What size table do you choose: 2? 10?

[HeatherInFlorida]

Okay throttle me if you've done this already, but I couldn't find it. Another thread got me thinking about preferences for dining. Do you like to dine just the 2 of you? Or do you aim for 8 or 10?

Our preference is the more the merrier and always ask for a table for 8 or 10. The day will come, I'm sure, when it might not work out for us. But it's been a huge success for us so far and we get to know people that we otherwise might never have met.

DH and I sit down for dinner every single night ... just the 2 of us and we love it. I make a nice dinner, light the candles and we "dine". So when we go on a cruise we just love the camaraderie of so many wonderful people.

So tell us what you like to do!:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

We love tables for 2.

We have sat at larger tables but after a few years of having some "not so great" table mates, we now prefer to be at a table for 2.

There are tables close by that we can talk to those people whenever we want to.

[Shippy]

I totally agree with you regarding large tables. I always request one. I feel that people that ask for a table for 2 (I know some people will disagree) are missing out on a big part of the cruising experience. We have met the nicest people and have even kept in touch with some of them. Although you occassionally wind up with a ding dong or 2, it is worth the chance. Even when we go in for an open seating meal we ask to sit with others.
We have been on MANY cruises. The only picture I insist on buying anymore is the one they take of your entire dinner dining table. That always brings back fond memories of that particular cruise and the interesting people we have met.

[doone]

I sail with a group, so we get a table for us, 10 people. Sometimes we're always talking with the people at the tables aside of us, everyone is so friendly.

[Orcrone]

On my two cruises we've had tables of 6 and 8 and have always been lucky to have nice people to dine with. I wouldn't want a table for four. If you don't hit it off with the other couple then it's awkward every night. With a table of 8 or 10, even if there's one couple with whom you don't have much in common, there's always the other two or three couples.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Orcrone, my sentiments exactly! Couldn't agree with you more. Our first cruise we picked 6 and it was successful, but after that my thinking was just like yours. Four is definitely scarey:eek: , but 8 or 10 always works (for us;) ).

[Lois R]

Hi Heather:)....being as I sail solo....definitely a large table! I might enjoy my own company:D ...but not for dinner on a cruiseship;)
I do go out to dinner on my own here at home....not a problem.....but I love meeting people and (I can only speak for myself)......dinnertime is one of the best parts of the entire cruise experience:)!

I have been pretty lucky.......only one cruise was it not up to my expectations....long story....:eek:

[clopaw]

On our last cruise we had a table for eight, and we agreed to change seats every night. Sometimes with larger tables, if you are stuck at one end the whole cruise, you don't really get to talk with everyone. We've always been lucky in having tablemates we enjoyed spending time with.

[Vicar]

I like the bigger tables too.


Always was fortunate to have nice tablemates, The last cruise we went on we were with a large group of friends so we WERE the two adjoining tables for 10 *LOL*

I agree meeting people at the dinner table is a very nice part of the cruiseing experience. And with a larger table, even if there are one or two people at the table you may not get along with, There will be at least a few more you will have fun with.

THE MORE THE MERRIER :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

On our last cruise we had a table for eight, and we agreed to change seats every night. Sometimes with larger tables, if you are stuck at one end the whole cruise, you don't really get to talk with everyone. We've always been lucky in having tablemates we enjoyed spending time with.
That's what we did on the Maasdam last November. We had a table for 10 and 2 couples were travelling together. We had a huge round table (my absolute favorite!) and closed the dining room every night:D We are still emailing with everyone at that table and when one couple from Canada visited Florida last Spring they came to see us. So many happy memories from that cruise.

Lois, someday you have to tell us your story;) .

I agree, DH and I always say the dinner "hour" on a cruise is one of the high points. This is one of the reasons I stick to the more traditional cruises ... although those are starting to spin out to more dining choices as well. But I stay away from the "freestyle" ... just not our cup of tea.

[glrounds]

Couldn't agree more also, Orcone.

Cruising solo also. Like to meet as many people as I can. :D

Still correspond with all the tablemates I had on the GLORY a year ago. A singles table with everything from a NBC tv producer to a travel agent with 83 cruises, no shortage on life experiences and fun.
Incidentally, the travel agent is the man that suggested the Vista-class ships of HAL as a future cruise I might like. :)

I can understand, however, someone traveling with their wife and/or lover might want the intimacy of a table for two.

[Lovebirds]

I have always requested a table for 6 or more and it has always worked out very well (for us, at least, can't speak for our table mates, though:D ) and we have again requested large tables on our upcoming cruises. I can see a table for two if the cruise is a special getaway for a couple that can't spend a lot of quality time together in their "normal" lives, but for us meeting new people is as much a part of the cruise adventure as seeing new places.

[Vicar]

OKAY LOIS


We got S7S to tell us about her "almost" Carnival cruise, now you have to tell us about your

TABLEMATES FROM HELL!!!!!!!!!! *LOL*

:)

[HeatherInFlorida]

.....I can understand, however, someone traveling with their wife and/or lover might want the intimacy of a table for two.Hmmmmmmm;) ....now this calls for yet another poll. How many cruise with their wife and lover ... or are they one in the same? :D KIDDING!!!!

Yes, Lois, majority rules. Start tapping those keys and tell your story:)

[sail7seas]

I second the Motion. I'd like to hear the story.

[Vicar]

Heather

its really not as hard as you may think
You arrange the early seating dinner with your wife and the late seating with your lover. When you finish eating first ............


OH YOU SAID YOU WERE KIDDING .......


SORRY *LOL*:) :) :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather

its really not as hard as you may think
You arrange the early seating dinner with your wife and the late seating with your lover. When you finish eating first ............


OH YOU SAID YOU WERE KIDDING .......


SORRY *LOL*:) :) :)ROTFL!!! Now that's funny!!! You have no idea how you cracked me up!:D :D

[jhannah]

Large table for us. We've been very lucky to have interesting tablemates on all our cruises. Even at times when one couple seemed distant, we could enjoy the others. We generally dine in the alternative restaurant at least once, and there we enjoy a table by ourselves. So it's the best of both worlds, so to speak.

[Vicar]

Heather
Glad you found it funny


When my wife and lover found out they were Pi**ed off *LOL*

[Lois R]

hi, normally I would tell you the story, but I don't feel comfortable discussing it on here~even though it was a long time ago.
I am hoping you will respect my wishes and lets just say I was disappointed~

the rest of my cruise was fabulous though:D

[Vicar]

LOIS

We certainly understand, It sounded like it would be one of those annoying , but funny now that you look back on it stories. But if it is something that you are uncomfortable talking about, I (and I am sure everyone here) respects your feelings.

You are a very dear member of this crazy group :) and we would never want to put you in that situation :)

[sail7seas]

Of course we shall respect your wishes.


But how about offering up another story you feel better about? You are alot of fun and seem adventurous and happy to enjoy yourself. Maybe you can think of a funny story about something you enjoyed when cruising?

[Lois R]

thanks:) I appreciate it.....part of it was annoying. But more disappointing than anything else:( ....

Time to move on........hoping I get a great table next month:D

[RevNeal]

I much prefer the larger tables. Meeting new people is one of the neat things about cruising, and I find it helpful to do that at the dinner table. Hence, a table for 8 has always been my preference.

Have we had duds at our table? Yes. One couple didn't interact much ... just sat and ate and pretty much ignored the the other 6 people at the table. But ... we had fun, and we tried to include them. They just were not interested.

[cruisinjudy]

We like a large table. We are retired and eat with each other all the time so we enjoy meeting other people. We have never had a bad table, although some groups are better than others. Our best table group was on Statendam at a table for ten at the bottom of the stairs. The age group spanned 30's to 70's and both political parties and we had a ball and changed seats nightly.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Lois, there are ways to tell a story so that you protect the "innocent", but certainly if you feel uncomfortable we would never force you:) .

I'll tell a funny story. Well, funny on us in a way. We were cruising out of New York to Bermuda and had chosen a table for 8. I am always terribly nervous the first day of a cruise. Maybe our table will be in a lousy location, maybe nobody will like us, maybe it will rain, be cold, you name it:D .

I wasn't thrilled with the location of our round table away in a corner by an emergency exit, but said nothing. That was before the days when I pipe up and talk with the Maitre d' to change our location.

So first night out we make our way to an empty table. No one joins us. Time marches on and still no one arrives. It's one thing to choose a table for 2; quite another to be alone at a table for 8. Tables are filled up; people are laughing and chatting and we are totally alone.

I ask our server "Is anyone else coming?" and he says he will check. The Maitre d' arrives and tells us "no problem ... I will find you someone".

Find us someone???!!! Now my mind races. Maybe our tablemates started toward us and were so horrified that they begged for alternative seating! Mind you, this is not rational thinking. We really are quite satisfactory ... in fact DH is drop dead gorgeous.

We are told that the ship is full so there should be people at our table. Finally they usher over one couple. And much later another. It turned out that these were all people who had wanted first sitting and were forced into late.

Like Lois, I'm uncomfortable going into further details about them (amusing as it would be), but suffice to say this was not our favorite dining experience:( . At least, however, we did not dine alone at a table for 8 for the entire cruise.

[Vicar]

Heather


That is too funny *LOL*

Not that you sat all alone at that big table, but the image of people walking toward the table, seeing you and saying "AHHHHHH think we'll eat on Lido" and turning around *LOL* Just teaseing

I am sure that must have been upsetting, glad you did end up getting table mates though :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather


That is too funny *LOL*

Not that you sat all alone at that big table, but the image of people walking toward the table, seeing you and saying "AHHHHHH think we'll eat on Lido" and turning around *LOL* Just teaseing

I am sure that must have been upsetting, glad you did end up getting table mates though :)
Vicar, glad you got in a chuckle at my expense;) . Even worse than you think because these were the days before you could go to the Lido for dinner. If you wanted dinner you either ate in your room or sat at your table. So we would have had to look pretty bad:eek:

[dakrewser]

We always choose a table for 2. Surprisingly, this does not in any way limit the number of people we meet on a cruise. We meet people in lounges, on tours, at shows and - at other DR tables!

What the table for 2 does, though, is allow us to choose the people we want to spend time with rather than have the ship do it for us. Too often I've seen tables for 8-10 which are full the first night, then dwindle each subsequent night. Until, sadly, there's only one couple left on the last night. It does look like some people's cruise wasn't the best.

When you meet people outside of the DR, then you can quickly determine your compatibility and move on (politely) from those who - for whatever reason - don't "mesh" with you. That can't happen at the dinner table.

[Druke I]

My wife and I prefer a table for 6, round if possible. We find a round table for six is great for conversations.

Bigger than that, and it is sometimes difficult to converse with everyone.

On rare occasion, a table for four is good - but should you be stuck with the wrong couple, not so hot. (Of course, they might feel the same way about us)

Michael

[cactuslady]

A table for 8 is perfect. Ten is a bit too large, especially in a large, noisy room. I can never hear or talk with the folks all the way across from me, and I'm not even old and deaf yet! :rolleyes: Changing seats every night would help this, but I know it's more difficult for the wait staff to keep track of everybody's preferences that way.

[Tatka]

If I travel by myself or with my son I would choose bigger table, don't care 8 or 12.

If we travel with my DH I request 2 for 2 of us or 4 for 3 of us.

Main reason :Usually when my DH starts conversation with others I deel the urge to correct his English.. I know it's not polite :( but I can't stop myself.

Thankfully we never run out of conversations. :)

[ekerr19]

A table for 8 is perfect. Ten is a bit too large, especially in a large, noisy room. I can never hear or talk with the folks all the way across from me, and I'm not even old and deaf yet! :rolleyes: Changing seats every night would help this, but I know it's more difficult for the wait staff to keep track of everybody's preferences that way.

We've done it - our steward didn't seem to mind at all, in fact he played along with us! We had a wonderful time at our table for eight and at our table for six.

[ekerr19]

If I travel by myself or with my son I would choose bigger table, don't care 8 or 12.

If we travel with my DH I request 2 for 2 of us or 4 for 3 of us.

Main reason :Usually when my DH starts conversation with others I deel the urge to correct his English.. I know it's not polite :( but I can't stop myself.

Thankfully we never run out of conversations. :)

Tatka:

I don't think anyone would mind conversing with your DH, regardless of how well he does or doesn't speak English... :(

Are you sure you won't reconsider? Your family sounds fascinating and we'd love to have you at our table anytime!

[Lois R]

Hi...I agree with ekerr.....you sound like a fantastic person.....and I would love to be one of your table companions:D

[Tatka]

Tatka:

I don't think anyone would mind conversing with your DH, regardless of how well he does or doesn't speak English... :(

Are you sure you won't reconsider? Your family sounds fascinating and we'd love to have you at our table anytime!
Thank you. :)

I'll think definitely think about this for my future cruises.

During our Med cruise we had table for 2 but table next to us was for 10 or 12 people... They had so much fun! One of the guys there was telling tons of funny stories! The other was world traveler and was sharing his experiences.

I had one so-so experience... Last year on Century we had a table:

1) Family of 4 (with 2 boys: age 8 and 11),
2) Mother and 11 years old girl, Me and my 11 years old.
3) Family of four was really nice but quite people. We still had nice conversations but they would never initiate them.

Mother (with daughter) was a nice lady ( former school teacher and at that moment beauty consultant) and we spent some really nice time by the pool together.

Problem during dinner was..this women (although very interesting in conversations) was very upset about "quiet" family. She was telling me how she always had to start conversations and talk to them.

I didn't really feel comfortable as I don't like to discuss other people behind their back etc.

[carmzav]

We will probably always select a table for two if it's available. I enjoy meeting new people and don't mind making small talk, but my husband hates it. We had an unpleasant group dining experience at a resort several years ago where we were seated with three other couples, none of whom seemed interested in talking, and barely responded when I iniated a conversation. We ate as quickly as we could and chose alternate dining the rest of the time! :D

[Vicar]

Tatka

I also agree

You are a lovely person and you and your family would be wonderful tablemates :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Tatka

I also agree

You are a lovely person and you and your family would be wonderful tablemates :)
Okay, Vicar, I agree. Tatka does seem to be a really lovely person. But I have a question. I told my long sad story about nobody showing up at our table and you LOL just picturing it. So how come I wasn't treated to a nice comment like this?? I sure could have used a nice "Heather, you can sit with us anytime", but noooooo..... just laugh laugh laugh at my expense.

;) .....I'm kidding.

[ASM]

I agree with Dave. Table for 2 for us. Even though we're officially empty-nesters, we don't often get to dine leisurely alone-at least not so often we don't appreciate it onboard!

[Lois R]

Vicar..Heather got you on that one:D ....Ok..my next table.....Vicar and Gf....Heather and Hubby......Tatka, Hubby, Son....and Me:D Now, that is a nice table of 8:)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Vicar..Heather got you on that one:D ....Ok..my next table.....Vicar and Gf....Heather and Hubby......Tatka, Hubby, Son....and Me:D Now, that is a nice table of 8:)Okay, Lois, that's great and thanks:D !! But don't forget that Vicar said he's bringing his wife and his lover. One will eat at early sitting and the other at late. So we have to decide which one we want at our table. Or shall we take the 2 women and let Vicar eat alone:D ?

[ekerr19]

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Okay, Vicar, I agree. Tatka does seem to be a really lovely person. But I have a question. I told my long sad story about nobody showing up at our table and you LOL just picturing it. So how come I wasn't treated to a nice comment like this?? I sure could have used a nice "Heather, you can sit with us anytime", but noooooo..... just laugh laugh laugh at my expense.

;) .....I'm kidding.

Heather -

I felt sorry for you! You can come sit with us... Vicar, Lois and Tatka too!

Wouldn't it be fun to get more of us all on the same cruise? What a barrel of laughs that would be!

[Cruising Jake]

I get a table for the amount of people in my group. When our 2 daughters and their husbands go wtih us, I get a table for 6. Last time it was just DH and I, so I got a table for 2. The reason: I meet people in other venues. I used to ask for large tables and we sat around waiting for them to finish their courses or double courses while we maybe ate less or fewer courses. We enjoyed talking to them, but we prefer to plan our time and leave the dining room when we are done eating at our own pace. Last cruise we talked to people at tables around us and had fun.

[Tatka]

Ok...guys/gals... You are so nice and it's almost a dinner time. Lets eat together! :D (Should we book cruise together and check how we get along? ;) I am sure it would be fun!)



(And you know HeatherInFlorida I feel bad stealing (i hope not!) all attention, I wasn't trying too...They are just trying to make me feel better about our language barrier, and I really appriciate that :) )

[Vicar]

Heather

of course I would love to sit with you and DH. And I hope you know I was teaseing *LOL*

Man we would need one heck of a long table in that dining room , so many great people here I would love to be seated with.

[Lois R]

Tatka...you are too modest:) ...you are a big part of this forum...just as Heather is too:D
And you didn't "steal all the attention"!...........don't even worry about it!

Anyway...Heather...not sure if we should make Vicar eat by himself...naaaa...he is too nice...he can sit with us:D
And ekerr you too!!!
Yes, this would be a fun group.....and Vicar...no rectangular tables..please! A round one would be the best way!

[Vicar]

Oh a round table is definately the best way to go :)

Thank you Lois for saying I am nice and that I can sit and eat with you all. I will tell you what I won't bring my wife or my lover on this trip. However my *creative consultant* may be waiting for me on the Lido deck *LOL*

KIDDING >>>KIDDING >>>>KIDDING :)

[Lois R]

........creative consultant????? Not sure I even want to go there:D :eek:

Hmmm.....and I was going to buy a bottle of Pinot Grigio for the table;) ....not sure you need any wine........LOL LOL LOL:D :D

[HeatherInFlorida]

Tatka, not to worry!!! I was just teasing Vicar. I wasn't the least upset ... just having fun with everyone.

Yes a round table is the way to go. On our last Maasdam we had 10 at a round table and it worked great. We moved around every night, but we still managed to be conversational with everyone across the table. Not sure how our neighboring tables liked it though;) !!!

Yes, we should all go together. We can't tell DH because I think he worries about me on these boards so much. He doesn't do computer or internet at all so he thinks it's sort of like a secret society:D . LOL. I love it, think it's great fun and it saves all that money I'd be spending if I were out shopping:) .

[Lois R]

Heather:) you are sweet!!!

Quote
"LOL. I love it, think it's great fun and it saves all that money I'd be spending if I were out shopping:) .


Ummmm............I still go shopping.....got a few new things for next month's cruise:D

[HeatherInFlorida]

Hey Lois! Off topic, but we're headed up your way tomorrow:D . We're going to be staying on Amelia Island for 3 nights and then going to Disney World to meet up with our grandchildren who we didn't get to see up North (we were supposed to drive up when the hurricane came across so we cancelled).

[Lois R]

Off topic back at you:D Have a wonderful time with the grandkids!

[Sierrachik]

My wife and I prefer a table for 6, round if possible. We find a round table for six is great for conversations.

Bigger than that, and it is sometimes difficult to converse with everyone.

On rare occasion, a table for four is good - but should you be stuck with the wrong couple, not so hot. (Of course, they might feel the same way about us)

Michael
Michael, almost exactly word for word it was what I told the TA when I booked the cruise for myself and my husband. :)

[CDRMark]

We are taking our first cruise in November and discussed this when booking.. went with six; four too small, eight too big. Wanted to meet some new people, but didn't want to be "stuck" at too intimate a table if the vibes weren't right.
Would be happy with any of the great people we've "met" here.
Cheers
MarkB

[jazzsea]

Unless we are cruising with friends, we choose a table for two when we are on vacation. When we are escorting groups we entertain every night at our table or sit with some of our group if they have space at their table.

When we are with our groups, it is "showtime" from the minute we leave our cabin until the minute we return.

[sail7seas]

IMO....the only bad thing about a table for six is if there are two couples traveling together and you are the third couple. That happened to us once and we felt very unwelcome. They were fast friends from home and resented we were "invading their private party".


We could have asked for a table change but decided not to bother. We were content enough with each other that we didn't much care about the others. I think they expected (wanted?) us to leave and then they would have this nice spacious table all to themselves. We liked the location of the table and the stewards.....so we chose to stay.

[Tatka]

They were fast friends from home and resented we were "invading their private party".
Did they say it to you..or you just felt it?:eek:

[sail7seas]

They did not directly say it but they kept their conversation to be things about which we would have no knowledge. They made no effort to include us...to be welcoming at all.


We didn't really care very much. If we had, we would have moved.

[DFD1]

In the old days, twenty or twenty-five years ago, on some of the smaller ships, there was no alternative dining and often few, if any, tables for two. So, one ate pretty much where one was told to eat. I have had some table mates from hell over the years. One was a "lady of the night'....except she wanted to be the "lady of the ship" and ran a good advertising campaign in the dining room. Another was scared to death that she was going to "go down with the ship". I could go on and on, but suffice it to say it's now a table for two with pleasantries with the surrounding tables wherever possible.
We're friendly enough and there's lots of opportunities over drinks or in the lounges or on deck.....without being afraid of who you'll find at your dinner table. LOL

[glrounds]

Hmmmmmmm ....now this calls for yet another poll. How many cruise with their wife and lover ... or are they one in the same? KIDDING!!!!Heather,

Please forgive my "Freudian" slip. :D

This may sound really crazy, but I have a good friend, a well known and respected contractor in the LA area, who years ago used to rent a huge houseboat on Lake Powell for two weeks every summer and would take his current wife and 2 kids and his ex-wife and 2 kids.

Both wives were named Jo Anne and he got along swimmingly with both of them (obviously). :D

Ideally, of course, they would be one in the same. :) A very rare occurence, it seems to me. :(

[sail7seas]

Gary.....

:) Which is the rare occurence?

That a man vacations with his first and second wives and their respective children?

Or....

that a man's wife may also be his lover?

[Peggy Sue]

table for 2 for us please and thank you. We have had nightmare experiences, and we haven't taken that many cruises!

Love to be able to spend quality time with my DH.. Enjoy meeting folks at the tables around us. And agree with others that we meet lots fellow cruisers in the bars, lido, cocktail parties. Like the best of both worlds!

We had a horrible experience on the Disney cruise line last December. At a table for 8. 3 couples ... all newly weds. One couple, from somewhere in Florida was really lacking table manners. Dinner started out with "where's the cheeseburgers on this here menu"...from there, the wife asking the husband for a dinner roll. The husband touched every roll asking "this one" until the wife finally said "OK"...no one else ate the rolls.... Husband would cross his arms, lean into his wife and allow his fingers to do the walking while he was talking .. simply amazing.... She ate with her fingers, he ate with his mouth open.... The other two couples were quite nice...but we just couldn't bear to spend another dinner with our stomachs doing flip flops...so we asked to be moved. Disney does not offer tables for 2. We ended up alone at a table for 8 and loved every minute. the wait staff were so accomodating and we had so much fun chatting with them..and spending time together. Our first waiter and assist came to see us the second night and we assured them our move had nothing to do with them. They said they fully understood why we had to move. We did make sure to pass along a gratuity to the first crew on the last night too..

We've also been at a table with another couple that it was like pulling teeth to 2-3 words at a time out of them...so we've decided we love our company the best!

We also like tables for 2 because we can control the pace of our meal and not have to wait for others to finish courses we did not order, or skip dessert (did I really say that?) etc.

That said, I'd love the opportunity to dine at our CC dinner table..I think we would all have a fantastic, delightful time together! We certainly would have a lot to talk about!

Peggy Sue

[Vicar]

S7S


That table arrangement must have been very uncomfortable for you and DH , but it was very rude of those other couples.

My very close circle of friends all go back over twenty years and through the years more have been added through marriage and dating and new jobs. We have all been through hell and back together and we have more inside jokes with eachother and cases where one word will have us all is hysterics.

I know when you are with your little click it is easy to forget maybe one person at the table wasn't at a particular party 5 years ago, so someone mentioning "Brownies" is not going to evoke the same hysterical laughter as everyone else at the table.


however with our group, we always make it a point to make a new comer feel welcome and even tell the same old stories all over again just so they know what the heck we are all laughing about. :) or we can include the new comer in a conversation or talk about something they are interested in.

[sail7seas]

Vicar....that is because you are nice, courteous people. :) We also have friends of 25+ years and I know what you mean. We treasure them as among the most important facet of our lives. They are very precious to us.

These tablemates were rude and selfish but it really didn't matter that much to us. We are most definitely not shy (I guess you have figured that out from my participation on this Board :) ) and if we were that unhappy or uncomfortable, we would have spoken up and moved.

We remained civil to them and would greet them if we passed them on the ship or ashore but we had a very low opinion of them.

We had plenty of other folks aboard to "play with" when we wanted to socialize.

I will say it did irritate them a bit when we explained to our dining steward we would be away from the table the next night as we had been invited to dine at the Captain's Table. (What is that expression about he who laughs last.......? :p )

[Vicar]

S7S,

revenge is sweet *LOL*

Its funny I guess it is just us , but when this particular group of us are together we just draw people into the group.

They see and hear this bunch of crazies and we see someone at another table laughing at something we just said and the next thing you know they are sitting with us and joining in the fun.

Granted not every one is out going like that or a cut up or the life of the party, but everyone can join in on a nice conversation if people are courteous enough to let them join in.

[sail7seas]

Don't you find that laughter is contagious? Who doesn't want to laugh .....especially when on vacation on a cruise ship? If there is someone who would respond negatively, I feel for them.

I have an expression that goes along the lines of 'all of us will have grief and pain during our lives and it will find us all; but we go looking for the party, for the laugh, for the happiness'. If there is an innocent good time to be had.....point me in that direction. :)

[Vicar]

Exactly!!

Life is too short not to laugh and enjoy while you can .

And you klnow its funny , on a cruise or anywhere , once the initial ice is broken most people like to open up and have fun. Like I said not everyone is the life of the party, but even to listen to a good joke and share a laugh or have a nice conversation.

I am not a shrinking violet either *LOL* (Gee could you tell :))
I can have a conversation with an empty chair, and I find if you start a pleasent exchange especially on vacation people will respond in kind.

[Slinkiecat]

Big tables are such fun, no matter what kind of variety you find among your tablemates.

slinkie

[Lois R]

Vicar:) You know after you posted your initial reply, I had the EXACT same thoughts as 7....(great minds think alike:D )....
Quote by Vicar
" we always make it a point to make newcomers feel welcome"

Quote by &
" Vicar....that is because you are nice, courteous people."

Sadly, there are those folks who are not courteous......but THANKFULLY there are the Vicars of the world who make up for them:D.

I would love to sit with you!

[sail7seas]

I'm with you, Lois. :) I'd love to cruise and dine with Vicar, as well.
.

[Vicar]

Lois and S7S

I would be honored to cruise and be tablemates with both of you. :)

I think we would have a lot of fun :)

[sail7seas]

We sure would have a blast....that I am sure of. :) Who knows? Maybe some day; some 'dam' ship!! One can only hope.

[Vicar]

I wonder if we planned it well in advance if we could get all the folks here on the same cruise

Give everyone enough time to save money, get time off, etc
It could be done if we all put our heads together:)

[sail7seas]

That would be such a good time. I doubt we could ever get everyone but surely we could get many to 'look ahead' and plan for us all to meet aboard.

[Lois R]

I have nothing booked after next month's Z sailing:confused: ..........oh no, this is the first time since May 2003 that I don't have another cruise pending:eek:

[Vicar]

That "DAM" ship would never be the same *LOL*

[bookworm0911]

I'm voting for 8-10. We soooo love big tables- the more people we meet the better we'll have on a cruise. We have plenty of other time during the night and evening to be alone. :D

[Caz]

A question from someone who is contemplating their first cruise : If you choose to sit on one type of table or another, is that a choice you make which lasts for the duration of the cruise, or is it done on a day-by-day basis? eg if you find you dont' get on with your tablemates can you choose the next time to sit elsewhere/on your own, or are you stuck with those people for the remainder of your cruise?

Thanks :)

[Lois R]

Good morning, If you don't get along with your tablesmates I suggest speaking to the Maitr'd ASAP after your first dinner.
This will be my first HAL Cruise but my 7th overall. On my Celebrity sailings there were always changes made after the first evening. (as on most sailings).
But when you ask is it done "day by day", No, that would be quite a task. The seating assignments are done prior to your cruise. But as I said, If you are unhappy, go see the Maitr'd. Usually they do whatever they can to try and help:)

[Caz]

Good morning, and thank you very much. :)

[Lois R]

Your welcome:)

[sail7seas]

A question from someone who is contemplating their first cruise : If you choose to sit on one type of table or another, is that a choice you make which lasts for the duration of the cruise, or is it done on a day-by-day basis? eg if you find you dont' get on with your tablemates can you choose the next time to sit elsewhere/on your own, or are you stuck with those people for the remainder of your cruise?

Thanks :)
Table assignments are made for the duration of the cruise. If, for whatever reason, after the first night, you think the table to be a poor match for you, you certainly may speak with the Maitre d' to inquire if he is able to move you to another table. There are some changes made after that first night as some folks wanted late seating and were assigned to early; or someone else requested a large table and was assigned a table for four.....that sort of thing.

Or, sometimes you just know from the first five minutes that you simply cannot bear the thought of dining with your assigned tablemates for the duration of your cruise.

Amazingly, the vast majority of the time, the table matches work out very well and a huge percentage of the pax are content with their dining assignments.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I agree 100% with Sail7. We've had wonderful luck with our tables and frankly I can't understand how it always works out so well.
There were a couple of times we were a bit disappointed the first night, but we never asked to be changed. And sure enough, each time we ended up totally happy. This is one of the reasons I'm so fond of assigned tables. You meet people you might otherwise never get to know.

One reason we never have asked to be changed is I know how I would feel if someone did it to us. Many years ago there was a couple at our table who had wanted a table for two and were crushed to be put at ours for 6. They had complained to the Maitre d' prior to sitting down with us.

They ended up having such a great time with all of us that they went back to the Maitre d' and begged him to let them continue at our table. Too late!!! Someone else had already been moved to our table for the following night.

So sometimes it's just better to leave it alone.

[Cerinda]

How do you experienced HAL cruisers feel about sharing a table with a family?

We have never cruised HAL before, and we have never cruised with our children: they'll be 17, 15, and 8 when we board the O for spring break.

Though we really enjoy the dynamics of large tables, we've requested a table for six: because I see so much hostility toward children on the CC boards, I fear that sharing a table with us might compromise someone's holiday; because I see so much about ill-behaved children on the CC boards (especially on spring break cruises), I fear sharing a table with THEM might compromise OUR holiday.

Can I trust the maitre d' to not seat some tired soul desperately in need of peace and quiet with my chatty, curious, gregarious crew? Would I be unfair to fellow pax to request a table for ten?

[anjan]

Hmmmmmmm;) ....now this calls for yet another poll. How many cruise with their wife and lover ... or are they one in the same? :D KIDDING!!!!

Yes, Lois, majority rules. Start tapping those keys and tell your story:)


You might want the wife and lover at two different tables. You would be very busy and maybe burn a few calories from two dinners running back and forth between the two tables!:eek:

[sail7seas]

I have no hostility toward children. Even ill behaved children can be tolerated/tamed.

But with all due respect to you and your family, a couple (two persons) seated with your family of six would be exceedingly uncomfortable IMO

You are a complete unit by yourselves. You will be sharing the sort of conversation a family shares after a busy day.

While I am sure that you would be polite to the twosome who have been seated with you, it would be boring for them IMO

They would feel like a fifth wheel and I do not think they would find it to be their 'first choice' of the seating they may have liked.

A group of six is complete unto itself and IMO it is almost selfish to feel a twosome (strangers) should be expected to enjoy that arrangement.

As always....JMHO....but, you asked.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Sail7, I think you've responded beautifully to Cerinda. I read her question and wondered whether, or how, to respond but I think you've done so extremely well.

[sail7seas]

Thanks, Heather. I tried to picture it was me and DH who were put into that position and I saw myself breaking track speed records getting to the Matire d' for a table change. :)

I mean nothing personal at all to Cerinda and her family. How could I? I don't know them. It is just the situation/the position/the discomfort most would feel in that setting. I don't think any twosome would be delighted with that sort of table arrangement.

[Cerinda]

Sail and Heather, please tell me more...

Are the maitre d's able to exercise their own judgement in composing tables? Surely no one would stick a solo traveler with a family party of five, would they?

Excellent point about how a twosome is likely to feel.

But what about a family group occupying half a table of ten: would it be reasonable to hope that another family (or other families) with young cruisers might be assigned to the table with us?

[Lois R]

Hi:) I would like to interject here too...as a solo cruiser....when you ask if the Maitr'd will use discretion, One would hope so.

Quote
"Are the maitre d's able to exercise their own judgement in composing tables? Surely no one would stick a solo traveler with a family party of five, would they?"

With a question being posed such as that one....I wouldn't want to be part of table that didn't want me there. I would probably sit there for the first evening and then move.

This will be my first time on HAL.....lets see how things work out. After 4 solo sailings...most have been very nice tablemates:)

[Orcrone]

Sail and Heather, please tell me more...

Are the maitre d's able to exercise their own judgement in composing tables? Surely no one would stick a solo traveler with a family party of five, would they?

Excellent point about how a twosome is likely to feel.

But what about a family group occupying half a table of ten: would it be reasonable to hope that another family (or other families) with young cruisers might be assigned to the table with us?Cerinda,

When we traveled with Carnival last year we were a party of four, DW, our two daughters (13 and 15) and myself. We were placed at a table of eight with another family of four, a married couple with one boy and his friend (both were about 16 or 17). I don't know if this was done on purpose, as the cruiseline has the ages of everyone, or if it was luck of the draw.

[sail7seas]

Every pax on the ship has a preference as to the seating they would hope for.

Some are very clear in their requests and the Maitre d's do their very best to please as many as possible. Why wouldn't they? They have these tables and chairs to match to all of these people and, of course, they want as many as possible to be happy. But, they cannot give everyone what they want.

There are not all that many tables for ten but there are some. IF that is what you would like, your TA should make that request. In the event you are assigned there, it is possible (but not assured) another family would be assigned to sit with you.

But......Maitre d's have to deal with the fact you WANT another family seated with you but perhaps most of the families of four do NOT WANT to be seated with others and prefer a table to themselves.

Then you get into four dining times. Even though you want a table for ten with another family assigned to your table, perhaps your prefered dining time is 6:15. Many of the other families may want 5:45.

Then, Maitre d's have to deal with very large groups traveling together. There often are family groups numbering 20 peope and more. They require three or four tables all in the same section. Leaves fewer for the Maitre d' to juggle around to please someone who wanted that aft table next to the glass for 6:15 seating.

Well...you get the point. It is not possible to please all of the people all of the time.

I think the Maitre d's do an amazing job of making so many excellent matches.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I've always wondered myself about the "magic" of table assignments. We have never been assigned a table with a family. However, we have sat with much younger and much older couples. And each and every time it's been a joy.

Cerinda, there are few tables for 10. So there's always the possibility that scenerio would work out, but more possibly it will not. So that leaves 6 or 8. So you either get a "solo" (who I think would be very uncomfortable with a family of 5) or you would have to hope that you get a couple with one child about the same age as your kids. But again, kids are funny. You have no way of knowing they'll all get along. There's less likelihood of that than adults getting along.

In the end, it's your call of course. But to be honest, if it were me in your shoes I would ask for a table with just my family and view it as a wonderful valuable time to share some time and experiences together. In this crazy world I'm told that families actually "dining" together is rare (sadly) and I would be thrilled to have that opportunity ... especially since you'll be experiencing lots of new and exciting stuff to talk about every day.

(After posting I see I overlapped with Sail so some of this appears redundant. Sorry:o )

[Cerinda]

Lois: PLEASE come sit with us! Maybe if your table is a bust, you can ask your maitre d' to find us (or a family like us). We are curious and love to chat --one of the reasons we like cruising so much. We DO eat dinner together as a family (five out of seven nights qualifies, doesn't it?); we enjoy conversation of all kinds, and we REALLY enjoy interacting with people older than us, people younger than us, people from other places, people of other backgrounds, other faiths, other perspectives. Travel is important to us because it gives us a chance to show our children how to live in a diverse and rapidly changing world, how kindness and grace create wonderful opportunities for us.

Heather and Sail: Thank you for helping me test the waters. I will be certain my TA is clear about our wanting a table just to ourselves at the early seating. I certainly wouldn't want to impose on anyone.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Now I'm feeling badly. First, Cerinda, I don't think we were suggesting you would be imposing. I think we said that a solo traveller or even a couple might be uncomfortable because you're a large family and would have such a clear connection between you. So the extra 1 or 2 could feel like a fifth wheel. Certainly we didn't mean you were imposing. At least I certainly didn't and I doubt Sail did either.

And, Lois, what was said that made you feel a solo can't sit with couples? I didn't read anything that either Sail or I wrote that should make you feel like that. What Sail said was that she felt a solo would be uncomfortable sitting with a family of 5, not the other way around. We've often sat with a combination of couples and solos and both are equally fun. I think you misunderstood that and didn't even realize it until I read back just now.

So I hope we're all cleared up now!:)

[richkat]

We love tables for 2.

We have sat at larger tables but after a few years of having some "not so great" table mates, we now prefer to be at a table for 2.

There are tables close by that we can talk to those people whenever we want to.


Exactly! We prefer to interact with people on a more casual basis -- not forced. We did have a nice time with the 2 couples we sat with at the Welcome Aboard lunch on the Grand Princess but this was the exception. What works for us is to bring our table mates with us on the cruise--taking my in-laws on the Zuiderdam over Thanksgiving for their 55th annniversary. We'll hope for a table for 4 then. We were all assigned a table for 6 once but the other couple was probably uncomfortable with all of the family catching up talk and we didn't see them again. Wise. Once we were the extra couple traveling with 2 couples who were friends and it was awkward and we didn't know enough back then to switch tables. We thought we were doing the right thing by sticking it out.

[sail7seas]

:) Ditto what Heather said. :)


It is easy to reverse the roles, Cerinda. Would you feel totally comfortable being a solo traveler being seated at a table comprised of a family and you are the only 'unrelated' person. I know I would be seeking to meet others more contemporary to me with whom I might enjoy a cocktail or a shore excursion. Given that circumstance, while a chat with the teens would be lovely, they surely would not be sharing a cocktail with me :) and your family's conversation would be charming I'm sure.....but I would be looking for something 'more adult' probably.

[Vicar]

I agree with Heather and S7S

I would feel a little funny in that situation. No matter how friendly the family I was sitting with would be, I would still feel kind of odd man out.

If I was to cruise solo I would feel better at a table with other singles or even a few couples. This way everyone is just meeting and no one feels left out

But that is just me

[Lois R]

Hi Heather:) the good ole internet;) ....I wasn't specifically talking about Cerinda's post......sorry, let me clarify:

What I meant was, IF I was put at a table (as a solo) and lets say it was a family of 5...just as an example and they are at a 6 top.......and they really don't want anyone else at their table~If A solo cruiser was put at the empty spot~If that family made it clear to the person they prefer to be "A FAMILY", well.......I would say "solo cruiser" would probably want to sit with a group who is more open to an additional person and ask to be moved.
Make sense?...

I have been seated with 3 other couples before so I made the 7th person. The Waiter was wonderful......he moved the 8th chair away so we all had a bit more room and it was really easy to speak to one another too:) We got along great...one couple was celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary, one couple I had met through these boards, and the other was from FLL....that was a fantastic table!:)

Anyway...sorry for the miscommunication........

[HeatherInFlorida]

Good, Lois, as long as you didn't misunderstand us. I couldn't tell when I read your earlier post and I didn't want you to think I was suggesting solos shouldn't sit with couples!:p

I think you're basically agreeing with all of us. The same could even hold true if a large group, unrelated, were travelling together and we were the "odd couple". Could be uncomfortable.

Yet, we're travelling with another couple this time and have asked for an 8 or 10 table. We felt if we got a 6 it could make the 3rd couple uncomfortable. I've been at a 10 table where 2 couples were travelling together and it was no problem at all.

[Lois R]

okie dokie:D we all agree! Having good tablemates is a wonderful thing:)

[Cinder]

We always have requested a large, ROUND table. Much better for conversation, and the ship's officers are more likely to sit with you. We've had very few "duds" at our tables, but when it happens, it has made for some interesting "inside jokes" when you see your tablemates around the ship!

[HeatherInFlorida]

It's very interesting that this poll shows that almost 50% want a large table for 8 or more. However, I believe those are the least available.

I believe, psychologically speaking, that it's because the people who share on these boards tend to be the more outgoing, friendly travelers. That is not to say that those who choose a table for 2 or 4 aren't affable;) , it's just a reason that the percentage would come out so high in favor of the larger tables.

So thank you, everyone, for voting and posting. While many have found this poll among others useless at best, I found it very interesting and not the least caustic. That alone would make it a worthwhile thread for me:D