Sharing Tables

Simply because there were fewer options then, we sat at large tables for twenty years or so from when we started cruising in the late 70’s.

Never really had bad tablemates but never developed the friendship others speak of.

As two tops became more prevalent we have chosen them in more recent years as personal preference.

That said, if we had no choice except a large table, would prefer it be on Cunard as opposed to HAL, Princess, or Celebrity that we also sail.

We find on the whole Cunard passengers more interesting, more personable, and less prone to complaints.

We were VERY disappointed with our 7 day cruise on Norwegian Cruiselines Pride of America around the Hawaiian Islands. Why??The ship was great, the itinerary was great, the food was great !! -- BUT we always got sat by ourselves for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We realised what was happening after a couple of days and pointedly asked to share a table with others -- NO! - that is theoretically possible we were told but it will NOT happen!! Apparently Americans only want to dine with their spouses. After 30 years of marriage , my wife and I like to dine with other people's spouses - much more interesting!!!!

We were VERY disappointed with our 7 day cruise on Norwegian Cruiselines Pride of America around the Hawaiian Islands. Why??The ship was great, the itinerary was great, the food was great !! -- BUT we always got sat by ourselves for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We realised what was happening after a couple of days and pointedly asked to share a table with others -- NO! - that is theoretically possible we were told but it will NOT happen!! Apparently Americans only want to dine with their spouses. After 30 years of marriage , my wife and I like to dine with other people's spouses - much more interesting!!!!

I didn't find that to be true. I was on NCL to Havana last year. I was a solo cruiser and I told the dining room I would be happy to share a table if that worked for their seating. I had a husb/wife couple sit with me one night and another night I asked a husb/wife couple if I could sit with them. We had a BLAST all night. We went to 2 shows together and it was terrific.

Forty years ago, when I lived in Germany, it was very common to be seated at a table with others. The interesting thing was that the custom was to eat with no interaction or conversation with the people you were seated with. Don't know if it's still the same.

You've never eaten at Durgin Park in Boston, I see.

I've just look that place up, their website has plenty of pictures of their seating arrangements.

But that's nothing like Cunard' seating arrangements. It has lots of seating arranged in rows. Plenty of places have seats in rows, so of course it's easy to sit next to other people you do not know. Other posters have mentioned places with bench type seating arrangements - again, that is nothing like Cunard.

in the MDR, as a couple, you can sit with another couple on a table for 4 (a single table, not a bench or in a row) that you have never met before. That type of arrangement simply does not happen on land. And even if people know of a restaurant where you did sit like that, that is exceptionally rare; it does not make my initial observation incorrect - 1 place in a 1000 does not prove my question to be incorrect.

Also, my question was : Why is sitting with other people in a restaurant acceptable on a cruise but it's not acceptable on land ? (and by sit with other people, to be clear, I do not mean sitting on a bench/in a row. I mean, say, 2 couples that do not know each other sitting at a table for 4).

So far the vast majority of answers have been about whether people like it or not. I did not ask that.

Just a thought on the sharing bit. Could part of the reason be perhaps because has been logistically impossible to give tables for two for all cabins on a two seating dining basis and therefore the tradition of sharing tables became the norm and accepted by many passengers as being a sociable part of the cruise?

Those who don't want to share can request tables for two.

Just a thought on the sharing bit. Could part of the reason be perhaps because has been logistically impossible to give tables for two for all cabins on a two seating dining basis and therefore the tradition of sharing tables became the norm and accepted by many passengers as being a sociable part of the cruise?

Those who don't want to share can request tables for two.

Now that is the most logical answer so far; it's because there is not enough room for all those tables for 2. And yes, before someone says "but we travel as a 4 or 6 or whatever, and therefore you are wrong", I will pre-empt that by adding that of course some people do travel in 4s or 6s, but the vast majority travel in 2s.

So people accept this arrangement because because they accept that space is limited; but one land they do not.

Certainly the tradition on sailing vessels were long tables because of limited space. I think the tradition continues because dining is so different on ships that continue main dining rooms. On land we don't usually eat dinner in the same restaurant for an entire week or more, and we have the option of calling friends to join us. At sea we're often just a single couple without any other personal connections. Some love a week or more at a table for two, but many people regularly dine out with others so this is more natural. Perhaps not the best comparison, but retirement communities often make communal dining tables the norm too, to break down the social isolation.

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We have always been at a table for two except once when we chose a table for 6 on a voyage with specific persons with whom we were traveling. It's our preference. Maybe some day....but for now at least, it's just the two of us. Cunard is a great "date" : )

Two points, multiple nights and space have already been covered, but the third is of course fixed dining times. It’s quite difficult or perhaps considered rude if you are to share with people who arrive at the table at a different time or order a different number of courses.

this sometimes happens in the dining cars on overnight or long distance trains in america. this is why couples sit side by side with the strangers opposite. this way they can arrive and leave at different times without having to move the other couple. the food is served at different times too. and it’s not considered impolite to get up and leave once your meal is done even if the other couple is still eating.

I see a major difference. On a shared table you all know you are on that table and may converse. If you are on a table for two a few inches apart, if people converse loudly enough for you to keep up, do you join in? I have had adjacent table diners talk to me but then do you try to not join in their conversations. What about eye contact? Tables for two inches apart are the most awkward dining set up in my experience.

 

Regards John

I remember once arriving at the mdr and there was a couple in front of us and the lady requested a table for 2, they were then taken to a table.

We were then asked if we wanted a 2 or share and we said we didnt mind whatever was available first. We were taken to a 2 table sitting next to (very close) the couple who had been in front if us.

We had only just sat down when the lady started to talk to me. Why did they ask for a table for 2?

I also find the very close together tables very awkward because you cant avoid hearing the other diners conversations or argument as on one occasion I recall.

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We are sailing club on the QE soon and have requested a 2 top.Is it possible we could be shoved on a bigger table and would it be considered rude if we turned up late every night,which we do anyway.That's the perogative of club dining apparently with your guaranteed table.Cheers,Brian.

We are sailing club on the QE soon and have requested a 2 top.Is it possible we could be shoved on a bigger table and would it be considered rude if we turned up late every night,which we do anyway.That's the perogative of club dining apparently with your guaranteed table.Cheers,Brian.

What do you mean by late ? If you are in Club you can dine anytime within the restaurant opening hours. If you are on a shared table you can arrange to eat at the same time if you want to but you don't have to.

What do you mean by late ? If you are in Club you can dine anytime within the restaurant opening hours. If you are on a shared table you can arrange to eat at the same time if you want to but you don't have to.

I remember once arriving at the mdr and there was a couple in front of us and the lady requested a table for 2, they were then taken to a table.

We were then asked if we wanted a 2 or share and we said we didnt mind whatever was available first. We were taken to a 2 table sitting next to (very close) the couple who had been in front if us.

We had only just sat down when the lady started to talk to me. Why did they ask for a table for 2?

I also find the very close together tables very awkward because you cant avoid hearing the other diners conversations or argument as on one occasion I recall.

 

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In our case we choose a table for two because we do not always use the MDR for dinner. If we have a big lunch or go to afternoon tea we couldn't do a dinner justice, so we have a small meal at the buffet instead. We like the idea of the socialisation of a shared table, and perhaps we will choose one in future. I must say I am also guilty of opening up a conversation with the people two feet away from me. So much to learn.

About 8.30 to 8.45.That's the problem,I don't want to share,cheers,Brian.

If you have requested a table for 2 in Club you will probably get one.

We are sailing club on the QE soon and have requested a 2 top.Is it possible we could be shoved on a bigger table and would it be considered rude if we turned up late every night,which we do anyway.That's the perogative of club dining apparently with your guaranteed table.Cheers,Brian.

I have never booked Britannia Club, so have no idea if they shove the passengers to a larger table capacity, but you seemed to have answered your own question and it is your prerogative to turn up when you like, but I have no idea if the dining room closes at 2100 or if that is last orders. Let's hope you get your table for two.

Just my opinion but I don't see much difference between a table for 2 that is separated from the next table by about 2 inches and sharing a table. Also we have met some very interesting people while sharing and prefer as first choice a table for 6 but don't mind 8. We have only encountered one couple (in 8 cruises) who disappeared, I presume after asking to be moved. It was no great loss to the other 6 on the table as the ones who disappeared were so far up themselves I don't think they had seen daylight for years.

It always amuses my wife and I to see the people in the MDR who stand around waiting for a table for 2 to become available at breakfast time. They mostly look rather miserable and forlorn. I guess its just a case of each to their own preferences.

It’s a psychological difference, if it’s technically two separate tables, you can make polite conversation when it suits and converse among yourselves when there is a natural break in the conversation. You can also just say ‘hello, how are you?’ when arriving if your neighbours are there. If you’re on a single table there is a bit more of an onus to keep up a proper conversation. For some people this is great - new people to meet and share stories, for some it’s not a problem, and for some it’s a bit of a nightmare. I guess it depends on how introverted or extroverted you are, and how much you like polite conversation with relative strangers/ new people.

On our last crossing segment, about four days in, we gave in and said OK to a shared breakfast table. (Like many, we tire of the same questions the first thing in the morning.) We were shown to a table for eight.

After a few minutes conversation, one couple mentioned that they were headed to Newfoundland to visit friends they stayed with for three days after their plane was grounded in the hours after 9/11.

The current Broadway hit, "Come From Away" is about that exact situation. Our table guests were amongst the passengers of the "38 Planes" (a song in the show). They had tried all sorts of ways to get tickets to the show from their small town in England, but it was a complete sellout and they had no connections, so they quickly hit a brick wall. I mentioned that I, personally, had no connections - but being a Broadway fan, I frequented a couple of chat boards which were also seen by people in the industry. We also had two copies of the Playbill from seeing it before boarding in NY the week before, and it would list the producers - which can be googled. (Knowing that producers control house seats)

After returning to the cabin, I posted a plea to two online forums. I got immediate replies on both and within 45 minutes on a Sunday morning of a holiday weekend, I had an email and commitment for house seats at the performance of their choice. (Thank you, online forums!)

It turns out, the other couple also usually prefers a private table at breakfast and, like us, decided that morning to accept a shared table. If either of us had chosen to do it that morning, it's unlikely that connection would be made.

- Mark

If you have requested a table for 2 in Club you will probably get one.

I've just look that place up, their website has plenty of pictures of their seating arrangements.

 

But that's nothing like Cunard' seating arrangements. It has lots of seating arranged in rows. Plenty of places have seats in rows, so of course it's easy to sit next to other people you do not know. Other posters have mentioned places with bench type seating arrangements - again, that is nothing like Cunard.

 

in the MDR, as a couple, you can sit with another couple on a table for 4 (a single table, not a bench or in a row) that you have never met before. That type of arrangement simply does not happen on land. And even if people know of a restaurant where you did sit like that, that is exceptionally rare; it does not make my initial observation incorrect - 1 place in a 1000 does not prove my question to be incorrect.

 

Also, my question was : Why is sitting with other people in a restaurant acceptable on a cruise but it's not acceptable on land ? (and by sit with other people, to be clear, I do not mean sitting on a bench/in a row. I mean, say, 2 couples that do not know each other sitting at a table for 4).

 

So far the vast majority of answers have been about whether people like it or not. I did not ask that.

If youwill reread the posts there is at least one that provides the history of how seating morphed from long tables of many to the persent set-up. But to answer your question directly, "Because they can"

On our first cruise we had a table for 2. We enjoyed talking to the people on the next table every evening so ,since then, we have asked for a table for 6.

We have noticed this is a common practice in small restaurants and cafes during our independant land travels in Switzerland and Germany. We learned to take whatever seats were offered if we wanted to eat, as Europeans tend to occupy their tables for the entire evening. People are pretty friendly everywhere if one is pleasant in return.

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If you have requested a table for 2 in Club you will probably get one.

We went Britannia Club on the QM2 on our first cruise and asked for a table for 2 but we were assigned a table for 8 (or may have been 10). This was back in 2008.

Two points, multiple nights and space have already been covered, but the third is of course fixed dining times. It’s quite difficult or perhaps considered rude if you are to share with people who arrive at the table at a different time or order a different number of courses.

 

this sometimes happens in the dining cars on overnight or long distance trains in america. this is why couples sit side by side with the strangers opposite. this way they can arrive and leave at different times without having to move the other couple. the food is served at different times too. and it’s not considered impolite to get up and leave once your meal is done even if the other couple is still eating.

What few trains in Canada that have dining cars (Toronto-Vancouver, Montreal-Halifax and one other route) have two or three sittings for lunch and dinner. Everyone is served each of the three courses at the same time at each table. This works well. On the long distance train, the Canadian, all tables are for four and although the 1st, 2nd or 3rd sitting is reserved, tables are not assigned in advance.

People who willingly spend three and a half days on this train are, like those who enjoy a week crossing the Atlantic on the QM2, very interesting.

In the 45 years since our first cruise we have sat at tables for two up to eight and always had a good experience. In Britannia we have had voyages when one couple never turns up, so a table for eight effectively becomes a table for six, etc. This has not been a problem. We gave up on tables for two long ago, except occasionally for open seating breakfast or lunch in Britannia when we were in a hurry. We have met some very good friends in the restaurants of both ships and trains.