Is there private seating in the dining area? My husband and I would rather have a private table together. Does it cost extra to get a private table?

Edited typo in discussion description.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: IslandCruz,

No, it does not cost to have private seating in the main dining rooms. Tables for two are limited. You can check with the Maitre'd once you are on the ship. Carnival no longer takes table request prior to the cruise. Carnival's newer ships have Super Clubs, which would be another option for you to have an intimate dinner with a surcharge.

It does not cost extra. You can request it in advance. This is a hit and miss. You need to go to the Main Dinning Room as soon as you get on board and let the Maitre d know your wishes. He should be able to get you a table for two.

In my opinion it's a mistake to sit alone in the dining room. Part of the fun of cruising is the social aspect. You'll see folks at all the tables around you laughing and interacting, getting to know each other and sharing experiences they had at each port each night. I see the folks at the few tables for two in the dining room and always wonder why they would want to miss the fun of the social interaction. I can take my wife to a resteraunt at home at a table for two any time. On a cruise it's fun to join in, everyone is excited about their cruise and the dining room experience is among the best part of cruising. Well, it is for me anyway.

Cheers, Neil

Dinner conversation has always been a highlight of a cruise for me too, Neil. Meeting new people, finding out what they did that day, where they live, the list goes on and on. I recently took my Mom on her first cruise, and the social interaction was one of her favorite things. And don't get me started on people watching....a cruise is a gold mine !!! I often solo cruise, always sit at large tables, and have made friends, that have remained friends, and we plan more cruises together !!

Well, that is one of the draws to cruising. They can satisfy so many different prefrences.

While many people do like the part of meeting other people at dinner, there are obviously those that would like to eat alone.

The best you can do is to ask the Maitre`d as soon as you can on the first day. Be flexible to, tell him you would be willing to change dinning times if that meant you could have a table for 2. That gives him the best opportunity to be able to help you. Good Luck!

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I see the folks at the few tables for two in the dining room and always wonder why they would want to miss the fun of the social interaction

Neil on our first cruise we were with some friends and got seated at a table for 8. Being a owner/operator I love to talk to people. I have even been accused of talking too much. One of the ladies we were seated with was a real pain. On the second night she made the staff change the table cloth because it had something on it than no one else could see. It she was always complaining about the food, drinks, service, ship and on and on. Since that cruise we seat alone and enjoy ourselves. We interact on the excursions, during ship activities and on the lido deck. While dining we see many tables having a great time, but we also see a few tables we are glad we are not seated. Besides my wife and I never tire of each others company.
Hey that is what makes Cruising so great.. you can do it your way!

It's too bad that one person has deprived everyone else of your company. I have asked to move tables a couple times, but on the whole, met wonderful people.

Your lucky bride gets you all to herself, but maybe you will find others to dine with another time....But on a cruise YOU get to choose, another reason to love it.

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Originally posted by TrvlPro:
I see the folks at the few tables for two in the dining room and always wonder why they would want to miss the fun of the social interaction.

I always ask for a table of two, since I don't have kids, is always like a honeymoon for me and my wife
believe me some times is just to enjoy her company alone...
If I want to make friends there is always excursion time

I agree with da Queen... I have had my share of obnoxious table mates but that is what makes each cruise unique. You are practically guaranteed to be seated with "that couple that drinks too much" if you cruise during the Caribbean spring break period and you will occasionally be seated next to the "snobby" Americans on a European cruise. It happens and, to be honest, they provide some of my most humorous memories on cruises. Heck, without drunks and complainers, cruising would not only be boring, it would cease to exist. There wouldn't be enough of us left over to fill up a tender let alone a mega ship. If dining alone is your preference, then, by all means, make the effort and enjoy yourself. My wife wanted to dine alone on our first cruise together and, by way of all the bars, we were late getting to the Matre d' and all the 2-occupant tables were already assigned. She had a blast meeting the new people and she won't have anything else but multi-occupant tables now.

I agree with all the posts above. It is great to have the freedom of choice. Gary, it is unfortunate that you were seated with such a painful person. I've had a few that were not my cup of tea but never one that bad. It might change my preference too.

My wife is so very shy she wanted a tbl for two on our first cruise as well. We didn't get one and now I'm glad. The people at the table of our first were delightful and she warmed to them quickly and forgot all about her inhibitions. Since then, she's still uncomfortable the first night or so, just sits quietly and lets me do the talking. But she does eventually join in and make friends. By the end of the cruise she's gabbing with the ladies and i can't get a word in. For someone shy, it wouldn't seem a large table would be the right choice but it is. I've asked her if she regrets the fact we didn't get that table for two on our first and she said "Nope, I can talk to you anytime. I have fun making new friends. It's just not as easy for me as it is for you".

Cheers, Neil