A thoroughly captivating book. I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters (and there are many), and hearing all about their lives. A brilliant, funny, heartwarming bit of escapism. I would recommend it.

If you have ever been on a cruise then this book will be a delight to remember all the wonderful and colourful characters that you might have met onboard. if you have never been on a cruise – don’t let these wonderful and colourful characters put you off. Cruising is a great experience.

The Empress of the Ocean sounds as grand as it is named and it is setting sail for the Mediterranean and onboard are a cast of characters:

Albert and Maureen, constantly bickering and Albert feeling completely hen pecked this cruise, which he didn’t want to spend the money one is either going to make them or break them.

Sisters Miriam and Edna, full of mirth and malapropisms, selectively deaf and very outspoken. Observing very loudly what everyone is thinking about their fellow passengers. Be it on your own head if you get in the way of Edna, her dodgy hip and uncontrollable walking frame.

Young Oliver, twelve years old with his grandparents and with a passion for history and books is what you wish every young polite man to be. Is he missing out on living what a twelve year old boy should be living or is he wiser than all the passengers and even some of the crew?

Lonely Frances de La Mare has booked a penthouse suite for it’s recognition and status but she finds herself even more isolated and why has she not been invited to dine at the Captain’s Table when other more lowly people in her opinion have.

Sandra, chatty and keen to mix with everyone. The vicar and his wife, the lottery winners, the doctors on holiday, the port lecturer, the guest lecturer, the pianist, the dancers; the list of characters is endless. But not so that is becomes too confusing, they are all mixed together well and all have their part to play in this voyage.

As you sail along the sea and stop at some interesting places, you learn about the area and more about the people. The book lasts the length of the cruise and we get to see the whole microcosm of people, society, beliefs and behaviours. It is almost like mini vignettes throughout the book with some laugh out loud moments and some moments to catch you right out.

If you were expecting something like his previous school stories, then you will perhaps be a bit disappointed but what you are getting is strong characters, strong stories and strong laughter.

The perfect holiday read.

This was a wonderful read following the passengers on a cruise. I loved getting to know them all- the snobs, the people embracing the whole experience, social climbers, staff. It really felt like you were along on the cruise, experiencing all the ports and the port lecturers and how they dealt with coach loads on a trip.
I have some of his previous books and loved this one.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, hubby thought I was mad when I was sat chuckling to myself at some of the characters and their antics.
Absolutely brilliant, was sorry when I had finished it

Gervase Phinn is in my all-time top ten of authors, and once again has written an excellent book. I love his books and the characters that appear appear in them. This one was no exception.

#netgalley #atthecaptainstable I laughed all the way through this delightfully funny book and even laughed out loud at times. This book is the perfect relaxing escape, well written and love the characters.
Highly recommend this book. Although there were many characters it was still an easy read. I still have a smile on my face. 5/5 stars

I fell in love with the cover and then I fell in love with this heartwarming and entertaining story.
A cast of quirky and likeable characters, a compelling plot, lovely setting.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and it's escapism at it's best.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

What wonderful escapism! A delightful mixture of eccentric characters all stuck together on a cruise ship with varying degrees of expectations, it makes for a warm and cheering read.

Oh I needed this, I really did. With so much misery going on in the world right now it was such a wonderful diversion to accompany these cruisers on their oceanic holiday. The laughs just kept on coming and I giggled my way through so many hilarious happenings and enjoyed 'meeting' such a colourful mix of passengers. My favourite was young, 12 year old, Oliver who was such a lovely lad; kind, courteous, knowledgeable and an avid reader. Elderly sisters Miriam and Edna were funny and sometimes frustrating. Edna's malapropisms were hysterical. Neville, the seasoned cruiser who knows everything - or does he? All of these and more were the most intriguing of travellers - all with their different personalities and taking the cruise for varying reasons. Although the goings on were funny and frivolous they also hid a number of more serious issues that really gave food for thought and by the end of the cruise several characters emerged with a very different viewpoint to the one they started out with. The conclusion was perfect and really left me with much to think about .I looked forward every day to popping back onto that ship to catch up with these people who really felt like folks I have met or known about. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone needing something light hearted and with a 'real'. cast of characters. Wonderful! My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC which I am happy to review and recommend.

Sail away with this delicious read. Warm, funny and uplifting, this is the perfect escapism. Another uplifting and summery escape from the bestselling author.

Gervase Phinn at his best. It was a story of a cruise and the characters and entertainment staff. Absolutely brilliant. . You laughed out loud so many times.

A summer cruise around the scenic Mediterranean aboard ‘Empress of the Ocean’ with beautiful blue skies, activities aboard, off shore trips and splendid hospitality was just what the doctor ordered for the eclectic group of travellers. The hardworking and polite crew on the ‘Empress’ were dedicated and would ensure the cruisers had a whale of a time for sure.
As the passengers embark the Liner, Albert is already castigating his wife of twenty-five years for bringing too many cases. Twelve-year-old Oliver, full of a young boy’s excitement will certainly enjoy himself. He is with his grandparents and intends to listen to the history lectures and the recitals and more, as well as enjoying different trips. Yes he will make this a holiday to remember and when he isn’t busy, then he will indulge himself, he is an insatiable reader. Then there is spinster sisters Miriam and Edna, the former the mistress of sighing and the latter enriching her conversations liberally with malapropisms. Alone and desperate to join Captain Smith on his table of guests and mix with the gracious and good, is Frances de la Mare keen to see her luxurious penthouse suite, complete with a butler. Veteran cruiser Neville is looking forward to giving advice and proving himself a worthy friend to chat with, and so the passengers continue to their appointed quarters.
What are they are expecting of this cruise? Different people have different ideas and choices. It may be luxury, great events and fabulous food on-board, beautiful on shore experiences, different cultures and food, a cracking holiday, friendship, peace, learning something new or trying something different. The list goes on and on. These new cruisers will not be the same as the last ones. It’s a lottery every trip. This is where the fun begins and this different mix of cruisers is surely not unique. I can tell you now; you are in for a treat. Captain Smith and the crew may have a riotous, unexpected, frivolous, heartbreaking, joyous, glorious job to do, or maybe not! Captain Smith is the big boss and stands no trouble!
Firstly I must declare that I am an ardent fan of Gervase Phinn’s ‘Yorkshire Schools’ series, ‘The Dales’, ‘The Little Village’ and also his hilarious poetry. This novel is nothing like those, but to it he brings his fabulous, witty and poignant storytelling. I have also been to theatres where Gervase delights his audience with quick-fire anecdotes and stories. ‘At the Captain's Table’ brings with it other and sometimes more serious matters and issues. Not small children’s misdemeanours either, but adult frailties and goings-on. I’m keen not to write in any spoilers here, but I’m talking about serious issues, selfishness, aggression, accidents, and also life changing events. Some of the characters I have introduced already will leave the Cruise Liner changed people and thankfully for the better, but some will not. My favourite character is definitely Oliver. He was such a wonderful character, his jar always half full, polite, compassionate and enthusiastic. I also liked Frances de la Mare because she realised that she is lonely and grumpy in her life so far and she realised only she could make a change in the future. I enjoyed this metamorphosis so much. I loved the ending as the First Officer and Captain Smith summarised the ups and downs of the cruise as they were saying goodbye back at home in the UK.
I received this book through my membership of NetGalley and from publisher Hodder & Stoughton in return for an honest review. Thank you most sincerely for my copy of this novel sent in return for an honest review. I enjoyed reading it so much and, as a non-cruiser, I was fascinated by the cruise protocol, entertainment and the on-shore visitations. I was also surprised by the huge power given to the Captain.

3.5

Albert struggles with the copious quantity of cases wife Maureen brings fo the Mediterranean cruise on the advice of her friend Mrs Mickelby, their inevitable bickering typical of their 25 years of “wedded bliss“. Also boarding is strident Mrs Frances De la Mere well off monetarily but rarely in spirit, she’s obviously in first class. There is Miriam and Edna, elderly spinster sisters, young Oliver a voracious reader accompanying his grandparents and the Reverend Christopher Hinderwell and his wife Esmé who along with others are boarding “Empress of the Ocean”. Some are hoping for companionship and friendship, others to be left alone but what is certain some will be fiercely competing for a seat at the captains table. For some, this cruise could very well change their lives.

First of all, don’t expect much plot because there isn’t one! It’s an acutely observed character based study demonstrating the microcosm of life on board the cruise ship accompanied by much conversation. Some is very lively and extremely amusing and the author as always utilises some deft and apt turns of phrase along with some good double entendres. The characterisation is shrewd and perceptive but it has to be said there are a lot of them and it takes a bit of sorting out who’s who. I especially enjoy the two sisters with Edna‘s abundant malapropisms which elicit a smile, equally enjoyable are Miriam‘s sighing corrections. Oliver is uttered in utterly delightful and the many people he is in contact with find him equally so.

The storytelling makes thoughtful points about books and covers, about rushing to judgement, about kindness and the formation of unlikely friendships .

Whilst it’s certainly a diverting read it’s way too long in my opinion and it’s pretty much all the same the whole way through so you reach a point where there’s nothing new on the menu of the captains table.

Overall, it’s entertaining and whilst I have no intention of cruising the thought of being holed up with some of these people for a fortnight doesn’t bear thinking about !!! Maybe that’s the authors intention, who knows!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for their much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Petulant Passengers…
A relaxing sojourn from between the pages of a book as the reader is swept away on this summer cruise onboard The Empress of the Ocean. The Mediterranean Sea may well be like a millpond, but on board is another choppy matter. Petulant passengers and fiendish feuds abound and unlikely bonds are created as the ship sails forth. And….just who will get a seat at the Captain’s table? Altogether delightful and a joy to escape with.

A joy of a read. Fun and frothy with characters you feel you’ve met in real life. Lots of laugh out loud moments and perfect for lazy summer reading.