MDR Seating Etiquette

[Swissmiss6253]

We will keep doing my time dining as it is so nice to spend some time with just my husband as often the kids prefer to eat from the buffet (the oldest is 32 and the youngest is 11 so it isn't like they are unsupervised!). Alone time is such a treat with no work or chores or study or homework supervision vying for our attention.

[Tigerlily75]

They are normally very good with sorting out special dietary requirements for diners whether they are ATD or TD. Like mentioned, ordered the night before and prepared as needed.:D

 

We had ATD on Carnival Spirit with my vegan niece, and they were great. Ordered the night before, and there wasn't even any need to remind them the next night, they always knew.

[wishfulone]

Since I'm traveling with my two kids (8 and 10), are they likely to seat us with other families with similar ages, or is it just as likely to get elderly retirees? I'm happy with either, just interested.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

You didn't say whether you've chosen anytime dining or traditional. It'll make a big difference to responses on here.

[Penelope222]

You didn't say whether you've chosen anytime dining or traditional. It'll make a big difference to responses on here.

 

 

Sorry still getting used to putting all the required info in :-) traditional, early dining.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[MicCanberra]

It may depend on the line, but with X or Princess you are more likely to be seated by yourselves on a table for four, otherwise, it will be with another family. :D

 

Sorry still getting used to putting all the required info in :-) traditional, early dining.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Tigerlily75]

I wonder with "dining room etiquette" how new cruisers are supposed to know anything about traditional dining. I heard one guy near the end of our cruise say he ate in the buffet every night because he didn't want to pay for dinner in the dining room, he didn't even know it was included.

 

Some of us are prolific researchers, others I'm sure just book a cruise and go. They probably wouldn't know to let their table matesknow they won't turn up on any given night.

 

I'm sure some people don't mean to be rude, they just don't know any better.

[MicCanberra]

I wonder with "dining room etiquette" how new cruisers are supposed to know anything about traditional dining. I heard one guy near the end of our cruise say he ate in the buffet every night because he didn't want to pay for dinner in the dining room, he didn't even know it was included.

 

Some of us are prolific researchers, others I'm sure just book a cruise and go. They probably wouldn't know to let their table matesknow they won't turn up on any given night.

 

I'm sure some people don't mean to be rude, they just don't know any better.

 

I am sure you are right. We have met many people who did not frequent the MDR either by choice or ignorance.

[GUT2407]

Our first cruise we knew nothing about MDR or Tipping or a lot of the other things here. Sure I read the brochure cover to cover. So knew that there'd be a tip added to our account daily and 2 formal nights.

 

Everything else we just did what we would do on land.

 

Treated the MDR as if we had booked for the 8 (I think it was days), so when we did the Steakhouse let the manager know we wouldn't be there. We had a table for to so didn't need to bother to let anyone else know.

 

A lot of it is really "Do unto others".

[windsor26]

For us Traditional Dining in the MDR with the same tablemates and waiters is a highlight of the cruise. We never fail to turn up and always on time. In the very rare event we do a speciality restaurant we always let the table mates and waiters know the night before.

 

Yes, call us regimented but call us polite.

 

I really really really wish everyone was as polite as you. I realise that when you book sometimes you get an allocation of a table at either sitting and did not want it and never intended to use it but PLEASE PLEASE if this is the case advise the Head Waiter or maitre D so others can be allocated to the spaces and the rest of the table - particularly on the first night - do not have to sit for 15 minutes waiting to see if anyone would come

 

Rant over but heartfelt wishes:D

[windsor26]

I wonder with "dining room etiquette" how new cruisers are supposed to know anything about traditional dining. I heard one guy near the end of our cruise say he ate in the buffet every night because he didn't want to pay for dinner in the dining room, he didn't even know it was included.

 

Some of us are prolific researchers, others I'm sure just book a cruise and go. They probably wouldn't know to let their table matesknow they won't turn up on any given night.

 

I'm sure some people don't mean to be rude, they just don't know any better.

 

Yes I agree Perhaps the cruise lines should make a note on the booking paperwork to let people know the pro's and con's

[Aussie FF]

I wonder with "dining room etiquette" how new cruisers are supposed to know anything about traditional dining. I heard one guy near the end of our cruise say he ate in the buffet every night because he didn't want to pay for dinner in the dining room, he didn't even know it was included.

 

Some of us are prolific researchers, others I'm sure just book a cruise and go. They probably wouldn't know to let their table matesknow they won't turn up on any given night.

 

I'm sure some people don't mean to be rude, they just don't know any better.

 

This reminds me of our Radiance cruise last month.

A newbie couple didn't show up on the first night, fair enough, newbies want to see the sail away.

The second night they walked into the MDR and plonked themselves down in the first seats they found. The assigned occupants turned up, and they were shown to our table.

The third night they queued up at the door to be escorted to the table.

When they turned up after that, only twice, they arrived when we were nearly finished our dinner.

Even though we explained the procedure to them, they still had no idea.;)

[clairebearinaus]

Oh, so if I have fixed dining, which I do for the first time in a few weeks, I can swan right in and go straight to my table? Don't need to wait to be greeted and escorted there? I never would have thought of that!

[GUT2407]

Oh, so if I have fixed dining, which I do for the first time in a few weeks, I can swan right in and go straight to my table? Don't need to wait to be greeted and escorted there? I never would have thought of that!

 

Sometimes they want to show you to your table ever night, other cruises they a re happy for you to take yourself.

 

Well that's been our experience anyway.

[2016USAHoliday]

Since I'm traveling with my two kids (8 and 10), are they likely to seat us with other families with similar ages, or is it just as likely to get elderly retirees? I'm happy with either, just interested.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

I am assuming you are on Carnival Spirit? Our experience (2 adults. 2 chn) on 3 cruises is our own table. Not sure if that is the norm or not.

 

Love the Spirit, any q's let me know.

[MicCanberra]

I am assuming you are on Carnival Spirit? Our experience (2 adults. 2 chn) on 3 cruises is our own table. Not sure if that is the norm or not.

 

Love the Spirit, any q's let me know.

 

That would have been my bet as well.

[NSWP]

Oh, so if I have fixed dining, which I do for the first time in a few weeks, I can swan right in and go straight to my table? Don't need to wait to be greeted and escorted there? I never would have thought of that!

First night in the MDR for traditional/fixed dining..the head waiters/Maitre'd will be at the MDR door asking for your table no. and just inside the door an army of waiters, one of whom will be dispatched to show you to your table, after the first night you get there your self. Easy.

 

With Princess your dining time and table no will be on your cruise card.

Edited March 7, 2016 by NSWP

[clairebearinaus]

Sometimes they want to show you to your table ever night, other cruises they a re happy for you to take yourself.

 

Well that's been our experience anyway.

 

Today 12:52 PM

NSWP Quote:

First night in the MDR for traditional/fixed dining..the head waiters/Maitre'd will be at the MDR door asking for your table no. and just inside the door an army of waiters, one of whom will be dispatched to show you to your table, after the first night you get there your self. Easy.

 

With Princess your dining time and table no will be on your cruise card.

 

 

Thank you both. I would have stood at the door waiting, like a dill.