Marycang

Why do you like a table for 2 at dinner? Or, why do you like a table for 4-6?
Not sure if this has ever been asked, but I am really interested.

fmpden

It is a personal choice. We always take a large table becaues we enjoy meeting and interacting with other folks. We have met some really interesting people over the years. For us, part of crusing is meetng other people. Others perfre a more private approach and a private table.

kfusto

When travelling with my husband, we prefer a table for two as a general rule. Too many bad experiences with mismatched table mates which then require changes are not worth the hassle.

If we travel with others, we are seated with them.

bonniejns

We eat dinner every night together, just the two of us. We usually have lunch together, just the two of us. (He gets up before me and can't wait for me to have breakfast.) So, on a cruise we enjoy meeting other people and have made good friends from our table in the dining room. If its a round table we ask for a table of 6 - can't hear whats being said across a bigger table. If its a rectangular table then 8 is ok. In all our 50 cruises we have only asked to move to another table twice - once we were at a group table of 12, family from India who spoke little English and only to each other. Other time it was two couples who were friends and again we were left out of conversation and they weren't pleasant. WE stayed there a couple of days then got moved to table right next to them - table for 6 but we were only couple there til last night!

jacketwatch

It depends. If there are several in the party we will ask for a table to accomodate that many. If we are by ourselves we prefer a table for 8 so we can meet new people. So far we ahve had no issues with tablemates. In fact we ahd a terrific group last yr. on the Tahitian Princess.

jacketwatch

Oops. I forgot to add that we enjoy swapping stories at dinner about the days excursions. Usually your tablemates have dome something different from you so its fun to chat about it.

tinatoadster

I like a table for 8.

See here is my rationale.

If there are 2 of you, and you have a table of 4, and you don't like your tablemates..you are kind of stuck.

The same applies for table of 6, so..if there is a table of 8 and one couple is a "chowderhead", then you have the other couple to rely on.

However, I should add that we have never had bad table mates except our last cruise, one couple was a real drag and pain...thank goodness we were at a table of 8.

We are seasoned cruisers too!!

laphroaig

I tend to stick with the cruise lines that have open seating, for all the "getting stuck"reasons stated above. I always request a large table, as half the fun is the conversation among a random group of people.

jacketwatch

Judging by your user id I'd say you are a Scotch afficianado.

swaymock

The two of us really enjoy a table for 8-10 so we can get to know some new folks. And as mentioned earlier, if one couple is a "chowderhead" and usually one is ---- you still have plenty of good company. I dislike open seating because you spend every evening getting thru the "where are you froms and is this your first Princess cruise" conversations. When you spend 10 nights together you really can become friends with your fellow diners and have a continuing conversation each night. To each her own.

Oh, and while I find my husband to still be the most exciting dinner partner and conversationalist in the world, I get to dine alone with him the other 50 weeks of the year