3 at a table for 4?

[logan1_2000]

Anyone know if DCL will seat a family of three by themselves at a table for 4? On our last cruise we were seated by some collected family members totalling 5 at a table for 8, such that I never once got to sit next to my wife (to do so would have stranded DS without a parent next to him) and their very different background --this isnt racial or anything, just absolutely no common life experiences or anything and age differences and they were not conversational --made it really uncomfortable and the dinners were not fun. I know it is a crapshoot, and on a previous cruise we had a terrific family of three that we had a great time with all week. So we're not anti-social, just gun shy after having been seated with the group last time.

 

[cjsmith]

You can request a table for 4, it's just not guaranteed. However, once on board you can request a change if you don't get it. We always request a 6 top table for my family of 5 and don't always get it. We've always been able to change it once we're on the ship, so don't worry.

 

[aprilgail2]

Our first cruise we had a table for 4 with just the 3 of us. I requested it again this coming cruise, hopefully they will honor my request or it will be lots of nights at topsiders and Palo for us!

 

[kaceyisme]

On our last cruise we were seated by some collected family members totalling 5 at a table for 8, such that I never once got to sit next to my wife (to do so would have stranded DS without a parent next to him)

Wow, how awkward. You would think that they would have noticed that there weren't three seats together and would have moved over for you. I wouldn't have tollerated that. I would have either asked the people at the table if they could shift over so we could sit together, or tried to switch tables.

 

[ivanova]

in Nov 2004 we were 3 at a table for 4

 

[wltdsnyfan]

I have requested a table for 3 on both cruises we were on. We ended up with a table for 6 both times. The first time we had a horrible experience the second time was good. I put the request in for the third one. Hope to get it this time. But now I know I can request a change once on board. Good luck!

 

[kshabare]

We've never had a problem before. In 2000, 4 of us were seated at one table. When we cruised 2002 we had 11. The first night we had been seated at 2 tables. The next night they had arranged it for us all to be seated together. I think even if your requests are not granted you should speak to the head server and maitre d and they will usually do all they can to please you. After all, they're trying for tips so why not make it amicable?

Kim

 

[Tigger&Belle]

How big are most of the tables? I guess I was assuming that we'd be seated with other people, but given that there are 6 of us I suppose that wouldn't be the case. I'd love to be seated next to others in general, but I can see how being seated next to others that are not conversational (or talk to much, for that matter) woud be awkward.

And that is strange that the family of 5 would have sat in such a way that your family of 3 could have sat together. That happened every night?

T&B

 

[DancingBear]

I assume the OP meant he sat on one side of the table with his DW and child across. That would seem more normal than all 3 on one side of the table.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

And that is strange that the family of 5 would have sat in such a way that your family of 3 could have sat together. That happened every night?

T&B

Oops, I meant your family of 3 couldn't sit together.

T&B

 

[kcashner]

Just tell DCL what you want...they will do it if at all possible. You are best off if you (or your TA) calls them NOW so they can note it on your ressie, then check at "dining changes" after you board.

We have been seated as a family of 2 at a table for 4. We've also been combined with other families. They will do their best to arrange whatever you want!

 

[logan1_2000]

Thanks for the suggestions and experiences for those who have been 3 at a 4. I'll put the request in, and likely stop by on embarkation day (we're always early anyway) to double check.

Ha! Head server? I wish he'd been worth a hoot. We've had great head servers who were involved and part of our dining experience on 1st two DCL cruises, last time he was a non-entity until the last night with his hand out. I know he does stuff we don't see ahead of time, so its not like I didn't tip, but it was such a let down after previous cruise head server would cut DS's steak so DW and I could enjoy our meal before it got cold--hat was fabulous service and we rewarded it accordingly.

And re: the question--yes, every night these folks came in and sat in their formation. In all honesty, to do differently would have meant for them to go 4 on one side and 1 on another. Not great for them. Wonder if they'd have noticed.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

And re: the question--yes, every night these folks came in and sat in their formation. In all honesty, to do differently would have meant for them to go 4 on one side and 1 on another. Not great for them. Wonder if they'd have noticed.

They at least could have switched off so that you didn't always have the single seater.

LOL--they should have a place to check off the type of tablemates you'd like to have like college students getting dorm assignments. I'd chose the talkative, prankster, ones. Of course it would take a computer program just to match up people for dinner.

T&B

 

[logan1_2000]

I should lay off the silent tablemates. For all my kvetching and whining in life, I have many blessings, most of all DW, DS, and 4 DCL cruises including the one coming up. For these folks, it was truly a trip of a lifetime for a group that has no experience travelling,(there were some snippets of attempted conversation from DW, and we learned they had really never been anywhere). So I hope they enjoyed it--but they sure kept their feelings to themselves if they were being "WOWed".

DW and I actually envisioned how it could have been worse--it was an easy vision, we'd see it in PC for buffet lunches or breakfasts--it was called little children who had not yet learned table manners. Other than the one teenager who seemed to drop a knife on the floor every night--really--no problems there. Another blessing of ours is that DS seems to have inherited his mother's lovely manners and has always been well behaved. Thank goodness he didn't take after me....

I'll report back in about 8 weeks if we get a table of our own. I tried since 2003 to get friends to travel w/ us, or family, and everyone blanched at the cost. Funny, all of those people make more than me and live in fancier houses...

 

[Tigger&Belle]

DW and I actually envisioned how it could have been worse--it was an easy vision, we'd see it in PC for buffet lunches or breakfasts--it was called little children who had not yet learned table manners. Other than the one teenager who seemed to drop a knife on the floor every night--really--no problems there. Another blessing of ours is that DS seems to have inherited his mother's lovely manners and has always been well behaved. Thank goodness he didn't take after me....

That reminds me of what I witnessed my last trip to WDW. My 11yo and I were eating at the Italian restaurant in Epcot and there was a boy at the next table who was 4-5 years old. I have to say that I have a 5yo son, also, and I know what normal 5yo rude behavior is . Well this boy was eating his Fett Alfredo be handfuls, stuffing it in his mouth, dropping it on hsi plate, etc, etc. His parents saw and I guess thought it was cute. At one point one of them asked if he wanted it cut up, which he didn't. He never picked up his fork even once. I can't say that it ruined my meal, but did give Zachary and me something to laugh about later. I had this mental picture of my DH being there and fainting. lol My DH has a thing about pasta being slurped, and I can't imagine what he would do if my 5yo were to grab a handful of it.

Another incident happened when Zachary and I went to Sweet Tomatoes. A kid who was about 9yo was eating with his hands, flinging food, acted like he was going to throw pudding, etc. His family was laughing at him. I observed for awhile and I do not think that the boy was special needs of any sort. He was allowed to go to the buffet by himself and seemed perfectly normal. We were shaking our heads over that one, too.

I'm not thinking that a table without another family would be a good idea, not that my family is exactly perfect.

T&B