Impossible to get a table for 2?

jerseygirl74 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 09:47 PM

After being on 11 cruises, we decided to get a table for 2 on our last cruise...almost impossible...but they had a table for 6 set up. 2 people never showed up and the 2 that did show up were...well, let's say we were happy when they finally got moved to a table with their family..so we finally got our table for 2. The next hurtle was to get the waitstaff to take away the other settings...but they finally did. Small tables must be at a premium because the concierge told us in the Diamond Club lounge that she had a waiting list of 28 for private tables. It gets tiring and sometimes annoying to try to speak to these odd people you are thrown together with, We book a year in advance...how far in advance do you need to book to get your request honored?

Mike52 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 09:58 PM

On our alaska cruise last may, we had no problem getting a table for 2 on the Serenade. We ate late seating. maybe that is why we got one , not sure. We did go to the dining room on the first day and got first in line to make changes.

luvs cruisin · #3 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 07:35 AM

So sorry for your trouble, but on our last three cruises we went straight to the dining room after boarding and simply asked to be changed to a table for two. The change was made without any questions all three times. We had late seating, so that may be the reason it was so easy for us.

Cruise Fanatic · #4 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 07:52 AM

Tables for two are limited on any ship. There really isn't a magic fomula to getting a table for two. If this is a source of angst for you, then choosing a ship which offers the open dining may be the best option.

Cookies2Go · #5 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 06:14 PM

We requested a table for two for our upcoming cruise when we spoke to the RCI cruise planner. I also plan to head straight to the dining room when we board just to make sure. We are in the late seating also. We sail in less than 12 days so I will let you know what happens.

jodiroadie · #6 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009, 06:43 AM

I just booked our cruise on Monday that sets sail on March 14, and Tuesday the RCCL rep called me for a follow up...I requested a table for 2 at that time and he set it all up for me. It didn't seem to be a problem at all.

Hopefully when we get there, we won't have any surprises!

Sandy · #7 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009, 08:31 AM

Quote:

I requested a table for 2 at that time and he set it all up for me.

Jodie, the RCCL rep also requested a table for 2 for you. Your table is never guaranteed until you get on the ship. Hopefully, they will be able to honor your request. See the Maitre d' as soon as you can after boarding, and see whether your assigned table is for 2. If not, see if he can change it for you.

Sandy

SC Native · #8 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009, 11:21 AM

My husband and I were on a cruise to Mexico and were seated at a table for 6, but 2 people never ate in the dining area, so it was just us and one other couple. I have to admit I was disappointed on the night that they ate in Miami because it left me and my husband sitting alone. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband, but one of the most enjoyable aspects of a cruise is dining with other interesting people. I can understand wanting to move if you are at a table with people with whom you don't get along, but otherwise, smile and be polite and you might learn something wonderful about another part of the country or even the world.

Cookies2Go · #9 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 10:25 AM

I think that everyone has a different take on this. My husband and I take advantage of the time to just be the two of us. We have a large close family at home and we are expecting our first child in July and would like to just dine by ourselves. We tend to keep to ourselves anyway and would just prefer to be seated at a table for 2. It's all in what you want.

jerseygirl74 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-27-2009, 07:54 PM

Actually, we did check out the table since we get priority boarding, and of course, we requested the table for 2 when we booked it onboard the previous year. I think part of the problem is the earlier seating. This was our first time doing the first seating since finishing dinner at 10pm was not working for us on previous cruises. Part of the problem is the average age of the crowd...much older since it was a 10 night. We've booked 2 seven nights back to back on the Liberty for this year. To be honest, since the crowd was much older, I found a marked difference in RCCL's level of service...it was like "these old people won't know the difference"...shows were pathetic and the entertainment was way past prime. The singers and dancers didn't perform until the last night because they supposedly had just switched to the ship. The CD was leaving at the end of the cruise so she wasn't much better. For the price of a 10 night cruise, I really expected much better. We've been on Voyager, Freedom, Adventurer, Explorer, Rhapsody, and Monarch, and this was the Jewel. It is a shame because the ship is absolutely beautiful.

Maybe RCCL should take a hint if there are so many requests for tables for 2. Why should I have to eat at the later seating?

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