Ventura-Never Mind The Sunbeds.....

Having read the many comments about the sunbed situation on Ventura, did I miss a similar topic on the antics of diners in the buffets?

I am referring to those who went to great lengths to deter couples from joining them on the tables at which they were already sat.

This mostly at the four seater tables positioned against partitions, which saw a great many couples electing to occupy the outer two spaces, then putting their bags, towels you name it, on the inner chairs.

But the most effective blocking manoevre is when they find one of these tables, and sit diagonally opposite each other.

At the busier times at breakfast and lunch, the seemingly selfish actions of these people led to other diners wandering around for a while looking for somewhere to sit.

I write this as someone who asked if the inside two places were "taken" and received the most enormous sigh, as the occupants had to stop eating and clear the chairs.

It sounds like the behaviour on trains, doesn't it? Where they occupy one of the seats and put their things on the one next to them and seem asleep or totally engrossed in their book/paper.

I'm afraid I have no compunction very politely and firmly disturbing them.

Its a funny one though isnt it, very subjective and probably unique to cruising.

I imagine most couples who do want to dine together without company will firstly look for a 2 seat table but as they are few and far between, after a wander around all the seating areas, they take a 4.

On land you wouldnt go to a restaurant and ask for a table for 2 and be told you can join that couple over there on a 4, who are just finishing their starters but if you eat quickly you can catch up.

Then you could open a whole can of worms on the food itself, would a vegetarian want someone next to them scoffing beef wellington? Would someone who doesnt eat pork want someone next to them eating a full English?

Would honeymooners who cant get enough of each other want others joining them as they whisper sweet nothings to each other?

Dinner is different as you choose your table size and you are all served at the same time.

But ultimately if there are no seats available and you have a tray of food in your hand then yes any free seat should be available, though I'm not sure I would want to sit next to someone who has huffed and puffed and rolled their eyes as they have moved their belongings off the spare chair anyway.

Oh I would, it would give me the greatest pleasure. Surely that's half the pleasure of cruising, meeting other people. Hey ho.

Oh I would, it would give me the greatest pleasure. Surely that's half the pleasure of cruising, meeting other people. Hey ho.

My point exactly.

Having read the many comments about the sunbed situation on Ventura, did I miss a similar topic on the antics of diners in the buffets?

I am referring to those who went to great lengths to deter couples from joining them on the tables at which they were already sat.

This mostly at the four seater tables positioned against partitions, which saw a great many couples electing to occupy the outer two spaces, then putting their bags, towels you name it, on the inner chairs.

But the most effective blocking manoevre is when they find one of these tables, and sit diagonally opposite each other.

At the busier times at breakfast and lunch, the seemingly selfish actions of these people led to other diners wandering around for a while looking for somewhere to sit.

I write this as someone who asked if the inside two places were "taken" and received the most enormous sigh, as the occupants had to stop eating and clear the chairs.

Yes! Similar to the "sunbeds", its people again. If you asked me if I had any complaints about cruising it would be the behaviour of a very small number of people. Maybe we should start a thread to see what annoys us the most. :)

My point exactly.

Yes if it's a two way street and you are not imposing yourself on others who are happily wrapped up in their own conversation.

I would have to address the sigh. No excuse for such selfish behaviour. Just as when I'm on the train I will tell anybody sighing that seats are for people and when they are at a premium it is good manners not to attempt to be crafty.

As one half of a couple why shouldnt we put our bags on the spare chairs if people aren't sat on them? If people ask I will move them, but I'm not going to put my things on the floor "just in case" someone might want to sit down.

To be honest we don't go on cruises as a couple to make friends - if that's what we wanted we would go with the friend we have. Besides, we have to share each other in our home life with friends and family and work. On our one week away together a year we actually like to talk to each other.

Besides, in our experience people start conversation that often goes into things we don't wish to discuss. An innocent question or innocuous opinion can actually be about something that we find quite difficult to talk about. We would rather not be faced with that. It's not rude, it's just personal opinion - I will happily sit in a bar and chat with someone about the entertainment, the ship, the destinations, but eating a meal is more private and conversation more focussed. We don't like the 'forced friendships' that set dining entails, at least let us enjoy some couple time in the buffet!

As one half of a couple why shouldnt we put our bags on the spare chairs if people aren't sat on them? If people ask I will move them, but I'm not going to put my things on the floor "just in case" someone might want to sit down.

 

To be honest we don't go on cruises as a couple to make friends - if that's what we wanted we would go with the friend we have. Besides, we have to share each other in our home life with friends and family and work. On our one week away together a year we actually like to talk to each other.

 

Besides, in our experience people start conversation that often goes into things we don't wish to discuss. An innocent question or innocuous opinion can actually be about something that we find quite difficult to talk about. We would rather not be faced with that. It's not rude, it's just personal opinion - I will happily sit in a bar and chat with someone about the entertainment, the ship, the destinations, but eating a meal is more private and conversation more focussed. We don't like the 'forced friendships' that set dining entails, at least let us enjoy some couple time in the buffet!

Good to have an alternative view. :)

As one half of a couple why shouldnt we put our bags on the spare chairs if people aren't sat on them? If people ask I will move them, but I'm not going to put my things on the floor "just in case" someone might want to sit down.

 

To be honest we don't go on cruises as a couple to make friends - if that's what we wanted we would go with the friend we have. Besides, we have to share each other in our home life with friends and family and work. On our one week away together a year we actually like to talk to each other.

 

Besides, in our experience people start conversation that often goes into things we don't wish to discuss. An innocent question or innocuous opinion can actually be about something that we find quite difficult to talk about. We would rather not be faced with that. It's not rude, it's just personal opinion - I will happily sit in a bar and chat with someone about the entertainment, the ship, the destinations, but eating a meal is more private and conversation more focussed. We don't like the 'forced friendships' that set dining entails, at least let us enjoy some couple time in the buffet!

Don't you feel guilty sitting on a table for 4 with your bags on seats and people are walking around with trays of food looking for a seat because if it was me I know I would. I am sorry but you should if you don't want to chat then sit on a table for 2 and if there are none available go to the restaurant and ask for a table for 2.

Don't you feel guilty sitting on a table for 4 with your bags on seats and people are walking around with trays of food looking for a seat because if it was me I know I would. I am sorry but you should if you don't want to chat then sit on a table for 2 and if there are none available go to the restaurant and ask for a table for 2.

Excuse me but I didn't say I wouldn't move my bags - and on every cruise we have been on in the buffet we have always voluntarily moved our bags when we have seen people looking for somewhere to sit. I just pointed out that Im not going to put things on the floor when they can be on a seat out of the way.

I do agree I don't want to chat but don't criticise people who do, just trying to point out that next time you meet a stranger be wary of what you ask. Next time you ask an innocent question of a stranger just take a minute to think about their circumstances. I would rather not put strangers in the position of feeling guilty for upsetting me.

Finally, I thought I made my point quite politely, and found your response rather rude - hope I don't inadvertently offer you s seat at my table on my next cruise! :D

As one half of a couple why shouldnt we put our bags on the spare chairs if people aren't sat on them? If people ask I will move them, but I'm not going to put my things on the floor "just in case" someone might want to sit down.

 

To be honest we don't go on cruises as a couple to make friends - if that's what we wanted we would go with the friend we have. Besides, we have to share each other in our home life with friends and family and work. On our one week away together a year we actually like to talk to each other.

 

Besides, in our experience people start conversation that often goes into things we don't wish to discuss. An innocent question or innocuous opinion can actually be about something that we find quite difficult to talk about. We would rather not be faced with that. It's not rude, it's just personal opinion - I will happily sit in a bar and chat with someone about the entertainment, the ship, the destinations, but eating a meal is more private and conversation more focussed. We don't like the 'forced friendships' that set dining entails, at least let us enjoy some couple time in the buffet!

You've just written our post for us. We're not anti social at all but could not agree more with you. We have very little quality time together at home due to work and family commitments - our holidays our those special 'us' times.

Having said that , when it has been manic in the buffet restaurant we have shared our tables with people who just needed a seat, but that was on embarkation.

If you are that desperate for time alone together, stand and wait for a table for 2. Putting stuff on chairs in an attempt to with-hold a space from others is just plain rude.

and I say that as somebody who is going with just my partner. we like to sit alone, especially as It is our honeymoon. We have a table for 2 for dinner and will wait for one for lunch. What we will NOT do, is chuck stuff on a chair at a table for 4 and attempt to avoid eye contact with those looking for a space.

If you are that desperate for time alone together, stand and wait for a table for 2. Putting stuff on chairs in an attempt to with-hold a space from others is just plain rude.

 

and I say that as somebody who is going with just my partner. we like to sit alone, especially as It is our honeymoon. We have a table for 2 for dinner and will wait for one for lunch. What we will NOT do, is chuck stuff on a chair at a table for 4 and attempt to avoid eye contact with those looking for a space.

Totally agree.

Couples that sit diagonally opposite on a table for 4 are obviously not wanting to share and selfish. I like to upset these individuals, but my wife likes a quiet life !!

There is a simple way to avoid all these problems, don't go in the buffet. Works for me.

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There is a simple way to avoid all these problems, don't go in the buffet. Works for me.

 

 

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Couldn't agree more.

It seems strange that some folk want time alone and don't want to socialise with others yet board a ship with 3,000 other passengers.:confused:

Couldn't agree more.

It seems strange that some folk want time alone and don't want to socialise with others yet board a ship with 3,000 other passengers.:confused:

There's a difference between not wanting to socialise and wanting to spend meal times as a couple. We will spend all day and evening socialising but meal times is us time.

Then why not go to the dining room and ask for a table for two?

You will find it far more civilised than the cafeteria or even request room service.:rolleyes:

Then why not go to the dining room and ask for a table for two?

 

You will find it far more civilised than the cafeteria or even request room service.:rolleyes:

Because we don't want a 3 or 4 course meal for lunch. Nor do we want to spend hours having lunch.

As I have already said, we will either wait for a table for 2, or if one is unlikely to be free relatively quickly simply sit at a bigger table. We will not put bags on chairs or sit diagonally, we will get on with it, so I am unsure why my wife and I hoping for some time alone on our homeymoon is any skin off your nose.

I can only assume you have confused me with one of the table hoggers?

Unfortunately a small percentage of people can by their actions appear rude and selfish to others but perhaps to them they just want some space, although I'm not condoning blocking sunbeds, seats etc

You see it on budget airlines where couples will sit one at the window and one on the aisle seat rather than sitting next to each other.

That's just human nature.

I've seen some really rude and unpleasant people whilst travelling, most of whom always look like they've eaten a wasp sandwich, but I've also met some great people, but I also understand that not everybody wants a conversation when eating.

I can't understand why this thread has developed like this. The OP simply said how rude it was that people hogged tables at busy times. Nobody seems to be disagreeing with that but we now have people telling others how they should socialise at meal times. I'm happy to talk to anyone but I also respect that others may not. No problem either way. We should stop judging others.

As I said earlier, it has to be a two way street - as some have commented half the pleasure of crusing for them is derived from meeting other people, thats fine......as long as other people want to meet them!

However what one person finds to be a good cruise.... meeting as many people as possible, socialising, sharing tables, jokes, stories, arranging to meet at a bar, banter, excursions together etc would be another passengers idea of hell.

As usual it comes down to a bit of tact and reading of the situation.

Putting items on chairs instead of on the floor doesn't mean people are "blocking" - we move our things when we see people looking for a seat and offer those seats: and i have seen a lot of other people do this too. We are also "quick eaters" and don't indulge in several courses, we generally have a small main and a bit of fruit for dessert. When it's busy and we are finishing up with our mains we offer our table to people looking for one, and take our pudding to the poolside or our room. What we don't do is leave our bags on the floor for people to trip over, or open conversation with people we are sat with.

I think it's wrong of people to assume that people with things on chairs are being rude. I understand a bit where people sit diagonally - although the tables are quite small so some larger people, or people with long legs, probably find it quite uncomfortable having other peoples knees pressed up against them! :eek:

I rarely find a problem with getting a table to myself in the buffet. The secret is to avoid busy times. At 7am there will be only a dozen or so in there! For the main dining room they just fill up the tables as people arrive so i just ask for a large table.

The buffet can be a pain on the last morning with so many people treating it as a lounge, definately a day for taking breakfast in the MDR