Do you prefer large group or small at dinner?

[gtpoohbear]

If we want to request a private table, how early can/should we call to add the request?

We are not the most social/extroverted people around, and while the thought of making friends seems potentially fun, the risk of it being really awkward instead for 7 whole nights just isn't worth it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If we want to request a private table, how early can/should we call to add the request?

We are not the most social/extroverted people around, and while the thought of making friends seems potentially fun, the risk of it being really awkward instead for 7 whole nights just isn't worth it.

You can call DCL at any time to make the request.

 

[Bruiserknits]

I only have one cruise under my belt. It was a mother-daughter cruise, so just me and my two adult daughters. We were paired with a grandmother-mother-adult daughter group. It was very pleasant and while I could tell that IRL we probably wouldn't be friends (hints at differing religious and political viewpoints and interests) we were great cruise buddies. The grandmother was a long time Disney cruiser and gave lots of good hints and tips. They were fun and two of us were celebrating birthdays, so we had something to share. In talking with our guests they said that in all the years of cruising they have always seemed to get paired with similar guests and always had had good experiences.

My next (booked) cruise will be just dh and me. We saw lots of four-top tables so could easily see us being seated with another couple of a similar age, but we are pretty go with the flow type people and would find something to talk about. If we ended up at a table which was a very bad pairing and the other couple didn't observe the niceties of the "no religion no politics" code of conversation then I am quite sure that Disney would respect a change request. Although I can't really see someone being intentionally rude like that to their fellow dinner guests. If we did end up at a larger table that would be fine too. We've been in organizations where we've been seated with strangers in the past and it's almost always been pleasant.

 

[Iluvmickey1975]

My mom and I will be taking our first Disney cruise in January. We'd prefer to sit by ourselves. Do we request this ahead of time or when we get on the ship?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My mom and I will be taking our first Disney cruise in January. We'd prefer to sit by ourselves. Do we request this ahead of time or when we get on the ship?

It's best to have the request placed on your reservation ahead of time. You must call DCL and make the request (or your TA, if you used one, will make the call).

 

[Iluvmickey1975]

Thanks for the help!

 

[Cptnkirky]

Unless it is my family group , we definitely like a private small table for just us at dinner. Then we don't have to wait for others to order, move onto the next course, or keep up casual chat after a long day. It is nice to meet new friends, but we rather do this via the boards/meets, neighbors, sitting near someone on deck, on excursions and during events on the ship. It is all personal preference though. We have a 2.5 yo and the timing of dinner and moving along, is really important in keeping everyone happy. We don't eat for longer then 45 mins, ever. For others, a nice relaxing dinner is important. If you are the quick group, then small private table is better. If the social and relaxed group then sharing a table is fun and exciting.
We are hoping for our own table as requested in Sept

 

[MickeyEars]

My husband and I just booked our first cruise ever on Monday. We will be sailing on the Dream May 23, 2016.
How and when do we go about requesting a "private" table? I think my husband who was reluctant to go on a cruise would do better with just the 2 of us.

Thanks for your help!!

Carla

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My husband and I just booked our first cruise ever on Monday. We will be sailing on the Dream May 23, 2016.
How and when do we go about requesting a "private" table? I think my husband who was reluctant to go on a cruise would do better with just the 2 of us.

Thanks for your help!!

Carla

You need to call DCL and have the request for "just us" seating placed on your reservation. If you used a TA, I believe they need to call for you.

BTW, they aren't so much "private". Most tables in the MDRs are only about 6 inches from the next one.

 

[MickeyEars]

You need to call DCL and have the request for "just us" seating placed on your reservation. If you used a TA, I believe they need to call for you.

BTW, they aren't so much "private". Most tables in the MDRs are only about 6 inches from the next one.

Thanks so much for your help!! We used a TA so I will have her call and add the request.

Carla

 

[jenng1976]

This will be our first Disney cruise ... I have already added a request to our reservation for a private table for 2.

I was just wondering how to confirm if our request was granted? Is there a time after boarding when the dining room is open to check your table or request a change before the first night's dinner?

Thanks!
Jenn

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This will be our first Disney cruise ... I have already added a request to our reservation for a private table for 2.

I was just wondering how to confirm if our request was granted? Is there a time after boarding when the dining room is open to check your table or request a change before the first night's dinner?

Thanks!
Jenn

When you get onboard, just go to where the dining changes are being handled (where/when will be listed in the Navigator you get at check in), and ask there.

 

[jenng1976]

When you get onboard, just go to where the dining changes are being handled (where/when will be listed in the Navigator you get at check in), and ask there.

Thanks! You're always so helpful on these boards!

 

[mmfinn72]

We tend to be the same way Jenng1976. We prefer to be seated at a private table so we can enjoy ourselves without having to make small talk. Neither of us are very "out there" socially.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

We tend to be the same way Jenng1976. We prefer to be seated at a private table so we can enjoy ourselves without having to make small talk. Neither of us are very "out there" socially.

Agree.

 

[DVC-Don]

I prefer large seating's. The last two cruises it was only my wife and I and we wound up meeting some wonderful tables mates. Both times we had tables of 4 couples and all were DVC members. The second time not only were we all DVC members but we were all retired law enforcement, local police, county sheriffs and even a retired FBI agent. Really nice time. We still keep in touch with many of them.

 

[cruisnfamily]

If you are a married couple, age 50 traveling with no children, what is your likely match, table size wise? Is it likely we will be at a 6 person table? Or an 8 person table? I assume it will be all couples with no children.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If you are a married couple, age 50 traveling with no children, what is your likely match, table size wise? Is it likely we will be at a 6 person table? Or an 8 person table? I assume it will be all couples with no children.

All the cruises where it was just my husband and I (no children) we've been at two 8 tops (1. 3 other couples 2. 2 couples and a mom and adult daughter), one 6 top (one other couple and a single gentleman and single lady) and two 4 tops (1. another couple 2. mom and adult daughter).

So, no time were we put with kids, but the size of the table did vary.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

If you are a married couple, age 50 traveling with no children, what is your likely match, table size wise? Is it likely we will be at a 6 person table? Or an 8 person table? I assume it will be all couples with no children.

Most cruises they will sit on a 4/6/8 table top so request your preference to your TA or DCL if booked direct.

Whilst some people report here they were pleased, there are other nightmare threads where it didnt work, so best to make your preference known.

If you can join a cruise meets thread then maybe take the lottery out of it and join up / or avoid someone on your cruise meets thread depending if you get on or not.

 

[cruisnfamily]

All the cruises where it was just my husband and I (no children) we've been at two 8 tops (1. 3 other couples 2. 2 couples and a mom and adult daughter), one 6 top (one other couple and a single gentleman and single lady) and two 4 tops (1. another couple 2. mom and adult daughter).

So, no time were we put with kids, but the size of the table did vary.

We are certainly not anti-kids, have 2 of our own, lol. This will actually be our first cruise ever without them. They are semi-grown now at ages 19 and 22 and we are starting to travel on our own now.

All of our previous cruises have been with groups of friends and their kids so this will be a different experience and I was hoping it would be larger type groups like 6 or 8, not 4.

Most cruises they will sit on a 4/6/8 table top so request your preference to your TA or DCL if booked direct.

Whilst some people report here they were pleased, there are other nightmare threads where it didnt work, so best to make your preference known.

If you can join a cruise meets thread then maybe take the lottery out of it and join up / or avoid someone on your cruise meets thread depending if you get on or not.

We don't want to make any special requests regarding table size, seating, dining rotation, etc. We prefer to let Disney work their magic and see how it turns out.