Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Have you ever been invited to dine at the Captain's Table?

Joe_Antonelli

By Joe_Antonelli,
in Celebrity Cruises

Recommended Posts

famcruisefun

famcruisefun

Posted
Posted

Years ago - on our second RCCL cruise - Nordic Prince to Bermuda we were seated at the first officer's table - for the entire week. We were traveling as a group of 4 - my husband and I with my brother and sister-in-law. We were sharing an ocean-view cabin - nothing special. It was a second cruise for my husband and I and a first for the other 2. The only special occasion of the week was my brother and sisiter-in-law's anniversary.

Went to dinner the first night and we were seated at a table of 10 with one empty seat. We were told that the first officer would be joining us a couple of nights during the cruise. He ended up joining us 4 or 5 of the 7 nights. We were on early seating , the rest of the table included a honeymoon couple and a mom, aunt and late teenage daughter. The service was the best I have ever had in my life, the wine flowed constantly throughout the meals, and before and after dinner drinks were mandatory.

The first officer was from Norway - and was a laugh a minute. On our last day at sea he knew he wouldn't be joining us for the final dinner, so he met us on deck in the late afternoon for a drink. We think of him often - he made the trip so memorable with his stories and all. It was an amazing experience - we were sailing to Bermuda, but the dinner stories were of Norway and the sea.

We never found out what caused our good luck? Luck of the draw? Not sure - it's never happened again - but I'll remember it forever.

Happy travels!

Kelley

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Wolfpup

Wolfpup

Posted
Posted

Our first invitation to dine with the Captain was on the Sun Viking. We were with another couple, and were assigned to a table with two other couples who were also cruising together. The head waiter for our section of the dining room said that after the first night, he could see that all of us were a diverse, fun, lively group with whom the Master would enjoy at his table. We had a fantastic time, cocktails before dinner and our meal spanned both first and second sittings. That night was Caribbean lobster night, and I asked for "anything but one of those vile things." The Master asked why I wasn't having one of the most popular items on the menu and I told him that being from NE, I only eat real lobsters. He said his wife was from NE and understood. He asked us to join him and some officers later that evening in a lounge. A year later we were on another RCI ship, same Master, and received an invitation to dinner. The first thing he said to me was, "Did you have NE lobsters shipped in for tonight's dinner?" Apparently he kept notes on dining companions.

Last August, aboard the Infinity, we were invited to dine with the Captain [Chief Engineer]. All nine of us tried to figure out why were were invited, and

came to the same conclusion; we all attended high tea together, a very small, private repeaters get-together and had chatted with the social hostess from time to time. Yes, I wish the drink I started in the lounge made it to the table because I can only handle so much wine.

 

Darcy

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tuggers

tuggers

Posted
Posted

I have had it happen both ways - the drink does make it and the drink doesn 't! Never know why.

 

I was on a cruise once and two very young women (sisters) were included. As we left the bar, one stopped and got a Corona and carried it with her to the table! She also got up constantly during dinner to go have a cigarette. They would not serve the next course until she returned! Needless to say, that was one LONG dinner. LOL! And she never seemed to 'get it'!

 

I often wonder about the upbringing of such people and thank my mother silently for rearing me with some sort of manners!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sable1

sable1

Posted
Posted

My husband alwys said he never wanted to sit with the captain. But when we were on an ecocruise to Belize and Honduras on an ACCL ship we were invited and we had a wonderful time. The boat is casual so John wore his best tank top and flip-flops. The captain had on a sleeved shirt and boat shoes. Lots of fun.

On the Rad. Seven Seas Mariner in 2002 we were invited to sit with the Concierge, a sweet, young, Aussie. Very nice time.

Then last year we were on the Mariner again and were invited to dine with the same Concierge and the hotel director. The funny thing was that when one on the ladies introduced herself to John, she gave her name followed by "I'm boring". And she was, with her husband very close behind.

On the same cruise we sat with the Cruise Director and Asst. CD who were married. We had met them 10 years ago on a 28 day cruise to the Amazon when they were the dance instructors. Fun to see them again.

So, we've had some experience with a "hosted table" , but I still am doubtful John would accept to dine with the Captain. Who knows, he may change not that he see's it can be fun.

 

Happy cruising

Joanne

Link to comment
Share on other sites
brigittetom

brigittetom

Posted
Posted

Tuggers, at our Captains table we had a young lady who had cruised on the Zenith 37 times and was a favorite among the crew because she knew most of them intimately (I was told this). She spent the entire dinner slapping the man next to her on the back of the head and calling him a *****. To this day I still don't know why his wife didn't speak up. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Lois R Great Review Rare

Lois R

Posted
Posted

Gail, sounds like besides being her first cruise, she was never taught manners.

It takes all kinds of folks to make up this big world.

 

And I am surprised they sat you next to each other....I always was under the assumption it was male, female, male, female.........

When I sat at the Captain's table, the Hotel Manager was to my left and the gentleman to my right was Greek...his wife was next to another gent across the table from us.

The 2 men started talking around me~in GREEK.....I tried to be polite about it...but told them both...."English Please"......

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tuggers

tuggers

Posted
Posted

Lois,

 

It was neither her first cruise nor was I seated beside her. She was just the talk of the table and with only 10 or so people at the table very close to everyone.

 

BT,

 

I sat next to a man on Century who had done 110 X cruises. He had on a name tag like the rest of the crew that had his name and said "Celebrity Cruise Lines" and under that "Family". He told me that Jack Williams had told him when he got to cruise #120 (don't know why that number, seems like 125 would be better!) they would have him on a ship out of Miami and that the executives would come on board and eat with him and make a presentation.

He and his wife were excited and due to have that 120th well before the end of the year! The waiters knew him so well they brought things without his asking - like the shrimp for about 3 shrimp cocktails in place of Appetizer, Soup and Salad. For dessert they brought him a plate of about 10 petit fore's!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
OceanCruise Great Review Rare

OceanCruise

Posted
Posted

I think we were invited to the Captain's table because we talked to the social hostess at embarkation, cruise critic party and other events. We were traveling with our young teenager at the time and the invitation did not include him which didn't bother him or us. He just ate at our regular table while we dined with the hotel manager who stood in for the captain. There were several newlyweds at our table, another couple who had traveled Celebrity extensively and a couple new to Celebrity. It was a memorable evening- roses for the ladies, a free group picture, and lots of fun.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cechase

cechase

Posted
Posted

On our very first cruise on X, we had a Royal Suite on Mercury. We received an invitation to have dinner at the captain's table and we accepted. However, our host was the hotel manager and not the Captain. While the gathering with the social hostess in the Roundevous lounge and cocktails, waiting until everyone was seated, and then being escorted down the grand staircase to the Captain's Table, and the complementary wine was very nice - the Hotel Manager had no personality at all. Fun evening yes - exciting - no.

 

However in May, we a had a Royal Suite on Century, and another invitation. What a great evening and with the captain - who was young and a great host. On this occasion, they took a picture of all of us, and the picture held in a brocure was delivered to our suite the next day. It was both a fun and exciting evening.

 

I think the only reason that we were invited is that on each ship we had one of the top 10 cabins on the ship, and for no other reason.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Zigster

Zigster

Posted
Posted
My husband and I were invited to the Captain's table when we sailed on the Horizon to Bermuda in May 2004. We were asked by the Social Hostess Christina at embarkation if we would be interested in dining with him. Interested???? We were thrilled! The Captain was Evangelos Georgiou and he was so charming and personable. It was a wonderful experience! Has anyone ever declined the invitation?
Link to comment
Share on other sites
idssms

idssms

Posted
Posted
My wife and I have been to the Captains Table on the first formal night many times in the past 5 years. This last time on the Zenith (1/3/05) on the second night with Captain Evangelos Georgiou was the best. He is such a hoot,, made us laugh and makes up for his stature with his great personality and candor.

He is a one of a kind and I cannot wait to sail with him again.

My wife and I agree that since we have had the great experiences of sitting with many Captains we will decline future captains table invitations and let someone new take our place that hasn't had the experience.

If Celebrity were smart they would provide more opportunites to past customers that have never been invited to the captains table as opposed to inviting the same folks cruise after cruise. It would be great for customer service and just make the X cruise experience more outstanding.

They got me hooked on them and there is no need to schmooz me any more.

Just my opinion on the subject.

idssms
Link to comment
Share on other sites
cechase

cechase

Posted
Posted
[quote name='Lois R']Charlie, I have been invited once....and had your basic inside cabin....at that point I am guessing cabin category didn't have much to do with it.[/QUOTE]

Hi Lois: When we were invited on Mercury, it was our first X cruise, so we were not even Captain's Club members, and did not have any interaction with the social hostess or anyone else other than our butler. It was the same on that elegant lady, Century, except we were then Captain's Club members.

He He, sure hope that I am right as to the reason for being invited, because we enjoy receiving that invitation, and of course accepting. Captain Skylogiannis was just a superb host, and shockingly very young. I know that last June or July, he took some time off, and then was assigned to a M class ship.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ma Bell

Ma Bell

Posted
Posted
We have been invited on four or five occasions. Sometimes we've accepted and had a very nice time. Other times we've been with family or friends and didn't want to leave their company.

Our daughter and son-in law were invited on their very first cruise. I think things have changed and the invitations come from the corporate office now, with elite CC members and suite holders invited first. I'm sure the Captain is missing out on a lot of entertaining people since they started doing things this way.:)
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Renorita

Renorita

Posted
Posted
[quote name='tef43']Back in the day on RCCL they had designated "Officers Tables." When sailing the Song of Norway, we were seated with the Chief Engineer for the first night and both formal nights. Think of a cross between Scotty and the Swedish Chef. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

Would I give up dining with my regular tablemates for one night? Probably not. I am reminded of what Lady Astor once remarked when invited to the Captain's Table, "Why would I want to dine with the hired help?"[/QUOTE]

With that attitude, I am sure the "hired help" would not want to dine with you either. I know we wouldn't! :rolleyes:
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...