Issues With Meet & Mingle

I was thinking about the issue of folks who don't show up when the responded, and folks who do show up when they didn't respond.

 

That's pretty much the nature of most social functions and group gatherings. If I plan a party, I always leave some margin for folks who forget to RSVP and for those who RSVP'd but then had to cancel or forgot at the last moment.

 

So what is it going to hurt if you meet a couple of extra people? If you like them, you have some new friends you might not have considered. If you don't like them, you probably won't ever see them again after you leave the ship. There is always that possibility that you will see them over and over again ON the ship, but you can just always be "passing through on the way to somewhere else."

That is so true. We have met people on the roll call and the Meet & Mingle that we liked and some we didn't particularly care for and they might not have particularly cared for us. We have met some that we became friends with on our last and the 6 of us were even able to get a table for the 6 of us on the first day of the cruise. Even though we had dinner together every night we didn't hang out together as they had things they like to do and we had things we like to do! Most of the time we saw each other in passing until meeting up at dinner and talk and laugh about the events of the day. It was fun at each Meet and Greet and Meet and Mingle meeting the people from the roll call to put a face with the people you had been chatting with for the past year or so! :cool:

What's wrong with people showing up,anybody? No one here has that control.Rci will not turn people away for not posting or even registering, as long as they are cc members all are welcome. On Most M&M threads , only 10 or 12 people do most of the posting anyway.

 

On your upcoming cruise 11 people have most of the post

Of course all are welcome. I just would love to know what the attraction is for those not posting on their roll calls? And thank you for taking the time to check my roll call to let everyone know in here how many are posting. Seriously?

I look forward to meeting you one day at a M&M. That is, IF you post on "our" roll call :D

We try to make it to the M&Ms, but we never know until we get on the ship what they might conflict with that we don't want to miss. So, unfortunately, you have to sign up and make the decision whether or not to attend at a later time.

We would really have to be tempted by another activity in order to miss it, but we have missed a few because of better options. Sometimes we will come by for a few minutes at least, but we've made it to most of them without problems.

I just think it's unfair to judge someone for not showing up. On one cruise they held the M&M early in the morning of a port day and only a couple people actually showed up.

On another cruise we never even got an invitation so didn't know when it was held. We guessed we missed it, but we don't really know for sure.

I enjoy meeting the people from the roll calls. My DW does as well, but she's not active on CC so she doesn't build the same ahead of time relationships. Still, we've often met people that we ended up hanging out with for "the rest" of the cruise because we hit it off. Other times, we just left thinking... they were nice.

On our last cruise we met a guy who was collecting prizes to use at a raffle for his group when they got back home and had their reunion party. We gave him all of our M&M and trivia booty. He was very appreciative. Other times we give the items to people we meet that are either first timers or don't cruise often. Even though I would never complain, I can understand the person's comments since they've been using the same prizes for a long time (also for trivia) Still, it's nice for RCI to host the party so no complaints from me.

Tom

The other thing that bothered me were the people who signed up for the meet and mingle and couldn't be bothered to show up. If you sign up you need to show up or the party could be taken away from us. Just some food for thought! I've now gotten this off my chest, feel free to comment if you want.

A few years ago, I wrote an icebreaker for a Meet & Mingle party. It went really well. It got people up, out of their groups and talking to other people. The game is to find as many people as possible on the list. Items on the list are things such as -- has five or more siblings, is on their first cruise, is allergic to shellfish, etc.

 

Feel free to use the idea.

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_ebCUE57t_zbUpjZ0N4Z2h5eTQ/view?usp=sharing

What a great idea!

I was recently on the Adventure of the Seas and attended the meet & mingle. I am sadly disappointed by the behaviour of some of our members who also attended this event. Forgive me as I am about to step on a few toes here but I need to get this off of my chest. Some long time cruisers were making comments to the cruise director about getting the same free gift over and over and the same prizes from the raffle over and over again. I'm sorry to say, it's comments like that, that ruin it for the rest of us. Just because you have cruised since Moses walked the earth and you are jaded doesn't give you the right to complain about a free gift. If you don't want that free gift feel free not to take it. When people make comments about an event that the cruise line holds for us free of charge that event could easily be taken away like many of the other fun things that we use to get and no longer do. The other thing that bothered me were the people who signed up for the meet and mingle and couldn't be bothered to show up. If you sign up you need to show up or the party could be taken away from us. Just some food for thought! I've now gotten this off my chest, feel free to comment if you want.

I signed up for the M&M on my first cruise but there was a dance class that I really wanted to do. I had no idea when I signed up that they would be scheduled at the same time.

On my 2nd cruise we tried to go to the M&M but couldn't find our way to the lounge in time. We went up the wrong elevator and had to go back down and over and up again. When we got there everyone was gone.

So it's not that I 'couldn't be bothered' to show up. :mad:

No one is obligated to attend the M&M. And SO WHAT if they take it away? How hard is it for the people on a roll call to plan to meet somewhere else?

As is often true here on CC, people are taking a throwaway comment and making it into a tirade.

Example - BonTxNY wondered aloud why people that NEVER post on a roll call go to the M&M's. Then she gets slammed for it. I didn't interpret her to mean they shouldn't go - but it is a legitimate wonder. I would think the majority GO to meet the people they chatted with on line.

Then we have the lecture of if you sign up and don't show up, well then, you are rude.

Is it any wonder many of us have stopped going? :D

I enjoy my roll calls because it allows me to anticipate a cruise with others and to share information. If our situation allows us to meet others, we will. Sometimes we plan something, sometimes we simply meet people by accident. I don't expect everyone to like me. I don't expect to like everyone I meet either. And that's perfectly fine - as long as I'm not mean or rude to them. And I hope they feel the same.

This is one of the issues, for some people the M&M clashes with another activity that may or may not be an ongoing cruise activity (i.e water colours or something like that). They may be poorly, and if so, who do they tell to send their apologies. As they say 'Stuff happens'.:D

I'm sure in between the "jibber jabber" there are useful posts. But sometimes in the jibber jabber you pick up things about people that influence what you think about other posts. That is why people frequently start their reviews with "about us" . You might pay attention more to some posts if people have or don't have kids, eat vegetarian. I never discourage that kind of talk. Now it may make things more difficult for people who join in the last days, but I am good at skimming forums and roll calls mining good information. I guess that comes from being online since the early 80s

Oh I agree there is always useful stuff in roll calls , ours right now is going out of San Juan On the AOS and I have been on that route like 6 times so a lot of people are asking questions on what to does in San Juan and on the islands. So a lot of good comes out of roll calls . This one does have as much talk as some I have been on We have had some that have hit a lot of post.

Glad u got if off your chest.

Over my 30+ years of cruising I've seen a lot of changes but one thing that remains constant is boorish people, ignore them and enjoy yourself.

As is often true here on CC, people are taking a throwaway comment and making it into a tirade.

 

Example - BonTxNY wondered aloud why people that NEVER post on a roll call go to the M&M's. Then she gets slammed for it. I didn't interpret her to mean they shouldn't go - but it is a legitimate wonder. I would think the majority GO to meet the people they chatted with on line.

 

Thank you!!! You get it!

A few years ago, I wrote an icebreaker for a Meet & Mingle party. It went really well. It got people up, out of their groups and talking to other people. The game is to find as many people as possible on the list. Items on the list are things such as -- has five or more siblings, is on their first cruise, is allergic to shellfish, etc.

 

Feel free to use the idea.

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_ebCUE57t_zbUpjZ0N4Z2h5eTQ/view?usp=sharing

Great idea and thanks for sharing! Can use this in other venues too!

As is often true here on CC, people are taking a throwaway comment and making it into a tirade.

 

Example - BonTxNY wondered aloud why people that NEVER post on a roll call go to the M&M's. Then she gets slammed for it. I didn't interpret her to mean they shouldn't go - but it is a legitimate wonder. I would think the majority GO to meet the people they chatted with on line.

 

Then we have the lecture of if you sign up and don't show up, well then, you are rude.

 

Is it any wonder many of us have stopped going? :D

 

I enjoy my roll calls because it allows me to anticipate a cruise with others and to share information. If our situation allows us to meet others, we will. Sometimes we plan something, sometimes we simply meet people by accident. I don't expect everyone to like me. I don't expect to like everyone I meet either. And that's perfectly fine - as long as I'm not mean or rude to them. And I hope they feel the same.

Good post.:D

Oh I agree there is always useful stuff in roll calls , ours right now is going out of San Juan On the AOS and I have been on that route like 6 times so a lot of people are asking questions on what to does in San Juan and on the islands. So a lot of good comes out of roll calls . This one does have as much talk as some I have been on We have had some that have hit a lot of post.

I have the best roll call story. Several years ago we did a Gem TA from Barcelona to Boston. Several people were discussing a private excursion to Montserrat the day before departure. I contacted the tour company and signed up. We were the only ones staying at our hotel and the last to be picked up. When we got in the van I heard one of the other passengers say something like "these must be the people that took so and so's place".

Luckily we had a good time and not only saw them around the ship, but learned things about NCL

I have the best roll call story. Several years ago we did a Gem TA from Barcelona to Boston. Several people were discussing a private excursion to Montserrat the day before departure. I contacted the tour company and signed up. We were the only ones staying at our hotel and the last to be picked up. When we got in the van I heard one of the other passengers say something like "these must be the people that took so and so's place".

 

Luckily we had a good time and not only saw them around the ship, but learned things about NCL

LOL, If it is on the roll call it is out there for everyone to see.:D

Is there a video?;)

Yes!;):eek:;):eek:

Yes!;):eek:;):eek:

Can you post the link? I will only look once.:D

I love the Meet & Mingles. As 1ParticularHbr says, it's the opportunity to get to put a face to the name of that nut case you've been having so much fun with over the preceding months.

 

 

 

On many of my cruises, The Crew (the Cruise Critic Crew, that is) have added to the event with gift exchanges, cabin crawls, cash collection for a slot pull, forming trivia or horse race teams or other activities.

 

 

 

All in all, I believe we all need to be more appreciative. Otherwise, it's very possible that a year or so from now; we'll find ourselves complaining about the good old days, back when the line used to host get M&Ms. and the new cruisers will have no idea what we're talking about. :(

 

 

 

And yes, if you sign up ... go. It's only an hour (at the most) and someone went to the trouble of trying to do something nice. It's just good manners.

 

Yes when we had the "rubber bands "

On our wrists to ID roll call people at the agreed upon meeting place.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I too love the Meet & Mingle parties because it's great to meet so many new people. It would be really sad not to have them and that's the only reason I put up my original post. I think some folks took what I said out of context and put their own spin on it. If you sign up for the Meet & Mingle and don't show up you don't show up. With the cruise lines constant nickle and dimeing us to death it's nice to get a party that we don't have to pay extra for.

I signed up for the M&M on my first cruise but there was a dance class that I really wanted to do. I had no idea when I signed up that they would be scheduled at the same time.

 

On my 2nd cruise we tried to go to the M&M but couldn't find our way to the lounge in time. We went up the wrong elevator and had to go back down and over and up again. When we got there everyone was gone.

 

So it's not that I 'couldn't be bothered' to show up. :mad:

 

No one is obligated to attend the M&M. And SO WHAT if they take it away? How hard is it for the people on a roll call to plan to meet somewhere else?

Tamara, I'm kind of laughing because your post reminded me of one of the M&Ms that I had truly planned to attend on the Oasis a few years back. When hubby and I got to the location where it was scheduled to be held, there was a Salsa/Tango class going on. Heck if we were gonna run all over a mega-sized ship looking for something like a Meet & Mingle! So I hear you, it's not an event that anybody signs an "agreement" to attend. They're nice, but not critical to having a great sailing. ;)

This is one of the issues, for some people the M&M clashes with another activity that may or may not be an ongoing cruise activity (i.e water colours or something like that). They may be poorly, and if so, who do they tell to send their apologies. As they say 'Stuff happens'.:D

I think some of the Suite Receptions might be held at the same time as the Meet and Mingle or the Meet and Mingle events.

Manny

I think some of the Suite Receptions might be held at the same time as the Meet and Mingle or the Meet and Mingle events.

 

Manny

It wouldn't surprise me at all. There are so many activities across a broad spectrum of interests that may conflict with the M&M party.:D

I was recently on the Adventure of the Seas and attended the meet & mingle. I am sadly disappointed by the behaviour of some of our members who also attended this event. Forgive me as I am about to step on a few toes here but I need to get this off of my chest. Some long time cruisers were making comments to the cruise director about getting the same free gift over and over and the same prizes from the raffle over and over again. I'm sorry to say, it's comments like that, that ruin it for the rest of us. Just because you have cruised since Moses walked the earth and you are jaded doesn't give you the right to complain about a free gift. If you don't want that free gift feel free not to take it. When people make comments about an event that the cruise line holds for us free of charge that event could easily be taken away like many of the other fun things that we use to get and no longer do. The other thing that bothered me were the people who signed up for the meet and mingle and couldn't be bothered to show up. If you sign up you need to show up or the party could be taken away from us. Just some food for thought! I've now gotten this off my chest, feel free to comment if you want.

I enjoy the raffle part and getting to know others from the roll call. That stupid pen/memo/blue note taker thing is way old. Maybe one day RCCL will run out or quit ordering them. I try my best to avoid complaining verbally about stuff freely given. If you have 20+ cruises you don't care about a key chain (unless you get it from free spins in the casino) but other less experienced cruisers may find delight from the free raffle item. I've got a 64 KB RCCL USB flash drive somewhere around here. It is the memory from that day that makes it special. It might also be the only thing I ever one at a M&M but I keep going.

I enjoy the raffle part and getting to know others from the roll call. That stupid pen/memo/blue note taker thing is way old. Maybe one day RCCL will run out or quit ordering them. I try my best to avoid complaining verbally about stuff freely given. If you have 20+ cruises you don't care about a key chain (unless you get it from free spins in the casino) but other less experienced cruisers may find delight from the free raffle item. I've got a 64 KB RCCL USB flash drive somewhere around here. It is the memory from that day that makes it special. It might also be the only thing I ever one at a M&M but I keep going.

The flash drive is a great gift and really useful for loading holiday snaps on.

We might sign up for MM to get the numbers up sometimes. Especially if the roll call turn out to be an arena for just a few CC members using the roll call almost as their own private FB group just chatting between each other, then we stay away..

The flash drive is a great gift and really useful for loading holiday snaps on.

Not if its 64kb.