Table for two :)

[flowrida]

Hi, I'm trying to persuade my other half that a Disney cruise is a must... but it's a bit of a battle! To assist can anyone confirm whether it's compulsory to join others for dinner or do they also have tables for two?

 

[lorimay]

We have sailed with DCL many many times solo. We have always requested a private table and have always had one.
Just call DCL and make the request, they will tell you its not a guarantee but they will try.

 

[Dug720]

You can request it. But unless you are Congierge there is no guarantee you will get it.

 

[PsylockeSmythe]

When we sailed back in 2011 on the Magic; they originally had us paired up with another couple at a table that would handle 4 people. The other couple never showed up for dinner on the 1st or 2nd nights; so they just started to set the table for the two of us. So while you might get paired up with another couple; there is also a chance that they won't show and you end up getting the table to yourselves.

Psy

 

[lanejudy]

You can request it. Your chances will increase if you have late dining. There are other dining options if you end up seated with others, though you would miss the MDRs.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Shanti]

Hi, I'm trying to persuade my other half that a Disney cruise is a must... but it's a bit of a battle! To assist can anyone confirm whether it's compulsory to join others for dinner or do they also have tables for two?

You can request it in advance, but it's only a request. I've sailed DCL twice & requested it in advance both times for our party of 2 for late dining. Both times, I went to Dining Changes immediately upon boarding (& had boarded asap), to find out if my request had been fulfilled. Both times, the request was not fulfilled & we'd been placed at group tables. So I then requested a private table at Dining Changes. Both times, my request was granted on the spot. It was no problem on the Fantasy, but the guy on the Magic that I spoke to gave me a bit of a hard time about it, probably because the classic ships have fewer small tables. Be persistent & an early bird, & you should be able to get that private table.

I hope the upcoming new ships make out-and-out provisions for those who want private tables. Having to plan, ask & worry about this for every cruise is annoying, especially considering the premium we pay to sail DCL.

 

[lucas]

You can go to Cabanas at least some of the nights if you don't get the table for 2. And, of course, Palo!

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

My Dad and I have cruised DCL 4 times and a 5th in about a week. 3 out of the 4 times, we requested a private table. All 3 times we got one. Just keep in mind that it is not guaranteed. When we had a table with others, we had a 6 person table with two different couples. DCL didn't put us with a family with kids.

We have requested a private table for our cruise next week plus our first time requesting a server. I'll see how those requests are handled.

 

[n2mm]

We requested a table for two in September 2015 (my birthday) and got it. Asked in February 2016 and DID not get it. Asked in February 2017 and DID not get it. Both times I didn't get it, it was late dining times. So out of 3 times, I only had it honored once. All my other cruises I was with other family so had a family table.

 

[FigmentSpark]

If you book on opening day and request a private table, is it still a 'request'? I mean, do they allot the requests based on when you booked?

 

[janiebubble]

When we sailed back in 2011 on the Magic; they originally had us paired up with another couple at a table that would handle 4 people. The other couple never showed up for dinner on the 1st or 2nd nights; so they just started to set the table for the two of us. So while you might get paired up with another couple; there is also a chance that they won't show and you end up getting the table to yourselves.

Psy

Exactlay that happened to us on the Magic in 2014!

 

[tink1970]

When DH and I travel we request it. On our last cruise (Fantasy 5/17) I had forgotten but they were able to do it on embarkation without a fuss. While it IS just a request, we were early dining and as far as I know, it was a full ship. Now, if you're like the lady next to us (when I was making our request)..."We need a private table for 2, early dining, with only this server and assistant server in this location in the Royal Palace" then it might not be as easily accommodated.

 

[jrabbit]

and some of the fun of cruising is meeting new people. Dinner is a good time for it on DCL since you will share the table with the same people each night (and the same serving team as well) - you don't get a new set of strangers every night on DCL.

Last cruise there were two other couples at our table and we had a lovely time at dinners.

Worst dinner times on DCL cruises is where we didn't have tablemates. Typically, we have already spent all day with each other - taking a break from that and hearing what others did during the day is enjoyable for me and my family (and my kids spouses as well)

 

[jrabbit]

When DH and I travel we request it. On our last cruise (Fantasy 5/17) I had forgotten but they were able to do it on embarkation without a fuss. While it IS just a request, we were early dining and as far as I know, it was a full ship. Now, if you're like the lady next to us (when I was making our request)..."We need a private table for 2, early dining, with only this server and assistant server in this location in the Royal Palace" then it might not be as easily accommodated.

I want only blue sunflowers to be put into the eight sided square vases and placed on the three sided round tables. And they must smell like the color 9.

 

[tink1970]

I want only blue sunflowers to be put into the eight sided square vases and placed on the three sided round tables. And they must smell like the color 9.

Oh, had I know it was you I would have said hi

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If you book on opening day and request a private table, is it still a 'request'? I mean, do they allot the requests based on when you booked?

No way of knowing what the priorities are for granting requests. I think they just try to make all requests work, and some don't.

 

[undertheradar]

Hi, I'm trying to persuade my other half that a Disney cruise is a must... but it's a bit of a battle! To assist can anyone confirm whether it's compulsory to join others for dinner or do they also have tables for two?

As others have stated, it is a request. Honestly, the tables are about 14-16 inches apart at best, so a private table is not very private.

 

[Rabb it]

We did it in February, first day of the cruise we went to the main dining room request area and they said "no problem sir" and gave us our own table for the rest of the cruise. We had second seating and we went to ask shortly after having lunch boarding day.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

As others have stated, it is a request. Honestly, the tables are about 14-16 inches apart at best, so a private table is not very private.

This is true, but sometimes even just the appearance of separation helps a lot for etiquette sake. If you were seated at a table for four, and you said to the other couple, "I hope you don't mind, but my spouse and I just want to talk to each other." Some people would think you rude, no matter how nicely you ask, but if you ask for a private table, and get one, even it the other couple (who probably also asked for a separate table) are close by, they won't think you rude for talking only to your spouse.

 

[FSU Girl]

Although it's not guaranteed it's possible to get. My boyfriend and I sailed on a Christmas cruise in the earlier seating and made the request and it was granted. And I would think since that's such a busy time it would be harder to accommodate