Traditional Dining Mates-Lucky dip or mistake.

[geoherb]

We've had mostly good luck with tablemates. The ones at our table last month on the CB were some of the best we've had. DH is still texting one of them regularly.

 

The ones who irritate me the most are the ones who sign up for traditional dining and then show up occasionally, not letting us or the waiters know if they're going to do so or not. Whenever we are not going to be at dinner--to go to a specialty restaurant or chef's table or UBD--we let our waiters and tablemates know the night before so their dinners are not delayed.

[neverbeenhere]

No Politics

No Religion

No How much did you pay for the cruise?

[Goldenpaw]

We've been pretty lucky, except for the guy from England last month who proclaimed that God doesn't exist (my rule is no politics or religion) and then described at length how to poison cats. Another couple immediately left the table, then came back after we found out the offensive one had asked for a different table assignment. (His wife was very nice and obviously embarrassed) This was on about day 6 of a 20 day b2b cruise....

 

 

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[Mud_Shark]

We only have 4 cruises under our belts, but love the Traditional dining at large tables. No bad experiences yet other than one cruise where we and one other couple were the only ones at a table for 10 every night. And two nights the other couple didn't show, so that felt awkward.

 

But meeting people and finding out about them is one of the things we look forward to. In my opinion it is not only for newbies - it's Life! Companionship and friendship are some of the joys of life. There are times to be alone, but why not take such an opportunity as dinner - where the setting is already established - to meet others?

 

I think in the long run, the good experiences will vastly outnumber any negative experiences.

 

Don

[Cuizer2]

As far as we're concerned the traditional dining at large tables is for the newbies & families only. We've heard all the same stories so many time over and only choose tables for 2 so we won't have to bored to death any longer. It turns all the meals into 2 hour + affairs that are of no interest to us any longer.

Of course if you're the type of person who relishes all the stories over & over again then a large table is for you.

 

Different people, different stories. I haven't had any repeats yet.

[kruisey]

I am an elderly passenger who travels solo.Always traditional early and have requested and been granted many different mixes of folks on a table of 8.

Really do prefer my breakfast and lunch where I like to sit alone.On the other hand do not want to appear unsociable and feel it is good for one to mix a little so every cruise I sit with 7 more folks at dinner .Yes we laugh and joke the usual small chat.Some have enjoyed others were OK.Its only a couple of hours a day lets say part of that time we are chomping our chops......its rude to talk with ones mouth full so my mother told me;);)

[SadieN]

For those who like Table mate horror stories

 

Nightmare tablemates?

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2423780

[COMBOY]

On our last three cruises, we have always dined TD, and in all instances enjoyed our dining experience with our assigned table mates. Having said that, is it always good or has anyone ever wished they could move tables?.

 

Once as a young single gentlemen and was seated at a large table with two families with young kids. Boy...did I feel uncomfortable. After dinner I spoke with the Maitre'd and he immediately move me to a table of single folks. On another cruise my older parents who were suppose to go with me on a Panama Canal cruise cancelled last minutes due to an illness. They insisted I continue without them so I flew to Acapulco to catch the ship to find out there was no one under 60. I was 29!!!! I actually contemplated getting off in Costa Rica and flying home. Anyway...I was seated at a table of 6. An older British couple, a younger women tour host from a travel agent escorting a large group and two elderly sisters from Orlando. Well the two sisters were a hoot and very interesting and as such our table simply "clicked." We all never laughed so much and thoroughly enjoyed all our company. They all sort of took me under their wing since I was traveling alone. So a cruise that started out as a disaster actually was one of my best to date. It's all the luck of the draw and you can always ask to be moved if you aren't happy with your table mates. No reason to be miserable on vacation. Then there are those times you can meet some fabulous people.

[Sea Hag]

This guy and the "nanny" were assigned to our table on the previous Royal Princess for the 24 days "Four Continent" trans-Atlantic sailing.

 

This was shortly after he murdered his wife....

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2762733/Utah-doctor-serve-life-prison-murdering-wife-start-new-life-mistress.html

 

Yikes! :eek:

[shepp]

And while I have stopped some racist and sexist jokes in their tracks, someone who was continually denigrating others would push me to change tables. Life's too short. Fortunately, it has never happened.

 

Ah, memories. I was once eating lunch at a table for eight when one man, quite unprompted, starting ranting about the lazy, drunken Native Americans. That is, until another of our tablemates said, "Well, I'm half Native American myself." I have no idea whether that was true or not, but talk about getting stopped in one's tracks.

 

Subsequently, I was creeped out every time I saw the racist dude on the ship, often as not wearing an American flag T-shirt.

 

And then there was the time that my mother was on HAL when one of her tablemates started going on about The Gays. Mom said, "Well, my son is gay and I love him very much." Which is true. You go, Mom!

[RDC1]

In over 30 cruises there has only been one time that we have declined to go back to a table. On the other hand we have met people that we have gone on other cruises and other tours with. Hiked boundary peak (tallest mountain in Nevada (13,146 feet) with one fellow that we dined with on a Panama canal cruise. Best tables were cruises in the Baltic, New Zealand, and Med on Celebrity. Worst table western out of Houston on Princess.

 

Biggest issue has been being placed at a table of 6 were the other two couples were traveling together. That has happened 3 times. Two worked out ok, the third was no go from the start.

[Safe77]

On our first cruise, I had originally requested TD seating at a a table of four. I had a thought a couple of weeks before the cruise, wondering what if we didn't get along too well with one of the other couples and couple #2 ate somewhere else one night, leaving us alone with the folks we didn't care for? So I changed our request to a table for eight. One of the best moves I've ever made! That one couple who just didn't fit in was there, but we got along swimmingly well with the other two couples. The ill-fitting couple ate somewhere else on our last night and we remaining three had an absolute blast! I remember thinking half-way through dinner that I wasn't sure I had ever laughed or enjoyed myself so much in my life! We keep up with each other and continue to hope to cruise together again. Since then, we always request a table for 8 and have yet to be disappointed. (Too, I believe in the basic goodness and decency of every person and look for that in all.)

[tailspintom]

This guy and the "nanny" were assigned to our table on the previous Royal Princess for the 24 days "Four Continent" trans-Atlantic sailing.

 

This was shortly after he murdered his wife....

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2762733/Utah-doctor-serve-life-prison-murdering-wife-start-new-life-mistress.html

 

Well, hopefully he didn't eat with his mouth open or talked politics.

[LarryL]

One of the biggest worries we have next month is the topic of politics. We agree, we don't want to go down that path while trying to enjoy our 15 day escape from reality. That would cause us to change tables if it went on.

 

That said, we have always (knock on wood :eek:) had tables with great conversations and have developed long friendships as a result. I find people can be fascinating if given a chance to share their information. My favorite, to date, is a German expat and his wife who are retired in Florida. His father was in the German army during WWII and was taken prisoner in Italy. Coincidentally , my father was with the U.S. 5th Army in Italy and at one point charged with guarding German prisoners. We had a great time speculating if they had crossed paths.

 

I think nothing broadens our perspective than meeting someone from a different walk of life.

[Gwendy]

Only once asked to be changed. Table for four, first night the other couple stated first off we don't like Australia or Australians. Right, tried to make general conversation, we don't talk while we are at the table. Moved to a table of 8, all normal, friendly people. Sorted.

[floridalover5623]

No Politics

No Religion

No How much did you pay for the cruise?

 

Just low ball them with a price (straight face of course).

 

Different people, different stories. I haven't had any repeats yet.

 

You will. Just give it time.

[kruisey]

One of the biggest worries we have next month is the topic of politics. We agree, we don't want to go down that path while trying to enjoy our 15 day escape from reality. That would cause us to change tables if it went on.

 

That said, we have always (knock on wood :eek:) had tables with great conversations and have developed long friendships as a result. I find people can be fascinating if given a chance to share their information. My favorite, to date, is a German expat and his wife who are retired in Florida. His father was in the German army during WWII and was taken prisoner in Italy. Coincidentally , my father was with the U.S. 5th Army in Italy and at one point charged with guarding German prisoners. We had a great time speculating if they had crossed paths.

 

 

I think nothing broadens our perspective than meeting someone from a different walk of life.

Its like Princess Diane once said 'There were three of us in this marriage' Listening to recent events on TV.Refering to the recent USA elections :D;)

When I go on my cruise this year as Manuel said to Basil Fawlty in 'Fawlty Towers' "My lips will be sealed Mr Fawlty":D;)

Edited January 5, 2017 by kruisey

[dreaminofcruisin]

On our 2nd cruise (on a different line), we had requested a table for 4. That line often did not accommodate requests. We were seated with a family of 3 (who had requested a table for 3). We tried to make the best of it.

 

However, this family showed up really really late (to the point that one night they missed the seating and they wouldn't let them in), which meant they wouldn't take our order either until they finally gave up on them. When they arrived, they said hello and then spent the rest of the meal speaking Russian to each other. (They were Americans.)

 

We finally figured out we could ask to be moved to another table and were given a table for 4 at the late seating. Of course, even on a large ship, we kept running into them all the time after that.... :eek:

 

Sticking with Princess.....and ATD...... ;)

[elliair]

On our last three cruises, we have always dined TD, and in all instances enjoyed our dining experience with our assigned table mates. Having said that, is it always good or has anyone ever wished they could move tables?.

 

IMHO, it's a c r a p shoot with us. We stick mainly to the two of us after a weird situation one evening. Politics and religion should never be discussed at the dinner table, nor should people who are inebriated sit down at a dinner table either. I don't know what criteria the cruise line has for seating people, but it's been a disaster for us. Is it age? Okay, we'll seat this couple with this couple because of age. Ooops, the one couple does not speak English. Too many barriers for us.

[Cruisin' Chick]

This guy and the "nanny" were assigned to our table on the previous Royal Princess for the 24 days "Four Continent" trans-Atlantic sailing.

 

This was shortly after he murdered his wife....

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2762733/Utah-doctor-serve-life-prison-murdering-wife-start-new-life-mistress.html

 

wow. That is creepy to find out you were dining with a guy who had just poisoned & drowned his wife. the article was a bit hard to follow (especially when there was a last name thrown in near the end...and no info about what that was all about, but many articles are poorly written or edited nowadays).

 

(about ten years after I graduated from high school, I was reading the paper and found an article about a LA County sheriff deputy who was suspected of stopping women -- while off duty but still in his uniform -- handcuffing them and raping them. at some point he was put under suspicion, and was chased....he shot himself. He was one of those quiet types in school)

 

We've been pretty lucky with tablemates. A couple of times, when we've booked late, we've ended up with a table for just the three of us. On one cruise, the other couples were from Australia (the guy had a very thick accent so we never quite understood what he said) and Britain. At one point the upcoming US election was brought up but it turned out the British couple felt the same way as we did (hubby and I were hoping politics weren't brought up because we thought it would be a "hold your tongue" discussion)

 

On another cruise, there was a brother and sister at our table (they were basically doing their own thing during the cruise, and not even sharing a cabin). Very different personalities, but on one night, the guy mentioned that his sister had been on Jeopardy and even won a match. You can tell he was pretty proud of his sis. At this table, it was fun checking in with everyone to see what they did that day and what were their plans for evening entertainment and in the ports (the sister was actually on two excursions with us).

 

The one time we got stuck with anytime dining, one time we were seated with another couple (our teen decided to dine with her new friends). It was pretty uncomfortable as the woman decided to lecture us on our plans for Honolulu (we had already done this cruise, and also have been there a couple of times on land trips) and thought we should follow her advice for what to do there. We were glad not to see her again.

[cactusrose]

This guy and the "nanny" were assigned to our table on the previous Royal Princess for the 24 days "Four Continent" trans-Atlantic sailing.

 

This was shortly after he murdered his wife....

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2762733/Utah-doctor-serve-life-prison-murdering-wife-start-new-life-mistress.html

 

We must have been on the same cruise. We remember this guy too. Fortunately we didn't dine with him.

[Credit 00]

We always go for table for 2, our table mates on our first princess cruise argued between themselves all night. We meet people during the day and everyone has a story.

[chrysalis]

We must have been on the same cruise. We remember this guy too. Fortunately we didn't dine with him.

 

Yes, same one, ...remember that you departed early.:)

[cactusrose]

Yes, same one, ...remember that you departed early.:)

 

Yes we did. After reading your article, I thought it might have been a different murderer because the trial date was so long after the cruise. Then I saw his picture from before the trial and I knew it was him. That's about the worst table mate you can imagine.

[ar1950]

Just low ball them with a price (straight face of course).

 

We had anytime dining on a Caribbean Cruise once about 12 or so years ago. We had booked it as a last minute special and got a very good price on a balcony cabin. We tried anytime dining on that cruise and about midway through the cruise we were seated with 3 couples one night who seemed to know each other. One of the couples started bragging about what a great deal they got on their cruise price. The lady went on and on about how savvy a shopper the husband was when shopping for this cruise. This went on the whole meal and one of the other couples finally asked how much the savvy guy paid. DW and I just looked at each other and smiled (we paid about half what they did for the same cabin type). Then Mr. Savvy and his wife start bugging everyone else to tell how much everyone else paid for their respective cruise fares. Right before we were ready to leave the diner table I asked my wife if I should tell them what we paid. She said sure. You should have seen their faces when I told them. We just left at that point. We didn't want to ruin the effect by telling them that our last minute airfare ate up a lot of the last minute cruise fare savings. :D