Planning M & M Activities

[brnibaby]

Fabulous Friday to Everyone,

 

I am curious if anyone has set up a M&M activity on their cruise? I would like to help organize a slot pull or mini golf tournament on our trip but I have no idea what to do. I know there are interests on our cruise of doing these type of activities but before I jump in and offer to organize, I was hoping someone could give me a few tips.

 

Thank you in advance.

Missy

[TEXASMUNK]

Use the Meet and Mingle thread for your sailing here on CruiseCritic.

Be ready to check the thread daily...keep a running list, post frequently the number of folks and screennames that have said yes.

Slot Pull seems to be very popular.

Set a dollar amount so everyone knows what they are agreeing to, up front.

Keep the list accurate!

Be prepared to touch base with the casino manager to pick a machine, they are very used to this type of activity and will readily co-operate, heck they love it, knowing they are gonna make money!!!!

[Tim,n,Sue]

Fabulous Friday to Everyone,

 

I am curious if anyone has set up a M&M activity on their cruise? I would like to help organize a slot pull or mini golf tournament on our trip but I have no idea what to do. I know there are interests on our cruise of doing these type of activities but before I jump in and offer to organize, I was hoping someone could give me a few tips.

 

Thank you in advance.

Missy

 

A slot pull is relatively easy.

Prizes. Usually the casino will provide some prizes such a a golf shirt, T-shirts, key chains. You need to go to the cash window and talk to the manager on duty. Make sure he/she knows that this is a Cruise Critic member slot pull.

 

Pick out a $1.00 dollar where the max bet is $3.00. Everyone who participates brings $15.00 dollars with them. It is easier if they put their own money in. Don't get involved in collecting the money and feeding it in.

 

Write the names of the participants on a blank spreadsheet with 5 spaces to write down any amount they win.

 

When it is someones turn have THEM put their own money into the machine. They take 5 pulls and you record what amounts, if any, they win. Do not ever cash out until the slot pull is over. Let the winnings accumulate.

 

When everyone has had their turn the slot pull is usually over, but some groups like to continue. This makes it a little difficult to determine how many pulls everyone gets. It is best, in my opinion, to stop after 1 round. At the end of the pull add up the individual winnings and the award the prizes according to who made the most money. Then cash out and divide the winnings to the participants. If you hae a few dollras left over let the high winner take a pull, then the 2nd high winner and so on.

 

Take lots of $1.00 bills with you to as you will need them.

 

Have fun and don't get stressed out. It is a lot easier than it reads, and it is a lot of fun.

[Tim,n,Sue]

Texasmunk is correct. Keep the list accurate and keep it visible on the thread. Also expect people who did not sign up to want to play. On our Dec 5 Allure cruise we put in $15 and got back $18.

[Rockfordcruiser]

Slot pulls are easy. I can link you to our MM. We were a 4 night crusie. No, RCL doesn't Reco MM for less than 7 nights. LOL WANNA BET? 92 CC members. They went above and beyound. I had 46 at slot pull. Here is what I did. Buy in was $10. We did a max bet $3 machine so each person had 3 pulls. 1 dollar went to a pot and the person who had the biggest pull won the pot. I collected the money 20 mins before we went into casino. Met at a bar outside casino and collected. Some on here will say let people put own money in. Only issue with that is if you suddenly have someone hit huge..... Than some might all of a sudden decide it's worth joining your pull. Yes, it's alot of work before hand, but is alot easier. We did not tell casino manager! Why, you may ask? If they know your coming, they can adjust payouts. Best day to do pull is 2nd day at sea. Machines usally adjusted to give highest payouts... Best machine to play is "Wheel of fortune" Things to consider: Ties. You might have two that tie with highest pull.. We decided if two or more were in tie. They split the pot for highest pull. At the end of all pulls we cashed out. And paid out. If anyone at that time wanted to continue, they took it upon them selfs to do so. our buy in was 10. 9 of which went into machine, 1 into side pot. 46 to highest pull or hit. at end every one got back 7. Was alot of fun. Any questions ask.:) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1174854&page=102 post 4068. Also the way we picked who pulled when. I collected every ones room card once at machine and placed into a coin bucket. I pulled their card and they came forward and pulled.... Helps control pull. Once we started, no one could enter. Just in case you hit the Million dollar pull. Have fun and good luck!

[138east]

Missy,

 

Check out the thread for the Feb 6 Explorer cruise. Our group has lots of activities planned - slot pull, cabin crawl, lunch, gift exchange, and mini golf - you can see how the events are organized. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=992552

 

The Explorer has so many sea days it makes sense to create some CC group activities. If you take the slot pull, others may step up to organize other events. There's really not much to being an event organizer - mostly keeping a list, continuing to remind folks of the event, and being there to get the activity going. People will put up money for the slot pull, but the other things are "free" - roaming the ship to look at cabins, lunch in the MDR, and mini golf - you just need a group of folks to do them.

 

Carol

[Cruisinbeaner]

I'm coordinating our slot pull for 1/9/11 Freedom of the Seas sailing. We're dividing winnings equally, so I don't have to keep track of everyone's total winnings, etc. We're meeting 10 minutes before the start time at a bar by the casino.

 

Here are the rules we're using:

 

SLOT PULL RULES:

Entry fee will be $21.00

 

I will collect all the money upfront before we play (correct change please), and I will check names off as it is collected. We'll nominate someone to feed the machine. Everyone will get 7 pulls. We will be playing the $1.00 Wheel of Fortune, so it will be three coins per pull so that we have a chance of activating the wheel.

 

We will draw numbers out of a hat to determine play order.

 

All winnings will stay in the machine until everyone has had a chance to play, at which time the machine will be cashed out and we will divide the "winnings" equally among all the players.

 

No one may enter the slot pull once we have actually started playing. There will be absolutely no exceptions!

[Tim,n,Sue]

Personally I prefer not to touch the money. Just verify that they have whatever amount is required. Your choice. If you divide equally and do not have prizes there is no need to keep track of the winnings. Otherwise you need to do so.

 

On our last 2 cruises we had prizes donated by the ship and on each of them we made more than what we put it. I do not buy into the changing payouts thing but some do.

[Merion_Mom]

I'm coordinating our slot pull for 1/9/11 Freedom of the Seas sailing. We're dividing winnings equally, so I don't have to keep track of everyone's total winnings, etc. We're meeting 10 minutes before the start time at a bar by the casino.

 

Here are the rules we're using:

 

SLOT PULL RULES:

Entry fee will be $21.00

 

I will collect all the money upfront before we play (correct change please), and I will check names off as it is collected. We'll nominate someone to feed the machine. Everyone will get 7 pulls. We will be playing the $1.00 Wheel of Fortune, so it will be three coins per pull so that we have a chance of activating the wheel.

 

We will draw numbers out of a hat to determine play order.

 

All winnings will stay in the machine until everyone has had a chance to play, at which time the machine will be cashed out and we will divide the "winnings" equally among all the players.

 

No one may enter the slot pull once we have actually started playing. There will be absolutely no exceptions!

This is basically how we have done a slot pull on too many cruises to remember.

 

You have to show up before the scheduled time & hand over the agreed upon amount of money. (we do $20)

 

Use a $1 machine. We use Wheel of Fortune, because the extra spins are fun and really the only potential source of big winnings.

 

Someone writes down each name as the person gives the money.

 

The leader then feeds in all of the money.

 

Each person gets three pulls at "max bet".

 

We go in the order of the list.

 

After everyone has gone, we ask if everyone wants to keep playing the machine, or cash out.

 

We always have a clear majority, or even unanimity.

 

If everyone wants to cash out, we divide the money evenly.

 

Simple as can be.

[Alamogirl]

Have done the slot pull twice, each time one person was in charge, collected $$, picked machine and we all would decide to let it ride or cash in, winnings were split. Have also do a gift exchange on every cruise. Again one person in charge, keeps list of who is participating. Dollar amount has been from $10.00-$15.00. Usually gifts are something particular to to area the person lives in. Exchanged at the M&M. Names are calledin order determined. It's always been a lot of fun and interesting seeing what the various gifts are.

[brnibaby]

Oh my gosh, I can't thank each of you enough. I thought I might get one or two answers but each of you were so helpful! Its the nice things like CC that wow me with such nice people out here. I am feeling much more confident about organizing the slot pull and looking forward to it. I am also going to read the other boards for other activities that were suggested.

 

Thank you everyone!

Missy :o

[CruisinDawn]

This is basically how we have done a slot pull on too many cruises to remember.

 

You have to show up before the scheduled time & hand over the agreed upon amount of money. (we do $20)

 

Use a $1 machine. We use Wheel of Fortune, because the extra spins are fun and really the only potential source of big winnings.

 

Someone writes down each name as the person gives the money.

 

The leader then feeds in all of the money.

 

Each person gets three pulls at "max bet".

 

We go in the order of the list.

 

After everyone has gone, we ask if everyone wants to keep playing the machine, or cash out.

 

We always have a clear majority, or even unanimity.

 

If everyone wants to cash out, we divide the money evenly.

 

Simple as can be.

Exactly how I have always done this. Be sure to post the rules ahead of time too.

 

For our upcoming cruise we have a list on google docs of everyones screen name, real FIRST names (no last names should ever be posted) state they are from, kids ages, cabin, precruise hotel and a list of our CC activities including who is running it so individuals can sign up on their own as well as delete or change any information they wish.

 

Key is to get on your M&M board and see what is going on and go from there.

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

[Desert Cruizers]

For our last cruise, the Chairman for each Activity, used the Community Board in or near the Centrum to communicate the time and day for their activity. Every morning we went and checked that board out to see when one of the activities was planned, as in most cases you won't plan the exact day until after you board and speak with someone from the ship. For one of our games I spoke with the Desk to let them know we wanted to play a game and whom would we speak to.

As others have said, keep a list of all those wanting to play, with the rules.