No more tables for two

I agree that anytime dining is a bit misleading. My recent observation on Oriana was that there was already a considerable queue formed by 5.30pm before the restaurant opened at 6pm for all those wanting to eat early. As a result that filled all the tables up immediately so there was no rocking up at 6.30/7 o’clock as all the tables were taken. So by default it became two sittings anyway, with the added inconvenience of having to queue if you wanted to eat at 6pm.

Frankly, when sailing with Cunard, I would consider any table for two, at whatever level of accommodation, rather self defeating.

I most strongly disagree. It's a matter of choice.

To us, the purpose of a cruise is not to socialise, it's to experience the vessel and the destinations. If we felt the need to socialise we would select a 6 or 8 person table in Voyage Personaliser. We select a table for 2 so we can enjoy our own company and make the most of the cruise.

Not everyone is a social butterfly, and I have heard enough horror stories of obnoxious and overbearing individuals at mixed tables to swear off shared tables forever.

You can still get 8 tops with anytime and get to meet different people every night.

I travel on my own and always request a table of 8. It is so interesting to meet people and get to know them. I have also done lots of trips with anytime dining and having to go through the same introductory conversations every night gets boring and you don't get to know people. Amongst my cruises I have done to half world cruises and absolutely loved being with the same people every night for two months. We have become firm friends. It is good that there is a choice of cruise lines. Don't come on to Cunard and try to change them. Thank you.

If a table of 4,6 or 8 gel together on anytime,surely they can arrange to dine together every night.If they don't,try another table.That could be a nightmare on trad.

Why?

Yes, why?

Quite simply because I've always found the variety and educational level of fellow guests on Cunard to be of such a standard that conversation at the dinner table, and often breakfast and lunch for that matter, to be of the highest order.

It therefore stands that dining with such company becomes one other element in my overall enjoyment of sailing with Cunard.

I most strongly disagree. It's a matter of choice.

To us, the purpose of a cruise is not to socialise, it's to experience the vessel and the destinations. If we felt the need to socialise we would select a 6 or 8 person table in Voyage Personaliser. We select a table for 2 so we can enjoy our own company and make the most of the cruise.

Not everyone is a social butterfly, and I have heard enough horror stories of obnoxious and overbearing individuals at mixed tables to swear off shared tables forever.

Each to their own as you will see from my above comment.

Of course, through socialising, I generally gain my own first hand experience as opposed to 'hearing' tittle-tattle.

Of course, through socialising, I generally gain my own first hand experience as opposed to 'hearing' tittle-tattle.

How rude. The first hand related experiences of other cruisers is not to be lightly dismissed as "tittle-tattle". We have shared tables before, at breakfasts and lunches, but only when all of the tables for 2 are already occupied. Even those experiences have turned us off shared tables for good.

We work too damned hard for our money to take a chance on a shared table impacting our enjoyment of a cruise. Having just returned from V821 Iceland and the Fjords, I am very happy with our choice, and will choose the same going forward.