Ever had bad dinner companions at your table?

[kaseyC]

Personally, I would prefer the flexible dining. I enjoy meeting new people in other ways on the ship, but I prefer to relax with family at dinner. It is our time to connect and discuss our day.

We prefer to relax with our family as well. We always make a point of requesting a table to ourselves, thru DCL, our TA and the Concierge staff.

I wouldn't be surprised to see DCL implement some type of Flex dining on the new ships, especially with the larger number of passengers they will carry.

 

[Sabor]

I have

But I guess I can't complain because I married her.

 

[Twinprincesses]

That happened to us on Royal Carribean. We were on our Honeymoon and the other people at our table were in their late 60's they never said a work to us. But talked to the other older couples. It was awkward.

 

[castleeto]

Last March, 7-day Eastern, our table companions weren't talking to each other one night because he forgot it was her birthday. I would have asked to be reassigned, but they were my parents

That is TOO funny!

 

[PizzieDuster]

Last March, 7-day Eastern, our table companions weren't talking to each other one night because he forgot it was her birthday. I would have asked to be reassigned, but they were my parents

This was the first post that has ever made me spit out my water and laugh, laugh, laugh! Still giggling....

On our first Royal Carrib. cruise we were seated with a foreign speaking family. I was so proud of my youngest son, probably 13 then. He was so uncomfortable sitting next to a man who turned his back to him. He never complained that evening and I let my two teen boys leave the table the minute they were finished. I told them if we didn't get a new table, I would not make them eat with us (other than formal night . Thankfully we switched and were able to have our own table which my kids loved.

The second Royal. Carrib. cruise on The Freedom of the Seas, lo and behold, we with a family with two twin TEEN GIRLS. Ya think my boys had a problem with them?

It was "all good mom". They ate there every night even on the nights DH and I were in the private restuarants (RCCL's version of Palo).

 

[marlee70]

Last March, 7-day Eastern, our table companions weren't talking to each other one night because he forgot it was her birthday. I would have asked to be reassigned, but they were my parents

 

[goofy4tink]

We cruised for the first time last August. We are a family of three, so knew we would have dining companions. My dh is very outgoing and can talk to anyone, at length. So...we show up for our first dinner. We were seated with another family, who had a ds about 3 years younger than my dd, then almost 14, and a much younger ds who was in one of the kids clubs. They were from the same state we are from. They were very pleasant and we looked forward to seeing them again. Well.....we got to talking about the next night's dinner, which was 'dress up' night, at Triton's. They were shocked to find they had to dress up. I quickly said that dress-up was a 'relative' phrase...I was just wearing a black knit sundress, and dh would be in a blazer and khaki's. It seems that their travel agent never told them they would need anything other than tee-shirts and shorts! They had nothing close to 'dress-up' clothing!! We told them that they would surely be allowed to sit down and eat...that they wouldn't be thrown out based on their clothing.

So, when the next night came, my dh wore just a white shirt (button down collar), no tie and his blazer, which he removed as soon as we sat down. He felt underdressed but thought it might make our dining companions feel better about their dress when they arrived. But...they never showed up. We didn't see them for the rest of the cruise, other than one time in the gift shop. So, there we sat, dinner after dinner, at a table for 6, all by ourselves. We felt like pariahs!!

 

[HiddenMickeys]

We have asked our TA to request a table for four since this is our first cruise, and we'll be on overload lol. Don't want to annoy other table mates with our talk of "this was neat, we have to try so and so tomorrow, etc. .. That may be annoying to veteran cruisers.

Since we're on the magic for a 7 nighter, that may be a little long to have to sit with table mates that we may not "click" with. But, if we're seated with others that is ok, I really cant imagine anyone that bad that it would ruin my trip......

Unless......My mother in law showed up unannounced. Then I'd ask to have her moved to the Wonder!

 

[Anal Annie]

We are a small family of 3 and when we went on the Magic the last time we were seated at a very large oval table for 15 right in the middle of each dining room. Our servers said it was the only table like it. Anyway, we were matched up with other families of 3 with kids in the same age range but the others were all girls. Every night we had 1 family that never came. There were 3 empty chairs all week until the final morning at breakfast - THERE was the little boy who looked about DS's age.

Anyway, of the other 3 families that DID show up, one was very normal and the other 2 were quite disfunctional. One of the families showed up late EVERY NIGHT (we did not wait for them). Once they DID arrive, they would order and then complain about whatever they ordered and would send it back re-order something else after they'd eaten about 1/2 of it. EVERY NIGHT. EVERY COURSE. I felt really, really bad for our servers as they tried to please them but there was NO WAY it was going to happen and I have no doubt that they were probably stiffed a bit on their tip because of it. I simply cannot imagine returning every single thing I ordered every single night. It was just stooopid. And rude.

The other family was ANOTHER story and were really amusing to watch in action. It was a Mom of one little girl along with her daughters sister except the older sister was an adult and was from a different family. It took all week to get the pieces of the puzzle to fit. Apparently the younger one was from an affair and the older one had just found out that she had this younger sister and they were on this cruise to get to know each other...so here they were, all staying together in one cabin...and so this adult woman was staying in a room with this woman who had an affair with her Dad and this "love child". It was very weird, and a bit awkard. The older sister seemed very likeable but the Mom...that Mom was a trip!!

Since it was such a large table everybody sort of took a different seat every night so we could of mix & socialize.

 

[mandap]

Ours came from the table next to us. We were at a four seater w/another mid 20's couple. The large table next to us was full of rowdy kids and their parents ignored everything they did. Throwing things, running around the table etc. We tried to ignore them first night. Second night, they were throwing napkins. One napking landed on dh's plate and fell in the floor. Needless to say, the kid got "the look" from dh when he ran over to get his napkin back. So the kid goes back and tattles to his mother loudly that dh gave him a mean look. Her reply to the kid "Honey some people are just mean, but God wants us to love them anyways" Everyone at our table about fell out of our chairs.

 

[jenkh]

When we did our first cruise this past Jan we had.... i don't know a verb to describe them lol

First off Disney messed but royally just by sitting us with this group. We were 3 adults, and were seated with a family with 3 young kids. They showed up late every night. The kids were evil reincarnate, throwing things and running off from the table ( a few times running right out of the restaurant, keep in mind these kids are all under 5) We usually had to point out that there kids were gone, which only caused them to yell at each other.

Dad was a real pig, extremly rude and sexist. And the wife was a stay at home alcoholic (she had 3 nannies to take care of her children) Some nights they didn't bring the kids and she'd already be drunk, and would be mean to our servers. One night he saw venison was on the menu and went into a story about how he has never liked it. So he orders it?!? And then sends it back after 1 bite screaming at our sever that he hates venison

There table talk was rude as well, there stories consisted of tales of drinking and driving and spending there "wealth of money". They were always late for meals (we never waited after the first night.. thank god) And our servers HATED THEM. It was so funny. Some nights they didn't show up at all and our servers would literally do the happy dance.

The wife found out I was a receptionist for a dentist office and starting going on about how horrible dentist were to work with. I was smart enough not to say anything, but just thought it was because she used to work an office... But nope, her husband was a dentist and she was trying to get me to bad mouth him

It never ruined our meals as our servers were amazing. We gave them a huge tip. Disney did attempt to fix the situation, but at that point it was already day 3, and WE would have to leave our servers. And we said no, we couldn't leave them with them by themselves. Our servers were so happy, at least they had us to lighten the mood.

Were hoping for better luck next cruise (sometime 2010) and will prolly arrange to sit with someone here on the DIS rather then take any chances.

 

[TifffanyD]

Is it bad form not to want to talk to your tablemates? I am not one to talk to people I don't know. I mean I can be civil and "pass the bread" and what have you but I don't want them to try to be all chummy-chum. We are going on our honeymoon and requested a small table with only adults... I figured there was no way we could be seated alone.

 

[Grandma4ever]

Is it bad form not to want to talk to your tablemates? I am not one to talk to people I don't know. I mean I can be civil and "pass the bread" and what have you but I don't want them to try to be all chummy-chum. We are going on our honeymoon and requested a small table with only adults... I figured there was no way we could be seated alone.

DCL has been known to set honeymooning couples together. It may be however in bad form not to offer a hello or how are you. But you are not expected to be best buddies. I would feel uncomfortable setting at a table with a person that would not engage in table conversation.

When we were were on our cruise and were seating with four other people and we spent dinner talking about what each of us had done on board or in port each day. It was a blast to get to know each of our fellow cruisers. I also noted that you requested a table for two and I understand that at time DCL will honor this request. Whatever happens I hope you enjoy your cruise.

 

[TifffanyD]

DCL has been known to set honeymooning couples together. It may be however in bad form not to offer a hello or how are you. But you are not expected to be best buddies. I would feel uncomfortable setting at a table with a person that would not engage in table conversation.

When we were were on our cruise and were seating with four other people and we spent dinner talking about what each of us had done on board or in port each day. It was a blast to get to know each of our fellow cruisers. I also noted that you requested a table for two and I understand that at time DCL will honor this request. Whatever happens I hope you enjoy your cruise.

Oh yeah we would be fine with basic pleasantries but I don't want to talk about jobs/children/sports/DEFINITELY religion or politics/etc. Basically a hello at the beginning and maybe a goodbye at the end. When we went on the KTTK tour we sat with a couple and that was pretty ok. We didn't actually request a table for 2, didn't even know they had them!

 

[frdeb1999]

We honestly have had wonderful tablemates. I did see some very unhappy looking people though at a couple tables nearby. We can talk to anyone and love meeting new people.

 

[Grandma4ever]

Oh yeah we would be fine with basic pleasantries but I don't want to talk about jobs/children/sports/DEFINITELY religion or politics/etc. Basically a hello at the beginning and maybe a goodbye at the end. When we went on the KTTK tour we sat with a couple and that was pretty ok. We didn't actually request a table for 2, didn't even know they had them!

Conversation is mostly small stuff. You most likey will not be sat with a family with kids unless you have kids with you. The conversation will be mostly light basic stuff. Might include what do you do for work, what part of the planet are you from but nothing too personal. Remember they don't know you either. You will have the whole cruise to decide either that you like or dislike these folks. We have been very lucky and and have enjoyed our table mates. I am looking forward to meeting new folks.

Another option is to go to the cruise meet thread and have you ressies link with someone you have begun to feel comfortable with. If you spend time on the board you might find a few people you can enjoy sharing your eveing meal with. I really hope you either get to set alone so you can focus on each other for goodness sack you will be on your honeymoon. Or that you find you enjoy the company of your tablemates. Best Wishes.

 

[TifffanyD]

Conversation is mostly small stuff. You most likey will not be sat with a family with kids unless you have kids with you. The conversation will be mostly light basic stuff. Might include what do you do for work, what part of the planet are you from but nothing too personal. Remember they don't know you either. You will have the whole cruise to decide either that you like or dislike these folks. We have been very lucky and and have enjoyed our table mates. I am looking forward to meeting new folks.

Another option is to go to the cruise meet thread and have you ressies link with someone you have begun to feel comfortable with. If you spend time on the board you might find a few people you can enjoy sharing your eveing meal with. I really hope you either get to set alone so you can focus on each other for goodness sack you will be on your honeymoon. Or that you find you enjoy the company of your tablemates. Best Wishes.

Thank you for the information and well wishes! I don't mean to sound like a sack of non-fun but I know how we are and what would make the cruise most enjoyable for us!

 

[Kewz1]

On our first cruise we were celebrating our 10th anniversary. We were seated at a table with 3 young couples honeymooning. We had a very enjoyable time getting to know them. On our last night, our servers brought each couple a small cake and we shared our bottle of "bubbly." It was a great experience.

Kristen

 

[joksten2000]

They seated us at a table for 10 Two of us 6 special needs kids and two care takers. There was a big group of special needs at four tables. Now my wife worked with special need kids for years at St John of Gods, but it was poor on the part of DCL to put us there. They moved us to a table for two that was jammed in and after complaining again we were finally on the 3rd night moved to a table with three other couples.

 

[Grandma4ever]

Thank you for the information and well wishes! I don't mean to sound like a sack of non-fun but I know how we are and what would make the cruise most enjoyable for us!

Not a problem. Each of us know best what makes us happy. I hope your cruise is everything you dream it will be and then some.