Dinner with the Captain?

[kmcdonald]

Does anyone know how people are selected to dine with the captain?

 

Years ago, on the Song of America, we sat at the captain's table which was in the center of the dinning room. A couple of his officers (and sometimes their wife) also sat at this table. I noticed there is no longer a "Captain's Table" but have heard of a few people that have been invited to his private table elsewhere on the ship.

 

Side note? Is there a spell checker on these boards. My spelling is not the greatest.

[CAPTAIN'STABLE]

On every cruise that I have been on there has always been a captain's table in the middle of the dining room. I have been on moe cruises than i would like to remember and I and all of my family members are all DIAMOND PLUS MEMBERS of RCL's Crowm and Anchor Society.

 

My experience is that some times the Captain selects the individuals to join hi for dinner, and other time the dining room captains select the people

[daytona]

The last time i was at the captains table it was still in the center of the dining room.

[DD]

We dined at the Captain's Table on the Enchantment this summer. There were 4 couples plus the Captain. It was in the center of the main level. It was a very nice experience.

 

How did we get chosen? I don't really know. The Maitre d' said that he had noticed me go out of my way to tell one of his waiters thank you at lunch time and that he (the Maitre d') remembered me because of that. I'd never met the Maitre d' or even seen him before he came up to our table. He came up to us on the first night of the cruise. So I guess you never know who's watching....

[From_Arizona]

I had the opportunity to join the captains table, in the center if the dining area, after our party of 4 merged with another table. The whole table of 10 joined for one of the dinners. Not sure why we were chosen, other than the fact that when we merged, we became a very diverse group and all seemed to get along and socialize.

 

I am sure those tables that have people that don;t talk w/one another will never be chosen. Nothing worse than getting to a table where nobody wants to even say hello or welcome.

[DD]

We were a table of 4 that we matched with another table of 4 for the Captain's table.

 

I didn't realize that sometimes they chose whole complete tables. That's neat! Your table must've made a great impression!

[rubrrick]

We have been at the Captains table several times. On RCCL and X ships, it's normally at the stern of the ship, with no tables behind it. On a few other lines we have sailed on it was in the middle of the dining room. On NCL Wind, it was in an area on a pedistal facing the aft windows. We have also been invited to dine when the Captain has wanted just a few people in more private quarters.

 

The way that anyone is picked to join the Captain follows different thinking on different lines. On RCCL, most often are picked from those that have obtained the status of Diamond Plus. Doesn't matter whether you are in an inside cabin or the Royal suite. Following that, comes from staff members suggestions. The Captain relies on his hostess for suggestions.

 

We have dined with the Captian when we have been in an outside cabin with porthole, and also have been with him, when we have had a suite.

 

If you would like to dine with the Captain, depending on the length of the cruise, I would suggest that you get in touch with the pursers office, learn the Captains name, write him a short note, asking to be included at his or the officers table on a formal night. At first, you may be seated with the Staff Captain or other senior officer, on the second formal night.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Rick

[nerak]

On our recent trip on the Serenade we were invited to the Captains table. The table was at the base of the stairs...out a little ways. We actually ate with another couple and two single women, one was traveling with the couple. We were not dining with the captain, but we were with the head of finances (Denis) and the head of food and beverage (Roger). The head of housing was supposed to dine with us, but he became ill. An invitation was delivered to our door and asked us to meet at the Champagne Bar and then escorted in to our table. We were invited because the head of the hotel desk had us invited. We have gotten to know her throughout our 4, and still counting cruises on the Serenade.

[kmcdonald]

thanks for the info from all you!

 

 

 

Just curious how the selection was made. My recent cruises have been on Carnival and I never saw a captains table! Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough.

[cruiserbarb]

We just returned from the Voyager and my sister and husband were invited to dinner for the following night (formal). They were eating in Portifino's and the Matri'd asked to speak with my brother in law. After inquiring if he had a tux or dark suit they were asked. My first thought was that it is because we cruised RCI several times, but how would the Matri'd know that until the end of the meal when they showed their SeaPass? My only conclusion is that they looked clean!!!!

[LJR213]

kmcdonald - I asked the same question to RCI on the website "how does one get to dine with the Captain" and below is the answer I received......I faxed in the request last week so we'll see how well it works when I sail in September.

 

Dear Ms. Ryan:

 

Thank you for your e-mail.

 

Ms. Ryan, you are more than welcome to request to be seated at the Captain's Table for dinner. Please mail in or fax a request to the dining coordinator for your specific ship and sailing date, at the number or address below:

 

Royal Caribbean International

1050 Caribbean Way

Miami, Florida 33132

 

Attn.: Dining Coordinator (specify which ship here)

 

Fax # 1-800-722-5329

 

A list of guests who have requested to sit at the Captain's table is sent to the ship the week prior to sailing. The Captain personally selects the guests that will be seated at his table for dinner.

 

Thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean International.

 

I hope this was helpful, although others have said they have dined with him without doing anything it was just by chance but it can't hurt to try this anyway if you are interested...Good Luck.

 

L J

[Treacher1]

We had dinner with the Captain on our Zenith cruise to Bermuda this past June.

We met the other 3 couples selected only briefly at a private cocktail party before dinner. We had a GREAT time - we were in a suite - all others in various cabins. That evening I asked the social hostess how we were selected - we did not ask???? She responded that she answers many questions from cruisers, but they NEVER divluge how the guests are selected to dine witht he captain. I have a FANTASTIC travel agent - I wonder if she requested even though we didnt. We are repeat cruisers Platinum/Select. Anyone find out how they were selected without being asked??

[kmcdonald]

kmcdonald - I asked the same question to RCI on the website "how does one get to dine with the Captain" and below is the answer I received......I faxed in the request last week so we'll see how well it works when I sail in September.

 

Dear Ms. Ryan:

 

Thank you for your e-mail.

 

Ms. Ryan, you are more than welcome to request to be seated at the Captain's Table for dinner. Please mail in or fax a request to the dining coordinator for your specific ship and sailing date, at the number or address below:

 

Royal Caribbean International

1050 Caribbean Way

Miami, Florida 33132

 

Attn.: Dining Coordinator (specify which ship here)

 

Fax # 1-800-722-5329

 

A list of guests who have requested to sit at the Captain's table is sent to the ship the week prior to sailing. The Captain personally selects the guests that will be seated at his table for dinner.

 

Thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean International.

 

I hope this was helpful, although others have said they have dined with him without doing anything it was just by chance but it can't hurt to try this anyway if you are interested...Good Luck.

 

L J

[daveky]

There are many right answers to this question. Luck of the draw, being in right place at right time, sailing before with a particular Captain, Diamond Plus

status etc.

It boils down to how each Captain chooses to have his Hostess pic his talble mates.

Have been at Captain's and Staff Captain's and Cruise Directors table many times. Usually on my part it started out luck of the draw with the Hostess coming and asking us, then as we sailed more and more and would run into the the same Captain, he would ask us back and actually we keep in touch with special Captains, CDs etc and when we come on board again already have invite in cabin.

So, really no special secret, BUT I would suggest...make yourself available to the get togethers where Captain is available, come up and introduce yourself, etc.

Captain Bang is our most favorite and he's very special to us. Was on Sun Viking back in early years and whenever we sail with him, usually run into him, and there we are at Captain's table. He is a dying breed of Captains as ships are getting bigger and it's getting harder for them to know all repeat passengers.

 

Dave