First CCruise Where Sharing A Table With Strangers

[rocking-m-cruiser]

Heading on our first cruise where we will be travelling without a group. Dinner in the MDR has always been the highlight of our day. When booking we selected a table for 6 which means we will be with 4 strangers and are a bit apprehensive about this. Just wondering what experiences others may have had in a similar situation. Thanks

 

We have had some wonderful experiences and have become friends with some. We like to visit with people from different areas. There are times we have asked to be separated just for some alone time.

[path145]

We generally enjoyed our table mates until the last time, 3 cruises ago.

 

We missed three nights in the MDR... the 1st for our Steakhouse reservation, 2nd because we were tired and ended up at the Lido buffet because we woke up late from a nap, and 3rd because the Casino comped us another night in the Steakhouse. Every time we missed a night we were grilled the next day at our table in the MDR, ended up feeling like outcasts because everyone else was yucking it up and we didn't get the joke.

 

We've enjoyed YTD and a table for 2 ever since.

[Towel Critter]

Works both ways......we have sat with people from the friendly country to the south that asked questions, to save someone else:

 

no....we don't have polar bears in our backyard

 

no.....we do not live in igloo's

 

yes...we have running water inside and do have a toilet

 

Interesting fact about Canada......Did you know that Metro Toronto has the 5th largest metro population in North America of over 6 million people.

 

yes....is does get very cold and yes....it does snow at times

 

yes....we do have electricity.

I feel your pain. Not much fun, is it? If only folks could realize stereotypes are, more often than not, wrong. I meant no offense whatsoever to Canadians, btw. The folks seated with us were nice, as I mentioned. The questions they asked could just have easily come from someone from Colorado, or Illinois, etc... from anyone, in fact, that was only familiar with the Southern United States via TV and other media, where we are, without fail, assumed to all be like the folks on "The Dukes of Hazzard."

[jayscore]

A couple more

 

no...we don't all have dog sleds

 

no...we don't live as far north as some of the United States. Where I live it is south of a lot of the United States..try and explain that one

 

no...I actually don't have a parka..I don't even own a winter coat.

 

I have found that some of my table mates have been great and I love to learn about other places. There have been a couple though that I could have done without.

 

tigercat

 

DW and I (from N. Wis.)were seated for breakfast next to a couple from Alberta. Across from us were a pair from Mexico, the other two from California.

We were asked, "Does it get cold up there?"

I wink at our Canadian "neighbors" and ask,"How cold do you mean?"

"0 ?"

"Yep."

"-10?"

"Keep going..."

"-20?!"

"Minus 30 , at times."

" Good God! How do you start your car?"

"Put the key in the ignition, and turn the key, of course!":p

 

That was fun!

[Merchant43]

The only negative I have is when some don't come on time. I have been at a table when a party would come 30 mins late every night.

[mkam2821]

We'ce taken approximately 20 cruises and we always ask for a large table hoping to meet new people. On one or two occasions I was convinced that we were on candid camera as our table mates could not possibly have been for real. But alas, there were no hidden cameras and though I hope never to see them again, dining with them did make for an interesting experience and some great post-cruise stories. Most of the time, it has been a pleasant experience and an opportunity to learn about other people, their culture, perhaps their suggestions for excursions, restaurants etc. in port. One time when we had our then 17 year old daughter with us we were seated with a woman traveling with her teenage daughter and daughter's friend and they spent the entire dinner meal without uttering one word. After the first night we never saw them again. However the maitre d asked if we'd mind if the ship's doctor and family joined us and they were an absolutely delightful family and we enjoyed dining with them the rest of the cruise. Yes, it is the luck of the draw but the good thing is that if you don't like your tablemates, you can ask the maitre d to sit you elsewhere (or eat in the Lido).

[Elaine5715]

Not quite sure what you mean. We have late dining scheduled thus would have assigned seating.

It means your TA is talking nonsense. There is no option to select table size pre- cruise so they gave you a false option so who knows what other bad information they have dished.

[angiegal]

Our first cruise we, a family of four, were seated with a couple who were taking a second honeymoon and left their children with grandparents. The mom cried her way through the first dinner and kept saying how much she missed her children. Her husband was just annoyed by her crying and kept ordering drinks. We didn't see them again. Otherwise our experience with dinner has been great! We did encounter an odd family that couldn't stop insulting each other once at tea. The daughter's name was Princess. She showed her driver's license to everyone to prove it. Her mom called her a liar. The conversation just went downhill from there.

Edited July 26, 2015 by angiegal

[mapsmith]

We actually prefer a larger table, since tablemates can be fun. Unfortunately, lately we have been given four tops. But we still have great times.

 

We had a four top booth a few years ago, on the first night we showed but the others did not, and the booth behind us was empty and the booth the other direction was empty and the 8 top next to the booth was empty and the six top next to that had another couple. So our wait team had 4 out of 26 positions filled. We should have had excellent service, but it seems that the Head Waiter told our wait team to avoid us. We contacted the Maitre 'D and he moved us to the other dining room with three other couples. They were fun. One couple ran a motel, and the other two couples were retired (One gent supposedly from the Military in Intelligence, so he remained kinda quiet) We were welcomed and had a great time.

 

On our last cruise we were seated with another couple at a six top near a window. They seemed to be a nice couple, but something was slightly off. It slowly became apparent that their political, religious, and social views (at least his) were about 180 degrees from ours. So we again asked for a change. The moved us to another 6 top with a couple that was fine. but they went to the steakhouse on three nights. But the table next to us was a lot of fun with a Canadian Policeman and two or three sisters in the group. We enjoyed their company and talked to them several times during the cruise. But they were 10 at an 8 top so there was no room to join them.

 

We will continue to ask for larger tables and late dining. Seems to work for us.

[summersigh]

I've experienced this quite a few times and they have all been a great experience. I have met great people and I have actually kept in touch with some of them.

 

We've had the same great experiences as well.

 

I think what one needs to do is go into it realizing that the folks you're seated with may not be your BFF's if you were in your hometown ... but .... we have yet to find folks that we couldn't have good dinner convo with.

 

We enjoy meeting up with our tablemates each evening at the table, sharing what all of us did that day for starters and what everyone has planned for the rest of the evening.:)

[IPlayWithString]

The first few cruises we went on, we shared a table with total strangers and really, it wasn't that bad. It was fun listening to some of the crazy things people got up to in port.

 

The last two cruises, however, we've had YTD, which we found just works better for us.

[SeeBurd]

It means your TA is talking nonsense. There is no option to select table size pre- cruise so they gave you a false option so who knows what other bad information they have dished.

 

Huh? On the Holidayband Fantasy class ships, we knew a table of 8 would secure us a window table. We requested and always got the window table.

 

As the additional classes came out, we did the same thing, and always got the same thing.

 

The only time it didn't work was when we booked a late cruise, and got assigned late seating. A quick trip to the MD in embarkation day got us what we expected.

[SkyMaster]

After 120 or so cruises, we can only think of one time when we asked to be moved, and that was because the table for 10 had a BIG family,,,,and us. More often than not, we've had fantastic dinner partners.

One time recently, we had a gentleman who identified himself as a retired Navy man, and I, having served in the Marine Corps, just HAD to give him all the Navy/Marine Corps jokes I could think of. Found out the last evening that he was a retired ADMIRAL! :eek: We still communicate occasionally. ;)

 

"SKY"

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

It means your TA is talking nonsense. There is no option to select table size pre- cruise so they gave you a false option so who knows what other bad information they have dished.

 

I think you may need to re-evaluate your answer. There are many TAs who have been doing business with Carnival for a very long time and have the "inside" resources to get a lot of "wants" from their clientele who book with them. That is why many cruisers stay with established TAs because they can and do get some perks that are not available to those who book direct with Carnival.

 

I have read on many a cruise board that TAs no longer get any preferential treatment and some don't even get "paid" for booking. Well, I know for a fact that my TA gets both and has for years and the proof is always apparent when we board our cruise and our requests are always filled, like table size and location and our preferred dining time, and the fact that we don't have to ask for the full complement of room services since our TA has handled that...ie: robes, ice, extra pillows, extension cord, a small fan, etc.

 

Back to the subject: Sitting with strangers and enjoying that experience often is more of a statement about ourselves than our tablemates. Some people are just more gregarious by nature, have an easier time getting past first impressions, and don't expect to be seated with mirror images. If you are not a people person than showing up on embarkation day and trying to get moved to a table fitting your party only, whether it be 2 or 4, is well worth the trouble.

[Nic6318]

Most of our experiences have been disastrous. That's why we only do ATD and a table for two. DH likes sitting with others, but not me. Just don't discuss politics or religion and you'll be fine. If you don't like your table mates just ask to be seated at a different table.

 

 

 

I find that it always a matter of attitude. Depending on the people involved you can have a very lively and enjoyable discussion with people that don't agree with you.

People sometimes forget that others may have completely different opinions than yourself and not be wrong or stupid. Generally it is their right to have their opinion and it is a matter of respect to accept that fact.

Believe me it would be a pretty dull world if everyone agreed with everything I thought.

We have been on many cruises and never yet had a "bad" experience and wouldn't let one stop me from meeting new people in this type of environment.

They will change your seating if you are uncomfortable with your tablemates.

[CutestLittleEvil]

I love sitting with strangers and meeting new people. I have made some amazing 7day friends that I'm still friends with ( I went to one cruising friend's wedding last year:eek:)There have been some I have enjoyed far more than others. Regardless, I appreciate the opportunity to encounter someone from an entirely different walk of life, these are people that I would never speak with in my non cruising life. It can be enlightening and enriching to encounter others so different from my usual circle.

 

And If I don't particularly care for someone's personality, I know that in 7 to 10days I never have to speak to them again.

[jwjax]

I only remember 1 genuinely obnoxious boor, and while I knew I had the option to request a different table opted not to because it was kind of funny to watch his nightly antics.

 

:):) Hey!! BA! It sounds like you had the same person we had on one cruise. Note, this was the ONLY time we almost requested to move to another table.

 

Fortunately, a table or two across from us had a couple who were hilarious! Sticking Spoons to their nose and other pre dinner antics! I know not a good dinner thing but this was prior to ordering etc....:D:D

 

The other 6 people we met at our table were and still are good friends via email. We switched seats nightly to confuse the bore!;)

 

 

 

.

[ladylyn915]

I have always requested a table for 6 or 8. I love chatting with new people and never had any issue in the 6 cruises we took.

I can't say I remember any of them, though except the crew from Baltimore on our Hawaii cruise. They were the best!!

We all did our own thing during the day but met up for dinner and afterward. We don't keep in touch - but I have wonderful memories of that trip.

 

When traveling with my grown children and their families, we are a large enough group by ourselves - 10 including the kids. No need for more at the table.

[Swampbabe]

:):) Hey!! BA! It sounds like you had the same person we had on one cruise. Note, this was the ONLY time we almost requested to move to another table.

 

Fortunately, a table or two across from us had a couple who were hilarious! Sticking Spoons to their nose and other pre dinner antics! I know not a good dinner thing but this was prior to ordering etc....:D:D

 

The other 6 people we met at our table were and still are good friends via email. We switched seats nightly to confuse the bore!;)

 

 

 

.

And this boys and girls is why we do YTD. After they stuck the spoons to their noses did they make farting noises with their arm pits? :cool:

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

And this boys and girls is why we do YTD. After they stuck the spoons to their noses did they make farting noises with their arm pits? :cool:

 

Even at YTD with a table for two you are only inches away from the next group. How do you control how the people on either side of you behave?

[mzloolue]

Even at YTD with a table for two you are only inches away from the next group. How do you control how the people on either side of you behave?

 

Yes I have.

 

And it makes me uncomfortable because I am unsure of what to do.

I can hear everything they say sitting a few inches away, but I don't know if I should converse or pretend I don't hear them.

 

I do not like those tables for two that are really tables for eight.

[amyj23]

We've had great experiences! I'm always impressed at how well they can match us with people that we get along with so well. A few cruises, we ended up hanging out outside of the dining room with these people. It's kind of nice when we're not sailing with friends to find some people to hang out with! I hope you have an equally positive experience!

[elliair]

I find that it always a matter of attitude. Depending on the people involved you can have a very lively and enjoyable discussion with people that don't agree with you.

People sometimes forget that others may have completely different opinions than yourself and not be wrong or stupid. Generally it is their right to have their opinion and it is a matter of respect to accept that fact.

Believe me it would be a pretty dull world if everyone agreed with everything I thought.

We have been on many cruises and never yet had a "bad" experience and wouldn't let one stop me from meeting new people in this type of environment.

They will change your seating if you are uncomfortable with your tablemates.

 

Well, here's my two disastrous experiences:

 

First night we were seated with an Asian couple who spoke broken English, definitely a language barrier there. We said hello and the first thing she asked "how you get here?" I asked "what do you mean, how did we get here?" She said "how you pay for cruise?" Wow! I was flabbergasted! I didn't know what to say, so I came up with this story: I replied, "my husband and I are janitors, and we collect aluminum cans from all the garbage cans in the offices we clean. When we've collected enough of them, we cash them in and set the money aside for our cruises." DH sat there not knowing whether to LHAO, or sit there humbly listening to my BS. She then say "no you didn't!" I just stared at her, I then got up and went to the maiter de and demanded that he move us. We sat at a table for two then we sat at another table the next evening with 2 other couples. That was a pleasant experience.

 

Next disastrous experience: Politics. We sat at a table with 2 other couples, 2 women and the other was a man and a woman. The man in the middle of dinner blurted out: "I think Hillary Clinton qualifies to be President! (they were from Canada). I said to him: "could you tell me Hillary's qualifications, I'd be interested in hearing it from a Canadian's perspective." He sat there and couldn't come up with anything. Granted he had been drinking. I sat there waiting and his wife was getting antsy. He got up from his seat and called me a "bit*ch!" DH told him that it was rude. I then said a nice choice word to go do what to yourself. He flipped me off when I said it. I laughed really. So, we don't talk politics.

 

And that's why I like a table for two....:D

[icunrse]

The first few cruises we went on, we shared a table with total strangers and really, it wasn't that bad. It was fun listening to some of the crazy things people got up to in port.

 

The last two cruises, however, we've had YTD, which we found just works better for us.

 

 

We only went to the dining room once on our first cruise--and we weren't seated with anyone, but the "port stories" sounds interesting! How about a port stories thread?!?!

[clackey]

I usually try to get a table for 6 or 8 but for some reason we usually land up with a table for two. Now Ginger D and I have been together for 44 years , going on 45. In that length of time we have conversed on every conceivable subject and I don't like to repeat myself.

 

We have had some interesting people dining with us. We had a homicide detective, jeweler, train engineer, an artist who airbrushed Playmate models, (yes, I did ask for a job application:D), and a professional belly dancer. But my favorite was a couple that were retired school teachers. I thought that the lady looked familiar and found out that they had a kettlecorn concession at an amusement park in Branson Missouri. They had sold us corn a few months earlier.