Difficulty in Getting Table for Two

[Dug720]

Sadly I suspect the "We'll just eat at Palo and/or Remy/Enchante if we can't have a private table" threat won't really move them - after all, it's putting more money in the coffers.

 

[AquaDame]

Sadly I suspect the "We'll just eat at Palo and/or Remy/Enchante if we can't have a private table" threat won't really move them - after all, it's putting more money in the coffers.

Absolutely! Not sure if this is in response to what I wrote right before you, but I at no time voiced that's what we'd do to them, and I would never try that. As you said they'd probably prefer it.

 

[Luvmypetz]

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[Dug720]

Absolutely! Not sure if this is in response to what I wrote right before you, but I at no time voiced that's what we'd do to them, and I would never try that. As you said they'd probably prefer it.

No. Not at all!

Just putting it out there that it's likely not the threat some may think. HAHA!

 

[Dug720]

Can I piggyback with 2 questions? If you were NOT granted your request, did any just say “hey, we’re just gonna hang with each other, have a great meal” or something of the sort? And is it more appropriate to be seated next to your mate as opposed to across? Thank you! It’s a 4 night on the Wish, won’t break us if our request is denied.

I'm solo, so I can't help with the seating. But I've had 2 times it wasn't granted...

The first time I hadn't bothered to go and check and showed up and it seemed like it was a "solo dump" table. 2 solo guys and me the first night - I don't know if there was a 4th but they didn't show the first night if there was. The guys hit it off famously - they were into finance, they seemed pretty conservative...basically everything I'm not. I read my on my kindle the whole time since I had nothing to add to their conversation. The second night I had Palo. The third I figured I'd hit Cabanas (this was when the seated meal there was an option) - but the menu seemed to be all my least favorite things. So I went to my assigned MDR during the first dinner and spoke with the dining room manager. She didn't promise anything but said to check with her when second seating started. They were able to get me moved to a section where there was one large table (like all but 1 in that section put together) and mine. They just wanted to check with the server and assistant to see if they were ok with me being put there. They said no problem and it was a fabulous week. I had the same head server and I asked him to please let my initial team know that it wasn't them and he said "Oh, we were surprised you lasted the first night. They know it wasn't them."

The second time the ship was completely sold out and there was no option. I was at a table with 2 recent college grad girls who had been BFFs since elementary school and a mother and her recent college grad daughter. We all got along well so it worked out. Our server called us the Spice Girls.

But by myself is my preference. I've just learned that sometimes I have to roll. Though if I get a solo dump again like that first time, I may resort to room service or something. LOL.

 

[PsylockeSmythe]

Can I piggyback with 2 questions? If you were NOT granted your request, did any just say “hey, we’re just gonna hang with each other, have a great meal” or something of the sort? And is it more appropriate to be seated next to your mate as opposed to across? Thank you! It’s a 4 night on the Wish, won’t break us if our request is denied.

I can't answer the first part, but to your 2nd question, each time we have had tablemates, my wife and I have sat next to each other (side by side), with the other couple on the other side of the table. On the last cruise, we were at a table of 6 and on one side was my wife, I was in the middle seat and a single cruiser Lisa at the end. While on the other side of the table was a mom and her daughter (Lori and Maddi) that were cruising together. Lisa, Lori and Maddi were great tablemates, and we would gladly eat dinner with them again.

Psy

 

[chuff88]

Can I piggyback with 2 questions? If you were NOT granted your request, did any just say “hey, we’re just gonna hang with each other, have a great meal” or something of the sort? And is it more appropriate to be seated next to your mate as opposed to across? Thank you! It’s a 4 night on the Wish, won’t break us if our request is denied.

As someone who usually travels in a pair (my mom and me), I find it super uncomfortable to sit on the same side of the table as my dining partner. We have always been able to have a private table, but it's usually a table meant for 4 and we always sit across from each other and would prefer to do it that way if we had another couple at our table.

 

[PetePanMan]

Every time they have sat us with one other couple - a larger table with more people would be better IMO as you have more chances to find someone you get along with

I can understand that people will have different preferences but I’m with you. I would rather sit a larger table with greater than 4 people than just with one other couple (if we can’t get table for two). Just Less awkward and different dynamic

 

[Lynes88]

I want to share something to those families out there like ours... the ones that tend to request and prefer the private tables. We have done 13 Disney cruises (all on the Fantasy) and it was on cruise #7 that we found out while arriving at our table that we were not alone. We actually never knew it was a "thing" and had just assumed that as a family, you got your own table. At first we balked and my wife made a bee line to the Head Server. He said there was nothing to do tonight but that they would work to get us a private table the rest of the cruise. We sat down and I am sure, had that look on our face as we made an effort to say hello to a Husband and Wife with their teenage daughter. Long story short - but it was one of the most incredible experiences of our Disney Cruise lives. They were farmers, splurging on a special trip with their Dad who had terminal cancer, it would be his last trip. It was their first cruise of any kind... and my 2 kids instantly became attached to their teenage daughter. They were such nice people and I think we were almost always one of the last tables to clear after dinner. Unforgettable trip and even though we still typically get private tables, we remind ourselves about that experience and how much it meant. You never know so don't be too quick to anger about that private table...

 

[PetePanMan]

I want to share something to those families out there like ours... the ones that tend to request and prefer the private tables. We have done 13 Disney cruises (all on the Fantasy) and it was on cruise #7 that we found out while arriving at our table that we were not alone. We actually never knew it was a "thing" and had just assumed that as a family, you got your own table. At first we balked and my wife made a bee line to the Head Server. He said there was nothing to do tonight but that they would work to get us a private table the rest of the cruise. We sat down and I am sure, had that look on our face as we made an effort to say hello to a Husband and Wife with their teenage daughter. Long story short - but it was one of the most incredible experiences of our Disney Cruise lives. They were farmers, splurging on a special trip with their Dad who had terminal cancer, it would be his last trip. It was their first cruise of any kind... and my 2 kids instantly became attached to their teenage daughter. They were such nice people and I think we were almost always one of the last tables to clear after dinner. Unforgettable trip and even though we still typically get private tables, we remind ourselves about that experience and how much it meant. You never know so don't be too quick to anger about that private table...

This sounds very memorable and that it worked out well for everyone. For us, I would find it hard to be sitting at table with terminally ill patient and their family on their last trip. I do understand your main point though that what appears to be a negative May in fact work out just fine o and end up being a great experience

 

[Lynes88]

This sounds very memorable and that it worked out well for everyone. For us, I would find it hard to be sitting at table with terminally ill patient and their family on their last trip. I do understand your main point though that what appears to be a negative May in fact work out just fine o and end up being a great experience

Yes, and thank you for not being afraid to point that out. It was tough at first - but the family was so positive, we focused on the kids and their excitement. Out kids did not know the truth at first, and if I remember correctly, they did not know until the end.

 

[lisafab]

As someone who usually travels in a pair (my mom and me), I find it super uncomfortable to sit on the same side of the table as my dining partner. We have always been able to have a private table, but it's usually a table meant for 4 and we always sit across from each other and would prefer to do it that way if we had another couple at our table.

I’ve been reading this thread as my sister and I go on our first cruise later this year. We decided not to request a private table and just go with the flow but I was a little alarmed by the people who would sit side by side! I would find that really odd to then be sitting across from strangers and would much prefer, like you, to be sitting opposite my sister.

 

[chuff88]

I’ve been reading this thread as my sister and I go on our first cruise later this year. We decided not to request a private table and just go with the flow but I was a little alarmed by the people who would sit side by side! I would find that really odd to then be sitting across from strangers and would much prefer, like you, to be sitting opposite my sister.

My mom and I did the British Isles cruise in September 2024 and were also joined by my aunt. We were given a private table for 4 for the 3 of us, and the table next to us with also a table for 4 but there was only one couple assigned to it. They sat next to each other on the same side of the table every night, and we all commented (in the privacy of our staterooms) that we found it super weird. When I dine with only one other person I like to talk to them, and I find conversation much easier to carry on if we're facing each other. I guess this is very much a case of different strokes for different folks, but I can't imagine sitting at dinner with someone next to me and two empty seats across from us.

ETA: Also, if someone is going to be looking straight at me while I'm eating, I'd much rather it be someone I'm very familiar with.

 

[lisafab]

My mom and I did the British Isles cruise in September 2024 and were also joined by my aunt. We were given a private table for 4 for the 3 of us, and the table next to us with also a table for 4 but there was only one couple assigned to it. They sat next to each other on the same side of the table every night, and we all commented (in the privacy of our staterooms) that we found it super weird. When I dine with only one other person I like to talk to them, and I find conversation much easier to carry on if we're facing each other. I guess this is very much a case of different strokes for different folks, but I can't imagine sitting at dinner with someone next to me and two empty seats across from us.

ETA: Also, if someone is going to be looking straight at me while I'm eating, I'd much rather it be someone I'm very familiar with.

Well exactly!

 

[enzy65]

My mom and I did the British Isles cruise in September 2024 and were also joined by my aunt. We were given a private table for 4 for the 3 of us, and the table next to us with also a table for 4 but there was only one couple assigned to it. They sat next to each other on the same side of the table every night, and we all commented (in the privacy of our staterooms) that we found it super weird. When I dine with only one other person I like to talk to them, and I find conversation much easier to carry on if we're facing each other. I guess this is very much a case of different strokes for different folks, but I can't imagine sitting at dinner with someone next to me and two empty seats across from us.

ETA: Also, if someone is going to be looking straight at me while I'm eating, I'd much rather it be someone I'm very familiar with.

This has only happened 1 time on the fantasy years ago, we had a private table for 2 and the dining team had the table set for side by side, so ok we just sat that way. We saw other tables of 2 that were seated the same way, didn’t think anything of it. All other cruises we sit across from one another, oh except on the wish in marvel they placed us side by side to see the screens.