I definately prefer a roundtable for 6-8. It is easier to avoid someone you do not want to listen to.

Traveling both as a couple and single, I had to share, and singles are put together in the dining room.

I have had 5 cruises as an adult and only on one did I NOT get an obnoxious person for a table mate. This is regardless of the fanciness of the ship and cruise line.

This fodder for a sitcom has been posted on "Passengers from Hell" topic.

It is less a problem now with open breakfast and lunch seating and multiple buffet areas.

On our last cruise we had a round 10 - not so good - one couple only came about 5 times out of the 15 - another couple was consistently late when they came together - more frequently only one of them appeared and disrupted everyone with requests for 'a doggie bag'

Most fortunately 'the regulars' bonded well and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. However, it really is not pleasant to see empty chairs each night.

Because we'd booked very late, we felt lucky to have second seating so did not complain.

A table for 4 is not all that good - you're stuck if you don't hit it off. For 2, No - we do that at home most of the time.....

First week, early sitting, everyone bonded well (maybe because we were all newlyweds), showed up on time and enjoyed each others company.

Second week, still early sitting, but now obviously, we have a whole new crew of table mates. Seeing as my wife and I were on the ship the previous week, we offered the other 3 couples any help regarding the ship. Before we could even finish our offer of help...this gentleman spoke up and said (quite emphatically I might add), that this was his 15th cruise, he was a cruising veteran and didn't need anyone's help. OK, fine by me....

He proceeded to spend the rest of the cruise (at least according to his significant other)in his cabin. He wouldn't go on any shore excursions, join in any on-
board activities or try to have any fun what so ever! He even had the gall to get mad when his girlfriend left the room to go and try and enjoy herself. I witnessed this first hand when he came into the casino and asked her why she had left the room while he was sleeping? Then he dragged her back to their cabin.

At meal time, he was even more of a treat. He squawkwed about most all the food. Pretty much the only thing he would order was any type of steak or red meat and he had to have A-1 Sauce at every meal!

quote:

---

Originally posted by billybob:
..this gentleman spoke up and said (quite emphatically I might add), that this was his 15th cruise, he was a cruising veteran and didn't need anyone's help. OK, fine by me....

He proceeded to spend the rest of the cruise (at least according to his significant other)in his cabin. He wouldn't go on any shore excursions, join in any on-
board activities or try to have any fun what so ever! He even had the gall to get mad when his girlfriend left the room to go and try and enjoy herself. I witnessed this first hand when he came into the casino and asked her why she had left the room while he was sleeping? Then he dragged her back to their cabin.

At meal time, he was even more of a treat. He squawkwed about most all the food. Pretty much the only thing he would order was any type of steak or red meat and he had to have A-1 Sauce at every meal!

Thank god my wife and I had 2 other couples sitting with us. If we chose a table of 4 and got stuck with this clod, I think I might have thrown him and his A-1 sauce overboard.

---

Escargot and Glenlivet18
Hey this food's got snails in it.
Lets have some toasted cheese sandwiches.
What's this old 18yo scotch, get us some fresh stuff --Steve Martin-The Jerk
Sounds like a passenger from hell.
My table for 6 on the Norway, one couple [Frank and Estelle Costanza] moved to a later seating, another stayed only one meal.

3 of us got along great, we had motormouth Bernice [not a bad person, but would not stop talking] as the 4rth whom none of us could stand.

I was tempted to get a table change. But I enjoyed the other 2, and did not want to take anymore pot luck.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jomama:
This seating arangement talk is interesting. We are going on a first time cruise in June, do you have any input to your seating arrangement? Or is this all done by the crew before we get there. I do know we have second seating.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by M.S.Grumple:
I was told once that awkward or disagreeable passengers were steered toward tables for two.
It would be suggested to them as if it were a privilege.

I'm not trying to be argumentative and would really like to hear from anyone who knows if this is true.

---

Hi - An interesting question.

Suppose it could be true but how would the Maitre'd or whoever allocates table space know that? Maybe we've been very lucky but our table size request has always been honoured (except for the last cruise) and our table number in our cabin upon arrival.

Is there a list of 'undesirables' that nobody talks about ? . On the other hand, does the TA when making the request, advise the Line that 'Blank and Splash' are PFH and should be seated accordingly?

On the second evening they had moved to another large table.