a table for two...or not??

[fcorey]

So I was wondering what is the overall preference here about this subject? How many people ask for a table for two, or number in your party? rather than letting fate decide your seating. I am about a month away from a cruise on Oosterdam for our aniversary, sailing date is our actual aniversay date. On our honeymoon we were aboard a Carnival cruise and our table of 8 was all honeymoon couples which was fun. We were all pretty close in age, within 10 years. Anyway, this time out I am considering asking for a table for two, for the reason I listed above, aniversary, and maybe I am getting antisocial with age ;) I also discovered that most of the people on our roll call seem to have the early seating and we have main so trying to get our seating coordinated together would probably be difficult.

I am curious to hear feedback from the numerous cruise veterans here :D

[J&R Cruisers]

On several occasions we have requested a table for two and enjoyed it very much. On at least two occasions we were grateful we did.:)

[pxn748]

We have always gotten a table for six. We have been together for 11 years so we enjoy the company of other people sometimes and have always met nice and interesting people at dinner. You can talk about what you did that day and what your plans are tomorrow. On some cruises we have met people at dinner that we still corresond with and did excursions with.

Philip

[RuthC]

When I was half of a couple we always asked for a large table. We enjoyed meeting others and expanding our world.

Now, we did eat together at home (or out:) )every night, so it wasn't as if we didn't know each other. Had our schedules been such that we didn't get "alone-time" we might have felt differently about it.

[MercedMike]

We have always enjoyed meeting other people and sharing dinner with them. I am not sure we could find enough to talk about for 7 long dinners in a row with each other!

 

;)

 

As was noted above, we have plenty of time to dine alone ashore. If you don't get that opportunity often, then maybe on the ship you will want a smaller table.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We always ask for a table for 2. Got tired of the bad pot luck we were getting with larger tables.

[Copper10-8]

Never have asked for a table for two and I don't see us doing it anytime soon. We like meeting other folks:) Great way to meet interesting, funny, unusual:rolleyes: or downright bizzare:eek: people from all over the place (just kidding on the last two)

[duck tune]

On our first two cruises we were at Tables for 8 and were fortunate that in both cases we had very nice tablemates. After that we have always asked for a table for 2. DH and I enjoy being together for dinner and it's not so much because we are antisocial - we just appreciate the time we can share away from work when on a cruise. Also, you never have to wait for all the assigned tablemates to arrive before your order is taken. We have had a table for 2 at early seatings and at the late as well and have enjoyed it. On the Zaandam in June we had the late seating and there were many tables for 8 that had just one or 2 couples.

[mydogs]

We always request a table for 2, unless we are traveling with friends then we request a table for 4 or 6. We send in a request with both res. numbers so we are certain to be seated at the same table.:D :D :D

[The Tsar]

We have always had a table for two :) - Fifteen HAL cruises.

 

Always select the same table on the "S" Class ships.

[hammybee]

We always went for the large tables because we enjoy meeting new people. Next cruise, we are going to try the table for two, for the experience. Don't know what we'll do if we don't like our tablemate.

[kelmac]

Lauren and I are not antisocial, but we do enjoy our time together during dinner. We can focus on the food and each other. We always request a table for two.:)

 

Enjoy!

Kel

[hammerinfrank]

We always went for the large tables because we enjoy meeting new people. Next cruise, we are going to try the table for two, for the experience. Don't know what we'll do if we don't like our tablemate.

 

too funny hammybee

[Opinions]

We prefer a table for two for dinner...We like to meet other people too, and find we have many opportunities at breakfast and lunch.

[NoNoNanette]

Never have asked for a table for two and I don't see us doing it anytime soon. We like meeting other folks:) Great way to meet interesting, funny, unusual:rolleyes: or downright bizzare:eek: people from all over the place (just kidding on the last two)

 

Bizzare is FUN, John!:D

[shonuf]

We have always had a large table until last cruise when we started out at a rectangle for ten. Our tablemates were so rude the first night, DH was ready to leave the ship at the first port rather than go thru that again. I told me if that was really what he wanted to do I'd go along with him, but I thought I could fix it. The next morning I went to the Neptune Lounge and asked for a table change. The concierge said, "I'll be glad to fix that for you but what is the problem?" I said, "We HATE our tablemates!!" She put us at a table for two on the lower level which turned out fine. After a couple nights, the couples at the neighboring two-tops warmed up and it was sort of like being at a big table.

[cruzincurt]

After 32 years of marriage, we enjoy each other's company for dinner, so we try for a table for 2. Sometimes gets tedious making small talk with strangers. It also lets us eat at our own pace which is a little bit quicker to head for the casino. We meet enough different people during general breakfast and lunch seating. We've had good seating at large tables and a few we'd like to forget.

 

On a recent cruise we were at a table for 6. Only two other girls showed up who were in their early 20's; so not much in common with us 50 year olds. It was difficult to make small talk.

[NHCruisr]

We've been at different sized tables and now we always request a table for two. We enjoy each others company very much and see dinner as a very romantic event. We like taking our time with dinner, ordering a nice bottle of wine and talking together. With a table for two, we never have to worry about holding someone up. Also, we love meeting other people, but larger tables feel like enforced small talk time to us. We love to talk to other people during the day and often do so, but dinner is our time.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Definitely not. We have so many opportunities to dine alone with each other (like every single night). One of our favorite parts of cruising is the people we meet at our table. It's always amazed me that magically we are seated with a great group of people.

 

I've always assumed it's mostly because we're all on the ship to enjoy ourselves, relax and make new friends.

[Namvet4]

As a newbie cruiser, my DW and I have selected table for two: For the simple reason that we will celebrate our anniversay on the date we sail. :)

It is an interesting thread and it seems everybodys reasons are well stated and make sense for their individual preferences...

[cruzincurt]

I guess life is like a box of chocolates. Lots of different size tables to hopefully suit everyone.

[DD]

When it's my husband and I, we always like large tables, minimum of 8. In my opinion, a table for 4 or 6 can be the kiss of death if you get a weird couple at your table. There's no escaping them! If you have a large table, the chances of having someone at your table with whom you connect is very good. I've met such fabulous people cruising that it makes me very open to the idea of being seated with others.

 

On one cruise that we took last year, it was open seating. We did a table for 2 each night and that was nice too. To be honest, though, I almost prefer the large table. I like talking with others about what they did in the ports. I like hearing people's travel stories and I like getting tips/ideas about what to do at upcoming ports.

 

When I travel with my husband and parents, I prefer a table for 4. Because we don't live near my parents, I cherish the opportunity to spend time with them on a cruise. So, we like to just sit as family and have private time.

[cruisequeen10]

On our Zuiderdam Alaska July 8-15 my mother and I had requested a table for two by the window. When we boarded we were put at a table for 4 with a couple from England. We were at the upper first sitting. First, there are no tables for two by the window. Second, we had a great time with our dining companions. They had requested a table for six, but got a table for four. Sometimes I don't think that the cruise line listens to what people want.

[HeatherInFlorida]

After posting I remembered a thought I often have about this subject. While some of us like a table for 2 on cruises, the vast majority of us (I think) still opt for a larger table. Not only do we say it's okay, it's our absolute preference.

 

But I've often thought about how we would feel if we walked into a restaurant with our spouse one night and the Maitre D' asked us whether we'd prefer to dine alone or with 4, 6 or 8 strangers.

 

We'd think he was kidding, right? But when you think about it, why the heck not?????:p It would be a great way to meet neighbors!

 

Can you imagine our reaction? Yet we all willingly accept the idea of dining with complete strangers for 7+ nights on a cruise, but would probably balk at the idea of joining others in a restaurant or even at a resort.

 

We really are a funny lot, aren't we???;)

[RuthC]

But I've often thought about how we would feel if we walked into a restaurant with our spouse one night and the Maitre D' asked us whether we'd prefer to dine alone or with 4, 6 or 8 strangers.

 

We'd think he was kidding, right? But when you think about it, why the heck not?????:p It would be a great way to meet neighbors!

There are restaurants (not enough, IMO) that have just such a set-up for singles. I'd love to be able to join others when dining out alone.

As for couples, there is a difference between joining others at home and on a ship. At home is a one-shot deal, whereas on a cruise there is an opportunity over several (or more) nights to get to know others beyond the very basics. It's amazing how, on a long cruise, people really let their hair down and get comfortable with each other.

'course, there's the other thing that there's not enough room on a ship for every individual party, either. At least not unless you drag out the "open for business" hours.