Cruise seating..how does it work?

Question

Hello!

I am going on the monarch of the sea in August(first cruise). I am wondering how the assigned seating is going to work, do they seat you based on similar ages, or is it completely random. I am going with one other person, and asked for a small table when booking my cruise!

Thanks!

Answer 1

ive crusied as a 2 some and they really try to seat you with people of similar age or s*x (once my sister and i were at a table of 10 with 8 other women sailing in groups of 2 and 3). In the 10 cruises i have been on, only once have we had people at our table who never showed up and we usually had fun with our table mates...if you like to socialize I would st the larger table

Answer 2

I have been on many cruises and found that the table seating is pretty much random.  Unless you have a  group of 4 or 5 people who need to be together they seat you wherever they want.  You can ask for a small table, i.e. 2, 4, or 6 people and they do try to accommodate that.  But it does not always work out that way.

If you are put at a table with people you cannot connect with you can always go to the MatreD and request a table change, or even a seating change.  I always go find my table as soon as I get on ship and if I have a problem then that's the best time to ask for a change. Your table number will be on your cruise card. They generally have a limited number of change options and do them on a first come, first served basis.  You do not have to put forth a big story with your change request.  Just ask and they will do it if they can.

If you like to socialize the 6 and 8 person tables will be as good as a larger one for meeting people and socializing.  With the huge 10 and 12  person table you cannot communicate with everyone anyway because they are too far away.  The 6 and 8 person table would be the best.  In addition, you WILL meet other people to socialize with in the show room, the disco, and on tours from the ship.  We always do.

Answer 3

I don't know how they pick the seating, but I think it is random. I usually get a large table because then you get a variety of people to dine with you. A table of 4 may give you a couple that irritates you and then you could be stuck with them. I like to be at a table that has both young and older folks myself.

Answer 4

Most cruises allow you to choose a small or large table.  I would choose the large if I were you.  They will seat you with people like you.  My husband and I have cruised twice with our daughter.  Both times they sat us with other families with children the same age.  My husband and I also have cruised on our own.  We were not seated with families, but with adult couples our age.  They pay very close attention to those types of details.  You will also have an opportunity to change your seating on the first day if you don't like how it turns out.

Answer 5

this site has useful info from past cruisers - http://allcruiselines.info

Answer 6

On most cruises if you're in a small party you will be seated with other people. But the ages are so varied that I'm pretty sure it's not by common age or likes! We've had some experiences with other people that have been really great and some, that was dreadful. What we always do is the first day on the ship BEFORE dinner we go to the matra de and find where our table is, if there are more seats than there is in our party we usually just ask for a private table for just us. Some times if they say no we have an excuse (special needs, etc), but usually they give it to us! Always ask, the worst is that they say no. However you must do this BEFORE the first dinner or you'll be at the same table all night!

I'm obsessed with cruising, theres a great website with other die hard fanatics www.cruisecritic.com that I swear by. It might help!