shipgeeks Posted July 24 #26 Share Posted July 24 On our first X cruise, back in 1997 on Meridian, we received The Invitation. The dinner was delightful. We asked the Social Hostess "Why us?", and she just smiled mysteriously. We had an inside cabin, not savvy enough to have buttered anyone up. After that, we had a number of other invitations, all for no apparent reason. The last one was in the early 2000s. Ship friends who were invited later than that were usually in the highest category cabins, or otherwise "valued" for similar reasons. It was a good run for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swjumbo Posted July 25 #27 Share Posted July 25 Think how awful it is for the Captain. I’ve sailed with many and know them personally. They don’t enjoy the people trying to outdo each other about how important they are or which suite they’re in. When P&O used to be classy they’d chat to the passengers on the first few sea days, get the cabin numbers of those they liked, and invite them to dine at the table. It can be a stuffy affair and it’s now easier not to have a Captain’s table. It offends less people who think they have the right to be invited. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted July 25 #28 Share Posted July 25 4 hours ago, swjumbo said: Think how awful it is for the Captain. I’ve sailed with many and know them personally. They don’t enjoy the people trying to outdo each other about how important they are or which suite they’re in. When P&O used to be classy they’d chat to the passengers on the first few sea days, get the cabin numbers of those they liked, and invite them to dine at the table. It can be a stuffy affair and it’s now easier not to have a Captain’s table. It offends less people who think they have the right to be invited. I don’t think anyone ever felt they had the ‘right’ to be invited. However, we were delighted on the occasions we were. We never found the events ‘stuffy’ and were never offended if not invited. We weren’t invited every cruise, didn’t expect to be! I also know some Captains personally and certainly some enjoy events like this more than others…Indeed on any cruise you have more or less ‘visible’ Captain styles… 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted July 25 #29 Share Posted July 25 Was invited to dine with the Captain a long time ago on the Solstice. Was nice. Got free wine with dinner out of it. Was with my (now ex) wife and two other couples. A lot of "fawning" over the Capt. by one of the wives, which was annoying. Kind of felt it was disrespectful to her husband, too. One of the husbands (not the fawning wife's) was determined to make it a point to let the Capt, and everyone else at the table, know he was a rich (according to him) business man. Capt was nice....explained how he became a cruise ship Capt....interesting, but you could tell he relayed that story many, many times before. Not sure why they chose us. It was our very first Celebrity cruise. We had zero status. Can't recall us doing anything that would make us stand out in any way, either. Seemed pretty random. All-in-all, not something I'd seek to do again, but wouldn't turn down if invited again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peteymil Posted July 25 #30 Share Posted July 25 On 7/22/2024 at 8:02 PM, mrgabriel said: I think the Captain's Table disappeared when they went to anytime dining. I haven't seen one since maybe 2016? We have been fortunate enough to sit at that table about half a dozen times. It was never in recognition of a birthday or anniversary, we usually just spoke to someone who thought we would be delightful company (hahahahahaha). Seriously, no idea why we were invited. Once it was because we were travelling with a couple that was staying in the Penthouse Suite. We had that same exact experience. Ate with the Captain several times, and then the hotel director. Never new why we were chosen, we were not in a suite, but we were Elite Plus. It was interesting, but a LONG dinner. They generally stopped this quite a while ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Pennstatedj Posted July 25 #31 Share Posted July 25 Over the years prior to covid and when there were very Zeniths, we went to many over a ten year period. They were held in MDH and then in Murano depending on the ship. We were elite plus. The CC host would be the one in charge of the table and asked us to attend. We would have a cocktail gathering at one of the wine bars and then to dinner. We would get a picture and a rose for the spouse or partner. After Covid the Zenith lunch started up and now last week we attended a Zenith lunch for those over 3K in points and there was another for Zenith Match guests on another day. We were told at that lunch that depending on the number of Zs that will continue. The Captain is not always there now. It is up to the Captain as I understand it. The Hotel Director is in charge of it with the CC concierge responsible for getting out invites and making sure it goes smooth. We always have received a picture of the group and a rose. They are always well done. Menus vary with the ship and Hotel Director. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgabriel Posted July 25 #32 Share Posted July 25 (edited) 7 hours ago, chemmo said: I don’t think anyone ever felt they had the ‘right’ to be invited. However, we were delighted on the occasions we were. We never found the events ‘stuffy’ and were never offended if not invited. We weren’t invited every cruise, didn’t expect to be! I also know some Captains personally and certainly some enjoy events like this more than others…Indeed on any cruise you have more or less ‘visible’ Captain styles… And it's part of their job! If they don't want to be stuck with the chore of talking to passengers then there is always the option to captain a cargo ship 😜 PS - never found them stuffy. They were always a lot of fun with plenty of laughs. Yes, there was often someone who was out to impress everyone else at the table but it was the same when we all ate at tables of 8 in the MDR. Edited July 25 by mrgabriel 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamthesea Posted July 26 #33 Share Posted July 26 We have been invited to dine with the Captain a few times over the years. We were only in balcony staterooms. The very first time we were invited, we declined because we were traveling with my parents and our 3 teens. I think the hostess was shocked that we declined. Family first!!! 😉 This was on the Celebrity Millennium. The 2nd invitation came one evening on the Adventure of the Seas while we (DH and I) were in the MDR. A well dressed male walked over to our table and asked if we would like to join the Captain on the following night (a formal night). We accepted and asked why he chose us. He said he had noticed how nicely dressed we were, how polite we were to the wait staff, and that we seemed to be able to carry on a lively conversation. 😁 The 3rd invitation came from the CC Social Hostess whom we had met soon after boarding the ship for an Alaskan cruise. We were on the Celebrity Century - perhaps one of her last sailings. The dinner was at the Captains table, but also included some of the ships engineers. I remember having a fascinating discussion about 'all things down under' from the environmental engineer that sat next to me. We, along with a few of our friends, had the opportunity to dine with a Cruse Director on the Grandeur of the Seas ship. That was a fun, but quick dinner!!! He had to leave when an Alpha call came over the load speaker. He did return to the table, and that's when we got a lesson in ship code names, before he had to run off for a show. 🙂 He, and our fun waiter ended up joining us at the port pool in Costa Maya for a few hours. We learned lots of the ship life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted July 26 #34 Share Posted July 26 (edited) On 7/22/2024 at 5:22 PM, ScottC4746 said: I had the strangest dream last night that I was on a cruise on Beyond, so far not that strange as I have Beyond booked next summer for 7 nights. Because we were in a Retreat (Sky) and celebrating a 30th anniversary earlier in the year and a 60th birthday on the cruise, we got an invitation in our stateroom for dinner with the captain on the birthday evening. I know such a thing only happens in The Love Boat, but still worth dreaming. Has anyone actually gotten to experience this and how did you score it? We had been invited to the Captain's Table a number of times. This was back before Luminae. The Captain's table was in the MDR and you met prior for a Champagne Toast and then marched through the MDR. At the time - invites were for top cruisers but also others were invited because the CC staff just liked the person. We once had a newlywed couple who had never sailed Celebrity but they were also Greek. In today's world we are invited to the Zenith Lunch which often is with the Captain and his Senior Officers. We are also often invited to a separate Lunch / Dinner when in Upper Suites. We often decline because we had just attended a Zenith Lunch. It is a nice opportunity to meet many of the Senior Staff Edited July 26 by Jim_Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orator Posted July 26 #35 Share Posted July 26 I was a "regular" at the Captain's Table attending more than 25. I very pleased that they were ended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canderson Posted July 26 #36 Share Posted July 26 51 minutes ago, Orator said: I was a "regular" at the Captain's Table attending more than 25. I very pleased that they were ended. Just curious, but if you were willing to accept the invitation 25+ times, why are you pleased that they have ceased? If you didn't enjoy them, why so many acceptances? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orator Posted July 26 #37 Share Posted July 26 (edited) 22 minutes ago, canderson said: 22 minutes ago, canderson said: Just curious, but if you were willing to accept the invitation 25+ times, why are you pleased that they have ceased? If you didn't enjoy them, why so many acceptances? I still the think that it would believe that it would be impolite to to the refuse an invitation. That's me and others may have a different opinion. I still go to the Captain's Club celebration even to me the time may be wrong for me and my presence is only for show.I found the tables boring. Edited July 26 by Orator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orator Posted July 26 #38 Share Posted July 26 4 minutes ago, Orator said: I felt that it would be impolite to refuse any invitation. Other may disagree, but I believe it! I found the tables very formal and boring. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canderson Posted July 26 #39 Share Posted July 26 (edited) 12 minutes ago, Orator said: I felt that it would be impolite to refuse any invitation. Other may disagree, but I believe it! I found the tables very formal and boring. The person asking would not have been attending, so it's not as though you would have offended them. The captain wouldn't have known in advance who was being invited, so you would not have offended him. We found that the tone at the table was set by a combination of the captain (some were definitely more personable than others) and the guests who were invited, and varied greatly from one event to another. In retrospect, not all that different from the varied experiences one might have at a Chef's Table event, and for similar reasons. Edited July 26 by canderson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles4515 Posted July 26 #40 Share Posted July 26 55 minutes ago, canderson said: The person asking would not have been attending, so it's not as though you would have offended them. The captain wouldn't have known in advance who was being invited, so you would not have offended him. The hostess would have known if the invite was declined. Also the host would meet the invitees for cocktails before dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamthesea Posted July 27 #41 Share Posted July 27 I had forgotten about the pre-dinner cocktails and marching into the dining room. Loved the cocktail time, but felt uncomfortable walking into the dining room (practically marching along with the other 10 - 12 invitees) and having passenger eyes turning our way as we all sat at the large oval table with the Captain. Felt the same way when being escorted into the theater to sit in the special section for Suite guest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted July 27 #42 Share Posted July 27 On 7/26/2024 at 10:24 AM, Orator said: I was a "regular" at the Captain's Table attending more than 25. I very pleased that they were ended. To be honest .... we are too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pear33 Posted July 28 #43 Share Posted July 28 We always enjoyed the Captains Table..( except the entrance down the stairs) Met wonderful cruisers and had many a laugh with them and the captain and made new long lasting cruising friends 😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tscoffey Posted July 28 #44 Share Posted July 28 (edited) On 7/22/2024 at 9:48 PM, cyntil8ing said: On a ship with 3,000 guests, on average there are 8 people per day celebrating a birthday. Along with their travel companion, they would more than fill a table every day. I would guess that the number is far higher than 8. People are more likely to choose a cruise around their birthday (or anniversary) precisely because they can be on a ship to celebrate. Edited July 28 by tscoffey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix_dream Posted July 28 #45 Share Posted July 28 On 7/23/2024 at 12:53 PM, Purplsmurf said: Never this, but last year on our cruise we celebrated our 30th anniversary on board. We were entering Blu and the Maitre D pulled us aside and told us that the Captain wanted to treat us to dinner in Tuscan that night. Not only did he treat us to dinner, but he and the Hotel Director personally delivered us a cake and we were also given a bottle of wine and chocolate covered strawberries. So nice! Something we will always remember Wow I'm jealous. Glad they did that for you. To illustrate how these things vary ship to ship or sailing to sailing, on our 40th anniversary, we told our room steward, butler, and our Maitre d', as well as our TA. What did they do for us? Nothing. No room decorations, no cake in the dining room, definitely no free dinner. We treated ourselves to Tuscan and had a nice dinner but it was pretty disappointing to say the least, especially since it was our 70th or so Celebrity cruise and we were Elite Plus at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmalbers Posted July 28 #46 Share Posted July 28 We were invited once, turned it down. It just didn't seem to me that it would be that fun so it was an easy pass for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueCruiseaholic Posted July 28 #47 Share Posted July 28 (edited) 2 hours ago, phoenix_dream said: Wow I'm jealous. Glad they did that for you. To illustrate how these things vary ship to ship or sailing to sailing, on our 40th anniversary, we told our room steward, butler, and our Maitre d', as well as our TA. What did they do for us? Nothing. No room decorations, no cake in the dining room, definitely no free dinner. We treated ourselves to Tuscan and had a nice dinner but it was pretty disappointing to say the least, especially since it was our 70th or so Celebrity cruise and we were Elite Plus at the time. Everything varies unfortunately. The same type of celebration ("such and such" year anniversary/ 10x birthday/ "such and such" CC points / "such and such" number of cruises) receives different responses on ships. Different guests celebrating the exact same Captain's Club milestone had different responses on the same ship a couple months apart - the literal only differences were the Hotel Director and the guests (obviously). This was the same case with the tables. It seemed to be different standards at different times and the rules were made and broken on a whim. It's the same thing now with Zenith lunches and Pinnacle access to Retreat Lounge. There is no standard policy, the ships just do what they want (it's at the ship's discretion). I personally liked the old officer tables. IMO they were better than the current situation with the Zenith tables. I was at a Zenith table where we were all served a glass of wine and the sommelier was gone for the rest of the meal. That would not have happened in the MDR with the Cellar Master serving the table (the old situation). Edited July 28 by TrueCruiseaholic 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oceangoer2 Posted July 29 #48 Share Posted July 29 On 7/26/2024 at 10:41 PM, Iamthesea said: I had forgotten about the pre-dinner cocktails and marching into the dining room. Loved the cocktail time, but felt uncomfortable walking into the dining room (practically marching along with the other 10 - 12 invitees) and having passenger eyes turning our way as we all sat at the large oval table with the Captain. Felt the same way when being escorted into the theater to sit in the special section for Suite guest. I agree...didn't like the 'marching' into the dining room (didn't think of using that word however - escorted maybe?). Pleasant experience but not fun in that sense of the word, not uncomfortable either. Just a dinner with pleasant conversation. My daughter, being an entertainer and (biased) attractive was probably the main reason we were invited; however we did enjoy the hostess' conversation prior to the invite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zitsky Posted July 29 #49 Share Posted July 29 On 7/25/2024 at 4:51 AM, chemmo said: I don’t think anyone ever felt they had the ‘right’ to be invited. However, we were delighted on the occasions we were. We never found the events ‘stuffy’ and were never offended if not invited. We weren’t invited every cruise, didn’t expect to be! I also know some Captains personally and certainly some enjoy events like this more than others…Indeed on any cruise you have more or less ‘visible’ Captain styles… Sorry to ask because I'm not a big cruiser, but what do you mean when you say you know a Captain personally? Are you friends? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted July 29 #50 Share Posted July 29 55 minutes ago, zitsky said: Sorry to ask because I'm not a big cruiser, but what do you mean when you say you know a Captain personally? Are you friends? Occasionally you meet members of staff on cruises that you gel with, just as you gel with fellow cruisers…You choose to stay in contact with them post cruise and at key occasions share family updates and best wishes. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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