Captains Table Invite?

[Crusin' from Fl]

How do you get an invite? We are going on RCCL over the Holidays and wondered how I can go about getting an invite. Can someone give me some guidance here?

 

Thanks!

[beachchick]

Some ways to get an invite: Be cruising in a high level suite; be a member of a high level in the cruise line's loyalty club; be a high roller in the casino. (The theme here, of course, is money.)

 

Some other, less likely, ways: Be an active, charming, entertaining participant in many of the onboard events; be interested and enthusiastic about various aspects, including technical, of the ship and cruises; get to know the Cruise Director and officers. (The theme here is charm and flattery.) Be on your honeymoon or celebrating a 25th/50th/60th wedding anniversary. Be a member of the armed services and wear your dress uniform for formal night. (The theme here is special event or serving the country. Be aware that there can be as many as 200 couples on honeymoons and another 100 couples celebrating special anniversaries. Obviously, just because an event is special to us, doesn't mean it's uncommon for the cruise line. They couldn't possibly invite every couple to dine with the captain.)

 

Some other, not very likely, ways: Ask the Cruise Director because you, like 1000 other pax, would like the opportunity. Ask one of the other officers or at Passenger Services because ditto to the above. (For this, don't hold your breath.)

 

Best of luck!

 

beachchick

[Essiesmom]

I have never been on a cruise when the captain dined in the dining room. On one cruise my table was next to the captain's table, and my waiter was assigned to it. He said that the captain only ate there once or twice a month. EM

[jp2001]

I don't think dining with the Captain is a favor you can ask, they have to offer.

[Jiminkcmo]

It always amuses me that people would even WANT to eat with the Captain.

 

It's really NOT like eating with GOD.

 

He/she doesn't turn water into wine at the table.

 

It is not an occasion that would "float my boat".

 

Just my $0.02.

 

Jim

[Canadianhey!]

It always amuses me that people would even WANT to eat with the Captain.

 

It's really NOT like eating with GOD.

 

He/she doesn't turn water into wine at the table.

 

It is not an occasion that would "float my boat".

 

Just my $0.02.

 

Jim

 

You are so right. We were invited once and in all honesty after doing it I would have perferred to sit at my regular table. If you aren't sitting right beside him you rarely even get to talk to him, and then everyone at the table tries to be "important and have lots, lots, lots of money" to impress the captain and here we are "farmers". We don't know how to impress anyone but our "banker". Much perferred the lay-back regular people that we normally sat with. Just my $0.02 (Canadian Dollar that is)

[45014]

I just don't think I would like to dine with the captain. I believe that we would turn down the invitation and dine with the friends that we are sailing with. I don't think it is that big of a deal. Can you refuse the invitation?

[cookingchick]

I just don't think I would like to dine with the captain. I believe that we would turn down the invitation and dine with the friends that we are sailing with. I don't think it is that big of a deal. Can you refuse the invitation?

 

It is a great honor to be asked to dine with the captain. I suppose you could turn down the invitation but in my opinion it would be like going to stay at someone's house and refusing to eat with them.

 

In reality, dining with the captain is a lot like dining with a table of strangers...except the service is much, much better and the wine is free. :)

[sail7seas]

It always amuses me that people would even WANT to eat with the Captain.

 

It's really NOT like eating with GOD.

 

No, but they are all immensely interesting and are charming hosts. The stories they share about their experiences are wonderful.

 

He/she doesn't turn water into wine at the table.

 

No.... but they provide delicious wines to their guests. White with the appetizer/soup. Reds with entree. (usually) Guests always meet with each other and (usually) the Captain before they go to The Table and then all wines are offered to the guests during dinner.

 

 

It is not an occasion that would "float my boat".

 

If you ever have the opportunity, you may wish to reconsider. It is a very special treat and occassion to dine with a Captain on a ship.

 

Just my $0.02.[

 

Jim

[suse]

It's just a fabulous opportunity in my opinion. We did it once, and we are just normal folks, but the Captain was fascinating. I really enjoyed hearing about his family and home and lifestyle. For me, it was an eye opener. Plus, the wine was very good!

[househunter]

I just don't think I would like to dine with the captain. I believe that we would turn down the invitation and dine with the friends that we are sailing with. I don't think it is that big of a deal. Can you refuse the invitation?

 

We have turned down an invitation. We were on HAL last year and it was the night of our anniversary. We had reservations in the Pinnacle and we wanted to spend the evening alone.

[Barbee524]

and the wine is free. :)

 

OK now I want an invitation:D

[phish tales]

because we cruise a lot and we are at the highest level with rccl's C&A society, we were asked 6 times to dine with the captain. we accepted all 6. each time it was an honor and a privilege. we always enjoyed it. if you get invited, accept, you will enjoy the experience. plus the food, desert & wine are great...

[kitty9]

To the OP: You cannot ask for an invitation, you have to be invited. You're among thousands on the ship, and there's only one night where the captain dines with the passengers. Your chances improve if you're a very frequent cruiser, are in the highest priced suite or are celebrating a very special occasion such as a 50th wedding anniversary. And, there are only 12 people who are invited, so chances are slim of getting an invite.

[Arwenmark]

You can also be a drop dead gorgeous woman traveling without a partner and get invited as well, unless of course you offend the Capt. at your first opportunity.

 

Don't ask how I know this one! and no it was not ME. There used to be a day when I was Pretty, but never DD gorgeous.

[phish tales]

ARWENMARK----this would not always work. 2 of the 6 captains we had dinner with were female captains. rccl now has two. both very competent.

[miss prairie girl]

and then everyone at the table tries to be "important and have lots, lots, lots of money" to impress the captain and here we are "farmers". We don't know how to impress anyone but our "banker". Much perferred the lay-back regular people that we normally sat with. Just my $0.02 (Canadian Dollar that is)

 

Hi there....we are farmers, too, and I am a farmer's wife...Someone once told me that farmers are "asset rich and cash poor".....We use that phrase to reassure ourselves that things are going to be all right....

 

And, hey, where else do you get to meet such great people? Everyone has their story to tell whether they are the ship's captain or business people or retired or on their engagement cruise....The last three categories were our wonderful tablemates on our very first cruise!

 

Happy cruising everyone!

[wrp96]

When I ate at the Captain's Table, everyone was just good, down to earth, and fun to be around, including the Captain.

 

Oh, and I'm also a farmer.

[iheartbda]

ARWENMARK----this would not always work. 2 of the 6 captains we had dinner with were female captains. rccl now has two. both very competent.

 

Who knows what someone's preferences might be.;):p

[sail7seas]

When I ate at the Captain's Table, everyone was just good, down to earth, and fun to be around, including the Captain.

 

Oh, and I'm also a farmer.

 

 

That is exactly what we encountered as well. I seriously doubt folks who are so busy trying to impress are going to be invited. They look for people who will be interesting and fun and join in conversation.

[rednancy1]

We've enjoyed our three dinners with various captains. You get to order from a special menu with better cuts of meat and the wine is flowing. :D We've also received a free photo of the entire table as a momento.

 

The conversation was very interesting. No one was pretentious.

 

The last time we dined with the Captain we celebrated a lovely lady's 89th birthday. She was charming and seemed years younger.

 

A good time was had by all.:)

[samiam0403]

It always amuses me that people would even WANT to eat with the Captain.

 

It's really NOT like eating with GOD.

 

He/she doesn't turn water into wine at the table.Jim

 

He/she may not turn water into wine at the table, but you DO get free wine. :D We've seen the Captain at dinner on every cruise we've been on, and on our last cruise, a friend from Cruise Critic was the only person invited to eat with him. We stopped by to say hi to her, and were introduced to the Captain and chatted a few minutes. It was very cool to spend a few moments with him, as he was very charming. Just to spend some time with the person who runs the ship was an experience! Maybe someday we'll get invited to dinner...but wearing our formal military wear, being shareholders, booking suites and spending TONS in the casino haven't helped so far...:eek:

[beachchick]

It always amuses me that people would even WANT to eat with the Captain.

 

It's really NOT like eating with GOD.

 

He/she doesn't turn water into wine at the table.

 

It is not an occasion that would "float my boat".

 

Just my $0.02.

 

Jim

 

We pretty much agree with you. However, there are several "howevers" I'd consider: Who is the captain (some are wonderful, some not so charming), who we're traveling with (if it's just us, fine; if we're with family or friends, it's would be all or none), what we're doing earlier in the day (busy port day, we'd have no interest in attending a lively dinner where we'd be expected to be attentive and relatively fun), and so forth.

 

There is often a special menu and we've heard nothing but "wow" about the wines the captains usually choose (included, of course).

 

For some people, it's a really big deal/honor/event. That's great and we wish them all the fun and enjoyment in the world when dining with a ship's captain.

 

It is a great honor to be asked to dine with the captain. I suppose you could turn down the invitation but in my opinion it would be like going to stay at someone's house and refusing to eat with them.

 

In reality, dining with the captain is a lot like dining with a table of strangers...except the service is much, much better and the wine is free. :)

 

I disagree. Being asked is considered an honor by many people, but that doesn't mean everyone is required to think it's such an honor. It's not at all like going to stay at someone's house and not dining with them. I don't pay to visit friends and family in their homes; friends and family aren't "hosting" me as part of their job; cruise ships aren't the same as private homes. Why shouldn't someone be able to say, "Thank the captain for his/her kind invitation, but we would prefer not to accept."? And why make others feel like they're somehow being rude if they prefer to decline?

 

As far as the experience itself. Some people do not enjoy dining at a table with strangers under any circumstances, so why should they feel obligated to do so just because the captain invited them? Wouldn't the invitation be better used by others who feel it is an honor and who'd have a wonderful time?

 

The wine is no doubt wonderful and the special menu is probably fabulous too, but I'm sorry to hear that the service is "much, much better" because good service is supposed to be something that all pax have paid for. Certainly I'd expect service at the captain's table to be impecable in every way, just not so much better that "regular" service seems lacking or less than professional. I have to say that we've had excellent service dining as just "regular" pax. (Of course, we've had marginal service too, but that's not typical.)

 

beachchick

[rebeljohn]

In 2004, one of the CD's assistants struck up a conversation with my wife while we were standing in line to board. She kept telling my wife how attractive she was, and asked if given the chance, would we like to eat with the Captain? We said yes.........and got the invitation a few nights later. ..........My wife is in the red dress............

[Jiminkcmo]

I'd much rather buy my own wine and dine with "Joe the Plumber".

 

Wouldn't have to hear and see people trying to be something they're not.

 

That's one of the biggest turn-offs for me.

 

Just my $0.02.

 

Jim