Party of 5 - table for 6...

[ALadyNCal]

Though it would be fun to me to have a large table and meet new people, my Step Father is fairly intimidated by the situation and didn't really talk to the four new people on our last cruise....for the whole 10 nights. He doesn't talk much in the first place...let alone when extra and/or new people are present. I realized later I should've gotten us a table for four and kept it simple.

This time, we will have a party of 5 and will request a table for 6. Can we block the empty seat? As it is a 'family cruise' for us...it would be simpler if it were just us at our table.

Any experience with this type of request?

[I]Celebrity Infinity 02/2005!; NCL Sun 02/2003; Celebrity Millennium 05/2002; Ocean Princess 10/2001; Ocean Princess 8/2001; NCL Sea 7/2000; Ocean Princess 3/2000; Celebrity Mercury 10/1998; Star Princess 3/1996; NCL Dream 8/1995; Azure Seas 2/1991 [/I]

[Lois R]

hi[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] did you book through a TA or directly through the cruiseline?
If you used a TA, they should be able to handle your request without any problems.
Family of 5 at a "6 top"....sounds easy to me.
You will just have an extra bit of space[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] and no need to "block the seat"...if you have a good waiter..they will probably remove it alltogether and you will be "your own 5 top"!

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]

[ALadyNCal]

My concern is that a solo traveler will get assigned to our table because we have a empty spot.

We have booked thru a TA (someone new to me -- I booked their promo). I haven't addressed it with them yet as the sailing is February.

[I]Celebrity Infinity 02/2005!; NCL Sun 02/2003; Celebrity Millennium 05/2002; Ocean Princess 10/2001; Ocean Princess 8/2001; NCL Sea 7/2000; Ocean Princess 3/2000; Celebrity Mercury 10/1998; Star Princess 3/1996; NCL Dream 8/1995; Azure Seas 2/1991 [/I]

[Lois R]

Hi, I sail solo all the time. You can find out exactly where your table location is and IF they put someone with you prior to dinner. Just stop by the dining room (outside the dining room) about 12:30-the Maitr'd will be there along with some of the wait staff. They will pull everything up on the computer and you can see it too [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]. You shouldn't have a problem.

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]

[DUCK33]

hey lois

i think she has a problem with solos. whats up that? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[ALadyNCal]

Well....the reason we have an empty spot at the table is because Mom n Law is joining us a solo [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[I]~~Celebrity Infinity 02/2005~~; NCL Sun 02/2003; Celebrity Millennium 05/2002; Ocean Princess 10/2001; Ocean Princess 8/2001; NCL Sea 7/2000; Ocean Princess 3/2000; Celebrity Mercury 10/1998; Star Princess 3/1996; NCL Dream 8/1995; Azure Seas 2/1991 [/I]

[ALadyNCal]

I guess the worst case scenario is that they assign someone to the empty seat and we ask the Maitre D to re-assign them and risk hurting their feelings or having an awkward situation.

As it is, I feel bad we won't have new people at dinner....but having done the 10 night cruise with the other two couples TRYING to engage my Step Dad in conversation and failing....I see the 'family only' table as the best option this time.

[I]~~Celebrity Infinity 02/2005~~; NCL Sun 02/2003; Celebrity Millennium 05/2002; Ocean Princess 10/2001; Ocean Princess 8/2001; NCL Sea 7/2000; Ocean Princess 3/2000; Celebrity Mercury 10/1998; Star Princess 3/1996; NCL Dream 8/1995; Azure Seas 2/1991 [/I]

[msiowa]

I sincerely doubt they'd put a single person at a table with a family group. They'll just leave the 6th place empty (they may even remove the 6th chair but I wouldn't count on it.)

In the event a single person is asssigned to your table, you can count on the fact he or she will be visiting the Maitre D immediately after the first dinner (if he or she lasts that long) to beg to be moved to another table. I cannot think of anything more dreadful than being by myself at a table of an entire family. I'd much prefer a table of other singles or couples.

But, as others have said, you can contact Celebrity in advance to request no one else be seated at your table.

Happy sailing.
Joanie

[Andee]

We travelled as a family group of 5, and were seated (just us) at a table for 6. Because we were distressed that the 6th member of our family had, at the last minute, refused to come on the cruise, seeing that empty seat was upsetting. The first night, my husband spoke to our waiter, and we never saw that seat again.

[angelpug]

With it being a family of 5, they'll also tend to "SQUISH" you into a table for 4, since you're family, and won't mind the closeness anyway (this is what happened to us...a rectangular table for 4, with a chair on the end).

Last cruise, we all got together here on CC, and 9 of us requested to be seated together. Once again we were squished at a table for 8. It seems if you're requesting for a group to be seated together ahead of time, Celebrity thinks you're CLOSE already, and seems to have no problem making it a bit closer!!

If you have GREAT servers, they'll keep all of the extra stuff off the table to help you have more room!

Take Care,
Jaime

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2005;3;21;16;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until We're on the Summit