Best and Worst Tablemate Stories..........

[Sally Forth]

This is a very difficult subject because there are so many variables.

 

I don't mean to be offensive or rude, but we do not cruise to entertain other people. We cruise because we love it, and we enjoy each other's company. I travel extensively as part of my employment and can be gone for many months at a time. Our cruises are a time for us to be together, and enjoy each other. Personal choice dining is perfect for us, but is is not available on all cruise lines.

 

My husband and I have been cruising for many years and have encountered some pleasant and some not so pleasant table mates. Last year on a 14 day Celebrity cruise we were joined by an Aussie couple and another couple from the midwest. As usual for us, we did not go "down to dinner" every night. Unbeknownst to us, this offended the wife of the midwestern couple who had let it be known that she was "a somebody", i.e, the daughter of a Washington political figure.

 

She felt we should be at dinner to provide entertainment. We discovered the very first night this lady appeared to have a serious drinking problem and it

further discouraged our regular attendance at dinner.

 

Well, her problems worsened to the point of some very unpleasant comments made to the Aussie tablemates due to political differences. The animosity grew to the point of a physical confrontation when she "threw" a napkin across the table into the face of the Austrailian lady. Oops! Not good! She was escorted from the table by crew and removed to her stateroom where she proceeded to "throw a fit".

 

This happened three hours out of San Francisco. The ship was turned around and returned to San Franciso. The ship docked, and she (and her husband) were taken off of the ship. She was confined in a wheelchair by crew members. Many passengers watched the entire ordeal. We actually found out about the entire episode the next night when we went "down" to

dinner and no one was there. The people at a neighboring table told us all

about it.

 

Needless to say: Our next cruise is with Princess! Personal Choice!

 

Bon Voyage to all!

LOL! Like the daughter of a Washington politician deserves court jesters to keep her amused? The way things are these days, I don't think I'd admit my political connections.

 

Speaking of famous people, we sat at a table for 8 for lunch one day with a bunch of older ladies and one married couple. The man was a very famous TV minister. He was so gracious, never brought up anything to do with his fame, and his wife was just as lovely.

 

Viv

[Cybil2175]

At our table of 9, we had a guy who loved his iced tea. Everytime the servor refilled his glass, he would drink it down in a few gulps then hold the empty glass to his forehead and shake it until the servor was able to come back to refill it.

[AZPam]

On our Alaska cruise 5 years ago we were placed at a table for 8 which consisted of newlywed 20 somethings, us at late 30's early 40's and 2 couples from the New York area in their late 50's early 60's. Very wide range of interests but we all got along very well. That is until we hit port and went shoppping! I truly wish to have a beautiful fur coat, but living in Phoenix doesn't really call for one. Didn't stop me from looking though! I was in one of the fur stores when the two older couples came in. We chatted for a while, one thing led to another and before we knew it I had convinced the other two ladies that they needed a fur coat. Actually, one of them ended up buying 3 coats. The salesmen were thrilled but I can't say the husbands were. I had to listen to it for the rest of the cruise from them, but the two ladies were very happy with their purchase and even sent me a picture later in the year of them wearing their beautiful coats.

 

On a side note, I made a comment to the salemen that I should get a commission for their sales. I was really just joking, but they walked over and gave me a beautiful pair of leather gloves trimmed in mink. Don't get to use them too much in Phoenix, but at least I can say I have some fur in my life!

[StarColie]

On my first cruise I sure had some tablemates! Shortly after getting on the ship, a note appears in our "mailbox" telling us that our table in the dining room has been changed, per our request (which we did not do!) So we thought, whatever. We found we were seated at a table of 6, with 3 people in my party. The first night it was just us. The second night was formal night, and our tablemates decided to join us. Well, when we got to the table, there was also three of them, one was sitting at the window on one side and the other two were sitting on the end of the other side (But they were all together, a grandmother, 20ish granddaughter and her boyfriend). You should have seen the looks on their faces when we came to the table! They had assumed they were going to have the table to themselves! The waiter kindly asked if the person sitting by herself switch to the other side, which she did while grumbling under her breath!! I had been quite excited to meet someone new, so the three of us tried to talk with them, but they were not friendly at all. The girl sat there with a sulky look the whole time, occasionally whispering to her boyfriend. The grandmother was not friendly at all. During the meal the girl picked at her food (cornish hen) and made a total mess of it. I was so uncomfortable with these people, and it sucked the fun out of the formal night, which also happened to be my birthday! I was glad when they got up and left, needless to say.

 

To my relief, they did not show up again for several nights. The next time we saw them was the second formal night. More whispering and food picking occured. The grandmother seemed slightly more friendly the second time around though.

 

I am leaving on the 2nd of January on my second cruise, and I am crossing my fingers for good table mates! I think it is a great way to meet people and even make some new friends.

[jandjfun]

I went on a 7 day cruise. It was our very first cruise. It was me, my sister and another girlfriend. Well we dressed up every night for dinner. Partly because we never got to dress up, and it was fun. We really got decked out on formal night. On the first night in the dining room we discovered we were sitting at a table of 10 women. Throughout the week it was like listening to the "fish tale". You know, who had the better....whatever...

They began telling everyone their jobs. A lawyer, A nurse, not just a nurse but a head nurse and a nursing teacher, Executive Sec. for a CEO...yada yada yada. The coversations were pretty snobby.( and very fake) Nobody ever asked our jobs,and we didn't offer the information. On formal night, not one of them was even close to being a little bit dressed up. Maybe they added earrings. We thought this was very strange if they were so "high powered" and wealthy! We giggled about it later in the cabin... and made a plan...

I am a very friendly, very approachable person, and it seemed that every time I saw my tablemates I just happened to be talking to a different man.

Very innocent. But they began saying little tid bits at the table about my "social butterfly" skills. So my plan was set......

On the last night of the cruise, we went to dinner (and sure enough they saw me talking to a different man outside the dining room.) We sat down at the table, and they began teasing me about all the men I was talking to all week. So I said to them, "well you never asked what our jobs are. I am a hooker, and my sister is my pimp. This was not a vacation for us, we have been working this ship" :eek: :eek: Their mouths all dropped open, their eyes got as big as saucers, and they never said another word. We never told them any different either!

What a hoot, we just belly laugh about this story every time we tell it, or think of it. Our husbands got a big kick out of it too. As did my Dad. He said, that will teach them.:p

[jer_l]

We had our most enjoyable table mates on our first cruise over 6 years ago. We had a table for 4. We were seated with a lady from Vancouver BC who was about 10 years older than us and her 83 year old father. She was treating her dad to the cruise because her mother had died 6 months earlier after a 15 year illness. She tried to convince us that we'd have more fun if we requested second seating and had a table with younger people; however, these two were such a delight that we didn't want to change. Since her dad retired early eah evening we invited her to join us at one of the lounges after dinner most evenings.

 

We've had other interesting table mates, some a little different, but none that we didn't enjoy.

 

I enjoyed reading about some of the "worst", but hope we never experience them ourselves.

 

Jerry

[Banditdoggy]

 

 

 

This happened three hours out of San Francisco. The ship was turned around and returned to San Franciso. The ship docked, and she (and her husband) were taken off of the ship. She was confined in a wheelchair by crew members. Many passengers watched the entire ordeal. We actually found out about the entire episode the next night when we went "down" to

dinner and no one was there. The people at a neighboring table told us all

about it.

 

 

 

Bon Voyage to all!

 

Was it the Alaska Summit cruise, We put someone off in San Francisco for drunkness?

[Banditdoggy]

 

 

 

This happened three hours out of San Francisco. The ship was turned around and returned to San Franciso. The ship docked, and she (and her husband) were taken off of the ship. She was confined in a wheelchair by crew members. Many passengers watched the entire ordeal. We actually found out about the entire episode the next night when we went "down" to

dinner and no one was there. The people at a neighboring table told us all

about it.

 

 

 

Bon Voyage to all!

 

Was it the Alaska Summit cruise, We put someone off in San Francisco for drunkness?

[Peregrina651]

Thought this might be a fun-to-read thread........:D

 

My best friend and I were sailing on Celebrity and were assigned to a 6 person table. --snip--That was the tablemates from hell cruise for us. It gave us some good stories though. :p

 

The best tablemates we ever had was when we were invited to sit at the Captain's table!

Susan and Roy, Angie and Nathan, Mario and Suzanne , you were the best tablemates ever.

 

We just lucked out. It was second seating. We were in a side dining room that was only half full. The table staff was wonderful and our meals were delightful. You know that something was right when even the newlyweds came to every meal-- and they were a good 15 years younger than everyone else at the table. One couple was French Canadian; it didn't matter. We talked--she translated. I don't remember what we talked about but I do remember how we happily lingered over our meals.

 

We will all remember the night that they finally served pistacchio ice cream: our waiter brought out a tray of 8 servings and placed them all in front of Mario, who kept requesting it. We all just roared with laughter. We helped another couple celebrate their anniversary -- the last thing that they expected was a gift from their tablemates. The surprise and delight on their faces was priceless.

 

It was the way you dream your dinner table will be!

 

---------------------------------------------------------

P.S. Would someone please tell me how to do those wonderful countdown clocks.

[Pat&Liz]

P.S. Would someone please tell me how to do those wonderful countdown clocks.

 

If you go to www.tickerfactory.com there's a form to fill in, where you select your date, background and 'ticker' images, and it puts it altogether for you, then just copy and paste the HTML code into your signature.

Hope that helps!!

 

 

 

I've not been on a cruise yet, but am off on my Honeymoon in November on RC' FotS. I'm hoping for some interesting tablemates, as I love to meet new people. However, my fiance is not so sociable, and would prefer that we don't meet anyone else as he wants me all to himself...... I'll apologise now if he starts talking about freezing cats on our cruise, and give a prior warning that we DON'T have any cats!!

 

Lizzi xx

[rebeljohn]

Best Tablemates.........Now that is hard to pick, as we have had A LOT! We always request a large table, so we have had many tablemates over the last few years. On our Century cruise, we met two couples that we have cruised with, and visited at their homes. We've been very fortunate, after reading some of the above stories..........

 

Worst Tablemates.........Well, we really haven't had any, at least in our opinion. On one cruise, there was a gentleman from NY and his English wife. She was VERY outspoken. Always had an opinion on everything. We had a table for eight, but by the third night, the other tablemates had left, leaving just my wife and I, and them. Her husband was pretty quiet and reserved, just the opposite of her. When he realized that the other tablemates weren't coming back, he bought us some NICE wine each evening at dinner for the rest of the cruise. I guess you could say he was 'doping us up' for the 2 hour ordeal each night. Actually(and maybe it was the wine), she didn't seem that bad. Yeah, she was outspoken on everything, but she still did it was class.

[Twice_a_year]

We were on the R6. Open seating for dinner is the norm. Well, there was but two of us and we asked for a "large" table. We were seated at a table for six. Within a few minutes two couples were escorted to our table. As the two women sat down, one of the men (not a gentleman) made this big fuss about being seated with another couple. Apparently, these people had asked for a table of four. He did not consider the feelings of my wife and I as he made this fuss about not wanting to sit with another couple.

 

The whole place was aware of some sort of problem as they were escorted to another table. This left my wife and I alone at a table for six. The women with this fellow seemed to understand that, we were being unduley insulted and put in a condition of disconfort by this raving of the "gentleman". It took a long time for some else to finally jopin our table (seemed like for ever).

 

I understand the "gentleman's" annoiance with the restraruant staff in not honoring his request for a table of four, but, did he not consider the impact upon the two people seated at the table, my wife and I.

[jeph]

Most of my cruise dinner tablemates have at least been pleasant, and sometimes fascinating and/or amusing. Of course, one can't always be so lucky; sometimes you just run into people who seemingly couldn't hold up their end of a conversation with the aid of a forklift. Then there are those who can talk, all right-- you just wish to hell they'd shut up! I can't recall one of those, but on my first cruise, a miserably rocky trip to Bermuda on the little ol' Pacific Princess, (the original "Love Boat",) I met Jean, a woman my mom's age, with whom I'm still good friends. She wasn't at my table-- but she wished she could be! It seems there was another woman at her table with a voice like a buzzsaw, who rarely stopped talking, and just as rarely had anything of interest or insight to say. I still remember the helpless look of dread and horror on Jean's face as she saw Ms. Buzzsaw headed our way one afternoon as we sat in a lounge. "Oh, God," whispered Jean, "here she comes-- SAVE ME!" I think I was able to make some excuse that "we were just leaving"-- for which Jean was eternally grateful.

 

In April of 2005, I was aboard MSC Lirica for an 11-day cruise. It had a lot of great points, including a low single supplement, and a fascinating itinerary that featured Costa Rica, the Canal Zone, and Cartagena-- a gem, the beauty of which surpassed even that of Old San Juan. My tablemates were southern-- three couples in their 80's who'd known each other for many years. A couple of them talked in tones so low that it was next to impossible to make out what they were saying unless you leaned right in. They were an awfully conservative bunch, and we didn't have a whole lot in common. However, on the third-to-last night, things went from being merely slightly awkward to downright ugly. One of these husbands was a man of obvious intelligence and remarkable accomplishment-- a doctor AND a lawyer and a private pilot, and now joining his wife in their semi-retirement business of real estate. He began favoring me with some of his quaint racial theories-- you know, basically why we white folks shouldn't corrupt our civilized influence by interbreeding with the more primitive black gene pool. I complimented him for at least having the balls to be so politically incorrect in public, but as a "Member of the Tribe", it was all I could do not to ask him, "Oh, REALLY? And how do you feel about JEWS?"

 

In any event, I enjoyed a quiet dinner at the lido buffet the next night-- just wasn't ready to deal with that crap again! :eek:

[jer_l]

We sail Monday on the Mercury. This will be our fifth cruise. We've had good table mates on each cruise, but my wife wants to know if we have been lucky (and perhaps our luck is about to run out) or is it possible to have good table mates on every cruise.

 

Any long-time cruisers here who've had good table mates on all of your cruises?

 

Jerry

[laughing husky]

the worst time in a dining room for us was a NCL cruise in the Carribean. There was a large (6-8) group of Eastern Europeans.....I was told Russians.....who sat at one end of the dining room. By the 2 day the tables around them were cleared out....By the 5th day the whole side of the dining room had emptied out. they wore the same clothes...which were woolen and dark....complete with heavy overcoats.....day and night.....by the pool....on the beach.....and in the dining room.....and I don't believe they had bathed in weeks.....Went on another cruise and at a table for 6....of which there were only 4 people....the couple were vegans and we were lectured about the evils of killing animals for food. I am not a vegan and I do enjoy a good steak now and again....I was told by one of the waiters that they had requested only room service as they could not stand to be around people who ate flesh for dinner....Many of my friends and relatives are either vegetarian or vegans.....but please don't lecture me while I am on vacation.

[dlvqaz]

On our honeymoon cruise we had 10 top of just honeymoon couples. What a great time. Conversation and stories abounded. Depending on the activities we would do excusions together, sit with each other for shows. We had great time. This was on the Canival's Jubilee in '92.

 

We prefer a larger table grouping. With more people you have a better chance for get a good story, maybe new friends, or if your lucky, both. Over the years we have had generally good table mates.

 

When we arrive on a ship I will make dinner reservations in the specialty resturaunt. I make the reservations for 4. Because you always meet some good people you will want to enjoy a fine meal with.

[Sgrgirl20]

I was on the conquest back in September and we had the early seating. We were a party of 5 and we were at a 10 person table. Was myself, my husband, my parents, and my 18 year old brother. The other family was a mom and dad, 2 teenage boys, and a teenage daughter. The first night only the husband showed up, but we soon realized that my dad and their dad were both Navy men they quickly found comon ground and interest. The second night was fun cause the whole family showed up (the boys had been playing basketball and such .. lol .. the first night). After a couple nights the teens and my husband found out they were all comic book and movie lovers and about the same age so they got along great. Come to find out they were just a couple rooms down. We had a great experience with our tablemates.

 

Can't say the same for the tablemates I will be having in January. THey will all be family - how wrong is that .. LOL .. just kidding. There are 17 people in our family group going on this coming up one, so will be interesting :)

[LeftatGator]

My wife and I were on the Conquest. On the first formal night we found our table (the first time there) and met our table mates, an interesting couple who acted a bit odd. When we asked them questions they would give differing answers. "Where do you live?" One would say "Virginia" and one would say "Georgia". Yet they were supposedly married, but had no wedding rings. We couldn't get anything specific out of them so we assumed they were spies or they were on some sort of secret romantic rendezvous.

 

Then it got weird. Steak and Lobster for dinner. Our table buddies would dip their lobster in the drawn butter, then as they ate it, the buttery goup would drip down their face, down their clothes and everywhere. Both of their chins were completely covered in butter. The man's tie was covered in butter. The woman's dress was likewise covered with butter. Then they would stare at us as if this were normal. Butter just running down their face and onto their clothes!

 

Then they ordered more lobster!!! And more running butter!

 

Anyone ever seen this before???

[David4]

Our last cruise on EOS we were that tabel that was always laughing and talking a bit to loud. It was my wife and I and two other couples. Man did we get some looks from the other tables around us. We had a great time.

[alwzrgt]

Ok I read thru each of these post very carefully - and NONE were about me or SO.

I love sitting and socializing with new people - he does not. Our last cruise 15 day thru Panama Canal we ate alone - just the 2 of us the entire time - except one Breakfast. We sat at a table of 10-12. I instantly began talking to the man next to me - kids, where ya' from, how'd ya like the cruise, etc. - We joked and talked and had a good time. My SO merely ate his meal and dragged me away from the table prior to my being ready to - he was bored.

 

Now to my tablemate story: during THAT meal, there was an elderly woman seated with us. She went on and on about how her cabin was near the kids crew area and how she didn't like kids, how they made too much noise, how she wanted to be put in a suite away from the kids crew area, etc....Wouldn't that be great - complain about kids and get a suite!! btw - I have 4 kids (they didn't join us for that crew - what a hoot that meal wopuld have been if the had!). Next to her was the strangest woman, she just kept telling the same two storys over and over again, about her job as a nurse and her sons water proof cast that cost $700 so he could swim during the trip. During our quick 15 min breakfast we heard her cast story 3 times - of course she knew about water proof cast because she was a nurse....too bad her kid wasn't sitting at the table next to the woman that didn't like kids - because I saw this kid/cast and he was probably the MOST active - having a great time kid on the entir ship!

Next cruise is in April 07 - with all four kids - it's freestyle so I'm doubting well get a chance to sit with anyone - SO probably won't want to anyway!

[AZbeachboy]

Charlie, the flip side of your story about the minister is that I'm always reluctant to let people know I'm a minister, because people often start talking to me about where they go to church or something as though that's all I'm interested in and they feel uncomfortable about their drinking and use occasional 4 letter words like d**n. But, while no one has never been rude I know there have been people who look at me with my gin and tonic or glass of wine and question whether or not I should be a minister.[

I am a Lutheran minister, never had a problem and ofcourse, it is theological if you follow Luthers example, to have a beer, or as you mention and I do have a gin and tonic occasionally.

 

Some people do seem to want to test you however and you need to watch for that. I will talk to people if they ask for information but rather talk about travels or most importanly the Denver Broncos is always good conversation.

[AZbeachboy]

He began favoring me with some of his quaint racial theories-- you know, basically why we white folks shouldn't corrupt our civilized influence by interbreeding with the more primitive black gene pool. I complimented him for at least having the balls to be so politically incorrect in public, but as a "Member of the Tribe", it was all I could do not to ask him, "Oh, REALLY? And how do you feel about JEWS?"

 

jeph, thanks for the hint on how to get rid of unwanted table mates. But, sorry you had to go throught that.

 

We were on the Brillance of the Seas last year. We had a top for 10. The first night it was full. The second night only three couples were there. Seems the other two couples did not like some of us. One couple was Philippians. The other was Polish emigrants. The second night two other couples were added and they left as well. But the three of us had some great eveings together.

[travel girl23]

We have always had wonderful tablemates except for one cruise. We had simply asked for a large table as we enjoy meeting new people. We were assigned a table for 8 at one of the windows. We had never had a window table before. The first night, we got there first and sat at the window. There were 4 of us (two couples). A few minutes later an elderly couple and a younger couple came in. They looked at the table then sat down. The daughter immediately went to the Head Waiter and started in on him. We didn’t know what was wrong. Well, the problem seemed to be that they were taking their parents on an anniversary cruise and had specifically asked for a window table. We had taken "their" window. They were not happy that night. The next night we were waiting outside for the dining room doors to open and I spotted the son (or SIL as he happened to be). The minute the doors opened, he burst into a run and ran to our table and staked out the two window seats. So, from that time on, if we got to the table first, we would sit on the end seats and let them have the window seats. There was no way we were going to play their little game. (I could envision a Boston Marathon every night and - no thanks!) :eek: Besides, we wanted to enjoy our meal and, of course, you couldn’t see a thing outside as it was dark!

TG23

[Flipflopsnfrozendrinks]

I love reading these!

On our first cruise, we were seated at a 8 top with a family of 4 and another couple. The family and my dh and I really hit it off well, but the other couple was way to snobby to even talk to us! Each night he would literally videotape each of their dinners before they could eat! Was he expecting it to get up and dance or something?? They were on a b2b, and this was the first leg. We felt really sorry for the people at home who had to sit and watch the ever so interesting 14 dinners.

[crsrock]

To travel girl 23: I have two stories about the window table. In Dec 2005 we had a window table, shared with 3 other elderly married couples (we are 40+). Two men served in the Army in WW2 for OUR side, the other man served in the German Army in WW2! He'd been captured as a POW, kept in America, was released upon war's end, and then came BACK to America to become a citizen. The history that we all shared at the table for that week was phenomenal. My hubby and I are retired Navy, and we were in awe AND inspired by their stories. But what's more is that no one sat in the same seat each night. We all switched to get the company of those heros!

 

Next, in Jan 2007, we had the window table (in fact, one table over from the one above), and our table consisted of: Me, Hubby, his Mom, two gay men, and an interracial married couple. Eclectic, you say? You betcha. But from DAY ONE, we had the absolute best time in the world. The gay guys were great company and hilarious and super dancers; our married couple (he 6'3" and she 5'0") were new cruisers and loving every thing about the cruise, including the crazy table, and Mom was designated the Momma of the gang. We did everything together: shopped, karaoke, pool games, trivia, and of course dinners. We swapped seats each meal, and got some great photos of the 'wrong' couples together!!!!!!

 

I am cruising again 19 days and I have already written to RCCL to ask for a window table....and they said should be no problem. Can't wait to see what will happend this time!