Table Assignments For Solo Cruisers

[cruiseyguy]

How does Celebrity handle table assignments at dinner for solo cruisers? I have requested a large table (6-8) because I thought it might be the best way to meet people. But I'm concerned that I might be placed at a table with a family of five or some other grouping where I would be out of place. Does Celebrity give any real thought to how solo travelers are assigned or is it basically the "luck of the draw?"

[Lois R]

Hi[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] after 3 Celebrity cruises I have had 3 different experiences.
Last month on the Mercury was THE BEST [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] as I was seated with 5 people from our Roll Call!

The first 2 were partially through our Roll Call and partially through the cruise line LOL...hard to explain on here....

The best advice I can give you...sit at your table the first evening and see how it goes, you may find it really wonderful[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]..if not, as soon as your dinner is over go see the Maitr'd and ask for a change. They do it every sailing...and will try to accomadate you as best as they can [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
If you have a Roll Call going and are friendly with any of those folks...and want to sit with them...Celebrity can cross reference your booking numbers.....(that is how I sat with my friends last month).
And...you can go to the Maitr'd after you board the ship...they sit outside the restaurant about 12:30...and you can find out your table..and those sitting with you...ages, etc.
Hope this helps [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]..it is from sailing solo on my last 4 cruises!

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

See My Century and Mercury Pictures at:
[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising"]http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising[/url]

[Deb C.]

Cruiseyguy:
You are on the right track asking for a large table. Also Lois has given you very good advice!

I travel solo much of the time and only once have I had to ask for a new table (my last one--Zenith). I was at a small table with a retired gentleman who I could hardly understand. We tried our best the first night, but I couldn't see this continuing for 13 more days. So I asked the maitre'd to move me to a larger table. As it happened this man asked to be changed to the earlier seating.(no harm, no foul).

When the maitre'd checked on me the next evening to see if things were going okay (and they were), we noticed my old table had a different man sitting all by himself. So I told the maitre'd to approach him and ask if we wished to join our table since we had room and I didn't want him to be dining alone (I figured the maitre'd would know if anyone else might be seated there or if he had others joining him, etc.) Anyway, he did join our table for the rest of the cruise. (It was his first cruise, he was was Scotland, AND he was good-looking [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img])

So finally our table was as filled as I could hope (many empty tables during this cruise on the late sitting). We all had a great time, and the maitre'd also spent a lot of time at our table every night.

I guess my point is...if you don't like something or your table mates, work with the maitre'd and better arrangements can probably be made.

I hope you have a great cruise. Cruising solo is a great way to vacation, and I love the table talk in the evening!!

Good luck! Deb C.

[undecided]

Hi guys-

I believe I was told by my TA that after I
get the travel documents I can go online to
Celebrity's website and fill out a questionaire
that contains seating preferences. Is this
true? I'm going solo on the May 29 Zenith to
Bermuda, and I would rather not be assigned
to a table with couples and families.

I'm French! Why do you think
I have this outrageous accent
you silly king!

[Lois R]

Hi[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] I know you can request main or late and what size table. Not sure if you can do it on the internet or not. If you are booking with a TA, they should do that for you. If you are booking directly through Celebrity, I would ask customer service about it.

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

See My Century and Mercury Pictures at:
[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising"]http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising[/url]

[Deb C.]

undecided:

Oui,oui!! Give your preferences, but I think your only choices are main or late sitting, and size of table. Not sure that they list other preferences like non family,no children etc.

Your TA should have taken that info from you when booking.

I sure hope you enjoy Zenith. The staff and crew was very friendly last Nov. when I cruised for 14 days in the Caribbean.

Like we have said, don't be shy to speak up when you need a change or something corrected. IMO no money needs to change hands and no nasty remarks and loud language are needed either.

Have you checked out the roll call for your sailing? That is a way to "meet" others before you get on board---even get a table of singles or compatable couples to fill a table.

Hope you have a great time!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[undecided]

Hi Deb and Lois-

Thanks for the responses. I'll take your
advice and try to request a different seating
arrangement if it's an awkward situation
(without raising my voice [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]).

I have gone over to the roll call board to
see if anybody else is going on my cruise.
There hasn't been too much talk. Maybe it'll
be an empty ship? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

I'm French! Why do you think
I have this outrageous accent
you silly king!

[transactionchick]

Deb C et Undecided –

Parlez-vous français? Je cherche toujours pour les autres que le parlent…c’est rare ici a Texas.

Si oui, voulez vous faire une correspondance par émail en Français pour practice?

J’attends votre réponse…

Cyndi

Happy Sailing!

Cyndi Wagner, AKA Transaction Chick
Carnival Celebration - 5/98
RCI Rhapsody - 5/00
Carnival Sprit - 10/01
Celebtrity Mercury - 5/04

Parley Vouz Francais? Si vous pouvez, email moi en Francais!

[tuggers]

I was on the 4/11 Zenith and for the very first time I had to ask for a change of table. I travel solo, always ask for a large (8 to 10) table. My last 3 X cruises I have been at a table for six, first with 4 others, then three and this cruise two. This cruise it was an older lady who talked so softly I could not hear a thing she was saying (did lots of smiling and nodding) and a 40ish first cruiser


who was very loud. I immediately found the
maitre'd after dinner and told him I needed a change and asked if we could talk at lunch the next day. The next morning I made a search of the people I had met and liked to find an empty seat at a fun table. At lunch I told him where I wanted to sit. Had a great time from there on. Don't be afraid to speak up!

Until the Zenith! Second X Cruise In Two Months!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;4;11;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[brigittetom]

As many times as I've cruised, I'm still learning from these boards. Celebrity was the culprit in seating us at a table for ten with only one other couple twice and a table for six with one other couple. On the next cruise we asked to be seated at a full table and were told by a very haughty Maitre'd sitting at his table with his charts that we don't decide where we sit, only he will decide regardless of what the TA requested. That was 5 years ago and obviously Celebrity has changed their tactics on dinningroom seating. We have since learned to check our table assignment when we first board and to make sure that it is a full table. I have to mention also that the attitude is gone and they couldn't be more helpful. I'm guessing that complaints do actually reach the top.

Zenith from Jacksonville
Feb. 13 05

[Rich&Natalia]

We had to see the Maitre d' to get our table changed last time, and it seems that he has all the info to get you the table you need. He would go from table to table on his screen, noting not only how many people were at the table, but also if they were together and the age group of the party. Just go see him/her when you board and request a large table with other singles and/or couples. You should get what you're looking for.

-Rich

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;10;8;18;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
'til I'm back on the Galaxy

[tuggers]

If they have the info I wonder why they don't do a better job up front on table assignments? I've traveled on lines where one of the questions they ask is if you want a table of singles.

Until the Zenith! Second X Cruise In Two Months!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;4;11;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[thenewkid]

So THIS explains where everyone went on the SECOND night at my table!!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.regalweb.co.uk/loony/animated/wine.gif[/img]
Millie Med. Cruise
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2003;7;10;15;00;00&timezone=GMT+0100[/img]

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[excitedofharpenden]

Newk, I'd sit at the same table as you....as long as you didn't throw your dummy at me [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Phil

Mercury Western Caribbean November 2002
Galaxy Eastern Caribbean November 2003

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;11;13;18;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]<BR

Until Galaxy Panama Canal Out Of Galveston
13th November 2004


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