Consideration in the Lido

[cprofits]

You're joking, right? This is the seating area for the buffet. Meant for people to sit while eating. By all means, eat as long as you need to but when you're not eating any longer, vacate.

 

 

 

If I make the effort to get up extra early to get my breakfast and

someone else sleeps in later and then decides he or she should be able

to march into the buffet and then strong-arm me out of my table, that is a personal problem.

Get up earlier if it means so much to you to have a table.

When DH and I haven't been able to find a table, we take the food back

to our room or ask someone if we can share their table. We would never

think to ask someone to vacate their table for us.:rolleyes:

 

I don't think it's very "courteous" of the OP to expect people to give

up their tables. Does the OP think I should give up my chair by the

pool, too, because I made the effort to go up there at 9:30 a.m.

and reserve my chair, which by the way, I am actually sitting in from

9:30 on?

 

Give me a break.

[royalcruz]

Have you ever noticed that if you get hot food at the buffet and take it to your room that it is cold by then? IMO the tables near the food should be used for dining. There are tables and chairs in lounges all over the ship for doing other things. Is there no card/game room on Princess ships?

[Cuizer2]

This is to people who are unaware that they are causing a problem for people need in a table in the Lido at rush times. Many times on various ships I have had a problem trying to find a table to eat in the Lido while I see passengers who have finished their meals tying up tables by just sitting around and chatting or even playing cards. I realize that it's very pleasant to relax after your meal but it would be considerate to give up your table if you see other passengers walking around the Lido seeking a table to eat at.

 

It is a nice thought. What do you think are the chances anyone will actually do this?

 

That said, though I cannot always find a table where I want to sit, I've always been able to find a table. You just have to be willing to compromise a little on either time or location.

[apollobeach]

Link to a thread we began on this subject regarding another line:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1076912&highlight=apollobeach

[worldspan]

Good luck on that one, I paid my fare and if I choose to sit at a table for a few hours oh well keep looking.

 

Don't you love the attitude ? Sometimes people need a good taste of their own medicine.

 

Bobed1927, I could not agree more!

 

Worldspan

 

128 cruises

[Cuizer2]

It is a nice thought. What do you think are the chances anyone will actually do this?

 

Announcements were

made by RCCL in the Windjammer to leave one's table after one finished

eating since others needed places to sit. This had no effort on these individuals.

 

Well, I guess you answered my question.

[On Sail]

Taking up tables poolside seems to be a different matter to me. Taking up tables inside the Lido Deck buffet area can be a bit selfish.

 

I don't understand why people board a cruiseship and all of a sudden think that general courtesy no longer applies. Would you go into a restaurant near your home, have a nice dinner, then lean back with a book or start playing cards at the table while many people wait in the lobby area for a table? Wouldn't that seem a bit rude to you if you were waiting? The same act of courtesy applies in the buffet area of the ship. It is essentially a restaurant.

 

Poolside tables are exactly that.....Poolside tables.

[Putterdude]

If I am correct the tables at issue are those plastic ones located on the Lido deck and are aft of the Trident Grill to the entrance of the buffet. That being the case I am not entirely sure that they are there exclusively for dining. Many people can't be in the sun and still others have impediments that prevent them from getting in and out of lounge chairs. They are not posted "for diners only" so I am not sure why they need to move on. I have had the experience of having to walk around looking for a table to eat at but it certainly not a big issue in my mind.

[MHMarkL]

Luckily, I think most cruisers wouldn't just sit and play cards at a large table right next to the buffet while people are roaming around holding their trays. quote]

 

If I make the effort to get up extra early to get my breakfast and

someone else sleeps in later and then decides he or she should be able

to march into the buffet and then strong-arm me out of my table, that is a personal problem.

Get up earlier if it means so much to you to have a table.

When DH and I haven't been able to find a table, we take the food back

to our room or ask someone if we can share their table. We would never

think to ask someone to vacate their table for us.:rolleyes:

 

I don't think it's very "courteous" of the OP to expect people to give

up their tables. Does the OP think I should give up my chair by the

pool, too, because I made the effort to go up there at 9:30 a.m.

and reserve my chair, which by the way, I am actually sitting in from

9:30 on?

 

Give me a break.

The OP wasn't asking you to give up your table until after you have finished eating. Once you’re finished, they were just asking for some common courtesy. I certainly think this is a reasonable request regardless of what time you got up in the morning. There are plenty of other places on the ship to sit and watch the ocean even with a cup of coffee. Leave the tables in the Lido Dining Room for Diners.

[MHMarkL]

Taking up tables poolside seems to be a different matter to me. Taking up tables inside the Lido Deck buffet area can be a bit selfish.

 

I don't understand why people board a cruiseship and all of a sudden think that general courtesy no longer applies. Would you go into a restaurant near your home, have a nice dinner, then lean back with a book or start playing cards at the table while many people wait in the lobby area for a table? Wouldn't that seem a bit rude to you if you were waiting? The same act of courtesy applies in the buffet area of the ship. It is essentially a restaurant.

 

Poolside tables are exactly that.....Poolside tables.

 

This is a very good point and may help those who don't understand the argument see this issue from another perspective.

[Tralynn]

Taking up tables poolside seems to be a different matter to me. Taking up tables inside the Lido Deck buffet area can be a bit selfish.

 

I don't understand why people board a cruiseship and all of a sudden think that general courtesy no longer applies. Would you go into a restaurant near your home, have a nice dinner, then lean back with a book or start playing cards at the table while many people wait in the lobby area for a table? Wouldn't that seem a bit rude to you if you were waiting? The same act of courtesy applies in the buffet area of the ship. It is essentially a restaurant.

 

Poolside tables are exactly that.....Poolside tables.

Perfect way of explaining it!

 

Poolside tables are for enjoying the pool area, and therefore can be fair game. Tables in the buffet are for dining, as in a restaurant.

[4cats4me]

You're joking, right? This is the seating area for the buffet. Meant for people to sit while eating. By all means, eat as long as you need to but when you're not eating any longer, vacate.

 

 

No, I am NOT joking. Firstly, if you've read my posts, you would know that I stated I would be happy to SHARE my table with anyone who asks.

That, to me, is the common courtesy on a cruise ship. I have NEVER

lingered at my table to do anything but eat. That's it.

Now we're nitpicking how long someone should sit at their

table on Lido?

 

I absolutely agree that some people abuse the system. I am not one

of them, and no, I do not jest when I state that

If people want a table, then maybe they should get to

the buffet earlier , like 6:30 a.m.

to 7:30 a.m. when tables are more plentiful or perhaps order room service

or go to the main DR or the IC.

What I'm saying is don't expect to stroll into the buffet at the popular

hours of 8:30 to 9:30 and expect to kick someone out of their table

because they might be enjoying a second cup of coffee, regardless

if they've just finished eating.

There is a remedy and that remedy is asking others if they are willing

to share their table. Every single time someone has asked me to sit

at my table, I have always obliged, always, and the same has been

true when I've asked others if they minded if we shared their table.

 

But please, don't expect me to vacate because I'm sitting there

enjoying one measly cup of coffee after the last bite of waffles or whatever.

 

Are you suggesting that Princess set a strict time limit for dining and

adhere to the limit? Are you suggesting that Princess put something

in the Patter reminding all passengers to kindly refrain from hogging

tables in the buffet?

 

Now that I think about it, it was challenging to find tables 2 weeks

ago on the Sapphire, so I took my platter of food and sat in a lounger

chair at the indoor pool. Worked for me, DH and my mom just fine.

I didn't feel the need to come back here to CC and criticize other

passengers for being discourteous either for lack of a table at

Horizon court due to my own fault for sleeping in late and strolling

into HC at the most popular hour of 9:00.

[kywildcatfanone]

Luckily, I think most cruisers wouldn't just sit and play cards at a large table right next to the buffet while people are roaming around holding their trays. Unfortunately, there are a few that will do just that and not see a thing wrong with it. Is it their right? Yep. Is it the courteous thing to do? Nope. There are always a few out there that just don't care. I'm just happy they're in the minority.

 

This is the right answer, unfortunately....

 

Mike

[julia]

I am anticipating that this will be a huge problem on our upcoming Alaska Cruise especially on Glacier Bay day.

 

You anticipate correctly. The Horizon Court will be filled early and will stay filled the entire time while cruising Glacier Bay.

[Mom33]

Perfect way of explaining it!

 

Poolside tables are for enjoying the pool area, and therefore can be fair game. Tables in the buffet are for dining, as in a restaurant.

 

The pool side tables on the Emerald this week were set with tableware for dining. We could not find a free table to eat our food so asked a woman reading a book at a table if she would mind if we ate there. Of course she said go ahead and sit down. We ate and she stopped reading to converse with us.

:D

[overthesea]

I am anticipating that this will be a huge problem on our upcoming Alaska Cruise especially on Glacier Bay day.

 

Unfortuately you are 100% correct. Been on 5 Alaskan cruises and those tables are used for any and everything except eating on glacier viewing day. Just plan on dieting that day.

[4cats4me]

You anticipate correctly. The Horizon Court will be filled early and will stay filled the entire time while cruising Glacier Bay.

 

 

Referring to the HC tables being filled on Glacier Bay day, I guess we were very lucky on our cruise to Glacier Bay 5 years ago, because we decided

to go to the HC not in the morning, but around 12:45 for lunch, which was about a half an hour after actually

arriving at the Glacier, and we were able to have a lovely meal there while

viewing the glacier AND we didn't have a problem finding a place to sit

as most everyone was outside. We had been outside for quite some time, but I got hungry and that takes precedence over everything, even

the glaciers. LOL

I'm wondering if the weather is a factor with the crowding of Glacier

Bay. WE had beautiful sunny weather and the temp was about 55

degrees. I guess if it had been inclement weather the HC would

have been pretty crowded.

[paul929207]

I don't recall seeing anything from Princess telling people to move on from the seating area by the buffet. Too many people ignore other rules that Princess publishes, they will certainly not jump to obey this one.

[DrivesLikeMario]

This is to people who are unaware that they are causing a problem for people need in a table in the Lido at rush times. Many times on various ships I have had a problem trying to find a table to eat in the Lido while I see passengers who have finished their meals tying up tables by just sitting around and chatting or even playing cards. I realize that it's very pleasant to relax after your meal but it would be considerate to give up your table if you see other passengers walking around the Lido seeking a table to eat at.

 

Good point. I think some people just aren't AWARE enough - with this situation and so many others - while on ships.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I'm a bit confused about whether the OP is talking about the tables in the Horizon Court or the tables in the pool area outside the Horizon.

 

If you're talking about the buffet tables (inside the Horizon Court), you may want to go a bit farther...sometimes there's a back room (at least on the Golden there was, on each side), that often had plenty of empty tables even at meal time. Many passengers didn't know about these areas, or just didn't want or could walk that far with their plate.

 

The only time we were bothered by game players on our last cruise was a group with one of those dice shakers (so I'm guessed they were playing Yahtzee). Hubby was clearly irritated by the noise of the shaking.

 

If you are sitting at a table with available seats, and you see some passengers walking around with plates, obviously looking for a table, why not wave them over and offer to share your table. If you're the passengers looking for a table, you can ask to share a table. It's the code of the cruiser.

[cattolica]

One unfortunate experience with dining in the Horizon Court. It was quite busy and we carried our plates of food (just the two of us) to a table for six that was occupied by one man. We asked if we could share his table, his response "This my table and I don't care to share it". He told that to everyone who asked to sit there. No one else ever sat at that table until he left. We finally found another table, but that was just amazing to me.

[4cats4me]

One unfortunate experience with dining in the Horizon Court. It was quite busy and we carried our plates of food (just the two of us) to a table for six that was occupied by one man. We asked if we could share his table, his response "This my table and I don't care to share it". He told that to everyone who asked to sit there. No one else ever sat at that table until he left. We finally found another table, but that was just amazing to me.

 

 

Now THAT takes the cake!

[moniquet]

Yes that happened to us too on Emerald. One of those large tables close to the Buffet station. Just one couple and they were still there alone when we left. We stopped going to the buffet, fed up of trailing around and finishing up in Caribe.

 

We have just returned from a land based holiday in St. Lucia. Even though it was buffet only guests were escorted to a table and it worked well, never had to wait or share.

[cruiseron36]

I payed for it. ;)

 

You paid for your saved lounge?? How do you get it home on the airplane and do you bring it back with you every cruise??

[PescadoAmarillo]

We stopped going to the buffet, fed up of trailing around and finishing up in Caribe.

On most Princess ships, the area of Cafe Caribe seating IS part of the Hoizon Court buffet, and it's quite common to sit back there. We actually prefer it (less noisy and busy) and look there first for a table.