Memories of Dinner mates..good or bad??

[sailaway]

I know at dinner you are seating with other couples/families?
Did you find this experience good or bad?
Just curious. Not too fond of sitting with strangers.! Oh well...

 

[American Scrapper]

I actually did not mind. The family we sat with had two girls a little older than my DS8 & DD4, but our kids did not attend dinner with us much anyway. The parents were nice, but the wife was not very chatty until later on. We did not really have much in common, but did enjoy talking to them and finding out about their day and what they had done. It really was not as bad as I had thought it would be. You just make the best of it and who knows, you may find that your tablemates become long time friends!

Kathy

 

[aprilgail2]

I know at dinner you are seating with other couples/families?
Did you find this experience good or bad?
Just curious. Not too fond of sitting with strangers.! Oh well...

We always request to be seated alone with just my family and so far they have done it for us. I am hoping my luck holds out for my upcoming cruise!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

We had great dinner mates! The family had 2 DD's close to our DS's ages. We found that we actually had quite a bit in common. Almost scary actually - both of our DH's worked for energy companies and the DW had a friend with the same first name as me (I have a VERY unusual first name). They were also in the cabin next to us and had booked through DU like we had. Which may have had something to do with why we were seated together.

It was a great experience for us and we are hoping we'll get great tablemates again!

 

[finfans]

I would say it honestley depends on who the dinner mates are. We have been on 2 cruises (though not on DCL).The first one (on RCCL) we had a table with all fairly newly married couples about or age, 8 of us in all at the table. We made some friends we kept in contact with for quite awhile after the cruise, and even Partied with them some. The 2nd cruise we requested and we at a table for 2. You just never know until you meet your mates. My parents have been on no less than 15 cruises all over the globe and they sem to always enjoy their table mates.

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[tvguy]

Disney was my 8th cruise, first without tablemates. Always have had great tablemates in the past......but my 17 year old DS was busy after dinner showing the servers magic tricks, so we always had a crowd at our table after dinner....one of the advantages of late seating, no rush to leave.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

We had absolutely wonderful table mates on our first Disney cruise last June. They were a little quiet at first but by the end of the evening, we were all getting to know each other nicely. We sat together at the shows and exchanged addresses and keep in touch even now.

The reason they were so quiet, they said their last cruise found them with terrible tablemates! They were relieved that we were able to visit during dinner.

By mid-cruise, we were sharing desserts!

Hello Ruth, Tracy and Christy!

 

[Verandah Man]

For each of our three cruises so far, we have linked our dinner ressies with another family that we have come to know through the DISboards. It seemed by the time we met them onboard, we already knew them and they were like old friends. We have kept in touch with them after the cruise as well. My suggestion would be, check with others that are going on the same cruise as you on the Cruise Meets Forum, and try to hook up with another family with common interests, you never know, they might just become life long friends.

 

[webray]

We have had great tablemates on all cruises except one. Thank goodness it was the three day the tablemates were rude on..we only saw them the first night. They were seated at a table for six and expected to have the whole table to themselves. They made rude comments when we sat down, rolled their eyes at each other all through dinner. Funny thing was, they were both ministers..lol. Cracked me up. We had Palo the next night and room service the last night. Never saw them again on the ship, never care to see them again.

 

[WDWLVR]

On three of our 6 cruises we had a table for 4 with my in-laws.

On the other three we had a table for 4 with a very nice couple from Wisconsin, a table for eight with 3 other couples from all over (but all DVC members as it was the DVC cruise) and a table for 10 with 3 other families from the DIS (and at least 5 other tables of DIS'ers near by). The last was by far the best!

Linking with other DIS'ers is great. As Andy said you get to know them before you go. On our 10 day we got to know so many people that no matter what show, what excursion or where you went on the ship chances were there was a friendly face. It was awesome!

 

[TooPure4u]

We had the BEST tablemates. One family from Scotland and the other from New Hampshire. I was with my son and his gf. I have to admit that, I looked forward to dinner soooo much because I just adored them all. We had wonderful meals together and once or twice were up on deck dancing to the sail away and pirate night together....it was so much fun. My first Disney cruise it was just my group (4) of us. That was boring compared to this time

 

[CRSNDSNY]

After 4 cruises, I'd have to say our last cruise we had the best dinnermates -- Andy (verandahman) and his wife. I would definitely try to hook up with some friendly DISrs again for tablemates. Our first three cruise tablemates weren't terrible, but I didn't think it was a fantastic experience. I'm glad we lucked out with Andy and Hazel. They were fun and we had so much in common.

 

[Verandah Man]

After 4 cruises, I'd have to say our last cruise we had the best dinnermates -- Andy (verandahman) and his wife. I would definitely try to hook up with some friendly DISrs again for tablemates. Our first three cruise tablemates weren't terrible, but I didn't think it was a fantastic experience. I'm glad we lucked out with Andy and Hazel. They were fun and we had so much in common.

We had a "MAGICal" time with you and EB as well Melody...and let's not forget the other Andy and Megan(former and current WDW CM's)...the only problem was...the cruise was way to short!!!

BTW, since I'm at it...Hazel has been doing just "great" since returning home!!!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I couldn't say our tablemates were good or bad. There was a definite language barrier and they seemed to want to be left alone. We didn't see them regularly either. We were always polite to one another with a friendly greeting and good-bye but that was about it. It was fine with us. I do think next time that if we don't hook up with some DISers that I will at least put the request in to have a table to ourselves.

 

[glindamood]

I always look forward to dining that first evening to see who our tablemates will be. We have never sat with anyone that is rude or unfriendly but have met some interesting characters. On my last cruise we actually had a party of three leave our table and request to go somewhere else but we were seated at a huge table (could not carry on a conversation with the person across the table from you) they wanted to be at a smaller table where that was possible. Hooking up with someone on the DIS is a great idea! And always remember, if you get seated with someone you don't want to dine with - speak with your wait staff, they should be able to help get you moved.

 

[lbgraves]

We have been lucky enough to link with DISers for our cruises. The last one we enjoyed ourselves so much that we both rebooked & linked our reservations on the ship for this year.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We had a "MAGICal" time with you and EB as well Melody...and let's not forget the other Andy and Megan(former and current WDW CM's)...the only problem was...the cruise was way to short!!!

BTW, since I'm at it...Hazel has been doing just "great" since returning home!!!

Yes, Megan and Andy were really nice and a lot of fun, too! We had a really nice table and wonderful serving team!

Please give Hazel hugs for us -- I'm so happy to hear she's doing well.

 

[allears]

We have found the experience of having table mates a very positive one and one that we look forward to on each cruise. Our first cruise was a four night and our family of 5 was seated with a nice family of 3. We were all very cordial. On our first 7 night cruise we sat with a family of 5 from Canada. We had the best time with them and we all cruised together the following year and linked our reservations so we could dine together. We have stayed in touch with each other and very much look forward to the chance to cruise again with each other. Making new lasting friendships can be a real plus of sitting with "strangers" while on a cruise.

Our last two cruises were a little different. In September we were traveling with family and friends, so we were all seated together. On our last cruise in January, when they changed our rotation to accomodate our request to be with our favorite head server, we ended up in at a table for two. We missed the chance to meet and spend time with some new people, but enjoyed the romantic dinners for two.

 

[crisi]

We had very nice tablemates....not anyone we stayed in contact with (but it was only a four night cruise). They had kids about our kids ages, made decent small talk. It was a first cruise for each of us, so talking about what we and the kids did each day, plus talking about WDW, got us through a lot of meals quite pleasantly. He was a dentist, my husband and I are functionally IT people, and we spent some time talking about technological advances in dentistry - which we found quite interesting.

(Remember, religion and politics are not polite topics for small talk)

Our next cruise will be the four of us, plus my parents. I'm not opposed to having others at the table, but if it does happen, I'm planning on making a special effort, since six against two (or four) can be overwhelming. However, my parents and husband can make interesting conversation and I think all the adults in are party are pretty aware of when someone is being "cut out" and when they want to be "left alone."

 

[Careycrew]

I know at dinner you are seating with other couples/families?
Did you find this experience good or bad?
Just curious. Not too fond of sitting with strangers.! Oh well...

On our first cruise our family of four was seated alone. Our servers were great and we had a nice time. I hope this time we are seated with a group and maybe even get the chance to meet and mix with some of the DIS'ers we have chatted with on the boards.
As far as meeting new people, think positive be positive and you'll have a good time. We will, no matter who we sit next to.

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