Formal Night...Captains dinner question?

Question

Okay I want to know is there a difference between the 2?? Because i dont remember a captains dinner but we did have 2 formal nights? Are they the same?? Thanks....Oh yeah and does Royal Caribbean have "Captains dinner"s i know they have formal nights

Answer 1

I think that it is  a misnomer.  I have been on many cruises on 4 different cruise lines including about 7 or 8 on Royal Caribbean and I have seen occasions when the Captain did come to the dining room on a formal night at sit at a huge table for about 12 people with a few of his staff and some guests.  But on those occasions most of the people in the dining room did not even know that he was there and so it was not at all like a Captain's dinner where he was announced and everyone recognized his presence.  

On one recent Royal Caribbean cruise the Captain came in and took his seat with this group at his table but most of the people in the main dining room didn't even recognize that he was there.

On the other hand, many cruise ships do have a Captain's cocktail party where the captain will be in the show room and meet guests as they come in, and maybe have a photo taken.  I even have some of these.  But this activity is not a part of the dinner.  The number of times that i have seen the Captain eat in the dining room is very very small.

Answer 2

Been on Royal Caribbean and never heard of a captain's dinner.  Check with the cruise line though to be sure.

Answer 3

Captain's Dinner and formal night are completely different. Captain's dinner is a private event only certain cruisers are invited to, not even in the Dining Room most of the time. The Captain's Dinner is formal, though I'm not sure if it's on the same night as a regular formal night dinner is.

Formal night is for anyone who wants to eat in the Main Dining room. These normally are 2 or 3 nights of the cruise depending on how long your cruise is.

Answer 4

Hello. I have been on quite a few cruises myself, I have never heard of a Captain's Dinner, but there is such a thing as a Captain's Cocktail, where everyone goes at a certain time to one designated area of the ship and have free cocktails & hors d'oeuvres to get introduced to the Captain of the ship, that is normally the second night of the cruise if your on a 7 day cruise. Then on one of the later days of the week, they have a second formal night which is more to dress up fancy and take pictures. Hope this helps ;o)

Answer 5

Captains dinner isnt the same as a formal night. A formal night is when you dresses up (if you like to).

The captains dinner is normaly adressed to as sitting on the captains (or one of his or hers high rank officers) table and having dinner together with him or her. This is a rare oportunity to ask about everything that has a bearing on sea travelling and is considered an honor given to a few selected passenger. And its not polite to say no to such an invitation.

But a captains dinner could also be the dinner held during one of the formal nights. You would also sea captains farewell dinner at the end of the cruise. but this is more an ettique and doesnt involve the captain per se.. Johan