are waiters allowed to serve part of the table before others get there

[imgoingtodisney]

Why do we need to wait for the rest of our table? Or do we? Can we ask for our order to be put in?
I wouldnt want to feel like others are waiting for me. And I dont want to spend time at dinner when Im not actually eating.
Often times when DH, DS10 and I go out for dinner we have DSs order put in with our drink orders. Once his belly is full he's fine waiting for us to finish but gotta get some food in that belly!

 

[jel0511]

I'd like to know this too. We're traveling with young children (dd4 and DS 18 months) and waiting for food really isn't an option for us!!!!!!

 

[dis4me]

This is why re had requested a private table.It is not that we were antisocial but it allowed our dds to eat and relax on their timetable and others weren't waiting for them to order dessert.
I am not sure how they handle it but on our last cruise I did hear people ask to be moved because there dinner mates were "fashionabley late" for dinner every night.

 

[taswira]

It seems their standard procedure <I>is</I> to wait for all to be seated and to serve each next course after everyone at the table has finished that course. That is simply good manners and proper etiquette, so it is how they are supposed to do things. It also makes their serving much easier and more organized. They want people to have a leisurely meal and enjoy the atmosphere of the different restaurants. Their idea is that it is supposed to be an "experience." There are "dining times" and guests are expected to be seated at or just after the start of that time, and to finish (especially if at early seating) on time in order for the CM's to continue on their tightly packed schedule (to prepare for the next seating). A guest's impression of how long this may take them might be totally inaccurate. It is not a fast-food restaurant.

<B>However</B>, all you "late comers" please don't flame me for my post. I have stated the obvious. BUT there <I>are</I> many people who arrive and depart at their leisure, as did my tablemates in May. I was traveling solo but always arrived on time for dinner. After the first night, my servers did NOT make me wait. In fact, my "iced tea, no lemon" was always on the table when I sat down, and they promptly took my order. Part of this may be because my tablemates were not only consistently late, but always changed their minds several times after ordering. The ideal dining experience is not always possible. But if they agree to serve you before your tablemates arrive, it does make it more difficult for them and can keep things from running smoothly for all. JMHO and I understand the flip side of this argument as well.

 

[dznymom1]

We have always been served at the same time as our tablemates regardless of when we arrived. Usually everyone gets there within a very few minutes of the stated time. However, the younger children were served their main course when we got our appetizers (unless they ordered from the adult menu). I think this is a common practice on DCL.

 

[GoofyDisney]

In Sept 2001, we had the tablemates from heck. Among their other problems, they were habitually and considerably late. We did not have to wait for our tablemates to arrive to be served.

No flaming here!

I would think that if you were at the table, you could ask the servers to go ahead and serve you and your late mates could then be served when they arrived.

The servers are aware that you might have other plans like things going on in the kids clubs or Palos or something that would be interfered with if you have late table mates.

No matter what time the other people at your table are arriving, even if it is harder for the servers, it is still YOUR vacation and we have never heard of an experience where the servers refused to do something for you based on someone else's behavior. This usually is not a problem.

The same goes for those who might be late. They should still be able to expect good service and not be guilty about holding someone else up at dinner. Of course, they may be rushed through their food a little bit considering there is a generally limited time in which you have to eat your dinner due to the enxt seating or clsoing the dining room.

All of this to say, we have never heard of a problem with this. And you can always speak to your servers about not waiting for your tablemates. They are usually super-accomodating!

 

[kmoore]

Does this all mean that if you're planninng to skip dinner, you should tell the waiter in advance?! We're coming from overseas, so I know from experience that we will be very jet lagged most of the cruise - not a big problem actually, but it means we'll be up early and to bed early - sometimes even at dinner time (tho we signed up for early seating). I was counting on heavier lunches and not so many dinners - but I don't want to leave tablemates in the lurch. I am planning to tip the wait staff the full amount, no matter what, because they depend on the tips for income and shouldn't be penalized just because we're tired!

How should this be handled?

Karen

 

[taswira]

I am sure your serving team would appreciate it if you would advise them in advance that you do not plan to be at dinner. Not mandatory, but it would be nice for them to know.

 

[Hygiene99]

out of 4 cruises we have had great people at the table .
we all knew the nights that the other partys would be dining else where like palos or just doing something different
and all partys showed up with in 10 min.. of each other
and it was an experience......
so i would not worry about it the server will take fine care of the children.... and as soon as the order is taken the appps seem to come out .....

peter

 

[Kelsie]

Since dinner is <b><i>not</b></i> a 'Mandatory' event and DCL does <b><i>not</b></i> require that you cancel your dinner reservations if you have made other plans, it would be impossible for your servers to know. I believe that if your entire family (those who are attending dinner) have arrived, they <b><i>would</b></i> serve you.

They only want to make your Cruise enjoyable and having you wait for tablemates who may never show up just makes no sense to me.