Captain's party and Mariner's Party details

[happy cruzer]

Hi, I have never done these two parties on HAL. Mainly because I always felt akward and did not know what to expect. And there seemed to be a long line.

 

So for each of these two parties:

 

1) what is the draw?

2) if you get free drinks, is it one? is it only from a circulating server or can you go the bar and order what you want? do you get any choices?

3) do they have nibbles?

4) can you sit down or do you stand, or maybe even just walk thru?

5) how do they handle early and late dining, are there two times for the party?

 

What's your experiences been? Many thanks.

[Darrell6t]

Hi, I have never done these two parties on HAL. Mainly because I always felt akward and did not know what to expect. And there seemed to be a long line.

 

So for each of these two parties:

 

1) what is the draw?

2) if you get free drinks, is it one? is it only from a circulating server or can you go the bar and order what you want? do you get any choices?

3) do they have nibbles?

4) can you sit down or do you stand, or maybe even just walk thru?

5) how do they handle early and late dining, are there two times for the party?

 

What's your experiences been? Many thanks.

 

1) I like to see the various officers introduced at the Captain's party. And seeing the people who cruise HAL a lot is fun too.

2) Yes, from a server. And there is some choice.

3) Yes. And sometimes excellent mixed nuts.

4) You sit down and there is a bit of a program.

5) There are two Captain's parties. There is only one Mariner's party.

[Krazy Kruizers]

There are 2 Captain's welcome parties - the times are listed in the daily program. For example, if you have the 5:45 and 6:15 dinner times, that party usually begins aound 4:45. One of the reasons why you see a long line is because they photographers take a couple of pictures before you are introduced to the captain, then one with the captain and another just after you enter the doors to the show lounge where the party is held. They already have champagne, orange juice, white wine and bloody Mary's already made and servers go around offering these. Sometimes we have seen red wine offered - each ship does things their own way. We don't like any of those so always order a cocktail. There have been times when many people were there and the servers only got to people once with drinks - other times they will get back with a second round. After ahile a couple of servers will go around with bottles of wine and champagne to refill glasses.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of organization on some of the ships concerning the hot appetizers. We have seen a couple of waiters work the same area while people in sitting in some sections get nothing - several times we have gotten nothing. Have to be content with the mixed nuts.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Depending on how many Mariners are on a cruise determines whether there will be 1 or 2 parties. Lately all the cruises we have been on have had 2 parties.

Some ships have the parties in the morning on the last sea day, some ships have them in the evening on the last formal night - same times as Captain's Welcome party. A lot also depends on the ship's itinerary and when they can schedule the parties.

It is also held in the show lounge, same procedure for drinks and appetizers.

[sail7seas]

We never attend the Welcome Aboard Party. We've usually met the Captain at the Suite Welcome Aboard Party held embarkation day. Sometimes we already know him from previous cruisers.

 

We Always attend the Mariners Parties and really like them. As you enter the lounge, you will have the chance to meet the Captain and Hotel Manager, shake their hands and have your photo taken. You will be seated and Stewards pass trays of drinks and hors d'ouerves. I like hearing the Captain tell us what is in the planning for HAL. And I really enjoy seeing Mariners recognized for the number of cruises they have taken and it's fun to see people receive their Medals as they reach the 100, 300, 500 and Platinum Levels. I also like seeing how many pax on a given cruise are Mariners. It amazes me the really high percentage of repeaters on any given cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

On our last several cruises, the captains have only passed out the awards - no talk about HAL's future.

In fact on the Statendam, the parties were very short - lasted about 15 minutes!!!

[SF49erfan]

There are usually 2 Captain's Welcome party - about an hour before each dinner seating. The lines are caused by stopping so that the photographers can take your picture. Then you go to meet the captain. On our last cruise, the captain was very concerned about health, so he didn't shake hands with anyone - nor did anyone else on staff. You can get your picture taken with the captain and then move on to another picture site.

When you get into the lounge, you take a seat and are served drinks - champagne, white or red wine, bloody Mary's, or orange juice. There are nuts on the tables and servers come around with hot snacks.

The Captain introduces the other ship's officers and tells some things about the ship. All in all, it's a rather pleasant time.

The Mariners reception is also held in the lounge. We've usually had it in te morning of te last sea day. Same deal with drinks and snacks. Awards are given and pictures are taken with the awardees. Then the Captain opens it up for a Q&A that is very informative.

[Copper10-8]

5) There are two Captain's parties. There is only one Mariner's party.

 

Yonnie (KK) has already said it; even though there used to be one party the new thing, at least on some ships, seems to be to split the "Mariners' Society Reception" up into two sessions by dinner seating (I'm guessing due to the ever increasing amount of Mariners on HAL). On Prinsendam, there was one between 5:15-6:00 PM (first dinner seating) and one from 7:30-8:15 PM (second dinner seating)

[sail7seas]

The Mariners reception is also held in the lounge. We've usually had it in te morning of te last sea day. Same deal with drinks and snacks. Awards are given and pictures are taken with the awardees. Then the Captain opens it up for a Q&A that is very informative.

 

 

Wow.....ALL the times we attended Mariner's Parties, we've never had a Captain have a Q & A. Do you remember what Captain(s) did this? I'm impressed and would really wish that would happen at one of the parties we are at.

[Copper10-8]

The Mariners reception is also held in the lounge. We've usually had it in te morning of te last sea day. Same deal with drinks and snacks. Awards are given and pictures are taken with the awardees. Then the Captain opens it up for a Q&A that is very informative.

 

Also never seen this one but really like the idea! On Prinsendam, Capt. Gundersen had a "Meet the captain" session on the morning of one of the last sea days, hosted by Cruise Director Pieter Daems. Seem to go over really well with the pax except with one who used to opportunity to start blasting the cruise (smell of varnish used by the crew for maintenance and the use of thrusters when leaving the last port at 11:00 PM - back to rowing, I guess:rolleyes: )

[elmorejj]

We never go to the Capts welcome aboard party but usually go to the Mariners party. One thing that is nice at the Mariners party is if you are a medal holder, you meet at a different door to enter, are escorted in and seated in a special section. This keeps the medal holders together for the group picture. The picture is usually free and delivered to your cabin........jean:cool:

[hammybee]

We too have seen some CD's host Q/A sessions for passengers. They are informative and unintentionally, often some of the best entertainment on board, passenger questions/issues versus the skill of the CD to respond.

 

Some passengers use it as an opportunity to vent about anything and everything, including things that are not remotely related to cruising, the ship or HAL. Some CD's are more capable than others at defusing situations.

 

If I were a CD, I might be inclined to position the Q/A session early in the cruise. It's an opportunity to educate passengers about group dynamics, what is normal operation versus risks at sea, the safey of the ship and HAL's protocol for response to a potential emergency.

 

Imagine if the majority of the Crown Princess passengers understood early on, that listing is a normal response of a ship, under many circumstances and the overwhelming improbability that a ship of this size would be at risk of not being able to correct the situation. In other words, I would emphasize those things that really matter and in doing so, manage the expectations of passengers.

[duck tune]

 

 

The Mariners reception is also held in the lounge. We've usually had it in te morning of te last sea day. Same deal with drinks and snacks. Awards are given and pictures are taken with the awardees. Then the Captain opens it up for a Q&A that is very informative.

 

On the Oosterdam in March and Zaandam in June both captains did provide extra information - Oosterdam did more than Zaandam.

[Krazy Kruizers]

On our last several cruises, Ryndam, Amsterdam, and Statendam ---- those of who already had our medals did not meet at a special door and did not have any special seats. Everyone got into the same line and sat whever we were directed to sit.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The majority of our Mariner's parties have been in the morning. We have decided that in the future we aren't going to go to them if they are held in the morning.

The last formal night is a much better time.

[Krazy Kruizers]

In the last 2 years, I can't even remember any captain talking about the future of HAL on any of the ships that we have been on.

All they did was pass out the new medals and thanked everyone for coming.

[FoxyTerrier]

Wow.....ALL the times we attended Mariner's Parties, we've never had a Captain have a Q & A. Do you remember what Captain(s) did this? I'm impressed and would really wish that would happen at one of the parties we are at.

 

On our recent Noordam cruise there was a separate Q & A with Captain John Scott. Not lots of people attended but I found it very informative.

[sail7seas]

I so hope that Captain John Scott is aboard when we sail Noordam. He was there with us last February and it was great!!! We'd love to see him again and most particularly love to see him again on Noordam.

 

[kryos]

Yonnie (KK) has already said it; even though there used to be one party the new thing, at least on some ships, seems to be to split the "Mariners' Society Reception" up into two sessions by dinner seating (I'm guessing due to the ever increasing amount of Mariners on HAL)

The original post in this thread got me thinking ... I think we too had two Mariner's parties on the Amsterdam this past January ... also two Captain's parties. But, isn't the Captain's party the one that is by invitation only? I know there was one big party there that only some people got invited to ... not everyone.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[cruzincurt]

On our last Veendam cruise, the Mariners reception was 11:00 in the morning on a sea day. I thought it was quite ugly. The crowd waiting in the hall pushed and shoved each other as soon as the doors opened. Every other cruise line we've been on has the reception in the evening on a formal night where it belongs.

 

We now arrive 10 to 15 minutes late to avoid the crowd.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I think the OP was referring to the Captain's Welcome aboard party that is for everyone.

The VIP is only for certain invited quests.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sail

When will you be sailing on the Noordam??

[happy cruzer]

Ok, so now that I understand the format. I think I can only get DH to attend if there is the real possiblity of a glass or wine or a scotch and water. So can you order this from the bar and it be free or do you have to rely on the waiters bringing you something to drink for it to be free.

 

I like the idea of the ceremony part, but the long line and the photo op sounds like a pain.

 

We always attend any officer or ship info meetings. I love them. On our last cruise the best part of the meet the staff was the environmental officer's discussion about water and garbage treatment. Sounds dull, but was very interesting, mainly because this guy was passionate about his job.

 

So can you order a drink from the bar for free? or do you rely on the circulating servers?

[sail7seas]

The original post in this thread got me thinking ... I think we too had two Mariner's parties on the Amsterdam this past January ... also two Captain's parties. But, isn't the Captain's party the one that is by invitation only? I know there was one big party there that only some people got invited to ... not everyone.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

Funny but what is Old is New Again. It used to be that there was almost always two Mariners Parties. They were always held in the evening; normally on the last formal night. They were held before each of the two seatings.

 

Now, they run two parties when there are too many Mariners aboard to be able to seat them all at one party. In the event, all Mariners chose to attend, they certainly need to have a seat for everyone so it may be necessary to hold two parties.

 

As to Captain's Party and Private Invitation......Captain's Welcome Aboard Party as announced in the Daily Program is for everyone.

 

Captain may have other cocktail parties/events throughout the cruise that may be by private invitation but the Big Welcome Aboard is for all guests.

[sail7seas]

Ok, so now that I understand the format. I think I can only get DH to attend if there is the real possiblity of a glass or wine or a scotch and water. So can you order this from the bar and it be free or do you have to rely on the waiters bringing you something to drink for it to be free.

 

So can you order a drink from the bar for free? or do you rely on the circulating servers?

 

There is no Bar in the Show Lounge from which you can place a drink order. You will definitely be offered wine and champagne from trays the stewards pass around with. They are complimentary. Your DH may be able to order a scotch from a steward.......perhaps.