Main dining room as a gay couple?

[Jafa73]

Being a male couple we have always requested and gotten a table for two, even though some were 6 inches apart.

We have done this mostly to avoid answering personal questions and we are both mostly introverts.

After having several cruises under our belts and in the spirit of trying new things, we are considering trying the dining with others options. We have anytime dining so we could just try it one night and then revert to our table for two if we don't like it.

Any experiences to share with being a gay couple at a large table?

[wakachaka]

No-one gives a swinging mickey who you're with and why!

My partner and I would be said to be introverts and didn't mention our partnership unless asked.

We actually met an american couple who were 'straight up' hetero americans. Once they found out we were a couple, they bonded to us and drank the whole day together. The beauty about cruises is that the ship was so big (EPIC) that we didn't see them the rest of the trip!

[donnatello]

Hubby and I have been on at least a dozen cruises. We always dine 2nd sitting, large table. It leads to the opportunity to do things with other folks on and off the ship (if you're so inclined as well) We've made good friendships with several fellow diners and have cruised together, since. We've always had an interesting and fun table.

[Darrell6t]

We only do open seating, and nearly always ask to be seated with others. The worst we have even encountered was people whose political views were very different, and who wanted to talk a bit of politics. But that didn't lead to anything terrible. One time we ended up sharing the table with the Mormon couple doing lectures on the ship. But it was a good experience. While we aren't flamboyant, it is fairly obvious we are a couple. Especially if the discussion turns to cruising, which it often does.

[Second Hand Lion]

We've been seated once or twice with others even though we choose 2 top tables to avoid small talk chit-chat. If Scott or I want to talk with other cruisers it's usually at pool-side or the bar. That said, when we have dined with others it has always been fun. I set the record straight (or gay) from the get-go. Once that's out of the way we proceed as fellow diners. Just be yourself and if others don't like it, well there are lots of tables they can move to. ;)

[Cliff-FLL]

We've sailed on several lines and it's never seemed to make a difference. We interact with our table mates just as we do with new people we meet when at home. Regardless of the locale, we never make a point of saying we're married/we're gay -- much the way straight couples don't make a point of stating they're married/they're straight. Generally, we'll use the terms "we", "us" , etc. and, if appropriate, mention the length of time we've been together. People quickly figure out the dynamics and we have yet to find any people, liberal or conservative, who are not accepting. In fact, we have had several that have used the opportunity to ask questions (other than very personal) to better understand the ongoing, national dialog/dispute.

 

In short, it's never been an issue and, in some cases, it's been quite beneficial to the perception of GLBT issues.

[cruzeluver]

My husband and I always request large tables in order to meet new folks and have never had a problem, and in fact have become friends with several folks we have met at dinner.

[james80]

Other half and I have been on 3 cruises together with P&O and always asked for a table of 8. We've been really lucky (so far!) and met some great people some of whom we've then spent the evenings with watching shows or going to a bar or casino. Never had an issue, and I was a bit worried with it being P&O and their average age range!

[8373seth]

The one time that we've selected a seating time and had an assigned table was in RCCL. It was for a Transatlantic. There were three gay couples at the same table. It's as if, RCCL tried to sit all male groups at the same table. It makes me wonder if they do this on purpose. Which is fine with me.

 

Any other time we've usually selected anytime dining and sat in a 2 seat table.

[MommaBear55]

Not a gay couple, but can tell you we have always enjoyed meeting people at meals. My mother told me never to talk about religion, politics, sex or money at a dinner party. Since cruise dining is one big dinner party, I can guarantee that no one at my table would care or make a big deal about your orientation. Are you interesting? Like to hear and share stories? Avoid wearing a hat to the table? Oh wait, my SIL does that and we still love him, Ummm, drink wine? Beer? We could discuss the merits of tofu and I can tell you that is a divisive topic in our family. There are strong opinions on both sides of that subject. Please promise not to ask if we have found Jesus, because I can tell you one or more of us would say we didn't know he was lost.

 

And if people do care, that is their issue. I would just hope they would not try to make it your issue. To have found love and to celebrate love should never be anything but a joy.

[dpcmh]

My partner and I have made life long friends with our table mates. We are extroverts and enjoy meeting new people. One time, we had a pastor and wife of a very conservative organization. While we haven't stayed in touch with them, we enjoyed the conversations at dinner and everyone had a great time. Everyone is on vacation and there to have fun and relax. If someone has a problem with us, let them ask to be moved is my feeling. ....later in the cruise, I joked with the pastor that I wondered if they would show up on night 2....we all got a laugh and that really broke the ice.

Edited April 9, 2016 by dpcmh

[Sonoran_cruiser]

You could also go to an early LGBT meetup event, and find other singles/couples to dine with. Even if you end up sharing a large table at dinner, you at least have some other "friends" at the table to make you feel more comfortable.

[waldorf]

We've only shared tables on about 3 cruises and can say it has never been an issue. We are very open about the fact we are a couple and are happy to discuss it if asked. We would love to be sat with gay couples/singles but this usually only happens after we have met them on board.

[K&JfromPDX]

In our earlier cruising days we were more "closeted", and we thought no one knew! Like in life, there will be people who won't know, notice, care, or realize, you are a couple. Then, there will be people who will be horribly offended even by your sight! You can't control much about either! We have cruised together alone, and later with a single, straight, female friend. At the dinner table during introductions, we will say "and my husband.....", and let them deal with it. Changing tables is an option for everyone, and the ship will accommodate a request if possible. I feel that most people will accept others' differences, knowing they'll probably never meet again. I often bring up politics, sports, and religion knowing it will elicit an opinion for discussion. You won't change my stance, but I'll listen to yours. At the dining table, there are so many neutral subjects to discuss, one's sexual preference should, really, be last on the list. Be relaxed, and be YOURSELF. Enjoy dinner!

[Clay Clayton]

First I second everything the previous posters have stated....but isn't it GREAT at this time of such derision in our world about all sorts of topics, LGBTness prime among them, to find out that apparently cruise ships are a more neutral zone where we can all "just get along":D:D

[Adidas4fun]

I will go a little further. The bigger the table the better, as the majority will be accepting and even welcoming. So the uptight ones will be in the minority and sit there squirming. Enjoy! :)

[GUT2407]

Doesn't bother me, as long a you are nice people, I couldn't care less what your sexual tastes run to.

[posspet]

On a number of cruises now we have had table on our own. Tables for 4. Tables for 8. All of which we have enjoyed.

The only time we didn't enjoy our company was when the other 2 couples were obnoxious about their seating, waiters, etc.

When we have had tables for 2 we often found that we ended up talking to the next table anyway and wishing it was closer. It is a melting pot of all different people. That is why I like cruising.

You are all on holiday. Enjoy yourselves and relax.

[Surfguyxxx]

I'm pretty much with everyone else on this one. We've met so may fantastic people during our dining experiences. Lately, we've been doing a fair amount of specialty dining but that's only because we like the variety of the restaurants. Our next cruise, I've booked a 5 night specialty dining package (only $110 per person for the whole cruise) which will give us 5 different dining experiences and also 1 chef's table. Thankfully, on the Allure, they have many options to give us this flexibility. Have fun.

[mk-ultra]

My friends and I have had really great experiences in the MDR on RCCL and NCL. Never had any issue mixing it up with straight couples and singles. On our last RCCL cruise, our table was definitely the *fun* table. Thoroughly enjoyed our table mates.

[awestover89]

We love sitting with other people. On our most recent cruise one group of our table mates did a sort of double take when we said we were married. They seemed a little uncomfortable at first, but by the end of dinner it was pretty much forgotten and we had a lot of good conversations over the week. We don't advertise that we're a couple, but we do introduce each other as our husbands and occasionally topics like anniversary or weddings come up and we'll share our experiences.

 

We had one family that didn't seem to understand why we were sitting at their table since we weren't their family, but that was a culture difference, nothing to do with our sexuality.

[BenjiRodney]

Never had an issue in 16 cruises.