Are they still seating only 1 family/party per table?

[Dug720]

First come, first served is the way these requests go and that's certainly fair.

I have had the request noted on my reservation made opening day for Gold AND been the first one at the (as of now not happening) table AND had second seating and had it not be possible due to a completely sold out sailing. So no, even being “first” does not guarantee it.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

But it is also an issue of space. The longer, shared tables take up less space, and it is already pretty crowded in the dining rooms. I can't see how they would have the space unless you are thinking of keeping the same layout but just having a couple inch gap between the tables. Have you all even been on the cruises and paid attention to the space?

I haven't been on the Dream-class ships but my last sailing on the Magic, the second seating was basically empty. Granted, the ship itself wasn't full, but even at full capacity I can't imagine the late seatings are wall-to-wall. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Dug720]

From an operational perspective, what about rotational dining makes shared tables necessary? I don't really see what one has to do with the other.

The cruise lines that have a way to guarantee private tables have either a multi-level dining room where one level is “select” or “my time” dining which all but guarantees your own table and one is traditional which is traditional shared seating. Because of the rotational dining on DCL and the single floor dining rooms, making any kind of a change would be complicated. Sure they could offer a section in each dining room, but that would almost necessitate people making reservations - and then people would be whining that they “never” got in one of them. It also takes away Disney’s premise that
Your wait staff follow you so that they know your preferences, etc.

Even on Celebrity’s Edge class where there are 4 main dining rooms, the only way to rotate between them is to have Select dining. And then reservations are recommended so that you get in your desired dining room at the desired time. If you have fixed time dining you are assigned to one dining room for the cruise. No rotating. I am of mixed feelings on it - I do select because I like the guarantee of a table to myself, but I don’t like that if I choose to eat in the different dining rooms I have different staff each night.

 

[dreamer17555]

I haven't been on the Dream-class ships but my last sailing on the Magic, the second seating was basically empty. Granted, the ship itself wasn't full, but even at full capacity I can't imagine the late seatings are wall-to-wall. Maybe I'm wrong.

They can be full and as ships fill up the second seating will be full again

 

[Lilsia]

I haven't been on the Dream-class ships but my last sailing on the Magic, the second seating was basically empty. Granted, the ship itself wasn't full, but even at full capacity I can't imagine the late seatings are wall-to-wall. Maybe I'm wrong.

Second seating can fill up with full ships. Unfortunately, this is how DCL decided to set up their dining. Times have changed but this is going to be one of those things that does not have a fast, easy fix with the space that they have.

 

[mullysisters]

I sent an email to customer service requesting a table just for two. Today, 3 days later, a woman answered with the usual caveat, not guaranteed. She said she added it to our reservation though. Fair enough, we'll accept whatever we get. I'm sure theres a polite way to let our possible table companions that we prefer not to be chummy, at least during dinner. Hope they won't take offense. We're two retired sisters. They'll probably be relieved.

 

[bigAWL]

I'm confident Disney does and will continue to try to honor as many requests as they can for private tables. Providing a reason with your request would likely help them prioritize families with health and other issues. If more and more guests request/demand private tables, DCL will have to decide if they will find more ways to accommodate more requests, or if they will risk losing future customers. As a Platinum cruiser, I've never requested a private table (we have always enjoyed meeting new families at dinner), but I've made plenty of requests in other aspects of the cruise. Many have been accommodated, some have not. But I've always felt that they wanted to help and never felt ignored.

One consequence I can see if dining rooms do move to mostly private tables: stressed-out servers and slower service as they try to navigate more and more separate parties.

 

[AquaDame]

I feel like some folk in here are assuming our requests are demands... I assure you my request has always just been that. I don't see following up with the team in the past when I got onboard as crossing a line either since that is one of the requests they are there to take. They have told me no once, and I accepted it at that time just the same as I will accept it in July if I can't be accommodated. I'm still going to ask.

 

[mab2012]

I feel like some folk in here are assuming our requests are demands... I assure you my request has always just been that. I don't see following up with the team in the past when I got onboard as crossing a line either since that is one of the requests they are there to take. They have told me no once, and I accepted it at that time just the same as I will accept it in July if I can't be accommodated. I'm still going to ask.

I think there were some posts upthread that came off more as demands than requests. Not pointing fingers at anyone in particular or directly quoting, but there were comments along the lines of "my expensive cruise would be ruined if I had to share a table and it's totally unacceptable that DCL might force this on me".

I don't think anyone is suggesting that it's not okay to request a private table. Of course it's okay to make that request, and to follow up onboard if necessary. It's also okay to be moderately disappointed if your request can't be met, or to choose not to cruise with DCL if dining alone is a thing that is really important to you. I think most people here understand that, no matter their preferences. Just for the few that don't understand (or agree), they might ultimately be happier spending their vacation dollars elsewhere.

 

[Dug720]

I think there were some posts upthread that came off more as demands than requests. Not pointing fingers at anyone in particular or directly quoting, but there were comments along the lines of "my expensive cruise would be ruined if I had to share a table and it's totally unacceptable that DCL might force this on me".

I don't think anyone is suggesting that it's not okay to request a private table. Of course it's okay to make that request, and to follow up onboard if necessary. It's also okay to be moderately disappointed if your request can't be met, or to choose not to cruise with DCL if dining alone is a thing that is really important to you. I think most people here understand that, no matter their preferences. Just for the few that don't understand (or agree), they might ultimately be happier spending their vacation dollars elsewhere.

Exactly. And there are some that basically said they don't consider that there are any other options for them BUT they will only accept a private table on DCL. That definitely comes off as being excessively demanding.

Yes, as a solo most of the time I much prefer my own table. But I recognize that when I cruise on Disney I am taking the chance that they will not be able to accommodate me. It's happened twice. Once after the first night - and a second night dinner in Palo - I asked again and they found me a table (in a section where the servers only had one other VERY long table to deal with); but I was prepared to either try for Palo every night or to eat from the pool eateries even if that meant earlier (Cabanas menu was like my least favorites from all the menus, and having food allergies room service is not really doable) had they not been able to move me. I was not pitching a fit or stomping my feet and declaring my cruise ruined. The second time I went the first night to see how it was and was prepared for the same thing as before - but in that case it worked out. I love Disney, but if being assured a private table is that important, I will forego Disney for another line where I will be able to know that I have it.

Flexibility really is key, and there have been some posts where the people are clear that they are not willing to be flexible.

 

[PsylockeSmythe]

I e-mailed last week asking if we could be seated at a table solo; if possible for our upcoming cruise. I received the standard response today that they will honor the request if possible. We only requested it, because our first Disney cruise, we never saw the other couple that was suppose to be seated with us and on our 2nd cruise, the there was a personality clash between us and the other couple that made my wife uncomfortable. So we figured it was best to put in a request. If it doesn't happen we will roll with it as best as possible and hopefully everyone at the table will get along.

Psy

 

[katmigordon]

I have a question about sitting with others.
Is it ok if we end up sitting with others to tell them that I have Aspergers and if I do something socially awkward to please just tell me so I can fix it? Odds are good when I do something off putting - I have no idea it was off putting and I wasn't trying to be rude or make anyone uncomfortable.

 

[dcassetta]

I have a question about sitting with others.
Is it ok if we end up sitting with others to tell them that I have Aspergers and if I do something socially awkward to please just tell me so I can fix it? Odds are good when I do something off putting - I have no idea it was off putting and I wasn't trying to be rude or make anyone uncomfortable.

I think this is a good idea and I would be happy to have a conversation like this. But, based on this thread, I may be in the minority.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

I have a question about sitting with others.
Is it ok if we end up sitting with others to tell them that I have Aspergers and if I do something socially awkward to please just tell me so I can fix it? Odds are good when I do something off putting - I have no idea it was off putting and I wasn't trying to be rude or make anyone uncomfortable.

I would be happy to have this information as a table mate. I have a sarcastic sense of humor so I would love to know that a person I was interacting with is very likely to miss those cues so I can adjust myself as well.

 

[harleyquinn]

I have a question about sitting with others.
Is it ok if we end up sitting with others to tell them that I have Aspergers and if I do something socially awkward to please just tell me so I can fix it? Odds are good when I do something off putting - I have no idea it was off putting and I wasn't trying to be rude or make anyone uncomfortable.

As others have said, I would respond positively to that information. I think it would be helpful for all involved, but I would only suggest going that far if you are very comfortable telling people that! You could also be a little more general and say, "I tend to be very socially awkward, so I would really appreciate if you would let me know if I do anything that makes you uncomfortable." Though I very much like the original way you phrased it.

I think the most important thing is that you say whatever you want to say that makes you the most comfortable.

 

[katmigordon]

I'm not uncomfortable being upfront about my Aspergers at all. It's no different than having any other disability, nothing to be ashamed of, it just gives me certain areas where I need a little help. And hey it comes with some awesome perks too! We compartmentalize really well, we tend to be really smart, we tend to have a slightly different skew on the world, which means we bring a unique pov to the table...

As others have said, I would respond positively to that information. I think it would be helpful for all involved, but I would only suggest going that far if you are very comfortable telling people that! You could also be a little more general and say, "I tend to be very socially awkward, so I would really appreciate if you would let me know if I do anything that makes you uncomfortable." Though I very much like the original way you phrased it.

I think the most important thing is that you say whatever you want to say that makes you the most comfortable.

 

[ironz]

I have a question about sitting with others.
Is it ok if we end up sitting with others to tell them that I have Aspergers and if I do something socially awkward to please just tell me so I can fix it? Odds are good when I do something off putting - I have no idea it was off putting and I wasn't trying to be rude or make anyone uncomfortable.

I think that is perfectly fine, as long as you are comfortable.
On our very first DCL cruise, we were seated with a father and his young adult daughter who had a medical condition. The father let us know in case she had any episodes while we were seated together. That made it way less uncomfortable when she did have an episode one of the evenings, and we were able to be not disturbed by it and more sympathetic. I always did wish I had gotten their contact info-- I think of them from time to time and hope she's doing ok.

As to other instances of being seated with people you don't know-- you never know-- you could be missing out on the friendship of a lifetime if you don't meet some new people. We can't wait to see our cruising friends again. (understand that a family might want to have their own table, but for couples or singles, it can be fun to meet new friends)

 

[HeatherLassell]

I have a question about sitting with others.
Is it ok if we end up sitting with others to tell them that I have Aspergers and if I do something socially awkward to please just tell me so I can fix it? Odds are good when I do something off putting - I have no idea it was off putting and I wasn't trying to be rude or make anyone uncomfortable.

I would be appreciative to know such information myself so I can be a better tablemate. My oldest nephew has Aspergers so I've learned a lot from interacting with him.

 

[katmigordon]

The last time we sat with others I hadn't been diagnosed yet (Those of us of a certain age grew up before anyone really knew what it was, often getting diagnosed with other issues instead.) And I had no idea how to deal with the effect I had on people back then. All I knew was I was weird, and somehow put people off without ever knowing why or how... it led to social situations being a nightmare for me.

Now I know, and if I can let them know maybe it will make the whole thing much easier for everybody.

As to other instances of being seated with people you don't know-- you never know-- you could be missing out on the friendship of a lifetime if you don't meet some new people. We can't wait to see our cruising friends again. (understand that a family might want to have their own table, but for couples or singles, it can be fun to meet new friends)

 

[harleyquinn]

I'm not uncomfortable being upfront about my Aspergers at all. It's no different than having any other disability, nothing to be ashamed of, it just gives me certain areas where I need a little help. And hey it comes with some awesome perks too! We compartmentalize really well, we tend to be really smart, we tend to have a slightly different skew on the world, which means we bring a unique pov to the table...

Forgive me if my post made it sound like I thought anyone should, in any way at all, feel ashamed or bad about having any type of disability, condition, or disease. I was attempting (poorly) to simply say that I thought you should say whatever makes YOU the most comfortable.