Topic: captains table?

i am really excited about my first cruise in 7 weeks and also really nervous, reading the different reviews on here, it seems a world away from anything i've ever done before. i'm really looking forward to all the dressing up and seeing lots of nice places. I was just wondering, you hear about people dining at the captains table does that actually happen and how would he choose who to have on his table out of 1800 people carol xx

Our table of 7 was chosen to dine at the Captain's table on my 1st cruise (RCI SotS Aug '03), 2 Brits, 5 Americans all in our 30's. Still don't know how or why to this day. Our waiter seemed so proud an excited, he got the op to be assistant waiter at the Capt table for that meal.
The wine flowed, we had extra courses not on the general menu and got a free photo each, then he brought out his potato liquer, gave us the bottle but refused to drink any himself as on duty! We (guests/tablemates) all danced at the disco later (bottle in tow) and had sore heads the next day!

QUOTE:

i am really excited about my first cruise in 7 weeks and also really nervous, reading the different reviews on here, it seems a world away from anything i've ever done before. i'm really looking forward to all the dressing up and seeing lots of nice places. I was just wondering, you hear about people dining at the captains table does that actually happen and how would he choose who to have on his table out of 1800 people carol xx

Some are on the basis of those guests who are staying in the suites, on one ship it was the staff who were invited to be at the captains' table which was an unusual as we had never seen this before.....Bill

On our first cruise as a couple ~ on Sun cruises Carousel, we were asked when making our dinner table reservation whilst boarding "if we had brought formal wear with us?"

We answered yes and the Maitre 'd proudly announced that in that case then we could have an officers table. We ended up sitting with the Chief Engineer and Head/Chief Electrician.

No captains table but it was fun and enjoyable ~ we heard all about the cut and stretch & the numerous problems it had caused, that if you wanted to use a powerful hairdryer then use the mid section lifts as they had UK sockets and 220 volts and other such trivia

I will let you into a secret:

The Captain doesn't choose who will dine with him, the choice is made by others, often the Cruise Director who is sometimes advised by the Activities Manager. Others who will often ask you to join them or will put your name forward are the Hotel Director and the Food and Beverage Manager. If any of those people get to know you well and you get on then the likelihood of tasting the Captain's wine is pretty good.
The other guests are often beautiful single ladies, I have never understood that:D and guests in Suites....Neil

I have worked at sea, and I know at that time the Captian, Staff Captian, and the Purser all used to have a copy of Burkes Peerage in their staterooms. They could check out who is who from the ships manifest. Often the passengers who are travelling in the penthouse suites get an invite. On our last cruise we sat at an officiers table and one of our table guests was a lady who had travelled the most sea miles onboard. She was invited to join the Captains table for one evening. I used to travel as a single lady in my younger days and always got invited to the Pursers table, or an officiers table. Never made it to the Captains table yet. I always find that officiers table are a good mix of all age groups and Nationalities.

On our last cruise the Century over the Christmas period, my husband and I were invited on Formal night to sit on the Captains table, a private reception and introduction first and then escorted to his table, the Captain was very sociable there were only 8 passemgers the Captain and Sales Manager a delightful girl from England on the table. It was a delightful evening thoroughly enjoyed by all, and at the end of it the Captain presented the Ladies with a red rose, Corny! buit a nice token! I have no idea why we were chosen we are nobody special! but it really made our cruise and will probably never be chosen again! The Captains table remained empty for the rest of the cruise. I have to say that the Captain regularly wandered about the Ship meeting and greeting passengers, which I haven't encountered on other ships.
__________________
Wen

QUOTE:

On our last cruise the Century over the Christmas period, my husband and I were invited on Formal night to sit on the Captains table, a private reception and introduction first and then escorted to his table, the Captain was very sociable there were only 8 passemgers the Captain and Sales Manager a delightful girl from England on the table. It was a delightful evening thoroughly enjoyed by all, and at the end of it the Captain presented the Ladies with a red rose, Corny! buit a nice token! I have no idea why we were chosen we are nobody special! but it really made our cruise and will probably never be chosen again! The Captains table remained empty for the rest of the cruise. I have to say that the Captain regularly wandered about the Ship meeting and greeting passengers, which I haven't encountered on other ships.
__________________
Wen

We have never been fortunate enough to be invited to the Captains table,but Fred Olsen Captains are brilliant at mingling. On the Black Watch both times we have been on her Captain Age Danielsen was always out and about. Many times he came up to us and chatted, shared a joke. No, you dont seem to get that anymore. Carol

QUOTE:

We have never been fortunate enough to be invited to the Captains table,but Fred Olsen Captains are brilliant at mingling. On the Black Watch both times we have been on her Captain Age Danielsen was always out and about. Many times he came up to us and chatted, shared a joke. No, you dont seem to get that anymore. Carol

I just remeber the Captain on Carousel sitting of an evening every evening for a week on deck with two really tall, good looking Swedish Girls who can't have been more than 19 years old ~ don't know what he saw in them???

QUOTE:

I just remeber the Captain on Carousel sitting of an evening every evening for a week on deck with two really tall, good looking Swedish Girls who can't have been more than 19 years old ~ don't know what he saw in them???

In about 180 nights on Fred's ships we've never been invited to sit at the Captain's table. My two gorgeous daughters (both in their early 20s) went on a short FO cruise a couple of years ago, and guess what? They were invited to sit at the Captain's table on the very first formal night. :mad: