Table mates on cruises - Page 2 - The DIS Discussion Forums

PrincessShmoo · 11-15-2012, 06:56 PM

Our very first cruise (DH & I) we were seated at an 8 top with 3 other couples. We couldn't have better tablemates if we had held interviews for the positions! Which was really nice.

Subsequent cruises - #2 DH & I - seated at an 8 top with 2 other couples and a mother/daughter combo. #3 DH & I - linked with one of the couples from our first cruise, requested a 6 top. The other 2 people (unrelated, single woman and single man) were never there, so just 4 of us at a 6 top. #4 Party of 5 seated at a 6 top. #5 Party of 3 seated at an 8 top with a family of 5. #6 Party of 6 at a 6 top.

Princess Sleepy · 11-15-2012, 07:10 PM

I have been wondering about this too. My cruise in April is with my BFF, just a moms' trip without our kiddos. I have been trying to decide if it is a good gamble to wait and see what we get or if I should request a table just for the two of us to sit and yak all night. I am really shy, she is just the opposite. However, I am used to the dinner party small talk since I have to do it for my DH's job from time to time so I can manage. I'm just not sure it will be as much fun. Of course, it could be great! Thanks for the stories. They are giving me more to think about while weighing my decision.

DesertGal · 11-15-2012, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeckyE

As a follow up, does everyone have table mates? We are a family of 5 and quite private. I'd love to be on our own... What are our chances?

We are a family of four and were seated alone a few cruises ago. On our most recent cruise, we were a party of 5 and were seated with a party of five (we were traveling with our MIL as were they and our kids were all the same age). It was actually very fun and made our dinners really fun.

Happy100 · 11-15-2012, 09:04 PM

We are a family that likes meeting new people. We have only had good experiences with our table mates. One family did take awhile to warm up to us but by night 3 we were all good.

My suggestion is to see what happens the first 2 nights before you request being alone unless the situation is horrible on the first night. It can take lots of people including yourself, a couple nights to warm up to eachother. IF you give it a chance you may meet some new wonderful people. More or less you have nothing to loose.

Silver Queen · 11-15-2012, 09:09 PM

So far I've been on 3 cruises and all of our dinner table mates have been very pleasant. We've had interesting conversations and had the opportunity to share information about our day and excursions. We especially enjoyed being seated with cruisers from other countries.

Douvres Family · 11-16-2012, 07:24 AM

On our first DCL cruise, it was only my DS 5yrs old and me. I think we made it to dinner 2 nights out of 4...and the first night he was exhausted and we left early...not giving the chance to interact with the other family.

However, on our 2nd DCL cruise this year it was a total of 3 families including ours...our DS (14) stayed for dinner and took off to Vibe. The other couple's DD went to her club after dinner.
It was 6 adults left...DH & I got along great with the other 2 couples...we ended up being like family. Stayed well after dinner talking and joking...we had the late seating so we weren't rushed to leave.

Personally, we LOVE to socialize with other people and making new friends. We have quality dinner time every night and weekends...DH, DS and I...so we are "ok" having table-mates on our cruises.

lakelandgal70 · 11-16-2012, 08:54 AM

We just got off our first cruise this past Sunday and our table mates were the best! Both couples were nice and fun and we enjoyed our time together. Sure the first night might have been a little uncomfortable but after we got talking we had great time

Desi · 11-16-2012, 08:55 AM

I think DCL puts great thought into seating at dinner. Our first cruise we were seated with an older couple with 1 son & we were an older couple with 1 son. The son's ages being within 1 yr of each other.
Our second cruise we were a large loud group, so they stuck us in a corner, which was a good call on their part too

I will be very interested to see how our cruise next year goes, as we'll be back to an old couple with an 8 yr old

DbleTheFun · 11-16-2012, 09:01 AM

We've never been seated with anyone else either (have on other cruise lines, but always our own table on DCL) i have noticed that unlike alot of lines, Disney has a LOT of 4 and 6 top tables. This upcoming cruise, i originally thought about putting in a request to have our own table again.... But changed my mind and decided to leave our fate up to Disney! Since I'm going solo with my 5 yr old twins and 12 yr old step son, it may be nice to have some adult conversation at dinner!

ludari · 11-16-2012, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeckyE

As a follow up, does everyone have table mates? We are a family of 5 and quite private. I'd love to be on our own... What are our chances?

Your chances are very good. After having some negative type table mates who only seemed to complain about the cruise from our frist dinner I decided to change my seating and dining rotation. Since that experience I have alwasy requested my own table. Yup I sit alone and enjoy every moment of it. I mingle with nearby tables and the wonderful servers. After I get to know some of the people in my area they have even asked me to join their table just for one or two dinners which I have done.

jpeka65844 · 11-16-2012, 09:05 AM

My one and only cruise was a DisUnplugged Podcast Cruise. We were all Dis-ers so had that in common!

Also turned out that 4 of the 7 of us were teachers. We all keep in touch through FB and I'm sure will see each other again at other Dis functions.

I like to think that there's someone at Disney who does this as their job.

"What do you do for a living?"

"I make seating arrangements for dinners on Disney Cruise Line."

TBMommy · 11-16-2012, 09:23 AM

If you are real worried you can always request your own table. I have a special needs 5 year old who doesn't always do well around strangers so I called and requested a private table at dinner. I was told no problem at all.

luv2sleep · 11-16-2012, 09:39 AM

Have you considered linking with people from your cruise meet thread? I've done that on both cruises and it worked out very well. I'm still friends with my table mates today.

plutojudy · 11-16-2012, 11:37 AM

We enjoy meeting new people. Only once did we have tablemates we were not thrilled with. It was an elderly aunt with her adult niece. Adult niece did not like anything "Disney". They are the only people we have not stayed in touch with.

thinktink87 · 11-16-2012, 12:44 PM

On our first cruise, our table mates were chronic complainers. Second cruise we sat with parents and a 2 yo girl. They were very friendly, talkative, and the kids sat blowing kisses to each other and talking in their babbling 2 to language. It's a gamble, but you could end up meeting some great people!!! If you don't, once the cruise is over, you never have to see then again

11-15-2012, 06:56 PM	#16
PrincessShmoo DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 9,995	Our very first cruise (DH & I) we were seated at an 8 top with 3 other couples. We couldn't have better tablemates if we had held interviews for the positions! Which was really nice. Subsequent cruises - #2 DH & I - seated at an 8 top with 2 other couples and a mother/daughter combo. #3 DH & I - linked with one of the couples from our first cruise, requested a 6 top. The other 2 people (unrelated, single woman and single man) were never there, so just 4 of us at a 6 top. #4 Party of 5 seated at a 6 top. #5 Party of 3 seated at an 8 top with a family of 5. #6 Party of 6 at a 6 top. __________________ HAL Alaska 2009;2012 DCL Magic May 2008 Panama Canal WB, Sep 2010 Med/WB TransAtlantic, DCL Wonder Oct & Dec 2011 Mexico, Oct 2012 Hawaii DL too numerous to count WDW 1974, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1991, 1997, 2001, 2008 Tokyo DL 1984

11-15-2012, 07:10 PM	#17
Princess Sleepy DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South of the Great White North Posts: 1,572	I have been wondering about this too. My cruise in April is with my BFF, just a moms' trip without our kiddos. I have been trying to decide if it is a good gamble to wait and see what we get or if I should request a table just for the two of us to sit and yak all night. I am really shy, she is just the opposite. However, I am used to the dinner party small talk since I have to do it for my DH's job from time to time so I can manage. I'm just not sure it will be as much fun. Of course, it could be great! Thanks for the stories. They are giving me more to think about while weighing my decision. __________________ Feb 2009: Poly Jan 2010: Pop June 2010: CBR October 2011: The Dream November 2011: POR May 2012: AKV- Kidani February 2013: POR May 2013: ASSp December 2013: The Fantasy

11-15-2012, 09:04 PM	#19
Happy100 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 405	We are a family that likes meeting new people. We have only had good experiences with our table mates. One family did take awhile to warm up to us but by night 3 we were all good. My suggestion is to see what happens the first 2 nights before you request being alone unless the situation is horrible on the first night. It can take lots of people including yourself, a couple nights to warm up to eachother. IF you give it a chance you may meet some new wonderful people. More or less you have nothing to loose. __________________ Disney Fantasy 3/29/14 Disney Fantasy 12/15/12 Disney Wonder Mexican Riviera 2/12/12 Disney Magic 7 day Western 10/16/10 Disney Wonder 4 day Bahamas 8/22/09

11-15-2012, 09:09 PM	#20
Silver Queen DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,533	So far I've been on 3 cruises and all of our dinner table mates have been very pleasant. We've had interesting conversations and had the opportunity to share information about our day and excursions. We especially enjoyed being seated with cruisers from other countries. __________________

11-16-2012, 07:24 AM	#21
Douvres Family DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 663	On our first DCL cruise, it was only my DS 5yrs old and me. I think we made it to dinner 2 nights out of 4...and the first night he was exhausted and we left early...not giving the chance to interact with the other family. However, on our 2nd DCL cruise this year it was a total of 3 families including ours...our DS (14) stayed for dinner and took off to Vibe. The other couple's DD went to her club after dinner. It was 6 adults left...DH & I got along great with the other 2 couples...we ended up being like family. Stayed well after dinner talking and joking...we had the late seating so we weren't rushed to leave. Personally, we LOVE to socialize with other people and making new friends. We have quality dinner time every night and weekends...DH, DS and I...so we are "ok" having table-mates on our cruises. __________________ WDW 1976, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1999...Puerto Rico 2000...WDW 2001, 2002...DCL Wonder 2003...Mayan Riviera MX 2007 & 2008...WDW 2009, 2010, DCL Dream 2012, DCL Dream 2013

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11-16-2012, 08:54 AM	#22
lakelandgal70 Shut the front door! It pays the Doctors boy! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 1,037	We just got off our first cruise this past Sunday and our table mates were the best! Both couples were nice and fun and we enjoyed our time together. Sure the first night might have been a little uncomfortable but after we got talking we had great time

11-16-2012, 08:55 AM	#23
Desi Seek color and ye shall receive... There are many Tag Fairies.... no-one said they're all girls though! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: GA Posts: 357	I think DCL puts great thought into seating at dinner. Our first cruise we were seated with an older couple with 1 son & we were an older couple with 1 son. The son's ages being within 1 yr of each other. Our second cruise we were a large loud group, so they stuck us in a corner, which was a good call on their part too I will be very interested to see how our cruise next year goes, as we'll be back to an old couple with an 8 yr old __________________ Cruise #1 Disney Magic Nov.14-21-2009 Double Dip Cruise #2 Disney Dream Nov.13-18 2011

11-16-2012, 09:01 AM	#24
DbleTheFun DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Canada Posts: 664	We've never been seated with anyone else either (have on other cruise lines, but always our own table on DCL) i have noticed that unlike alot of lines, Disney has a LOT of 4 and 6 top tables. This upcoming cruise, i originally thought about putting in a request to have our own table again.... But changed my mind and decided to leave our fate up to Disney! Since I'm going solo with my 5 yr old twins and 12 yr old step son, it may be nice to have some adult conversation at dinner! __________________ (me-Kim) (Aiden-6) (Brodie-6) WDW April '04, WDW May '05, WDW Dec. '07, DCL Wonder May '08, WDW at SSR May '08, WDW at SSR Dec. '08, DLR at GCC Sept. '09, WDW at KVAK Dec. '09, WDW at SSR May '10, WDW at SSR Dec '10, DCL Wonder + 5 days at GCV April '11, WDW at SSR Dec. '11, May '12 at BLT. Disney Dream & SSR Dec '12.

11-16-2012, 09:05 AM	#26
jpeka65844 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,510	My one and only cruise was a DisUnplugged Podcast Cruise. We were all Dis-ers so had that in common! Also turned out that 4 of the 7 of us were teachers. We all keep in touch through FB and I'm sure will see each other again at other Dis functions. I like to think that there's someone at Disney who does this as their job. "What do you do for a living?" "I make seating arrangements for dinners on Disney Cruise Line." __________________ Denice T. Olathe, KS

11-16-2012, 09:23 AM	#27
TBMommy Earning My Ears Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Central New York (not NYC) Posts: 27	If you are real worried you can always request your own table. I have a special needs 5 year old who doesn't always do well around strangers so I called and requested a private table at dinner. I was told no problem at all.

11-16-2012, 09:39 AM	#28
luv2sleep DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: California Posts: 2,711	Have you considered linking with people from your cruise meet thread? I've done that on both cruises and it worked out very well. I'm still friends with my table mates today. __________________

11-16-2012, 11:37 AM	#29
plutojudy Needs sunshine and seas. Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,966	We enjoy meeting new people. Only once did we have tablemates we were not thrilled with. It was an elderly aunt with her adult niece. Adult niece did not like anything "Disney". They are the only people we have not stayed in touch with. __________________ Judy Cruise # 12 - Fantasy - May 10, 2014 - Jamaica *Disney Wonder* - 2000 Nassau, 2001 Nassau, Freeport, 2011 Alaska: Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan *Disney Magic* - 2002 Eastern, St Martin, St Thomas, St John 2003 Western Mystery cruise, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Key West, 2004 Western, Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, 2007 Eastern, St Martin, St Thomas, 2009 Eastern, St Croix, St Thomas 2010 Eastern, St Martin, St Thomas, St John *Disney Dream* -2012 Nassau Disney Fantasy - 2013 Eastern - St Thomas, San Juan Disneyland Hotel, Fort Wilderness Home, Yacht and Beach Club, Caribbean Beach, Dixie Landings, All Star Movie, Pop Century, Port Orleans Riverside, All Star Music, Art of Animation Growing Older But Not Up. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. "It is nice to see people here my age who haven't grown up either." Jimmy Buffett, October 22, 2011, Las Vegas

11-16-2012, 12:44 PM	#30
thinktink87 Earning My Ears Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 36	On our first cruise, our table mates were chronic complainers. Second cruise we sat with parents and a 2 yo girl. They were very friendly, talkative, and the kids sat blowing kisses to each other and talking in their babbling 2 to language. It's a gamble, but you could end up meeting some great people!!! If you don't, once the cruise is over, you never have to see then again

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