Have you ever eaten with the Captain?

[Retired LEO]

.........am I the only one who gets a chill when so many recount how the Captain and guest head to the bar for drinks before dinner? It seems to me a Captain is technically "on duty" 24 hrs. At least that what was argued on the crash of the Exxon Valdez. What about passing a drug test if a crash occurs? Oh yea....the Bahamas don't test for that.....:rolleyes:

 

The Captains do not drink alcohol. They are subject to random testing and if anything is found in their system (Drugs or alcohol) they will be arrested and booked into the County Jail like anyone else.

[ggo85]

Done it twice (and neither time were we Diamond or above). Once it was formal night and no one wore less than a suit. My DH had only brought coat and tie so rented a tux. I think 3 men wore tuxes and two wore suits. The other time it was casual/smart casual night and dress was coat/tie for men and dressy slacks/dress for women.

 

On the casual night, we had the same menu as the MDR room that night other than dessert, where there was a single choice not on the regular menu (and, IMO, not as good:p). On the formal night, the menu was comparable to the MDR menu but somewhat of a composite (i.e., meat/shrimp combo vs. separate entrees on regular menu). For the formal night, there was a choice, but it was more limited.

 

Usually there is a toast; Captain drinks water or soda. Especially after Costa Concordia, the captains make clear they are not drinking alcohol. There is a choice of white/red wine -- usually better than the cheapest offerings on the menu but not high-priced wines.

 

BTW, seating is assigned. It is usually boy/girl/boy/girl, so "girls" will be seated next to the Captain. Once I sat next to him, the other time I was on the opposite side of the table so really didn't get to speak to him at all.

 

We were told that Pinnacles will almost always be invited to either a Captain's or Staff Captain's dinner. Beyond that, it seems rather random and can depend on how the Captain wants to proceed. The concierge may play a role on some cruises.

Edited August 9, 2013 by ggo85

[grand isle joe]

The Captains do not drink alcohol. They are subject to random testing and if anything is found in their system (Drugs or alcohol) they will be arrested and booked into the County Jail like anyone else.

 

......only within 3miles.....after that it is up to the Bahamian officials.......and they do drink....believe me.....;)

[NCcruiserstwo]

Been on a dozen cruises and never been invited. An invitation to the Captain's table would be an honor, but would prefer one of the lower officers such as the Hotel Director or Chief Engineer. We've had some terrific waiters. room stewards, and entertainers that I would be honored to share a table with them also.

[Retired LEO]

......only within 3miles.....after that it is up to the Bahamian officials.......and they do drink....believe me.....;)

 

The Captains are randomly tested when they arrive back at the home port.

[BND]

The Captains are randomly tested when they arrive back at the home port.

 

For drugs that would work, but not for alcohol. Alcohol is out of your system in less than 12 hours or so. And, not only that, as the time goes by, the % of alcohol drops too. So, unless the Captain drank in the 12 hours prior to the ship coming back to homeport, that would be a waste of a test. Alcohol breaks down pretty quickly, unlike drugs which leave traces in your bloodstream, hair, etc for 30 days or more.

 

Honestly, I have no issue with the Captain having a drink or two with his dinner. The reality is, whoever is on duty has to be sober. The Captain is not always on the bridge and the cruiseline wouldn't keep a Captain working who was known to imbibe too much. There are several people onboard who are more than qualified to drive the ship.

Edited August 9, 2013 by BND

[Aquahound]

The Captains do not drink alcohol. They are subject to random testing and if anything is found in their system (Drugs or alcohol) they will be arrested and booked into the County Jail like anyone else.

 

The U.S. legal limit for commercial Captains is .04. Thats half the legal limit for you and me driving a car. So yes, they can drink, but very little. Off hand, I don't know the legal limits for the different flag states. Outside of U.S. waters, RCI Captains would be bound by Bahamian law, and then also by other nations in their waters. I dont know of any that are .00.

[EVALUATOR]

The U.S. legal limit for commercial Captains is .04. Thats half the legal limit for you and me driving a car. So yes, they can drink, but very little. Off hand, I don't know the legal limits for the different flag states. Outside of U.S. waters, RCI Captains would be bound by Bahamian law, and then also by other nations in their waters. I dont know of any that are .00.

 

I thought RCCL'S policy was no alcohol for officers within 8 hours of reporting for duty.

 

Is the Captain ever "off duty"?

[JimAOk1945]

Yes, we have been invited to eat dinner with the captain on Radiance of the Seas, and another time, with the chief engineer on Mariner of the Seas. Both invitations were received for dining on formal night.

On the Radiance, my wife sat on the captain's right. On the Mariner, she sat on the left of the chief engineer. We enjoyed both dinners very much.

I got the impression from comments made by the concierge on each ship that they had recommended DW and I to be among the guests invited dine at those dinners.

Edited August 10, 2013 by JimAOk1945

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Awesome answer on your post. What might be your Crown and anchor level? My wife and I are diamond plus and have been on 30+ cruises with RCL, and never been invited to the Capt.'s table,boo-boo :(. Still trying as we will be on the liberty of the seas December 7, 2013 celebrating our 46th wedding anniversary with another couple.

 

We must be clones! We have 30+ cruises with Royal Caribbean and are D+.

We've never had a Captain's invitation. On December 8, we will doing our 46th wedding anniversary cruise on Independence of the Seas!

[grand isle joe]

We must be clones! We have 30+ cruises with Royal Caribbean and are D+.

We've never had a Captain's invitation. On December 8, we will doing our 46th wedding anniversary cruise on Independence of the Seas!

 

Happy anniversary!!!!!!!

[Aquahound]

I thought RCCL'S policy was no alcohol for officers within 8 hours of reporting for duty.

 

Is the Captain ever "off duty"?

 

I have no idea what RCIs policy is. I don't think a glass of wine now and then would hurt anything. Either way, scorpion wasn't quite accurate in his claim a Captain woud be arrested for any detection of alcohol. He would have to be over .04 (in the US) to be illegal.

[Selswick]

I have dined with many Captains many times. Captains of container ships,roll on roll off ferries,tug boats,oil tankers,bulk cargo ships,colliers,fishing boats,cable layers, lots of different types of ships and even a submarine. But never with the Captain of a cruise ship.

 

The dress code was mainly come as you are as we were working. If in overalls you ate in the "dirty mess"

 

Selswick

[Blue Line]

WOW, I love reading of everyones experiences dining with the Captain! Maybe someday I will be that lucky!

[EVALUATOR]

I have no idea what RCIs policy is. I don't think a glass of wine now and then would hurt anything. Either way, scorpion wasn't quite accurate in his claim a Captain woud be arrested for any detection of alcohol. He would have to be over .04 (in the US) to be illegal.

 

I'm with you on the .04.

 

I seem to remember RCCL saying "nothing within 8 hours" after the Celebrity Captain got arrested (and fired) in 2006 for O.U.I.

[soccermom1]

We have had the pleasure of dining with the captains 3 different times. It was the highlight of those cruises. Each time we meet some great folks and still stay in contact with most of them today. The last time we were invited, the captain's wife joined us and we had such great conversation, laughter and fun that we continued to get together the rest of the sailing. If invited to the captain’s table it is an honor that should be enjoyed and treasured. We are sailing on the August 16th cruise out of Baltimore celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and what better way to celebrate than dinner with the captain:)

[BND]

Yes, we have been invited to eat dinner with the captain on Radiance of the Seas, and another time, with the chief engineer on Mariner of the Seas. Both invitations were received for dining on formal night.

On the Radiance, my wife sat on the captain's right. On the Mariner, she sat on the left of the chief engineer. We enjoyed both dinners very much.

I got the impression from comments made by the concierge on each ship that they had recommended DW and I to be among the guests invited dine at those dinners.

 

The concierge may suggest for those who are using the concierge lounge, but a lot of people invited have not been in the CL. Sometimes it seems to come from a random conversation with an officer, others seem to be just invited randomly. No one knows the magic formula. DH and I have been in GS on several cruises and have met several officers, including the Captain on most of our cruises, but no invite. I get the impression every Captain is looking for something different.

[ozbrian]

We had dinner with the Captain on the Legend of the Seas - twice!. Once each on both legs of a back to back cruise (Japan). Both times were on formal night so it was formal dress.

At both dinners there were six guests and the Captain. We started off with Hors d'oeuvre in the Champagne bar before meeting the Captain in the MDR for dinner. The captain was very approachable and spoke openly about the Costa disaster and what changes it meant for the industry. There was a special menu and very nice wine. At the end we were presented with the menu and a group photo of the dinner. We were the last ones out of the dining room both times.

 

It's been one of the highlights of our trips so far.

[JimAOk1945]

The concierge may suggest for those who are using the concierge lounge, but a lot of people invited have not been in the CL. Sometimes it seems to come from a random conversation with an officer, others seem to be just invited randomly. No one knows the magic formula. DH and I have been in GS on several cruises and have met several officers, including the Captain on most of our cruises, but no invite. I get the impression every Captain is looking for something different.

 

I agree. Both times our tablemates were from a wide diversity of backgrounds, C&A levels, etc. It made for a very interesting evening both times. We hope for a similar experience again in the future!

[cruzincurt]

The concierge may suggest for those who are using the concierge lounge, but a lot of people invited have not been in the CL. Sometimes it seems to come from a random conversation with an officer, others seem to be just invited randomly. No one knows the magic formula. DH and I have been in GS on several cruises and have met several officers, including the Captain on most of our cruises, but no invite. I get the impression every Captain is looking for something different.

We were just nobodies, sitting at our two top minding our own business and were asked. We accepted and had a great dinner event.

[cruisenfever]

Meeting prior to dinner with the Captain varies by ship. On Radiance we met in the Champagne Bar and were served whatever we wanted and waited for the Captain or whomever was hosting the table to arrive. Same on Freedom.

 

On Brilliance, Jewel, Vision and Enchantment we met under the clock outside the MDR on Deck 4, were escorted into the MRD and then waited for the Host to arrive.

[Retired LEO]

The U.S. legal limit for commercial Captains is .04. Thats half the legal limit for you and me driving a car. So yes, they can drink, but very little. Off hand, I don't know the legal limits for the different flag states. Outside of U.S. waters, RCI Captains would be bound by Bahamian law, and then also by other nations in their waters. I dont know of any that are .00.

 

You are absolutely correct. Do you remember a few years back the Carnival Captain that was tested, arrested and booked into the Brevard County Jail with a BAL of .05.

[justluv2cruisewithhubby]

Has anyone eaten with a female captain?

[beachnative]

Has anyone eaten with a female captain?

 

Yes. We had dinner with Captain Karin on the Serenade.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Reading through all these responses I get the impression that one's chances of getting invited to dine with the captain increase exponentially if one is sailing on a small ship such as a Vision Class ship. As Hubby and I tend to sail on the largest ships, I guess our competition for an invitation is just too great.

 

We really like the large ships, so I guess we'll never be invited. I mean what are the chances of an invitation when you are on Allure? Still I hope we do hit the jackpot and have the honor to dine with the captain sometime before we are 95 years old. :D