Outraged or Couldn't care less?

They didn't have it on our Breakaway cruise. They also didn't have smoked salmon at the bufet for breakfast.

How awful! Escargot is one of my favorite dishes on a cruise!

Amen to that Pdljmpr61!

No biggie, it is not the end of the world. Just happy to be able to get out and do something fun every few years.

The only time we have been able "dine" with the officers' of the ship is, when there is a "diamond level" luncheon on Carnival. This is usually when there are a lot of passengers with that status. When there are fewer it tends to be cocktails and when it just a few (I've heard) it is coffee and rolls on the bridge (looking forward ti that opportunity if it ever happens). I don't think Carnival has a program where you get to request dining with the Captain, but I have been wrong before.

Well that certainly adjusted the "ambiance" didn't it? I notice that you can dine with "officers", at least we will soon, assuming we stay with NCL, which is probable. Doubt we'd ever get THE big shot, but noticed last few cruises some folks dining with lower grade officer types. sure sounds interesting tho. And yes, the maître d's tend to wander, but I've never got the impression they had their hands out. Next trip (shortly) I want to try to figure who they're visiting. Not that you can tell what perk level some one is at, but educated guesses work. Age, the way they conduct themselves, comfort level, dress, etc....

Going to have to cruise with you because we have never had that happen. Tiup night is when we tip extra, those that have provided really good service. Except for our last HAL cruise we have been very fortunate to have good servers.

Now that the gratuities are "automatic" there usually isn't a tip night. We have been on cruises where the Maitre'D is all over the dining room chatting with passengers and some where they only stay at their "station". My favorite was when we had a group of 10 and the only table that large was the "Captain's" table right behind the Maitre'D's station. We had early dining and the Captain preferred late when he ate in the dining room. Everyone thought we must be "special dignitaries" to get that table. We were spoiled by the whole Dining room staff including the Maitre'D. Probably will never happen again, but it was wonderful.

If you want to meet your Maitre de, be in the dining room on tip night. If he is going to be at your table, that will be the night.

I agree JB, as we tried to pick apart elsewhere, those "tip pools" IF they exist, (like many casinos) require a degree in rocket science to understand. what he (and others of some rank) get out of that % added to your fare is beyond me. I can honestly say I have NEVER put dollar one directly into the hands of any maître d on board any ship...ever...wait staff, stewards, some bartenders that's different. Ashore, if getting into some "joint especialissimmo" meant something I did it a lot back in the day, usually with OPM.....now, bah. besides, who tips in McD's? hehehehe