Tablemates?

[CBR600]

I understand we will have to share a table at dinner with other people, we are a family of 4, any ideas how many other people will be seated with us? I know this sounds a bit odd, but I have a sort or phobia about eating infront of other people (people who are not close friends or family) Is it arkward sharing a meal with strangers?

[jdybnsn]

Actually we were a bit disappointed on our 4 night cruise not to get any table mates :( ..there are quite a large number of tables in 4s so it is by no means certain that you will get table mates.

...perhaps you can lodge a request not to have any, with your booking, if you are concerned (though bear in mind a request is just that).

[Michelle]

Good question Sam :)

Wonder if we will get seated with anybody we are party of 3.

What seating have you chose?

[ANGEL]

I do know what you mean, it can be very worrying beforehand....however we have really lovely tablemates on our cruises and have all got on famously :) You could try and request a table of 4 through your reservation, and then go to Rockin' Bar D (at least thats where they usually do it) once you get on board where can check who your table companions are, how many people they are and the ages etc. You can then make a request to switch if you're still unhappy.

I know Disney do try to sit families with children of similar ages together etc...and table sizes can range bewteen 4 to about 10 usually. :)

Try not to get too anxious about it, as DCL will do everyhting they can to make your trip enjoyable!:)

....and who knows, you and you family may make some great friends too!;)


HTH

[NatalieD]

This is something I really worried about before we did our cruise - We were seated with a nice American couple who had small children 5 & 7 (ours were 9 & 11 at the time) and although it wasn't horrendous all eating together, I would've preferred for just the 4 of us to be on our table - we just didn't seem to have much in common and I found it quite awkward. This probably sounds really anti social but I have already rang DCL and requested a table for just the 4 of us when we cruise again in Dec.
So if anyone is on the 3 night 20th Dec cruise and you see a table of 4 with 2 socially introverted adults and 2 stunted children it will be us!! ;)
Natalie

[CBR600]

This is something I really worried about before we did our cruise - We were seated with a nice American couple who had small children 5 & 7 (ours were 9 & 11 at the time) and although it wasn't horrendous all eating together, I would've preferred for just the 4 of us to be on our table - we just didn't seem to have much in common and I found it quite awkward. This probably sounds really anti social but I have already rang DCL and requested a table for just the 4 of us when we cruise again in Dec.
So if anyone is on the 3 night 20th Dec cruise and you see a table of 4 with 2 socially introverted adults and 2 stunted children it will be us!! ;)
Natalie

Nice to know Im not alone! I think I may ring and request a table for the 4 of us too. If we dont get one then I will just have to deal with it.
I am not anti social, and I am sure my girls would love to have other kids at the table, its just I dont think I would be overly comfy and would be very conscious of what I was eating, DD's behaviour/manners etc
Also, I suspect we will all be doing our own thing for a lot of the time on the ship, me in the spa, DH chillin with a beer, kids in the clubs, it would be nice for us to share dinner time together as a family and talk freely about what we have done that day etc without trying to include other guests into the conversation.
I love to natter to people around the pool or sat in a lounge with a cocktail and have made some great friends that way, its just the meal thing that I am worried about :blush:

[ANGEL]

Do try calling them and putting forward your request, as has been said there are a lot of tables for 4 so they may be able to accomodate you, as they did with Natalie :) Good luck!

[NatalieD]

I know what you mean I love a chat but I just feel like at mealtimes we like to chill out and enjoy ourselves without worrying if we are offending/boring other people and my DH has quite a warped/outrageous sense of humour as well and is the sort of person that says what he see's please or offend. At the end of the day I feel that it is our holiday and we should do what we want to do.
I probably sound like a social inbred now don't I??!!

Natalie

[jentill]

I have read threads that said their tablemates were great and others that were a nightmare.

I, like you, have a strange phobia about eating infront of others. I contacted DCL and requested a table by ourselves, they said that they take pride in trying to accomodate all their guests - but it was a request. I have been advised to remind them closer to the departure also.

[mandymouse]

We have been on 4 Disney Cruises and we've alway had a table just for the 4 of us :) (though I wouldn't of minded sharing)

[rylisal]

We were a family of four on own table, which I must admit I prefered-I was dreading having to share as our toddler can be a bit of a pickle!!
We were allocated 2nd sitting(8pm) which I didnt really want but to be honest it was much better as we didnt have to rush back & get ready for dinner at 6pm and there's so much available to eat all day that we really were'nt ready till then anyway!

[Karen Mouse]

Due to my ds's nut allergy I emailed them and requested a table for just the 3 of us - otherwise strangers would have been limited to nut free meals too! They said they would guarantee we were on our own for meals.

I'm sure they would try to accomodate you if you emailed them:spin:

[jdybnsn]

Due to my ds's nut allergy I emailed them and requested a table for just the 3 of us - otherwise strangers would have been limited to nut free meals too!



I was confused about how strangers would have been limited to nut free meals :confused2, as orders are taken for each individual from a menu ? I've no experience about nut allergies - so I was wondering if you could explain about this, for my own future reference (me showing my ignorance again :( ).

But I am very glad that DCL are going to accommodate your request - there's nothing worse than fretting about issues before you go on holiday - at least now you can relax about that one :thumbs-up

[nixieh]

We shared a table on our cruise with a US family from New York who had a 6 yr old DD (my DDs were 3,6 and 8) so I think they try and put people with similar aged kids together. The family were nice enough and my DDs did get quite friendly with their DD but I would have preferred to spend the time on our own. There was so much to do on the cruise that we didn't all get together that often other than meal times, this time I requested that we be seated on our own when I made the booking though they can't guarantee it. When you first board you can also go to Wavebands bar and see who you have been seated with (eg family of 4 with children etc) and they will try and accommodate any changes but if you plan to do this then board early!!

Nicola

[Mazzy]

This is the one thing that puts me off a cruise, as I'm partially deaf and it would make mealtimes really stressful to have strangers sitting with us.

It's good to know that you can put a request in for your own table, hopefully if I explained they would do their best for me.

So that's another excuse sorted, the main one is that both DD 16 and DS13 think it's going to be like 'titanic' and they don't fancy it. :rolleyes: LOL!!!

[NatalieD]

Mazzy
That is what my 2 thought when I told them we were going on a Disney cruise - they actually cried because they didn't want to go! I think it was just fear of the unknown though as they are so excited and really looking forward to the next time!

Natalie

[Mazzy]

Natalie - how old are your two? Mine are 13 and 16 so it's hard to talk them round.

[vaunlou]

we had some lovely american people on our table,who were great,..couldnt of wished for better people

[ANGEL]

Mazzy...sorry had to laugh that your 2 think it'd be like the Titanic....exactly what dd said too!;) She still hasn't come with us on a cruise!

[Mazzy]

Mandy - it's definitely a teen thing then! :rolleyes:

I think the thing that puts me off the most is being seasick. I'm not too good on boats, well I'm OK when there going at speed, but when they start bobbing about that it, head in the bucket! :(

[nixieh]

Hi Mazzy,

I was really worried about being seasick too as I get very travel sick in all sorts of situations and my eldest DD does too. I took loads of different remedies that people had recommended but ended up not needing any of them. The ship is so big and so smooth that we didn't feel any movement and certainly not any bobbing around, none of us felt sick at all, maybe we were lucky with very calm seas but I was really relieved, it was nothing like crossing the channel on a ferry or a small bumpy boat and definitely nothing like travelling in a car or coach!!

The only disconcerting thing is that when we were off the ship we felt like the floor was moving for days. I remember walking along the corridor at AKL feeling as if the whole corridor was swaying slightly...

Nicola

[NatalieD]

Mazzy
my 2 are 13 & 11 - I know this sounds really selfish but I was so desperate to do a Disney Cruise and when we got it for such a good price (£750 for the 4 of us 3 nights) that I made them go and now they say they were really glad that we did, infact they both say that they couldn't imagine going to Orlando in the future and not do a cruise!
I think that your 2 are the perfect age to do a disney cruise - go on you want to do one really don't you?! - I have to say that it is without a shadow of a doubt the BEST holiday thing I have ever done - I only wish that I could've done a 7 nighter this time but a 3 nighter was all we could get to fit in with our dates (taking into consideration school dates)

Natalie

Natalie

[TinkTatoo]

....I think the thing that puts me off the most is being seasick. I'm not too good on boats, well I'm OK when there going at speed, but when they start bobbing about that it, head in the bucket! :(

I'm in the same boat ;) I suffer badly with motion sickness but from what I've read as long as you take something you'll be fine.

[jdybnsn]

Yes, and don't panic if it is a bit choppy the first night leaving PC...it is often choppy crossing the sea channels out from there .......the rest of our cruise was perfectly calm. :wavey:

[CBR600]

For anyone else who doesnt like the thought of tablemates - I emailed Dreams and asked if they could request a table just for the 4 of us and also that we would like the 8pm sitting if possible.
They emailed back and said they had put forward the request to DLC and it has been noted but cannot be guaranteed - which is fair enough.
For anyone not booked with dreams you can email DLC direct to request a table just for your party and your prefered sitting time :)

[Karen Mouse]

I was confused about how strangers would have been limited to nut free meals :confused2, as orders are taken for each individual from a menu ? I've no experience about nut allergies - so I was wondering if you could explain about this, for my own future reference (me showing my ignorance again :( ).

But I am very glad that DCL are going to accommodate your request - there's nothing worse than fretting about issues before you go on holiday - at least now you can relax about that one :thumbs-up

My ds' allergy is so severe he cant be near a nut. If a "stranger" (ie tablemate) ate something containing nuts or had eaten nuts earlier in the day then touched either Ellis himself (eg shook his hand, ruffled his hair etc)or touched the salt and pepper then Ellis picked them up after that would be enough to trigger a reaction. We have to wipe down everything he touches first. You can imagine the performance I have to go through before he gets on a plane:( . I board early and wipe the whole area inc seats, carpet, windows. They think I'm mad but imagine your son going into anaphalatic shock over the atlantic with no hospital for hours. He'd be dead in minutes, hence we carry 4 epipens with us and antihistamine everywhere we go. My handbags are never small!

I have to sign disclaimers with Virgin and they always want £800+ insurance just to cover Ellis!:omg:

I'm glad you asked - I was totally oblivious to it all til we found out Ellis had the allergy. You would not believe the things that has nuts in - even suntan lotion!

Oh well..... hope that helped and thanks for asking

[Karen Mouse]

[QUOTE=Mazzy]This is the one thing that puts me off a cruise, as I'm partially deaf and it would make mealtimes really stressful to have strangers sitting with us.

It's good to know that you can put a request in for your own table, hopefully if I explained they would do their best for me.
QUOTE]

Mazzy - I'm sure they would understand if you emailed them. A relative of ours gets fretful for the same reason - you always have to be on one side or they cant hear you and get awfully embarrassed asking you to repeat etc. Disney are very accomodating and will do their utmost to make you eel comfortable. Email them and set your mind at rest.:spin:

[jdybnsn]

Wow, Karen I had no idea that a nut allegy could be so severe :omg: That's certainly put a new light on it for me.

It must be a nightmare, but I am glad it is not stopping you from being able to go places, and do fun things with him :thumbs-up

[Karen Mouse]

Wow, Karen I had no idea that a nut allegy could be so severe :omg: That's certainly put a new light on it for me.

It must be a nightmare, but I am glad it is not stopping you from being able to go places, and do fun things with him :thumbs-up

Luckily we didnt find out til he was nearly three years old. We knew he was allergic to something but couldnt find out what and he was too little to be tested. He was getting a reaction when I ate them in chinese food - (i love cashews:cry: ). It was scary to start with, but you have to just get on with things and have his medication close by. The school is great with him and I have a training kit and train anybody who might be looking after him - eg beavers, clubs etc, but I still always carry 2 mobiles with me when he's not with me so I am contactable at all times. I dread it when he starts going out drinking with friends when he's older - no-ones sensible when they have had a few beers - Mommy will be hiding behind pillars in pubs and restaurants keeping an eye on him ready to pounce if he goes near a nut!:d: My son will be the only one to take his mom out on the town with him:pgig:

Most people dont have it so bad - he has every known reaction signs and then ones the hospital hadnt seen before too!

Glad you asked. Most people think its just annoying when asked not to eat nuts on a plane, but it could save someones life and yet Virgin still will not remove nuts from upper class.:nonono: - shame on them.

Have a nice day (and stay away from nuts!):D

[ANGEL]

How awful Karen! I have a mushroom allergy myself and while its not so severe that I have to wipe away all trace of them if I do eat soemthing which has them in I go into anaphylactic shock in minutes.....it took me ages to realsie what was causing it and can be very scary I know. I really feel for your son. Its good to ahev more information on these things.....and liek you say Virgin should reconsider teh whole 'nut' thing on planes I think!!!!

[Mazzy]

Karen - thanks for telling me about your friends, yes it is hard going when you are sat eating with strangers, what with the background noise as well. We can't go on a cruise yet, it's over our budget for the december trip, but I will certainly ask for our own table if we do go, thanks. Re your son, I remember one flight we had, there were no peanuts served on the flight, because ofsomeone with an allergy,so it's good that companies will go out of their way to help.

[Karen Mouse]

Karen - thanks for telling me about your friends, yes it is hard going when you are sat eating with strangers, what with the background noise as well. We can't go on a cruise yet, it's over our budget for the december trip, but I will certainly ask for our own table if we do go, thanks. Re your son, I remember one flight we had, there were no peanuts served on the flight, because ofsomeone with an allergy,so it's good that companies will go out of their way to help.


Yes - every airline we have travelled with have been great except Virgin:angry: . Most airlines will not sell nuts, they announce once everyone is onboard to refrain from eating any the passengers may have bought on with them and they do all they can to help.

[Mazzy]

Karen - that was virgin who we flew with, so maybe they have changed their policy since you flew with them? It was either our october or december flight but it was definitely virgin. It may be worth contacting them before your next flight.

[Karen Mouse]

How awful Karen! I have a mushroom allergy myself and while its not so severe that I have to wipe away all trace of them if I do eat soemthing which has them in I go into anaphylactic shock in minutes.....it took me ages to realsie what was causing it and can be very scary I know. I really feel for your son. Its good to ahev more information on these things.....and liek you say Virgin should reconsider teh whole 'nut' thing on planes I think!!!!

Do you take antihistamine or go straight to epipen? I wish they would do antihistamine in sachet form like they do calpol etc. Much easier - measured dose, tiny sachet versus huge bottle and sticky spoon etc.
In an environment such as a plane I give him antihistamine before we board. It wouldnt stop a shock happening, but it would help make it not so severe and buy us some time. Do you carry 2 with you? I only found out about 6 months ago that the first may not work, or only work for about 10 minutes:omg: :omg: - holy cow - that worried me:omg: :omg:

More and more people seem to be getting allergies. No idea where Ellis' came from - no-one in the family has it, didnt eat nuts when pregnant etc - just one ofthose things I suppose. It sould be a lot worse. I know we're lucky that he's healthy and happy. Stay safe:wavey:

[Karen Mouse]

Karen - that was virgin who we flew with, so maybe they have changed their policy since you flew with them? It was either our october or december flight but it was definitely virgin. It may be worth contacting them before your next flight.

They dont serve them in cattle class, but they will not take them out of first class (or whatever they call it nowadays).

I spent hours recently on the phone and 50 forms later to the Virgin doctor etc they will let us fly with them but at our own risk. They still make the announcement asking cattle not to eat nuts, but obviously the posh people cant manage a nine hour flight without the odd nut to munch on:( - how sad - even if they offered to upgrade us we'd have to decline and stay in cattle where its safer!

[ANGEL]

Do you take antihistamine or go straight to epipen? I wish they would do antihistamine in sachet form like they do calpol etc. Much easier - measured dose, tiny sachet versus huge bottle and sticky spoon etc.
In an environment such as a plane I give him antihistamine before we board. It wouldnt stop a shock happening, but it would help make it not so severe and buy us some time. Do you carry 2 with you? I only found out about 6 months ago that the first may not work, or only work for about 10 minutes:omg: :omg: - holy cow - that worried me:omg: :omg:

More and more people seem to be getting allergies. No idea where Ellis' came from - no-one in the family has it, didnt eat nuts when pregnant etc - just one ofthose things I suppose. It sould be a lot worse. I know we're lucky that he's healthy and happy. Stay safe:wavey:


Didn't know that about carrying 2!!! I'll have to get another one then. I usually try anti-histamines first, but as soon as I'm at the hospital they give me an injection and that has sorted it in the past. Now I'm so aware of it it hasn't been a problem, but it's amazing the things you finbd mushrooms 'hidden' in!

[Karen Mouse]

Didn't know that about carrying 2!!! I'll have to get another one then. I usually try anti-histamines first, but as soon as I'm at the hospital they give me an injection and that has sorted it in the past. Now I'm so aware of it it hasn't been a problem, but it's amazing the things you finbd mushrooms 'hidden' in!

Angel - the hospital recently told me to always have 2-apparantly you can get a secondary shock, you'll feel ok after the first injection but then can slip back into shock after a few minutes if you dont have a second dose. Another reason they quoted was incase the ambulance took longer to get to you and you needed a second before you got on the way to hospital. No one ever told me this. I spoke to the Allergy society and they said they always advise that you carry 2. You can get holders online that carry 2 epipens but theres nowhere for the antihistamine so it seems pointless:confused2 We take 4 on holiday with us for our ds and the repaeat part of the prescription so we could get it filled easier incase they got damaged. Did you also know they can go off (ie. fire) if left next to extreme heat like a radiator? - I didnt. It happened to a teenager in school - he carried his own epipens in his rucksack and was sat by a radiator and it fired in his bag and the needle came partially through the tube.

Its a good job you're not a vegetarian - theres mushrooms in every veggie meal I have ever had!

[ANGEL]

OMG never knew that about them going off under extreme heat...better move mine away from by the radiator now then!!!!