Dining with strangers….
So you are in the process of confirming your cruise, you have thought long and hard about the itinerary, the cabin, then the question is asked, what table size would you like to request. A simple question that is answered easily enough, but how much thought do you put into it. If your at home and going out for dinner in a restaurant and the waiter takes you over to join a group of strangers instead of your own private table I’m sure you would be unhappy about this. However in the world of cruising this is completely normal and lots of people like to choose the larger options. The traditional dining in the main restaurant gives you a chance to meet your fellow passengers and get to know them, as, for the duration of the cruise you are seated at the same table every evening. Fantastic if you have a party of people who are similar to yourself with the same interests and lots of personality but this isn’t always guaranteed I’m afraid. My friends recently returned from a cruise who opted for a large table, and were allocated a table where they were all Spanish and from the same party. At first this really didn’t bother them as they are both out going and enjoy meeting new people. During the main course it was obvious that the party really didnt want them at the table ignoring them when they tried to speak. The thought of this happening each evening put them off going into the main restaurant, so the following evening they decided to eat in the buffet style restaurant. They got talking to one of the waiters and they told him about the previous evening. He told them to go down to the Maitre De’ and ask to see if they can move to another table, this was made possible and they enjoyed the rest of the cruise on a table for 2.
More and more ships now offer open seating in their main dining rooms. Ships with open seating operate their main dining rooms much like shore-side restaurants — the dining room is open for dinner during set hours, and guests may dine when and with whom they please during those hours
The great majority of ships offer one or more “alternative” restaurants in addition to their main dining rooms, ranging from 24-hour buffets to high-end specialty restaurants. These alternative restaurants typically have open seating regardless of the main dining room’s guidelines, though many require reservations and there may be a per-person surcharge for specialty restaurants ranging from $8 to $30.
About Me
I am part of the furniture here at cruise.co.uk being the longest serving sales consultant, with 19 years service. It doesn't stop there as I started in travel when I left school 20 years ago and my passion for travel has never sunk, pardon the pun! My career kicked off…
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