Captains "table"

[jgalecpa]

Is there a "Captains Table" on the ship and has anyone ever been invited to sit at it?

 

[mmouse37]

Well, yes and no....there is no Captains Table in the three main restaurants, but he does have a table in Palo and we were invited to dine with him on our cruise last August.

We had an invitation in our cabin inviting my husband and myself to dine up in Palo with the Captain. It was on a Thursday night our semi-formal night. We were so excited. Out of 6 DCL cruises at the time, it was our first invite to dine with the Captain. We got all dressed up and headed up to Palo. On our way through the atrium we noticed a huge amount of people running out to deck 4 and looking over the side of the ship. Turns out the Magic had stopped to offer assistance to a small boat (very small) of cuban refugees that were adrift and without water for several days. Needless to say that became a priority for the Captain.

We still headed up to Palo and the captain's assitant, Joshua, met us and seated us with 3 other couples. We were given complimentary wine and told to look over the menu....the Captain would join us shortly. Unfortunately the Captain never made it as he was quite busy with the refugee situation. We totally understood but it was still disappointing. It just so happened that the VP of DCL was cruising that week so he came to extend his apologies for the Captain. He was a very nice man and was sailing with his family. He did not dine with us but the other couples and us were told to order whatever drinks we wanted and have a great time. We ordered dinner off the menu and of course had the choc. souffle for dessert. Each couple received a group photo of everyone at the table and a signed copy of the menu by the Captain with the latitude and longitude of where we were during dinner. These were delivered to our cabin the next day, along with a letter of apology from the Captain. It said that we should contact his assistant on our next cruise to dine again with the Captain, but I felt funny about calling when we sailed this past January.

All the couples tried to figure out why we all were selected to dine with the Captain and none of us could figure it out. Some were repeat cruisers, some first time, from all walks of life. One couple was from England, one from New Jersey, one from New York (us) and one from California. It was a very nice evening!!!

MJ

 

[mmouse37]

bump

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by mmouse37
Well, yes and no.... It was a very nice evening!!!

MJ

That is such an interesting story! I've never heard of this. Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by mmouse37
Turns out the Magic had stopped to offer assistance to a small boat (very small) of cuban refugees that were adrift and without water for several days

Okay.. so you are a refugee... on a little boat with no water and then you are rescued by the Disney ship...

Can you imagine coming on board to seeing Mickey, Pluto, Goofy and Captain Hook walking around. LOL

American is a great country.

>>^..^<<

 

[mmouse37]

Actually....DCL was not permitted to bring them onboard. Apparently due to some security measures which I can certainly understand. We pulled up beside them and threw a rope to their little boat. DCL called the Coast Guard and they came and took them aboard their ship and I heard that they were returned to Cuba.

It was such a stark constrast seeing 4 men and a young boy with no shirts on who needed water and hundreds of very dressed up people peering over the side of the ship at them. It really hit home how lucky we are to be living in this country. We should all be very proud to live here!!!

DCL was able to give them water and food but that was basically it until the CG arrived. We were headed to Castaway Cay from our day at sea and this happened at about 7:30 pm.

MJ

 

[jgalecpa]

I'm the original poster. What a great story. An american fairy tale, really.

Sorry I didn't thank you more promptly, but I am a CPA and April 15 is 3 weeks away.

DW and I were on A Mediterranean cruise a few years back and got the Captains table invite. I can still taste the most tender Filet Mignon I have ever had!

DW and I will be booking in Palo (Keeping the Semi formal night in Mind)

Thanks for the story and the 4-11

Jim

 

[mmouse37]

You are so welcome!! We are sailing again on 5/17....I wish I had the nerve to call the Captain's assitant and call in our raincheck!!! I know I won't though.

MJ

 

[tdsryan]

MJ, can you put in a good word for your old buddy for his cruise next year?

 

[mmouse37]

If I rub elbows with the Captain, I sure will put in a good word for you, Ryan!!!

MJ

 

[Melrosgirl]

Personally I could care less about meeting the captain. I always find it strange that the captains are treated like celebrities. I was shocked to see people getting the captain's autograph on DCL merchandise on our last cruise. Am I the only one who feels this way?

 

[tdsryan]

While I never asked for an autograph, I think that meeting the captain is a cool thing. My wife and I were very happy when the captain of the the Wonder came up to us and introduced himself at the Castaway Club reception. We talked for a little bit, and he was very pleasant. It might not be a big deal to some, but we felt special. Don't ask me why.

 

[mmouse37]

I feel like he is the host and I am a guest....no, I would not get an autograph from the host of a party I went to, but I think he does deserve some respect.

I have had the various Captains sign different things I have purchased onboard as a memento...his signature and the date of the cruise. Makes very nice conversation pieces!!!

MJ

 

[Tigger2]

My husband & I were surprised to receive an invitation to dine with Capt. Tom on our recent cruise. We aren't really sure why we were chosen, either, but felt very fortunate to receive this honor. We had a great time, met some very interesting people. It was held on Monday, which was semi-formal. There were 4 other couples, as well as the Capt. and another gentlemen who works for the cruiseline. They took a group photo, and presented us with a copy as a gift from the Capt. It was a great evening!!!!!

Funny, our ship ended up being involved in the rescue of a family of Cuban Refugees, also. The water was really rough, so the Captain used the Magic to block the wind until the Coast Guard arrived. I wonder if this happens often?

 

[mmouse37]

I am glad you actually got to dine with the Captain! We totally understood why he could not make it dinner when we sailed. I think there are a lot more medical emergencies and distress calls than we might think. I have heard of a quite a few cruise line ships coming to the aid of others on the sea.

MJ

 

[rae519]

At our reception, the Captain (Hans) spent a lot of time talking with our son who was about 5 at the time. It really made a big impression on Michael and I thought that it was quite gracious for him to spend time chatting with the guests. I had hoped to get the picture of Michael and Captain Hans signed for Michael as a momento but he was replaced by Captain Tom for our next cruise.

I think that the Captain's Table should be part of the Category 1 benefits, by the way AND especially for Barb and Tony considering the time and money they have spent on their 30+ cruises!

Rae

 

[house_of_princesses]

Seeing as our first cruise will be in a cat 1, I too, think we should be able to dine with the captain! However, I wouldn't want his autograph. Just his background, as in, where did you go to school to learn to drive this thing?!

 

[rae519]

I sure do hope that it's a PERK with Category 1, house_of_princesses - I think it would be outstanding to have that as a memory!! Yup, ask a whole lot of questions because Captain Tom is very handsome and charming!!! I know there are a lot of single women out there who would like to know all about him!!

Rae (happily and forever married to a Tom, but not THAT one)

 

[mmouse37]

Captain Henry is my favorite....I thought Captain Tom to be a little standoffish. Captain Thord didn't have much of a personaility and Captain Hans is no longer with DCL.

MJ

 

[Cfabar1]

Is there still a captain's table, and if so, how do you get to be seated at it?

Is the captain present at the Gold reception on sailings over 8 nights? Would be nice to meet the Captain! Captain Merrill was always available to dine with guests!