Hello Fodorites!

I'm looking into sending my grandparents on a cruise out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale, for 3-5 days.

My concern is that my grandmother doesn't speak English and I know she would feel uncomfortable with the group dining aspect of cruises.

Are there any cruise-lines that can guarantee dining at tables for two? A friend recently mentioned to me that one can request a table for two from the maitre 'd or host each day but I'd really prefer something that's already set, and not something that they'd have to nervously hope for each dinner.

Any input would be most appreciated.

Many thanks in advance,

Alexis

Cruise lines like NCL that do "freestyle dining" work like a restaurant - there are no pre-determined tables or times to eat and they sit you with only your family/group as you arrive. Much her pro and con about this (it worked well for us) - I think there is another cruiseline that does similar arrangement.

There are no 3-4 day cruises that have guaranteed tables for two. Sorry. These tables are generally in short supply and not so easy to get.

Hi Alexis:

You did not mention what language they speak, but it is VERY common to place people with language barriers together at the same table (such as putting people who only speak spanish all together, etc.) That way they all feel comfortable and can enjoy their meals together.

Setting up such table arrangements is a common task for a maitre'd to handle. Because so many of the crew are from different countries, they will also make sure that their waiter speaks their language as well.

Simply have them go to the main dining room when they get on the ship and ask to speak to the maitre'd as soon as they get on board.

The Pursers desk is also a good point of contact for them. Should they need assistance, medical care, etc. they can have staff available to act as interpreters for them.

Finally, almost all lines will make routine announcements in numerous languages.

It's great you're doing this for your grandparents...they'll have wonderful memories of what you did for them.

We go on cruises 3-4 times per year, and insit in having a table for 2 ONLY. With the exception of Carnival's 3-4 days cruises, we have always managed to get a table for two.In addition to place this request at the time of booking,I e-mail the maitre'd a few days prior to departure.You can get the e-mail address by calling the cruiseline. For example, for a Princess ship-name of the ship--
[email protected]
On the subject line: ATTENTION MAITRE D'.
I hope this helps.

If you are willing to do a 7 night out of FLL - Princess has tons of tables for 2. There is one 5 night cruise in November on the Star Princess but most cruises are 7 nights.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughtful replies. This is very helpful. Looks like NCL or Princess is the way to go... Any thoughts on Celebrity? Is that the cruiseline with the best service? (I'm thinking of sending them on a Mexican Riviera cruise out of Los Angeles, with Celebrity)...

Although I have never cruised with Celebrity, they have a great reputation for excellent service.Three years ago, we went on a Mex. Rivera cruise out of San Diego on HAL. It was an excellent cruise with outstanding service and reasonably priced. We were also able to get a table for 2 without any problem. You should also check HAL prior to making a final decision.

We have sailed Princess (but not a 3-5 day cruise) and with Freestyle dining we always got a table for two. You might have to wait a few minutes but they gave us a beeper so we could be "paged" when table was ready. We never waited more then 10 min. Some nights we also reserved a table in advance too.

For Breakfast & Lunch it's "open seating" but again, we just asked for table for 2. It was no problem.

Princess and NCL do not have short cruises and you initially listed that as a criteria.

X will have Century doing 4 and 5 night cruises starting in November and is a big step up from RCI and NCL in terms of food and personal service. I think that is a great option for your grandparents as the onboard atmosphere will be more elegant, less crowded and definitely less in your face than the other lines.

Tnere are really great rates to be had as well. She has recently completed a huge refurb and is also a smaller, so they will not feel as overwhelmed.

My mom (75) has been on about 25 cruises and X is one of her favorites.