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

[Dug720]

I kind of hope it moves to being able to request if you want to sit with another family, with the default being seated with just your party. I have NEVER had good luck when seated with others.

Since you are concierge it is a moot point.

 

[katmigordon]

If I was never, ever going to cruise again - sure. But while concierge may be out of my reach in the future - cruising won't be.

Since you are concierge it is a moot point.

 

[katmigordon]

9pm and a guaranteed private table? My Aspie butt will take it.

Like I said it will be interesting to see how Disney deals with ranking requests because as you pointed out they are all valid.

I just really don’t see how three dining times would work well. May I ask- would you personally prefer a private table even if you had to eat at say 4:15 or 9 PM?

 

[626ohana]

Just returned from cruising on the Wonder out of San Diego (3/25-30) and YES, they were still seating 1 family per table @dinner🍽

 

[mullysisters]

Thanks to this thread I just emailed our request for a private table for our upcoming Alaska cruise. In the past I've always requested it (unless we were travelling with another family) and it's always been granted, we always choose late dining so that has probably helped. I can't recall if I requested it for Alaska as maybe I assumed it wasn't needed so I've emailed now anyway.

How do you email requests. I mean could you share the email address please. We aren't going until July 18 and not yet PIF but need to be sat separately. Thanks

 

[Disney_Alli]

How do you email requests. I mean could you share the email address please. We aren't going until July 18 and not yet PIF but need to be sat separately. Thanks

Just use the "contact us" feature on the page. Include the name on the reservation and your reservation number along with your request. Remember it's only a request and cannot be guaranteed.

 

[dcassetta]

Just returned from cruising on the Wonder out of San Diego (3/25-30) and YES, they were still seating 1 family per table @dinner🍽

I would assume that was due to the number of guests onboard. The Dream seems to be sailing at a higher capacity. Or the change back to pre-Covid norms went into effect on April 1st.

 

[HeatherLassell]

I kind of hope it moves to being able to request if you want to sit with another family, with the default being seated with just your party. I have NEVER had good luck when seated with others.

I get that. But it was always pairing up tables before covid. And those who want single tables have to request it. (I don't recall seeing someone post that they asked for a single table and was denied) All DCL is doing right now is removing another covid restriction and going back to the way it was.

 

[Dug720]

(I don't recall seeing someone post that they asked for a single table and was denied

My birthday cruise on the Dream for a Double Dip in July 2019. I always request private table, but when I checked, they were firm that it was a completely sold out sailing and they could not accommodate the request. I gave it a shot the first night knowing that I had Palo for one night and figured worst-case I'd either see if more Palo slots were available or do pool deck food (for Cabanas at night it was like they took my least favorite things off each menu and combined them together). But it turned out ok - 2 girls who had just graduated from college and had been BFFs their whole life and a mother (closer to my age I'm sure) and her daughter who was fairly recently out of college.

But my preference is still a private table.

 

[bcwife76]

Just use the "contact us" feature on the page. Include the name on the reservation and your reservation number along with your request. Remember it's only a request and cannot be guaranteed.

This. There is no specific email to send the requests to, just the contact us form.

 

[spiders]

I always prefer a private table — 100%, no exceptions. But I also don’t think it’s the end of the world. If I get along with table mates then I get along. If I don’t then I don’t. I have absolutely no problem sitting at a table with all of us having our own conversations. You can exchange meaningless greetings at the beginning and then start talking amongst people within your party if you don’t click. It’s really no big deal and not a whole lot different than the people who are only sitting an aisle length away.

If you’re really concerned about it then there is always second dining.

 

[Dug720]

If you’re really concerned about it then there is always second dining.

Second dining is not a guarantee of a private table. If the ship is sold out, there's a good chance that they won't be able to honor the request regardless of what seating you're at. That's happened to me - I even said I'd change rotations, but no go.

 

[randumb0]

I just sent my request for a private table. I'm already choosing to go outside of my comfort zone by eating inside (haven't done so since covid). If my request is denied then I will eat at Cabana's

 

[Dug720]

I just sent my request for a private table. I'm already choosing to go outside of my comfort zone by eating inside (haven't done so since covid). If my request is denied then I will eat at Cabana's

Just remember that IF Cabanas is open for dinner (it has not been since the restart) it is not open the first and last night.

 

[CalifornianOrangeBird]

Disappointing that this is going away. Had to add on ground transportation with Costco Travel anyhow, so in the call I added in the request for a private table. This will be my fifth cruise, I've always requested (and received) a private table. Nothing less appealing to me at dinnertime than close contact and awkward conversations with strangers during a vacation, especially on this trip, where I'll be traveling with a close friend of mine who I don't get to see often at all.

 

[randumb0]

Just remember that IF Cabanas is open for dinner (it has not been since the restart) it is not open the first and last night.

Thanks that is good to know. Hopefully it doesn't come to that. If so then I will order room service

 

[mullysisters]

Thanks that is good to know. Hopefully it doesn't come to that. If so then I will order room service

Me too.

 

[Avasmama]

If we're a party of 6 from two different staterooms and have second dining what are the chances of us sitting with someone else? We sail Saturday on the Fantasy and I really don't feel like waiting hours on the CS line. I have incredible social anxiety.

 

[dreamer17555]

If we're a party of 6 from two different staterooms and have second dining what are the chances of us sitting with someone else? We sail Saturday on the Fantasy and I really don't feel like waiting hours on the CS line. I have incredible social anxiety.

For a party of 6- assuming you are linked its not super high (and rather unlikely) but still could happen. I would send in a request via the contact us form if nothing else

 

[Jhondy]

I struggle with the dining situation because my daughter (she is currently 2 but will be 3 on the cruise) can get antsy during dinner. I have taken her out of multiple restaurants at WDW to calm down. It usually only takes a minute or so outside the restaurant before she is ready to go back in but it does make dinners a struggle. If sitting with others, I think I’d feel very judged by those at the table and i’d be extremely stressed trying to make sure she does well (and realistically everyone else says she is good but I’m very conscious of her being loud or whiny at dinner cause I don’t want her to be bothering others that are eating). It does make me sad and nervous to read all the comments with people complaining about “rowdy” kids. This is a DCL cruise and kids aren’t always perfectly behaved. I hope people give parents a break when they are doing their best to handle the situation.

Back to the topic of this thread, there is a part of me that thinks it would be nice to sit with someone who has a kid close to my daughter’s age. It may actually help her be less antsy at dinner. I’m usually very introverted but I think a shared table could really have its benefits but now I’m nervous our table mates will just be annoyed by my toddler for being a toddler and judging my parenting skills.