Procedures with Traditional Dining

[lorri111]

Hi, we have always managed to secure a table for 2, whether on Anytime or Trad Dining, but was just wondering what is the procedure if you get a bigger table. Do you have to wait for all parties at your table to arrive before you order, or before you are served? What if people order more courses than others, how are they served? And are you pretty much stuck waiting on everyone else before you can leave at end of meal? We are fast eaters and tend to be in and out quickly, and just wondered what happens with tables bigger than 2.

[RMMariner]

Generally you wait for everyone to show. Some people leave early, but for most people there is a certain amount of interaction and etiquette in eating together. Racing through your meal, and showing an obvious desire to get away from your table mates early could be construed as rude.

 

From what you are saying, I would suggest that you stick with a table for two. 

 

 

[lorri111]

4 minutes ago, RMMariner said:

Generally you wait for everyone to show. Some people leave early, but for most people there is a certain amount of interaction and etiquette in eating together. Racing through your meal, and showing an obvious desire to get away from your table mates early could be construed as rude.

 

From what you are saying, I would suggest that you stick with a table for two.  

 

 

That's certainly the game plan, but thought it useful to know what happens if it doesn't pan out.

[skynight]

7 hours ago, lorri111 said:

Hi, we have always managed to secure a table for 2, whether on Anytime or Trad Dining, but was just wondering what is the procedure if you get a bigger table. Do you have to wait for all parties at your table to arrive before you order, or before you are served? What if people order more courses than others, how are they served? And are you pretty much stuck waiting on everyone else before you can leave at end of meal? We are fast eaters and tend to be in and out quickly, and just wondered what happens with tables bigger than 2.

Normal procedures

Waiter usually waits until entire table shows. Wait is not usually long. When there are no shows the waiter starts the process without them. 

Waiter serves courses in order. Everyone gets their mains at the same time. If you skip and earlier course you wait and socialize until others finish their courses and the next course is served.

Most wait until dessert is finished before leaving, but you can excuse yourself at any time.

No way to be in and out quickly. You dine and socialize at the pace of the table. Normally it takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Rule of thumb, the larger the table the longer it takes.

It's courteous to inform the waiter and table mates when you know you will not be present for the next evening's meal.

Sounds to me you want to stick with a two top. 

 

[satxdiver]

A few years ago we had TD shared table for 6 and had a very slow eater.  Often we were the last to leave the MDR as they set up the tables for the later time.  She was a very nice lady but ate extremely slow so we had to wait for our main course and then wait again for dessert while she finished the last course.  

 

We also have had a TD table for 6 where one couple would arrive late every meal.  We have had to wait on them before we could order to the point where the waiter would go ahead and take our order before they arrived and on one occasion started serving food.  All considered we have been lucky in TD not getting table mates that not only were consistently late, slow eaters or objectionable pax.  

[voljeep]

Table for 2 !! - right this way ... carrying my sippy cup from Vines ..

[XBGuy]

Lorri, if you opt for traditional dining and find you've been assigned to a larger table with other passengers,  go see the Maitre d' as soon as possible on embarkation day.  (In fact, even if you think you've been assigned to a two-top, you might still see him to confirm.)  He will be in one of the dining rooms, and his hours will be published in the Princess Patters that is in you cabin.  Ask him if you can be switched to a two-top.  If at all possible, he will accommodate you.  If it is not possible, tell him you would like to switch to Anytime Dining.  He should have no problem with that request.

[lorri111]

15 hours ago, XBGuy said:

Lorri, if you opt for traditional dining and find you've been assigned to a larger table with other passengers,  go see the Maitre d' as soon as possible on embarkation day.  (In fact, even if you think you've been assigned to a two-top, you might still see him to confirm.)  He will be in one of the dining rooms, and his hours will be published in the Princess Patters that is in you cabin.  Ask him if you can be switched to a two-top.  If at all possible, he will accommodate you.  If it is not possible, tell him you would like to switch to Anytime Dining.  He should have no problem with that request.

 

Thanks for that!

[jondfk]

With TD, a pattern quickly emerges, good wait staff are well tuned in to this.  

I've seen orders taken once half the table or so are ready, even if others are lagging behind.  

 

Generally, mid meal service (say the transition salad to soup or soup to main) will be slowed to allow the rest of the table to catch up.

 

Again my experience is a pattern very quickly emerges within a couple of nights.  Good manners suggests arriving on time for such group events - shipboard or otherwise - the vast majority comply.  

[lorri111]

Another question - what happens  on late port sailing nights where I understand it is thrown open to open dining. Does a table progress through meal together as with usual TD or is it like the buffet where you might share a table but do your own thing?