GeneBK Posted July 18, 2010 #1 Share Posted July 18, 2010 My wife and I have cruised Regent, and Windstar, repeatedly. We enjoy both. Vacations are "our time" together, and we prefer to dine at a table for two. On both Regent and Windsurf, no problem. Small tables are plentiful, and we have no problem waiting 15 minutes when necessary for one to be available. We are considering Oceania. I know they have "open seating", but I sense maybe the tables for two are limited? And the waits for the dining room sometimes long? Hope I'm mistaken in both these worries. Thanks for any responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eabb Posted July 18, 2010 #2 Share Posted July 18, 2010 My husband and I have been on five Oceania cruises. On three of them we traveled with another couple and usually ate together; on the last two cruises (Athens to Venice May 2009 and Rio to Barcelona April 2010) we were alone, and ate together in the Grand Dining Room most nights. We never had a problem getting a table for two. The 2009 cruise was not full, which was lovely, but the T/A was completely full, but we still had no problem. Ellen:o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribbeansun Posted July 18, 2010 #3 Share Posted July 18, 2010 You need to come to your senses ;) because on both counts you are off the mark. The wait for the GDR may be a tad long if you go right at 6:30 if you're on a cruise where there are a lot of people that go to the GDR. If you find that to be the case just pop up to Tapas on the Terrace and you shouldn't have a problem. I sense maybe the tables for two are limited? And the waits for the dining room sometimes long? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondorner Posted July 18, 2010 #4 Share Posted July 18, 2010 The waits have never been long for us, and we have always gotten a table for two when we wanted it. We often share a table for 4 with strangers in order to meet new people, but we like our "us" time, as well. Here's a tip about the "R" ships (Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, called R ships because they were originally built by Renaissance Cruises as R1 through R8): There are two types of tables for two. Along the sides of the dining room, with great views of whatever you are passing, are groups of tables for two that are really close together. There are 3 such tables in each "aisle", extending perpendicularly from the windows, far enough apart that two can have a private conversation as long as you don't have a booming voice, but close enough that guests can easily strike up a conversation with the couple at the next table if all are so inclined. The etiquette at these tables is perhaps to smile and nod at the couple next to you, but not to intrude unless they make it obvious that a greeting would be welcome. It's also acceptable to ignore them, they are tables for two, after all. But, even more desirable are tables for two at the very aft end of the dining room, overlooking the wake. These tables are farther apart and staggered for more privacy and the view is better. Ask the maitre 'd if any of the stern tables for two are available. A nice smile and some chitchat works as well as "greasing a palm". It helps if you like to dine very early (before 7 PM -- the dining rooms open at 6:30) or very late (after 8:30, but before 9:00). Once you get one of these, a wink and a friendly request to dine at the same waiter's station will usually get you back there again. We had such a nice table crew that after dining there several nights, they all signed one of the menus and gave it to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winegirl Posted July 18, 2010 #5 Share Posted July 18, 2010 We had no problem obtaining a table for two in any of the dining rooms. The wait was minimal most times. Those needing larger tables (5-10 persons) were normally waiting longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agnesd Posted July 18, 2010 #6 Share Posted July 18, 2010 I agree, no problem, tables for two are abundant but in some areas you are quite close and conversations from adjoining table do erupt. So, if you really want to be alone, go for the stern tables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CintiPam Posted July 18, 2010 #7 Share Posted July 18, 2010 Tables for two never were a problem on either our September 2008 Nautica Istanbul to Athens cruise or our June 2009 Nautica Athens to Rome cruise. However, they indeed were a problem on our recent (May 2010) Regatta Venice to Barcelona cruise if you wanted to obtain a table for two between 7:15 PM and 8:30 PM. So we just made sure to be at the GDR by 7:00 PM and then had no further problems the rest of our cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickey 88 Posted July 19, 2010 #8 Share Posted July 19, 2010 We are considering Oceania. I know they have "open seating", but I sense maybe the tables for two are limited? And the waits for the dining room sometimes long? Hope I'm mistaken in both these worries. Thanks for any responses. I wouldn't say that tables for two are "limited" - to the contrary, it became quite clear early on that there was quite a demand, to more and more tables were added on refurbishment. The only bottle neck might be Toscana and Polo. Floor space in both is a bit limited, and the number of tables for two are taken early. Plan ahead!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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