutely NOTHING in common. My husband and I are both adventerous, active, and VERY sociable and love to talk and meet new people. The other couple (both college professors, one physics, I don't recall the other) were aboard to read their next semesters agendas and work on their schedules. Fine for them, but as conversationalists.....nada! They didn't get off at any of the ports, they didn't see any shows, they just basically sat on their balcony and read. They were in their mid-sixties, very quiet, extremely intelligent, and didn't seem to find humor in anything we said. Completely not compatible! We tried every evening to start up converstions, but is was a slow and agonizing conversation, until finally we just conversed with ourselves.

 

 

Thanks, thats a great example, I would of died over if I had a couple like that. Our Spirit Cruise Last year, we had to change from Second to Main seating, thats what we requested, so they put us at a table that sat 8 but only 2 showed up, this couple would show up about 15 to sometimes 20 minutes late. They were both physiatrist but were fun chatting with.

[Sea Saw]

How does one request a table for 2? Do you have to do it before you embark, or can it be done when you have arrived on the ship? We don't dislike other people, we just never get to talk with just each other at home (since we have a house full of 4 kids and their various friends arriving all the time.):)

 

When you get on the ship, after you drop off your bags, perhaps after your first lunch, go down to the assigned dining room, check your table, and if need be request a change.

 

Did this exactly and wound up at a great table for 2. My wife and I wanted to enjoy our dinner together, alone. Actually considering how many close tables there are, you never really do eat alone I guess. I also feel when I eat with others it may affect my eating habits which would have conflicted with my game plan. No need to risk it. Did that in the casino.

 

We ate meals in the dining room, met different folks at breakfast and lunch and it was enjoyable enough. There are many opportunities to socialize and share at every turn.

[patnjohn]

We have always enjoyed our tablemates. On a Princess cruise they put us (50's) at a table with 6 unmarried couples in their early 20's. We had a blast. They had no extra money for excursions. They looked forward to our telling of our excursions every night. We met them on the beach in Aruba & had a blast with them. We teased them that we were their chaperones. At the end of the cruise I told them that their parents could be very proud of the way the conducted themselves. Wonderful kids. All they wanted from their cruise was the beach & beer.

[Max Circus]

I wouldn't want to cruise and have a dining table for 2 - maybe when I'm 95 years old and just have a few marbles left since no one would probably want me at their table except my wife (hopefully) :D .

 

A big part of the experience for us is to meet new people - no matter how eccentric they might be. I enjoy the challenge of trying to engage others in conversation. If they were deliberately offensive or abusive to me or my wife, I'd certainly ask for a table change. Haven't experienced that yet and based on other posts I've seen that is very rare.

[mrsfuzzmo]

I think it is pretty rare, my above posts may scare a few people (I was just giving a couple fo really bad examples of table mates) but I have been on over 12 cruises and these two events were the only bad two. The other 10 or so were fabulous and we had an absolute riot on 3 cruises, just loving our table mates. So, we too always get a large table in hopes that it will give our cruise some variety and maybe some new friends. I would definitely not let a couple of bad eggs spoil the rest of my cruises!

[michmike]

another vote for large tables.. we travel w/ another couple so there are 4 of us and we always request an 8 or 10.. try to avoid 6 so that the couple not part of our group doesn't feel ill at ease.

 

We've had wonderful tablemates and a few who were just ok.. but none that were out in left field.. certainly wouldn't hesitate to request a change if that were the case.. and my buddy and I may not be as odd as our wives claim as no one has fled from our tables either.. *L*