Rare ziggyuk Posted November 21, 2023 #101 Share Posted November 21, 2023 6 minutes ago, TonyB99 said: Cruise ships are not "normal" restaurants, and most actively cater to those of us who prefer to dine with a group of like-minded more adventurous diners. So be it, my mistake booking NCL. The old fashioned table sharing on cruise lines is becoming a thing of the past, as is fixed time dining thankfully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ziggyuk Posted November 21, 2023 #102 Share Posted November 21, 2023 9 minutes ago, TonyB99 said: So be it, my mistake booking NCL. Both myself and @Russiamomm gave you advice on sharing tables on NCL and you have chosen to ignore it and focus on your gripe. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyB99 Posted November 21, 2023 #103 Share Posted November 21, 2023 4 minutes ago, ziggyuk said: The old fashioned table sharing on cruise lines is becoming a thing of the past, Fortunately I do not find that to be the case, but perhaps it is only on the more up-market lines where it is practiced. I suspect this will be my first and last NCL cruise based on the responses here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ziggyuk Posted November 21, 2023 #104 Share Posted November 21, 2023 6 minutes ago, TonyB99 said: Fortunately I do not find that to be the case, but perhaps it is only on the more up-market lines where it is practiced. I suspect this will be my first and last NCL cruise based on the responses here. Wait until you discover there are no formal nights 🤣 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Wheels Only Posted November 21, 2023 #105 Share Posted November 21, 2023 1 hour ago, TonyB99 said: I consider myself more introverted than extroverted, but we always enjoy asking for a 6 or 8-top sharing table for dinner on a cruise. It is always interesting to meet a mixture of people, and only rarely have we met a total bore or self-possessed person. Eat at Hasuki every night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drew69 Posted November 22, 2023 #106 Share Posted November 22, 2023 2 hours ago, TonyB99 said: Cruise ships are not "normal" restaurants, and most actively cater to those of us who prefer to dine with a group of like-minded more adventurous diners. So be it, my mistake booking NCL. Not sure that most actively cater to sharing tables - cruise Celebrity, NCL, Royal, Princess, and Regent and have always had tables to ourselves which is just how we want it. We do not like forced dining with others - that went out of style with the Love Boat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare shof515 Posted November 22, 2023 #107 Share Posted November 22, 2023 2 hours ago, TonyB99 said: Cruise ships are not "normal" restaurants, and most actively cater to those of us who prefer to dine with a group of like-minded more adventurous diners. So be it, my mistake booking NCL. i have done alot of solo cruises by myself and never had to share a table in the MDR or specially restaurants. the only place i had a share table was in the supper club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russiamomm Posted November 22, 2023 #108 Share Posted November 22, 2023 9 minutes ago, shof515 said: i have done alot of solo cruises by myself and never had to share a table in the MDR or specially restaurants. the only place i had a share table was in the supper club True. The question is not whether you can eat alone, but rather can you join a shared table if you want. The answer is that you can do either. But if you want to share a table it may be more difficult, especially in the MDR or a specialty restaurant other than Teppanyaki. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted November 22, 2023 #109 Share Posted November 22, 2023 (edited) I love dining with strangers provided: a) they don't mind my/our drinking b) they don't mind my "unique" sense of humor c) they don't mind if I pay no attention to their babbling on about family/careers/stuff/experiences/pets/..... d) they enjoy my personality e) I enjoy their personality f) they don't slow my dining down or try to speed it up IOW: there's about a 1% chance a forced partnership of this type would "work" for all parties involved. disclaimer: If it works for you, go for it!!!😎 I'll (continue to) make my friends at the bar or through a certain "pack." Sometimes I have to gaze into the future to see who my friends will soon be.....🤣 Edited November 22, 2023 by ChiefMateJRK 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russiamomm Posted November 22, 2023 #110 Share Posted November 22, 2023 14 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said: I love dining with strangers provided: a) they don't mind my/our drinking b) they don't mind my "unique" sense of humor c) they don't mind if I pay no attention to their babbling on about family/careers/stuff/experiences/pets/..... d) they enjoy my personality e) I enjoy their personality f) they don't slow my dining down or try to speed it up IOW: there's about a 1% chance a forced partnership of this type would "work" for all parties involved. disclaimer: If it works for you, go for it!!!😎 I'll (continue to) make my friends at the bar or through a certain "pack." Sometimes I have to gaze into the future to see who my friends will soon be.....🤣 I’d share a meal with you any time! 😃 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted November 22, 2023 #111 Share Posted November 22, 2023 9 minutes ago, Russiamomm said: I’d share a meal with you any time! 😃 LOL. Hey, it could happen! 🐀😎 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellaleah Posted November 22, 2023 #112 Share Posted November 22, 2023 What happens at breakfast in the MDR? Most other lines sit you with others. Is this the case on NCL? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted November 22, 2023 #113 Share Posted November 22, 2023 1 hour ago, Ellaleah said: What happens at breakfast in the MDR? Most other lines sit you with others. Is this the case on NCL? Absolutely not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mugtech Posted November 22, 2023 #114 Share Posted November 22, 2023 7 hours ago, TonyB99 said: Fortunately I do not find that to be the case, but perhaps it is only on the more up-market lines where it is practiced. I suspect this will be my first and last NCL cruise based on the responses here. Good, you can get back to your up-market lines, NCL has had bigger disappointments. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asawi Posted November 22, 2023 #115 Share Posted November 22, 2023 9 hours ago, ziggyuk said: The old fashioned table sharing on cruise lines is becoming a thing of the past, as is fixed time dining thankfully. 😁 I was wondering how come this seemingly hot topic had passed me by. That's probably why... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ontheweb Posted November 22, 2023 Author #116 Share Posted November 22, 2023 They never asked us on the Prima this past August if we wanted to share a table. They did on our last NCL cruise before that on the Epic, and we learned that there just were not other passengers who were willing to share, so we gave up asking after the first night. I did enjoy sharing tables, but not sure I still would as these days my hearing is shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare G-DawgMN Posted November 22, 2023 #117 Share Posted November 22, 2023 9 hours ago, Ellaleah said: What happens at breakfast in the MDR? Most other lines sit you with others. Is this the case on NCL? What lines? I’ve been on Royal, MSC, and Princess and we were able to get tables by ourselves for breakfast and lunch. MSC was the only shared table at dinner but we could have requested our own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillygwm Posted November 22, 2023 #118 Share Posted November 22, 2023 (edited) On 11/12/2021 at 8:16 AM, ontheweb said: Through thread drift, the topic of do NCL passengers not want to eat with others came up on a thread in Ask a Cruise Question on the topic of what cruise line would you want to try. There was at least one poster who said she had always found this true on NCL ships. Another who did not find this problem on a smaller NCL ship. And I was not sure if it was just the overly large size of the Epic, or maybe just that particular sailing or maybe it was an overall attitude of NCL cruisers. I thought that the NCL boards would be a good place to ask if NCL cruisers in general want to dine with and meet other passsengers or do they in general wish to eat alone. So, please share your opinions. Old thread but an interesting one. There was a similar thread about the "Dinner With the Officers" perk at Sapphire level and above. Personally, I don't like socializing with large groups -- at all. Part of that is social anxiety but I also have difficulty hearing when there's a lot of background noise, so I can't effectively communicate with anyone not next to/across from me. I just got off a cruise with my niece and I sucked it up and took her to Teppanyaki. I hated every minute, between the noise and the annoying drunk girl next to me. At dinner, I prefer to dine with friends and family. I enjoy socializing with people at bars, on excursions, etc. Of course, if we find each other annoying at the bar, we just speak with others or get up and go to another bar. But being stuck for an hour or two with people whom I find insufferable (or vice versa?) No thanks. Edited November 22, 2023 by phillygwm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellaleah Posted November 22, 2023 #119 Share Posted November 22, 2023 1 hour ago, KSSS2013 said: What lines? I’ve been on Royal, MSC, and Princess and we were able to get tables by ourselves for breakfast and lunch. MSC was the only shared table at dinner but we could have requested our own. I’m referring to breakfast in the MDR, not lunch or dinner. Royal and Princess fill up large round tables at breakfast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare G-DawgMN Posted November 22, 2023 #120 Share Posted November 22, 2023 Just now, Ellaleah said: I’m referring to breakfast in the MDR, not lunch or dinner. Royal and Princess fill up large round tables at breakfast. Correct, I've had tables for 2 on both lines no issue at breakfast, just had to ask. But yes, if you don't care, they'll seat you at large tables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Laszlo Posted November 22, 2023 #121 Share Posted November 22, 2023 My wife enjoy dining with others and have been asked a number of time in the main dining room if we mind sharing a table with another couple. Never had a bad experience, in fact it was the opposite. Our last dinner with another couple was a couple from England who were in their 90's. They were a hoot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodndonna Posted November 22, 2023 #122 Share Posted November 22, 2023 17 hours ago, TonyB99 said: Amazing to see so many really introverted cruisers. I consider myself more introverted than extroverted, but we always enjoy asking for a 6 or 8-top sharing table for dinner on a cruise. It is always interesting to meet a mixture of people, and only rarely have we met a total bore or self-possessed person. I am off on an NCL cruise in a few days (Prima) and hope most of those here are not on the ship! Oddly enough we are quite introverted, and yet in the past, we really enjoyed shared dining and never actually bad experience. Weirdly as an introvert, it was easy to engage socially with people in a dinner format. Over the last few years though, there seem to be just too many topics being brought up that I'd rather not chat about on my vacation, and so we no longer dine with others. Shared dining is just a fond distance memory for us now and will stay that way. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyB99 Posted November 22, 2023 #123 Share Posted November 22, 2023 1 hour ago, rodndonna said: Over the last few years though, there seem to be just too many topics being brought up that I'd rather not chat about on my vacation, and so we no longer dine with others. Shared dining is just a fond distance memory for us now and will stay that way. It seems the art of civilized, non-confrontational, dinner conversation has suffered as a result of the polarization of the population. Our electronic devices simply present one view or another, and seem to encourage uncivil discourse. Great pity. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
complawyer Posted November 22, 2023 #124 Share Posted November 22, 2023 hey tonyb99, you need to get over it. being on a cruise ship and not wanting to sit at a table with strangers (some of which you may have absolutely nothing in common with) is not a harbinger of the decline of civilization. why would dining preferences be any different on a cruise ship then on any major hotel. surely, upon entering the dining room, the maitre'd or host/hostess wouldnt ask if you want to sit at a group table unless youre there with a specific group (company outing etc) besides, arent you being a little presumptuous? assuming that people at another table would want to engage with you? if you note, going back to the original post, most people would prefer NOT! to share a table. i would certainly consider sharing a table with chiefjrkmate, or cruiseny, they seem like great folks, and chiefjrk mate's sense of humor is to die for 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girr Posted November 22, 2023 #125 Share Posted November 22, 2023 18 hours ago, ziggyuk said: The old fashioned table sharing on cruise lines is becoming a thing of the past, as is fixed time dining thankfully. I had dinner with my mother last night. To subject people to that 3 times a day over 7 days is unthinkable. 😜 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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