Dining with others in specialty restaurants

[Noxequifans]

We prefer a table for two and enjoy our meal. No distractions.

 

We meet others in different situations such as Baristas, the pool and excursions. 

[shepherd really]

1 hour ago, Sny said:

We seldom share tables; but have found that, in some of the specialties, the tables are so close to one another that it's easy to befriend those at the adjacent table.  This scenario usually starts when  someone asks about a dish that the other has ordered... and it goes on from there.  We've had some delightful conversations with lovely people in this manner.  

The worst "shared" table experience we had was with a couple that we had been on a private shore excursion with us.  After cocktails, we went to the MDR for dinner.  The other couple were clearly out of control, loud and slurring their words.  The kicker came when he said something with which she didn't agree.  She actually spit at him across the table... and it landed.  OMG!!!

Yes, but as long as they weren't wearing jeans or a hat....

[mare s.]

In pre-Covid times we enjoyed having dinner with shared tables.  But there were a couple of duds...in one instance (not Oceania or Azamara, our other favorite line) a couple of the people at the table got down on their knees and began praying loudly before the meal!  A bit awkward for the rest of us.  On another occasion, the couple with whom we were seated did not converse at all...just looked at their cell phones the entire meal.  

[mauibabes]

Shepherd,

But, but what if the jeans did not have manufactured holes in them and his hat was on forward 🤪

OK, I am with you, can do without that ensemble in the MDR and Specialty restaurants. We don’t often see the ripped jeans scene in the Specialties but I know I have worn jeans to a Specialty on the final night because I was down to travel clothes having packed everything for the trip home. 

 

Mauibabes

[pinotlover]

Jeans. Never an issue for us anymore during travel. They’re very bulky and I can pack probably three pairs of nice slacks in the same amount of space as one pair of jeans. If they get wet, they take twice as long to dry. They aren’t cool in the summer nor warm in the winter. My one pair stays home in the closet on my journeys. 

 

Dress blue jeans are about as big an oxymoron as a dress sweat suit! 😂  Remember those shiny articles of days past when people tried to push them off as dressy? Kinda like today with people claiming joga pants are dressy! They’re exercise/sweat suits, nothing more than any other sweat pants! They’re fine for the gym/joga or Walmart shopping.

[oskidunker]

17 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

Jeans. Never an issue for us anymore during travel. They’re very bulky and I can pack probably three pairs of nice slacks in the same amount of space as one pair of jeans. If they get wet, they take twice as long to dry. They aren’t cool in the summer nor warm in the winter. My one pair stays home in the closet on my journeys. 

 

Dress blue jeans are about as big an oxymoron as a dress sweat suit! 😂  Remember those shiny articles of days past when people tried to push them off as dressy? Kinda like today with people claiming joga pants are dressy! They’re exercise/sweat suits, nothing more than any other sweat pants! They’re fine for the gym/joga or Walmart shopping.

Thank you

[jackdeb]

Pinot I could not agree more with dressy jeans being an oxymoron! Too many keep trying to lower the bar.

[ChadnKate]

On 7/27/2022 at 6:55 PM, Gracie115 said:

Is it possible for someone in a Penthouse Suite to make reservations for 4 with the other 2 people not being in a suite?

Yes

[BWV]

In our early days taking cruises, we had some lovely experiences sharing tables. Lately (although pre-COVID), we had some rather unpleasant ones - not on Oceania - when people discovered we are from Canada we needed to defend our healthcare system, were called 'Socialists', etc. We prefer to stay quiet and not argue, but it isn't pleasant to hear how terrible our country is from others at a table. At our only COVID-era cruise, this past May (our first Oceania cruise), we ate by ourselves for safety as well as sanity. However, I met some lovely people on the few shore excursions I did.

[Poly Grad Sweethearts]

Dinner in the specialty restaurants  is enjoyable time to relax enjoy your food. If you do not want to take a chance and meet someone you don't care for than only sit by yourself. After having good times meeting other people on the cruise over the 5 times we have been on the Rivera or the Marina, sometimes you hit a bad apple, so just make sure you stay away from them, if asked to sit with them say you would prefer not to and mention it to the person who seats you so they do not end up at your table, just be nice.

[DENIE]

32 minutes ago, BWV said:

In our early days taking cruises, we had some lovely experiences sharing tables. Lately (although pre-COVID), we had some rather unpleasant ones - not on Oceania - when people discovered we are from Canada we needed to defend our healthcare system, were called 'Socialists', etc. We prefer to stay quiet and not argue, but it isn't pleasant to hear how terrible our country is from others at a table. At our only COVID-era cruise, this past May (our first Oceania cruise), we ate by ourselves for safety as well as sanity. However, I met some lovely people on the few shore excursions I did.

BWV - so sorry about that experience.  We generally do not mind sitting with others, but politics (and conversation like this) is something we avoid.  On another line we were taken to a table for lunch where there was a couple that ONLY talked politics - and we were on the opposite side.   Ugh.  We just smiled until they had  to leave for an excursion.  Good riddance! 🙂

[LHT28]

40 minutes ago, BWV said:

In our early days taking cruises, we had some lovely experiences sharing tables. Lately (although pre-COVID), we had some rather unpleasant ones - not on Oceania - when people discovered we are from Canada we needed to defend our healthcare system,

Even on Oceania  you get those types of people  LOL

 I try not to discuss Religion, politics & Canadian healthcare  😄

[Gracie115]

52 minutes ago, BWV said:

In our early days taking cruises, we had some lovely experiences sharing tables. Lately (although pre-COVID), we had some rather unpleasant ones - not on Oceania - when people discovered we are from Canada we needed to defend our healthcare system, were called 'Socialists', etc. We prefer to stay quiet and not argue, but it isn't pleasant to hear how terrible our country is from others at a table. At our only COVID-era cruise, this past May (our first Oceania cruise), we ate by ourselves for safety as well as sanity. However, I met some lovely people on the few shore excursions I did.

 

Wow, I would have been really upset if this had happened to us.  I don't know that I could have remained silent with that kind of incredibly rude behavior.  Sorry you experienced this, hopefully it never happens again.  Politics isn't a conversation for a table of people who don't know each other, and frequently even those who DO!!  I think most people know this, thankfully.

[LHT28]

15 minutes ago, Gracie115 said:

 Politics isn't a conversation for a table of people who don't know each other, and frequently even those who DO!!  I think most people know this, thankfully.

You would think so  but sadly NOT!!

[Gracie115]

1 minute ago, LHT28 said:

You would think so  but sadly NOT!!

 

It has been in our experience, hopefully that will continue on our first Oceania cruises!!! I'm sure I would try to politely state that the conversation is inappropriate and if it didn't end I would ask for a different table.  

[ORV]

42 minutes ago, DENIE said:

BWV - so sorry about that experience.  We generally do not mind sitting with others, but politics (and conversation like this) is something we avoid.  On another line we were taken to a table for lunch where there was a couple that ONLY talked politics - and we were on the opposite side.   Ugh.  We just smiled until they had  to leave for an excursion.  Good riddance! 🙂

In our current environment there are those that can't have a conversation that within 15 to 20 seconds they turn the subject to politics. I live in a major tourist area and talk to the public on a daily basis. I see it every day. They are consumed by it. Sad really. 

[rbtan]

3 hours ago, pinotlover said:

Jeans. Never an issue for us anymore during travel. They’re very bulky and I can pack probably three pairs of nice slacks in the same amount of space as one pair of jeans. If they get wet, they take twice as long to dry. They aren’t cool in the summer nor warm in the winter. My one pair stays home in the closet on my journeys. 

 

Dress blue jeans are about as big an oxymoron as a dress sweat suit! 😂  Remember those shiny articles of days past when people tried to push them off as dressy? Kinda like today with people claiming joga pants are dressy! They’re exercise/sweat suits, nothing more than any other sweat pants! They’re fine for the gym/joga or Walmart shopping.

Agree as well. Seems to be some of the dressdown pax from other lines trying to make O like their other lines. I mean, It's called Country Club Casual for a reason. Nice shirt, Nice pants, decent shoes perhaps a sport coat(which we'll do) How hard is this? We're NOT talking formal suits/Tuxes etc. Just dress decently like you're going to a nice restaurant  or a play. Not a Saturday night date at the Sizzler.

[rbtan]

19 hours ago, Mura said:

rbtan,

 

I can certainly understand where you are coming from.  When we first started cruising (around 1999) there were indeed gays who hid their relationships.  But it really isn't like that these days ... unless you might have the bad luck to be on a bad cruise.

 

I remember a private tour group that we used for a trip to Rio back in 1973.  We didn't realize until we boarded the flight that this was largely a gay group. For us, it was a bargain package. We didn't care about that.  But our seatmate in coach was bothered and asked us about the "other" passengers.  She was traveling with two sisters but they were seated separately. They were from a "business" group from NJ.

 

So we told her what the situation was.  During our week in Rio she became fast friends with a young man.  On the return flight (we had that row in coach that has the escape route and so there was plenty of room for him to sit on the floor) and clearly her attitude had changed.

 

In recent years on Oceania I've noticed much more "acceptance" (I don't like that word but can't think of another) and where as LGBTQ used to be more reticent, I don't think that's the case anymore.

 

I do remember a story from a few year ago where two men had an uncomfortable dinner with a couple.  But I would be surprised if that is still the case.  Of course, it CAN be. There is always the possibility of a bad combo of people when you select to share and don't know the people in advance, but we've almost never had a negative experience when sharing. I did note that you mentioned some difficult dinners.

 

Then again, a few years ago I saw a post here about a "O" cruise where they were at a four person table and one gentleman was beyond drunk.  Yes, you can risk encountering people who are obnoxious for many reasons.

 

Fortunately, we haven't met many of them on board.

 

Good luck.

 

Mura

My spouse, Keith used to be on CC, but dislikes some of the biased mods we've seen on other lines other than Oceania. We might have been that couple you mentioned. We had been seated with a couple from Texas.. The wife was very pleasant & talkative(at first) The husband figured us out really quick. He mumbled something to his wife & the conversation went dead. Just very uncomfortable. We ate as quickly as reasonable, skipped dessert & excused our selves. We had the Maître D  try to seat us with this same couple & Keith  politely declined asking to be seated elsewhere. On our second O trip we were in Jacques & the maître D tried to seat another couple with us. This time the wife said no. The Maître D in Jacques figured it out pretty fast & apologized.  Keith told him not to apologize for the ignorance of another. We had a 4 top to ourselves that night. Our Jan 14 cruise this year was without a hitch.. excepting we skipped half the islands. We do not blame the cruise line. Covid was still a problem in the Caribbean at that time. From now on we wish to just dine at a table for 2, unless doing Le Reserve, where we always have a great time.

Edited July 29, 2022 by rbtan
additions

[Mura]

4 hours ago, rbtan said:

My spouse, Keith used to be on CC, but dislikes some of the biased mods we've seen on other lines other than Oceania. We might have been that couple you mentioned. We had been seated with a couple from Texas.. The wife was very pleasant & talkative(at first) The husband figured us out really quick. He mumbled something to his wife & the conversation went dead. Just very uncomfortable. We ate as quickly as reasonable, skipped dessert & excused our selves. We had the Maître D  try to seat us with this same couple & Keith  politely declined asking to be seated elsewhere. On our second O trip we were in Jacques & the maître D tried to seat another couple with us. This time the wife said no. The Maître D in Jacques figured it out pretty fast & apologized.  Keith told him not to apologize for the ignorance of another. We had a 4 top to ourselves that night. Our Jan 14 cruise this year was without a hitch.. excepting we skipped half the islands. We do not blame the cruise line. Covid was still a problem in the Caribbean at that time. From now on we wish to just dine at a table for 2, unless doing Le Reserve, where we always have a great time.

So sorry to hear that in general your experiences have not improved.  I certainly understand why you've come to prefer to dine alone.  But -- if we are ever on the same cruise, we'd be happy to share a table with you two!

 

[rbtan]

6 hours ago, Mura said:

So sorry to hear that in general your experiences have not improved.  I certainly understand why you've come to prefer to dine alone.  But -- if we are ever on the same cruise, we'd be happy to share a table with you two!

 

Our Jan. cruise was fine. The ship was only half filled. We did do an upgrade to a Concierge cabin. Wish we knew the perks such as canapes or using the aqua terrace. We missed half the islands due to Covid. The singers & dancers were quarantined for most of the cruise The Casino was closed for the same reason. When going through the screening one pax tested positive & was not allowed on board his reaction was terrible. We're glad he was denied boarding. We can't blame the line for things that happened. We certainly hope going forward things do get better. We're doing a Princess trip Next March because of the itinerary. Well hopefully be back aboard on a booked trip on the new Vista in Jan.2024.

[LHT28]

3 hours ago, rbtan said:

Our Jan. cruise was fine. The ship was only half filled. We did do an upgrade to a Concierge cabin. Wish we knew the perks such as canapes or using the aqua terrace.

Evening canapes are offer in PH & above    but you can always order something from room service to enjoy before dinner

 

Sailing during theses covid times  you have to be able to adapt  with things go pear shaped

Many people that think they are safe from covid because they have been vaxxed are now finding out  it is not the case

Happy sailing

[FetaCheese]

On 1 of O cruises, for lunch in MDR, we overheard the maitre d ask the next table (husband and wife looked to be in their 80's -- a very refined couple), if it was OK to seat 2 more pax (to the 4 top). The wife said "only if a couple, no singles".  Could not figure out her reasoning, but she must have had her reasons from years of sharing experience.

 

[Zebra Cruiser]

11 hours ago, FetaCheese said:

On 1 of O cruises, for lunch in MDR, we overheard the maitre d ask the next table (husband and wife looked to be in their 80's -- a very refined couple), if it was OK to seat 2 more pax (to the 4 top). The wife said "only if a couple, no singles".  Could not figure out her reasoning, but she must have had her reasons from years of sharing experience.

 

As someone who frequently travels solo I’m sad to hear that.  I’ve made many lifelong friends who were dinner mates.  

[DeanoNorthPerth]

14 hours ago, FetaCheese said:

On 1 of O cruises, for lunch in MDR, we overheard the maitre d ask the next table (husband and wife looked to be in their 80's -- a very refined couple), if it was OK to seat 2 more pax (to the 4 top). The wife said "only if a couple, no singles".  Could not figure out her reasoning, but she must have had her reasons from years of sharing experience.

 

Husband’s a playboy? 😁

[Just2guys]

As an older gay couple who have been on some 20 or so cruises (beginning in 1995) we can say that yes, attitudes have changed and, for the most part, our cruises have been very enjoyable.  We have met many nice folks on shore excursions and in various venues around the ship.  On a few occasions, we have made dining arrangements with some and had a very enjoyable dining experience.

 

However, when arriving at the dining venue by ourselves, we always choose to eat alone and not opt to share a table.  We have had a few uncomfortable experiences and it just makes it easier rather than being "on guard" as to what to say....or not say, etc.  Once, when in a crowded buffet with very few empty seats, as the people next to us left a couple was shown the newly empty table and the gentleman very loudly said "oh no, not there".  On another occasion when walking into the dining room another couple said "I hope they don't seat them with us".  We had not asked to share a table, so their worries were unfounded.

 

Anyways, you get the idea.  It just makes it easier all around to just dine by ourselves. After 40 years together we still enjoy each others company and always enjoy our meals at the various venues around any ship we sail on.

 

We have sailed on Cunard, the "old" Crystal, Azamara, Regent and hope to try Oceania in the future.  Whatever we decide we will go with an open mind and enjoy our cruise.  After all, it takes all kinds --- I guess that what makes things interesting!

 

Happy and safe sailing to all!