Craziest table mates you have had.

[PrincessShmoo]

How many people can you fit in a table? I'm afraid to sit with strangers.

Each serving team has a 4 top, a 6 top, and an 8 top that they serve. Larger tables can be made by placing tables together.

You can call DCL and as to be seated by yourself, if you don't want to eat with others.

One note, on the Dream class ships, being seated by yourself at a table is sort of a moot point. The tables are very close together and you pretty much can carry on conversations easily from table to table (much like being at the same table).

 

[sarahhchan]

Our family typically prefer to sit at tables on our own just due to personal preference, but there was this one time on Holland America, our family of 5 were seated at an 8 top with an older couple and their adult daughter. Although we were not expecting tablemates, we were by no means rude about it. We greeted them politely and were very friendly. My parents chatted with them throughout the meal and my siblings and I chatted mainly with the daughter. My father had actually spoken with the maitre'd and asked him to correct the table arrangement earlier that day, but they had said that the earliest they could get us our own table was the next night. (I'm actually quite glad we went for our own table because there we met the best head server we had literally, ever had, but that's another story ^^) We were very social and not at all awkward, but I noticed that the father of the other family kept worrying about his wine being in front of us (we were still relatively young teens back then).

The next night we go to our own table, but my father made sure to be polite and not awkward in suddenly switching tables. As soon as dinner started and he saw the other family sitting down at our originial table about halfway across the dining room, he walked over and greeted the family of 3. He explained to them that there had actually been a mix up and we were originally supposed to have a table of our own. He said to them that by no means were we switching tables because of them, as they had been wonderful tablemates! He then told them that he thought he'd at least inform them of this table seating change out of respect to them (and manners). He pointed to our table and said that that was where we were now sitting, and welcomed them to pop by to greet us whenever they liked. They then ended their conversation with smiles and a cheerful farewell and my father returned to our table. Replacing us were some other adults, so my father said they'd probably be more relaxed, as our family doesn't drink and theirs does, so the guy seemed really cautious about it. The new people replacing us appeared to drink, so we were happy that they got good new tablemates!

When I see people asking how they'd be able to switch tables without being awkward with the people they left, worrying about whether or not they'd accidentally run into them elsewhere and awkwardly greet each other, perhaps they should do what my father did? It worked and wasn't awkward at all! It was all good! Ended in smiles!

 

[EeyoreIsMyName]

The craziest tablemates I've ever sat with are...the members of my own family!

 

[ohmgirl]

subbing because this thread is too awesome to miss

 

[ludari]

Wow! such crazy experiences and the video was disturbing to say the least.

 

[jlynch924]

On our second cruise, we were seated at an 8-top, which meant there were 5 other people coming to the table. When they got there, they pitched a fit - in another language - because there were six of them and they had apparently requested to all sit together. The head server was very nice, moving us (to accommodate their larger group) to a private table and even giving us a bottle of wine for the inconvenience!
We've requested a private table ever since!

 

[tanyam76]

I have an opposite "unruly" child story .. yea I know that NOT the purpose of this thread but ...

Last cruise we had two simply adorable little girls to one side of us. They were well behaved and cute as buttons (dang, my age is showing). The 20 month old frequently dropped her toy on the floor and I would pick it up and give it to her - and gave her a wink too. No problems whatsoever. The other daughter would site nicely and color .. and we would visit a little. There parents we very apologetic .. and their kids were not causing any issues to anyone.

The kids to the other side were between 4 and 6. every evening at dinner they were dressed up very cutely and would sit quietly working on the kids menu .. coloring etc. And every night within 30 minutes you could see them both start "bobbing and getting wobbly" and the little girl would crawl up on dads lap and fall asleep and the little boy's head would hit the table and he was out asleep. It was really pretty cute.

And for the unruly children - its the parents that are not doing their jobs in "controlling" their kids. I've been there and done that and will do the same with the grand kids when the time comes. Disney has pushed the "Its Your Vacation and You Can Do Whatever You Want" so much that they have become "Frightened of their Own Shadows" and not willing to enforce many of their rules. So they put up with kids running amok in the MDR's at dinner (even thought its a safety hazard) and have totally tossed out any semblance of "dress code" for the dinners. The Almighty "Excellent" rating keeps DCL from enforcing rules and possibly upsetting parents for not parenting.

Dang I guess I really crawled up on a soapbox today .... Sorry ....

we now return to your normally scheduled and expected "Craziest Tablemates" thread

I couldn't agree with you more. I have one dd who is 6 and I can't tell you how many times I've had people come up to me saying how well behaved she is. To me, it all boils down to the parent. I was sitting in a coffee shop, my daughter sitting there nicely having a donut, talking away and there was this ladies children (3 of them) literally climbing on the seats and on the tables screaming--I was annoyed! I never put up with that nonsense because if she acted out, we would leave end of story.

On our cruise we saw a table of 8 with 4 kids that were running all around their families tables, standing on the chairs, screaming and their parents are completely AWARE of it and even heard the tables beside them making a comment how 'loud' it was and the said NOTHING to their children.

Children can have fun without having to be out of control. Just my own opinion.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I just watched tha of the re-born babies, OMG! The bath in the sink really flipped me out. They have cloth bodies. She said " the babies made a mess at dinner".

So now I'm re-thinking taking my Mickey plush with me. He is dressed in vacation wear and has a little camera around his neck. I don't anyone to think I'm weird. I don't bathe him or change his clothes, I do take him to Cabana's on the first day only because he is in my carry-on. We take his picture around the ship for fun. Weird?

Nope, I brought a huge chicken on a cruise, it did not go to dinner or anything like that. But the crew on sea days had fun. They even set it up to take pictures of it. It was funny as one of the photographer's had a set up with stuffed animals and loved it. She wanted to keep it.In fact so many adults loved it.

 

[AZMermaid]

We did the 2 night out of San Diego last May. When we stopped at the podium the first night, we said table 51 or whatever. They said "Oh, we need to switch you." I looked at Table 51 and it was an 8 top with 2 families of 4 with tween-ish kids that appeared to all know each other. We were sans kids for our anniversary so we were happy to have been moved- even if it seemed weird. We just guessed the families were split and wanted to be together.

The couple behind us was also "Table 51" and were led to the 4 top we were sitting at. The wife shrieked "We are not WITH THEM!!!" and huffed off. They talked with the Head Server for like 20 minutes while they were found their own table. Our server was a little awkward about it, like we did something to cause it besides just sitting there.

The irony was the last morning breakfast, I guess they had to sit with us. It was this weird awkwardness until she apologized for being so rude, she was just surprised that they made you sit with strangers. As it turned out, we were both from the Southwest, cruising on our second cruises without our pre-school aged children and had a lot in common. Oh well!

 

[jlemieu1]

Nope, I brought a huge chicken on a cruise, it did not go to dinner or anything like that. But the crew on sea days had fun. They even set it up to take pictures of it. It was funny as one of the photographer's had a set up with stuffed animals and loved it. She wanted to keep it.In fact so many adults loved it.

Much much less creepy than the real-doll. That is as harmless as Duffy the Bear

 

[RedSox68]

We did the 2 night out of San Diego last May. When we stopped at the podium the first night, we said table 51 or whatever. They said "Oh, we need to switch you." I looked at Table 51 and it was an 8 top with 2 families of 4 with tween-ish kids that appeared to all know each other. We were sans kids for our anniversary so we were happy to have been moved- even if it seemed weird. We just guessed the families were split and wanted to be together.

The couple behind us was also "Table 51" and were led to the 4 top we were sitting at. The wife shrieked "We are not WITH THEM!!!" and huffed off. They talked with the Head Server for like 20 minutes while they were found their own table. Our server was a little awkward about it, like we did something to cause it besides just sitting there.

The irony was the last morning breakfast, I guess they had to sit with us. It was this weird awkwardness until she apologized for being so rude, she was just surprised that they made you sit with strangers. As it turned out, we were both from the Southwest, cruising on our second cruises without our pre-school aged children and had a lot in common. Oh well!

It is a shame that people don't know how to curb that instantaneous reaction, not thinking that it will upset the people they are referring to -- like it's their fault they were seated at that table with them.

Twice we have requested a single table and were seated with others. We politely sat down and had dinner and then spoke with the head server. The next night we were given the single table, but I never let the people think we were upset or disgusted with them just because Disney got the table assignments wrong

 

[mom+3girls]

Nope, I brought a huge chicken on a cruise, it did not go to dinner or anything like that. But the crew on sea days had fun. They even set it up to take pictures of it. It was funny as one of the photographer's had a set up with stuffed animals and loved it. She wanted to keep it.In fact so many adults loved it.

A huge chicken???

 

[ludari]

After reading these stories I decided I to share my own awkward MDR experience.

On my second Disney Cruise I walked into the MDR to check in with the head server to receive my seating assignment. As a solo male cruiser I was excited when I was escorted to a table with four women. After introducing ourselves I learned that one pair where friends and the other pair where mom and daughter. So far so good but unfortunately my enthusiasm didn’t last very long. The duo that where friends seemed to complain about everything… “the wait to get on the ship, not being able to immediately get to their stateroom, the lines at the buffet and the crowds.” I tried to explain that it’s the first day so things are a bit hectic, but the complaining continued… “stateroom too small, the long wait to enter the MDR for dinner, too many kids, etc.” Soon the mother/daughter joined in and started to complain about their experiences as well. I tried to change the subject and even lighten the conversation by saying “any day on a Disney Cruise is a great day!” I quickly got the stink eye from one of the ladies which reminded me of the Evil Queen. For the rest of dinner I kept my mouth shut and sat in silence. I thought to myself I can’t be around these Eeyore’s for the rest of this cruise. After dinner was over I lingered behind to enjoy a second cup of coffee as the ladies departed for the evening. After they were gone I approached the head server and requested his help in finding another table. He asked if I wanted my own table I said that is not necessary but at this point I would take anything. The head server gave me my own table and even changed my dining rotation to reduce the possibility of running into the ladies. This unfortunate experience has ruined it for me in the MDR and ever since that encounter I have requested my own table.

 

[Krystarella]

I didn't know they matched people up for meals. I'm extremely shy (usually) and my DF is as well. A little anxious now. :/

 

[100AcreWood]

ludari - what a bad experience. I can't tolerate Eeyore behavior either.

 

[Dug720]

After reading these stories I decided I to share my own awkward MDR experience.

On my second Disney Cruise as I walked into the MDR to check in with the head server to receive my seating assignment. As a solo male cruiser I was excited when I was escorted to a table with four women. After introducing ourselves I learned that one pair where friends and the other pair where mom and daughter. So far so good but unfortunately my enthusiasm didn’t last very long. The duo that where friends seemed to complain about everything… “the wait to get on the ship, not being able to immediately get to their stateroom, the lines at the buffet and the crowds.” I tried to explain that it’s the first day so things are a bit hectic, but the complaining continued… “stateroom too small, the long wait to enter the MDR for dinner, too many kids, etc.” Soon the mother/daughter joined in and started to complain about their experiences as well. I tried to change the subject and even lighten the conversation by saying “any day on a Disney Cruise is a great day!” I quickly got the stink eye from one of the ladies which reminded me of the Evil Queen. For the rest of dinner I kept my mouth shut and sat in silence. I thought to myself I can’t be around these Eeyore’s for the rest of this cruise. After dinner was over I lingered behind to enjoy a second cup of coffee as the ladies departed for the evening. After they were gone I approached the head server and requested his help in finding another table. He asked if I wanted my own table I said that is not necessary but at this point I would take anything. The head server gave me my own table and even changed my dining rotation to reduce the possibility of running into the ladies. This unfortunate experience has ruined it for me in the MDR and ever since that encounter I have requested my own table.

Have you had a problem with requesting a solo table? I'm contemplating doing that - even if it means I need to remove my rotation request. When I'm with my family or going to be rotating among a small group of people where I know there's a common interest I'm fine sharing, but completely solo does freak me out a little.

 

[Scillycruisers]

I didn't know they matched people up for meals. I'm extremely shy (usually) and my DF is as well. A little anxious now. :/

You can request your own table. It's only a request, but in 4 cruises we have always got one.

 

[ludari]

Have you had a problem with requesting a solo table? I'm contemplating doing that - even if it means I need to remove my rotation request. When I'm with my family or going to be rotating among a small group of people where I know there's a common interest I'm fine sharing, but completely solo does freak me out a little.

Dug720, since my unfortunate experience I've always requested my own table and received it each time. I even got my own table when I sailed on the Fantasy Maiden Voyage. I also requested my own table for my upcoming cruise in less than two weeks.

 

[SillyInventor]

I didn't know they matched people up for meals. I'm extremely shy (usually) and my DF is as well. A little anxious now. :/

Don't be. In 99 out of a 100 The match is good and you Will end up with Nice people at the table. This thread by nature emphasizes the worst possible experience, but rest assured that deining in the MDR is a relaxing experience and a goed Way to get. to know new people.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Dug720]

Dug720, since my unfortunate experience I've always requested my own table and received it each time. I even got my own table when I sailed on the Fantasy Maiden Voyage. I also requested my own table for my upcoming cruise in less than two weeks.

Thanks. I think I will give them a call today and request it, even if it means giving up my rotation request.