dinner seating

[RaffinOrganGrinders]

My husband and I are going to be on the Westerdan Nov 11 for a 15 day cruise.
we have signed up for a table for two. We've never done this before--we've always been at group tables and we've had good experiences and not so good which I'm sure is true of almost everyone. Now that we've reserved this seating I'm nervous that we might feel too secluded and miss the interaction with other travelers. We don't have to worry about not talking during our meal like you see some couples not saying a word. We're both big talkers!

Could anyone give me some pros or cons and your experiences? Thanks!

[jhannah]

There are other tables adjacent to yours ... so you will be able to strike up a conversation if you want to. There have been a number of posters who have noted how they prefer tables for two. Their jobs require them to interact with other people so much that they enjoy carving out this time on a cruise to just be together. Will you like it? This is the way to find out.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

We have done quite a few cruises and are tired of table mates getting to the table late, poor conversations (they kept repeating everything at least 3 or 4 times a night), so now we book only a table for 2. We love it. We get more personnel attention from our waiter and his assistant and our area captain. Ans we are served differntly than the other tables - for example if we chose to skip appetizers, we are served our salads. Most of the time we are eating dessert when others are just beginning to have their main meal - mainly because they had to wait until everyone arrived at their table before service began.

And yes, we always have a lot to talk about and don't miss having table mates.

That is just our opinion!

:)

[Ziggy7]

eeeks, how long do they make you wait for all guests to arrive ???? Also what if they are not comming ???? How would we know ????
Hope we dont regret asking for a table of 8, we love meeting ppl but I dont want to wait all night for ppl to show up either :(

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

We had a table of 4 one time and every evening we had to wait 20 - 25 minutes for them and our waiter would not take our orders until they arrived.

That's when we decided to book a table for 2.

:)

[Esme]

We had a table for ten 2 years ago at Christmas and one couple were always late so when our waiter found out after the first or second night that they always arrived at least 15-20 minutes after the rest of us, he proceeded to take our orders and then would take theirs when they arrived. Granted this did cause more trouble for him running back and forth to the kitchen, but he didn't seem to mind and was very nice about it.

I would wait 10 minutes and if the other people don't arrive, too bad. Just ask the waiter to start taking orders and let the late folks wait to be served. Actually that Christmas experience was the first time we have ever had people arriving late so late.

[ocshunmoshun]

We have enjoyed most of our table mates, but decided we didn`t want to be bothered making new friends, so we have asked for a table for two on our last 5 cruises.
We usually find plenty of people to socialize with around the ship.
Another factor is that my dh is a little deaf and I hate repeating what table mates are saying to him.

[ASM]

The tables are close enough to strike up conversations and most people do at times but you don't HAVE to. All the tables in the area are for two on the Vista ships so that makes the situation even nicer.

[tooalto]

We have requested, and received, a table for two on both of our previous cruises. I also deal with the public and, if my husband and I don't want to say a word to each other, just enjoy the companionship, that's fine. We, too have found better and more personal service. If we were seated with the people across from us at a table for 8, someone would have been tossed overboard. They were so obnoxious it actually got to be funny just listening to them after a few days. Fortunately they weren't loud but we had no trouble listening to all their "complaints".

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

We have enjoyed many times listening to people brag and complain at tables near us. Gave us something to laugh about.

:)

[Charlie2na]

On the flip side , we had some of the nicest people you could hope for! table for six, with the other two couples celebrating 50 year anniversary's.... just lucky I guess

[elmorejj]

A table for two is by request only but we have never had a problem getting one just where we like to be seated....along the upper balcony rail. I like to eat my food piping hot, and not have to stop and talk between each mouthful. I guess it goes back to my upbringing where talking at the table was not allowed!!! I also feel that we get more personal service at a table for two and its easier for the staff to talk to one or two pax than it would be trying to talk to 8 or 10.....jean

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

Agree Jean - we just love those tables for 2 by the rail on the upper level. Besides better service, there is so much more to see.

:)

[jgooden1]

I was thinking about a table for 2. How far in advance do you have to make the request? We sail on August 1st. Also, what are some other good spots in the dining room other than the upper by the rail just in case we can't get that.

[Leslieswiger]

We always get a table for two. Sometimes we have meant people that we liked so much, we where able then to get a table for four.:D
When we where not able to get a table for four, we enjoy sending a bottle or two to our NEW friends.:)
Enjoy yourselves and I do agree with what ASM, Tooalto and KK have said.:o

[peaches from georgia]

I don't think there are any 'good' or 'bad' spots in the dining rooms; whatever you like is 'good' for you, jgooden1. First thing you need to decide is whether you want lower level (6:15 or 8:30) or upper (5:45 or 8). If you don't like the time you are assigned you're not going to like your table very much, so pick your time and level first. Once you've decided on that, decide on table size- for 2 or a larger table. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but that's up to you.

Then I would look at the dining room level you picked for your ship on the HAL website. Look around it and find the size table you want. If you are eating early and it will still be daylight when you dine, then a window table might be nice. Like to be near the music, then find a spot on the railing. It really is up to you.

After you narrow it down somewhat then I think someone with numbered layout for your ship will be better able to help you.

[Tatka]

We just got our Docs yesterday and we got MAIN UPPER

(just like I requested!!! I sent e-mail to HAL and put "upper main" on icruise.com questionair) :D :) :D

[jgooden1]

I don't think there are any 'good' or 'bad' spots in the dining rooms; whatever you like is 'good' for you, jgooden1. First thing you need to decide is whether you want lower level (6:15 or 8:30) or upper (5:45 or 8). If you don't like the time you are assigned you're not going to like your table very much, so pick your time and level first. Once you've decided on that, decide on table size- for 2 or a larger table. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but that's up to you.

Then I would look at the dining room level you picked for your ship on the HAL website. Look around it and find the size table you want. If you are eating early and it will still be daylight when you dine, then a window table might be nice. Like to be near the music, then find a spot on the railing. It really is up to you.

After you narrow it down somewhat then I think someone with numbered layout for your ship will be better able to help you.

I guess I sounded rather undecided. We are confirmed for main-upper. We were interested in a tbale for 2 and by good I mean by a window or not in by the kicthen doors or right next to the restroom. I did not see a floor plan for the restaurant on-line.

[peaches from georgia]

You can get the basic layout for your ship's dining room, both levels, by going to the HAL site, clicking on your ship in the Fleet list, and then clicking on Deck Plans.

I'm not sure what ship you are sailing, but you will be able to see where the tables for 2 are, make a decision on the area you like, and then hopefully someone with a numbered layout can give you some table #'s or better yet your TA will talk with HAL as to what you would like to request. If you are going on the Zui or Oosterdam, I have that layout.

[Tatka]

I guess I sounded rather undecided. We are confirmed for main-upper. We were interested in a tbale for 2 and by good I mean by a window or not in by the kicthen doors or right next to the restroom. I did not see a floor plan for the restaurant on-line.I think unless you've booked a suite you can't book particular table.

I checked this site

http://www.cruisestateroom.com/Holland/westerdam.htm

and I don't see any tables for 2 next to the window.

[peaches from georgia]

Tatka, no one including suite pax can book a particular table. All suite pax can do, like anyone else, is request.

[jgooden1]

Thanks for the info. We are saling on the Amsterdam. So I'll investigate further.

[Tatka]

Thanks for the info. We are saling on the Amsterdam. So I'll investigate further.check this http://www.cruisestateroom.com/Holland/amsterdam.htm

Looks like all tables for 2 are around the rail and there is one that closer to the back but also not next to the window.

We were seated on Century next to the rail and liked it.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

Most of the tables by the windows are 4 and 6. That would be the next best choice of tables.

:)

[jgooden1]

check this http://www.cruisestateroom.com/Holland/amsterdam.htm

Looks like all tables for 2 are around the rail and there is one that closer to the back but also not next to the window.

We were seated on Century next to the rail and liked it.

Thanks Tatka,

It looks like there are only about 9 tables for 2 and they are look about the same. I went ahead and put in my request. I hope that we get it. If not that's fine I just hope they don't put us at a table for 8 instead!

[elmorejj]

The further ahead you put in your table size request, the better chance you have of getting it. The Maitre D` once told me that they go with first requests first.....jean

[saltydog28]

I have allergies. Sometimes other peoples' parfum makes me cough and sneeze. And I don't like to clear my head at the table. About three cruises ago I requested a table for two. When we boarded and checked out the DR. we had a table for 2, and my husband complained, 'we're not going to meet anybody.'
What we dicovered was, we meet people at breakfast and lunch, and we meet people all day and all night. And at dinner, even if we don't say a word to each other, we're still together,and that's OUR time.
If you are at a larger table and you know you will not be in the DR for dinner, you can mention it to your server beforehand, so you tablemates are not waiting for you.
Take care,
Pat.

[seagoingJLW]

We find a table for two to be idea. Frequently, we order an appetizer (we might even double it and use it as a main course) and an entree.

Waiting for tablemates to go through all the courses does not work with our style of fast dining. We usually prefer to have our large meal at lunch

Joan

[kryos]

eeeks, how long do they make you wait for all guests to arrive ???? Also what if they are not comming ???? How would we know ????
Hope we dont regret asking for a table of 8, we love meeting ppl but I dont want to wait all night for ppl to show up either :(
I was under the impression that the dining room doors were closed 15 minutes after the scheduled seating time? It would seem to me that service should begin then.

It would suck to have to wait and then have it turn out that those missing tablemates had foregone the dining room that night ... as I sometimes did on my Rotterdam cruise last March ... when I was tired and just decided to grab something in the Lido instead.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[jollycruiser]

Are tables for 2 strictly on a first come first serve basis? Do suite pax have any "perks" when requesting a table for 2?

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

As a rule, most of the matr'd's do take care of suite passengers requests first.

Then they work on the rest of the requests.

:)