How awkward could this be?

[chaseg03]

On our next Alaskan cruise I know my parents will want to go to Palo. Let me tell you, I am NOT missing Tritons at all. If my parents book Palo for Tritons night will it be awkward if I, a 15 year old, were the only one at the table. I have two brothers (12 and 4 at the time of sailing) but I know they won't come to eat with me. My mom might let me take the four year old but I know 12 year old won't want to join. Would this be awkard? Will I get a bunch of looks? Thanks!

 

[Mommb]

My tween daughter went to the dining room by herself while my husband and ai were at Remy on our last cruise. On the previous several cruises, she and her older brother went to the dining room while we were at Palo. They had no problems. We let the server and our table mates know the night before that the kids would be there on their own, and let the kids know that we would check with the server the next night to make sure the kids behaved.

As long as you are well-behaved, no one should give you strange looks, and if they do, you can disregard them as long as you know you aren't doing anything wrong.

 

[MUN]

No, it wouldn't be awkward at all for a 15 year old to dine along in the MDR. Your family of 5 might also have table mates, so you could have others at your table. A couple of years ago our family of 5 was seated with a family of 3. The parents went to Palo one night and their daughter joined us for dinner. We all had a lovely time. I certainly don't blame you for not wanting to miss Tritons. It's one of my faves!

 

[chaseg03]

No, it wouldn't be awkward at all for a 15 year old to dine along in the MDR. Your family of 5 might also have table mates, so you could have others at your table. A couple of years ago our family of 5 was seated with a family of 3. The parents went to Palo one night and their daughter joined us for dinner. We all had a lovely time. I certainly don't blame you for not wanting to miss Tritons. It's one of my faves!

Ok if we have table mates I just don't want to "force" them to talk to me. I just hope if would be a family like yours. (social,kind, and inviting) Thanks for the answer!

 

[wilkeliza]

Not awkward at all. Sunce you can't go to Palo I would assume you would be at regular dinner. The servers even suggest those with teens allow them to come alone.

 

[mmouse37]

Go and enjoy the dining room!!! It would not be awkward in my opinion.

MJ

 

[chaseg03]

My tween daughter went to the dining room by herself while my husband and ai were at Remy on our last cruise. On the previous several cruises, she and her older brother went to the dining room while we were at Palo. They had no problems. We let the server and our table mates know the night before that the kids would be there on their own, and let the kids know that we would check with the server the next night to make sure the kids behaved.

As long as you are well-behaved, no one should give you strange looks, and if they do, you can disregard them as long as you know you aren't doing anything wrong.

Ok thanks, I'm a well-behaved kid, especially when around adults. It's a big trust factor in my family.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

When I was on a transatlantic cruise there were a couple of teen boys that had dinner alone in one of the MDRS well their parents were at Palo the wait staff gave them extra attention to make sure everything was ok.

 

[jenpink]

My 15 year old daughter eats alone in the MDR about once a cruise and enjoys it. She doesn't feel awkward at all.

 

[Drusilla99]

We've made our Palo reservations for a later time, so that we can still accompany our girls to the dining room before our dinner. This was when they were quite young and now that we've discovered Palo brunch, there's no need, but I'm pretty sure they would go on their own if needed. Maybe your parents can make their reservations for a little later so they can go with you if you'd be more comfortable.

 

[MunFam]

I had a very hard time learning how to "dine in public alone"...like well in to my 20's, I just felt so weird that I could not do it. I finally overcame it, and I just wanted to say good for you for being willing to eat alone...weird looks or not. That is very awesome...and I say go for it!

 

[timrousbeastie]

Like others said: not awkward at all. If anything, most of the other guests will probably admire you for it.

I always make sure to bring something to read when I have to dine alone. It gives me something nice to do and, if necessary, it is a way to signal to others that I am not interested in (potentially awkward) conversations.

 

[tcufrog]

I had a very hard time learning how to "dine in public alone"...like well in to my 20's, I just felt so weird that I could not do it. I finally overcame it, and I just wanted to say good for you for being willing to eat alone...weird looks or not. That is very awesome...and I say go for it!

I used to work nights sometimes as a librarian at a small library. The library had a skeleton crew on night shift so I often had to eat alone in the break room. I was very lonely so I'd often go to a restaurant for dinner with a good book. I tipped well since it was just me and there was no problem. It's all about acting self confident and like there's nothing odd about you eating alone.

 

[mevelandry]

Ok if we have table mates I just don't want to "force" them to talk to me. I just hope if would be a family like yours. (social,kind, and inviting) Thanks for the answer!

You can request to have your own table (for you and your family). That way you won't be bothered with awkward conversations. Your servers will take care of you.

 

[chaseg03]

You can request to have your own table (for you and your family). That way you won't be bothered with awkward conversations. Your servers will take care of you.

My parents are debating doing this. Everyime we had table mates, the families were great! I'm definitely more comfortable now, y'all really helped, thanks!!!

 

[Justacruiser]

you will have a fine time by yourself. I would recommend getting the menu the evening before and ordering your food. It can be ready when you get there so you don't have to wait for everyone else in the servers parties to get their food. You should to be able to get in and out in about 45 minutes (if you want). The most awkward time for me is sitting in between courses. Ordering ahead will allow you the same food but served more quickly.

 

[CamColt]

Go! My DS did that when he was about 16 because he didn't want to miss Pirate Night and his brother wouldn't go. We did not have table mates but our servers talked to him some, and he was just happy to be there with one of his favorite meals. I agree with the above post if you are concerned about sitting there too long alone. Let your servers know your plan the night before so they can keep things moving along for you. I am sure they will make you comfortable.

 

[RedSox68]

Have your parents tell your servers the night before so they will know and they will take special care of you! Have fun.

 

[chaseg03]

Go! My DS did that when he was about 16 because he didn't want to miss Pirate Night and his brother wouldn't go. We did not have table mates but our servers talked to him some, and he was just happy to be there with one of his favorite meals. I agree with the above post if you are concerned about sitting there too long alone. Let your servers know your plan the night before so they can keep things moving along for you. I am sure they will make you comfortable.

I'm sure as well, Disney workers are great!

 

[RedSox68]

Go! My DS did that when he was about 16 because he didn't want to miss Pirate Night and his brother wouldn't go. We did not have table mates but our servers talked to him some, and he was just happy to be there with one of his favorite meals. I agree with the above post if you are concerned about sitting there too long alone. Let your servers know your plan the night before so they can keep things moving along for you. I am sure they will make you comfortable.

I agree with your son -- the Pirate night menu is one of my favorite.