Meet and Greet popularity

And again 3 weeks ago on our Aug 9th sailing. And we agree he is a great HD!

Safe sailing

They mentioned it at our M&G on the Gem (Captain, Cruise Consultant and HD) and they also mentioned it at the Latitudes party where few of the passengers were probably CC members.

I have been to meet and greets where the officers have said something to the affect of: If there are any problems please come to us about them while onboard so that we can take care of them......rather than say nothing and complain about your cruise after your home and post it on CC.

 

I've heard that on more than one cruise.

 

Harriet

Exactly. I've heard that on more than one cruise also. They've said they'd rather hear about problems onboard and address them rather than read it on CC later when it's too late to resolve the issue. That's probably what Spidybabe was referring to.

Exactly. I've heard that on more than one cruise also. They've said they'd rather hear about problems onboard and address them rather than read it on CC later when it's too late to resolve the issue. That's probably what Spidybabe was referring to.

Exactly- Luckily we have never been to a M&G that turned into a gripe session, but at every meeting they always ask that things get handled onboard and that there be no negative posts later on cruise critic. Although we are only a small percentage of cruisers here, they do monitor and care what gets posted.

Safe sailing

Exactly- Luckily we have never been to a M&G that turned into a gripe session, but at every meeting they always ask that things get handled onboard and that there be no negative posts later on cruise critic. Although we are only a small percentage of cruisers here, they do monitor and care what gets posted.

Safe sailing

We always had very nice meet and greets for sure.

I'm glad I came by this thread ... I am putting together a Meet and Greet for a cruise on the Gem in November (over Thanksgiving) and I was under the impression I needed to wait until 2 or 3 weeks out to contact the cruise director! But what I am hearing is that I should make initial contact around now.

We seem to have an active roll call so we'll see what develops. Thanks for the insights.

Just a few thoughts on this.

I've always found M&G attendance to fairly random, and it does seem to depend a bit on different itineraries. In Europe, I've found the Epic to generally have good attendance, but the other ships to be very badly attended. On a couple of cruises there were never even enough posters to consider arranging one. I haven't noticed and worsening in attendances over the past couple of years.

Regarding needing to participate in the roll call, this really depends on what your plans are. We don't usually do tours of any kind, so I am extremely unlikely to be on my roll call to arrange tours. However, I do sign up, mainly to offer any advice to new cruisers (usually I've done ports previously so have been able to help). If nobody asks much that I can help with then I probably won't post much, but don't see why that should make any difference to whether I should turn up to the M&G.

The problem that I do find though is that many roll calls end up being so focussed around arranging tours that those of us who aren't involved in that find it hard to break into those groups. At the M&Gs the people who have been arranging tours tend to group up and it can be difficult to get involved. That isn't a criticism of those people, just an observation.

I still go to the M&Gs (as long as I remember to adjust my watch for any time difference), but I'm not sure how much longer for. I've made some friends via CC, but make more by just chatting to people at the bar, and have met some fairly objectionable people at roll calls.

I've been to some great meet and greets, some good meet and greets and one really bad meet and greet (not on NCL). I'll probably be more picky which ones I attend in the future on NCL, based on who has signed up, as I really don't want to be embarrassed with folks backing the officers into a corner with their complaints.

I also sign up for the roll calls and on some I participate a lot and other not so much. It depends on how the roll calls go. I've been on some where a few are friends and the posts center around their lives, such as, what they are that day or what they did on the weekend and I usually don't really post, as I don't have anything to contribute. I've been on other roll calls where folks seems interested in meeting new people, getting ideas as to what to do at the ports, etc. and I do participate in those roll calls. To me, the tone of the roll call depends if I will participate a lot, a little or not at all.

Not everyone gets perks or special treatment when coordinating the M&G. A number of factors go into that. Bottom line, it's up to the HD on the ship as to whether or not those are extended. On my 2nd NCL cruise, we knew the concierge on board. He said the woman who was coordinating the M&G hadn't been extended any perks and she had the nerve to call the HD and practically demand them. She still didn't get them. Our concierge friend laughed and said she won't get squat with that attitude no matter what. He also made me think that she had garnered a reputation and no officer in their right mind would extend anything to her.

 

If you do get the perks, be grateful and discreet. I've heard that if you're not, those perks can dry up quickly. I wish my friend was still with NCL because he had great stories!

thanks for setting this straight. I have set up, I don't know how many M&Gs. The first time we really got perks I had no idea what it was all about or why? Normally we have received something, but not always. I wouldn't think of doing a M&G for that reason and it is too bad people seem to think they deserve special attention.

One thing about benefits from the M&G, I don't think it hurts to have your name on the list of attendees. On a couple of occasions, someone from the hotel dept has called on us to check everything is ok with our room and housekeeping. Obviously that may have happened anyway, but I've suspected it may be because of M&G attendance.

We've also received a couple of unexplained extras (strawberries and on one occasion a meal with wine). Again, they may have been for another reason, but I can't think what.

Whether or not those things are related, I don't think it hurts to have your name on the list of people who may do a review or comment in the forum.

I'm glad I came by this thread ... I am putting together a Meet and Greet for a cruise on the Gem in November (over Thanksgiving) and I was under the inmpression I needed to wait until 2 or 3 weeks out to contact the cruise director! But what I am hearing is that I should make initial contact around now.

 

We seem to have an active roll call so we'll see what develops. Thanks for the insights.

I would send a message right now: send to groupeventgem@ncl.com. I always include my resvervation number. They usually get back to you in a few days. Good luck and have fun.

Not everyone gets perks or special treatment when coordinating the M&G. A number of factors go into that. Bottom line, it's up to the HD on the ship as to whether or not those are extended. On my 2nd NCL cruise, we knew the concierge on board. He said the woman who was coordinating the M&G hadn't been extended any perks and she had the nerve to call the HD and practically demand them. She still didn't get them. Our concierge friend laughed and said she won't get squat with that attitude no matter what. He also made me think that she had garnered a reputation and no officer in their right mind would extend anything to her.

 

If you do get the perks, be grateful and discreet. I've heard that if you're not, those perks can dry up quickly. I wish my friend was still with NCL because he had great stories!

Good post !! It reminds me of a comment by one of the officers when he was asked why a certain popular perk had been discontinued. He said "Cruise Critic people write too much"

The scenario starts with someone getting a perk and posts about it, then others start demanding the same. The quickest way I know of to get a perk discontinued is to demand it !!

One thing about benefits from the M&G, I don't think it hurts to have your name on the list of attendees. On a couple of occasions, someone from the hotel dept has called on us to check everything is ok with our room and housekeeping. Obviously that may have happened anyway, but I've suspected it may be because of M&G attendance.

We've also received a couple of unexplained extras (strawberries and on one occasion a meal with wine). Again, they may have been for another reason, but I can't think what.

Whether or not those things are related, I don't think it hurts to have your name on the list of people who may do a review or comment in the forum.

Yes the squeaky wheel gets the grease/oil or whatever.

Having your name on a M&G attendance list -

M&G functions are sponsored and organized by roll calls from CC.

The people in cabin xxxx are with CC - and attended a M&G.

Just a heads up to take care of any service needs - please no bad vibes.

I would send a message right now: send to groupeventgem@ncl.com. I always include my resvervation number. They usually get back to you in a few days. Good luck and have fun.

Done! :)

Question: since I am new at this, is there anything specific I should request for the M and G? The only requests I made were for no conflicts with the Latitudes reception and solo cruisers reception since we have a lot of overlap.

I would send a message right now: send to groupeventgem@ncl.com. I always include my resvervation number. They usually get back to you in a few days. Good luck and have fun.

FYI

Just make sure that everyone in your roll call knows that you are the ONLY one

doing the coordination organizing of the M&G on your sailing.

NCL does not like to be dealing with two heads making maybe same/different

requests confusing the plan.

You no doubt have read the guidelines in the Sticky on the front page !

A great guide and the best of everything on your M&G - typically some will

not need the M&G but sign on anyway and then there are those that will really

really appreciate what you are doing setting this up.

Questions get answered and the cruise goes a lot smoother for those who have

them.

Read on here at CC for more ways to pull this off with raves !

On my last NCL BA cruise to Bermuda at the end of June no M&G. I tried but like you said there was a lack of interest. That was a first for me as well.

We're leaving on the BA Sept 6th. So far we have about 100 signed up M&G. I'd expect more 50 of those to be there. I think they're are that many signed up for the slot pull afterwards.

I've attended a number of them, and lead one on the GA last year. It all comes down to how interesting the people on the roll call are. If you have a lot of personalities on the roll call, people want to see who they are. They may also be the type of people you'd want to do something with during the week.

If the roll call is kinda boring, you can bet the M&G will be too.

Done! :)

 

Question: since I am new at this, is there anything specific I should request for the M and G? The only requests I made were for no conflicts with the Latitudes reception and solo cruisers reception since we have a lot of overlap.

also request the meet and greet not conflicting with the Platinum behind the scenes tour

otherwise on NCL they will supply refreshments and pastries etc

The co ordinator on board will request an estimate of numbers about a week before sailing-usually only a proportion of those signed up actually attend for various reasons

Done! :)

 

Question: since I am new at this, is there anything specific I should request for the M and G? The only requests I made were for no conflicts with the Latitudes reception and solo cruisers reception since we have a lot of overlap.

The M&G NCL group-organizer will contact you most likely by email but may

have a phone number for you to contact that person and leave a message.

Get a feel from the people on your roll call as to what they would like to do

questions to be asked/answered. Other things of interest are the Slot Pull

the Gift Exchange and the Cabin Crawl (Check out those suites) etc.

The group-organizer should not schedule your M&G during a Latitudes party

or other equally important receptions/meeting.

Depending on the sailing M&G are normally held the 2nd day of the cruise

(first sea-day) in the late morning in a venue big enough to accommodate

everyone in your group and the customary ship officers and department heads.

An experienced group-organizer will take your group total and determine

what place and time works best for the meeting.

If the majority of your M&G have plans let the coordinator know of an alternative.

Best of all make your M&G interesting think of the interesting conversations

you can have when out and about running into your M&G participants.

Have fun - - - !

Done! :)

 

Question: since I am new at this, is there anything specific I should request for the M and G? The only requests I made were for no conflicts with the Latitudes reception and solo cruisers reception since we have a lot of overlap.

NCL will provide cookies and coffee, oj, etc. Make contact with the ship group events person when you get on board to confirm the M&G. I usually make up name tags, but the group events person will bring blank labels for name tags and they will also bring paper for a sign-in sheet. It really is pretty easy!

oops, sorry. It seems that others already said this.

I think I understand the concept of a "cabin crawl" (although since I am in an inside cabin I can't imagine my place is going to be a big attraction), but what about the slot pull? How does that work? I mean I know it has to do with the casino ...

I think I understand the concept of a "cabin crawl" (although since I am in an inside cabin I can't imagine my place is going to be a big attraction), but what about the slot pull? How does that work? I mean I know it has to do with the casino ...

Just a group of people who want to pool their money and see folks in the group pull on a slot machine. In the end, it's gambling entertainment, and everyone can get some of their money back. In a small percentage of groups, someone may actually make money. But, that's not main objective.

I was on the Breakaway in June. There was a lot of discussion on the roll call page and about 40 people signed up for the meet and greet. Of those, maybe half actually showed up. The cruiser who coordinated the M&G had put a lot of effort into organizing it, so I was disappointed so few people showed up. We did a gift exchange that was to signify something about where we lived. After the gifts were exchanged each of the givers explained what the gift meant to the recipient. It was a nice way to get to know a little about someone else and there were some clever gifts.

NCL provided coffee, pastries and cakes for the people in our group who had birthdays and anniversaries. And we got to meet most of the crew. It was nice, but I wish people would have stuck around for more than the 15 or so minutes we spent there so we could talk a little more. I know some people are very uncomfortable around those they don't know well, but most of us had been talking via the roll call site for months before sailing. I did see some of them during the cruise and said my hellos, but only one other couple ever tried to get a conversation going. I think the free-style concept makes cruising a little more impersonal. On other cruises, you get to know those you are seated with at the dining table.

I think I understand the concept of a "cabin crawl" (although since I am in an inside cabin I can't imagine my place is going to be a big attraction), but what about the slot pull? How does that work? I mean I know it has to do with the casino ...

I took part in a slot pull on my last cruise. We had a group of about 10 people. We each put 15.00 in a dollar slot machine and took 5 pulls. After the last people dropped their money into the machine we split the pot. I think we each came away with 11 or 12 dollars. If you like to gamble, it's fun to watch and root each other on as the wheels spin. A crowd actually gathered around to watch us.

I was on the Breakaway in June. There was a lot of discussion on the roll call page and about 40 people signed up for the meet and greet. Of those, maybe half actually showed up. The cruiser who coordinated the M&G had put a lot of effort into organizing it, so I was disappointed so few people showed up. We did a gift exchange that was to signify something about where we lived. After the gifts were exchanged each of the givers explained what the gift meant to the recipient. It was a nice way to get to know a little about someone else and there were some clever gifts.

NCL provided coffee, pastries and cakes for the people in our group who had birthdays and anniversaries. And we got to meet most of the crew. It was nice, but I wish people would have stuck around for more than the 15 or so minutes we spent there so we could talk a little more. I know some people are very uncomfortable around those they don't know well, but most of us had been talking via the roll call site for months before sailing. I did see some of them during the cruise and said my hellos, but only one other couple ever tried to get a conversation going. I think the free-style concept makes cruising a little more impersonal. On other cruises, you get to know those you are seated with at the dining table.

Agree with this post.

I think I understand the concept of a "cabin crawl" (although since I am in an inside cabin I can't imagine my place is going to be a big attraction), but what about the slot pull? How does that work? I mean I know it has to do with the casino ...

For the slot pull I normally contact the casino manager via email. What would we do without email? the contact info can be found by going to NCL.com and checking the bottom of the page. Once in awhile they will give you a bottle or two of chanpaign but not always. The afternoon of embarkation I go to the casino and introduce myself. Usually the slot pull is done on a sea day, but not the same day as the M&G> We try to collect the money and get sign ups at the M&G. Make sure everyone gives you exact change. You can decide on the amount to charge, but I think most of the time it is $15.00. That allows everyone 5 pulls, at $3 a pull.

I was on the Breakaway in June. There was a lot of discussion on the roll call page and about 40 people signed up for the meet and greet. Of those, maybe half actually showed up. The cruiser who coordinated the M&G had put a lot of effort into organizing it, so I was disappointed so few people showed up. We did a gift exchange that was to signify something about where we lived. After the gifts were exchanged each of the givers explained what the gift meant to the recipient. It was a nice way to get to know a little about someone else and there were some clever gifts.

NCL provided coffee, pastries and cakes for the people in our group who had birthdays and anniversaries. And we got to meet most of the crew. It was nice, but I wish people would have stuck around for more than the 15 or so minutes we spent there so we could talk a little more. I know some people are very uncomfortable around those they don't know well, but most of us had been talking via the roll call site for months before sailing. I did see some of them during the cruise and said my hellos, but only one other couple ever tried to get a conversation going. I think the free-style concept makes cruising a little more impersonal. On other cruises, you get to know those you are seated with at the dining table.

Well getting to know people at your table is getting rarer all the time, as no matter what main stream line you cruise, more people prefer the open dining concept. Not to mention there is nothing worse than spending a week or more, at a table everynight with people you have nothing in common with. We have had this happen mroe than once. We have always gotten to know at least one couple at our M&Gs.