What's the activities like on the first night?

Is the first night on board the Eurodam a buzz of activities? or is it just folks settling in? We are still wait listed for the assigned late seating in the dinning room, but we thought that making a reservation for the first night aboard in the Tamarind would be a good alternative. We love Asian food and if the Tamarind lives up to it reputation, we would want to know immediately so we can plan more meals there. On the otherhand, if we do go to the Tamarind, would our table mates be insulted?

Sometimes the first night is quiet, and other times it's a bevy of activity. That all depends on how long and far people have traveled to get to the ship.

If you don't clear the dining waitlist, there's no one to be concerned about. Even if you do clear the list, I wouldn't worry about offending tablemates by dining elsewhere then. That first night people assume empty seats belong to tired travelers, or that people are changing around. It's by the second or third night that people have settled in. By then, you would want to let tablemates know if you planned to dine elsewhere.

But I have to ask, if you are already planning to dine at alternate restaurants several times, are you sure you want to be assigned to fixed seating? The folks at that table may be looking forward to a full table most every night.

Sometimes the first night is quiet, and other times it's a bevy of activity. That all depends on how long and far people have traveled to get to the ship.

 

If you don't clear the dining waitlist, there's no one to be concerned about. Even if you do clear the list, I wouldn't worry about offending tablemates by dining elsewhere then. That first night people assume empty seats belong to tired travelers, or that people are changing around. It's by the second or third night that people have settled in. By then, you would want to let tablemates know if you planned to dine elsewhere.

 

But I have to ask, if you are already planning to dine at alternate restaurants several times, are you sure you want to be assigned to fixed seating? The folks at that table may be looking forward to a full table most every night.

We do not want to be rude. We are confirmed to spend all Formal dinner in the MDR and if the tablemates are fun, then we may opt to spend the remainder evening with them. but one night has to be in the Pinnacle; and that night we will inform our mates of our abscent and offer an invite to join us.

I have never been offended if my tablemates didn't show up for dinner and you should not worry about offending your tablemates either.:mad:

This is your cruise. If you want to spend several nights in alternative restaurants, or just order room service GO FOR IT! Your table mates will understand! If not -- who cares?

As for the first night -- I like your idea of going to an alternative restaurant. It will likely be less crowded that night. Bon Voyage:)

We do not want to be rude. We are confirmed to spend all Formal dinner in the MDR and if the tablemates are fun, then we may opt to spend the remainder evening with them. but one night has to be in the Pinnacle; and that night we will inform our mates of our abscent and offer an invite to join us.

We are also waitlisted for second dining, but are seriously considering keeping the open dining option.

After reading everything here, we are starting to think it might be more fun to create our own dining table with people we meet...(Maybe cos we have been "stuck" before with less than ideal tablemates on a few other cruises...oh, could I tell you some funny stories! :eek:)

We booked the Pinnacle for the last night of the cruise (having been on Carnival before, we know what the Master Chef's dinner is going to be like!) and I suppose it won't seem so rude to miss tablemates on the last night if we didn't have a set table :)

If you care to join us, our reservations are for 7:30.

Next, we have to pick a time to book the Tamarind... haven't done that yet... but it is a must!

The first night can be hectic in the dining room. Some people getting their table assignments changed, etc. So I would not worry about insulting your table mates on the first evening.

There are not a lot of activities on the first night -- everyone is getting settled in. There was a time when there were 2 Introduction shows -- now on most ships there is only one at 10:30. The shops will be open as well as the Casino. There will be the usual Ocean Bar opening at 7. Most of the ships that we have been on there is a guitarist in the Crow's Nest -- 7 or 8 PM. The Northern Lights opens at 9 PM. Some ships a quartet will play in the Explorer's Lounge -- sometimes start at 6:30 -- other timmes at 8.