An Invitation to the Captain’s Table

Have you ever wondered about the Captain’s Table on a cruise ship? That large oval table in the middle of the dining room. Who gets to sit there?

Well, I was lucky enough to receive not just one but two invitations to dine at the Captain’s Table on two separate cruises within three years!

New Year’s Eve Cruise

Many years ago, I booked a 7-day New Year’s Eve Caribbean cruise on the Holland America Westerdam. It was my first time on the Holland America Cruise Line. As we looked around, it was obvious that we were one of the youngest couples on the ship.

I knew nothing about the Captain’s Table or that it even existed. One day we were standing in the Atrium observing the activities when the Cruise Director approached us and asked if we would like to dine at the Captain’s Table on New Year’s Eve. Since it sounded exciting, we accepted. That afternoon, a printed invitation appeared in our cabin.

The Captain’s Table

On New Year’s Eve, we presented our invitation and were escorted to the Captain’s Table in the center of the room. We all wore formal attire and the atmosphere was very elegant. As it turned out, it was the First Officer, not the captain who presided at the table. For this occasion, his beautiful, young wife was on the cruise. She wore a slim, full length, royal blue sequined gown. The table seated eight and there was a Miami judge and his wife along with one more couple. We found that the First Officer and his wife lived in Boca Raton, not far from us in Florida.

The Menu

We ordered off a special menu. Of course, I picked the surf and turf. Our lobster and tenderloin steak were mouth-watering; some of the best I have ever had. I don’t remember the dessert except that it was spectacular.

The First Officer was very shy and did not speak much. Apparently the captain often assigned this table duty to his officers. The First Officer probably would have preferred to have a private dinner with his wife since he was away from her for long stretches at a time. However, everyone made polite conversation and created a beautiful memory.

Another Invitation to the Captains Table!

Amazingly, the same thing happened less than a year later on the Holland America Maasdam on a 10-day cruise through the Panama Canal.

Selection Process for the Captain’s Table

This time I asked the Cruise Director how she selected passengers to join the Captain at his table. She said that they look for “interesting couples”. I am not so sure we were that interesting but we were closer in age to the Chief Officer than most of the other passengers. I think that we stood out as a young, (albeit early 50s’), couple on a ship where the ages were primarily in the 70’s and 80’s. In any case, we happily accepted.

Dinner at the Captain’s Table

The invitation instructed us to assemble at the waiting area in front of the Casino Bar on the Upper Promenade Deck. Dress code was formal. Instead of a large table in the main dining room, we were led to a private dining room. Again, it was not the Captain but the Chief Officer who presided over the group of ten seated at a long, rectanglar table. This made it difficult to converse although everyone gave it their best except the woman seated next to me. She did not say one word and half way through the meal she excused herself and fled. I can only assume she was not feeling well.

We ordered off a special deluxe menu and of course, I chose the lobster and tenderloin again savoring every mouthful. An over-the-top dessert followed.

Summary

That was our last invitation to the Captain’s Table on any ship. Although it was an honor and I cherish the memory, it is difficult to eat with a large group of strangers for only one night, never to see them again. Most passengers today seem to prefer a more casual atmosphere so much so that there is often no official formal night on some cruise lines. By the same token, the Captain’s Table is disappearing along with with so many of the other cruise ship traditions.

Addendum

Nine months later I was on a 16-day cruise to Hawaii on the Holland America Statendam. When the Cruise Director introduced the Captain, I was surprised to hear the voice of the First Officer from our New Year’s Eve Captain’s Table ! He was now the Captain of the Statendam! Small world.

One day I was talking to the Cruise Director and I told her that we had dined at the Captain’s Table on New Year’s Eve with the current Captain and had met his lovely wife. I was shocked when the Cruise Director told me that the Captain’s wife had passed away. I could hardly believe it. So, so sad.