getting a good table in the main dining room

[4774Papa]

Made me cringe reading this. Of course they need the $$$ more than you and of course thats why they pander to your whim. Hope they dont seat you at our table.

 

 

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Why would you exclude people based on a modest tip? I would welcome anyone to a table, until they showed rude behavior.

[mike-c52]

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to reply to my post. I feel like a got a few good tips to try on our next cruise and hopefully get a table location that I like better. there were many goods points about what constitutes a good table and we all have likes and dislikes. thanks again!

[kevinyork]

Why would you exclude people based on a modest tip? I would welcome anyone to a table, until they showed rude behavior.

 

 

I would not enjoy the company of someone who 'bribed' their way to a good table knowing 'they ( the staff ) needed their $$$' more than they did. Not the sort we mix with.

 

 

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[HokiePoq]

I'm surprised that anyone would think they are a "second class passenger" because of where their MDR table is located. The dining rooms are so lovely, and I have never thought that the location within the room had anything to do with my status on the ship.

 

The tables along the walls and in the corners are more quiet and your chair isn't being bumped every time someone walks by the table. I used to think being by the window would be important, but we soon found that it's usually dark by the time we eat dinner and they close the draperies most of the time, so a window is of minimal use. :)

 

Probably because those with window tables seem "higher class" and probably are. Only time we got one of those on any traditional seating on any line was when we paid top dollar with an escorted tour. All with that group had primo window seats. That was on our first cruise when we didn't know we could make comparable arrangements on our own for half the price....just not the table.

[rjrpar]

I would not enjoy the company of someone who 'bribed' their way to a good table knowing 'they ( the staff ) needed their $$$' more than they did. Not the sort we mix with.

 

 

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People tip all the time to get good seats, priority seating, etc.. If you think this is unusual, you have led a sheltered life.

[Jane2357]

I've only twice had to make a request for help with managing table locations. Once we had a large group and they accidentally spit up the two tables - stood in line when I got on the ship and spoke to the Maitre D who handled it and he received a $10.00 tip - I believe any time you make a request you should tip in this manner.

 

The second time was a cruise with my sisters and a friend - we were so far back in a corner and the tables surrounding us were empty of settings so we knew they were not going to be used. I sent my adorable sister (and a $20.00) to see the Maitre D while the rest of us waited and we were shortly escorted to a very nice table at the rail for the remainder of the cruise.

 

I don't look at this as a bribe - a bribe is paying someone to do something that they probably shouldn't do. This is a monetary reward for accommodating my request.

[4774Papa]

I've only twice had to make a request for help with managing table locations. Once we had a large group and they accidentally spit up the two tables - stood in line when I got on the ship and spoke to the Maitre D who handled it and he received a $10.00 tip - I believe any time you make a request you should tip in this manner.

 

The second time was a cruise with my sisters and a friend - we were so far back in a corner and the tables surrounding us were empty of settings so we knew they were not going to be used. I sent my adorable sister (and a $20.00) to see the Maitre D while the rest of us waited and we were shortly escorted to a very nice table at the rail for the remainder of the cruise.

 

I don't look at this as a bribe - a bribe is paying someone to do something that they probably shouldn't do. This is a monetary reward for accommodating my request.

Exactly, the wait staff are not government officials violating their public trust accepting a tip.

I suspect that this issue relates more to the local culture regarding tipping than anything else.

[Desertbelle]

I'm thinking that I might prefer an over-tipper as a table mate than an under-tipper! Though, I imagine there are nice people in both camps! :)

[TickledBlue]

On our first X cruise, I made a request to CelebrityDining@celebrity.com for a table for 2 and got it in a nice location in the MDR. So far, no response for an upcoming cruise.

[Higgy64]

We've always dined select and always asked the Maitre D' politely for the type of table we would like - never failed to get what we want, the staff have always bent over backwards to accommodate us and all without the exchange of money.

 

Here's an example from Equinox three weeks ago.... Our Maitre D' asked us each evening as we left the restaurant what time we would like the next evening (she approached us !). One afternoon on return from an excursion my wife bumped into her on the ship and the Maitre D' stopped her to ask if we were going to Speciality dining that evening because her our reservation for MDR for that night had been cancelled - she had been checking her seating plan for the evening. When we explained that we hadn't cancelled she made sure that we got the reservation we had requested and apologised (even though there had been no impact to us at all !!!). .....and for that Service she got no daily back-handers from us, it was all part of her job as she saw it.

 

Maybe it's because I'm a Brit and it's not in our culture but I feel that giving someone a tip for just doing their job is a bit like patting a dog on the head when they've done a trick - it's all a bit patronising. Of course, tipping at the end of the cruise is a different matter and, if someone has gone above and beyond, I will tip extra at that point but not every time they do something.

 

Each to their own

[Rala]

I have been told a couple of times by waiters that the better servers get assigned near the kitchen doors. This is based upon evaluations and actually makes sense, rewarding those who are rated high with less carrying.

 

Please don't think I am trying to be snarky because I am not. We have cruised for many years and we love it, and almost always have received excellent service in the dining room and elsewhere on the ship. That being said, from experience I have found that sometimes(not always) waiters and other ship's personnel will tell you what you want to hear or whatever it takes to make you happy or whatever it takes to make you go away. :D

[Haworth]

People tip all the time to get good seats, priority seating, etc.. If you think this is unusual, you have led a sheltered life.

 

Its as much a cultural difference, in the uk almost no one would start tipping in advance for seating preferences. The trouble is if most people start to do it it will impact on the overall service.

What next, would you tip in advance for, preferential boarding time, tender tickets etc etc

[kenevenpar]

We eat in Blu because we always sail AQUA but when we sail Royal I take a $5 bill for each night we dine in MDR. I request a table in the area we would enjoy sitting and if I get table of my choice the host/hostess gets the $5 in my hand. If I don't get what I want they get a Thank You. After the first night, as soon as they see us we are ushered to a table and they get their $5 from my hand. I learned this in Las Vegas many, many years ago when being seated for shows. I also use this tactic in BLU and believe me it works every night. Maybe it is cheating but I believe they may need the $$$ more than I do. I also always smile and treat them with respect. My friend always carried $20 with her but I don't have her financial debth. We both have past experience in the hospitality industry and know the value of respect and tips.

I also firmly believe "Ask politely and you will receive."

 

How do you get to request a table each night in fixed seating, which is what the OP asked?:confused:

[yorkyred]

We just take whatever seat given and enjoy the meal and our table companions. We also just wait our turn at the various bars and don't try and reserve the best seats at the theatre. Strangely we have never found it to be a beyond awful, maybe we are just weird people.

[Pickels]

A friendly smile and a "green" handshake always works

[4774Papa]

Its as much a cultural difference, in the uk almost no one would start tipping in advance for seating preferences. The trouble is if most people start to do it it will impact on the overall service.

What next, would you tip in advance for, preferential boarding time, tender tickets etc etc

I personally would not tip for a better table, but it is a common practice in the USA in more expensive restaurants or dinner shows.

I suspect that trying to tip for preferential boarding or tender tickets would not be useful.

[rjrpar]

A friendly smile and a "green" handshake always works

 

 

Exactly, and it happens all the time. Probably less on cruise ships than land based restaurants, lounges, etc.

[POA1]

Exactly, and it happens all the time. Probably less on cruise ships than land based restaurants, lounges, etc.

It's probably less obvious on cruise ships, but I'm sure it happens.

 

In unrelated news, we happen to hail from the Lehigh Valley. :)

[dorisis]

My version of a "GOOD" table has little to do with location. It is the table with efficient and friendly servers.

[TickledBlue]

My version of a "GOOD" table has little to do with location. It is the table with efficient and friendly servers.

 

Agreed that location is not our top priority either and server quality ranks a lot higher as well as having a table for 2 at our preferred dining time.

 

On one cruise, we were directly across from the waiter's busing station. Our server asked if we would be OK with it and we said yes -- and we were. Our server was great, the food was hot (we were always first served), and it was a table for 2 at our preferred dining time. Sure, there were other two seaters in nicer locations but our top priorities were met and we were happy.

Edited September 22, 2015 by TickledBlue

[Gone Fishing]

Agreed that location is not our top priority either and server quality ranks a lot higher as well as having a table for 2 at our preferred dining time.

 

On one cruise, we were directly across from the waiter's busing station. Our server asked if we would be OK with it and we said yes -- and we were. Our server was great, the food was hot (we were always first served), and it was a table for 2 at our preferred dining time. Sure, there were other two seaters in nicer locations but our top priorities were met and we were happy.

 

Call me weird but too much activity behind me during dinner bugs me. I think it comes from raising two daughters who loved to dance directly behind my dining room chair at home.

 

On my last cruise, the back of my chair was practically touching the server station the first night . I asked to be moved to a different table and they told me no they were booked solid despite there being many empty tables and 8 tops with 2-4 people each night. So we arrived early for dinner each night and avoided "the chair." Last one to the table got the honor of the waiter station. We had fun with it, "Better hurry up or you'll get the chair" :)

 

On land, myself and a friend have lunch together frequently. For some reason they always try to sit us in worst possible tables. Back corner by the kitchen door, next to the washroom, in the bar area by the trash cans. We have a theory that the hostess thinks 2 middle aged guys don't care where they sit. Perhaps we are just too ugly? :p

Now when they try it we pick an empty table and tell the hostess we want to sit there.

 

I wonder how long it will be before you can reserve your seat in the main dining room and pool lounger for a fee. The better the location the higher the fee. The airlines have that all figured out.....

Edited September 22, 2015 by Gone Fishing

[Deenie33]

We just take whatever seat given and enjoy the meal and our table companions. We also just wait our turn at the various bars and don't try and reserve the best seats at the theatre. Strangely we have never found it to be a beyond awful, maybe we are just weird people.

 

I like the way you think! My husband and I are a lot like that. We don't stress over the little things. Our last cruise was just the two of us and our table would be classified as not too desirable by a lot of ppls standards. We were crammed up against a wall in pretty much a corner and we were within arms reach of the waiters cleaning station. Neither my husband nor I gave it a second thought. The food was great, the waiters were marvelous, friendly and eager to please. We were focused on each other and the quality of time spent together. How weird is that?:D

[TickledBlue]

I wonder how long it will be before you can reserve your seat in the main dining room and pool lounger for a fee. The better the location the higher the fee. The airlines have that all figured out.....

 

Ugh, how right you are about the airlines. They implemented it with no significant backlash.

 

I'm sure the cruise lines have already thought about this but fear backlash. They already have some of this in place with areas of the ships cordoned off to those who pay extra (e.g. aqua and suite guests).

[Deenie33]

Ugh, how right you are about the airlines. They implemented it with no significant backlash.

 

I'm sure the cruise lines have already thought about this but fear backlash. They already have some of this in place with areas of the ships cordoned off to those who pay extra (e.g. aqua and suite guests).

 

Don't they already do that? There are Specialty Restaurants where you pay more for smaller crowds and reportedly better food, you can reserve a private "cabana " type space near the window on some ships, concierge/Aqua class, junior suits and larger cabins etc . . . . I don' think they need to do more. If they start setting up the challenge of getting a better seat in the MD for xtra $$ or front row seats at the theater for example . . . they run the risk of creating more division and separation of class (for lack of a better term - sorry). The whole Aura of cruising will change . . and not for the better.

[keithm]

I recently returned from an 11 day cruise on silhouette. this is my sixth cruise with celebrity and I am select in the captains club. my question to everyone is how to go about getting a good table in the main dining room? I almost always get the late fixed seating and on every cruise I have been stuck back in a corner of the dining room. to get to our table we walk thru the beautiful open area where the wine tower is located and almost always see many unused tables. I had a wonderful wait staff but I just feel like I am a second class passenger even though I have sailed with celebrity so many times. has anyone had this experience and somehow found how to get a good table. thanks in advance for any help you may have to offer.

Talk to the Maitre D about seating arrangements when you board. If he gets you a great table, tip him!!! That's what we do & it gets us a great table every time.