Do you prefer large group or small at dinner?

[sweetpee_1993]

I've dined with table mates once in 11 cruises. DH & me with 2 other couples. 1 of the couples we enjoyed but the other...hmmmm....it was just awkward and taxing to dine with them. If I were assigned to a table with others again and couldn't get changed to a private table I think I might skip all dinners. Our 1 experience was that uncomfortable. Weird. We typically are people people. Ya know?

 

[RebelHawk]

My wife and I enjoyed our very first cruises on non Disney lines. We didn't know about requesting dining assignments one way or the other so we didn't. For the record my wife always makes the comment that "A stranger is just a new best friend we haven't met yet". Our first cruise was us and 8 other guests at dinner. We exchanged pleasant conversations for the first couple of meals but it was obvious that they were happy to talk amongst themselves and weren't looking for input from us on anything. Our 2nd cruise we went to the online forums and met up with some other couples around our age. Thinking that we were set for some high seas adventures we met on the ship only to find out that their idea of a good time was sitting around sucking down Bud Lights and that was all they were interested in.

At this point we switched over to DCL and started requested a table for just the two of us. We have now taken a couple cruises with DCL and I would say we are quite happy enjoying dinner with just the two of us. We look forward to meeting people out and about on the ship and excursions but if we come across some less than ideal "new best friends" then we can move along and find our next "new best friends".

 

[GenzanoFamily]

We always have a table just for our family. It's one of my husbands quirks when vacationing. Now that being said, we have had a few cruises where we would strike up conversations with neighboring families. Last year, my DD and our neighbors became friends, so they were always 'switching' seats with one of us just to hang together and talk. LOL! The servers thought it was cute.

 

[kiford]

I think their "default" is a table seating 8.

I'm not sure about that. We've been seated at a table for 10, three times a table for 8, and four times at a table for 6 (although one time only one other couple was seated with us). I assume on our upcoming cruise that it will be for 8 as we've tied our reservations to two brothers and a couple that we sat with on our last cruise and the couple is coming with another couple who they are friends with. They'll probably be throwing us out at the end of the night like last time - we were always the last table to vacate.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I think their "default" is a table seating 8. My family of 3 spends a LOT of time together, and it's very nice to sit with others.

I'm not sure about that.

I don't know, but in the 6 cruises we've only been DH & I, we've been seated at three 8 tops, one 6 top, and two 4 tops.

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

If I were cruising with just my husband, I would prefer a larger table. We have sat alone before, with another couple and with several couples. The several couples was the most interesting, because of the varied experiences. The time with another couple was nice, we hit it off well. However, if we had not, it would have been torture. If cruising with my DD, I prefer just our family. She is 4 so her table manners are not always polished, she can be impatient and we pretty much have to have an eye on her most of the time or she may eat the butter, pick up the sharp knives and try to cut the table cloth, pick up something she dropped on the floor and try to eat it (see above re: table manners). It would be hard to have a conversation with someone else and keep an eye on her and give her the attention that a small child craves. And if its a table with someone else's kids then its that experience multiplied. Perhaps when she is a little older.

I agree! DS (1) only did well when the other kid ate in the kid's club. The other nights, I was constantly moving silverware, trying to keep the table cloth on the table, holding him, trying to keep the other kid from trying to feed him her food and from trying to pick him up. Oy, I wish we had our own table. Breakfast and lunch were great, because it was just us. Dinner was my least favorite part of the cruise. Until DS is older, I think I will request our own table. Having other kids at the table at his age was too distracting. DCL thinks they're doing us a favor by "matching" us with kids the same age. However, when they are that young, it's a disaster. At least for us, it was a disaster.

 

[chimo2u]

If staying concierge do you usually get a private table for just the 2 of you?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

If staying concierge do you usually get a private table for just the 2 of you?

Yes but to be sure request it.

 

[RebelHawk]

We were booked concierge and requested a table for my wife and I. We were seated at a four top by ourselves.

 

[princessnicchia]

My wife and I enjoyed our very first cruises on non Disney lines. We didn't know about requesting dining assignments one way or the other so we didn't. For the record my wife always makes the comment that "A stranger is just a new best friend we haven't met yet". Our first cruise was us and 8 other guests at dinner. We exchanged pleasant conversations for the first couple of meals but it was obvious that they were happy to talk amongst themselves and weren't looking for input from us on anything. Our 2nd cruise we went to the online forums and met up with some other couples around our age. Thinking that we were set for some high seas adventures we met on the ship only to find out that their idea of a good time was sitting around sucking down Bud Lights and that was all they were interested in.

At this point we switched over to DCL and started requested a table for just the two of us. We have now taken a couple cruises with DCL and I would say we are quite happy enjoying dinner with just the two of us. We look forward to meeting people out and about on the ship and excursions but if we come across some less than ideal "new best friends" then we can move along and find our next "new best friends".

Your wife is my new best friend! I love her attitude!

 

[lisamarie12]

I agree! DS (1) only did well when the other kid ate in the kid's club. The other nights, I was constantly moving silverware, trying to keep the table cloth on the table, holding him, trying to keep the other kid from trying to feed him her food and from trying to pick him up. Oy, I wish we had our own table. Breakfast and lunch were great, because it was just us. Dinner was my least favorite part of the cruise. Until DS is older, I think I will request our own table. Having other kids at the table at his age was too distracting. DCL thinks they're doing us a favor by "matching" us with kids the same age. However, when they are that young, it's a disaster. At least for us, it was a disaster.

I know exactly what you mean. Two (or more) small children is like a gang sometimes. LOL. ANd sometimes DD does not go to dinner with us or does not stay. And no offense to others but if my kiddo is not with me, I don't want to eat with someone else's. Sometimes I want adult time. I don't mind dining with other couples...

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

I know exactly what you mean. Two (or more) small children is like a gang sometimes. LOL. ANd sometimes DD does not go to dinner with us or does not stay. And no offense to others but if my kiddo is not with me, I don't want to eat with someone else's. Sometimes I want adult time. I don't mind dining with other couples...

Oh man, the first night was a DISASTER! There were 8 of us (4 kids)!!! A six year old, a 5.5 y/o, DS (1) and another little boy who was turning one a day after the cruise ended. DCL thought they were doing us a favor by "matching" a 1 year old with a soon to be one y/o and a 5.5 y/o with a 6 y/o. It was a NIGHTMARE. Thank goodness the family with the 6 y/o and 1 y/o) switched to the other dinner seating after the first night. That left us with just DS and the 5.5 y/o the rest of the cruise.

 

[ludari]

I prefer my own table.... I'm a solo cruiser with a bit of an asocial personality. This doesn't mean I don't like socializing it's just that I have a preference and appreciation for solitary activities and being alone seems to reenergize me. That being said I have been on seven Disney Cruises and have always requested my own table and received it.

 

[Peggytc]

You can certainly request a table for just the 3 of you, although it will be just that (a request). Your chances would be better if you are on second seating for dinner.

We are on second seating! Thanks - I'm going to ask the others what their preference is and possibly call in the request

 

[andrencau]

My wife and I celebrated an anniversary on our cruise. Disney being as awesome as they are, we were grouped with 2 other couples and yes they were celebrating their anniversaries, too. We had a great time. I would vote for larger table if a couple and dine alone with family.

 

[Mousesmom]

It's only DH and I cruising and we tend to spend all of our time together by ourselves, including breakfast and lunch. For dinner, we have been matched with 3 other couples except for once where we had a 4-top with a mom and her adult daughter. It's always been a good experience for us.

 

[RobynPrincess]

We have only been on one cruise and we requested a table for just me and hubby which we got, plenty of opportunity to speak to people about the ship. I like meals with my husband though this next trip we are taking with lots of friends and I know one lady who is far more experienced in cruising is going to try and get our reservations all linked so we will either be tablemates or very close to it. Should be fun!

 

[RedStars]

I don't like making awkward small talk with strangers (it makes me anxious). I just called and requested a private table.

 

[bekkio]

We've had two good experiences with sharing a table and one so-so. The first time, DH and I were sat with 3 other couples and 1 single adult, and they did a good job matching us all up. Most of us were DVC members or veteran cruises, the couples all left children at home, etc. It was a very good experience. The 2nd time, my teen DD and I were matched up with a single dad and teenage daughter - again, we had a lot in common, DVC members, repeat cruisers, just a lot of things in common.

Our last experience was just okay. My 2 DDs and I were tacked onto a family of 5 - a grandfather, parents and two kids. This wasn't a great match - kids were much younger, adults were polite but not really interested in group conversation. It wasn't bad, but it was a bit awkward.

Trying again to see what we get on our next cruise, as there will be only 2 of us. Worst case scenario, we can request a change of table or go eat in Cabanas. Best case scenario - new friends!

 

[Karlzmom]

These threads always cause me anxiety...never would have considered that by trying to go with the flow and take the seat I am given that I was opening myself up to being judged *worthy* or *unworthy* of sitting with for dinners.

I don't know, maybe having lived a while in Europe where seating for meals can be much less personal-space makes a difference. Maybe my mom just raised me differently and it seems good manners to be polite and pleasant. I just flat don't get all all the seeming drama that is centered around cruise ship dining. Hopefully I can skate through another cruise without being a dining room reject....