Main Dining - Private Table

[tink1970]

We have had some interesting table mates (some good, some bad). DH is a superintrovert so I do request a private table now. So far it's 3/3...we'll see if that is honored this summer. I've also heard it's more easily granted with late seating but all of ours have been early seating. Don't know if being concierge helps or not.

 

[Starwind]

Due to severe food allergies and the need to prohibit certain foods at the table (all seafood), we have always asked for a private table for the two of us. It has always been granted. We do late dining.

I have read of some of the amazing friendships people have developed with the tablemates they were sat with, and I wish we had that opportunity, but safety takes priority for us.

SW

 

[Pooh2]

We just had our first cruise and requested and received a private table at Main dining. We saw at least 4 other couples seated near us that also had a private table (all were 4 tops set for two).

The first night, our table was set for 4 so we sat together on the same side but no one ever showed (so we assumed it was set for 4 in error). All the other nights, it was set for two when we showed up.

While we enjoyed meeting lots of new and interesting people on this trip, we like to have dinner time to wind down and just enjoy each other's company. We will definitely request a private table again on our next cruise.

 

[The Sasquatch]

If you want to request a private table do it well in advance not after you board the ship. You can call DCL and put in the request, once you are on the ship they have already set seating for the most part.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Dinning sitting is normally assigned on ship circa 72 hours pre cruise.

You can email requests to

dcl.reservations@disneycruise.com

 

[DisneyMom111]

We requested a private table for just my son and I and it was granted. We had main seating too. It was just a few weeks ago so maybe we got lucky because it wasn't peak season. It was a table for 4 but only the 2 of us were seated at it each night.

 

[AquaDame]

We have requested a private table for every cruise after the first one (we've been on 6) as a couple:
1x - granted before we boarded
2x - granted upon asking again after boarding
1x - could not accommodate us, we could move to late dining if we wanted but we declined. Our table mates made us so uncomfortable that this is not an option for us going forward. We skipped the last dinner so we could eat without judgement (topics ranged from politics to religion to our child free choice. None of which should be part of polite banter IMO but I wasn't about to lie...)
1x - could not accommodate us, but we could move to late dining if we wished which we did.

I'll always ask and verify on board, but assume we'll have to move to late dining in the future.

 

[Markonefive]

When our travel agent booked us (wife and I), it showed "table for 6" on the reservation. We asked for early dining. I called the Disney cruise desk help line, gave my cruise itinerary number, and asked if they could put us at a table for 2. The customer service rep said she would log the request but it cannot be guaranteed (probably impossible if a cruise is fully booked to maximum passenger capacity). We ended up getting our own table all of our main dining nights (I think all cabins were fully, but 2200 passengers and full capacity about 2600 on the Wonder? can't remember details). I would agree with suggestions to check in with guest services upon boarding to verify if you get your table for 2, and if not, see what can be done (late dining option, or if there were changes). If you end up with a group, and you don't like your tablemates, ask the head server to be moved to a different table for your next night. Part of the expected tipping is for this person, so it is reasonable to expect him to do whatever he can to make your dining experience pleasant. You shouldn't have to put up with table mates you aren't comfortable with if you end up not clicking. Just be polite about asking about it. Maybe be prepared to be flexible e.g. might have to be on a different restaurant rotation.

 

[RedSox68]

On the one occasion where we didn't get our private table, I talked to the head server and he had it fixed for the second night and the rest of the cruise. Or check when you get onboard to make sure it's in place before your first seating. We are three adults.

 

[FigmentSpark]

How likely is it for a family of 4 (main dining) to get a private table?

 

[RedSox68]

How likely is it for a family of 4 (main dining) to get a private table?

Better than for my family of 3 -- since they are tables that seat 4. I think that's why groups of 5 and 6 get private tables at the larger once because they seat 5 or 6.

 

[mevelandry]

I just called Disney and requested that my party (4 adults and 1 toddler) be seated by ourselves. She advised that she will put in the request but could not promise it. I won't be completely heartbroken if we end up sharing; however, in your experience, have you always been given a private table if you requested it?

My family is a good time and we would be fairly entertaining for anyone who sat with us. But I worry because we can also be that loud and rambunctious group.

Side story: Last time I sailed was just my husband and I - it was our first DCL cruise and we were so excited. We were seated with another couple who were so grumpy. They lived in Florida and took Disney cruises all the time. They would make comments like, "oh we skipped x-y-z because we've just seen/did it so many times and we're over it." There was no happy Disney fun from them.

Requested (by phone) private table for 2 two times (2 cruises). We've had it both times.

 

[Dabigoh]

I have mixed emotions about dining with others. My wife and I took a cruise (Carnival) for our honeymoon and we dined with two other couples. They were very pleasant people. In fact, we stayed in touch for several years after. However, I interact with people enough that I know the chances of getting stuck with less than pleasant people is highly likely.

I guess it is safe to assume that a family of 7 will be dining alone? If so, then I guess the discussion is moot for us.

 

[GeorgeY]

The past two cruises we were a family of 3. On both I called well ahead to request a private table. I checked when we boarded both times. The first time it was granted already. The second time he said he saw our request but it wasnt granted, but said no problem since you came early and had late seating. he said when we got to the restaurant (same as on our ticket) they would have our new table (Amazingly he even remembered us as we walked in). He had told me the ship was as full as possible but going to dining changes early and having late helped alot.
George

 

[Captainkate]

We requested a private table on our last cruise, and we got it. We had late seating. All they did was pull apart 2 tables, and they were about a foot away from each other... didn't seem like much trouble at all.

 

[Captainkate]

The reason we requested a private table was because on a previous cruise they sat us with a family that was very was rude. Their daughter was rolling her eyes and making fun of what my daughter was eating. She was making snide comments and her mother did not stop her. So yes, you sometimes get some very rude dining companions. When we did not come back the second and third night for dinner, one of the serving staff called to ask us if we wanted a private table. Apparently, it can be done in the middle of the cruise also.

 

[Suttonmama1]

We had a private table first cruise for our family of 3 then sat with another family of 5 the next time. We loved it, hope we are seated with another family this time

 

[dsdeleon]

Twice requested a four top and gotten it twice. The kids don't come to dinner so it's just DH and me. It would be weird if DCL put us with another family with kids our kids age and then they would never even meet!

 

[summerrluvv]

I've requested it twice, and it was granted twice. My son has special needs and there is no way on earth he wants to eat dinner with strangers. That would be so completely unenjoyable for him, that IF our request wasn't granted, we would likely just do room service or eat at Cabanas!

 

[Bee2u]

We have requested a private table for every cruise after the first one (we've been on 6) as a couple:
1x - granted before we boarded
2x - granted upon asking again after boarding
1x - could not accommodate us, we could move to late dining if we wanted but we declined. Our table mates made us so uncomfortable that this is not an option for us going forward. We skipped the last dinner so we could eat without judgement (topics ranged from politics to religion to our child free choice. None of which should be part of polite banter IMO but I wasn't about to lie...)
1x - could not accommodate us, but we could move to late dining if we wished which we did.

I'll always ask and verify on board, but assume we'll have to move to late dining in the future.

We've had similar experiences, except once we had to move to earlier dining to get our own table.