Captain's cocktail party prior to formal night dining??

[rainforestrescue]

I have traveled on Carnival in the past and know they have a Captain's Cocktail Party prior on the 1st night of formal dining for all guests. This is held in the main entertainment hall.

Does HAL offer this as well? Or, is it just for those who spend more money for the suites?

Thank you!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

You didn't mention which ship you would be sailing on.

HAL does a "Welcome Aboard Toast". The time depends on the ship.

On the Noordam it is held at 7:45 and 9:45 -- right before the show and after dinner. You get your choice of free champagne, red wine or white wine.

On all the other ships that we have been on since the introduction of the new show times of 7 and 9, the Welcome Aboard Toast is at 6:45 before the show for the late dinners and 8:45 before the show for those who dine early.

[Alexat2]

It USED to be a cocktail party, now it's a 5 minutes "toast" before each show. If you blink you'll miss it.

Lydia

Another way for HAL to cheapo it out and save money...

[Harry1954]

It USED to be a cocktail party, now it's a 5 minutes "toast" before each show. If you blink you'll miss it.
Lydia
You do indeed miss it if you are not quick and on time.
harry

[May4]

[
Another way for HAL to cheapo it out and save money...[/QUOTE]

I had to smile a little when I read that. I am delighted to be handed my glass of wine by the gracious members of the bar staff. Since I am not handed a bill to sign, I'm good.;)

[innlady1]

Another way for HAL to cheapo it out and save money...


I had to smile a little when I read that. I am delighted to be handed my glass of wine by the gracious members of the bar staff. Since I am not handed a bill to sign, I'm good.;)

Same here, Debbie. If they don't ask for my card, I'm good, too! :)

[agabbymama]

I think most of the lines are getting away from the Captains Cocktail Party and the photo op with the Captain. I was sooooo disappointed in '06 on Celebrity Constellation, that there were no photos with the Captain.

But then on HAL in '07 to Alaska and Princess '08 in the Med, they didn't do the photos with the Captain either and only the quick Welcome Toast.

I'm thinking it has to save them some bucks or it wouldn't have been done away with.

[Alexat2]

I had to smile a little when I read that. I am delighted to be handed my glass of wine by the gracious members of the bar staff. Since I am not handed a bill to sign, I'm good.;)


When it was a cocktail party you had time for more than one...:(

[Krazy Kruizers]

I had to smile a little when I read that. I am delighted to be handed my glass of wine by the gracious members of the bar staff. Since I am not handed a bill to sign, I'm good.;)

I'm with you - its great to get a free drink!!

[JessWright]

I am certain one of the major reasons for the change is to prevent the possibility of spreading the norovirus, especially with the Captain and others shaking hands of about 1,000 people. Plus, getting passengers to poise for a photo with the Captain was a big money maker whether people wanted to take a photo or not. Actually, there is a similar situation with the Mariners' luncheons.

[Harry1954]

I am certain one of the major reasons for the change is to prevent the possibility of spreading the norovirus, especially with the Captain and others shaking hands of about 1,000 people. Plus, getting passengers to poise for a photo with the Captain was a big money maker whether people wanted to take a photo or not. Actually, there is a similar situation with the Mariners' luncheons.
On Crystal for years they have not allowed the Captain or staff to shake hands with pax. I found this just fine and did believe it was more healthy for all that way. What I find unappealing is the seemingly bored officer staff attempting to greet 1000 or more pax. This is such a waste of time. Having a cocktail party with the Captain greeting everyone from stage, offering free wine etc, and a real toast (not these silly things with confetti popping out of bottles) seems very adult-like and complimentary to the pax. This would suffice IMHO and be efficient use of time.
harry

[Alexat2]

What I find unappealing is the seemingly bored officer staff attempting to greet 1000 or more pax. This is such a waste of time. Having a cocktail party with the Captain greeting everyone from stage, offering free wine etc, and a real toast (not these silly things with confetti popping out of bottles) seems very adult-like and complimentary to the pax. This would suffice IMHO and be efficient use of time.
harry

It might be more efficient - but that doesn't make it better. The Captain personally greeting every passenger at the Welcome Cocktail party is a cruising TRADITION, a gesture of civility and polish. It's called good manners. Heaven forbid if a cruise line HONORING it's guests isn't "effecient".

Even on the Veendam 2 years ago when they still did the REAL cocktail party, the Captain greeted everyone at the door but did not shake hands, and this was explained ahead of time.

And I've never been on any ship at a Capt's Cocktail Party where they did the confetti out of bottles..... it's always been a simple Hello and pic with the Captain at the door, then a cocktail or two and some nibbles, and then the Captain making a very nice, short "Welcome aboard" speech followed by an introduction of his senior officers. Very Classy and very traditional.

And if you're a passenger and found it unappealling - you didn't go.

Oh - and those pic of the Capt with the guests, the cruise lines usually made money on those... but apparently HAL didn't make enough to offset the extra booze consummed when they actually had a real cocktail party.

So now we're stuck with the cheesy 5 minute cocktail party with a 2 minute toast inconveniently set before the pre-dinner show (if you're main seating), so you either have to suffer through the show or kill an hour before dinner. Not an effecient use of MY time - so I don't go anymore.

My standards are little higher than one free drink, I'd like a little tradition with it too.

Lydia

[patrickc]

I only did HAL once, transatlantic last Spring on Noordam- I thought it was nice in the theatre w/ the confetti. I also really like RCCL- w/ the cocktail party & drinks w/ Capt. Now, I must also say, my favorite was on Carnival this past Fall. I did not think I'd like Carnival but it really made an impression! They opened all the bars & clubs w/ free drinks for an 1.5 hours prior to each dinner. The capt came through each area- in fact we moved around & by chance shook his hand twice! Carnival made me smile- I thought it would be cheesy, etc but looking back, it was really the most fun we've had (have sailed Celebrity, RCCL, NCL & HAL).

[Krazy Kruizers]

I really enjoyed the days when we stood in line to meet the capain and get a picture taken with him. Also enjoyed the cocktails and sometimes nuts/appetizers.

But -- alas those days are gone.

Now you are handed a drink as you enter the Show Lounge -- no nuts or appetizers. A few officers are introduced, the employee of the month and the cellar master on the majority of our recent cruises does "pop" a large fake bottle of champagne -- confetti comes out.

[Harry1954]

It might be more efficient - but that doesn't make it better. The Captain personally greeting every passenger at the Welcome Cocktail party is a cruising TRADITION, a gesture of civility and polish. It's called good manners. Heaven forbid if a cruise line HONORING it's guests isn't "effecient".

Even on the Veendam 2 years ago when they still did the REAL cocktail party, the Captain greeted everyone at the door but did not shake hands, and this was explained ahead of time.
And I've never been on any ship at a Capt's Cocktail Party where they did the confetti out of bottles..... it's always been a simple Hello and pic with the Captain at the door, then a cocktail or two and some nibbles, and then the Captain making a very nice, short "Welcome aboard" speech followed by an introduction of his senior officers. Very Classy and very traditional.

And if you're a passenger and found it unappealling - you didn't go.
Oh - and those pic of the Capt with the guests, the cruise lines usually made money on those... but apparently HAL didn't make enough to offset the extra booze consummed when they actually had a real cocktail party.
So now we're stuck with the cheesy 5 minute cocktail party with a 2 minute toast inconveniently set before the pre-dinner show (if you're main seating), so you either have to suffer through the show or kill an hour before dinner. Not an effecient use of MY time - so I don't go anymore.
My standards are little higher than one free drink, I'd like a little tradition with it too.
Lydia
Lydia, you make some very good observations; however, I hate to inform you but in the last six months we have been on three HAL cruises on differing ships and ALL of them had the stupid confetti out of a bottle - and that is below what I expect and is indeed very tacky.
harry

[Harry1954]

Now you are handed a drink as you enter the Show Lounge -- no nuts or appetizers. A few officers are introduced, the employee of the month and the cellar master on the majority of our recent cruises does "pop" a large fake bottle of champagne -- confetti comes out.
Yep - that is what is happening now ... and I HATE IT (but it does not diminish the joy of HAL crusing for us as we look at the positives recognizing that just is my business, some ideas that are made by management are just plain dumb)
harry

[Host Dan]

Fake confetti out of a fake champagne bottle, with a glass of wine. I think I'll be passing on this "new tradition". Thanks for the heads-up!

Host Dan

[Krazy Kruizers]

Lydia, you make some very good observations; however, I hate to inform you but in the last six months we have been on three HAL cruises on differing ships and ALL of them had the stupid confetti out of a bottle - and that is below what I expect and is indeed very tacky.
harry

We have been experiencing this new "Welcome Aboard Toast" for over 2 years now.

[marle7]

Fake confetti out of a fake champagne bottle, with a glass of wine. I think I'll be passing on this "new tradition". Thanks for the heads-up!

Host Dan


Me too.