swapping tables at dinner

Tamara · June 5, 2004

Have you ever had reason to request a different table at dinner? I'm told that it can be discreetly done after a word with the maitre'd. Poor table location, table-mates from h*ll, and what other reasons might there be for requesting a change?

TheSkipper · June 5, 2004

It can and should be done! We have made the mistake a couple of times of not swapping when we really should have! Now, I would never hesitate to ask for a change. We have paid a bunch for a great vacation on board and it should not be spoiled by the tablemates from H.... :angry:

JohnG · June 5, 2004

And this is where we head when we first board, after dropping our things in the cabin and before going to the Lido. We check our actual table and location in the dining room and if it isn't right, we ask for the change right then. As we are most often traveling as just the two of us, we especially want a table for two to enjoy our trip with each other. When we take the kids, teenagers, we request a table for 4. I can enjoy other people at breakfast or lunch and not be bound to dine with them again, but I want our dinner together, by ourselves.

Shari2 · June 5, 2004

We have been lucky, I guess! We have always had great tablemates! The only time I didn't get the requested dinner time was on my first cruise, and it turned out to be great, because I was single, and they seated me with a long table of other single gals, and we had a great time. My folks were at the table next to me!

I don't think I would hesitate to ask to be moved, today, if we did have tablemates who we were totally incapatible with, though!

Maria1122 · June 6, 2004

Tablemate from hell - this woman could not say one whole sentence without 2 curse words in it. We were 2 couples traveling together and were lucky to get changed to a table for 4. When we passed our old table a few nights later it was just the woman and her husband sitting alone at the table. Guess everyone else asked to be moved.

Lisa63 · June 6, 2004

On our second cruise, way back in 1992, we were at a table for eight with two mature ladies from the US plus two couples who spoke little or no English. We were in our late 20s at the time. We did not know then that changing tables could have been a possibility. But -- we ended up having a GREAT time. The two ladies were very charming, and we even enjoyed some laughs with the other two couples, even though we spoke different languages.

But if we were at a table with a cusser -- especially now that we have a child -- that's completely different and we would ask for a change pronto.

Tamara · June 6, 2004

if you ask to change tables because of tablemates, though, you run the risk of jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Your new crowd might be even worse.

TheSkipper · June 8, 2004

We always request a large table. We enjoy meeting new folks. With a large table, it seems you always find at least one other couple with whom you have a lot in common.

Were seated with six Russians on one cruise, only one spoke English. After he apoligized for the other having no English, I said (in Russian) "It is not difficult to speak in Russian." They almost fell of their chairs. We had a ball, with my fractured Russian and the one gentlemen's fractured English it was a riot.

I guess I can thank the US Govt. for my language training. :wink:

Tamara · June 8, 2004

Skipper, I also speak Russian and it's true that Russians are always surprised when someone speaks their language. It's not too common. My mother was Russian so that's how I know the language, but I can only imagine what sort of intrigue is involved with your "US Government" training!

GottaCruz · June 9, 2004

We've never had a bad enought experience to want to switch tables. However, there have been cruises where the four of us just wanted a table to ourselves and we've requested tables for four. If we were seated with folks that I felt were offensive or just spoiled the atmosphere, I would have no qualms about asking to be switched. :cool:We have had some pleasant experiences with dining mates and have met some very nice people.