Captain's table

[shanni-shanni]

I read various threads mentioning Captain's table. What is it?

 

Seems like it is by invitation only. Then who get invited? The higher the stateroom category the more likely?

 

Tom

[koolforkatz]

We ran into a couple in March on the Century who were invited. It was their first cruise ever and they were in an inside cabin. However, they were extremely personable and had had several encounters with a hotel officer. He must have thought they would be a good fit at the table.

 

 

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[We're The Groupnors]

We've been invited twice; not sure why we were chosen. The first time the table was hosted by the Staff Captain and the Third Deck Officer. The second time the table was hosted by the Captain and the Communications Officer. Both times we met in Cellar Masters for Champagne, then were escorted into the upper level of the dining room, and down the grand staircase to the Captain's Table. The senior host chose the wines, and a pared down menu from which to choose your meal. The ladies were each given a rose and a picture of the table, along with a seating plan including the names of the guests. We enjoyed it both times, but the second time was better as the Captain was very engaging and kept us laughing and entertained the whole time.

[ocean breeze20]

A gay couple friends of mine were invited once. They have sailed about 79 times and on that particular cruise, they were Aqua Class.

[yayvacation!]

We've been invited to the captains table on each of our last 4 cruises.

 

We do stay in suites and have noticed the penthouse tends to get an invite, but for us I think it's a combination of age (32/34)and personality.

 

We generally meet the captains club host the first day (we are elites) but I think meeting as many officers/ higher up crew members helps your chances.

 

Captains also have a say, on our 2nd captains table the captain mentioned how much better they did with selecting guests for his table that time. He was apparently unhappy the prior sailing he had older people at the table, my sailing there wasn't a person over 40 sitting with us.

 

 

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[TheMediaman]

...but for us I think it's a combination of age (32/34)and personality....

 

...my sailing there wasn't a person over 40 sitting with us.

 

 

Oh my. Better enjoy that combination while it lasts. In 6 short years you will be looking 40 square in the eyes and wondering why you are no longer sitting at the captains table.

Edited April 23, 2014 by TheMediaman

[hughdm]

Last Celebrity cruise we were in a Royal Suite and got invited, so I assume cabin grade is a factor. We had also had pleasant interactions with the Captain's Club hostess. I got the impression that she has input, as she orchestrated the whole thing. If you get invited, it is an experience not to be missed. We splurged for another RS next week, so we'll see if we get an invite.

Edited April 23, 2014 by hughdm

[Boxerlover2]

We were invited to eat dinner with the Staff Captain on our second Celebrity cruise (cruised in Concierge class). We figured our status had nothing to do with the selection. However, I had a brief interaction with a very nice staff member at the Concierge desk a couple of times regarding a minor MDR problem (table mates issues). The next day, we received an invitation to dinner with the Staff Captain. I did inquire about how we were selected and although I did not receive direct answer, I later found out that the nice woman who helped me at the Concierge desk recommended us for the dinner. We are still so thankful for being able to take part in this wonderful experience. The table did have young couples (late 20s/early 30s) as well as individuals in their 60-70s.

[shanni-shanni]

But what exactly is a Captain's table?

 

Is it just a table where you sit with the captain? Do they have special menu?

 

Tom

[cruisead]

But what exactly is a Captain's table?

 

Is it just a table where you sit with the captain? Do they have special menu?

 

Tom

 

On formal night the Captain hosts people for dinner in the main dining room. It's exactly what it says---the Captain's table. He only dines there on formal nights, and the table that he uses is usually left empty on the other nights. On the night we dined with him, some of the menu items were from the specialty restaurant, Murano.

[flapr]

We prefer not to associate with the hired help!! ;O)

[Moobaby214]

If we we're lucky enough to be invited, are there menu choices? We are not very adventurous diners when it comes to food...

[shanni-shanni]

On formal night the Captain hosts people for dinner in the main dining room. It's exactly what it says---the Captain's table. He only dines there on formal nights, and the table that he uses is usually left empty on the other nights. On the night we dined with him, some of the menu items were from the specialty restaurant, Murano.

 

Thanks.

 

Took quite a few posts before my question was answered.

 

Tom

[Project_gal]

If we we're lucky enough to be invited, are there menu choices? We are not very adventurous diners when it comes to food...

 

Don't worry. When we have dined at the Captain's Table, the everyday items from the MDR menu have always been options. The only exception is desert for which we have never been offered a choice and wine when there was only the choice of red or white. The wine is chosen by the Captain [or other officer host] who is the one person who never drinks the wine!

[shane_paula2014]

We prefer not to associate with the hired help!! ;O)

 

Uhm wow are you serious??? :eek::confused:

How stuck up!! It's an honor to be selected! !

Edited April 23, 2014 by shane_paula2014

[Lsimon]

There are lots of reasons one might be invited to the Captain's Table. Reasons range from occupying the Penthouse Suite, to being an extremely frequent cruiser, rapport with ship officers on current or past cruises, a very special event or personality observed by the ship's staff. No one factor is guaranteed to generate an invite and sometimes it appears to be random chance.

 

Then there are other reasons:

 

Seriously, the invitation may be to dine with the Captain or another officer of the ship and for early or late dining. The menu will be the same as that offered in the MDR that evening. You'll be invited to meet at a lounge for cocktails shortly before dinner then escorted as a group to the Captain's table which generally seats 10 to 12. As others have said the host will usually select a red and white wine which will be offered to all the guests at the table - and they won't even ask for your seapass! They will also usually take a photo of the group at the table from the upper level of the dining room and provide a copy to you.

Edited April 23, 2014 by Lsimon

[gold1953]

We were invited ( inside cabin) by the captains club hostess. Sadly we had chosen not to bring formal wear attire for that cruise so we were unable to attend!!!. Will never leave home without it again

[If only]

Don't worry. When we have dined at the Captain's Table, the everyday items from the MDR menu have always been options. The only exception is desert for which we have never been offered a choice and wine when there was only the choice of red or white. The wine is chosen by the Captain [or other officer host] who is the one person who never drinks the wine!

 

On the Eclipse in March we were invited to the Captain's table & we had a special menu at each place which we were advised by our host the Hotel Director that the food would be from Muarano not MDR.

[Wine-O]

I guess one needs to take "suck up" lessons to get invited to the Captain's Table? :eek::rolleyes::D

[Zenith Cruiser]

On the Eclipse in March we were invited to the Captain's table & we had a special menu at each place which we were advised by our host the Hotel Director that the food would be from Murano not MDR.

 

That is a change that started over the last three months or so. The new menu is also personalized on some ships, now including the name of the passenger.

 

We have found that the table seldom disappoints and that the new captains are much better conversationalists than a decade ago. Whether the host is the Master, Staff Captain, Hotel Director or Chief Engineer, the occasion is appreciated by most attendees.

[upwarduk]

I guess one needs to take "suck up" lessons to get invited to the Captain's Table? :eek::rolleyes::D

 

No, but I suspect that we were invited because I had asked for a kettle in our room. My request was declined and I had a phone call from the Guest Relations Manager, to explain that although they are on Eclipse when she sails from Southampton, the Americans don't want them( Caribbean Cruise) My reply was: 'Well, there are 605 Brits on board, don't we count?'

We also saw him at the cocktail hr, when he came to chat to us.

My food was pre -ordered, as I have a dairy sensitivity. The Maitre'D from our section of the dining room kept looking over the balcony, to check that all was well with my food.

We were a mix of guests: couple from Australia, Switzerland, New York +us from UK.

[Marketa24]

We were invited on our last cruise and we were in a RS. We were very friendly with the Club Captain's hostess so maybe that was the reasoning too. But all the people at the table were in suites. I didn't care for the food because it was from the MDR. That cruise we bought the ultimate dining package and went to all speciality restaurants so the food was just mediocre for my tastings. However, the white wine was FABULOUS!! Come to find out it was $95 per bottle. Needless, to say I asked for 2nds...

[TroubleT]

Oh my. Better enjoy that combination while it lasts. In 6 short years you will be looking 40 square in the eyes and wondering why you are no longer sitting at the captains table.

 

Good one! :D:D:D

[jelayne]

We were invited ( inside cabin) by the captains club hostess. Sadly we had chosen not to bring formal wear attire for that cruise so we were unable to attend!!!. Will never leave home without it again

 

Had a similar experience recently. DH met the Captain late on evening in an elevator, just the 2 of them so a conversation ensued. Next day we got an invite to Captains Table. We too hadn't brought any formal wear as we were dining in Blu. DH had a blazer & slacks. When we declined & explained to Capt Club hostess she arranged a tux for DH. Fortunately I had a LBD (little black dress) with me & we went.

 

Great evening & wonderful food & wine

[swmichigan cruiser]

We were invited to the Captains table to dine with the chief engineer and I hadn't brought a suit or a jacket. I did bring dress shirt,shoes and ties but no jacket so we were going to turn down the invitation so I told the Captains Club hostess my problem and she arranged a complimentary tux jacket for me to wear. Great dinner glad we were able to attend. She arranged for me to sit between her and my wife I think to make me behave.