Preference on Table size for fixed dining MDR...? Your thoughts.

[Celiac Cruiser]

it is just the 2 of us traveling but it is nice to socialize at dinner. We have asked for early dining but not sure what table size to select. What have been your experiences?

[caribill]

We like traditional fixed-time dining and like to share the conversations at dinner with at least two other couples.

 

But often we have found that other couples may not show up at our table because:

a) They never show up at all for reasons unknown to us or dining room management

b) They have other plans for some evenings

 

Thus to have enough dinner companions, we often request a table for 8 in the hope that at least one other couple shows up.

[Cruise Raider]

We like a table for 6 .... that way, you get a chance to talk with others without shouting across the table. You really cannot visit with people very well with a table for 8 and if you request a table for 4 and the other two don't show up, that doesn't always work out the best either.

[gold1953]

table of 6 or 8. They are round and you can see everyone at dinner. There are also 12 tops but they are oval and make conversing hard.. plus just too may for the waiter so it is slower

[lisiamc]

We like traditional fixed-time dining and like to share the conversations at dinner with at least two other couples.

 

But often we have found that other couples may not show up at our table because:

a) They never show up at all for reasons unknown to us or dining room management

b) They have other plans for some evenings

 

Thus to have enough dinner companions, we often request a table for 8 in the hope that at least one other couple shows up.

 

This is what we do too, for exactly the same reasons! :D It usually works pretty well.

[Celiac Cruiser]

If you have a table for 8 does the waiter have to wait until everyone is seated to start taking orders?

[EatonDoolittle]

it is just the 2 of us traveling but it is nice to socialize at dinner. We have asked for early dining but not sure what table size to select. What have been your experiences?

 

I don't mean to offend, but since your screen name indicates you will be having food restrictions, wouldn't it be more considerate to other cruisers to sit by yourselves, so not to impose delays over questions and special orders upon others?

[phoenix_dream]

I don't mean to offend, but since your screen name indicates you will be having food restrictions, wouldn't it be more considerate to other cruisers to sit by yourselves, so not to impose delays over questions and special orders upon others?

Really???? Someone with an eating restriction is that big of a burden to others that they need to be ostracized to a table by themselves?!? You may not have meant to offend but how could this comment be taken any other way??

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I don't mean to offend, but since your screen name indicates you will be having food restrictions, wouldn't it be more considerate to other cruisers to sit by yourselves, so not to impose delays over questions and special orders upon others?

 

Oh, please! This is not a fast food emporium. I'm sure their consultations with the waiter don't take any longer than some other folks' conversations. Last cruise one woman at our table was highly allergic to onions. The waiter knew about this. Sometimes he had to check with the chef to make sure, but it in no way ruined the dining experience of the rest of us at the table. We were just grateful that he cared enough about his customer to double check when necessary.

 

As for table size preference, I prefer a max of 6 at a round table in order to be able to carry on a conversation. Fortunately, I've always had considerate tablemates who advise the night before if they will be elsewhere the next night.

[Projunior]

I was on the the Equinox in May. Our table for two was, without exaggeration, 6 inches from the table for two next to us. We all lucked out and the four of us thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. So this word of caution: even if you request a table for two, out a desire for intimacy, you could end up at one of these virtual tables for four where a private conversation will be completely out of the question.

[CruisingChick]

We always request a table of 8.

 

We sat with a couple that both had celiac disease. The asst. maitre'd came over every evening at the end of dinner (after dessert) to consult with them regarding the next evening's meal and take their order. There was absolutely no delay in our being served our meals all together. They were not a burden.

[EatonDoolittle]

Okay, okay, pile on if it makes you feel better. Just offering an opinion, which is what OP asked for.

 

Perhaps it has just been my bad luck to have been treated to too many "is the pepper gluten free, is the coffee gluten free, is the (fill in the blank) gluten free?" inquiries in my vicinity when trying to enjoy a meal.

[Celiac Cruiser]

Well EatonDoolittle, my food restrictions are something to consider. I would not want my or anyone else's dietary / medical issues to be the topic of conversation. That is why my meal is preordered. All the food ingredient discussion is had in private the night before. I am willing to bet that there would be less delay over my dinner order than the average guest.

 

But my question remains- does the waiter have to wait for everyone to be seated before taking orders? If the others don't show up, how long do they leave you waiting?

[lisiamc]

If you have a table for 8 does the waiter have to wait until everyone is seated to start taking orders?

 

The way it should work for fixed seating is that everyone shows up more or less at the same time. If someone is very late, the waiter is likely to have taken everyone else's order already, since it appeared that the latecomers weren't going to be there.

[Celiac Cruiser]

Thanks CruisingChick, that is how I would hope it would be.

If I knew I was going to be a burden, I certainly would not thrush that upon other guests.

Cheers!

 

We always request a table of 8.

 

We sat with a couple that both had celiac disease. The asst. maitre'd came over every evening at the end of dinner (after dessert) to consult with them regarding the next evening's meal and take their order. There was absolutely no delay in our being served our meals all together. They were not a burden.

[Cruise_Monkey]

My experience at dinner with other random people is usually a strong desire to eat with just my wife. I've never found someone more interesting or entertaining (to me) than her.

 

But that's not what you asked.... we've eaten at tables with just one other couple (basically two two-tops pushed together) up to a total of 12. I'd agree that the sweet spot is either 6 or 8 people, so if one or two couples are boring or offensive you have at least a chance of enjoying the others.

[Celiac Cruiser]

Does a request for a table for 2 get priority based on your cabin level or your Captains Club level or is it random?

[VitaminSea53]

I usually cruise together with friends but this topic is timely for me as well since our New Zealand cruise will just be just the 2 of us. Nothing wrong with that. Does Solstice have many 2 tops in the MDR?

[Csardas]

I'd be interested in the table for two availability too. We've cruised on Cunard and once on Oceania and don't mind that the twos are close together. As another poster said, it can be the best of both worlds-private conversations and chatting to the neighbours about our day etc.

We're booked on Reflection, July next year, 8:30 sitting. How good are our odds of getting a two?

[miched]

Always dine by ourselves for dinner.

 

There are many opportunities to socialize with others during the cruise.

 

As others have mentioned sometimes the tables for two are close enough that you can converse with others if you wish.

 

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

[Husky61]

When we used to eat in the MDR, it was always a table for two.:)

[riclop]

it is just the 2 of us traveling but it is nice to socialize at dinner. We have asked for early dining but not sure what table size to select. What have been your experiences?

We like a table for 2.

[caribill]

I was on the the Equinox in May. Our table for two was, without exaggeration, 6 inches from the table for two next to us. We all lucked out and the four of us thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. So this word of caution: even if you request a table for two, out a desire for intimacy, you could end up at one of these virtual tables for four where a private conversation will be completely out of the question.

 

We were once at a table for six that was just inches away from a table for two. For the first evening, no one ate at the table for two.

 

On the 2nd evening a couple sat there and we just said "Good evening" to them.

 

 

They never came back on other nights. They must really have wanted their privacy.

[chemmo]

Always dine by ourselves for dinner.

 

There are many opportunities to socialize with others during the cruise.

 

As others have mentioned sometimes the tables for two are close enough that you can converse with others if you wish.

 

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

 

 

I must say this is our view....We love to socialise in the lounges and bars around the ship but like the freedom of dining alone. We did share tables on a couple of cruises some lovely companions and some less so...

 

It is frustrating if you arrive on time at a table (especially if you are going on somewhere later) and then see your waiter taking everyone else's order whilst you are waiting for your companions to arrive. Then when they finally arrive there is no apology and they take forever to choose their meal.....

 

Then there is always the risk of the bore....he/she does not take part in a conversation they deliver a monologue...

[upwarduk]

Okay, okay, pile on if it makes you feel better. Just offering an opinion, which is what OP asked for.

 

Perhaps it has just been my bad luck to have been treated to too many "is the pepper gluten free, is the coffee gluten free, is the (fill in the blank) gluten free?" inquiries in my vicinity when trying to enjoy a meal.

 

EatonDoolittle

I hope you never succumb to a food intolerance, as you are obviously like my husband, thinking that those who are questioning are 'fussy.'

On a recent flight we were told that someone on board had a peanut allergy, so no peanuts would be served on that flight. We were also asked not to eat any if we had bought them at the airport.

For my part, I follow my Dairy Free regime, so that I do not offend other diners. Dairy upsets me rapidly. I order the night before.