Is there any rhyme or reason to the way that Carnival assigns you to a dining room?  On my Triumph cruise we were in the Olympic dining room (in the middle of the ship).  When we went for the sit-down lunch though the only dining room open was the Paris (aft with big windows looking out).  We really like the aft dining room.

Our group of 9 had 4 rooms spread from foward deck 8 to middle and aft deck 1.  We had 2 rooms of previous cruisers.  Does any of this play into how the dining room is assigned?  Can you request a specific dining room?  On our November cruise we'd like to be in the aft dining room.

From when I was on the Triumph, I thought they tended to assign passengers from the front half of the ship to the center London dining room, and passengers from the back half of the ship to the rear Paris dining room.

Of course, being part of a common group that wants to dine together, and that group having cabins spread all over the ship, might screw up any normal way of assigning.

I don't think you can request a specific dining room.

I agree that the Paris dining room, especially the upper Paris dinging room, is the best. 

(dup due to mod delay)

travelgal ~

Once you are on board you can request your dining room and/or time be changed.   Bill and I prefer the aft dining room and the few times we have been assigned to the "other" dining room we have been changed no problem.

After you board make your way to the dining room you want to be seated at and get in the line at the front door, lol.  They will take your request for a change and tell you if the table is available.  People are always requesting different dining areas so it is first come first serve. 

Happy cruising

If your November cruise is also a group, a PVP might help you get the staterooms in closer proximity.  Perhaps by asking for midship to aft placement for your group might influence the dining room assignment.

I guess this means I'll be in the midships dining room on Glory since my stateroom is forward. So, does this mean that you don't rotate dining rooms during your cruise? I've only done one other cruise line in the past, and we switched dining rooms every night, so I just assumed that's how everyone does it. I know what they say about making assumptions, though...

Amy:

So, does this mean that you don't rotate dining rooms during your cruise?

You have the same dining room, and the same table, for dinner on the entire cruise.  Well, unless you request, and are granted, a change.

Thanks for the response, Walt! These boards have been really helpful!

Carnival has started (not all of their fleet) what is call "Your Time Dining", we are sailing on the "Dream" 1/16/2010, and our group (6) are wait listed for the above.  The times are from 5:45pm to 9:30pm, It's great to let's say to dine at 7:15 pm, instead of early or late seating.  Call Carnival and ask if your ship has that type of dining option.  Good Luck!

MYOUNG:

We cruised the Triumph last year we had a forward room but still where assigned the Paris dining in the Aft. Really do not know how they decided where you are assigned. But the Paris dining hall was beautiful and our table was by a window at the very back of the ship. The only problem that we had was that some nights when it was a little rough there was a very noticeable vibration at our table. But other wise was great.

That's true and something to think about.  Our last two days at sea were very rough - everyone was walking down the hall like a drunk (except the actual drunk people who were walking perfectly straight! Ha!) 

When we had lunch and breakfast  in the Paris, we were lucky and always were seated at one of the large tables at the rear windows.  Those two days it was was pretty rocky and there was a lot of vibration there.  On the only other cruise my dad took, he got sea sick at dinner the first night because it was really rough.  The ship was a LOT smaller, (it was like 30 years ago) so I think that he will be fine on this cruise.  But maybe we should dine in the mid-ship dining room to be safe.

That is a very good question!!! I think Carnival must put a lot of thought into this. It was our fisrt cruise, me, my husband, 3 boys, and my single sister (my kids' aunt). We were seated with a couple about the same age as us, their 2 sons about the same age as ours, and the wifes single sister (those kids' aunt). Like I said, not sure how it is done, but we thought it was very nice to share an hour a day with a family just like ours. It seemed we had a lot to share so the meals were never awkward. 

Roxanne:

Like I said, not sure how it is done, but we thought it was very nice to share an hour a day with a family just like ours. It seemed we had a lot to share so the meals were never awkward. 

I have to agree with you.  I really think people are missing out on a really good time when they crave to have a table all by themselves.

Roxanne:

Carnival must put a lot of thought into this. ...me, my husband, 3 boys, and my single sister (my kids' aunt). We were seated with a couple about the same age as us, their 2 sons about the same age as ours...

 They use a common best-fit algorithm to match people to each other, to table sizes, and dining times [and on multi-dining room ships, to dining locations as well] based on the demographics they collect on their passengers.  Computers do the hard part.

As you noticed, you were a young couple with children matched to another young couple with children.  The chances that you'll have something in common enough to bond and have pleasant dining memories are substantially greater than if you'd been paired with a couple of 80+ y.o. retirees.