Dining Table Request HERE WE GO AGAIN!

[johnjen]

On our past two cruises - one on Carnival Glory, the next on Anthem, we requested both times for a large table of 10 as we enjoy dining in the company of other cruisers and meeting new people. On Glory, we were told no problem. Upon arriving on the ship we attended dinner only to find we were being seated at a table for two. So we sat there alone for the cruise duration.

 

Next cruise, Anthem, we were recommended to send an email to Marlene Parieto at RCL who will help ensure our desire for a large table. We got on board that cruise - we're at a table for two. On that cruise, we noticed we were being rushed but the larger seating tables were getting all kinds of attention. The only attention we received was "are you almost finished, we have others in need of your table."

 

So a few months back, someone again advised we send an email to Marlene Parieto. She responded "please get back to me on May 12th with this request" so I waited and sent it today, requesting to be seated at a large table for 10. The reply (it was quick) "I've sent your request to the vessel" just like the last time.

 

If we end up at a small table for two again, I'll go ballistic.

 

Please point me to someone effective I can write to regarding this. I'm starting to doubt already we'll get our large table request. That's really the only complaint I have, you get seated at a small table and they want you to hurry up and eat. That's just wrong.

 

Is it really such a major insurmountable request to be placed at a large table?

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

I've sent an email to rcldining@rccl.com about 7-14 days before my previous 3 cruises. I always make sure to include all guest names, reservation number, and cabin number.

 

I have received initial responses that the request was sent to the ship, as well as screenshots of our table assignment after the ship does the assignments. All 3 times, we were seated at the exact table that was shown on the screenshot.

[Clarea]

I use the rcldining@rccl.com address to request a table size. When I get the table assignment, I print it. Shortly after we board, we find the dining room table. If it is not what we requested, we take the email printout to the MDR desk and ask them to fix it. It happens from time to time.

[Crzy123]

I used that email address (rcldining@rccl.com) 3 days ago but I have not received a reply. Is this normal? Should I email again?

 

Sorry first time cruiser here.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

I used that email address (rcldining@rccl.com) 3 days ago but I have not received a reply. Is this normal? Should I email again?

 

Sorry first time cruiser here.

When is you cruise?

 

If within 14 days, I'd probably send another in the next day or so.

[nelblu]

On our past two cruises - one on Carnival Glory, the next on Anthem, we requested both times for a large table of 10 as we enjoy dining in the company of other cruisers and meeting new people. On Glory, we were told no problem. Upon arriving on the ship we attended dinner only to find we were being seated at a table for two. So we sat there alone for the cruise duration.

 

Next cruise, Anthem, we were recommended to send an email to Marlene Parieto at RCL who will help ensure our desire for a large table. We got on board that cruise - we're at a table for two. On that cruise, we noticed we were being rushed but the larger seating tables were getting all kinds of attention. The only attention we received was "are you almost finished, we have others in need of your table."

 

So a few months back, someone again advised we send an email to Marlene Parieto. She responded "please get back to me on May 12th with this request" so I waited and sent it today, requesting to be seated at a large table for 10. The reply (it was quick) "I've sent your request to the vessel" just like the last time.

 

If we end up at a small table for two again, I'll go ballistic.

 

Please point me to someone effective I can write to regarding this. I'm starting to doubt already we'll get our large table request. That's really the only complaint I have, you get seated at a small table and they want you to hurry up and eat. That's just wrong.

 

Is it really such a major insurmountable request to be placed at a large table?

 

 

I've found the opposite, Over the last 5 years we request a table for 2 as we get more attention and promptness in the delivery/recommendation of our food selections. We enjoy it as we are the 1st to get our dinner in and finished in an hour or less and time to digest our food before any entertainment or casino play. We usually find that table for 2 are at a premium.

 

Ps. We have had very good luck in our table request with Marlene Prieto of RCL.

[koxler]

I always check my table when I get on board. First to ensure that we are sitting with other people we are travelling with or to check out the location and size of the table. If you are looking for a large table I wouldn't wait until dinner the first night but rather when you board go to the dinning room, find your table and if not to your liking then there is dining staff that can make that change for you right there.

 

Hope this helps.

[silentbob007]

There isn't any way to guarantee your request will be granted ... right or wrong, I'm guessing that there are too many moving pieces. I'm sure some matire'ds (or whoever) are better at managing this than others but I can only imagine having a stack of emails from corporate, mixed with preferences for dining attached attached to reservations, and then trying to accommodate everyone. Check your table when you board and, if you want a bigger table, talk to the maitre'd outside and they will then specifically work to shuffle things around for you. With thousands of guests, I'm guessing you are going going to get better service when you talk face-to-face rather than having a chain of requests for some point in the future.

[DonnaK]

Next cruise, Anthem, we were recommended to send an email to Marlene Parieto at RCL who will help ensure our desire for a large table. We got on board that cruise - we're at a table for two. On that cruise, we noticed we were being rushed but the larger seating tables were getting all kinds of attention. The only attention we received was "are you almost finished, we have others in need of your table."

 

I just wanted to say that this behavior is inappropriate and unacceptable. If I were treated this way, I would have complained to the head waiter, dining room manager, maitre-d, etc and asked to be moved to a section with a more attentive wait team.

[Biker19]

You have to realize that shoreside RCCL and the ship are like two business that have to deal with each other. The shoreside business may have influence on the ship, but in the end the ship does its own thing. If you want to get something done, go to the business that has a direct affect on it - the ship. As was mentioned, go to the MDR upon boarding and don't leave till you are satisfied. Coming here afterwards will not solve anything.

[Crzy123]

When is you cruise?

 

If within 14 days, I'd probably send another in the next day or so.

My cruise is at the end of June. Is it too early? Should I wait till closer to our cruise to send another request email?

[MrsKC08]

Email this person. She is who I always deal with when it comes to dining. Matter of fact, one of my cruise mates for our cruise next week asked about this just the other day. I gave her the email but told her that it might be too close for sailing to get her request. Needless to say, her request was honored per an email she received the same day she emailed.

 

I would recommend though, not to email more than 3 weeks prior to your sailing.

 

mgutierrez@rccl.com

[nelblu]

My cruise is at the end of June. Is it too early? Should I wait till closer to our cruise to send another request email?

 

 

For our upcoming Brilliance Medit. cruise, I was advised by M. Prieto to resend request at the 50th day of sail as it is this timeframe that arrangements are being made.

[Biker19]

My cruise is at the end of June. Is it too early? Should I wait till closer to our cruise to send another request email?

Think about it - if you were arranging tables, which would you be working on, the ones 1+month away or the sailing next week? Don't send it more than 2 weeks out.

[katiel53]

I'm really confused by your post. If you had a set time for dining, and you arrived on time, I don't know why you would be told others were waiting. That, to me seems as though you were taking your time etc. and that you were at first seating. If you weren't on first seating and were on time, I don't know why you didn't talk to the Maitre D'.

 

I am guessing you weren't on Anytime dining or you would have to tell the hostess when you got to her that you wanted to sit with others.. This whole thing confuses me. Please explain a bit more. I understand you sent email to RCCL, but ----

[Thetrail]

On our past two cruises - one on Carnival Glory, the next on Anthem, we requested both times for a large table of 10 as we enjoy dining in the company of other cruisers and meeting new people. On Glory, we were told no problem. Upon arriving on the ship we attended dinner only to find we were being seated at a table for two. So we sat there alone for the cruise duration.

 

Next cruise, Anthem, we were recommended to send an email to Marlene Parieto at RCL who will help ensure our desire for a large table. We got on board that cruise - we're at a table for two. On that cruise, we noticed we were being rushed but the larger seating tables were getting all kinds of attention. The only attention we received was "are you almost finished, we have others in need of your table."

 

So a few months back, someone again advised we send an email to Marlene Parieto. She responded "please get back to me on May 12th with this request" so I waited and sent it today, requesting to be seated at a large table for 10. The reply (it was quick) "I've sent your request to the vessel" just like the last time.

 

If we end up at a small table for two again, I'll go ballistic.

 

Please point me to someone effective I can write to regarding this. I'm starting to doubt already we'll get our large table request. That's really the only complaint I have, you get seated at a small table and they want you to hurry up and eat. That's just wrong.

 

Is it really such a major insurmountable request to be placed at a large table?

First of all no it shouldn't be. In fact two tops are usually at a premium on cruise ships, so that seems strange. Secondly not for one minute do I believe a waiter would say "Are you almost finished, we have others in need of your table".....K.O.:rolleyes:

[Thetrail]

I'm really confused by your post. If you had a set time for dining, and you arrived on time, I don't know why you would be told others were waiting. That, to me seems as though you were taking your time etc. and that you were at first seating. If you weren't on first seating and were on time, I don't know why you didn't talk to the Maitre D'.

 

I am guessing you weren't on Anytime dining or you would have to tell the hostess when you got to her that you wanted to sit with others.. This whole thing confuses me. Please explain a bit more. I understand you sent email to RCCL, but ----

Also confused, and the only explanation for a waiter saying that would be if you did indeed have first seating and blatantly overstayed your welcome in the MDR.

[cruzeluver]

We also always request (regardless of cruise line) larger tables. We probably run somewhere around 70% success rate with that being what we receive. However, upon embarkation we always go to the dining room and check to see what table we have been assigned to, and anytime it was smaller than 8 our request to be moved to an 8 top or higher has always been granted. No need to suffer at a two top if its not what you prefer.

 

As others have pointed out, they will never GUARANTEE a table assignment in advance. Too many variables and too many people with requests.

Edited May 12, 2017 by cruzeluver
more info

[luckyinpa]

the only part of OP post that interests me is virtually being kicked out of their table. why did you not go ballistic then? that would be totally appropriate id think even under the harsh CC standards the trolls on here have.

 

this IS your vacation and that was a crude and rude thing to say to you. perhaps saying 'do you require anything else from us this evening' would be better but not by much . and i have to say, if i was rushed i think i may be inclined to stay there a bit longer and call the manager over and tell them right then and there why ill be here a few more hours.

 

that person needs retrained to the Nth degree. i dont even think anyone else has said that to me in any circumstance in my life!

[Christinampl]

I have always requested and been placed at large tables. However, my most recent sailing had me and my cabin mate at different tables completely! At check in I asked the person to please change us so we were together and she said we had to go to the dining room and they would get it sorted. They do some weird stuff with seating but apparently they try very hard to keep certain people together and with certain servers (language, etc.).

 

Like other posters, go to the MDR and speak with someone on the ship right when you board for piece of mind that you are getting what you want out of your vacation.

[cb at sea]

IF you don't get what you want...do NOT accept the 2-top! Check your dining table upon boarding, and make them change it to a large table. We also enjoy tablemates....and would hate to be seated alone for the entire cruise! We eat together AT LEAST 2 meals a day, sometimes, 3, so tablemates are fun for us!

[nelblu]

I'm really confused by your post. If you had a set time for dining, and you arrived on time, I don't know why you would be told others were waiting. That, to me seems as though you were taking your time etc. and that you were at first seating. If you weren't on first seating and were on time, I don't know why you didn't talk to the Maitre D'.

 

I am guessing you weren't on Anytime dining or you would have to tell the hostess when you got to her that you wanted to sit with others.. This whole thing confuses me. Please explain a bit more. I understand you sent email to RCCL, but ----

 

 

Wonder if the Anthem cruise was under the DD classic concept. But, I've sailed on both the Quantum & Anthem under DD and never was rushed out the door.

[davekathy]

On our past two cruises - one on Carnival Glory, the next on Anthem, we requested both times for a large table of 10 as we enjoy dining in the company of other cruisers and meeting new people. On Glory, we were told no problem. Upon arriving on the ship we attended dinner only to find we were being seated at a table for two. So we sat there alone for the cruise duration.

 

Next cruise, Anthem, we were recommended to send an email to Marlene Parieto at RCL who will help ensure our desire for a large table. We got on board that cruise - we're at a table for two. On that cruise, we noticed we were being rushed but the larger seating tables were getting all kinds of attention. The only attention we received was "are you almost finished, we have others in need of your table."

So a few months back, someone again advised we send an email to Marlene Parieto. She responded "please get back to me on May 12th with this request" so I waited and sent it today, requesting to be seated at a large table for 10. The reply (it was quick) "I've sent your request to the vessel" just like the last time.

 

If we end up at a small table for two again, I'll go ballistic.

 

Please point me to someone effective I can write to regarding this. I'm starting to doubt already we'll get our large table request. That's really the only complaint I have, you get seated at a small table and they want you to hurry up and eat. That's just wrong.

 

Is it really such a major insurmountable request to be placed at a large table?

 

Bummer! We always have a table for two either early traditional or MTD. We set the pace for our meal not our wait staff. Also our wait staff has always been very attentive. We also use rcldining@rccl.com when requesting our table size.

Edited May 12, 2017 by davekathy

[johnjen]

I use the rcldining@rccl.com address to request a table size. When I get the table assignment, I print it. Shortly after we board, we find the dining room table. If it is not what we requested, we take the email printout to the MDR desk and ask them to fix it. It happens from time to time.

 

Maybe we're early out. I did initially email rcldining and Marlene was the one who got back to me earlier on. I guess maybe this hasn't happened yet but I'll wait and see what comes of it.

[johnjen]

Email this person. She is who I always deal with when it comes to dining. Matter of fact, one of my cruise mates for our cruise next week asked about this just the other day. I gave her the email but told her that it might be too close for sailing to get her request. Needless to say, her request was honored per an email she received the same day she emailed.

 

I would recommend though, not to email more than 3 weeks prior to your sailing.

 

mgutierrez@rccl.com

 

Thanks so much for this. We're not cruising until June 30th so I'll give this some more time and try back around June 7th. The past two cruises....wow. I know one is Carnival, but when you request something and you don't get it two times in a row, I hope there's not a third time.

 

Thanks to all of you for giving us some great advice here.