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Tablemates

Cambrensis

By Cambrensis,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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Cambrensis

Cambrensis

Posted
Posted

Our 4th cruise is in March -- family of 5, and we hope to get our own table in the MDR, as we did last family cruise, and as we did on our first cruise when we were with 2 other couples.

 

Our most recent cruise, just DW and me, we were at a round table with 2 other couples a decade or two older than we are (early 50s); a grandfather with his 20-something-year-old granddaughter (I felt sort of sorry for her ...) and two very sweet but VERY quiet older ladies.

 

It was not unpleasant -- but my wife is VERY outgoing, so let me just say we did not particularly look forward to dinners because it was so ... boring.

 

About the fifth nite, I persuaded a number of folks (including one of the quiet older ladies!) to down a shotglass or two of the after-dinner drink special ... that livened things up a bit!

 

Anyone else have this situation -- and what did you do?

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cbressler76

cbressler76

Posted
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...lol...I don't have an answer for you......but there are 4 of us.....boys are 4 and 7......I hope that we have our own table....my boys are mostly well behaved.....but if they are too tired they get restless...You have 5, so your chances are better for having your own table....

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goldengreeke

goldengreeke

Posted
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You can't always chose your table mates. You can usually get another table if you wish. On our last cruise we had different table mates the first three nights in a row. All were younger folks who were looking for table mates that were more their age. We we at a table for eight and six of us were seniors.

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SkyMaster

SkyMaster

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You may already have a table for just your family assigned. As soon as you board the ship, check the location of the maitre 'd , go there, and check your dining arrangements. If you're at a table for eight or ten, you can ask if there's any chance of getting a table just for the five of you. (probably not) You can switch to anytime dining if you wish at that time, or ask about the others at your table. The maitre 'd will do whatever he can to make you happy.

Good luck.

 

"SKY"

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Crusin6

Crusin6

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We had a father and his 8yo son seated with our family of 6 on the Victory to Canada 5 day cruise. We tried to be friendly and cordial and always started the evening with pleasantries.......but of course when he asked what we did that day...and we responded....we were stuck listening to how we wasted our time...which of course was not true....and how we should have done exactly what they did!

 

After the second night...we dealt with it perfectly.....we talked and laughed and made family memories amongst just the 6 of us;):D

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tiggerman101

tiggerman101

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We moved for the first time on our last cruise. It was my partner and I and they had us at a table for four with two women who were sisters. We stayed the first night and they were nice enough, but it was clear the conversation would be forced from then on. This was an eight day cruise so we switched to a table for two the next night. It was no problem to do so and it turned out well. We had tables on both sides that were seated with really nice people so we would talk to them some. Since we were at our own table we still had privacy and didn't feel forced to talk to them. I did run into the two ladies at our original table a couple times. I felt kind of bad, I didn't want them to think we moved because we didn't like. I am glad that we did move though.

 

Tomorrow I go on my second solo cruise and am interested to see who I am paired up with. Last time it was three other solo cruisers, a couple on their honeymoon and the new bride's mother (!?!). It was an interesting table.

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doe326

doe326

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DH and I have only had one instance where we didn't feel comfortable with our tablemates. We arrived after everyone was seated. We both said hello and introduced ourselves and got nothing, nada, not even a nod. We thought they all knew one another. Finally my husband got one of the men to talk and tell us where they were from. DH asked if they were all traveling together and one of the other men shook his head no. That was it for the conversation. Right after dinner we stopped and asked if we could change tables. They were able to move us and had a pleasant family of three the rest of the cruise and a much better table. But the best part was at breakfast the next morning we went to the dining room and we were seated with another couple and you can guess who -- one of the couples from our table the previous night! And no they did not speak at all during breakfast either. So we made a good decision and were able to enjoy dinner every night with our new tablemates.

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cb at sea

cb at sea

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We've been seated with folks of all age groups...it really hasn't made a difference! Our FAVORITE tablemates were an older couple (late 70's!) that were a total hoot! We had soooooo much fun with these folks!

Luckily, we've always had tablemates that would talk...if you get some who don't, ask to be moved! Having fun tablemates MAKES dinner special...we look forward to dinner every night because of the tablemates! (Hubby and I can eat alone (and do!) anytime!!) We LIKE having others to talk to!

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Cambrensis

Cambrensis

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We've been seated with folks of all age groups...it really hasn't made a difference! Our FAVORITE tablemates were an older couple (late 70's!) that were a total hoot! We had soooooo much fun with these folks!

Luckily, we've always had tablemates that would talk...if you get some who don't, ask to be moved! Having fun tablemates MAKES dinner special...we look forward to dinner every night because of the tablemates! (Hubby and I can eat alone (and do!) anytime!!) We LIKE having others to talk to!

You're right, age makes no difference ... and besides if it weren't for my wife being with me, I might be the one considered boring!;)

 

Indeed, it is what you make of it. The first night, I didn't realize the girl with the older guy was his granddaughter (since they didn't say so) -- and I took on the challenge of figuring out if she was his wife, escort, or ... something else.

 

Thanks for the other insights -- I never really thought to ask for table reassignment, didn't think they had that kind of flexibility.

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JLC@SD

JLC@SD

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We like to meet and get to know lots of different folks....most that we have nothing in common with. You can always find things to talk about.

 

Our most interesting experience was a 12 day cruise with German tablemates.....mother, father and 20 year old daughter. The daughter was the only one that spoke English.....the father very limited English and the mother no English.

 

We had a great time.....and whenever we all laughed at something....the mother had to have a translation so she would understand it.

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tea4ular

tea4ular

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My H and I would have been DELIGHTED with any of those table mates you've described!!! During our honeymoon cruise (our 2nd cruise together) we were placed with a family of 6. The issue was the patriarch (about 50) was loud (not such a problem) and racist...beyond belief. Some of things said at that table were horrific at best. :eek: We tried our best to share that WE didn't feel as they did, but not one word we said was heard by anyone at the table.

 

After dinner the second night, my H & I raced back to our cabin....to talk openly about what was going on...We have very funny senses of humor, and my love said, "It just did not seem like the right time to share the story of my bar mitzvah." We laughed until there were tears.

 

We talked with the AMD and were granted a private table for 2, in a lovely ocean view corner. The rest of the trip we had a lovely time. That was 9 years ago, and we can still recite verbatim what we heard from that man's mouth. :eek:

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wdnoble9999

wdnoble9999

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On cruises where we've sailed as a group (twice with 6 of us each time), we had a table to ourselves. With luck, you'll find yourself in the same situation. On cruises where it's been just my DW and I, we've had great luck with table mates excepting one on the Conquest, where we were coupled up with one of those couples that had no interest in talking about anything but themselves. OK on the first night, but really wearing after that. This time, we're electing Your Time dining (just the two of us this time). If we want company, we'll ask for table mates. If we feel like dining alone, we'll take a table for two. It'll be interesting to see how this works out. In any case, the advice offered by others is very good in this thread is very good. If your mates are duds, ask for a new table. With five in your group, you'll have a GREAT time any way it goes!

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Jeafl

Jeafl

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I am going to miss not having strangers as tablemates when we cruise this June. We are a party of 9, so chances are we will have just our family at the table. I always enjoy meeting new people, so it will be sad to not have that chance this time.

 

Over the years we have had some hysterical tablemates! On our honeymoon cruise we were seated with another honeymoon couple and all they did was talk about how afraid they were of having their wedding gifts stolen while they were gone. They were nice enough, but that got a little old after the second day.

 

My all-time favorite tablemates were two gay guys who were probably the warmest, funniest people I have ever met! The one guy had a gift for making the simplest story spellbinding. Their cabin flooded and to hear him talk about it was hilarious--he had such a great sense of humor. I was sorry to see them go when the cruise ended. :)

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conchead

conchead

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Yes and with enough of the drink specials I could even have enjoyed watching the quiet older ladies doing body shots ... thanks for telling me about what I have been missing!! lol

 

That would be a Hoot!!!:D

 

dang..I said hoot..makes me feel old:(

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