Gamelan1971

DH likes to eat alone for meals, but otherwise, we like sitting with other people during trivia, events, excursions, etc. and the majority of time when we invite others, or are so bold as to ask to sit with others, we get these excuses. Its not worth getting upset over anymore, but I feel like people in general are only interested in socializing in their established bubbles. But I do think we need to continue to try to make connections with others, even if 80% of the time it doesn't pan out. The other 20% might make it highly worthwhile.

We always select fixed dining for our HAL cruises and have been more than satisfied with the service from the dining room stewards. The only cruise that was off in this regard was an Alaska cruise on the Oosterdam in 2019 (pre covid). The service all around was mediocre and my mother commented several times that it seemed like the "B" team was working that cruise. We also didn't like the ship in comparison to other HAL ships. So we've avoided the Oosterdam ever since.

I was on a cruise on the Nieuw Statendam this past Autumn, and for the first time, I noticed a large group of people who were occupying a big table in the Lido for card games and other various activities- it was a group of 10-15 elderly Vietnamese people, with a few people who stayed at the table at all times. I only noticed this on one sea day, so I have no idea if they were there the other days. But I felt as though there was plenty of space on the ship to enjoy and eat, so it didn't bother me. I found the concept that they had planned a big family/friends trip together and that they were enjoying themselves heartening. I hope they had a good time.