Table for 3 request?

[itzkaren]

Just wondering about your experiences with requesting a table for 3? I know there are tables for 2, 4, 8, 10...however, for this cruise, our preference would be a table for 3...perhaps a 'table for 4'...but set for just 3.

 

This is the first time we have sailed without a larger group, when we were all seated together at several tables. The one cruise w/ just DH & myself, we enjoyed the company of 3 other cpls at a table for 8. This cruise is DH, DD 18, and myself...and we would like to enjoy dinner together, which is a rare treat with crazy schedules at home!

 

I will request w/Maitre 'D early afternoon on first day. From your experience, what are the chances of this request being honored? Without this 'special request,' would they sit a single cruiser at our table to make it 'for 4'? Or..put the 3 of us with a party of 5 at a table for 8?

 

While we're very social and friendly, and will enjoy the company of fellow cruisers all day....we're looking forward to 'just the 3 of us' in the MDR each evening for dinner...then off to the shows, casino & enjoying the activities & company with everyone! :p

 

Thank you for your experiences/feedback/opinions. I imagine they will be varied...and all are welcomed ;)...(and there's always the possibility that DD may meet a 'new friend' who we could invite to join our table on a selected night...if we are at a table for 3 and/or 4) :D

 

Starting to get excited....DD has suitcase out and 'counting her dresses!' We enjoy dressing up (but still very comfortable) for dinner each evening...not much chance to do that at home....the 'medical field' scrubs-attire, while 'simple'...gets boring fast! :)

 

TIA for your help, CCrs :p

[jdyer09]

In February, my DH, DD and I went by ourselves for the first time as well. We requested a "Your Time" table for 3 and it was filled without problem every night. We waited one night for about 30 minutes, but it was the first formal night/lobster night and we requested a certain table, so the wait time was on us, not them!

 

They were very accomdating. Like you said we're used to traveling with a group who takes up a few tables, but it was nice to be by ourselves for a change!

 

We set it up with our PVP and never had an issue or had to talk to the Matire 'd! This was on the Conquest by the way!

 

Have fun!

[itzkaren]

In February, my DH, DD and I went by ourselves for the first time as well. We requested a "Your Time" table for 3 and it was filled without problem every night. We waited one night for about 30 minutes, but it was the first formal night/lobster night and we requested a certain table, so the wait time was on us, not them!

 

They were very accomdating. Like you said we're used to traveling with a group who takes up a few tables, but it was nice to be by ourselves for a change!

 

We set it up with our PVP and never had an issue or had to talk to the Matire 'd! This was on the Conquest by the way!

 

Have fun!

Our PVP said we couldn't make a table request thru him...only the dining tume...and we chose 8:15pm. I will have to go to th4 MDR Maitre 'D on the first day.,,,as soon as the doors open and put in a 'table for 3' request. Maybe it's time to clarify a few things with me PVP again! Since he booked us and rec'd final pymt...I havent heard a word!

I also don't know what the 'proper etiquette' about tipping the Maitre 'D in making a specific table request. I'd be happy to, howeverm, I don't want to do something that is 'tacky'

Guess I'll be hearing some more info on this,,thank u for your time & expereience! &hearts:k

[Ken076]

Our PVP said we couldn't make a table request thru him...only the dining tume...and we chose 8:15pm. PVP was correct - you can only request a dining time - you'll be confirmed or waitlisted for same. I will have to go to th4 MDR Maitre 'D on the first day.,,,as soon as the doors open and put in a 'table for 3' request. Maybe it's time to clarify a few things with me PVP again! Since he booked us and rec'd final pymt...I havent heard a word!

I also don't know what the 'proper etiquette' about tipping the Maitre 'D in making a specific table request. It's not necessary to tip for a table request and they are not supposed to accept a tip at time of request for same - if you want to put a tip in their envelope the final nite, that's acceptable. I'd be happy to, howeverm, I don't want to do something that is 'tacky'

Guess I'll be hearing some more info on this,,thank u for your time & expereience! &hearts:k

 

ken

[jillpra]

We just for back from the Carnival Dream on Saturday and they made a table for 2 to a table for 3. Was a little cramped but not too bad considering they we had a table right by the window. It depends on when you are sailing also. I am told doing the summer months most ships are sailing at high capacity so requests for 3 are hard to honor. The only way we got it was we had sailed on the Dream in April and are still in contact with our head waiter and he was able to arrange it personally with the maitre'd prior to boarding. Good luck!

[firefly333]

Our PVP said we couldn't make a table request thru him...only the dining tume...and we chose 8:15pm. I will have to go to th4 MDR Maitre 'D on the first day.,,,as soon as the doors open and put in a 'table for 3' request. Maybe it's time to clarify a few things with me PVP again! Since he booked us and rec'd final pymt...I havent heard a word!

I also don't know what the 'proper etiquette' about tipping the Maitre 'D in making a specific table request. I'd be happy to, howeverm, I don't want to do something that is 'tacky'

Guess I'll be hearing some more info on this,,thank u for your time & expereience! &hearts:k

 

The person said they requested ANY TIME DINING, and you came back with that you cant make a table request (if you request early or late).

 

Call up and change to "any time" dining if you are early or late is what they are suggesting... then you can eat any time you want and when you go to be seating ask for a table for 3.

[kjunea]

I had anytime dining last year and we had no trouble getting a table for 3 using it. We would still eat within 30-45 minutes of regular dining time. They would set us at a 4-top and just remove one of the place settings. Very easy. Highly recommend ATD!

[kenrod]

Our last two cruises there were three of us, me DW & DS. We had the early seating and both times we were seated at a table for four, but set for three.

 

This was something that we didn't request, but perhaps the maitre'd thought it would be best to seat us at our own table because our DS was 5 on the first cruise and 6 on our last cruise.

[okgirl]

Before you do too much worrying when you first get onboard, go see where your table is and what size it is.

 

It's pretty unlikely that if you are at a 4 top that they would seat a 4th person, but just to make sure ask the MD if there is anyone else assigned.

 

If you find that you are at a larger table, then certainly ask the MD if you can be changed to a table for 3 and you might have better luck if you ask for any dining time. You might also ask if YTD is available.

 

If you do get a 4 top it will be set for 4 not 3 since for all other dining times (breakfast/lunch/other dinner) it will be used as a 4 top.

[itzkaren]

Before you do too much worrying when you first get onboard, go see where your table is and what size it is.

 

It's pretty unlikely that if you are at a 4 top that they would seat a 4th person, but just to make sure ask the MD if there is anyone else assigned.

 

If you find that you are at a larger table, then certainly ask the MD if you can be changed to a table for 3 and you might have better luck if you ask for any dining time. You might also ask if YTD is available.

 

If you do get a 4 top it will be set for 4 not 3 since for all other dining times (breakfast/lunch/other dinner) it will be used as a 4 top.

 

Dear Janey~

Thank you for this helpful info....makes good sense to see where/what table we have assigned....and then decide if we need to make a change request. I never even considered 'Your time dining' since I know many ppl really want it...and we're comfortable w/8:15pm seating. However, in this case...I can see how YTD could be an advantage, with a 'table for 3' request.

 

I think I'll follow this 'plan'....as soon as MDR opens, I'll check out what table we are assigned to....if it's a table for 8...then I will def request table for 3 (4)....and/or YDT...with a recommendation from the Maitre 'D as to which will fill our request without 'disrupting' too much! I would prefer the 8:15pm seating....same table w/same wait staff each evening...however, just want a table for the 3 of us!

 

YDT....isn't that usually a different table with different wait staff each evening? Never researched this...as we have always chosen late seating in the MDR. Since I'm always 'running late'....I need a 'goal' of 8:15pm! Who knows what I'd do with YDT?! Perhaps, just PLAN to arrive each evening at 8:00p:p

 

Thanks to all of you for your very helpful tips :) Kinda silly....the things we (I) 'worry' about....in the big picture....we would have a delightful time ANYWHERE we sit in the MDR!! :o Simply the fact that I can get dressed up for dinner, make food selections from an amazing menu.... and be waited on by friendly, professional servers....is such a big treat...we really enjoy this bit of 'pampering' each evening! :)

 

I feel like a little kid....."Are we there yet?!" :D Two weeks & 1 day....we leave the house ....spending 2 nights in LongBeach before the cruise...so that's when the vacation BEGINS!!! Oh Lord...help me 'focus' on my 'to-do' list so I can get that done...and get REALLY Cruise CRAZY excited! :p