Table for five. We have to wait? Really?

[summersigh]

On 2/10/2019 at 11:20 AM, 1025cruise said:

If you wish, 4 days before your cruise, post on John Heald's Facebook page and request a table for 5. He will forward your request to the Maitre'D who will do their best to accommodate you.

I agree 😊  It's less stressful to do that before you board.  When we board I always stroll to the MDR and check on our table.  If it still isn't what I wanted then I go stand in the line - have done that before and his line moved fairly quick but he can't always accommodate your wishes by that time.

Give John your ship, sailing date, your name, and cabin number.

[balcony bound]

3 hours ago, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

 

 

I am not being a spoiled brat, I am being realistic.  I want my family and I seated privately so we can be left alone and more easily able  to avoid the potential staring.  

I sooo totally understand how you feel.  My hubby has a laryngectomy complicated by trouble swallowing.  The last thing he wants to do is eat with strangers.  We always request Your Time dining and a table for 2.

Hope you have a blast on your cruise!

[Momto3girlsintheCarolinas]

3 hours ago, summersigh said:

I agree 😊  It's less stressful to do that before you board.  When we board I always stroll to the MDR and check on our table.  If it still isn't what I wanted then I go stand in the line - have done that before and his line moved fairly quick but he can't always accommodate your wishes by that time.

Give John your ship, sailing date, your name, and cabin number.

  THANK YOU!!

[TruckerDave]

8 hours ago, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

 

 

I am not being a spoiled brat, I am being realistic.  I want my family and I seated privately so we can be left alone and more easily able  to avoid the potential staring.  

 

 

you do understand that even with a table just for yourself (family) you are not going to be seated privately right?  You will be in a large room with many other people, some just feet away from you.  You are not going to have your own personal dining room all to yourself.  Plus, unless you plan on just staying in your cabin the whole trip you will be out and about around strangers. I'm thinking a cruise might not be your cup of tea. A land based trip where you can have more privacy might be better suited for your needs. 

[RRLLAL]

3 hours ago, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

  THANK YOU!!

 

Now I'm confused. I thought you got it resolved through the Maitre de? Why would you still have to contact John?

[2wheelin]

I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you. Ask for the dining you wish, go in proud and confident, look people in the eye and smile. If they have a problem with how you look, let it be their problem. Teach your children that it is OK to be different.

Whenever anyone presents as something different than “expected”, people are inquisitive. Unfortunately some wish to be educated but others just want to act superior. Don’t let them ruin your vacation.

[Don Kehote]

On 2/10/2019 at 10:44 AM, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

Really? 

YES.

[Momto3girlsintheCarolinas]

12 hours ago, TruckerDave said:

you do understand that even with a table just for yourself (family) you are not going to be seated privately right?  You will be in a large room with many other people, some just feet away from you.  You are not going to have your own personal dining room all to yourself.  Plus, unless you plan on just staying in your cabin the whole trip you will be out and about around strangers. I'm thinking a cruise might not be your cup of tea. A land based trip where you can have more privacy might be better suited for your needs. 

  Please see my signature  We've been on several cruises on 4 lines.  I am aware.

[Momto3girlsintheCarolinas]

11 hours ago, 2wheelin said:

I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you. Ask for the dining you wish, go in proud and confident, look people in the eye and smile. If they have a problem with how you look, let it be their problem. Teach your children that it is OK to be different.

Whenever anyone presents as something different than “expected”, people are inquisitive. Unfortunately some wish to be educated but others just want to act superior. Don’t let them ruin your vacation.

 

Thank you for your compassion and empathy.   I have been coping with this my entire life; some days better than others.  😉

 

I am actually a professor of psychology and I was a  child therapist who worked with abused children for a long time.  I am not suggesting that I want a private dining room or that I plan to hide in my room.  I lecture in front of hundreds of students each week.  However,  there are some times when I wish to better protect myself and our children.  When we are trying to enjoy dinner is one of those times.  Being at the same table as strangers means that one must interact with people on a different level that is not true of any other time on a cruise.  

 

People stare. They ask questions that are none of any one's business.    If I am seated with some people, they think that their curiosity about my condition trumps my right to privacy and dignity.  I have an advanced degree and I've had people assume I have an IQ of <70 and address me in this way.  It's tiresome.

 

If I am at a show or in the casino or by the pool- some people might stare.  I ignore them.  This is hardly the same thing as being confronted by stares and rude questions when trying to enjoy a meal. 

 

 

[Purvis1231]

On 5/4/2019 at 11:33 AM, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

 

Oh, but it isn't small stuff.  Unfortunately, when you have a massive craniofacial disfigurement, people will sometimes stare and say awful things.  Trust me, I am 47 (married 23 years, three kids and a hubby who are "normal") and have been horrified at the comments of complete strangers when I was doing nothing more than trying to take your advice and enjoy my cruise.  

 

In fact, THIS IS ME, trying to enjoy my cruise with my husband and children (Pun intended).

 

I am not being a spoiled brat, I am being realistic.  I want my family and I seated privately so we can be left alone and more easily able  to avoid the potential staring.  

 

Thanks to all those who were kind and helpful. 

Contact the special needs desk and they will make the arrangements. Happy cruising. We have a diabetic daughter who has to check her glucose before each meal. Some people find the finger stick unpleasant so we have always requested a table for our family- always accommodated. 

[momof3cruisers]

On May 4, 2019 at 7:44 PM, TruckerDave said:

you do understand that even with a table just for yourself (family) you are not going to be seated privately right?  You will be in a large room with many other people, some just feet away from you.  You are not going to have your own personal dining room all to yourself.  Plus, unless you plan on just staying in your cabin the whole trip you will be out and about around strangers. I'm thinking a cruise might not be your cup of tea. A land based trip where you can have more privacy might be better suited for your needs. 

Wow. This is incredibly rude and condescending. This woman is 42 years old and it seems has been living in the world her whole life. It's obvious she doesn't expect complete privacy. She asked a question and others were able to advise her. 

[sprint180]

On ‎5‎/‎4‎/‎2019 at 11:21 AM, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

 

 

The OP agrees with you.  🙂

 

Maybe you should cancel and try a different line.  Just a suggestion not being rude.

[LuckyStar]

On 2/10/2019 at 8:44 AM, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

Hello.

 

We are cruising Carnival for the first time in May.  We have a family of five and would like to be seated in the MDR with just the five of us.  I do not like strangers and they do not like me.

 

I called ahead to Carnival and they said we have to wait until the first night of our cruise to have our table changed.  Really?  I've never had that happen on any other cruise line.  I've always been able to call ahead and reserve a table for just us.

 

It seems like this will be a stressful and time-consuming event.  Do I have to stand in line while on my cruise to do this?  Can it really not be arranged ahead of time or was the agent I spoke with just not knowledgeable?

 

TIA!

 

I became a believer in anytime dining with Carnival this last cruise.  We were able to make a reservation using the Carnival Hub app and they would let you know when your table would be ready. We never had to wait more than 10 min.  It was long enough for us to walk down to the dining room.  Carnival has it all over RCI in this respect.  

[PhillyFan33579]

On 5/4/2019 at 12:33 PM, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

 

Oh, but it isn't small stuff.  Unfortunately, when you have a massive craniofacial disfigurement, people will sometimes stare and say awful things.  Trust me, I am 47 (married 23 years, three kids and a hubby who are "normal") and have been horrified at the comments of complete strangers when I was doing nothing more than trying to take your advice and enjoy my cruise.  

 

In fact, THIS IS ME, trying to enjoy my cruise with my husband and children (Pun intended).

 

I am not being a spoiled brat, I am being realistic.  I want my family and I seated privately so we can be left alone and more easily able  to avoid the potential staring.  

 

Thanks to all those who were kind and helpful. 

 

I apologize for agreeing with the comment about not sweating the small stuff.  Having read more of your comments in this thread I realize this situation is not the small issue I previously thought it was. 

[Mary Ellen1]

Momto3girlsintheCarolinas, I've had good luck with emailing the Maitre-d' and asking for whatever table arrangement we prefer (table for two, table by the window, table on the upper level... etc.).  As others have mentioned, send your email about a week before your cruise, when they start to tackle the seating arrangements for your sailing.  I've done this 5-6 times.  They don't always respond to the email, but I've always gotten what I'd (politely) requested. 

 

Good luck with this!  And enjoy your cruise.

[pc_load_letter]

19 hours ago, momof3cruisers said:

Wow. This is incredibly rude and condescending. This woman is 42 years old and it seems has been living in the world her whole life. It's obvious she doesn't expect complete privacy. She asked a question and others were able to advise her. 

 

I'd disagree, the poster made the comment before the OP posted about her condition. After reading her first post, the OP could easily come across as being an unfriendly, not outgoing, pain in the butt. etc etc. Quite frankly, after her first post, I was thinking this person was a real peach and glad I am not on her boat. BUT, now I get it. Her concern is genuine and I am sure it affects her daily. Again...BUT...

 

The whole issue would be moot if the OP had indicated the causation of her request....Instead of saying..."I don't like strangers and they don't like me".

Edited May 6, 2019 by pc_load_letter

[Momto3girlsintheCarolinas]

On 5/6/2019 at 12:56 PM, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

I apologize for agreeing with the comment about not sweating the small stuff.  Having read more of your comments in this thread I realize this situation is not the small issue I previously thought it was. 

Thank you.  But, in fairness, I didn't give you any reason to think it was.  I didn't find your comment aggressive or rude; that isn ot true for other comments who I thought made assumptions as to my motivations. 🙂

 

[Momto3girlsintheCarolinas]

On 5/5/2019 at 10:18 PM, momof3cruisers said:

Wow. This is incredibly rude and condescending. This woman is 42 years old and it seems has been living in the world her whole life. It's obvious she doesn't expect complete privacy. She asked a question and others were able to advise her. 

 

Thank you.  I have been living in the world my whole life and I agree that this comment was both rude and condescending.

[Momto3girlsintheCarolinas]

On 5/6/2019 at 2:26 AM, sprint180 said:

Maybe you should cancel and try a different line.  Just a suggestion not being rude.

I didn't take this as rude.

 

We choose Carnival because it fit what we needed when we needed it. This is a graduation present for one of our daughters and our concern was her schedule and enjoyment, not ours.  Carnival is widely known for being really great for the younger crowd, and we have three daughters.

[Momto3girlsintheCarolinas]

24 minutes ago, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

 

Thank you.  I have been living in the world my whole life and I agree that this comment was both rude and condescending.

 

Tried to edit and couldn't.  I wanted to add....

 

Thanks for making me 42.  I appreciate that. 😉

 

I've also been on a few cruises (please see signature).  I wasn't asking for or expecting to have complete privacy, my own dining room, deck chair, or private seating at any show.  I was asking that I be able to request a private table when trying to enjoy meals with my family; a request that has been granted before on other lines.

 

I can and do ignore rude people on a daily basis.  People's lack of empathy and warmth continue to astound me.  But it is easy to ignore people with whom I am not directly interacting.  It is much harder to be seated at a table with people who lack tact and ask questions directly of me that are none of their concern.  Again, one's curiosity about a stranger does not trump their right to privacy or dignity.

 

Also, talking about privacy and dignity while taking care of one's medical condition is not, in my opinion, a "hijack."  That posted needed and received support.  That was nice.

[sparks1093]

1 hour ago, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

 

Tried to edit and couldn't.  I wanted to add....

 

Thanks for making me 42.  I appreciate that. 😉

 

I've also been on a few cruises (please see signature).  I wasn't asking for or expecting to have complete privacy, my own dining room, deck chair, or private seating at any show.  I was asking that I be able to request a private table when trying to enjoy meals with my family; a request that has been granted before on other lines.

 

I can and do ignore rude people on a daily basis.  People's lack of empathy and warmth continue to astound me.  But it is easy to ignore people with whom I am not directly interacting.  It is much harder to be seated at a table with people who lack tact and ask questions directly of me that are none of their concern.  Again, one's curiosity about a stranger does not trump their right to privacy or dignity.

 

Also, talking about privacy and dignity while taking care of one's medical condition is not, in my opinion, a "hijack."  That posted needed and received support.  That was nice.

I hope that the maitre'd can accommodate your request but I do wonder if the responses might have been a tad more sympathetic if you had led with the medical issue in the first post instead of with "I don't like strangers and they don't like me". I have a feeling that might have influenced the tone of the replies. 

[mdsgu]

On 2/10/2019 at 9:54 AM, fyree39 said:

Yes, you'll have to visit the dining room and Maitre 'd on the first day to set up a table just for you five. Have fun. 🙂

It really doesn't take long, a few minutes at most.  Been there, done that.  You might also message John Heald on FB 3 or 4 days prior to your cruise -- he can usually hook you up.

[LuckyStar]

On 2/10/2019 at 8:44 AM, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

Hello.

 

We are cruising Carnival for the first time in May.  We have a family of five and would like to be seated in the MDR with just the five of us.  I do not like strangers and they do not like me.

 

I called ahead to Carnival and they said we have to wait until the first night of our cruise to have our table changed.  Really?  I've never had that happen on any other cruise line.  I've always been able to call ahead and reserve a table for just us.

 

It seems like this will be a stressful and time-consuming event.  Do I have to stand in line while on my cruise to do this?  Can it really not be arranged ahead of time or was the agent I spoke with just not knowledgeable?

 

TIA!

 

I hope you have cruised before because you are going to meet a lot of strangers and its going to be for a long cruise if you have decided you don't like strangers.  I, for one, love meeting new people.  I could strike up a conversation with a rock or so my hubby says. No reason to stress yet.  Our DR had plenty of large round tables that would accommodate five people. I can't imagine that this would be a problem at all.  

 

[xDisconnections]

4 hours ago, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

Thank  you.  🙂  11 days! Whoooo hooooo!

The pleasure is mine!

[beerman2]

2 hours ago, LuckyStar said:

I hope you have cruised before because you are going to meet a lot of strangers and its going to be for a long cruise if you have decided you don't like strangers.  I, for one, love meeting new people.  I could strike up a conversation with a rock or so my hubby says. No reason to stress yet.  Our DR had plenty of large round tables that would accommodate five people. I can't imagine that this would be a problem at all.  

 

OP has stated she has cruised many times. Take a look at her cruise history/signature.

 

She is just not that familiar with Carnival's way of handling eating by themselves(family of 5)

Edited May 9, 2019 by beerman2