Tips for mixed six-person table

[iZon]

Heading out next week on sixth Disney cruise! Always had wonderful table mates (it's me (54) and my Mom). Last cruise we had a couple at one end and an older mother and daughter at the other. We were left with the middle, which is a bit awkward since you feel you have to engage both ends. A table for eight can be split in two for conversations, but splitting a six can be hard work. The next night we arrived first but sat in the middle as we didn't want to disrupt the established seating arrangement. My neck was a bit sore by the end of the cruise!

So I'm wondering: Do you keep the same arrangement as established on the first night or do you dare to be different? And if you're in the middle do you make a conscious effort to talk to both ends of the table? And do you sit across from your partner or (horrors) side by side? Thanks.

 

[darnheather]

I feel like there is a rule about talking to the person on one side for one course and the person on the other side the next course but I can't find it with my google search.

 

[dgramling]

On our cruise last year we sat at a table of 6 with 2 other couples. The seating changed each night depending on who arrived first-last, but mostly followed the same format

we sat couples 1 & 2 beside each other and 3 on either side of the table
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this actually made conversation easy, don't I can't remember how we arrived at this seating if it was how we were sat the first night or if it was a subconscious thing

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The next night we arrived first but sat in the middle as we didn't want to disrupt the established seating arrangement.

Now, see, I always like to put it forth the first night that I like to change seats at the table from night to night. So as to mix up the conversations, as well as getting a different view of the dining room. Only one cruise has that idea been shot down.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Ironically, by sitting in the same seats the second night, everyone else probably thought you preferred it this way. I think it is fair to change up the seating each night, especially if you arrive first, or at least discuss it with the table mates. After all, they might prefer the same thing you do.

 

[sunshine1259]

We have never discussed it. Folks just sat where they wanted depending on when they arrived. But, for a six-table, as dgramling said, that is the best way to have a nice conversation flow.

 

[jrabbit]

one 7 night cruise were at a table for 14 (or 16) - (post 9/11). Every night we scrambled up who sat next to each other because there are at least 5 different groups. After the first night NONE of us saw one of the parties (of 3 or 4) on the ship until the last day of the cruise!!

Even at smaller tables (for 6 or 8) we usually change up who sits where every night so everyone gets a chance to meet / visit with the other people at the table (easier next to each other than yelling from one end to the other)

 

[rcchello]

I wear hearing aids and my wife is soft spoken, so I try to sit next to her. If we arrive first this works. If we arrive later we tend to have to sit across from each other.

 

[swooshbear]

Our last cruise we were a table of six, DW and I, another couple, and a mother/daughter. We switched up every single night and we had no issues with conversations with everyone at the table. We even spent time with them outside of the MDRs and had lunch together at Castaway Cay. YMMV.

 

[mevelandry]

Heading out next week on sixth Disney cruise! Always had wonderful table mates (it's me (54) and my Mom). Last cruise we had a couple at one end and an older mother and daughter at the other. We were left with the middle, which is a bit awkward since you feel you have to engage both ends. A table for eight can be split in two for conversations, but splitting a six can be hard work. The next night we arrived first but sat in the middle as we didn't want to disrupt the established seating arrangement. My neck was a bit sore by the end of the cruise!

So I'm wondering: Do you keep the same arrangement as established on the first night or do you dare to be different? And if you're in the middle do you make a conscious effort to talk to both ends of the table? And do you sit across from your partner or (horrors) side by side? Thanks.

We always ask to be seated separately. Problem solved.

 

[ImDMous]

I'm not good at conversation, I'll listen all night and react and add a few words here and there but DH loves to talk and I let him. I found it so uncomfortable to have to sit across from him, I need him next to me. Unfortunately we were the last at our table of 8 and everyone had sat across so we were in the middle across from each other. I didn't do well and I think it gave everyone a bad impression of me that lasted for the whole cruise. We tried getting there first and sitting next to each other and it didn't go over well so dining for the whole cruise was a bit awkward for me. But I'm an adult and everyone survived and it was fine.

I much prefer sitting next to partner and always sitting in different order each night. Our last cruise we had a table for 8 but never saw one couple. We all mixed up seating each night and it was great.

 

[DetroitDisney]

I'm really interested to see how this will work for me on my first cruise. I'm really introverted and generally dislike making small talk with strangers, so I'm not sure how I feel about being at a table with others.

What are the odds that I could suggest our own table for 2 on a mostly full cruise (2nd seating)?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm really interested to see how this will work for me on my first cruise. I'm really introverted and generally dislike making small talk with strangers, so I'm not sure how I feel about being at a table with others.

What are the odds that I could suggest our own table for 2 on a mostly full cruise (2nd seating)?

You can always request it. Chances are you'd get it, but it's not guaranteed. Unless you're Concierge.

Really, on of the fun aspects of cruising (well, of any travel) is meeting new people and learning about them. Especially if they're from another country.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm really introverted and generally dislike making small talk with strangers

One of the fun things about being introverted is that we don't make small talk. We're either quiet or we make REAL talk. Embrace it.

 

[cruisehopeful]

What are the odds that I could suggest our own table for 2 on a mostly full cruise (2nd seating)?

Ask for it. When you board the ship, go to where the dining changes are taking place and tell them you want to make sure you were given a private table. They were able to do it for us on a sold out cruise with second seating.

 

[JW9DVC]

Now, see, I always like to put it forth the first night that I like to change seats at the table from night to night. So as to mix up the conversations, as well as getting a different view of the dining room. Only one cruise has that idea been shot down.

After it was shot down. Did you arrive first and sit where you wanted?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

After it was shot down. Did you arrive first and sit where you wanted?

No, that's why I clear the air the first night. If people want to sit in the same place every time, I'm not going to rock their boat (so to speak). As I said, it's only been on one cruise. I've had plenty of opportunity to try all the seats.

 

[kiford]

So I'm wondering: Do you keep the same arrangement as established on the first night or do you dare to be different? And if you're in the middle do you make a conscious effort to talk to both ends of the table? And do you sit across from your partner or (horrors) side by side?

I'm not sure that we've ever specifically stated that we'll all move around but we typically do. Sometimes it depends on what order people arrive. We tend to be the first or second set of people to arrive so we try not to sit in the same place every time and I guess that just sets the scene for others. We have sat across from each other as well as side by side and we always talk to others across and beside. It's one of the things we like about cruising (meeting and sitting with others). I'm not that outgoing but somehow it seems easier on a cruise. We met several people on cruises who we've cruised with since either deliberately or once just coincidentally ended up seated with one couple on a second cruise.

 

[JW9DVC]

No, that's why I clear the air the first night. If people want to sit in the same place every time, I'm not going to rock their boat (so to speak). As I said, it's only been on one cruise. I've had plenty of opportunity to try all the seats.

Just thought maybe you weren't happy with the seating the first time, like I wasn't one time when we had a 8 tip with 4 couples. The first night that sat across from each other. We didn't really care for that. So we arrived a little earlier and sat next to each other the next dining.

JW