Has anyone invited a member of staff to jon them at the Speciality Restaurant

[uktog]

On our next cruise we thought it might be fun to invite a member of the ships staff who is in the same profession as we are to join us at the Speciality Restaurant. Would this be acceptable and I am assuming we would send our invitiation and make the arrangements via Guest Relations (this is not one of the "front of house" staff so we will not know them in advance but he or she will be an Officer)

[chessbriar]

Officers and activity staff can eat in the restaurants, by invitation. We have had the joy of inviting friends to join us at our table. Since you don't know them, have the invite ready when you get there and drop it off at GR when you get there and hope for the best.

 

Actually, new idea e-mail me and I'll help you contact who you need. cpcrickp@aol.com

[uktog]

Thanks Rick Will do

[jojogo]

We have , on several occasions, had various ship employees dine with us. Not just officers. They must get permission from the Hotel Manager so plan in advance to give them a day or two to do so. It really is a treat for many of the well deserving crew members who work so hard!:)

[West Coast Couple]

What a wonderful idea. I never thought of doing this. We have met such wonderful staff - on our last cruise, my DH got to know our stateroom attendant very well because he stayed back in our room while I went to an excursion one day. When I got back, my husband knew all about our stateroom attendant's life and all about his family back home, etc.

 

Would inviting someone to dinner only work if it was for the specialty dining room? I'm wondering how we could fit an extra person at our table in the main dining room.

 

Linda

[imacruizer]

A few months ago we traveled with a relative who was a singer in the production shows. Through her we got to know most of the singers and dancers. We discovered that these delightful young people can only eat in the dining room at the invitation of a guest. If you have an extra seat at your table, these young entertainers would love to join you. They are required to dress appropriately for the dress code of the evening and are great fun. I'm sure an invitation to eat in the dining room is a special treat for anyone working on a ship.

[rubrrick]

I am not sure of the protocol for other than officers to dine with the passengers............but my guess would be that anyone that is hired by a 3rd party company to, say........teach bridge, or become a dancer........if properly presented, and allowed..........could eat with their passenger friend at dinner. If you are thinking of a stateroom attendant, or dining room server..............I don't see why not.........but probably the line would draw the line.

What was it that Lady Astor said, when asked to dine with the Captain.........who wants to eat with the hired help?? Some snobbish rubbish.

The best way to handle any unusual request........would be to take it to the Guest Relations Manager........and ask him/her if it would be appropriate.

 

Rick

[eVader]

Rick - you are the first Friend of Henry poster I have seen outside the FOH thread! I noticed a FOH in someones sig which after discovering what FOB and FOD meant I HAD to find out what FOH was and love it :D

 

On our last cruise in July Henry was hiding most of the time...the housekeeping staff was super efficient.

[Longboysfan]

What a wonderful idea. I never thought of doing this. We have met such wonderful staff - on our last cruise, my DH got to know our stateroom attendant very well because he stayed back in our room while I went to an excursion one day. When I got back, my husband knew all about our stateroom attendant's life and all about his family back home, etc.

 

Would inviting someone to dinner only work if it was for the specialty dining room? I'm wondering how we could fit an extra person at our table in the main dining room.

 

Linda

 

While inviting anoyne you would like to seems nice...

 

The line draws the line on who they consider ships officers.

The Wait and cleaning staff is not considered officers.

 

I have had an activities staff person at our table a few times.

The lovely Captains club hostess and Future cruise sales person.

 

You have to pass the request up through the level of command so it gets approved. Mostly a formality.

 

They do have extra table tops stashed away so they can expand your table for the night. Just tell the area Mater'd and your waiter what night you are looking at.

[Bri0815]

We have , on several occasions, had various ship employees dine with us. Not just officers. They must get permission from the Hotel Manager so plan in advance to give them a day or two to do so. It really is a treat for many of the well deserving crew members who work so hard!:)

 

You have it right Jojogo...They must get permission from the Hotel Manager...Having worked on a ship I will tell you that certain staff will definitely be allowed to dine with you and others may have difficulty getting approval. Singers/dancers/musicians/headliners/casino/shop staff/spa staff/activities staff are considered "higher in command." You will have no problem getting approval for these positions, provided they have a good record on board. All others, you may have trouble (at least on my ship it was a problem, but it depends on how "nice" the hotel director is...)Be sure to allow ample time for the crew to get approval from the hotel director. I hope that helps!

[Ptardis]

We have , on several occasions, had various ship employees dine with us. Not just officers. They must get permission from the Hotel Manager so plan in advance to give them a day or two to do so. It really is a treat for many of the well deserving crew members who work so hard!:)

 

 

We are going on a cruise this Oct. and I think I will do this.

 

The people on the ships work so hard and we always enjoy their great spirit!

 

We are always amazed how many passengers do not treat them with the respect they deserve.

[tuggers]

On most cruises I invite someone to the dining room for one or more nights and/or the specialty restaurant if there is one. If you do not have the extra space at your table, the Restaurant Mgr will give you another table for that night. Because I travel so frequently and they know me I usually am at a table that will accomodate 1 or 2 more people if need be.

The best thing to do is to ask the person you want to invite what you need to do so that they can join you for the evening. They will know who they need permission from (if they do) and will usually, eagerly, go about getting it set up. Officers are much easier but you must still have it okayed by the RM.

Please remember when you tip, the nights you had extra people and add an appropriate tip to cover the service for them as well. This is only fair as your waiter and asst waiter will have more work on those evenings.

You can also invite these same people for pre or post dinner drinks. I usually set that up with the bartender in the Martini Bar as I find it the best place to do those sort of things outside of a suite. And I think they enjoy it there. You can do this in conjunction with an invite to dinner or as a stand alone invitation. Being on a cruise does not prevent you from entertaining the people you want to get to know better.

[Germancruiser]

Hi evader,

mabe I missed the bus, but what the heck is Friends of Henry meaning??? I know about Bill W and Dorothy, but Henry.... never met him!

Greetings

Michael

[dmarch@islc.net]

What a great idea! We usally get "to go" dinners made up for them.

[tuggers]

huh?

[flutepilot]

We have , on several occasions, had various ship employees dine with us. Not just officers. They must get permission from the Hotel Manager so plan in advance to give them a day or two to do so. It really is a treat for many of the well deserving crew members who work so hard!:)

 

As we were on our first cruise in April, we never even thought of this. Judy wanted to take our cabin steward, Julio home with her. This is something we will definitely consider the next time out, which is February on Millie.

 

Dan & Judy

[tuggers]

Sorry, CS's are 'crew' so this would not work. Only 'staff' and officer's will be able to dine with you!

[dmarch@islc.net]

huh?

Was that for me?

 

"To go'' dinners: Picking up a few dinners from room service and delivering them to special staff members.

[tuggers]

Yep! That was for you. Thanks for the explanation!