Dining with the Captain

[mdmourges]

I can tell you it has nothing to do with staying in the RS. We were in the RS (Mariner) last Aug for our honeymoon and no invite. And we had 26 people in our group. And my we are diamond members, etc. etc. I think he should have wanted to come have dinner with us. lolol I mean we were paying a big chuck of his pay that week! lolo

 

Mark

[MTinGA]

Who else besides the invitees (sp?) dine with you? And the captain of course!

[texancruzer]

As I posted.......there was the captain and 5 couples - all invited. No staff at our dinner. Special menu.....free wine (good stuff). We each got a picture of all of us at the table (I was seated to his right) and the special menu and the invitation as momentos....

 

The conversation was extremly pleasant and flowed easily..... he asked each one of us to tell a little about themselves..... then did the same for himself. We all asked him questions.... stuff like *how did you get to be a captain so young?* or * How often do you leave people in port ( people who miss the sail time) ? or * Since you have been all over the world - where is your favorite place? and why ? These were all my questions and lots more :)

[acttx]

My husband and I will be on the July 1st Navigator and would love to dine with Captain Bang and his wife. I have loved reading her posts and think she is a wonderful lady. This is just our second cruise, but based on what I've read on these boards, the Navigator is one of the best ships around and the crew has everything to do with that!! :)

 

I guess it wouldn't hurt to just ask. ;)

 

Barb~

[Son of a Cruiser]

We were on the Rhapsody of the Seas a few years ago and had just sat down for lunch in the Windjammer when someone approached our table and asked if we would mind if he joined us. I looked up and realized it was Capt. Rolf Ollassen!!! What fun. He was quite a nice guy. He was the most visible and freindly Captain I have ever sailed with. He seemed to genuinely enjoy meeting all the passengers!!

[superjerryw]

Thanks Jerry for putting a smile on my face this morning!!!!:D Rick

 

That will cost you one slice of carrot cake from the Paradise Cafe....:D

[lv2cruisgrl]

Who else besides the invitees (sp?) dine with you? And the captain of course!

 

I think it depends on the cruise. When we dined with him it was my husband and myself, our best friends who always cruise with us, one other couple, the capt and his wife, the Hotel manager (takes care of all the rooms), the environmental manager, and 2 or 3 others of his staff, mostly upper managers. It was the best time we ever had. We were such a talkative group that we were in the dining room until 11:30 (dinner started at 8:30). All the waiters were waiting for us to all leave so they could clean up the table :) . It was the best cruise ever!!

[wolfganghowell]

We were invited to the Captains table on Rhapsody last November. We had requested a large table by the staircase and ended up with no tablemates. The maitre'd came by the second night to explain why our table was empty. It was a nice conversation so I suspect that might have been it. He also could have looked us up in their system and seen that we were C&A members. Most of the people ended up being people seated around the same area - all had been dressed nicely and behaved nicely the first few evenings onboard (I point that out because there were a lot of tacky passengers on that cruise so the maitre'd may have been looking for people that would behave appropriately at the captains table). The funniest part was that Mr Wolf normally gets "surf and turf" at the second formal night. SInce it was the captains table, he couldn't. He teased the headwaiter who was serving us and he got this horrified look and whispered, "Oh sir, please don't ask me that." Mr Wolf smiled and told him he was kidding. (I raised him right - the atmosphere is more formal and structured there)

 

Our April cruise I was in our stateroom grabbing some stuff before heading to the pool when the phone rang. It was an invitation to the captains table. We hadn't spoken to any staff so have no idea. I thought maybe they had chosen Captains Club people and had gone through the list but there were people at the table who were not CC and had not cruised before. So I have no theory on how we got picked - and yes.....once again Mr Wolf did not get his surf and turf.

 

Our joke with our TA now is that we "expect" to be at the captains table from now on. ha ha

[Tjukka]

My husband and I will be on the July 1st Navigator and would love to dine with Captain Bang and his wife. I have loved reading her posts and think she is a wonderful lady. This is just our second cruise, but based on what I've read on these boards, the Navigator is one of the best ships around and the crew has everything to do with that!! :)

 

I guess it wouldn't hurt to just ask. ;)

 

Barb~

 

First RCI sends in a request for people to sit at his table. The Captain picks out people he knows then asks me if I know anyone.The Dinning room manadger picks out people the waiter says are nice and the Conciger gives requests.

All it reall comes down to is meeting the Captain and if he asks for your cabin # expeact a dinner request. No children are invited.

 

Tj

[rubrrick]

That will cost you one slice of carrot cake from the Paradise Cafe....:D

 

When we cruise together.........you're on!!!:D

[northerner]

Does that mean they can never be invited? Even if they are a very special group of talented, giving girls who saved an orphanage full of children while the building was burning down? Just kidding they are not that heroic.

 

I only ask because our very talented Girl Scout troop is leaving on sunday for a cruise we have worked 2 years for. We have 16 going, and I know they would love to at least eat breakfast 1 day with him. He must eat breakfast, right?

 

Our girls are really very outstanding, they spent 2 years working with shut in elderly and got the bronze award, now we are working on the silver award by working a program they devised to take anmial shelter dogs and cats to the local nursing homes. Needless to say the residents love to see our girls and anmials bring new life into the very bleek facilities.

 

Is it unheard of to invite the captain to dine with your group?:confused:

 

I dont want to hear or be flamed by all of you who think teenagers are not supposed to cruise, these girls know they will not be without an adult at any time, and they probably have better manners then most adults.:) We have coached them well and had fun practicing their manners.

[Tjukka]

Does that mean they can never be invited? Even if they are a very special group of talented, giving girls who saved an orphanage full of children while the building was burning down? Just kidding they are not that heroic.

 

I only ask because our very talented Girl Scout troop is leaving on sunday for a cruise we have worked 2 years for. We have 16 going, and I know they would love to at least eat breakfast 1 day with him. He must eat breakfast, right?

 

Our girls are really very outstanding, they spent 2 years working with shut in elderly and got the bronze award, now we are working on the silver award by working a program they devised to take anmial shelter dogs and cats to the local nursing homes. Needless to say the residents love to see our girls and anmials bring new life into the very bleek facilities.

 

Is it unheard of to invite the captain to dine with your group?:confused:

 

I dont want to hear or be flamed by all of you who think teenagers are not supposed to cruise, these girls know they will not be without an adult at any time, and they probably have better manners then most adults.:) We have coached them well and had fun practicing their manners.

 

 

In the morning when the Captain and officers aren't sailing into the port they are having meeting.So that they can all make sure that everyone is on the same page. I am sure you want the ship running and safe for the girls to have fun.You can request thru guest relations that thay ask the Captain for a time when he can meet them.Do this right away write a letter to the Captain and ask the Bell Station or Guest relations to send it to the Captian ASAP. Then he can give you a time for pictures or talking to him. My husband has fun with kids we raised 3 of them but passengers tend to get upset when there are kids there.

My husband does go to orphanages and takes them the things the passengers don't want like towels with a fraed edge and sheets and crew things they don't use or want anymore and buy's them things they need.

 

Tj

[northerner]

Thank you very much for the quick response. I appreciate your answer. Yes we certainly want the crew on the same page. And rest assured, these girls will not for a second be going anywhere without one of the 7 adults going with them. I too can appreciate that adults like to not be bothered with other peoples bad children.

 

Thank you, we will definately write up something prior to boarding the ship and get it to the right person as soon as we board. Theresa

[jwick]

..."The instructions for the dinner are very exact, so it can perhaps be considered intimidating, however both invitations were a nice surprise to an already wonderful trip, which we very much enjoyed.

 

meripour,

 

You mentioned that there are exact instructions when dining with the captain. What types of instructions? Gee, it sounds pretty intimidating to dine at the captain's table (but I'm sure it's a wonderful experience!).

 

Thanks!

[Nliedel]

..."The instructions for the dinner are very exact, so it can perhaps be considered intimidating, however both invitations were a nice surprise to an already wonderful trip, which we very much enjoyed.

 

meripour,

 

You mentioned that there are exact instructions when dining with the captain. What types of instructions? Gee, it sounds pretty intimidating to dine at the captain's table (but I'm sure it's a wonderful experience!).

 

Thanks!

 

I'm just guessing here, so take this with a grain of salt. I suspect that they would like you to observe some general etiquette. Don't argue about religion, politics, tell the captain he does not know how to drive the boat, don't call it a boat, don't hit on his wife (if she's present), don't pull down your pants and ask the doctor across from you about your mole. Don't twirl your hair with the salad fork, order one entrée, share your wine (I understand that wine is provided at the captains table), don't get drunk off your hind end and pass wind. Dress properly.

 

Just the normal observances of etiquette. People get so hyped up on etiquette, call it, "Snooty" or "Snotty" think it's there to separate the haves from the have nots. While that can be true when taken to its extreme (nothing is good when taken to its extreme) for the most part etiquette is there to make everyone feel comfortable. It's a set of rules designed to level the playing field.

 

So, how'd I do? Was I off? I'm planning my captain's table meal as I type this. Actually, this is a soft goal of mine. I will not die unhappy if I don't get to do it, but it's on my list of, "I'd like to try that."

[skyking]

On our honeymoon cruise we were sitting at dinner up in CHOPS when someone came up to us and said Mr and Mrs ---------..The Captain would like you to join him for dinner tomorrow night. The funny thing is that we sat with him on our previouse cruise and now again, and the fact that they came to hunt us down. It was pretty cool....2 cruises in a row:) I know how it happened, but I will keep it a secret for now.

 

Tim

[texancruzer]

Nliedel: Actually you are closer than you know !!!!! We were instructed to meet the Maitre D at the port entrance of the second floor dining room. Then we were to walk down the stairs and be seated at the table which was right in front of the bottom of the stairs. Then insert all of the above which you provided for us..... ie no passing gas etc..... :o

 

Actually we were not told to stay away from any topics.... but were told that there was one dish that was the Captains "favorite" and we should try it. Since it was a Norwegian recipe for LOBSTER salad I had no problem with that as I love lobster. The conversation was great..... he was soooo charming and dinner was over before we knew it. I had never even thought about getting an invitation to dine at his table but when it happened it was a total surprise and truly one of the highlights of my trip. I guess I can cross that one off my "list of stuff to do before I die". :D

[wolfganghowell]

The invitation is very nice and you receive signed menus and a group picture. Both times we were instructed to meet somewhere specific and then the group was escorted into the dining room after everyone is seated. The group picture is done before dinner and there are placecards so you don't have to fight for a seat. The captain (or whoever is hosting the table) chooses a red and a white wine for the table. There is generally a special appetizer or dessert offered for the group but the menu is the same as the dining room. On Celebrity, we met in the martini bar and were offered a pre dinner cocktail as well. Neither time did we receive instructions on what to do or what to say!

[kc320]

Gee, guess this is one of those things not likely to get crossed off my "wish" list. I'm not Diamond, don't sail in a Suite and am rather on the quiet side. Oh well, I can always dream...........

[superjerryw]

Gee, guess this is one of those things not likely to get crossed off my "wish" list. I'm not Diamond, don't sail in a Suite and am rather on the quiet side. Oh well, I can always dream...........

 

Just slip a twenty in an envelope and have it delivered to the Captain.....:eek:

[glgolfer]

KC - Quiet?

[superjerryw]

I'm just guessing here, so take this with a grain of salt. I suspect that they would like you to observe some general etiquette. Don't argue about religion, politics, tell the captain he does not know how to drive the boat, don't call it a boat, don't hit on his wife (if she's present), don't pull down your pants and ask the doctor across from you about your mole. Don't twirl your hair with the salad fork, order one entrée, share your wine (I understand that wine is provided at the captains table), don't get drunk off your hind end and pass wind. Dress properly. Just the normal observances of etiquette.

 

Sheeeesh, rules like that are going to spoil all my fun. This has all the makings of a very boring evening. I suppose I can't eat my peas with a knife either and it sounds like dunking my breadsticks in my iced tea is out as well. If I can't have my burritos as an appetizer I'm not dining with the Captain......:eek:

[rrfalcon]

What is Captain Bang like? There are so many wonderful comments about him on these boards, I just wondered. We have sailed with him on the Navigator and will be sailing with him again.

[Tjukka]

Just slip a twenty in an envelope and have it delivered to the Captain.....:eek:

 

There isn't enough money to buy a seat at the Captains table 20 years ago the dinning room manager was offered $300 to get a seat at the Captain's table and that didn't work. They like hard cover books to read.:)

[Tjukka]

What is Captain Bang like? There are so many wonderful comments about him on these boards, I just wondered. We have sailed with him on the Navigator and will be sailing with him again.

 

When are you sailing on the Navigator. Captain Bang is a very easy going Captain. Just make sure you stop and talk to him before the firsts nights dinner he is always walking thru the promanade .Don't ask out right to eat with him just tell him you would love to talk to him about his life at sea.

 

Tj