PG Cruiser Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 I almost always cruise alone and I have developed this pet peeve when eating at the Windjammer and other similar places. When I leave the table to get some water or get something from the buffet or for whatever reason, I often go back to an empty table - eager dining crew have cleared it out. I'm planning to make some card signs saying "I'll be back, I'm not done yet". What so you think? Any other solutions you can suggest? I know in formal dining, there are things you can do with the silverware to let the waitstaff know what you want. How about at the Windjammer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 7 minutes ago, RatedPG said: I almost always cruise alone and I have developed this pet peeve when eating at the Windjammer and other similar places. When I leave the table to get some water or get something from the buffet or for whatever reason, I often go back to an empty table - eager dining crew have cleared it out. I'm planning to make some card signs saying "I'll be back, I'm not done yet". What so you think? Any other solutions you can suggest? I know in formal dining, there are things you can do with the flatware to let the waitstaff know what you want. What about at the Windjammer? Bring a book or magazine..or borrow one from the library on board. Typically if you leave some kind of personal effect they may take away the dirty plate and silverware, but you will still come back to your seat remaining reserved with your item. MotleyCruiser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellcee Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 I leave my Kindle and a bag (taking anything else of value). I also don't go too far because I will get violent if someone takes my book/ereader Fairlynew, DebAtSea, raahc and 2 others 2 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 Well, it seems it's either feast or famine (pun intended) with this. Half the people complain about the tables never getting cleared and the rest seem to have their food confiscated like you. Not sure which is worse !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said: Bring a book or magazine..or borrow one from the library on board. Typically if you leave some kind of personal effect they may take away the dirty plate and silverware, but you will still come back to your seat remaining reserved with your item. I don't like carrying stuff. I don't even take my drink package souvenir cup with me. That's how lazy I am. LOL But your suggestion has given me an idea. I can grab a Cruise Compass from Guest Services and leave it on the table. But that would only be a partial solution because part of the pet peeve is the waitstaff taking away my plate when I'm not done with my food yet. One time I got some soup and bread. I only left the table to grab a soup spoon. When I went back, my food was gone. (Another pet peeve of mine is forgetting to grab those soup spoons, but that is entirely my fault) WAAAYTOOO, GeorgiaGirl85 and JLMoran 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 2 minutes ago, ellcee said: I also don't go too far because I will get violent if someone takes my book/ereader Now that is where my problem lies. I like tables that are out of the way, like the ones on the open deck or what looks like the back room away from the buffet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 Yeah..I am not sure...I can see during the breakfast madness why it happens....but to be honest during suppertime I don't think I have ever had a meal in the WJ that was full and wait staff anxious to clear tables....but sure it happens more often than we know. Only thing is to bring a personal effect or two to leave on the table....you don't like to carry stuff(and neither do I)..but it maybe worth it to avoid the aggravation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 1 hour ago, RatedPG said: Now that is where my problem lies. I like tables that are out of the way, like the ones on the open deck or what looks like the back room away from the buffet. There are quite a few blog folks on your Odyssey cruise, so perhaps you won't have to dine alone and you will have someone there to protect your food from the waitstaff! StephanieH 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 3 hours ago, RatedPG said: I almost always cruise alone and I have developed this pet peeve when eating at the Windjammer and other similar places. When I leave the table to get some water or get something from the buffet or for whatever reason, I often go back to an empty table - eager dining crew have cleared it out. I'm planning to make some card signs saying "I'll be back, I'm not done yet". What so you think? Any other solutions you can suggest? I know in formal dining, there are things you can do with the silverware to let the waitstaff know what you want. How about at the Windjammer? Reminds me of a story from my wife's childhood. Here family was out to dinner and her little brother finished her soup, because he thought she was done, when she only left the table to use the restroom! PRebecca 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marti314 Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 How great would it be for RCL or any buffet honestly to invest in 10 cent discs for each table like Brazilian Steakhouses use. Yes there would still be some tables that do not use them and so the cleaning staff would have to make a best judgement but these could help tremendously. Baked Alaska and Shari3 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 2 minutes ago, marti314 said: How great would it be for RCL or any buffet honestly to invest in 10 cent discs for each table like Brazilian Steakhouses use. Yes there would still be some tables that do not use them and so the cleaning staff would have to make a best judgement but these could help tremendously. I would rather have the guests use what they have on them rather than something that's on the table at all times. There is a greater probability that guests will not flip them to indicate that they are done and that will leave many unoccupied tables unavailable for other guests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marti314 Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 Just now, RatedPG said: I would rather have the guests use what they have on them rather than something that's on the table at all times. There is a greater probability that guests will not flip them to indicate that they are done and that will leave many unoccupied tables unavailable for other guests. And thats different from today? Isn't improving this by even 25% better than nothing? I am like the original poster, i carry NOTHING with me and my GF and I always have to take turns going up to get food / drinks for this specific reason. RWDW1204 and Baked Alaska 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Horner Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 We always went by the napkin. If it was left on the chair, then the diner wasn't finished. If it was put on the plate, then the diner was finished. rjac, StephanieH, RWDW1204 and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brobbins246 Posted September 19, 2019 Report Share Posted September 19, 2019 When I've gone to banquet dinners, I've seen people tip their chair towards the table as a way of marking that chair as "taken" while they mingle or dance before sitting down. This might become a tripping hazard in the WJ, and someone could always place it back on its four legs, but you could try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotleyCruiser Posted September 19, 2019 Report Share Posted September 19, 2019 On 9/18/2019 at 7:30 AM, RatedPG said: I know in formal dining, there are things you can do with the silverware to let the waitstaff know what you want. How about at the Windjammer? Utensils parallel on your plate means you're finished & crossed like an X means you are still working on it, but severs don't serving your dish to the left and remove from the right doesn't even happen anymore on ships... so I doubt that would work for you. flag the table with a book or grab one of the crew or a neighboring table and give them a head's up first before getting up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2019 I saw one waiter serving the dish OVER the guest’s head... I was shocked! Baked Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2019 The waiters at the MDR might think I'm just being playful with the silverware. Mrs. RoyalMoyal and raahc 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted September 19, 2019 Report Share Posted September 19, 2019 I thought they served from the right and cleared from the left ! 19 minutes ago, RatedPG said: The waiters at the MDR might think I'm just being playful with the silverware. I've been eating for 66 years and I've never seen ANY of this before. Very interesting ! DublinFC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2019 3 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: I thought they served from the right and cleared from the left ! I've been eating for 66 years and I've never seen ANY of this before. Very interesting ! Maybe the "signals" were last used on the Titanic ... and they sank with it ... ha ha MicDay, WAAAYTOOO, rjac and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2019 11 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: I thought they served from the right and cleared from the left ! WAAAYTOOO and Baked Alaska 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1guynz Posted September 22, 2019 Report Share Posted September 22, 2019 I suggest taking a large orange cone and placing it on it the table. These are used to ward off people for just about anything nowadays. Zspherex, teddy, MicDay and 3 others 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4ensic Posted September 23, 2019 Report Share Posted September 23, 2019 1 hour ago, F1guynz said: I suggest taking a large orange cone and placing it on it the table. These are used to ward off people for just about anything nowadays. I was going to use some old evidence markers and outline tape, but this is more low key (and can be used as a beer bong if need be). Plus, they're only $1.00 at Dollar Tree for the collapsible cones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted September 23, 2019 Report Share Posted September 23, 2019 https://www.etsy.com/listing/599074693/dont-clear-table-noterestaurant-notice Baked Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2019 36 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said: https://www.etsy.com/listing/599074693/dont-clear-table-noterestaurant-notice That's the kind of sign I wanted to make. Sweet Tomatoes has them in playing card sizes. SpeedNoodles, Richk and Baked Alaska 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted September 23, 2019 Report Share Posted September 23, 2019 19 minutes ago, RatedPG said: That's the kind of sign I wanted to make. Sweet Tomatoes has them in playing card sizes. Oh man. I miss Sweet Tomatoes. They closed the ones around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2019 4 minutes ago, FManke said: Oh man. I miss Sweet Tomatoes. They closed the ones around here. Same here. They closed all their restaurants in my city too. I think we had three. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted September 23, 2019 Report Share Posted September 23, 2019 1 minute ago, RatedPG said: Same here. They closed all their restaurants in my city too. I think we had three. Nice change of pace when I didn't feel like being a carnivore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted September 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2019 Just now, FManke said: Nice change of pace when I didn't feel like being a carnivore. But ... but ... but.... I fish out the chicken pieces in the chicken noodle soup!!! ha ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted September 23, 2019 Report Share Posted September 23, 2019 1 minute ago, RatedPG said: But ... but ... but.... I fish out the chicken pieces in the chicken noodle soup!!! ha ha So you're the one! PRebecca 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhageerah Posted September 23, 2019 Report Share Posted September 23, 2019 On 9/18/2019 at 8:30 AM, RatedPG said: I almost always cruise alone and I have developed this pet peeve when eating at the Windjammer and other similar places. When I leave the table to get some water or get something from the buffet or for whatever reason, I often go back to an empty table - eager dining crew have cleared it out. I'm planning to make some card signs saying "I'll be back, I'm not done yet". What so you think? Any other solutions you can suggest? I know in formal dining, there are things you can do with the silverware to let the waitstaff know what you want. How about at the Windjammer? I have the same issue when I sail, I normally get up and work out and grab a "pre breakfast" prior to the wife waking up, so I am there alone and have the same thing happen. I also hate it when its not the waiter that moves your plate but someone else that comes in with family and takes your table while you are gone. Like others have suggested I have resorted to leaving a personal item right there by my plate and that seems to suffice. I have not had that problem since! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeWhoWaits Posted September 24, 2019 Report Share Posted September 24, 2019 12 hours ago, bhageerah said: I have the same issue when I sail, I normally get up and work out and grab a "pre breakfast" prior to the wife waking up, so I am there alone and have the same thing happen. I also hate it when its not the waiter that moves your plate but someone else that comes in with family and takes your table while you are gone. Like others have suggested I have resorted to leaving a personal item right there by my plate and that seems to suffice. I have not had that problem since! When a group "takes over" a table that I was using by myself, I just pull up a chair, sit down, and start eating. "Oh, sorry. Didn't notice that you had joined me." USCG Teacher, Zspherex, PRebecca and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flacruiser99 Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 It's been awhile, but when I sailed Princess they had signs at tables that you weren't finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
711Dave Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 How about an old glasses case and a pair of $1 readers from Dollar Tree (or wherever). Put the glasses around your water glass with the case on the table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 On 9/18/2019 at 8:50 AM, ellcee said: I will get violent if someone takes my book/ereader ellcee 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mworkman Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 Well I’ve seen it all now, he we sit waiting to be seated for our dining experience at Wonderland and notice the attire of several patrons that are in workout clothing to swim wear attire. bhageerah and Lovetocruise2002 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhageerah Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 6 minutes ago, mworkman said: Well I’ve seen it all now, he we sit waiting to be seated for our dining experience at Wonderland and notice the attire of several patrons that are in workout clothing to swim wear attire. Same way I felt seeing someone in Coastal Kitchen in fuzzy pajama bottoms, slippers and a wife beater! Something I wouldn’t be seen at Walmart in much less in a nice restaurant! 4ensic 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.