Lunch with Officer--big disappointment

[nelblu]

Sailed on Anthem April 17 and got an invite to have lunch with an Officer.  Was excited as I in my many sails. only once have I had this opportunity.  Remember the first time it was quite intimate with about 10 fellow Paxs having lunch in one of the Specialty Restaurants.  We all sat on one large table and had the opportunity to talk and ask many questions.

 

This time the event was at Silk.  Upon reaching the restaurant, me and another couple were escorted in.  The couple decided to sit by themselves and I chose a large table.  I expected a good attendance, unfortunately there were only 3 additional paxs that showed up.  Now you have a large venue and only 5 Paxs in totality.  However, a few minutes later, an officer stops by with an assistant and basically says my name is such and such and please enjoy your lunch and both go away.  It was so quick that I did not even get their names,  I couldn't believe it. 

 

At least the menu wasn't bad for a lunch.  I chose red snapper, but it tasted more like cod.

[nelblu]

Menu for the event

[bonsai3s]

Sorry to hear about your lunch.

 

We have been very fortunate to have had numerous wonderful tablemates.

[island lady]

The Pre-Covid original "Meal with an Officer" has changed to "Cheers with an Officer".   Part of the Social Distancing thing that has still hung on for that event.  They do simply that, come by...introduce themselves and raise a glass of bubbly.  That's it, and then take their leave.  

 

Does not bother me at all, since in the past it really felt like some of them were distracted and wanted  to get back to doing their normal job.   It must be really redundant for them to do that week after week...though some seem to really enjoy it.  

 

For our last "Cheers with an Officer" last month there were only six of us (Pinnacle lunch).  We all sat at the same table and had a great time, great meal (we always get the steak), and nice conversations.   The 340 and up lunch is identical set up.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 2, 2022 by island lady

[island lady]

4 minutes ago, bonsai3s said:

Sorry to hear about your lunch.

 

We have been very fortunate to have had numerous wonderful tablemates.

 

I love those on sea days!  🙂  

 

Though most of the time we take our own glasses of wine in with us.  Not a fan of some of those free wine offerings they pour.  😉 

[cruisegirl1]

I am surprised that you had not read or heard that the lunch with the officer is replaced with a "cheers with an officer"  Generally a greeting to the attendees, introduction of senior staff and a toast.     Most of the time they then leave, but a handful of times, they walked around to the various tables for a  brief hello.  Your menu is somewhat standard for theses events.   

 

Not sure why they don't use an RSVP system to get a good headcount.     Surprised the count was so low for your sailing .   We enjoy the meal but  a few times our meal was scheduled for the last sea day, which was also the last day of the crises, and we did not attend. 

 

Perhaps one day they will go back to the hosted meal   That would  be nice. 

 

M

[topnole]

Total waste of time.  Particularly if you picked this over doing something else or eating elsewhere.  Went to something similar once when we were in a suite.  The officers stayed and chatted but a couple pinnacles completely monopolized the officers time.  You could tell he wanted to get away but couldn’t manage it.  So we never even said hi or got to ask a question.  I don’t waste my time with such things anymore.  I’d rather eat lunch by the pool and have a beer.  

Edited May 2, 2022 by topnole

[island lady]

4 minutes ago, topnole said:

Total waste of time.  Particularly if you picked this over doing something else or eating elsewhere.  Went to something similar once when we were in a suite.  The officers stayed and chatted but a couple pinnacles completely monopolized the officers time.  You could tell he wanted to get away but couldn’t manage it.  So we never even said hi or got to ask a question.  I don’t waste my time with such things anymore.  I’d rather eat lunch by the pool and have a beer.  

 

That would most likely not be the former "Meal with an Officer" now turned into "Cheers with an Officer".  

 

Need to be at 340 C&A points and higher to have that meal.  Suites guests who have not attained that level don't get the invite....normally...but once we had the suites people on a small ship with limited C&A members.  Only once.  

 

Invites can be turned down, and should be if you don't attend, to give the LA a head count.  

[bonsai3s]

26 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

I love those on sea days!  🙂  

 

Though most of the time we take our own glasses of wine in with us.  Not a fan of some of those free wine offerings they pour.  😉 

I'm a lightweight...2 buck chuck wine konnossieur (intentional typo)...after one glass, it all taste the same to me .

 

* Currently onboard the Odyssey...110 Pinns onboard...our lunch was lively and highly attended.

[little britain]

On Voyager the invitation clearly said Cheers not Lunch with an officer.
We had at least 10 officers introducing themselves.  The Pinnacles got the Captain. 
 

You filled out rsvp via the loyalty girl ( you could either pick the lunch or a behind the scenes chat - one or either but not both!)

[BND]

We've done 4 since the restart (2 b2b's) on HOTS and EN.  All had great attendance and we met a lot of people as well as ran into others we knew.  

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, nelblu said:

I expected a good attendance, unfortunately there were only 3 additional paxs that showed up. 

There were 30+ people at the same event in December, with many more officers. Like many other things, you can't really generalize from one event.

[yogimax]

We look forward to it, make new friends, enjoy the meal and are usually among the last to leave.

[ONECRUISER]

5 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

There were 30+ people at the same event in December, with many more officers. Like many other things, you can't really generalize from one event.

Success of C&A, too many Diamonds and above. More then 2 Decades ago Diamond Members, The Top Tier then, would Meet with Captain and all Senior Staff for Drinks/Eats at a Formal Affair. Would Have at most 8-10 of us on Newest most popular Ships and 6 of them making it almost One on One. I enjoyed this, Sat with Capt alone once, Chief Engineer and Doctor other times. Don't do the Lunch/Cheers now...

[nelblu]

2 hours ago, island lady said:

 

I love those on sea days!  🙂  

 

Though most of the time we take our own glasses of wine in with us.  Not a fan of some of those free wine offerings they pour.  😉 

The funny thing is that the wine is free flowing, however, I'm not much of a wine drinker and ordered a beer.  I had to use one of my D+ drink coupon.😁

[nelblu]

1 hour ago, little britain said:

On Voyager the invitation clearly said Cheers not Lunch with an officer.
We had at least 10 officers introducing themselves.  The Pinnacles got the Captain. 
 

You filled out rsvp via the loyalty girl ( you could either pick the lunch or a behind the scenes chat - one or either but not both!)

I got both invites.

[nelblu]

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

There were 30+ people at the same event in December, with many more officers. Like many other things, you can't really generalize from one event.

I'm not generalizing, but expressing my experience.

[island lady]

1 hour ago, bonsai3s said:

I'm a lightweight...2 buck chuck wine konnossieur (intentional typo)...after one glass, it all taste the same to me .

 

* Currently onboard the Odyssey...110 Pinns onboard...our lunch was lively and highly attended.

 

Ours was a good lunch in Feb. on Odyssey as well!  Very well done!  🙂 

[nelblu]

1 hour ago, ONECRUISER said:

Success of C&A, too many Diamonds and above. More then 2 Decades ago Diamond Members, The Top Tier then, would Meet with Captain and all Senior Staff for Drinks/Eats at a Formal Affair. Would Have at most 8-10 of us on Newest most popular Ships and 6 of them making it almost One on One. I enjoyed this, Sat with Capt alone once, Chief Engineer and Doctor other times. Don't do the Lunch/Cheers now...

Not sure if because of Easter week and some 1,200 children on board, but not many Pinns or D+ on this sail.

[orville99]

We stopped going after our November Harmony sailing. We were in line behind two other pins who stormed off in a huff when they found out that the lunch had been combined with the lowly 340+ crowd. (it is people with attitudes like that that give all pins a bad reputation -one reason why we never wear our pins)😇

[nelblu]

29 minutes ago, orville99 said:

We stopped going after our November Harmony sailing. We were in line behind two other pins who stormed off in a huff when they found out that the lunch had been combined with the lowly 340+ crowd. (it is people with attitudes like that that give all pins a bad reputation -one reason why we never wear our pins)😇

What clowns.

[loman]

Looks like a nice meal with a few pax. 

Sounds good to me .🙂

[loman]

36 minutes ago, orville99 said:

We stopped going after our November Harmony sailing. We were in line behind two other pins who stormed off in a huff when they found out that the lunch had been combined with the lowly 340+ crowd. (it is people with attitudes like that that give all pins a bad reputation -one reason why we never wear our pins)😇

That must of been funny . Did you laugh at them .

[cruiselvr04]

Almost 340 here and looking forward to a nice free lunch.  I don’t care if the officers stay around or not.  I doubt we’ll get to Pin level but we’ll enjoy the cruises and any perks along the way.  

[island lady]

1 hour ago, orville99 said:

We stopped going after our November Harmony sailing. We were in line behind two other pins who stormed off in a huff when they found out that the lunch had been combined with the lowly 340+ crowd. (it is people with attitudes like that that give all pins a bad reputation -one reason why we never wear our pins)😇

 

Actually...being a nice Pinnacle.....you probably should wear your pin.  That would set a much better example, since it would show how very welcoming, helpful, and friendly they can be!  🙂  Some of our  very best friends are the nicest people you could ever meet, and happen to be Pinnies.  Some wear their pins, some don't.  

 

I even got that from a check in agent at the port on embarkation day.  "Oh wow...Pinnacles really CAN be polite, patient, and pleasant" she told me.  Awww....   

 

But seriously...Pinns that are a PITA....were that way as Gold, Platinum...etc.   It's the person inside that makes the difference.