Many people who are new to cruising wonder what it will be like to sit with other families in the main dining rooms and whether they should request a private table. This is a very common question, especially for families who are used to dining on their own at restaurants. It is worth knowing that Disney does an excellent job of pairing families with children of similar ages, and many guests end up forming genuine friendships with the people they dine with throughout the cruise. That said, on several ships the tables are fairly close together, so even a private table does not always feel like that private compared to a traditional restaurant setup on land.
If you decide that a private table is important to you, requesting one is easy. Log into your Disney Cruise Line account and go to My Reservations. From there, select Special Requests and then choose “Table Requests”. You will see an option to request seating at a private table, which you can select and save.
Disney also offers other dining room table preferences. These include requests for a table near a window, closer to the entertainment screens, or located in the center of the dining room. While none of these requests are guaranteed, the dining team does its best to accommodate them whenever possible based on availability.
If your request is not honored before sailing, you still have another opportunity once you are onboard. On embarkation day, you can visit Dining Guest Services and ask if any changes are available. The team is often able to make adjustments, especially early in the cruise.
Even if you are unsure, it can be worth giving shared dining a try. Many cruisers are surprised by how much they enjoy the experience and the connections they make. In the unlikely event that it does not work out, you can always speak with the dining room host and request a table change for the remaining nights.
