We Had Dinner with the Captain!

[islandwannabee]

Just off the Legend on the 16th. On Monday the 10th we received an invitation to Dine with the Captain that evening. We were at a table with 2 other couples, the Doctor, chief Engineer and someone I cant remember. There were place cards, and mine was next to the Captain. Food was the same, but the service was the best I have ever received. Wine was Flowing freely and Pellagrino was also available at no charge.

 

Maitre D, made an announcement about some special guests who were dining with the captain, apparently it was quite rare, they say he doesn't normally dine in the dining room with the rest of us.

 

A few days later we received an autographed table photo.

 

We had a great time and that dinner will be remembered for a long time.

 

Cindy

[jules815]

That is awesome! Always wondered how people were chosen for that honor. I always thought you had to be pretty high up in the reward chain, but on one of our RC cruises, a couple across the hall from us were selected, and it was only their 3rd time sailing with RC. They were in an interior too, so it wasn't a suite perk! :)

 

Very cool though. Was it a formal night?

[islandwannabee]

Yes it was formal night. It's funny I am one of those who doesn't care what people wear, but the man of another couple had a t shirt on. The captain commented to me "He is the most comfortable out of us".

We are diamond members, I think that is why we were selected.

Cindy

[jules815]

I was wondering about the formal night thing, because our upcoming cruise is the first one where none of the men will be bringing suits! There's no way they would wear a tee shirt on formal night, but I know my husband would be freaking if he received an invite to dine with the Captain and didn't have a suit to wear.

 

Not that an invite would happen in a million years for us; only his 2nd time on Carnival and my 3rd.

 

Anyway, congrats on your experience. Thanks for sharing.

[maggieworkman]

Congrats! Sounds fun.

 

What did you guys talk about? Did you talk about the ship or did he want to talk about other things?

 

Maggie

[islandwannabee]

Actually he didn't talk very much. My husband said he looked board. He asked if I was from tampa, when I replied yes, he wanted to know where he could get fresh oysters. Well I don't eat seafood, so I told him to get dressed in his regular clothes and when the ship docks, go out and talk to some of the porters, they will know exactly where to get fresh seafood. He says to me oh good idea, wonder why I didn't think of that. My reply " you are too busy navigating the ship" he chuckled.

Cindy

[ib4cruzn]

they say he doesn't normally dine in the dining room with the rest of us.

 

 

Cindy

 

Smart man...

[misstopgun]

This is the first time I have heard of dinner with the captain for Diamond members. So far I have only seen tea with the captain reported.

 

I guess somone would need to be prepared should this happen. Tea I think would be a bit less formal.

[islandwannabee]

This is the first time I have heard of dinner with the captain for Diamond members. So far I have only seen tea with the captain reported.

 

I guess somone would need to be prepared should this happen. Tea I think would be a bit less formal.

 

When I went to rsvp at the desk, the lady said this was the 1st time he has done this for diamond members, so I felt privileged.

[misstopgun]

When I went to rsvp at the desk, the lady said this was the 1st time he has done this for diamond members, so I felt privileged.

I guess it would be best to be prepared just in case. I would think that even tea with the captain would warrent more than shorts and t-shirts.

 

Congrats! I am sure you will cherish that photo with fond memories. I am sure I would. And I bet the guy in the t-shirt sticks out like a sore thumb.

[okgirl]

I guess it was the 1st time the Captain had any Diamond members on a cruise. I personally am not looking forward to it when I make Diamond next year.

 

I know that it's a perk of the new loyalty program, but I almost never take anything but shorts and capri's on a cruise. Plus I'm not all that social. I don't mind chit chat's with other people over open seating meals, but a long dinner with the senior officers who have been asked the same questions a thousand times.........no way

[golfadj]

The only good new benefit on the revised loyalty plan. Would love to do this.

[Elaine515]

I guess it was the 1st time the Captain had any Diamond members on a cruise. I personally am not looking forward to it when I make Diamond next year.

 

I know that it's a perk of the new loyalty program, but I almost never take anything but shorts and capri's on a cruise. Plus I'm not all that social. I don't mind chit chat's with other people over open seating meals, but a long dinner with the senior officers who have been asked the same questions a thousand times.........no way

 

 

Janey,

 

That is so funny that you said that... My parents are almost Diamond (13 days short) and both have already said that they don't want to eat, drink or anything with the Captain!! Poppy (my 83 yr old Dad) said he is very happy eating with his wife and family and doesn't need to do small talk with the Captain!!!

 

I'm thinking that when the time does come, I'm going to have to email John and ask him to please NOT INVITE them to meet the Captain!!!

[lillian marie]

This would be fun to experience, so happy for the op.

[CWcruisers]

John Heald said each Captain can choose his own way of recognizing Diamond guest, so each time you sail, it could be a completely different experience.

[LHP]

Congrats!!

 

 

Glad you had a good time!!

[misstopgun]

John Heald said each Captain can choose his own way of recognizing Diamond guest, so each time you sail, it could be a completely different experience.

More reason to be prepared. LOL..Wouldn't you hate for that to be the one cruise you were not going to go to the MDR for elegant nights and packed accordingly?

[okgirl]

More reason to be prepared. LOL..Wouldn't you hate for that to be the one cruise you were not going to go to the MDR for elegant nights and packed accordingly?

 

That is part of my problem, I usually don't "do" formal night and rarely have even a pair of slacks with me.

 

Since I cruise 2 or 3 times a year, I guess I better put together a pair of nice black pants and a fancy top to have for this event.

 

LHP - Linda, you and your family have dined with the captain and senior crew many times. What is your impression of these events?

[joeyancho]

Ate dinner with the captain on RCCL.............boring. Recieved the same treatment the OP described. We were selected for no apparent reason. When dinner was over he excused himself and announced that he was "going to drive my boat". Once again........boring.

[RUBBER DUCK]

We were picked on our 3rd or 4th RCCL cruise. They actually invited our whole table which was 3 couples (the 4th hadn't shown up for the 1st 2 nights). We all accepted, and the 3rd night we were hald back from entering with everyone. We were brought in after everyone was seated and they did photos and separate menus from everyone else. Free wine, caviar, etc. The Captain was really nice and had done a little snooping about each of us so he had some topics for conversation. Funny thing was the couple that wasn't there the first 2 nights was there all on thier own (at a table for 8 mind you) for formal night. They only showed up for 1 more night all cruise.

 

I asked the Maitre'D why we were selected, and he said that he looked for a group of mixed ages that didn't already know each other and were enjoying themselves with conversation and having a good time. His rules were no kids, and you couldn't ask to do it. We got the group picture for free (a freebie on the ship!), our personal invitations, and he signed our menus.

[SkyMaster]

As I posted last week, I was selected (Yep, I'm Diamond) to have coffee/tea with the Captain, on the bridge, aboard "Paradise". It was GREAT, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I too received a leather bound photo of me, on the bridge with the Captain, and Chief Purser, with a very nice personal note from the Captain. I must have been the only "Diamond" member aboard, as it was just me? Anyway, it was an experience I won't soon forget. ;)

 

"SKY"

[Missileer]

My wife and I are Diamond level cruisers and on our 5 Sept. '12 cruise on the Splendor we were invited by the Captain for a private tour of the Bridge. So the last sea day we were escorted to the Bridge where Captain Bovo spent about 25 minutes with us--just the two of us!!. He was most gracious and answered our questions completely and with good humor as he showed us around his command center. It was the high light of our cruise!

[klfhngr]

Wife and I were invited once. Was about our 2 or 3rd cruise only. We were in our 20's. The captain and us talked a lot! When we were in Cabo, 2 friends and I were snorkeling way out in the deep. We noticed another person down with us, but he was spear fishing! The Federalies showed up and arrested him, right in front of us! Guess what we were talking to the captain about? It was the Engineer that was arrested!! He gave us all the details and the 'fine' that that they had to pay to get him out!

 

That was over 20 years ago. 15 or so cruises later, we have yet to be invited again, lol!