Dining tables for two.

[Jasperdo]

We actually don't mind the close proximity of the tables for two. You say a polite hello to the people seated next to you, but you are not obligated to maintain conversation.

That's not always true. If the couple next to you keeps up a conversation with you from the moment you sit down, it would be very rude to just brush them off. That's happened to us more than once. Even if my wife and I tactfully started talking to ourselves, the other couple would join our private conversation. The reason we request a table for two is so we can have a quiet dinner just for us. That is not always possible when the tables are inches apart.

[chelsea922]

Jasperdo, we agree with you completely. We like a private conversation and it's impossible with those tables.

[chelsea922]

Jasperdo, my husband has no problem completely brushing off the other couple and expects me to also (sometimes uncomfortable). He will stare straight ahead and not talk to me or the other couple and will barely place his order. If you talk to the maitre d' and explain that that will happen at every meal and it will be uncomfortable for both couples, they will usually try to accommodate - they don't want multiple unhappy couples at multiple meals.

[caribill]

On the Diamond Princess last year we had a table for 2 which was a long bench type lounge along the wall and a row of little tables with a single chair on the other side. There was very little separation between the tables so it was like sharing a table for about 8 when we all sat down.

 

And sometimes the waitstaff treats it like a table for 8, keeping all 8 on the same course just as if it was a table for 8, moving on to the next course only after everyone is finished with a course.

[PescadoAmarillo]

And sometimes the waitstaff treats it like a table for 8, keeping all 8 on the same course just as if it was a table for 8, moving on to the next course only after everyone is finished with a course.

A lot of waiters can't handle those bench seating tables for 2 or hate them. Those that make it work do tend to group two or three tables together, which isn't hard early in the evening as they fill up immediately except on CC party night. It's a survival tactic.

[cruisequeen4ever]

My hubby and I can't stand them either! Our upcoming cruise is to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, and we want to enjoy private, romantic dinners each night, not awkward dinners a few inches from the next couple. I'm hopeful we can secure a real table for 2!!

 

 

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[Dave.ca]

That's not always true. If the couple next to you keeps up a conversation with you from the moment you sit down, it would be very rude to just brush them off. That's happened to us more than once. Even if my wife and I tactfully started talking to ourselves, the other couple would join our private conversation. The reason we request a table for two is so we can have a quiet dinner just for us. That is not always possible when the tables are inches apart.

 

I guess we've just been lucky in that the nearby "two's" have selected a table for two for the same reason most would. Don't understand why you would request a table for two and then proceed to act like it was a shared table. Just ask for a shared table to begin with.

[tip]

We also request a table for two. We cruise to enjoy each other's company, not to made small talk with others. I have never complained or posted negative comments on survey cards, but if a dining room host or hostess ever gave me an attitude or rolled eyes at my request, I would be at the passenger service desk filling out a comment card before the evening was over! If you are getting an attitude or an eye roll, someone needs to be reminded who is the paying guest and who is on the payroll.

[Dave.ca]

And sometimes the waitstaff treats it like a table for 8, keeping all 8 on the same course just as if it was a table for 8, moving on to the next course only after everyone is finished with a course.

 

Again, haven't experienced this, and would certainly make ny displeasure known to the maitre'd if I did.

[ellie1145]

We did find on Diamond that although we were sitting on a table for 2 in a line of four tables, whatever time we arrived and whatever stage the other diners were at, we ended up waiting for each other and being at the same stage. This added a lot of time to the meal and made us late for shows several times.

 

The whole point of anytime dining is NOT to have to wait for other people to finish eating,or work through multiple courses, when we only order two courses.

[Dave.ca]

We did find on Diamond that although we were sitting on a table for 2 in a line of four tables, whatever time we arrived and whatever stage the other diners were at, we ended up waiting for each other and being at the same stage. This added a lot of time to the meal and made us late for shows several times.

 

The whole point of anytime dining is NOT to have to wait for other people to finish eating,or work through multiple courses, when we only order two courses.

 

 

Very good point. Some (crew and passengers) view those who request tables for two as anti-social, when if fact there are often very practical reasons for the choice.

[hubofhockey]

This is exactly how we felt on our first Princess cruise last month. After 5 cruises on HAL with a Traditional dining table for 2, we decided to try Anytime on Princess. We found we still preferred a table for 2 (unless we ate with friends that we met onboard - another GREAT option with Anytime Dining! :cool:).

 

 

 

At first I thought those very tight tables were awful, but we actually liked being able to strike up conversations when we wanted to as opposed to feeling obligated. ;)

 

 

It's weird, but I agree. We like those tables for two. Many have water views and most people know when adjacent couples feeling like having an isolated conversation.

[caribill]

We did find on Diamond that although we were sitting on a table for 2 in a line of four tables, whatever time we arrived and whatever stage the other diners were at, we ended up waiting for each other and being at the same stage. This added a lot of time to the meal and made us late for shows several times.

 

The whole point of anytime dining is NOT to have to wait for other people to finish eating,or work through multiple courses, when we only order two courses.

 

The secret to avoiding this is to let your waiter know you want to be served in a timely manner and not have to wait untiol those at other tables are ready for their next course.

 

It helps to tell the waiter that you want to be finished with dinner by xx:xx time.

[shredie]

Jasperdo, my husband has no problem completely brushing off the other couple and expects me to also (sometimes uncomfortable). He will stare straight ahead and not talk to me or the other couple and will barely place his order.

 

This is the couple you want next to you at one of those long banquette setups with the two-tops. :) What is awkward is when two or more couples on the line chat among themselves loudly while ignoring the couples to either side of them. I saw one time two couples chatting OVER a couple seated between them. Frankly, I think you have a better chance at private conversation when seated next to one another at an 8-top. ;)

[JimAOk1945]

I agree. We prefer tables for two. Unfortunately, they are usually too close to other tables for private conversations.

 

On one cruise, we were able to get a table that was set next to a wall. The swinging door behind my wife was apparently a doorway to the galley but it was less of a distraction than the area we were sitting in previously!

[49er]

We always ask for a table for two and don't particularly like the "bench" arrangements either. On one cruise the tables seemed closer then normal and when the couple next to us got up to leave after finishing their meal, the rather large gentleman practically got stuck in trying to maneuver between his table and ours. In the process he managed to catch our table cloth and almost pulled it and our meal on the floor.

 

49er

Edited April 26, 2014 by 49er

[Sapphire56]

This is my main gripe with Anytime Dining. I agree with you about the Coral. It was the worst. Every time we ate in the dining room we had a "table for two" like this one. My wife and I prefer a quiet, private conversation at dinner, and it's just impossible in this set up.

 

Coral Princess by Jasperdo, on Flickr

 

On the other hand, we just returned from a cruise on the Star Princess, and they know how to do tables for two right. They were all clustered in a few sections of the dining room, but they were spaced so they were private. I wish the other some of the other Princess ships would arrange their tables for two in this manner. Here's a few photos to demonstrate:

 

Star Princess - Hawaii Cruise by Jasperdo, on Flickr

 

Star Princess - Hawaii Cruise by Jasperdo, on Flickr

 

Star Princess - Hawaii Cruise by Jasperdo, on Flickr

 

Thanks for sharing the pictures and this is how it should be for all tables for two on all ships.

 

I find that you cannot enjoy the special food if you are making conversation. If I go to a restaurant and ask for a table for two I would never accept one as close as those on cruise ships. All lines do it. I also object to bench seats at tables for two. I need to sit on a proper seat and not a bench. If my DH sits on the bench he is much lower down and too low to eat comfortably. I usually ask for a table for two with two chairs. We eat early so don't usually have a problem although have on occasions.

 

Good to know that we are not the only ones that like to eat together and privately. We are not unsociable but do like to eat in peace!

[Sapphire56]

We actually don't mind the close proximity of the tables for two. You say a polite hello to the people seated next to you, but you are not obligated to maintain conversation. We don't expect or need intimacy or true privacy, just an understanding that on that particulart night we're not up for an ongoing back and forth with our neighbours.

 

I expect that the reason for the layout stems from tables for two being a bit of an afterthought, not part of the original dining room design. We haven't yet cruised on the Royal, so I would be interested: Has Princess done a better job of integrating tables for two in the new ships?

 

On Royal they still had bench seating with a chair one side. I was only on for a short tour the day before it's christening in Southampton last year and I think there may have been a few tables for two that were tables for two away from other tables but they never have that many because, and this is only my opinion, it's easier for waiters to serve passengers when they are all together. It's all done to help the staff rather than the passengers! It's a shame that they don't put on more tables for 2. Tables for two are more flexible and can be placed side by side to accommodate a bigger group.

[Kosi]

I know exactly what you are all talking about.. our last cruise on Holland America was not so great cause of that very issue.. oh so lose to the people next to us.. it is sooo uncomfortable.. we then ate at the Lido.. every night.. but thing is on that cruise line we could get basically the same things from dinning room.. is that the same on this cruise? We are on it for the first time in Oct.. royal out of NYC.. thanks

[PescadoAmarillo]

I know exactly what you are all talking about.. our last cruise on Holland America was not so great cause of that very issue.. oh so lose to the people next to us.. it is sooo uncomfortable.. we then ate at the Lido.. every night.. but thing is on that cruise line we could get basically the same things from dinning room.. is that the same on this cruise? We are on it for the first time in Oct.. royal out of NYC.. thanks

In general, Princess' buffet dinner menu does not closely replicate the dining room menu on any given night, as it does on HAL.

[Jasperdo]

I find that you cannot enjoy the special food if you are making conversation.

I am the exact same way. I understand that many people are outgoing and can easily make conversation with strangers. I am not like that. I get very nervous if I have to maintain a dinner conversation with people I don't know. It makes it so I can't enjoy the food in front of me, because I have to pay attention to the conversation. I'm sure it sounds silly to most people, but that's how I am. Always have been shy like that.

[vandalayceo]

29 princess cruises,12 different ships and have never sat at anything but a "private table" for two( i.e. not one of the ones in a line up),or a table for four with just us.

Our secret, that's what we want and we will wait until one is available.

First night we politely explain what we want, and that we are prepared to wait as long as is necessary to get a private table for two.

By second or third night they recognize us and don't even bother asking-"Willing to share?" and are often making a special effort to get us what we want-if not we take our beeper and go away, the Casino, the Internet etc.

How long have we waited? Anywhere from immediate seating to 30 minutes-very occasionally longer.

We recognize there are limited tables available that are acceptable to us , so we don't get upset that they are not always immediately available.

We are not antisocial. Every night before dinner you can find me at Crooners mixing it up with the other regular bar rats.

But dinner is my time to be alone with my dear, and still beautiful, wife of 38 years.

We have been together all day but somehow this time is still special-we talk. we laugh, we enjoy each other much like we did when we first met and were dating-highlight of each and every cruise, and worth any wait.

Princess is "The Love Boat" if you want it to be.

[chelsea922]

29 princess cruises,12 different ships and have never sat at anything but a "private table" for two( i.e. not one of the ones in a line up),or a table for four with just us.

Our secret, that's what we want and we will wait until one is available.

First night we politely explain what we want, and that we are prepared to wait as long as is necessary to get a private table for two.

By second or third night they recognize us and don't even bother asking-"Willing to share?" and are often making a special effort to get us what we want-if not we take our beeper and go away, the Casino, the Internet etc.

How long have we waited? Anywhere from immediate seating to 30 minutes-very occasionally longer.

We recognize there are limited tables available that are acceptable to us , so we don't get upset that they are not always immediately available.

We are not antisocial. Every night before dinner you can find me at Crooners mixing it up with the other regular bar rats.

But dinner is my time to be alone with my dear, and still beautiful, wife of 38 years.

We have been together all day but somehow this time is still special-we talk. we laugh, we enjoy each other much like we did when we first met and were dating-highlight of each and every cruise, and worth any wait.

Princess is "The Love Boat" if you want it to be.

Excellent plan for getting what you want. I've read your post to DH and we're planning to do exactly that next time.