6 cruise ship main dining room rules to follow — Plus 1 to break

My list of main dining room guidelines you should know, as well as one well-known supposed rule that I think you can disregard.

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[ruthc]

We just returned from an 8 night on RCL out of Baltimore. I was surprised at the number of people who came in 30-40 minutes late and then were rude to the waiters. I really think too that many people are not taught manners anymore.

[inthegreatwide]

I didn't know they would package food to-go so you can take it back to your cabin. I wish I would have known that on our cruise!

[asdfxxp]

After years of cruising, it wasn't until our last Alaska cruise that I found out you can order multiple items per course! That was a gamechanger for me.

[teecee]

We follow every one of those rules. For us when it comes to wait staff, we tend to be over friendly. We get them talking about themselves and their family. This actually produce a RCL "WOW" factor once. We cruised on the Jewel for a southern and year or so later we were on the Anthem. As we were going to our table the first night we pass one of the waiters and I said to my wife I think we had him of one of our other cruises. Well sure enough he comes to our table as our waiter. He says Mr TC do you remember me? I was your assistant waiter when you cruised on the Jewel to the southern Caribbean. That was WOW number 1. WOW number 2 came at the end of the meal when he said Mr TC you still drink coffee with cream with your desert, . Mrs TC you still drink Orange Pekoe tea with milk

[CYCO]

Was on the Explorer in January, and our wait staff was TOP NOTCH. Seriously, they were awesome to us. If you have an experience like we had, and are so inclined, get their names, the name of your head waiter, and mention them by name in a cruise review. More even then tipping above your included gratuity, mentioning cruise staff by name in a positive light can lead to pay raises and promotions for really outstanding staff.

[jwrizza]

I personally don’t like eating at a large table with strangers it’s very awkward .

[konnie]

The one about topics of discussions when sharing a table with others really hit home. I was on a cruise a few years ago where I wound up sharing a table with the same people. It was an interesting group, but one topic came up where two men (who didn't know each other before the cruise) got into a heated discussion. The wife of one of them was egging it on. I was very uncomfortable with how that discussion was escalating, so I made sure I wasn't seated with them for the rest of the cruise. -- I so agree! I love to talk to people about what they did on their excursions or other travel, but I do not want to hear political or religious talk.

[ModernMyths]

The saddest part about these rules is they are just easy, common, rules that everyone should do in the first place anywhere and everywhere they go. Cruise or not. Yet there's always those people who think they are excused to not do them. That's why I'm not polite to my waiters. I'm OVERLY polite to them XD (military brat here) and I know almost exactly what the waiters go through. And trust me. They love it when you are nice to them, and they will show you how appreciative they are when you are polite

[ricklundgren]

also I suggest letting your waiter know when you will not be at dinner. we had reservations for a show and let them know that we would be eating at the windjammer to make the show. this way the didn't have to set up for us after the first seating.

[smiller]

I love dining with people we don't know! You can meet the most fascinating individuals with great stories to tell! You may even have a lot in common or get great info about other ships or places to travel! Be open minded and enjoy!

[whale]

Thanks Matt: I want to try some Salmon, but not usually like fish. I will make sure to ask for a smaller portion. Great dining tips. 52 days to Alaska.

[pinkysmith-christian]

Thanks Matt! We follow all the rules. We were not aware that we could request smaller portions. That's a fabulous one to remember!

[I.am.lunaaaaaaa]

Just came back on a 4 night to Bahamas. Waiters are exceptionally friendly and educated. Had so much fun laughing with them. Best place to dine throughout the entire cruise without a doubt.

[tedthurgate]

People not only ignoring the formal night but wearing ragged shorts and tee shirts to formal night dinners drives me crazy. I do think it is a fun thing to have a throwback to past era of more formal dress. A time to imagine that you are one of the well to do on a grand ship. Two nights out of a week long trip is not too much to ask.

To be honest, I personally am not into it so I would be fine with them doing away with it. In fact, I have gone on cruises where I haven't brought formal or semi formal wear and on formal nights I eat in the windjammer or one of the other restaurants so as not to ruin the experience for others. There are those who enjoy it and when it is on the schedule and people look forward to it, they should have it.

So, enforce it or do away with it. What they do currently only leads to disappointment and resentment -- from both sides.

[HellaBella]

The one time I shared a table with others was extremely awkward. It was during tea time so I really didn’t mind being seated with others. However, it came to light that both families had been military families. They spent the entire time talking about themselves trying to one up each other. It was so weird. Ordered a Prosecco and just tried to get through the whole experience 😬

[karenjohnson]

On Mariner in May we had such a good dining experience with our table mates that it was really more fun than seating for two was. I love being waited on and that special feeling the waitstaff provides. We did do three meals in specialty dining and they were wonderful, but I missed our table mates!

[sharonsteward-howell]

I AGREE WITH THE RULES 150% I HAVE MY 6TH CRUISE BOOKED AND I HAVE ACCUALLY CRIED ON THE LAST DAY BECAUSE I FELT SO CLOSE TO MY SERVERS AND, I ALWAYS GOT A HUG!!!

[bpowxo]

I don't go out a lot at home, dressing up on cruises is fun for me, and I love when others dress up too. I know not everyone is comfortable with fancy, or don't want to break the bank trying to have multiple outfits, but to me, cargo shorts and sundresses belong at the beach, not in the beautiful dining room. There's also a big difference between a button down short-sleeved shirt and golf shorts vs cargo shorts and a t-shirt. You can be comfortable being dressed up without being too casual.

[JoTea]

Matt please address in one of your videos, the fact that even in My Time Dining, your are usually assigned the same table each evening. I've seen someone who were unhappy with their table and rudely insisted on being seated at another table, which he had personally selected. This caused the wait staff problems because the table was probably being held for someone else. It was also a table that was in a different area with a different waiter. It was obvious that it caused the wait staff undue consternation.

[thesea]

My cruise is in 11 days !!!! First since 2019, on the Allure, good to know that you can ask for smaller portions, I hate to waste food and I want to stay on my program, also didn't know they can wrap it up to go. That's another great option. Royal Caribbean your the best !!! You too Matt !!!