No more table mates on DCL

[xiphoid76]

Do you think DCL will go to not assigning random table mates in the future?

We are booked on Holland American next year and when we booked our table they said that was going to be HAL’s new policy.

I am conflicted as we have had some great tablemates and met some awesome people, but as we get older I am getting tired of the small talk and just enjoy dinner with my family.

It is odd to randomly place people with others for dinner - I know it is a cruising tradition but this is not something that most people are accustomed to anymore and does not happen on the land at any restaurants I know of.

Many people are against random strangers at dinner and those that enjoy it will probably not miss it much or could maybe still request it if they wish. I think given that DCL will joint HAL and other cruise lines that still have a main and second seating option and not assign strangers to your table anymore in the near future.

 

[cyclenut]

We've had mostly good experiences with random tablemates. Even those that we've been not so happy with are great stories. I hope they keep it going. There are plenty of options for "private" tables or you can just ask to be moved.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

It would require some changes to the MDRs to accommodate something like that. If they were going to do it, they might build it into the design of the new ships but it would require some work on the older ones.

 

[lklgoodman]

We've asked for a private table for our last 3 cruises. On our last 2 cruises there were other families sitting at tables next to ours that we ended up talking to during our dinners, the tables are so close together anyway. Each time they had kids the same age as our dd and the kids started talking which led to us adults. We met up with one of the families at CC one time and another time our dds practically spent all their time together at the kids' club and pool. They email each other all the time now. The only time we shared a table was nearly 20 yrs ago, on our honeymoon. We were put with a single lady who was in her late 60s, she was very nice, but it was like having my grandma with me.lol!!

 

[Shanti]

I wouldn't be surprised if the new ships are being built to accommodate this, as so many people don't want to share. But I don't think they have room for everyone to have their own table on the current ships.

 

[nutshell]

How and when do you ask for a private table? I’m an ogre and am on vacation with my family. I’m not interested in having conversations with or getting to know others.

 

[bumbershoot]

On our last 2 cruises there were other families sitting at tables next to ours that we ended up talking to during our dinners, the tables are so close together anyway.

Yep. Tables are close.

Each time they had kids the same age as our dd and the kids started talking which led to us adults.

Sounds like they seat people near the people they would have sat them *with*, if the private table request hadn’t been made.


We’ve had great luck with the people we’ve been put with, apart from our very first cruise. That was in 2003 and we were put at an 8-top. Only 4 of us ever showed up. It was our honeymoon, and the other pair was a businessman and his secretary, and it was painfully obvious that they were having an affair. They were discreet in conversation when speaking English, but not when speaking Chinese, and they didn’t realize that my then-husband was nearly fluent. Not the best grouping. But all the other cruises have been just fine.

 

[Shanti]

It was our honeymoon, and the other pair was a businessman and his secretary, and it was painfully obvious that they were having an affair. They were discreet in conversation when speaking English, but not when speaking Chinese, and they didn’t realize that my then-husband was nearly fluent.

My goodness. It's weird that they even pretended to just be boss & secretary on the cruise, as it doesn't sound like they were sailing with anyone else they knew. They could have just pretended to be a normal couple.

 

[dvcdisney]

I'd be fine if DCL decided to go with private tables. We always request a private table because my children are off on their own most of the cruise, so dinner is our special family time.

However, it seems like a lot of guests prefer to share tables. For them, part of the cruise experience if meeting new people as tablemates.

We meet quite a few in lots of places, including tables beside us, but we prefer to be able to have our own table to discuss things. Plus, my son loves to talk...he'd be monopolizing the whole conversation every night and I don't think that would be fair to everyone.

 

[disney_dreamin]

Since it's just my hubby and I and we like meeting new people, we've asked to have just one other couple at our table on past DCL cruises, except for our last one. Then we asked for 2 or 3 couples, and we had a couple from Ontario who were about 5-10 years older than us and a couple from the US who were in their 80s. It seemed like an odd combo, but was pretty good. I think in the future, though, we'll ask for just one other couple at a table with us.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

does not happen on the land at any restaurants I know of.

This is an old article
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/...-return-of-communal-restaurant-tables/284481/

But there are quite a number of communal table restaurants in Chicago

 

[lorimay]

How and when do you ask for a private table? I’m an ogre and am on vacation with my family. I’m not interested in having conversations with or getting to know others.

I hear you!!!

Just call DCL before you sail and ask them. They will tell you its just a request and not guaranteed. I have always had my request granted 17 cruises and counting........

 

[kiford]

I hope they don't change it. We've met several people on our cruises who we still correspond with and/or vacation with - both cruises and other vacations. I'm not exactly an outgoing person but I like this aspect of cruising.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Put me in the camp that hopes they don't change it. Our first cruise, dinner was a highlight for us (not that we didn't enjoy any part of the cruise), because of our tablemates. We were a couple in our late 20s seated with 3 other couples in the late 20-early 30 age bracket. We all enjoyed it, and we've since met up with 2 of the 3 couples in Disney, and we still correspond through facebook. Our second cruise we were a group of 4 (my husband, his parents and myself) and we were seated at a table for 4 (by chance as far as I know). While it was, realistically, good for my socially awkward FIL, we preferred meeting new people, and hope that on our next cruise next spring, as a couple, we will once again have tablemates. It's nice to meet new people.

 

[arlopop]

It’s so strange. Every time we have cruised we have ended up with our own table. The first time it was my wife and I and our three kids. Our table mates never came to dinner - just never did the MDRs. The second time our table mates showed the first night and we enjoyed their company, but their child was on the spectrum and they felt he was overstimulated so decided to do room service for the duration. All our cruises since have been with my MIL joining us as well, so that makes 6 of us and we haven’t been assigned table mates.

There are times I have been grateful for it and others when I wished we could enjoy conversations with others.

 

[nutshell]

I hear you!!!

Just call DCL before you sail and ask them. They will tell you its just a request and not guaranteed. I have always had my request granted 17 cruises and counting........

Thanks for sharing and good to know!

 

[mmouse37]

We have had mixed assignments....we usually travel with large groups so we have several tables in a section and other times when just my husband and I cruise we have been at a 4 top with another couple and sometimes at a larger table with a group of people. We have been seated just the two of us too...which was a little disappointing as we like to chat with others. We have always enjoyed our pairings....except for the Maiden Voyage of the Magic back in 1998 when our group of seven was seated at an 8 top with a single who turned out to be crazy. He started off OK but we soon realized he was out of his mind. He would take the dinner rolls off my kids plate and eat them and started massaging our friend's back in a seductive way. He would say random inappropriate things to our kids. We thought we were being punked. He made our server cry. It was bizarre. We still don't know how he travelled alone since he was in a wheelchair and didn't seem able to get himself around. My husband left the table and spoke with our head waiter who knew what we were talking about as the server must have complained as well. We asked to be seated elsewhere for the rest of the cruise. The following nights he was seated alone and didn't even remember us as we walked by. It was so odd. Maybe he was off his meds or something.

MJ

 

[MSPeeler]

All our cruises since have been with my MIL joining us as well, so that makes 6 of us and we haven’t been assigned table mates.

Is it typical parties of 6 or more will not be assigned table mates? We have 7 with my in-laws, but if they do not cruise with us in the future, it would be just 5.

 

[arlopop]

I believe so. Table for eight makes it hard to add 2 to a 6. Just missed the chance when we were 5

 

[cruiser21]

I always request a table for 4 and it's granted. It's even been granted when there's just two of us. We do second seating and there's usually empty tables. If you want your own table I would suggest 2nd seating.