Difficulty in Getting Table for Two

[cwis]

They split the 4-tops into 2-tops that are MAYBE a salad plate's width apart and labeled A and B.

I assume you are doing first seating? On second seating they spread more liberally. (source: our wait staff from previous cruises)

 

[Dug720]

I assume you are doing first seating? On second seating they spread more liberally. (source: our wait staff from previous cruises)

Nope. This was second seating. And no - other than maybe putting tables together for larger parties or possibly doing some separating, they are NOT removing entire tables between seatings. That's definitely a new one to try and bump up tips because of the extra work. If the second seating was "more spread out" during the second seating, it was because there were more tables of larger parties.

I always do second seating and even then they cannot guarantee private tables.

 

[lizzyb]

I have requested a private table on my last 2 cruises, the Magic and the Wish. Both were in the late dining, and both times it was not granted.

 

[Chipmunkmaniac]

Dont rely on just the request, make sure to stop by with the dining tram upon boarding. Sometimes it hasnt been honoured but they still can make it happen. It all depends on the capacity of your sailing but I ve had times I got it after all ; sometimes I needed to change seating etc. I ve done 31 dcl sailings and barely any where they honored it based on my request on beforehand but only had one sailing where they couldnt make it happen when speaking to the dining team

 

[PetePanMan]

I have requested a private table on my last 2 cruises, the Magic and the Wish. Both were in the late dining, and both times it was not granted.

What seating arrangements did you end up getting? Thx

 

[Dug720]

Dont rely on just the request, make sure to stop by with the dining tram upon boarding. Sometimes it hasnt been honoured but they still can make it happen. It all depends on the capacity of your sailing but I ve had times I got it after all ; sometimes I needed to change seating etc. I ve done 31 dcl sailings and barely any where they honored it based on my request on beforehand but only had one sailing where they couldnt make it happen when speaking to the dining team

I did stop by and request. It wasn't possible - even with second seating, even offering to change my rotation or change to early seating. There are going to be times it's just not possible.

 

[chuff88]

Just chiming in on the late seating recommendation. My mom and I usually travel as just the two of us, and in 7 DCL cruises we've always had a private table and have also always had the late seating. Even on full/almost full cruises, the late dinner seating never seems to be at 100% capacity.

 

[PetePanMan]

OP here. For those who wanted and requested a table for two but were unsuccessful, what was your experience sitting with others? Did you get sat with another couple or with a group at larger table or…?

 

[sponica]

OP here. For those who wanted and requested a table for two but were unsuccessful, what was your experience sitting with others? Did you get sat with another couple or with a group at larger table or…?

We went on our honeymoon and were seated with 3 other couples about our age (Another was also on their honeymoon). I do think the seating assigners try their best.

It was a little weird at first, but by night 4 it was like we'd known each other forever.

My husband will talk to anyone, so he loved it.

 

[PetePanMan]

We went on our honeymoon and were seated with 3 other couples about our age (Another was also on their honeymoon). I do think the seating assigners try their best.

It was a little weird at first, but by night 4 it was like we'd known each other forever.

My husband will talk to anyone, so he loved it.

Thanks for the insights. I’m reasonably outgoing but my wife is more introverted. Would definitely prefer table for two but will have to adapt if need be.

 

[mathgeek]

I had a similar situation as one of the previous posters. My last two cruises I did my request for a private table online instead of calling, and it was not granted. I will be calling for this next one in the hopes that it might get fulfilled. I've had it fulfilled most of the time when I've called.

 

[PsylockeSmythe]

OP here. For those who wanted and requested a table for two but were unsuccessful, what was your experience sitting with others? Did you get sat with another couple or with a group at larger table or…?

I'll start out by saying that we have cruised 4 times now with 2 more planned next year as a B2B. On all four cruises we have never requested a solo table. With that being said, we have twice been seated by ourselves.

On our first cruise, we had 2nd seating and the other couple that should have shared our table never showed up to eat in the MDR so we had the table that would seat 4 or 5 to ourselves. The serving team was wonderful, which made the dining experience was great.

On our 2nd cruise, we did 10 days in the Med and had 1st seating, we were assigned to a table that seated 4 and we had another couple as our table mates. I got along ok with the husband we could talk computers and a sports, but the wives didn't click so while there was some small talk each evening, dinner was awkward at times, so the experience was just ok.

Our 3rd cruise was just after covid, so we had first seating again and were just assigned a table to ourselves.

Our last cruise, we were assigned to a table that could handle 6, and we had a mother/daughter and a single lady for our table mates. We had the greatest time with all three of them. We all got along great and went to some of the shows and activities together. We also now inform each other when we have cruises scheduled to see if any of us are on the same cruise to try and request seating with each other again.

In short, we have had table mates twice, one time was just so-so while the other was great.

Psy

 

[Chipmunkmaniac]

I did stop by and request. It wasn't possible - even with second seating, even offering to change my rotation or change to early seating. There are going to be times it's just not possible.

Exactly but some of the dining managers just seem to ignore the request though they have the possibility