Is there a way to request dinner companions?

[eva]

We had a wonderful cruise on the Wonder a couple weeks ago. The one problem, and we thought it was a major one, was who they sat us with for dinner. We are a couple around 40 who was celebrating our 20th anniversary. They sat us at a table for 8 with 3 women (who spoke mostly Spanish) and 3 young children. My husband was the only man at the table. We had very little table conversation and felt extremely awkward. Luckily it was only a 3-day cruise and we ate at Palo the last night. But I hate to say it, I was so upset that we were having such a terrible dinner experience the first night that I had to go to the restroom to cry. And unfortunately, our server was terrible. He rarely came to the table to break the near dead silence of the adults or the fussing of the children. We wanted to talk to the head server the first night to see if something could be done, but he was already gone before we even finished dinner. Plus, we thought that if we did change tables it might seem rude to the people at our table, especially if they sat us close to their table.

Is there anyway that we can avoid such an experience for our cruise next May? I don't think that I could take such an experience for 7 nights.

 

[Verandah Man]

Sorry you had such a bad experience. I hope the following information helps.

If you find others that are traveling on the same cruise as you, you can call DCL and if you have both Reservation numbers, you can book a table for your group. That's what we did this morning when we were on the phone with DVC. The CM at DVC took our information and called over to the DCL and had the arrangements set up for us. It only took a few minutes. We requested a table for six and was told that was not a problem.

Andy

 

[professorandmom]

Ah, you haven't found one of the best features of these boards! Go through the cruise list thread near the top of the Forum page. Find your date and note the screen name of others going on the same cruise. Then PM those who are also on the same cruise. A little exploration (and perhaps a few emails) and you are bound to find a family with something in common with yours. Once you're comfortable, you can ask if they would like to link reservations...have your TA call to do this - and presto, you know your dinner companions!
Worked for me! Thanks you DIS boards!
Barbara

 

[prymsu]

last October, when i went on my 2nd DCL cruise, I had my dinner reservations linked to two other families that are members of this board, and it was like going to dinner with old friends. I highly recommend this to all DIS folks! Very easy to do, and all it took was one phone call!

 

[dclwdwlover]

I guess we've been pretty fortunate. Our first cruise (honeymoonin') they sat us with 'like couples'. All around our age - give or take 10 yrs. - no kids & really a lot of fun.
Our 2nd cruise we took the kids & they sat us with just one other family - husb, wife, 2 kids close to our kids ages & g'mo. They were very, very nice people & we continued to corr. via e-ml since then.
I didn't give it much thought up until this thread, but I hope they sit us with 'like families' again.
If it were me tho, after the 1st night being so unhappy, I would probably asked to be moved. The other people probably wouldn't get as upset over you're moving as you think & the chances of seeing them again after the trip are probably zip. Also, if the kids were not behaving - whether I have kids with me or not I wouldn't stay & let it ruin our meals. But, I understand it is awkward.
Re: the table server & head server - this is why I think tipping is an option - not a right - & I tip extremely well for extremely good service & put a lot of thought into my 'required/suggested' tip for yucky service or non-existent (hw) service.

 

[ReadyForDisney2003]

How many tables for 4 are there? Can we request a table for 4 and get it?

I'd like our dinner to be just us.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by eva
Is there anyway that we can avoid such an experience for our cruise next May? I don't think that I could take such an experience for 7 nights.

You can always try this if all else fails.....

....this will probably get you a table for 4 or less.

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by ncligs
You can always try this if all else fails.....

....this will probably get you a table for 4 or less.

ncligs,

I think you are going to give BD a run for his money, this was funny!!!

Andy

 

[eva]

Thanks for all the advice. We will have 5 in our party this time. We will be in 3 different cabins. I will make sure that they link our reservations together. But the 5 of us are all adults, including my 70 year old MIL. I don't mind sitting with other people. As a matter of fact, we had looked forward to meeting other couples at dinner. Maybe I should request a table for 6. I really wouldn't mind being at a huge table if I knew that the people they would sit with us would be adults that like to have fun. We love meeting new people. But the thought of sitting at a table for 12 with the same situation we had before just isn't acceptable to me. I hope that I don't sound like a snob. I'm not saying that this family we sat with were bad people, we just had absolutely nothing to talk about. The 3 women did apologize for the children's behavior a number of times and they seemed very nice. We had really thought that having the late seating and stating that it was our 20th anniversary was enough to put us at a table with other adults. Guess we were wrong. I really did feel bad for my husband too since he was the only man at the table. Maybe I'll post a thread as it gets closer to the cruise to see if there are other adults going on the May 15th cruise. Thanks guys!

 

[ReadyForDisney2003]

We were a family of 5 on our last cruise -- 3 adults, DS5 and DD2. We were seated with another family that was 2 adults and DD5. That family was very quiet and didn't talk much, but it worked out fine. And, the table for 8 was ok, too.

 

[alexandrew]

Eva:

I can think of a lot worse things to cry about....put things into perspective, such as the joy of being among 5% of the worlds population that can afford a DCL cruise....as well as the honor of celebrating 20 years of marriage!!!!

 

[eva]

I know it seems like a silly thing to cry over. I did get over it and still enjoyed the cruise. We liked it so much that we booked again for next year. I do have a tendency to over plan for things. But one of the things that we were both looking forward to was meeting other people on the cruise and the restaurants on board. Dining was a nightmare when 3 women that spoke little English stared at their plates or you while their children fussed and ran around the table during the entire meal. The second night we had really thought about eating at the buffet. But I was dying to eat at Artist Palette and at the time thought that we may never return for a another cruise. Plus, the second night was the night that we were officially celebrating our anniversary. So we muddled through. I just don't want to have to do that again for 7 nights. I think since we have 3 others going along with us we shouldn't have a problem.

 

[Samsma]

Eva - I know, you pay for our tickets, and we'll be glad to eat with you. Two happily married adults, never argue, two perfectly behaved children. Just one wonderful family! Well, okay, I might be stretching it, but we do speak English!

 

[rae519]

I love the practice of meeting friends on line then requesting to dine with them!

Have done it twice already and it has been wonderful!

It only becomes a problem when you want to request a specific server or rotation.

Rae

 

[eva]

It's funny that you say that Samsma, because we decided to pay for separate cabins for my adult daughters and my MIL so we would have some company on the next cruise. We really love people and we want someone to talk to at dinner. So we are brining our on company. Plus we thought that they would enjoy it. Now if you could talk my MIL into sharing her cabin.....

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by Samsma
you pay for our tickets, and we'll be glad to eat with you.

Samsma... you little vixen you LOL

>>^..^<<

 

[Samsma]

We cruised back in 1997, DH and I, no kids. We had the best time with 3 other couples at our table. Two older (60's & 70's) and one couple about our age. We had such a blast. Dining with them every night was one of the highlights of our cruise. We have requested a table for 4 this time, which may be a mistake. I like to meet people too, but DH is very shy. But I can see how you would be very disappointed in what happened last time. Especially in your server. They can make dinner a very special part of the cruise.

What are the chances of getting a table for 4? Should I drop that idea and try to hook up with another family from these boards?



Cassie - Whatever works. The poor girl is taking her MIL for gosh sakes. Just offering her an alternative. Just kidding Eva. I'm sure your MIL is very nice!

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi Eva. Sorry I'm late - lol.

They sat us at a table for 8 with 3 women (who spoke mostly Spanish) and 3 young children.

Is there anyway that we can avoid such an experience for our cruise next May?

Take Spanish lessons...


Hi Verandah Man.

I think you are going to give BD a run for his money, this was funny!!!

Never underestimate the power of NY gas!


Hi alexandrew.

I can think of a lot worse things to cry about....put things into perspective, such as the joy of being among 5% of the worlds population that can afford a DCL cruise....as well as the honor of celebrating 20 years of marriage!!!!

Excellent advice!...

 

[rae519]

BD - didn't I rate a HELLO?!

Rae

 

[AprilN]

For our cruise, DH and I were hoping to avoid sitting with children (I know, asking a bit much). Obviously, we went with late seating, but when talking with a DCL agent, she recommened also requesting a table for 4 - that way, we would most likely be paired with another couple, and everything would work out.

I was VERY nervous about dining with strangers, but with no single tables, I steeled myself for the worst - and DCL got it just right! They paired us at a table for 4 with another young married couple (just about our age) who happened to be on the DIS boards! We managed to find something to talk about every night, and we had a great cruise.

So, we did make a successful table-for-4 request! All that said, however, I still wish DCL would consider adding a few tables for 2 to each dining room - I would settle for a little less attention from our servers in exchange for a little more privacy.

April