Captain's Welcome Aboard Party.....

[RevNeal]

I've never missed one ... if only because I enjoy getting to mix and mingle with my fellow passengers.

[ASM]

Actually I like to see what people are wearing! And guessing about people is fun too. They're all so different!

[bobpatj]

We always go. It seems to be a nice part of the whole cruise experience.

[catlib55]

Free drinks and see who the crew is.

The most entertaining captain I have ever heard was the captain of the Statendam. He was hilarious!! He really interacted well with the cruise director and other officers on the ship that night. It was very entertaining.

Most of the captains we have heard on other ships could barely speak English.

Mary Ellen

[jazzsea]

We still go and love the festive feeling. I have noticed one problem, however. When I go to purchase the photo of meeting the captain, I've noticed that two people in the picture are looking pretty old. The captain hasn't aged a bit. Wonder what's going on.

[Tricia724]

We always go, too. I enjoy it as part of the cruise experience, and I enjoy the glass of champagne. Standing in line can be a pain or a pleasure...it all depends on how you look at it...and I usually find someone interesting to talk to when I'm in line on a cruise. We have met some really great people who were in line with us or were seated with us at the Captain's party. Since we usually go early, the lines aren't too long, and we have time to enjoy our drink, listen to the music, and watch other guests arrive in their finery. I get nice and relaxed before dinner.

 

I guess I'm a traditionalist in many ways, and a lot of the cruiselines have done away with the tradition of "meeting" the Captain...but I still like it.

[Peggy Sue]

been there, done that, won't be back again!

 

Stood in a long line, Zuiderdam a May of 2003 .. Captain never cracked a smile and really appeared as if he sincerely disliked the entire process (who wouldn't!) When skipped the photo, we really don't want a picture with a perfect stranger!

 

We also found the "party" spot rather odd...it was in the vista show lounge..we were escorted to a row and asked to walk down to the next available seat and sit...poor wait staff had to step over people to serve drinks, apps etc. We sat for about 10 minutes, looked at each other and said "why"...got up and went to the ocean bar to dance and wait for dinner...much better!! We can buy our own drink and we the lounge provided a much better spot to meet and mingle with fellow passengers.

 

Peggy Sue

[sheldrvrT6A]

Peaches

I understand. As the thread goes a lot of people skip the picture taking part so that leaves only between 700 and 1100 hands to shake and pictures to take. LOL. I suppose it comes with the job and by the way someone is getting $15.00 + per picture! Anyway have a super day.

Tami

[CruisinNana]

We went to the reception on our first cruise and then never again. We decided that our time was better spent lounging in the cabin before getting dressed for dinner. I love the leisurely pace we set for ourselves on a cruise. :D :D :D

Dee

[CaptData]

CruiseOften and Esme: It's usally in part of his speech, near the beginning. He'll say something like we have a full ship of appox 2000 people with approx 200 Canadian, 100 British etc and 300 kids. It is usally said very fast. It may have been because any ship I was on there were a lot of Canadians on board (more then 10%). They also gave the weather in Celeus during the voyages.

 

One time while on board there was 360 Canadians out of 2000. The USA people were less then 60% of those on board. This was on the Dawn Princess. This is my first HAL trip so maybe they do not do this on HAL??

 

MB (Manitoba) Canada. It is in the middle of Canada above North Dakota.

 

We got -50C (50 Below) last Jan. I take vatcations in the winters.

[Roadwork]

We have not attended one in years. We prefer to go get a nice relaxing drink in a lounge.

[Nasmas]

We never go. The lines are too long and the one time we went, you couldn't get close to the drink table. I agree. A photo op.

[dakrewser]

We never go. The lines are too long and the one time we went, you couldn't get close to the drink table.

There's more than one door to the lounge.......

;)

[xpcdoojk]

Haven't cruised on HAL yet, 11/20/2005, but I have never missed one or a repeaters party on the other cruiselines(RCI, Celebrity, Carnival). It is on formal night, which is generally an at sea day, and since we do late seating we have plenty of time to get ready. I like the free drinks, my wife likes to check out the couples and they way they are dressed. I have gone thru the line to shake hands if there is no line. I have never purchased the photo. It is their job. I like to listen to the captain speak about the cruiseline and the passengers.

 

I like a social gathering, and this one is part of the entire formal night.

 

jc