I feel that if Shaun wants to enjoy his meals in the peace and quiet of his roomette, he should do so.I also do not like having to make small talk/conversation with total strangers.
However, I always have my meals in the dining car. I have tried to have some of my meals delivered to me in my roomette, but often the sleeping car attendant is nowhere to be found.
I have tried using the attendant call button in the room several times and it has yet to summon an attendant to my roomette.
On one trip aboard the Crescent recently, they announced lunch as starting at I believe, 11:30.
I rang the button for the attendant. I don't ever eat lunch that early, so I thought that would give the attendant plenty of time to get to me.
I rang again at 12:30, still no attendant.
Finally, I went into the dining car at around 1:15 and had a nice lunch. Since it was late, I got a table all to my self, which was great.
I did't see the attendant until the next morning!
That's what I usually do, go at the latest possible time, especially for dinner.
I often get a table to myself that way.
But, I have never had a really bad experience sitting with strangers, I must say.
On several occasions, it was actually a lot of fun.
I was once aboard the Crescent, and was seated with a young newlywed couple.
They were on their way to New Orleans for their honeymoon.
Since they had never been there before, they spent the whole dinner asking me about where to go, where to eat in new Orleans, etc. It was a very fun dinner, as it gave me a chance to talk about New Orleans, one of my favorite places.
Anyway, I wonder if Shaun can't find an attendant, can you order you meal "to go" in the dining car and take it back to your roommette yourself?
David