How long did you "lurk" before your first post?

[Boytjie]

I signed up with CC in March 2005 but did not post until we booked our first cruise in February 2007. I stumbled on CC while web surfing due to interest in doing a cruise some day but didn't post until it became a reality.

[ariawoman]

I learned of cruise critic about a year ago, before my 1st ever cruise, but that cruise was pretty much planned out for us, so I didn't do any research/pricing/planning like I did for my 2nd cruise. So, when cruise 2 came around, I joined (actually I joined before booking, but it was in process when I joined) and I immediately started asking questions.

 

Am I the only person that finds it really funny that a HAL rep told a previous poster to just check here for info? lol. Even they know that we have it together more than they do! :-)

[AZNative2000]

" Lurking " not the most attractive of terms ;) ...how long did you quietly observe before your first post ?

If you were(or are) hesitant about posting ,what was(is) the main reason for your reluctance.

I sometimes wonder how much fresh input ,info, or interesting questions we are missing from our "quiet majority":)

About 6 months. I had nothing to contribute for a long time and was just gathering info.

 

P.S. Colleen ... found the card in 5191. MUCH more on another thread.

[nanatangie]

I've been reading the HAL board for about 6 weeks and just posted for the first time this week. I've learned so much here. I plan on posting a review after our upcoming 12/4 cruise on the Oosterdam. Thanks to everyone for all their helpful information.

[kazu]

I probably lurked for a couple of years, looking now and then. And then, we booked our Med cruise and the only way to see the roll call was to join.

 

the best move of my life. We enjoyed private tours and met fabulous people. this time, I organized the private tours - all thanks to cc members who taught me.

 

You can learn a lot and help a lot of other people too so for that reason i post. it only seems fair to give back IMO

[PSTIXS]

Been lurker for along time joined jsut before my first cruise on RCCL then booked another cruise for early next year and started lurking seriously since then I have gather alot of valuable information regarding HAL and the difference between the to different lines. Have been afarid of flaming and asking questions that set people off so I mostly just lurk

[startwin]

I found CC about a year after my first cruise and boy do I wish I had found it before! But I just lurked and learned for about another year before my first post. I found so much invaluable information, especially on the roll calls and ports of call boards.

[dfish]

I found CC a few months before my first cruise to Alaska in 2007. I mostly read and gathered tons of information which did help to make the cruise more enjoyable. I think I asked one question and received a not so nice reply to it, so backed off a bit. Most people here have much more knowledge of HAL than I do as I've only been on two cruises, but if there is something I can add to a conversation, I will.

 

I do participate in the Roll Calls for my cruises and have really enjoyed them.

 

Debbie

[COLLEYBERRY]

About 6 months. I had nothing to contribute for a long time and was just gathering info.

 

P.S. Colleen ... found the card in 5191. MUCH more on another thread.

 

 

How fun ...so glad it was still there ... hope you had a wonderful cruise and were pleased with your cabin and balcony.:)

Colleen

[Koshlong]

I lurked (I prefer to call it "read") for about 6 months before I joined and posted. I was wondering why there was no roll call for my sailing and decided that as I want to post anywhere else, there was no reason to actually JOIN. When I did, surprise, there were all kinds of roll calls. The way they do that is still pretty confusing for a new user. Why don't they just say "You need to join to SEE the roll calls?"

[PoseidonGodoftheSea]

My brother, a man of very few words, is still lurking, and it's been a few years.

[COLLEYBERRY]

Been lurker for along time joined jsut before my first cruise on RCCL then booked another cruise for early next year and started lurking seriously since then I have gather alot of valuable information regarding HAL and the difference between the to different lines. Have been afarid of flaming and asking questions that set people off so I mostly just lurk

 

 

Tha anonymity of the board tends to make people ,at times,a little too free with their flame throwers .However that same anonymity is also a wonderful fire retardant.;)

Your input or questions are as valuable as any other offered here .Don't let the pyromaniacs get to you...they put their pants on one leg at a time, same as everyone else:)

Regards Colleen

[DizzyDallasDi]

I had participated on the NCL board prior to my cruise with them (early 2008) and was pleased with their threads so when I booked my first HAL cruise (Nov. 2008), I decided to move over here and ask a question.

 

I was completely unaware of the toxic nature a question about formal night would cause. I innocently asked if I wore classy casual clothes on a formal night (not attending the MDR), would I feel completely out of place and stick out like a sore thumb. The first response I received was a curt "yes, you will" and "yes, you will" to both questions. The large bold font used was quite intimidating. This was from a long time respected poster and the tone of this response came across as quite nasty and not the least bit helpful. Admittedly, I was a little shaken by it....and I believe that's the reaction she wanted....boldly state the desired dress code and it'll scare a newbie into conforming with what she wants all passengers to wear on formal night.

 

Well, she could not have been more wrong. I blended in just fine and was actually dressed better than others in the Lido, casino, sports bar, promenade deck and other areas of the ship.

 

In hind sight, I probably should have lurked on the HAL board for awhile before posting my question. Perhaps I would have garnered the information I was seeking without getting a no-nonsense shouting reply. It was not a nice way to welcome someone to the boards. First impressions can only be made once. :)

[COLLEYBERRY]

Hi Diane...I'll bet you looked just 'maaarvelous dawling':)

[sapper1]

I lurked (I prefer to call it "read") for about 6 months before I joined and posted. I was wondering why there was no roll call for my sailing and decided that as I want to post anywhere else, there was no reason to actually JOIN. When I did, surprise, there were all kinds of roll calls. The way they do that is still pretty confusing for a new user. Why don't they just say "You need to join to SEE the roll calls?"

If you look at the roll call section on the main menu you will see that it does state precisely that.

[sapper1]

I had participated on the NCL board prior to my cruise with them (early 2008) and was pleased with their threads so when I booked my first HAL cruise (Nov. 2008), I decided to move over here and ask a question.

 

I was completely unaware of the toxic nature a question about formal night would cause. I innocently asked if I wore classy casual clothes on a formal night (not attending the MDR), would I feel completely out of place and stick out like a sore thumb. The first response I received was a curt "yes, you will" and "yes, you will" to both questions. The large bold font used was quite intimidating. This was from a long time respected poster and the tone of this response came across as quite nasty and not the least bit helpful. Admittedly, I was a little shaken by it....and I believe that's the reaction she wanted....boldly state the desired dress code and it'll scare a newbie into conforming with what she wants all passengers to wear on formal night.

 

Well, she could not have been more wrong. I blended in just fine and was actually dressed better than others in the Lido, casino, sports bar, promenade deck and other areas of the ship.

 

In hind sight, I probably should have lurked on the HAL board for awhile before posting my question. Perhaps I would have garnered the information I was seeking without getting a no-nonsense shouting reply. It was not a nice way to welcome someone to the boards. First impressions can only be made once. :)

 

I lurked for a long time, afraid to post because of the nastiness. After a while, when you get to "know" the cast of characters, you realize who is helpful and straightforward, as opposed to those whose only aim is to cause discord, regardless of the subject. After you get a feel for the situation, it is easier to post and not be upset by those who attack you because you know from their history that they attack everyone on principle. I don't direct that at people who disagree with someone---healthy discussion is productive.

 

I am so glad that these boards are properly moderated as the attacks on regular CC posters elsewhere on the internet are downright frightening.

[COLLEYBERRY]

I lurked for a long time, afraid to post because of the nastiness. After a while, when you get to "know" the cast of characters, you realize who is helpful and straightforward, as opposed to those whose only aim is to cause discord, regardless of the subject. After you get a feel for the situation, it is easier to post and not be upset by those who attack you because you know from their history that they attack everyone on principle. I don't direct that at people who disagree with someone---healthy discussion is productive.

 

I am so glad that these boards are properly moderated as the attacks on regular CC posters elsewhere on the internet are downright frightening.

 

 

I know Sapper !!! Frightening and disappointing :eek::(

[sapper1]

I know Sapper !!! Frightening and disappointing :eek::(

I am glad you mentioned the disappointing. That is my feeling as well.

[rafinmd]

I lurked (I prefer to call it "read") for about 6 months before I joined and posted. I was wondering why there was no roll call for my sailing and decided that as I want to post anywhere else, there was no reason to actually JOIN. When I did, surprise, there were all kinds of roll calls. The way they do that is still pretty confusing for a new user. Why don't they just say "You need to join to SEE the roll calls?"

 

Are there really only 2 of us who prefer "read" to "lurk"? We all post when we think we see a good reason to do so. I get a feeling of sinister in "lurk" that I just don't think is appropriate.

 

Are there any other creative suggestions for terms to use.

 

I think I've also noticed there are some members who don't post to the regular boards but do contribute ship reviews.

 

Roy

[Cruising-along]

......

 

I was completely unaware of the toxic nature a question about formal night would cause. I innocently asked if I wore classy casual clothes on a formal night (not attending the MDR), would I feel completely out of place and stick out like a sore thumb. The first response I received was a curt "yes, you will" and "yes, you will" to both questions. The large bold font used was quite intimidating. This was from a long time respected poster and the tone of this response came across as quite nasty and not the least bit helpful. Admittedly, I was a little shaken by it....and I believe that's the reaction she wanted....boldly state the desired dress code and it'll scare a newbie into conforming with what she wants all passengers to wear on formal night.......

 

I remember this! It must have made quite an impression on me too, as I remember it very well, and felt so bad for you. I agree with your observations. :)

 

I don't remember how long I "read" before posting, but it was probably a few months. That gave me time to get the feel of the boards, and what would bring on toxicity and what would not. :cool:

[COLLEYBERRY]

Are there really only 2 of us who prefer "read" to "lurk"? We all post when we think we see a good reason to do so. I get a feeling of sinister in "lurk" that I just don't think is appropriate.

 

Are there any other creative suggestions for terms to use.

 

I think I've also noticed there are some members who don't post to the regular boards but do contribute ship reviews.

 

Roy

 

How about 'observers'...'still waters' ..' quiet seas'..or in some cases simply wise.:)

[rafinmd]

How about 'observers'...'still waters' ..' quiet seas'..or in some cases simply wise.:)

 

Great ideas (especially the last one), but my favorite is observers.

 

By the way, I "observed" for about 10 days before my first post.