Most Memorable Table Mates plus Tips for New Cruisers

[Citymom92]

Another poster on another board on Cruise Critic started a thread that was very interesting and fun: They asked for the best and worst stories of table mates on a Princess cruise. On our first cruise we just had a table for my family of five, and I regret not getting a bigger table and meeting new people. So when hubs and I decided to cruise again next month to celebrate our 25th anniversary, we agreed to not request a table for two.

 

Some of the stories on the other thread were super funny, some heartwarming, and some really pretty crazy. But as a newbie it was interesting to hear about some of the pet peeves of cruisers at shared dinner tables. Don't bring up politics or religion is an obvious tip, but one other person said they hated it when people asked what they did for a living, and often made up a job instead of admitting that they were a dentist, or an undertaker or whatever.

 

We live in Washington DC and have been dropped from dinner party chit chat when people realize we don't work for a lobbyist or member of Congress, so I get that, but what surprised me was that people in interesting jobs, didn't really want to have to get a bunch of questions about their work. I think that part is the fun part, especially if you love your job, is telling someone else about it.

 

So, do you have a great story about an unforgettable table mate from cruises past? If so please share! And if you can, give a tip for how to make a table conversation fun and engaging, and how to avoid becoming a boor or inadvertently being "that" tablemate. :p

 

Thanks!

[Armac]

A couple of years ago on a Panama canal cruise we sat at a table for 8, one very nice couple was from Ireland, however the wife was a very soft talker and if you asked her to repeat herself she would but not any louder, very frustrating we ended up smiling and nodding a lot

[DT1304]

I have always requested a table for my family of 5.

On our first cruise we requested a table for 5 but they put us at a table for 10 with another family.

We quietly asked to be moved but they were only able to accommodate us from night 2 onward.

As we were sitting there, the other family came up to the table and loudly said: "What are they doing here? I thought we would be eating alone. I don't want to sit with strangers"

It made for awkward dinner that first night, but we actually got on quite well as both happened to be families that emigrated from the same city. Was funny bumping into them on the ship over the next 12 days because they felt so embarrassed about their comments at the dinner table. :')

[Citymom92]

A couple of years ago on a Panama canal cruise we sat at a table for 8, one very nice couple was from Ireland, however the wife was a very soft talker and if you asked her to repeat herself she would but not any louder, very frustrating we ended up smiling and nodding a lot

Ah the soft talker! yes always tough to get through those convos! So cool to have gone through the Panama Canal! On my bucket list for sure.

[Citymom92]

I have always requested a table for my family of 5.

On our first cruise we requested a table for 5 but they put us at a table for 10 with another family.

We quietly asked to be moved but they were only able to accommodate us from night 2 onward.

As we were sitting there, the other family came up to the table and loudly said: "What are they doing here? I thought we would be eating alone. I don't want to sit with strangers"

It made for awkward dinner that first night, but we actually got on quite well as both happened to be families that emigrated from the same city. Was funny bumping into them on the ship over the next 12 days because they felt so embarrassed about their comments at the dinner table. :')

 

That's one thing that comes through in alot of the other thread's posts, is that even the most awkward table leads to some fun and memorable run-ins throughout the cruise. It's funny because you could try to run into someone you want to see, and never find them, but the people you wish you could avoid are seemingly everywhere.

[cb at sea]

We've never had "bad" tablemates.....maybe we're just easy to get along with! Our most memorable was an older couple , and I swear the man looked (and acted!) just like Rodney Dangerfield! This couple was a HOOT and a half! We also had a British couple (younger) at the table.....we had the best freaking time! Couldn't understand the "cockney" accent for a while, but we finally dialed into it!

 

We have had no bad experiences. I'm sort of surprised that so many folks can't get along for 2 hours with others!

[Citymom92]

We've never had "bad" tablemates.....maybe we're just easy to get along with! Our most memorable was an older couple , and I swear the man looked (and acted!) just like Rodney Dangerfield! This couple was a HOOT and a half! We also had a British couple (younger) at the table.....we had the best freaking time! Couldn't understand the "cockney" accent for a while, but we finally dialed into it!

 

We have had no bad experiences. I'm sort of surprised that so many folks can't get along for 2 hours with others!

 

So do you avoid certain topics? Do you mind if someone asks what you do for work? What's your secret for a fun dinner? I'm thinking just going in with acceptance that there are going to be differences, but at least one thing in common, travel, the ocean, so no one can be all that bad. There's common ground to be found I'm sure of it!

[Ocean Dancer]

We dined with a couple who had escaped communist Cuba in the late 50's. Although their story was quite interesting, they wanted to rehash it every night. Steering away from the topic was very challanging.

[papaflamingo]

We usually get a table for 2 for dinner. That doesn't actually mean "no table mates" as there is usually another table in close proximity. So you get a choice. Talk to them or don't since they're close but at a separate table. We've generally had pretty good and interesting people around us.

Last July, however, we were at a table for two next to a table for four. This was on HAL not RCCL. Anyway, don't think the 4 were cruising together, just random table mates. One of the women (these 4 were in their 30's or so), totally dominated the conversation. But her only topic was herself. All she had done, where she worked, how great she was at the job, how great she was in school, how great she was at....everything. My wife and I, unable to NOT overhear (she wasn't actually quiet), nicknamed her "Amazing Amy" (form the book Gone Girl). Felt pretty sorry for her table mates, but we did get a bit of a laugh at the looks and eyerolls they were giving out.

[Doug S]

Had a couple at MTD that dominated the conversation at a table for 8. After a few long winded stories we realized they were just stealing stuff from novels and magazines... Helicopter date from 50 shades, being rescued from a sinking Submarine, fights in bar parking lot, Burning oil rigs, political intrigue, rubbing shoulders with famous people... It got pretty deep. Found out the guy was really a patio awning salesman when he tried to sell us at the end of dinner.

 

Not sure if this one falls into the good or bad bucket. Lets just say it was 'different'.

[Clarea]

Had a couple at MTD that dominated the conversation at a table for 8. After a few long winded stories we realized they were just stealing stuff from novels and magazines... Helicopter date from 50 shades, being rescued from a sinking Submarine, fights in bar parking lot, Burning oil rigs, political intrigue, rubbing shoulders with famous people... It got pretty deep. Found out the guy was really a patio awning salesman when he tried to sell us at the end of dinner.

 

Not sure if this one falls into the good or bad bucket. Lets just say it was 'different'.

Different to say the least.

[parrothead34984]

We like a table for two because we like to dine and dash. However, I have never had bad table mates. Bad table neighbors, but not mates.

 

One cruise we had an Indian family with two great kids. The family was great and ordered traditional Indian food every night which our wait staff was more than happy to supply. They always offered to share and sometimes we partook and enjoyed it, We especially enjoyed chatting with the kids about their day and what they had experienced, It was a treat that we looked forward to each night.

 

Another time some years ago, we were teamed up with a trio. One woman and two men that happened to be in the balcony next to us. They were good fun as well. Every other day at port the two men took turns with the woman on excursions. That was interesting for sure.

 

I do enjoy chatting about my work because I love what I do. After all, it affords me the ability to take a cruise or so every year. Chatting about what one does for a living gives great insight into that person. I can however appreciate the fact that one might not want to discuss work while on vacation. Especially when you have a profession that everybody wants a "free" opinion when they find out you are a (insert various Dr titles here).

[George C]

My favorite was my 1st or 2nd cruise on Sovereign in late 1980's we had a large table with me and then my girlfriend ( have now been married 26 years) her mother, a couple from England and another from California, along with the ships doctor. On formal night I believe we all had tuxs and later in the meal the guy from England took off his jacket and his tux shirt had a bunch of clowns on it and he then added a red nose. Ships doctor was only there every other night but bought wine for table each night except for last when we insisted on treating him , we went to all the shows together and just had a blast. kept in touch for few years, but that was almost 30 years ago. Entertainment was amazing academy award winner Red Buttons and Al Martino who sang the godfather theme , Al Martino brought my wife mother on stage and sang her a song which trilled her

[FunTimeIsSunTime]

We have had some interesting tablemates both good and bad. We have never dined at a fixed time but rather the My Time/Anytime dining. One of the earlier nights in our week long cruise we were seated with 4 other people. One couple and a grandmother/granddaughter duo. The grandmother talked SO much about all the expensive things that she had at home and all the places that she had been. We ended up sitting with them again on the first formal night. I was wearing a bracelet of gray pearls. Her eyes lit up and wanted to know all about where I got them and such. I blushed and commented that they were costume jewelry and not real. She became so upset and wouldn't talk to me the rest of the meal. We tried to avoid her the rest of the week but actually were seated with her on the last night again. She talked to me but didn't really engage in the conversation. Who knew a $15 bracelet could cause so much drama?

[Pony Player]

Don't bring up politics or religion is an obvious tip!

 

I make a point of saying at the first night's dinner 'the only political discussions during dinner will be about the politics of Westeros", and if someone strays into the political arena, I will turn to my wife and say something on the order of "do you think that Aria is going to leave her entire previous life behind to become a faceless man?" Or "is Jamie finally going to turn his back on Circie?" MrsPP will then answer me and we'll start a discussion about that which usually shuts down the political discussion as well

[sgmn]

We usually ask for a big table and always book late dinning . We have had some really interesting table mates but the last few cruises often the table is half empty. Maybe because more people are doing specialized dinning now. Once we were the only ones at a six top. Pity because in the past we have had great fun at dinner meeting new people .

[shippmates]

We usually have a great tablemates. One time we had a couple that always arrived late and one night they came to dinner and the ladies husband looks at her and tells her to go change her dress as she was giving everyone a show.

 

Another time we had a lady that took the butter dish and dipped her bread in the dish after every bite. Needless to say no one used that butter dish. She had her own butter dish for the rest of the cruise. When we got to the table we put a dish in front of her and the other dish was out of her reach.

[Junkhouse]

It was our honeymoon and we were at a table with another honeymoon couple, 4 ladies that could have passed for the golden girls and one of their daughters. On the last night the daughter hands us and the other couple her business card. She was a divorced marriage therapist.

[Davebhoy]

I make a point of saying at the first night's dinner 'the only political discussions during dinner will be about the politics of Westeros", and if someone strays into the political arena, I will turn to my wife and say something on the order of "do you think that Aria is going to leave her entire previous life behind to become a faceless man?" Or "is Jamie finally going to turn his back on Circie?" MrsPP will then answer me and we'll start a discussion about that which usually shuts down the political discussion as well

 

Is there an application form you need to fill in to apply for the role of "Table Talk Moderator" ?

Just because you prefer not to talk about politics doesn't mean that you should stop everyone else round the table talking about the subject - and if you insist on interupting their conversation to get it back on a topic that you approve of, then that's just plainly rude.

[rncruiser]

Back in the 1980’s we shared a table with 2 interesting couples. One was a lawyer and his wife who were clearly a product of the 1960’s, a flower child who came to dinner high every night. The other was a recently married older couple. He was a retired multi-millionaire, or so he told us, and she was a former welfare recipient who talked incessantly about being poor. The two of them lived in a trailer, despite his reported millions. The two women obviously did not get along, with them sniping at each other each evening. It was quite entertaining.

 

 

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[Nessa1dc]

Well...one Tablemate was very pleasant and chatty. However, at the end of the of meal, he would remove his dentures, and lick them clean. The first time he did it...I think my Husband and I just stared with our mouths open. We made sure to leave before dessert after that one, and from then forward...we prefer a more intimate setting...meaning alone.

[cruisekap]

I have a positive and negative table mate experience.

 

1). While cruising with may husband we were seated with a fabulous couple from California. On the first night the gentleman asked if we would share a bottle of wine with him. He did not want us to pay but simply said that they were both lovers of wine but could not drink a whole bottle. I was a little sea sick and did not, however, my husband enjoyed the wine tremendously. We took note of the brand and intended to buy the wine the next night. When were arrived at the table on the second night we looked through the wine list and could not find the brand. We asked and he pointed out the vintages sections. The bottle was over $200. As that is quite out of our budget my husband selected a $70 bottle to share. The couple graciously drank our wine (maybe swill to them). We had many great conversations. They were a lovely couple.

 

2) While cruising with my 21 year old daughter a few years ago we were seated at one of those table that seem to be thrown together without thought. Along with my daughter and me there was a single woman (around 30), a single man (40-50) and a few no shows on the first night. My daughter was seated along side the man (not gentleman) who proceeded to tell her how lovely she was and then started flirting with me through her. I am married and did not really enjoy the conversation. ( I am not a bombshell for sure, 50+ and a little overweight to be honest). He kept inviting us to the casino where he goes every evening before dinner. He told my daughter they know him and he gets free drinks and offered to get drunk together (we didn't go to the casino once) The conversation was very uncomfortable and we tried to engage the young woman across from us as much as possible. After dinner, I went directly to the head waiter and told him we had a table mate who made us very uncomfortable and that we wished to be moved. They immediately changed our table and time. We didn't want to strand our female table mate and told her we were moving, she changed with us. My daughter nicknamed him "creepy guy" and of course we seemed to see him everywhere we went.

 

I will let you guess which was my positive and negative experience.

[Pony Player]

Is there an application form you need to fill in to apply for the role of "Table Talk Moderator" ?

Just because you prefer not to talk about politics doesn't mean that you should stop everyone else round the table talking about the subject - and if you insist on interupting their conversation to get it back on a topic that you approve of, then that's just plainly rude.

 

Political discussions have the potential to get very ugly very fast, and can ruin the mood at a table for an entire cruise, I prefer that not to happen.

You also assume there can only be one conversation going on at the table at a time, would you consider it rude if while someone was having a conversation I have no interest in I turned to my wife and said "did you go to guest services and book that tour we wanted to take tomorrow" ?

And finally, on the last few cruises I've taken I've been the person to put the table together and the "no politics other than Westeros" rule has been stated up front

[Davebhoy]

Understand that you might not want to discuss politics, but you wouldn't be dictating which topics I could discuss at the dinner table.

 

Having a personal conversation is, obviously, fine - but you implied that you would want your new conversation to end the chat you thought wasn't suitable.

 

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[Tin can]

Is there an application form you need to fill in to apply for the role of "Table Talk Moderator" ?

Just because you prefer not to talk about politics doesn't mean that you should stop everyone else round the table talking about the subject - and if you insist on interupting their conversation to get it back on a topic that you approve of, then that's just plainly rude.

 

I don't necessarily disagree with you however we are both from the UK. My experience from a number of visits to the States is there is two things you steer clear of at all times in general conversations in the US - politics and gun control.

 

I know nothing about gun control but I did make the mistake of getting into a conversation about politics (Brexit) at Boleros on Oasis last Easter when someone heard my accent. It opened up a real can of worms with very strong views from both American political persuations. People from all over the bar got involved and the place was in uproar when I made my excuses and left :o

 

Political talk best avoided in my experience.