What do you like and/or dislike about sharing a table with strangers?

[the mistral wind]

I can only guess at how this will happen, but the change will likely be a gradual process that you will find acceptable. For example, look at how MDR lunches have changed in the last ten years with salad bars and dessert bars. Can drink bars, bread bars, or coffee bars be far behind? It will feel OK because you will still have your friendly table waiter, just not as much.

 

Burt

That makes sense. :cool: Hope it won't be for a long while though if at all.

[Beachdude]

Actually, I chose to provide information and industry context. You chose how to respond.

 

Regardless, the question remains: Why won't you cruise on a brand that actually provides what you want?

 

Actually you responded to my post, if you only you wanted to provide industry information, I should have been left out of it. But let's move on.

 

Why do you assume I don't make choices that fit my vacation desires? And why does how I choose my vacations matter?

 

Burt

[bUU]

You expressed dissatisfaction with the current offering. Yet what you want is offered elsewhere. Answer my question. Or we can just stop having a discussion.

 

This message may have been entered via voice recognition. Please excuse any typos.

[Tatka]

If I cruised alone I'd gladly dine with strangers, but for us with my husband it'd mean that we wouldn't be able to use our native language whole dinner, so we do interact with pax outside of MDR , but in MDR it is always table for two.

[navybankerteacher]

Actually, I chose to provide information and industry context. You chose how to respond.

 

Regardless, the question remains: Why won't you cruise on a brand that actually provides what you want?

 

The problem a lot of people have with many of the changes is that the brand that used to actually provide what they want no longer does so: a traditional experience at a main stream line cost.

[Husky61]

I don't spend hours looking at the ocean go by when I am at home, but I find that I enjoy it while onboard ship. Why should one be limited by what one does at home? ;)

 

I am not limited in any way. I just don't enjoy sitting at a dinner table with strangers and making small talk. Not all of us enjoy the same thing.:)

[bUU]

The problem a lot of people have with many of the changes is that the brand that used to actually provide what they want no longer does so: a traditional experience at a main stream line cost.

And we're back to some wanting one's cake and to eat it too. And let's be clear: These companies just care about money: If there was a big enough market for entry-level pricing on ships that enforced a dress code, they'd offer that. By their actions we can see the trend clearly that they see in their market research.

Edited July 20, 2017 by bUU

[luvtheships]

And we're back to some wanting one's cake and to eat it too. And let's be clear: These companies just care about money: If there was a big enough market for entry-level pricing on ships that enforced a dress code, they'd offer that. By their actions we can see the trend clearly that they see in their market research.

 

 

 

lol I actually agree with you here

 

Next action by cruise ships...will be non smoking casinos following in Celebrity's footsteps.

 

 

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[bUU]

Definitely. And let's not make any mistake. It makes no sense for CCL to have three cruise lines (I am talking here strictly about Carnival, Holland America, Princess) long-term, all competing against each other for the same passengers. They have to differentiate themselves somehow, and not just in the superficial way superfans of the three different cruise lines would want. By keeping the three different cruise lines, all of which are changing to decenter the legacy amenities of cruising, CCL seems to be saying that even in this realm where the legacy amenities of cruising are no longer featured there is room for differentiation among three different lines and at the same time there is not room for a cruise line that features the legacy amenities of cruising at that price point.

 

This message may have been entered via voice recognition. Please excuse any typos.

Edited July 20, 2017 by bUU

[Cruzaholic41]

Actually you responded to my post, if you only you wanted to provide industry information, I should have been left out of it. But let's move on.

 

Why do you assume I don't make choices that fit my vacation desires? And why does how I choose my vacations matter?

 

Burt

 

Save your breath (or your fingers in this case). You're trying to reason with someone who has a superiority complex.

[DirtyDawg]

Yes cruising has lost some of its luster and value over the years so I don't sail as often anymore but when I do, I choose sharing my MDR table with strangers.

[bUU]

Save your breath (or your fingers in this case). You're trying to reason with someone who has a superiority complex.

You don't like the perspective that I shared. So your opinion about me personally, besides being off topic and a violation of the forum rules, is nothing but petty and rude posturing, placing excessive importance on your own personal grudge. And you talk about superiority?

 

How about sticking to the topic?

[Strophic]

Here's another spin on the question, how do you guys handle seating in the buffet? My boyfriend and I would try to sit by ourselves whenever possible, but at very crowded times the only 2 open seats might be on the other side of a table that is technically occupied, or vice-versa—you might be at a partially-occupied table and a couple of people come up and ask if they can sit there.

 

While I prefer sitting with just my boyfriend at the buffet, I did swallow my anxiety and say "Mind if we join you?" on the couple times that the buffet was very crowded. We ended up having a nice chat with a woman from NC cruising with her mother, and another nice couple at breakfast. I think it would be awkward if you shared a table at the buffet with strangers and didn't interact, though.

[bUU]

Here's another spin on the question, how do you guys handle seating in the buffet? My boyfriend and I would try to sit by ourselves whenever possible, but at very crowded times the only 2 open seats might be on the other side of a table that is technically occupied, or vice-versa—you might be at a partially-occupied table and a couple of people come up and ask if they can sit there.

Fantastic question. I think we'd be much more inclined toward both asking, "May we join you?" and saying, "Yes," to be asked by someone else if they could join us, at the buffet as compared to selecting set dining in the MDR. I find that first meal with strangers to be easier and more reliably relaxed (though as someone mentioned in an earlier thread, or perhaps earlier in this one, of less substance).

[baileybrad]

Your a hoot and sound so awesome! And why is it I never get seated next to someone like you? Two cruise ago was seated next to the most wonderful couples. But the last one was awful so we went to table for 2 and I was sad because I had such great people the cruise before. Luck of the draw I guess! Enjoy your cruise.

 

 

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Thank you for the sweet, kind words. Super stoked around our house right now. First time for the boys to fly to San Juan. The usual pre-cruise excitement with the added wrinkle of flying. Our youngest 2 do not remember ever flying. The did when they were 2 and 4. Hope all your future cruises are great.

[Husky61]

Here's another spin on the question, how do you guys handle seating in the buffet?

 

That is easy for us, we don't eat at the buffet, haven't for many years.:)

[davekathy]

That is easy for us, we don't eat at the buffet, haven't for many years.:)

 

:D(y)

[dreadpirate3]

Can never understand the need to rush a meal, unless one is desperate to get to a show. The idea of getting in and out of the mdr in less than an hour, even when eating as a couple, makes no sense. Choosing from the menu, making a choice of wine, savouring the food and drink, needs to be savoured and enjoyed. Who wants to stuff down a 4 course meal and drink half a bottle of wine in 40 minutes?

 

It typically takes DH and I about an hour, at a relaxed pace, to enjoy our meal and beverages.

[Warm Breezes]

Here's another spin on the question, how do you guys handle seating in the buffet? My boyfriend and I would try to sit by ourselves whenever possible, but at very crowded times the only 2 open seats might be on the other side of a table that is technically occupied, or vice-versa—you might be at a partially-occupied table and a couple of people come up and ask if they can sit there.

 

While I prefer sitting with just my boyfriend at the buffet, I did swallow my anxiety and say "Mind if we join you?" on the couple times that the buffet was very crowded. We ended up having a nice chat with a woman from NC cruising with her mother, and another nice couple at breakfast. I think it would be awkward if you shared a table at the buffet with strangers and didn't interact, though.

 

We avoid the buffet at prime busy times unless we know of lessor known areas on the ship to go to and avoid the crowds...ie NCL Epic - head down the stairs to the Italian Restaurant for additional breakfast seating, CCL Glory/Freedom/Splendor - head up the stairs by the desserts for additional breakfast/lunch seating. A little research can go a long ways in finding these little known secrets on the ships you are sailing and can make for a much more enjoyable dining experience away from the crowds.

[Beachdude]

How about sticking to the topic?

LoL. Hypocrisy is a reactionary defense of those who find themselves painted in a corner.

 

Burt

[Strophic]

Boyfriend and I really like the buffet. Maybe it's because we are inexperienced, but we even go there first thing after boarding the ship on the first day. It's definitely crowded...but there's nothing I want to do more than eat after getting on board. And I really like the food!

[bUU]

LoL. Hypocrisy is a reactionary defense of those who find themselves painted in a corner.

More discussion about the discussion to attract attention back onto yourself?

 

I'm trying to read comments from people in response to Strophic's new, on-topic question. How about you?

[dreadpirate3]

Here's another spin on the question, how do you guys handle seating in the buffet? My boyfriend and I would try to sit by ourselves whenever possible, but at very crowded times the only 2 open seats might be on the other side of a table that is technically occupied, or vice-versa—you might be at a partially-occupied table and a couple of people come up and ask if they can sit there.

 

While I prefer sitting with just my boyfriend at the buffet, I did swallow my anxiety and say "Mind if we join you?" on the couple times that the buffet was very crowded. We ended up having a nice chat with a woman from NC cruising with her mother, and another nice couple at breakfast. I think it would be awkward if you shared a table at the buffet with strangers and didn't interact, though.

 

Similar to this, how do you handle seating at the cruise line private island where sharing tables is the norm?

[Tatka]

Boyfriend and I really like the buffet. Maybe it's because we are inexperienced, but we even go there first thing after boarding the ship on the first day. It's definitely crowded...but there's nothing I want to do more than eat after getting on board. And I really like the food!

We too love buffet. It is almost the first thing after boarding. But we always eat dinners in MDR. Very rarely buffets provide rich selection MDR has.

 

First thing on board is to find MD and secure a table for two at assign seating format or switch to anytime/my time/select dining.

[Cruise a holic]

Similar to this, how do you handle seating at the cruise line private island where sharing tables is the norm?

 

Sharing a table at the buffet is different IMO. You already have your food- no need to wait for somebody to walk in late and hold up everybody's meal. Same on private Island- you do not feel obligated to make small talk. A polite smile will suffice. We have had people join us and sometimes they also speak another language- The meal at a buffet is much faster so conversations are limited. This is much different then sitting in a formal dining room for an hour or more, waiting for courses to be served.