Cruise Talk: Dining Room Table Size

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Topic: Dining Room Table Size

lblk
First Class Passenger
Member # 917

posted 11-22-1999 02:56 PM

My husband and I have just booked our first
cruise on the Celebrity Century in 11/2000. As first-time cruisers, we are a bit uncertain about which table size to request for dinner. We have tentatively requested a table for two, but have been told that tables for two get poorer service and not as much attention as larger tables. Is there any truth to this? Any feedback you can give us on this subject will be appreciated!

Posts: 22 | From: Westminster, MD USA | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 11-22-1999 05:25 PM

We booked a table for two on the Mercury, but got put on a table for eight! Thank god, it made our vacation...we made some great friends over dinner!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 11-22-1999 06:03 PM

You are right Malcolm. We always asked for a table of 8 and have also made some great friends who we still see, write and e-mail to. If it had just been the two of us it would have been boring - nothing to talk about, except of course if you are newlyweds or have only been married a few years, but after 43 years you run out of things to talk about!!!!

[This message has been edited by sympatico (edited 11-22-1999).]

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

brownii
Just Boarded
Member # 918

posted 11-22-1999 06:15 PM

We are sailing 1/2/00 on Carnival Celebration and have requested a table for 2, as we are celebrating our 21st anniversary. Does anyone know if this ship has tables for 2? We are not unsociable,but our kids are out of the house now, and we are really looking forward to a second honeymoon!

Posts: 3 | From: Columbus, MS, USA | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Joe at PwC
First Class Passenger
Member # 225

posted 11-22-1999 10:22 PM

My wife and I managed to land a table for two on the Triumph recently, mostly because we were more or less looking at it as a second honeymoon. Our waiter and busboy were superb, so I wouldn't say that the service is any worse. Of course, this can vary between lines, or even between ships of the same line. I've been told that aboard ships which may have seen their last days with a given line, there may be some level of service degradation.

Posts: 385 | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Scottylass
First Class Passenger
Member # 420

posted 11-23-1999 02:47 AM

We were on the Century in August 99, and had a table for two. I would say that the service was a lot slower and not as good as we have had at tables for six and four. However we had a table for two at open seating for lunch and the service was superb (different waiters) so maybe it was just the waiters we had (nice guys) but not on the ball.

For a first cruise a table for 6 or eight would be a good bet, and if it doesn't work out you can always ask the Maitre'D for a change of table. It usually is lots of fun sharing a table and very interesting however I am sure there are some cruisers who have experienced the opposite.

Posts: 648 | From: Stirlingshire, Scotland | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

CruiseBuff
First Class Passenger
Member # 94

posted 11-23-1999 10:28 AM

Unless it's a special occassion (anniversary, honeymoon, etc.) by all means book a large table for at least six. The evening meal is the culmination of the day and it's quite enjoyable getting together with your new friends and regaling one another with your activities of the day (shore excursions, etc). I still keep in touch with some of these people. If you are with a group that you really don't have anything in common with, you can have your table switched. Good rule of thumb: Be open minded and don't expect those at your table to be exactly like you, and you should have a great time.

Posts: 27 | From: Denver, CO USA | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 11-23-1999 03:17 PM

Brownii, I think that all cruise ships have a mixture of table sizes in their dinning rooms.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

brownii
Just Boarded
Member # 918

posted 11-24-1999 01:03 AM

Thanks for the info. We are hoping for the table for two, but we will be happy just to be on the cruise!

Posts: 3 | From: Columbus, MS, USA | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 11-24-1999 06:38 PM

Just returned from 10 days on the Statendam - we were at a table for 10 - the largest we've ever sat at - it was great - we had mix of ages, jobs/professions and had a ball. I'm sure we were noiser and had more fun than most on 2nd seating.
Like sympatico says, unless you are honeymooners, go for at least a table for six.

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 12-06-1999 10:45 PM

I agree about choosinga larger table. I have been at a table for 4;a table for 6;a table for 8 and a table for 10. Each one had its merits but I found the 10 table a little too big for me(difficult to talk to someone at the opposite end).8 wasn't too bad and 4 was quite cosy (as long as you get on with each other).But the best,as far as I am concerned is 6.I always ask for a 6 seat table now and being as I am a solo traveller I feel very comfortable in that space.I think I would find it very boring at a table for 2(I am talking about dinner not breakfast or lunch). As for special occasions,I celebrated my birthday with my new companions and they also celebrated a wedding anniversary plus another birthday,all on the same cruise.Our table was the loudest and merriest in the dining room and we sure kept the stewards hopping with their "Happy Birthday" singing etc etc. On another cruise I had the good fortune to hit it off with a couple of guys at my table and we spent most of our time together,mainly in the evenings and we enjoyed each others' company so much that we are still in touch by phone,Email and letters and are planning to sail together again in 2000! If I had chosen a small table,look what I would have missed. So take the plunge and ask for a large table. You can't go wrong because if you don't get on with your companions you can ask the Maitre d' for another table. Go for it!!

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Palolake
First Class Passenger
Member # 359

posted 12-09-1999 09:02 AM

By all means, take a table for 6 or 8. My husband and I requested a table for 2 but got a table for 8. We are both very shy and didn't want to have to make conversation with strangers. We had a ball at our table. I think 80% of the people on our cruise came in a group which made us feel somewhat left out. We looked forward to dinner time for discussions with others.

Posts: 16 | From: Cedar Rapids , IA USA | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

Debi
First Class Passenger
Member # 936

posted 12-09-1999 11:12 AM

Even if you're at a table with others for dinner, you will still be able to spend the majority of your time with just each other if you like. My husband and I love to have time alone together on a cruise, but we would always choose a table for 6 or 8 because dinner companions can be so enjoyable (and dinner is only about an hour). And we were able to eat by ourselves for breakfast and lunch each day and one night at "alternative dining."

Posts: 52 | From: Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Willy Paul
First Class Passenger
Member # 473

posted 12-09-1999 11:29 AM

We have had a table for two twice. Each time we thought the service was superb, the waiters and busboys went out of their way to make things great. Also, the assistant maitre de spent time wih us and we get meet a great wine steward who we went to the beach with and met on other crusies.
But go for the larger table. We have friends in Canada, England , and other parts of the country due to the table converation. Only once did we have a couple at the table that we did not like. Usually everyone is tolerable and most people are gracious. This goes for tablemates from 25 to 75 years old. You get to klearn a lot and meet some real interesting people. We spent twelve days with a gentlemen who had been in on the ealy invention process of CAT scans and MRI's and when we finally got him to talk about the inventions we really learned a lot. We usually have met just plain nice people. so again I would recommend the six to eight size table. Different dinner mates are what makes a cruise fun

Posts: 151 | From: Auburn, Ma. | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 12-15-1999 02:45 PM

I prefer eating with no one but friends and relatives. If my wife and I traveling alone, then I prefer the largest table available. This way you will always find someone there who's conversation you can enjoy. And you can always sit at the far end of the table from those you don't enjoy. I request an older crowd vs young couples with kids and singles. Older people +50 are always more interesting. I am 40.

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

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