Electronic Gadgets in MDR

[junglejane]

Dee, the key word in your post is "sharing." I don't think anyone has a problem with people sharing photos, information, etc. That's part of today's world. What people are objecting to is the "tune out" use of technology when at a table with others, not if you are at a table by yourselves. If you've booked Traditional dining, you've chosen to sit at a table with strangers. If you go to Anytime, you have the choice of sitting by yourselves or with strangers. In other words, whichever dining, you chose to be at a table with others. Tuning them out with a cell phone (making/receiving a call) or video game is considered rude no matter which age group you are in.

 

Very well put! You have summed the issue up very nicely and I totally agree.

[rdsqrl]

. . . My wife and I do not go anywhere without our smartphones, ipads, laptops, etc. In fact we had one small carryon that we call the technology bag. Our lives demand it. We do not always like it, but we accept it as the price we pay for working and living in today's global world. . . .

I work and live in the same "global" world as you do, and yet I manage to get along just fine with no cellphone, no ipad, and my laptop stays home on vacation. You're not "paying a price," you're making a choice. I agree with you somewhat about the gap between younger and older cruisers (as in, those who have cruised for a long time and those who are new to it, not chronological age), but let's not pretend that it's impossible to live life in the 21st century without being tethered to electronics, because that's just hyperbole.

[Anubi]

Dee, the key word in your post is "sharing." I don't think anyone has a problem with people sharing photos, information, etc. That's part of today's world. What people are objecting to is the "tune out" use of technology when at a table with others, not if you are at a table by yourselves. If you've booked Traditional dining, you've chosen to sit at a table with strangers. If you go to Anytime, you have the choice of sitting by yourselves or with strangers. In other words, whichever dining, you chose to be at a table with others. Tuning them out with a cell phone (making/receiving a call) or video game is considered rude no matter which age group you are in.

 

Pam, as always you are the voice of sanity. Thank you very much for putting it so clearly and so succinctly.

 

For the record, I very much enjoy sharing photos during dinner; I very much enjoy meeting people at dinner; for me cruising is social and dining is always a highlight of our day.

 

I have no problem if someone eating alone is reading, that is something that I do when I am dining out alone. I admit to being addicted to the printed word, be it in a book or an e-reader.

 

Please remember that this is a public forum; everyone has an opinion and everyone is entitled to that opinion. To paraphrase some old bugger...I may not agree with what you say, but I will support 100% your right to say it.

[Woobstr112G]

Pam, as always you are the voice of sanity. Thank you very much for putting it so clearly and so succinctly.

 

For the record, I very much enjoy sharing photos during dinner; I very much enjoy meeting people at dinner; for me cruising is social and dining is always a highlight of our day.

 

I have no problem if someone eating alone is reading, that is something that I do when I am dining out alone. I admit to being addicted to the printed word, be it in a book or an e-reader.

 

Please remember that this is a public forum; everyone has an opinion and everyone is entitled to that opinion. To paraphrase some old bugger...I may not agree with what you say, but I will support 100% your right to say it.

 

Wanda;

 

I'll second that......:):):)

 

Bob

[cdngrl]

no cell phone, no ipod, but i do bring my laptop to download my pictures onto and keep a travel journal. i could never wait until i get home as i can't remember this morning let alone what ruin or castle or beach 'that' picture was taken at.

 

i have yet to see anyone 'plugged in' during dinner, but it wouldn't surprise me. for us, dinner on the ship is a time for social interaction and conversation whether i'm with family or traveling solo. (btw always share a table in anytime).

[Woobstr112G]

Pam, as always you are the voice of sanity. Thank you very much for putting it so clearly and so succinctly.

 

For the record, I very much enjoy sharing photos during dinner; I very much enjoy meeting people at dinner; for me cruising is social and dining is always a highlight of our day.

 

I have no problem if someone eating alone is reading, that is something that I do when I am dining out alone. I admit to being addicted to the printed word, be it in a book or an e-reader.

 

Please remember that this is a public forum; everyone has an opinion and everyone is entitled to that opinion. To paraphrase some old bugger...I may not agree with what you say, but I will support 100% your right to say it.

 

Wanda;

 

Forgot to mention this earlier. That would be François Marie Arouet or as he is better known by his other name "Voltaire."

 

Bob

[Immebsmom]

On my last cruise to the Med, I traveled with older family members who could not do the intense tours that took you everywhere, hiking up hill and down dale. They did the drive by and take pictures from a bus. At the end of each day, I would download and edit my pictures into my ipad and then add music and take it to dinner to show everyone. Even the waiters looked forward to the scrolling slide show that went on through the whole dinner. I shared it with all at the table and everyone seemed to enjoy it and asked questions and asked for copies of the pictures which I emailed to them. I agree ignoring your table mates is rude, but the pictures often gave all of us something to talk about and discuss over our meals.

 

Not all technology is bad or rude, how you use anything determines if it enhances your experience or ruins it for everyone else.

[Cruisin' Chick]

You are forgetting three things here:

 

1. At theaters, hospitals, and other public places, people are told to turn off cell phones instead of put them on vibrate and use text messaging.

2. At land restaurants people do not use e-readers, iPads, or other gadgets when they are seated. Why should cruise ship dining rooms be any different?

3. Cruisers can use gadgets in their cabins at the Sanctuary, and on pool decks, What reasons is there to believe they need to use them in the MDR of all places?

 

Also I cannot imagine a couple would want a table for two so they can compare photos taken in port because they usually are holding silverware, napkins, or drinking glasses, not cameras. Thye want an intimate meal alone for other reasons.

 

Actually in hospitals and some medical offices, electronic devices could interfere with the equipment. In theaters, it's because other patrons that are sitting nearby can sometimes hear the vibration (some devices aren't completely silent) and it's definitely not polite to be talking or even texting while at a performance. In fact, when my daughter was attending music school, the director would address the audience at every recital and request the devices to be turned off as it is a distraction to the performers as well as the noise could ruin the recordings being made. And many times, yes, a phone would be heard at least once during the recital.

 

And as for intimate dinners on a cruise, I guess if my hubby and I want one, we would have it in the cabin.

[shepp]

I am a social person and like to sit with others in the MDR. I tried anytime dining once to see if I would like it. I asked each night to sit with others. It was not encouraged but I managed to do it every night but one. I was told that those who chose anytime dining do not want to sit with strangers, so not everyone on a cruise always wants to meet others during a meal. I was not about to sit at a table by myself staring into space or watching others eat and converse. And no one at nearby tables invited me to join them when they saw that I was alone.

 

Good lord.... Are we sailing on the same line?

 

Whenever I go to the MDR, whether for breakfast/lunch or anytime dining, the first thing the headwaiter asks is "Would you like to share a table?" No discouragement, no "managing."

 

As most of us know, getting a table for one or two at anytime is tougher than being seated at a large table with others. And it is really, really not up to others to ask you to sit at a table you were not assigned to. If you were alone at a table for two, Nook in hand, I would assume you wanted to be there. Wouldn't you have assumed the same? And if you didn't want to be there, what was stopping you from approaching a table with an open seat, then getting your waiter to okay the switch?

[David&Heather]

Some interesting responses to our original posting.

 

We were in anytime dining and very much like talking to other people from around the world but due to a couple of unpleasant people we requested a table for 2 for most of the cruise.

 

We also specifically excluded cameras from our list of annoying items.

 

We are not arguing for a ban of such equipment but feel that Princess should have an official policy about such things given their increasing usage.

 

The problems mainly arise at shared tables - whilst some people appear to be 'hard wired' to such devices, others like myself are so exposed to technology at work that we want to switch off whilst on holiday, it would also be nice to be able to do this without having to choose a table for 2 whilst dining.

 

Simple fact is there have allways been rude prople, unfortunately elecrtonic devices increase the ability for rude, unmannered people to annoy others.

[Iamcruzin]

When my kid's were young we would feed them in the buffet. We would also have a snack while they ate so we did have that family time. They enjoyed the buffet because they could choose what they wanted and didn't have to drag out dinner for 2 hours. After they ate we would send them to the children’s group while we ate in The MDR. If you feel that you want to eat as a family and spend quality time at dinner with all your electronics then you should choose anytime dinning and ask to be seated alone as a family. It is just rude to be in your own world when sharing a table with the same passengers each night. Passengers who chose traditional dining chose it so they can have the same tablemates each night which to me is the downside of traditional seating.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Some interesting responses to our original posting.

 

We were in anytime dining and very much like talking to other people from around the world but due to a couple of unpleasant people we requested a table for 2 for most of the cruise.

 

We also specifically excluded cameras from our list of annoying items.

 

We are not arguing for a ban of such equipment but feel that Princess should have an official policy about such things given their increasing usage.

 

The problems mainly arise at shared tables - whilst some people appear to be 'hard wired' to such devices, others like myself are so exposed to technology at work that we want to switch off whilst on holiday, it would also be nice to be able to do this without having to choose a table for 2 whilst dining.

 

Simple fact is there have allways been rude prople, unfortunately elecrtonic devices increase the ability for rude, unmannered people to annoy others.

 

No problem, just select the largest table available & ignore the people who occupy themselves with reading, playing games, texting or whatever. Perhaps it's just the sight of them that's upsetting to you?

[Iamcruzin]

I agree. I often go to lunch or dinner by myself at a nearby restaurant and bring my Kindle. There are frequently single ladies sitting at other tables doing the same thing. At a shared table at dinner, whether at home or on a ship, it's just plain rude.

 

I don't really have a problem with kids at dinner with electronic gadgets, as long as the device doesn't make noise. However, as an old fogie who is obviously way behind the times, why does a kid feel the need to be visually stimulated at dinner instead of listening or contributing to the conversation? Don't they talk to each other at home? I'm trying to understand.

 

Siblings usually argue with each other (one says it’s white the other says it’s black). Unless there are other children at the table to have a conversation with the children will be left out of the adult conversation and become bored.

[Iamcruzin]

The complaints here gave me an idea: Princess should ban all electronic gadgets at all restaurants and dining rooms except medical devices.

 

Have any cruise lines done that yet?

 

The chances of this happening is very slim considering there are cruise lines that have started to use iPads as menus and have also begun to sell apple products on board. We are more likely to see more and more electronic in the MDR and in public places as the next generation whom have grown up using these devices replace the prior generation. Of course if it is discovered that the radiation given off by these devices causes a second hand heath issue then they may be banned.

[1 HappyCruiser]

The complaints here gave me an idea: Princess should ban all electronic gadgets at all restaurants and dining rooms except medical devices.

 

Have any cruise lines done that yet?

 

Let add an exemption for religious reasons. :rolleyes:

[azdmelani]

I don't even want to hear that on the deck. I only take out the cell phone to use in port (if we need a taxi) or on disembarkation day to check for our ride.

 

I miss the days when you couldnt use a cell phone on a cruise.

 

While I do think it is rude to use an electronic device at a table with others who are not your cruise travelmates, if it doesnt make noise (i.e. nook) and you arent at that table, does it really matter?

[shepp]

OK, I just thought of an interesting sidelight. On one cruise, a honeymoon couple was at our table for eight. The bride memorialized each and every course with a close-up photo. I found this not so much rude as weird. She didn't ask, just assumed that having everything come to a demi-halt while she snapped away was OK. (Irony is that since then, I've enjoyed seeing other peoples' food pix online: for a while, my desktop was a shot of the Love Boat Dream.)

 

I do think that taking a camera or iPad to the table to share photos of the days' excursions is not only permissible, but swell, as long as your tablemates show unfeigned interest in seeing your snaps.

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

Camera or other item for showing photos is fine at the table, what is not is getting out a lap top and sending e mails back home.

 

Just need to get a bigger glass of water.

 

Whie we always take fixed dining we also invite others to join us if they are sitting alone, because other table mates have not turned up

 

 

yours Shogun

[Loonbeam]

I'm planning on doing this - 'food porn' as I refer to it seems to be very popular in review photos. That said, I know some tricks that will speed the process like pre-setting the camera for lighting conditions.

 

I am debating bringing the full DSLR or a point and shoot, because the DSLR kind of large and obnoxious, but takes much better pictures since I don't have a P+S that shoots RAW yet.

 

OK, I just thought of an interesting sidelight. On one cruise, a honeymoon couple was at our table for eight. The bride memorialized each and every course with a close-up photo. I found this not so much rude as weird. She didn't ask, just assumed that having everything come to a demi-halt while she snapped away was OK. (Irony is that since then, I've enjoyed seeing other peoples' food pix online: for a while, my desktop was a shot of the Love Boat Dream.)

 

I do think that taking a camera or iPad to the table to share photos of the days' excursions is not only permissible, but swell, as long as your tablemates show unfeigned interest in seeing your snaps.

[caribill]

Let add an exemption for religious reasons. :rolleyes:

 

On a cruise, I am quite religious about food.

[shepp]

I'm planning on doing this - 'food porn' as I refer to it seems to be very popular in review photos.

 

I suppose desserts qualify as "hardcore?"

 

My only Miss Manners caveat is that, unless you're at a two-top, I would clear it with tablemates first. Odds are overwhelming they won't object, but just seems polite.

[Loonbeam]

Of course....

 

I suppose desserts qualify as "hardcore?"

 

My only Miss Manners caveat is that, unless you're at a two-top, I would clear it with tablemates first. Odds are overwhelming they won't object, but just seems polite.

[PescadoAmarillo]

Let add an exemption for religious reasons. :rolleyes:

Well, I AM a a venerative Apple-ic (Middle-Aged Synod).

[Loonbeam]

I have a plan for this, I plan to ask for copies of the menus at the conclusion of the meals :)

 

On our last cruise' date=' I did attempt to take shots of my food plates and sometimes of my hubby's. Usually just in the Horizon, but a few times I did take my camera out in the MDR (I felt shy about doing this though). I also tried taking shots of the dinner menus in the display case, but sometimes that was hard to get a good shot without Idisturbing others who are reading the menus or just to get a good shot without the glare.[/color'] This was a lot easier than trying to write down what was on the menu. Any decent or nearly visible shots went into my review (the one posted in the Princess area, not on the front page, of course, and in my blog).

 

 

 

A few times on talk shows, an actor will mention that a phone would go off while they're doing a stage play. And often an actor will come over and ask to speak into the phone.

[pablo222]

On my last cruise to the Med, I traveled with older family members who could not do the intense tours that took you everywhere, hiking up hill and down dale. They did the drive by and take pictures from a bus. At the end of each day, I would download and edit my pictures into my ipad and then add music and take it to dinner to show everyone.

 

Wow, you were very lucky that no one 'accidently' spilled their

water on your ipad, or grabbed it from you, and threw it

overboard.

 

Like many thread on cruise critic -- after reading many of the

replies to this one, I think...

 

...TABLE FOR TWO.

 

...and, I've never SMS'd or played a video game at any

dining table.