If you want to create an angry discussion on a Carnival or Royal Caribbean Facebook group, simply put up a post about how people wear casual clothes in the cruise lines' main dining rooms.
That's like throwing chum into an ocean swarming with sharks.
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People will take the bait every time: Some will long for the days when cruisers wore ball gowns and tuxedos while others will go off about being comfortable on their vacations. And some will, of course, jump in with the sensible answer and point out that what other people wear does not affect your meal.
Unless someone has noticeably neglected personal hygiene or keeps photobombing your formal family portrait, it's hard to see how someone else wearing shorts or a baseball cap harms your meal.
At the same time, some inconsiderate behaviors in the main dining room do hurt other people's experience. That's especially so when unrelated groups are sharing a table, but even people eating with just their group can be affected.
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Image source: Carnival Corporation.
Carnival Cruise Line asks a question
Carnival offers two set dining times each night. The cruise line's brand ambassador, John Heald, posed a question about a second polarizing main dining room issue on his Facebook page.
In your opinion, if the dinning room opens for early seating at 6 PM and somebody arrives at 6:20 PM, is that late for dinner?
Should those guests be invited to go to the Lido?
Sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances that have people late for dinner, but how late is too late?
And as requested by someone do the people who are sharing a table with someone who is late for dinner expected to wait before they start to order and to eat?
The challenge that affects not just the late people's tablemates, but anyone served by those same waiters, is that courses are served and prepared in order.
In theory, if a late party skipped the opening course, they could match the other diners with no impact. If, however, they want a full dining experience, that could throw the waiters off schedule and delay service for everyone.
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Carnival passengers respond to late diners
Most Carnival passengers who responded were sympathetic to the late diners — to a point.
"As long as they are there within 40 mins of dining room time, serve them but, no one seated with them should have to wait before being served," wrote Shelley Maroney Simmons. "The latecomers just doesn't get the full dining experience. They should also need to be reminded they need to be out 15 mins early for reset. The dining room has to maintain a schedule."
Some shared their experiences when other diners were late.
"One of my last cruises, we were sat at a large table with strangers (we didn’t really connect with these people but they were nice)," related Brandi Larocque. "They were late every night. It didn’t really matter with us since we didn’t wait for them. The staff served us and we enjoyed dinner and were usually ordering desert by the time they showed. I think it’s harder on the staff so more than 20 minutes late I think is unfair to the staff."
Many people have limited tolerance for lateness.
"There should be a grace period maybe 15 minutes," added Robin Bookspan Singleton. "Sometimes takes a little longer to get dressed or caught up in the large photo lines or even at a bar getting a cocktail for dinner takes a little longer. I have never been late but sometimes I stress my family out because I think we are running behind."
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And a few people were not tolerant of lateness at all.
"No one should have to wait for table mates that are 20 minutes late," posted Lori Tiffin Pinion. "Sadly, I realize it means extra work for the waitstaff, but why would part of the table have to wait when someone is intentionally late. We have had that happen before and it can be irritating. Especially if you don't know the people."
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