Skipping main dining

[gatechfan99]

In regards to private dining, the last 2 cruises, we have requested private dining and still been seated with others. It may be because we are a party of 5 and that's an awkward number for private dining. We have been placed at a table for 8 each time with a family of 3. We are going again in a month and have changed to late dinner as well as the private request so hopefully it will work.

If we were just a part of two, I wouldn't mind eating with others, but it feels like a much bigger deal for us right now. We have 3 tween/teenagers and don't see them much during the day. The dinner is an important time for us to talk to them and spend time with them. When there are others at the table, I find the adults wind up being polite and talking with each other the whole time while seated in the middle of the table and our kids sit on the edge and are basically in their own world. Part of why we go on these vacations is to spend time with our kids away from all the crazy hectic routines at home.

 

[dancin Disney style]

First-timer going with my husband on the Fantasy in a month. How long, on average, would you say dinner takes? No kids, and we wouldn't order any alcohol. Thanks!

It all depends on what you order and how efficient your team is. It can be as fast as 30-40 minutes or it can be 90 minutes. If you want it to be at a faster pace just tell them.

 

[jimmymc]

I'd say you're on base, and most of the cruising industry is moving towards freestyle dining and more quick service options. Disney hasn't because of how many dinners involve shows and entertainment. I'm also not the biggest fan of dining with other groups, but I like how servers follow you around. It also really helps people with allergies or other restrictions.

I've heard of some people eating in Palo multiple nights on a cruise, but never completely skipping the main restaurants.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

In regards to private dining, the last 2 cruises, we have requested private dining and still been seated with others. It may be because we are a party of 5 and that's an awkward number for private dining. We have been placed at a table for 8 each time with a family of 3. We are going again in a month and have changed to late dinner as well as the private request so hopefully it will work.

If we were just a part of two, I wouldn't mind eating with others, but it feels like a much bigger deal for us right now. We have 3 tween/teenagers and don't see them much during the day. The dinner is an important time for us to talk to them and spend time with them. When there are others at the table, I find the adults wind up being polite and talking with each other the whole time while seated in the middle of the table and our kids sit on the edge and are basically in their own world. Part of why we go on these vacations is to spend time with our kids away from all the crazy hectic routines at home.

We have a group of 7 (4 adults and 3 children) and I am now worried that a solo traveler would be sat with us at a table for 8. I have 0 interest in making small talk with strangers like that, but my husband is the guy who makes “friends” with everyone and I want none of that on the cruise. I really hope that this doesn’t happen to us.

 

[lanejudy]

We have a group of 7 (4 adults and 3 children) and I am now worried that a solo traveler would be sat with us at a table for 8. I have 0 interest in making small talk with strangers like that, but my husband is the guy who makes “friends” with everyone and I want none of that on the cruise. I really hope that this doesn’t happen to us.

That would be highly unusual. A solo cruiser is typically assigned a table with other solo travelers, or maybe 2-somes, but not with a large family. I won't say it can't happen but very unlikely.

 

[gmi3804]

- who wants to spend an hour+ eating dinner every night on vacation?

I do, no matter where I am. Local dining is part of the culture of travel, as you learn so much from the foods and traditions. Maybe not as much on a homogenized cruise ship, but even there dining is a social activity.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

That would be highly unusual. A solo cruiser is typically assigned a table with other solo travelers, or maybe 2-somes, but not with a large family. I won't say it can't happen but very unlikely.

Makes me feel better!

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

- who wants to spend an hour+ eating dinner every night on vacation?

I do, no matter where I am. Local dining is part of the culture of travel, as you learn so much from the foods and traditions. Maybe not as much on a homogenized cruise ship, but even there dining is a social activity.

Same @gmi3804 Food for me is part of the travel experience. I used to work in hospitality so I have an added appreciation for the table service meals. I love the MDR experience, for me its a chance to try foods I wouldnt cook at home. Even though I am solo I could easily spend over an hour in the MDR, enjoying the atmosphere, people watching and having food served to me. In Ireland , food is very much a social experience. Going to table service restaurants is very much a thing for family and friends get togethers and celebrations.

 

[Erica1016]

I do, no matter where I am. Local dining is part of the culture of travel, as you learn so much from the foods and traditions. Maybe not as much on a homogenized cruise ship, but even there dining is a social activity.

Same @gmi3804 Food for me is part of the travel experience. I used to work in hospitality so I have an added appreciation for the table service meals. I love the MDR experience, for me its a chance to try foods I wouldnt cook at home. Even though I am solo I could easily spend over an hour in the MDR, enjoying the atmosphere, people watching and having food served to me. In Ireland , food is very much a social experience. Going to table service restaurants is very much a thing for family and friends get togethers and celebrations.

This is true for us as well! I can understand that it's not for everyone, but we just think of this as part of the cruise and it's a part we truly enjoy. We have late dining and our goal is just to be done by 10 pm so that we can go to whatever is going on in the adult area at that time. We are also people who like to order lots of stuff to try, so often multiple items per course that can make it take a bit longer. We just know that from 8-10 pm, we're eating dinner. Works for us!

 

[tlovesdis]

I tell this story whenever I can...Our first cruise was just me and my BFF. I requested a private table and we did not get it. We were seated with 6 other people and it turned out to be the best thing ever! 6 of us became fast friends. 4 of us have been on one other Disney cruise and a trip to Disneyland so far. We are going on 3 more cruises this year and one next year and probably more and more! I am always so thankful we did not get that private table on that first cruise!!!

 

[Skippyboo]

My first cruise was with a female friend that I work with. We got seated at table for 8 with 3 pairs of adult moms and daughters. One pair was from Atlanta like us, other from UK and last were platinum cruiser from Florida. I had a nice time talking with them.

Next cruise, I am solo and get a 4 top to myself on Fantasy. Didn’t request private table. A month later I am solo on the Wish. Got seated with an Asian guy who I had nothing in common with. Other than I brief hi, my name is and bye have a safe trip home didn’t really talk to him. It was little awkward. For 2 of 3, I was able to talk to table neighbors.

Next cruise is Treasure with a friend. Don’t know what the dining seating will be. I have a solo Treasure cruise in late Oct that I requested private table after Wish debacle

 

[Joanna71985]

My first cruise was with a female friend that I work with. We got seated at table for 8 with 3 pairs of adult moms and daughters. One pair was from Atlanta like us, other from UK and last were platinum cruiser from Florida. I had a nice time talking with them.

Next cruise, I am solo and get a 4 top to myself on Fantasy. Didn’t request private table. A month later I am solo on the Wish. Got seated with an Asian guy who I had nothing in common with. Other than I brief hi, my name is and bye have a safe trip home didn’t really talk to him. It was little awkward. For 2 of 3, I was able to talk to table neighbors.

Next cruise is Treasure with a friend. Don’t know what the dining seating will be. I have a solo Treasure cruise in late Oct that I requested private table after Wish debacle

This is my second time cruising solo (but my first time attempting a private table. I really hope I get one)

 

[dancin Disney style]

We have a group of 7 (4 adults and 3 children) and I am now worried that a solo traveler would be sat with us at a table for 8. I have 0 interest in making small talk with strangers like that, but my husband is the guy who makes “friends” with everyone and I want none of that on the cruise. I really hope that this doesn’t happen to us.

Highly unlikely that anyone would be at your table. They group people together that are similar travel parties.....solo travellers, adult only couples, single parent with a single child.

 

[achinforsomebacon]

I do, no matter where I am. Local dining is part of the culture of travel, as you learn so much from the foods and traditions. Maybe not as much on a homogenized cruise ship, but even there dining is a social activity.

Probably just a personality thing. I enjoy dinner with the family but nice and short and then onto more fun things. I also hate just relaxing on vacation. More than 5 minutes sitting by the pool is too much! I'm sitting all the time for work. I want to be up and active on vacation.

The other issue is you're spending A LOT on the cruise and to have no other options with kids really stinks.

 

[gmi3804]

The other issue is you're spending A LOT on the cruise and to have no other options with kids really stinks.

Well, I have no kids and a LOT of money.

 

[Mommb]

Probably just a personality thing. I enjoy dinner with the family but nice and short and then onto more fun things. I also hate just relaxing on vacation. More than 5 minutes sitting by the pool is too much! I'm sitting all the time for work. I want to be up and active on vacation.

The other issue is you're spending A LOT on the cruise and to have no other options with kids really stinks.

I don’t know what other cruise lines are like, but on a Disney cruise there is not all that much for families to be doing during dinner hours other than dinner and shows. The pools and shops are open, and there may be musical performances in the adult areas and in the atrium and some trivia games, but there are not a lot of active events.

 

[achinforsomebacon]

I don’t know what other cruise lines are like, but on a Disney cruise there is not all that much for families to be doing during dinner hours other than dinner and shows. The pools and shops are open, and there may be musical performances in the adult areas and in the atrium and some trivia games, but there are not a lot of active events.

Maybe that's part of the problem. I haven't been on a cruise for quite a while, but it seemed like there was always something going on (that was also pre-kids so maybe there wasn't as much for families). I figured that would be the case for Disney too but it seems like it's going to be a different vibe than prior experiences.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Maybe that's part of the problem. I haven't been on a cruise for quite a while, but it seemed like there was always something going on (that was also pre-kids so maybe there wasn't as much for families). I figured that would be the case for Disney too but it seems like it's going to be a different vibe than prior experiences.

With Disney, as the MDR is a main event, other activities around the ship are scaled back between 6pm and 9pm. Pools and the water slides are open but Disney turns its focus to the MDR. The main theatre shows are scheduled around the MDR seatings, theres photo backdrops in the main atrium scheduled before each dining time, theres no trivia or character meets or other activities scheduled between 6pm and 9pm.

I did 6pm MDR and didnt go to the shows on my August 2024 cruise. Walking around the ship during the second dining time and the second theatre show, it was very quiet. I went on the water slide one evening and there were very few people on the pool deck, a few families and the same group of kids doing the water slide multiple time. Once the second theatre show started, there was no one in the shops, and the bars. They dont even schedule the drinks tasting between 6pm and 9pm.

 

[GirlfromTN]

My biggest issue with being sat with others for dinner is that the serving team often wants to wait for everyone to be seated before they start service, take orders etc. Sometimes other people are late, don’t come to dinner and don’t tell anyone in advance, etc and it really slows the whole process down. I’ve tried to tell the servers to please just start the orders for my family but they don’t like to split up the orders if there are others at the table.

 

[Lesverts]

I think this is a reflection of the changing and evolving demographics that go on cruises and what they want from a cruise vacation.

I could see Disney eventually going to a completely opening dining concept. Where you have to book your preferred dining restaurants yourself and not have a set rotation. But given Disney people I could see a lot of problems and negativity with that