Jump to content

problem with going solo


mygrace777

Recommended Posts

Ok

I havent had a chance to post since I got back from my first solo cruise. I was really concerned about going solo but glad I did. While I'd love to have my son go with me, if he dont go, I will still go.

 

There is so much advantage to going solo but I did come across a problem that really got to me. Maybe you guys can tell me what you do so I can avoid this next time....here's the situation.

 

I spent most of my eating time in the Windjammer. And, there was a time or two when I went to eat and it was crowded. I hated to take up a table for 4 when it was just me but the only table i found at all was ... a table for 4. Im trying to set up the image of the setting and you'll see why later. But two of the chairs that were side by side faced the window for a view. Two chairs faced the food area. I sat in one of the chairs facing the window for the view. Behind me was a 4foot wall separating the dining area from the food area. I sat in a chair with my back to the food area so i could see the view. The chair beside me, of course was empty and beside that chair was the wall also. For someone to sit there I would have had to get up as there was no exit for that chair except by my chair. These row of tables were the only ones in a row, meaning, there was a isle in front of my table, and then more tables across the isle, beside me to my right was one table also for 4.

 

I finished my breakfast and was still hungry. Usually I just grab enough to get started when there is a crowd and then go back. However, I realized as I wa sitting here ready for more that once i got up I'd loose my table. I knew the staff would grab my empty plate. So, I tried to arrange the table to represent i was not finished. I laided out my napkin and my knife and fork the best i could to show I was coming back. I was gone, I know less than 1 minute as I know where every thing is and went straight there and back. Just as I got back to my table there was the 60ish couple 'about' to sit down. I said, 'excuse me but that is my table, I wasn't finished eating'. As I was saying this the man went to sit down in the same chair I was using. The lady kind of stopped as to not take the table but the man continued to sit down and claim the table. He said something to the effect...your taking the whole table?..as he was still settling down and about to eat. I honestly told him no and just as i said that he slid over to the chair next to the one I was using making him beside of me also meaning he would have been cornered in by me and preceded to eat his breakfast. The wife was now sitting down about to eat as well and she never said a word.

 

Had I sat down in my chair once he moved over I would have been sitting beside him with his wife in front of him. Had I done that he would have been at my mercy should he needed back up. For a minute it did cross my mind to sit there and do just that. But without saying a word I reached down with the one free hand I had, plate of food in the other hand, I reached down grabbed my remaining items on the table and walked away. I was furious. I know there are rude people out there and had he at least asked i would have gladly offered but to boldly just take a table the way he did didnt start my day off right.

 

But what do you guys do when you cruise solo and want to go back for more when it's crowded without loosing your table. I didnt have a coat or item to leave to show that someone was still using the table and dont feel comfortable leaving items at a table when leaving it. I dont think it would have mattered with this couple anyway, they would have just moved my items over and still sat down. How do you handle this?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Personally, I dont see this as a really big deal. I would have just sat down and finished breakfast, and if the man needed to get out, I would have stood up to let him out. Many times I've shared a table with others in the buffet area and it's been fine. Buffets really can be a pain in the behind during the busy times. Here's something I went through on a Regent cruise. I went to the buffet for breakfast at around 9 am. The place was virtually empty as we were in port. I was carrying my plate to an empty table for four by the window. Just as I got there, a waiter grabbed my plate and said "If you're alone, you can't sit at a table for 4. You sit at a table for two.". He then proceeded to carry my plate three tables over, to a two top. I was major angry. There was another solo woman at another 2 top and she said the waiter did the same to her. I left my food and went down to Guest Services to complain. It never happened again.

 

But, you could always bring something with you like a book or a bag of some kind to indicate the table is in use. So many times you see flatwear on a table, but it's impossible to know if it's there to save a table or if the previous users were finished and they just didn't clean the table. I usually bring a beach bag of some kind to put on the table while I stand in line. I guess it's just the nature of the beast when dining at the buffet and tables are always crowded.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It wasnt so much I wouldnt have shared the table but it was the manner in which he just took it over regardless. One of those that feel they are intitled. I do not mind sharing but this felt beyond, not to mention I did not want to sit beside him. And he was the type, he would have moved my stuff away and not cared it was already taken.

 

As far as the 2 person table. I would have taken a 2 person table anyway. I feel a 4 person table is too much for me, this just happened to be the only table left at all. Im sure the waiter was just trying to prepare the crowd what would be coming in but, again, its the way its handle that makes the difference.

 

Guess i need to carry a portable note card....SEAT STILL TAKEN JUST GETTING SECONDS lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know how it's done on other lines, but on Holland America you can tilt your chairback into the table after you've gotten up, and that signifies that the table is still in use. I tried it on my last cruise, and it worked.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always figure, as a practical matter, that if I get up, I've "surrendered" the table. This is one of the challenges of dining in the buffet area...you can't "forget" anything before you sit down. :-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with the previous poster--I bring a book and leave it on the table. On the rare occasions when I didn't and lost my place, I just sat somewhere else. In my opinion, if there is nothing at your seat indicating it is occupied, it is fair game for anyone to come along. It's annoying to lose your place, but there is no real way to save a seat without any tangible indication of it being "occupied." (Of course, the book method doesn't work for electronic book readers--Kindle, Nook, iPad; I would not leave one of those on a table to hold my spot; I'd rather lose the table.)

 

(I like the idea of the tilted chair method a poster explained is used in Holland America, but I've never heard of that before and doubt if it would be effective if others need a seat and are not aware of that rule; it might be worth a try, though.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

(I like the idea of the tilted chair method a poster explained is used in Holland America, but I've never heard of that before and doubt if it would be effective if others need a seat and are not aware of that rule; it might be worth a try, though.)

 

That was my post. Although come to think of it, it might have been more for the benefit of the lido staff so they know not to clear the table.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like the idea of the tilted chair method a poster explained is used in Holland America, but I've never heard of that before and doubt if it would be effective if others need a seat and are not aware of that rule; it might be worth a try, though.

 

You do risk losing your table if others don't know what a tilted chair means. But this method is also used in casinos to save your place at a table or slot machine when you need to make a bathroom (or ATM :)) run.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have always thought the idea of a card would be a good idea. Unfortunately if you are on your own and leave the table it is fair game.

Being an early riser I have no trouble at 6.30 am on port days.

Sea days I use the MDR, no problems there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always figure, as a practical matter, that if I get up, I've "surrendered" the table. This is one of the challenges of dining in the buffet area...you can't "forget" anything before you sit down. :-)

 

I agree, but I don't worry too much about it.......I take another table if I can, share a table, or come back later. If I have something I can safely leave at the table (like a book or a jacket), I'll try that, but I also don't get too upset about it if I don't.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You do risk losing your table if others don't know what a tilted chair means. But this method is also used in casinos to save your place at a table or slot machine when you need to make a bathroom (or ATM :)) run.

As a solo cruiser I prefer the MDR at breakfast so that I sit either by myself or with new people (sometimes it is pot luck who they seat you with) This way a nice breakfast gets served to me instead of fighting the crowds at the buffet and searching for a table.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry to hear you had such a rude experience...and from the sounds of it, it does sound like you would have "lost" your spot even if you did have a book or other item on the table...but you might have at least kept your chair...;) I am another one who always brings a book with the to the WJ to hold my table...and If it isn't especially crowded I will even go & get my drink & silver ware to hold a table before getting my food...just makes it a little easier as there is less to juggle then...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What happened to me once was that I was sitting at a table for 2 reading and a woman came over and indicated she wanted to take the other seat. Her English was very poor and I indicated that she should sit down. No problem. The windjammer was busy but they hadn't yet made any announcements that folks should vacate tables - there were still plenty of available seats around, but no free tables for 2.

 

About a minute later her husband showed up with a plate of food and hovered over the table. Even though it was a small table I indicated he should pull up one of the nearby free chairs that were in the area. Basically they said to me that I should leave the table and go sit in the extra chair since I was just reading. Maybe I should have and maybe I shouldn't have, but I was irritated at having my table commandeered, so I said I wasn't leaving, but they were welcome to stay and share the table. They went off in a huff.

 

I'd do the same thing again if the WJ wasn't overrun with people and I'm glad I didn't give up the table. But I was disturbed by the high jack attempt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What happened to me once was that I was sitting at a table for 2 reading and a woman came over and indicated she wanted to take the other seat. Her English was very poor and I indicated that she should sit down. No problem. The windjammer was busy but they hadn't yet made any announcements that folks should vacate tables - there were still plenty of available seats around, but no free tables for 2.

 

About a minute later her husband showed up with a plate of food and hovered over the table. Even though it was a small table I indicated he should pull up one of the nearby free chairs that were in the area. Basically they said to me that I should leave the table and go sit in the extra chair since I was just reading. Maybe I should have and maybe I shouldn't have, but I was irritated at having my table commandeered, so I said I wasn't leaving, but they were welcome to stay and share the table. They went off in a huff.

 

I'd do the same thing again if the WJ wasn't overrun with people and I'm glad I didn't give up the table. But I was disturbed by the high jack attempt.

 

It is amazing how people will act sometimes. I always look at situations like thee as a really funny story to tell later. It helps keep the irritation level down.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

These stories are the reason that I always eat breakfast in the MDR and have a late lunch on the Lido Deck if the MDR is closed for lunch. I do not enjoy the line ups, the search for dining space or having to serve myself (usually making multiple trips to the counter). It always amazes me that the Lido Buffet is so crowded much of the time and the MDR is usually half empty for breakfast and lunch.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it's rude to sit in the buffet area to read when it's crowded. I also don't expect my table to be there if I go off for something unless I can keep an eye on it to run for silver. Otherwise, if I get up the seat and table is goners. I try to sit at a table for 2. I have joined 2 who were at a table for 10.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am surprised at the number of people who suggest leaving a book or magazine on the table to show that it is still occupied, because once I went to a restaurant (on land, not on a ship), and I was seated at a table, and I left my newspaper on my table when I went to the salad bar so that I would be able to find my table after I got my salad. I got my salad and went back to what I thought was my table. There wasn't any newspaper there, but I saw that the guy sitting at the next table was reading a newspaper. I asked him if he had taken my newspaper. "Oh, is this yours?" he asked, as he handed it back to me. "I thought it was left behind by someone."

 

So I had thought that leaving my newspaper on my table meant that the table was mine, while the guy saw it and said, "Oh, a newspaper! And it won't cost me a penny! Finders keepers! This is my lucky day!" If someone will grab a newspaper, then I'm sure he will grab a book or magazine.

 

When I was on the Celebrity Silhouette, I went to the buffet by myself. There were only a few people there. After I got my food, I realized that I had forgotten to get silverware, so I told the nearby waiter that I would be right back. He said okay. I got back in about half a minute. My food was gone. I told the waiter, who was still nearby, that someone had taken my food. He said that another waiter had taken it. I guess the waiter thought that since I didn't tell the other waiter not to take my food, I wanted him to take it. I got some more food. It wasn't my fault that they threw out some perfectly good food.

 

I have suggested to a number of cruiselines that they manufacture some sort of card that you can leave on the table that says that you will be right back. None of those cruiselines thought it was a good idea, because none of them have done it. sure, I could bring my own card, but how could I be sure that every single waiter would understand it? Or even look at it before throwing it away?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HI all!

 

I have had this problem too as a solo cruiser. Once I left my schedule, napkin & drink to came back to find them all gone!:eek:

 

I'm pretty sure Princess does have a card or something to let others know the table's taken, at least they did on the Emerald Princess TA in 2008.I was thinking of making my own note & leaving it there.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always bring a book or magazine with me to the buffet and leave that on the table when going for seconds (or thirds :-)

 

I have a book specifically for this reason; it wouldn't bother me if the book got removed but I always come back and find it there. Or I will make contact with a server in my area and they will leave my dirty plate there until I return.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know how it's done on other lines, but on Holland America you can tilt your chairback into the table after you've gotten up, and that signifies that the table is still in use. I tried it on my last cruise, and it worked.

 

 

I have always used this method on several lines and so far it has not failed me .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I was on the Epic, the few times I ate alone (due to the excellent concept of the Studios) I just accepted the fact I would need to tablehop.

 

My mindset on a larger ship was I rather lose my table than any belongings.

 

However, I can see why this issue is an irritant; its not really relaxing to have to do so

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it's rude to sit in the buffet area to read when it's crowded. I also don't expect my table to be there if I go off for something unless I can keep an eye on it to run for silver. Otherwise, if I get up the seat and table is goners. I try to sit at a table for 2. I have joined 2 who were at a table for 10.

 

"Like"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On my last solo trip, I took a book with me to breakfast and lunch in the Windjammer. I left it behind so that everyone knew that table was taken. I had no problems losing my spot.

 

Another solo I met on that cruise actually had a little table tent made up before she left home. It said something like: this seat is taken--the other three are not. Make yourself at home!

 

I thought that was a great idea and I'm going to try it on my cruise in November.

 

Lynette

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...