Dinner with captain

[FOXTROT]

I'm reluctant to do that. I just think it's nicer to be invited without asking!

 

I meant I asked the Head Waiter why we had been invited.

[sjb317]

We've had dinner with the Captain 3 times and have no idea why we were selected. It is a fun experience, the food is very good and the wines are nice, too!:D

 

The last time was on Monarch and it was obvious the 3 Pinnacle couples dining with us were confused as to why we were there. :D

 

Sherri:)

[papaflamingo]

We also have had 3 Captain's Dinners. On the first, the Captain's assistant told us that the Captain had one Formal Night with "high rollers," (suite guests, etc.), and for one Formal Night he liked to dine with people who "are fun." We were a group of 6 on our first cruise together (our second cruise). We were in inside cabins. But we were celebrating an Anniversary on the first night, so the Maitre d' noticed us and came to the table to ask if we would like to dine with the Captain. Of course we said yes.

For the second invitation we were on a 14 night TA. We were a group of 8 and we all had "flamingo" ties on during one of the Captains receptions. The Captain commented the ties and one of our friends (who runs an entertainment venue) jokingly suggested we dine with him. He answered that there were many high point cruisers on board but he'd see. We saw him around the ship a few days later and he remembered us and stated he was still working on dinner. Of course we understood the high point cruiser obligation, etc. so we knew he was just being nice. Finally, the night before the last Formal Night, the Captain HIMSELF came to the Diamond Event and found one of our group. He told her he had been looking for us and wanted us to join him for dinner. He took our cabin numbers and the invitations showed up!

Our 3rd invitation was from the Dining Room Manager. It was last Feb. and we had to get a table change. The Dining Room Manager recognized my wife from a previous cruise and found us a great table. He would come every night and talk and joke with us. We were on the 11 night Legend cruise. On the night before the final Formal night he pulled me aside to discretely ask us to have dinner with the Captain on the last Formal Night. He did this as we were seated with another couple and they weren't getting an invitation. I suspect among other things, the other couple dressed quite casually. We always dress up to or exceed "suggested dress."

All of these dinners have been wonderful. Special menu, nice wine, excellent conversation.

I am convinced that it's all up to the Captain. He determines if he dines with passengers or sends other officers, or doesn't dine with them at all. And he decides the criteria for selection. So my advice, if you want to dine with the Captain, let it be known in a polite and "joking" manner to the Maitre d', or Captain himself. Accept if it doesn't happen. Have a good time in the MDR. That, I believe, helps. Dress well. If you show up in jeans, likely you won't be asked. If you don't wear "Formal wear" on Formal Night, likely you won't be asked. If you are loud and obnoxious, likely you won't be asked. If you are a "complainer," likely you won't be asked. But if you have fun, respect the suggested dress code, get to know those in charge (maitre d', concierge, etc). Then you improve your chances. If you get the invitation, never turn it down! It's a wonderful experience.

Edited July 19, 2014 by papaflamingo

[JMG]

We have been invited to sit at the Captain's Table. On one ship, the Captain just did not like to socialize so it was Hotel Director. One another cruise we asked some of the other people how they got invited. They were a group and one of men worked for a RCI vendor and a request was placed with Miami for his group to sit at the Captains table. There were 2 seats remaining and we were invited. It is a nice dinner. Starts with cocktails where the Hostess advised us of the protocol and how we would seated at the table. Then you are escorted to the DR and seated. Water, wine are served and a special menu. Photos are taken and the Captain signed the photos before they were delivered to our stateroom. We also got an invitation to visit the Bridge on a sea day. A great experience but it is impossible for everyone to get the opportunity.

[holden0301]

We were invited by the head waiter on the Grandeur to dine with the captain. We were traveling with another couple, so there were 4 of us. The other 4 people at the captain's table were also traveling together (they had the Royal Suite, which is why I guess they were invited??). I have no idea why we were invited. We were Diamond at the time, but we weren't close to D+.

 

At dinner, the captain (Captain Rob) invited us for a tour of the bridge the next day. We were in Key West that day and an unexpected storm hit while we were on shore. We had to run back to the ship and got soaked in the process! Since we didn't know the storm was coming, we didn't leave ourselves much time to freshen up for the tour, so we all quickly changed and showed up for the tour mostly dry (hair still wet). We felt terrible, but explained to the captain why we looked so bedraggled. He understood;)

[Clamett]

On my last Freedom cruise, Captain Tor ate with the 2 Make-a-wish families who were on board.

[cruzinlady1947]

I have a friend that wrote to corporate in Miami with a poem with each line starting with each letter spelling out Royal Caribbean. I guess they liked it so much that my friend, her husband and 4 other guests they were with on the Explorer were invited to dine with the Captain.

 

Pretty creative in my book.:cool:

 

 

 

Gwen :)

[yogimax]

We had a short four night cruise booked for June on Enchantment. I also had four days of informal meetings following in Orlando. So I'm thinking, why bring my suit? It's a short cruise and many folks probably will not be wearing suits for the one formal night. Besides, it's just one more thing to pack.

 

The night before we left, I'm thinking, but what if we are invited to dine at the Captain's Table? o.k., I packed my black suit knowing it was a long shot.

 

Sure enough, we were invited to dine at the Captain's Table with the Hotel Director. As an aside, he was a great guy from Costa Rica. When his fiancée told me he loved football (soccer), we had a grand time toasting the Costa Rican team, who went on to exceed all expectations at the World Cup.

 

Bottom Line... Be prepared - You never know!

[cruzinlady1947]

I know that feeling. We had to decline, because we didn't pack our formal wear. :o Captain was very understanding and invited us the next time we were on his ship. We were prepared that time. ;)

 

Gwen :)

[George C]

We were invited on our only RCCL cruise that we booked a suite on, I think all the people in the group were also in suites. ( 1st time at captains table in 57 cruises)

[biomedbob]

I had to chuckle that you don't wear jeans to the Captain's table. In the years before airline baggage restriction, I would bring different color dinner jackets, different cumberbund, tie, and vest combinations. In other words, very stylish.

 

Once, on a Princess cruise, we were invited to "the table". Not a problem....not until I started to dress for dinner. I had everything for my tuxedo except the pants. Normally they are on the same hanger under the jacket.

 

The only long pants I had was a pair of new (dark) jeans.

 

Since we are usually seated when we eat, not a problem. I don't think anyone, except for the DW noticed. :rolleyes:

Edited July 19, 2014 by biomedbob

[wolfcathorse]

OP - this question has been asked a million times. Do a search and you'll see more threads with stories of how people were invited or get more insight on how to get invited.

[LizC]

OP - this question has been asked a million times. Do a search and you'll see more threads with stories of how people were invited or get more insight on how to get invited.

 

I agree but the answers change! So I love that this is posted in hopes that even I a seasoned cruiser may learn!

Not everyone uses the search button and though it may upset some, really does it matter?

[JimAOk1945]

OP - this question has been asked a million times. Do a search and you'll see more threads with stories of how people were invited or get more insight on how to get invited.

 

I'm not the OP, but I have read many threads on this subject.

 

It's the first time I've seen a post from someone who, like us, was recommended by the Concierge.

[Miamia65]

On our first cruise, which was on Rhapsody, my MIL had an OS and we had the RFS. My MIL was invited to the captains table for dinner and we invited on a bridge tour. This was all organised by the concierge in the CL.

 

On our 2nd and 3rd cruises which were B2B on Oasis last year, at the end of the first week we were asked what table we wanted for the 2nd week in the MDR. We chose the table right next to the captain's table and we got to speak with him, and other staff each night. Unfortunately, didn't get an invite to the captains table for dinner but sitting next to it all week was ok with us. We also were invited on a bridge tour, it was organised by the CD and was because we were on a B2B.

 

We also moved from gold to platinum C&A status in the 2nd week of the B2B and when we received our 2nd week sea pass it reflected our new status including benefits loaded onto the card. We were also given orange dots to put on the 2nd week sea passes which gave us priority access to shows and other events - it's a VIP sticker and when you go on and off the ship instead of hearing a ding it makes a musical noise and they acknowledge you!

 

My experience is that if you take the time to get to know the staff, they look after you.

[ShipRiders]

On our first cruise, which was on Rhapsody, my MIL had an OS and we had the RFS. My MIL was invited to the captains table for dinner and we invited on a bridge tour. This was all organised by the concierge in the CL.

 

On our 2nd and 3rd cruises which were B2B on Oasis last year, at the end of the first week we were asked what table we wanted for the 2nd week in the MDR. We chose the table right next to the captain's table and we got to speak with him, and other staff each night. Unfortunately, didn't get an invite to the captains table for dinner but sitting next to it all week was ok with us. We also were invited on a bridge tour, it was organised by the CD and was because we were on a B2B.

 

We also moved from gold to platinum C&A status in the 2nd week of the B2B and when we received our 2nd week sea pass it reflected our new status including benefits loaded onto the card. We were also given orange dots to put on the 2nd week sea passes which gave us priority access to shows and other events - it's a VIP sticker and when you go on and off the ship instead of hearing a ding it makes a musical noise and they acknowledge you!

My experience is that if you take the time to get to know the staff, they look after you.

 

 

I have never heard or read about this before:eek: Has anyone else here heard it or have I been deaf all these years!:confused::rolleyes: Might have this been on Disney maybe?:confused:

[cruiserdudebobby8]

Hopefully I'll be lucky and get picked

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

[Merion_Mom]

I have never heard or read about this before:eek: Has anyone else here heard it or have I been deaf all these years!:confused::rolleyes: Might have this been on Disney maybe?:confused:

 

As another member posted recently, "I call shenanigans on that one!"

[dancinman66]

Is believe that when I see it

Some things slip through by being nice or asking but not that much unless you know somebody

 

 

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[Miamia65]

It was not on a disney cruise, it was on Oasis of the Seas, so it went "ding ding ding ding ding" .... if I can find the seapass, I will scan and post a picture of the orange dot - it has something printed on it, maybe RCI or oasis I can't remember. My daughters got to know the cruise director's staff, as in the CD and Activities Manager - they were helping them out with activities behind the scenes and on the last day of the first week of our B2B after we had picked up our seapass one of the staff gave the dots to us. Before the cruise we did not know them, just got to know them whilst on board. We brought with us souvenir gifts from australia, like koala key rings and pen animals and we traded them for RCI souvenirs (the type you win at trivia). We had a lot of fun with them and my daughter was considering applying to work with the cruise line so they wanted to show her what it was like.

[Miamia65]

As another member posted recently, "I call shenanigans on that one!"

 

Merion Mom - you were on the same cruise with your group of friends, I think it was your annual trip and you all had tshirts in the same colour with printed words on. I can't remember what it said but it was something like no this and no that ..... your group was always at the trivia so you might remember us ...

[JimAOk1945]

Why were you given orange dots? Is it because you had made friends with the some of the crew?

[irishgal432]

I have never heard or read about this before:eek: Has anyone else here heard it or have I been deaf all these years!:confused::rolleyes: Might have this been on Disney maybe?:confused:

 

I was on Oasis in May 2012 in a GS. We were given the orange dots for our sea passes which allowed us entry into any show without a reservation except the comedy club. I think is was a time saving thing so the concierges didn't have to make show reservations.

 

So they did exist at one time.

[yogimax]

I was on Oasis in May 2012 in a GS. We were given the orange dots for our sea passes which allowed us entry into any show without a reservation except the comedy club. I think is was a time saving thing so the concierges didn't have to make show reservations.

 

So they did exist at one time.

 

The dots are long gone!

[Lars2014]

We were in a suite on Celebrity and a lovely woman in the dining room kept looking at us for 2 nights. 3rd night she came to our table and invited us to dine with the captain the next night. We received an invitation in our cabin and were to meet in a private lounge for drinks. Dinner menu was personalized and pictures were taken and delivered to our cabin. The matre de was our waiter and our asst waiter was a head waiter. Seemed strange to be served by them. It was a wonderful evening.