Roll Call Expectations

[gkm]

Still dying to meet Andrew (Blazerboy) and Sue and Larry (even though I feel like I know them already).

 

Anne Maria

 

And they are lovely people who we met through cruise critic and who we've enjoyed sailing with. I hope you get to sail with them someday. ;)

 

I agree that some roll calls can get a bit out of hand with good friends using it as a chat board, but on the majority of roll calls I have been involved with, the talk is more about excursions or activities. We are on one roll call right now that has 304 people and another that has only 31 people. They are both good roll calls.

 

Garry

[Aeryn]

My first roll call participation was fun and fairly active--- however once on the ship we were ignored, even though I made every effort to mingle. Did it ruin our cruise? No. The second was extremely active and very helpful. Most of the people we met were friendly and enhanced the cruise. You just don't know, so take the good with the bad. P.S. Had no problem sharing my cabin no. etc.

[Cruiser Susie]

See, that's why we need to cruise with you and Larry! With BelllKat, we were known as the Martini Mates!:)

 

Well, when we do, (notice I sad when, not if, thinking positively!) we'll come up with another name! :D

 

 

Still dying to meet Andrew (Blazerboy) and Sue and Larry (even though I feel like I know them already).

 

Anne Maria

 

The same here, Anne Maria... hopefully you'll join us in 2013!

 

Andrew, it would be great if you could too if it works with your schedule!

 

As I said before, you can meet people before you cruise and know that you'd be good friends... and some you are lucky enough to meet on a cruise and become friends with too.

 

We also have not had any problems with posting our stateroom on roll calls. I hope we never do!

 

Where ever your cruises take you, enjoy them, be glad you're able to travel on them and have a great time!

 

And they are lovely people who we met through cruise critic and who we've enjoyed sailing with. I hope you get to sail with them someday. ;)

Garry

 

Thank you, Garry. I hope we get to sail with you again someday... it's been too long.

[boogs]

I tend to be a 'lurker' on our roll calls now. Our current roll call has only 8 postings, while the one after us in the the 300s already, so the dynamics can really be different from one roll call to another. A recent roll call we joined was extremely busy. Unfortunately, about a half dozen members turned it into a pseudo Facebook page, sharing important tidbits of information such as what they planned to do the upcoming weekend, and how they liked the latest film at the cine-plex. Things these self centered people should have shared on their real Facebook pages or in emails. Not my idea of a productive roll-call. Only one out of five postings had anything to do with the cruise. Too bad there isn't a way to stop that kind of hijacking.

[Bridge Maven]

I tend to be a 'lurker' on our roll calls now. Our current roll call has only 8 postings, while the one after us in the the 300s already, so the dynamics can really be different from one roll call to another. A recent roll call we joined was extremely busy. Unfortunately, about a half dozen members turned it into a pseudo Facebook page, sharing important tidbits of information such as what they planned to do the upcoming weekend, and how they liked the latest film at the cine-plex. Things these self centered people should have shared on their real Facebook pages or in emails. Not my idea of a productive roll-call. Only one out of five postings had anything to do with the cruise. Too bad there isn't a way to stop that kind of hijacking.

 

Boogs, there is a way to read the roll call without the ones from people who are monopolizing it with idle chatter. You can put those posters on your ignore list so when you read the thread their posts will not show up.

[Thechats]

I have only been participating in roll calls for 2 cruises now and just wished I'd discovered them earlier. All roll calls are different but in general I have found that they provide a great way to share information, organize tours, etc. Also, it is nice to feel that one already has "friends" on Day 1 of the cruise (especially nice when it's just the two of you traveling). Admittedly, I am one of those suckers that steps up to organize tours simply because they are ALWAYS better and more reasonably priced than the ship's offerings. I share my email address so folks in my tour group can contact me to get more detailed information (as opposed to wasting space on the roll call board) and have never had any sort of problem. I also share my cabin number as it provides a way for individuals to contact me while onboard. Again, I have never experienced anything negative by doing this but I do understand the paranoia. To me, if you just meet a few folks that you really get along with then the roll call is worth active participation (yes, I am calling out you lurkers). For example, we are going on a Baltic cruise next May with individuals from FL and CA (we live in GA) that we met on a cruise last year. This never would have happened without getting involved in the roll call and it is ultimately what you make of it.

[Conniepo]

Our roll call is fairly active - the cruise isn't until March 2012!

 

I'm so thankful for it .... DH and I have saved about $1,000 due to info posted by participants. That's a lot of martini's!!! :D

 

I find it nice to meet people at the Connections Party - then there are familiar faces to see for the rest of the cruise. We don't limit our on-board friendships to only those people, but it's a good start.

 

Connie

[Blazerboy]

I was just reading my current rollcall, and think I figured out why I hold back in the organized activities. Once I commit, I feel obligated, and, whether I'd enjoy the activities or not, I don't like that feeling before my vacation starts. It's both because I don't want to let anyone down, and because I really enjoy the serendipity of travel, both who I meet and what I do. I like what was just said about liking to recognize a few familiar faces, but not limiting on-board friendships to the rollcall.

 

It's all good, and we can/should each partipate the way we want!:)

 

Andrew

[librarylady19]

Does anyone know how you would go about organizing a slot pull tournament? Do you contact Celebrity in advance if the cruise?

[Texed]

I like the roll calls. I usually don't post on this board much, but I enjoy conversing and/or meeting folks on the roll call. :)

[alcpa1]

Our Roll Call experiences have been all over the map....some of everything already described but I just have to put my two cents in...

On the first sailing after we joined Cruise Critic and our first Roll Call one of our participants had a Roll Call lurker beat on her cabin door taking exception to a comment made here on CC. Her husband was in the cabin, thankfully, and called security. They were four cabins away from us and we heard the commotion and before we could safely intervene security showed up and removed the passenger from the corridor. This is the best reason to keep cabin numbers off this, or any other, public forum.

I am an organizer and have put together many a sail away gatherings at the Lido bar. On one cruise (not on X) a couple showed up that both smelled and looked like they had surfaced from the closest dump. If there was anyone else who planned on attending our little gathering they hid away too. I was so glad they did not have our cabin number. I am not a people snob but I am a dirt snob.

Our most successful Roll Calls have been on Alaska and European sailings. Caribbean sailings don't require the excursion planning and we haven't sailed in the Far East - yet. The social side of the Roll Call is good, the planning side is generally super and as long as we have cruises booked we will utilize the Roll Calls.

If things look "kosher" I don't mind posting my e mail so that we can take the personal stuff off the Roll Call and place it where I have a delete button.

Just a few thoughts.....

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Does anyone know how you would go about organizing a slot pull tournament? Do you contact Celebrity in advance if the cruise?

 

Not sure how it's done--your best bet is to have someone on your roll call who has done it before and will organize it for the group. Then you just show up at the appointed time and have fun! :D

 

Failing that, I would check with the casino folks when you get on board. My guess is they will be happy to help you.

[RosieCanberra]

Our Roll Call experiences have been all over the map....some of everything already described but I just have to put my two cents in...

On the first sailing after we joined Cruise Critic and our first Roll Call one of our participants had a Roll Call lurker beat on her cabin door taking exception to a comment made here on CC. Her husband was in the cabin, thankfully, and called security. They were four cabins away from us and we heard the commotion and before we could safely intervene security showed up and removed the passenger from the corridor. This is the best reason to keep cabin numbers off this, or any other, public forum.

I am an organizer and have put together many a sail away gatherings at the Lido bar. On one cruise (not on X) a couple showed up that both smelled and looked like they had surfaced from the closest dump. If there was anyone else who planned on attending our little gathering they hid away too. I was so glad they did not have our cabin number. I am not a people snob but I am a dirt snob.

Our most successful Roll Calls have been on Alaska and European sailings. Caribbean sailings don't require the excursion planning and we haven't sailed in the Far East - yet. The social side of the Roll Call is good, the planning side is generally super and as long as we have cruises booked we will utilize the Roll Calls.

If things look "kosher" I don't mind posting my e mail so that we can take the personal stuff off the Roll Call and place it where I have a delete button.

Just a few thoughts.....

 

 

Well said, I don't know why some people take it all so seriously that they have to threaten other passengers. That is crazy:eek:.

 

Happy sailing Rosie and Mic.

[CruisinNole]

Boogs, there is a way to read the roll call without the ones from people who are monopolizing it with idle chatter. You can put those posters on your ignore list so when you read the thread their posts will not show up.

 

Thanks for this info Bridge Maven. I agree with Boogs that sometimes the Roll Calls are taken over by a few posters who do reveal too much personal (and mundane) information about themselves. On a recent Roll Call, one person posted his resume complete with dates, company names and job titles. So naturally, a flurry of resumes followed. The thread was so huge that it was difficult to find information about activities and private tours which is what most people want to see.

[Bridge Maven]

Our Roll Call experiences have been all over the map....some of everything already described but I just have to put my two cents in...

On the first sailing after we joined Cruise Critic and our first Roll Call one of our participants had a Roll Call lurker beat on her cabin door taking exception to a comment made here on CC. Her husband was in the cabin, thankfully, and called security. They were four cabins away from us and we heard the commotion and before we could safely intervene security showed up and removed the passenger from the corridor. This is the best reason to keep cabin numbers off this, or any other, public forum.

I am an organizer and have put together many a sail away gatherings at the Lido bar. On one cruise (not on X) a couple showed up that both smelled and looked like they had surfaced from the closest dump. If there was anyone else who planned on attending our little gathering they hid away too. I was so glad they did not have our cabin number. I am not a people snob but I am a dirt snob.

Our most successful Roll Calls have been on Alaska and European sailings. Caribbean sailings don't require the excursion planning and we haven't sailed in the Far East - yet. The social side of the Roll Call is good, the planning side is generally super and as long as we have cruises booked we will utilize the Roll Calls.

If things look "kosher" I don't mind posting my e mail so that we can take the personal stuff off the Roll Call and place it where I have a delete button.

Just a few thoughts.....

 

That is very scary and it also shows that we never know who is reading our words when we post on a very public message board.

 

A few years ago I discovered that there are a number of people who never post on the Celebrity Board, but obviously read it because of what they post about various cruise critic members on Floataway Lounge Boards.

[schnookle]

I don't have expectations any longer. The roll call for my upcoming 10/9/2011 Summit Cruise is so quiet you can hear the crickets chirping. It says we have 54 people signed up for the meet and greet, but no one is posting.

 

I have been on some fantastic roll calls where everyone just seems to be in sync and I've meet some great people, who I am still friends with today.

 

It would be nice if the roll calls could be balanced between sharing cruise and itinerary information and getting to know one another.

 

Met Mr&MrsBee on Constellation Cruise 2 years ago and had fantastic time with them.

 

Still dying to meet Andrew (Blazerboy) and Sue and Larry (even though I feel like I know them already).

 

Anne Maria

 

Hi Anne Maria,

 

Still can't figure out if we have ever met in person. If not, we must make it our business.

Always enjoy your insightful and humorous commentary.

You are always welcome to contribute to any of the Roll Calls that I contribute to on the rare occassion that I actually have something intelligent to write about!!!

 

Hope to see you soon.

 

EMIL

[SusieV]

I guess we've been fortunate never to meet any psychos like that! On our first cruise, we didn't really do much about the Roll Call since it was our honeymoon and we just wanted some alone time. Since then, we've found that chatting about cruising with others who enjoy it can really enhance our vacation and we like the idea of having activities planned and new people to meet. After all, you never know when you'll make some great friends and if you don't click, well, almost anyone can be tolerable company for just one meal, right?

 

We've also done some great shore excursions with others on the Roll Call, and saved money using their tips. Now I have a price drop monitoring service on my cruises so I try to help my Roll Call out by postng whenever I get a price drop notification.

 

So I guess my expectation of a Roll Call is that it's just like cruising; it can be a different experience for all of us and you get out of it what you choose. You can be as gregarious or private as you like and that's OK. I find a busy Roll Call really does enhance my enjoyment, though. We've been lucky enough to cruise with the Martini Gang and it was a lot of fun.

[Wolfie469]

Bee, Wasn't this when u complained about a daily countdown?

[LandlockedinTexas]

I see nothing worng with scheduling activities and so forth on Roll Calls. I think they are a great forums for so doing.

We're both divers and have been going on Caribbean cruises for twelve years now. We have considerable experience with the ports and the dive operators within each port. We invite other CC folks that are divers to tag along with us on our privately arranged dive trips. The same goes for a really fun day sail we know about in Barbados. Over the years we have had several individuals and/or couples join us and we hooked up on the Roll Call for each cruise.

The same goes for on-board activities. Like many cruises we will have a cabin crawl on our upcoming cruise. This is a great way to look at a variety of cabins in the real world. The Roll Calls are a good place to get this sort of activity arranged and publicized.

As far as perosnal information though I don't disclose anything more than CC members would be able to find out by reading posts here on any part of CC.

Just my $0.02 worth.

:):):)

 

Pilot70D , please give me the 411 on the day sail in Barbados. We had a charter sail in Bonairs this past April and loved it.

 

Thanks, Bob

[lenquixote66]

We've only participated in 2 roll calls .On our first cruise we met a couple on the roll call that will be life long friends .In fact we cruised with them again . On our second roll call we met a few very nice couples and hope to get together with them soon .

[Sail Girl]

That is very scary and it also shows that we never know who is reading our words when we post on a very public message board.

 

A few years ago I discovered that there are a number of people who never post on the Celebrity Board, but obviously read it because of what they post about various cruise critic members on Floataway Lounge Boards.

 

One great thing about CC is the information gained!

Today I've learned about the "Floataway Lounge Boards".

Where can they be found?

Thanks so much!

[Wolfie469]

Susie, what is a price-drop service?

[Bridge Maven]

One great thing about CC is the information gained!

Today I've learned about the "Floataway Lounge Boards".

Where can they be found?

Thanks so much!

 

They can be found in the cruise conversations section of the cruise critic boards.

[Pilot70D]

 

Pilot70D , please give me the 411 on the day sail in Barbados. We had a charter sail in Bonairs this past April and loved it.

 

Thanks, Bob

 

Here is one of many posts I have written on this day sail:

We go on a fun trip everytime we're in Barbados. This is a day sail aboard the catamaran El Tigre.

 

They offer a half day and a full day sail. Lunch is included for the full day sail and it's a good lunch. They also have an open bar which is included in the price. They do make two stops for snorkling or swimming and a beach stop as well. They will pick us up right outside the cruise ship terminal and return us there after the day's sailing.

 

We got connected to El Tigre quite by accident. Seven or eight years ago I had made no advance arrangements for anything while we were in Barbados. The lady at the information desk in the terminal recommended El Tigre and the rest is history. We are divers and usually we dive in most ports but we had such a good time on El Tigre that we have returned and sailed on her every time we're in Barbados.

 

On our cruise aboard the Connie last December two other CC couples decided to go with us and all had a great time.

:):):)

[CruisingChick]

Hi Anne Maria,

 

Still can't figure out if we have ever met in person. If not, we must make it our business.

Always enjoy your insightful and humorous commentary.

You are always welcome to contribute to any of the Roll Calls that I contribute to on the rare occassion that I actually have something intelligent to write about!!!

 

Hope to see you soon.

 

EMIL

 

Hi Emil, I was briefly posting on a roll call back in May for Summit that we were thinking of taking, but that fell through. We are now booked for Summit October 9th out of New Jersey.

 

Our paths briefly crossed on Constellation October 2007. I'm not sure if we were formally introduced. But I do remember your Halloween Costume from that cruise.

 

Hopefully we will get to cruise together someday. Unfortunately, I haven't hit the powerball yet, so my cruises are limited to one a year, maybe 2 if I get lucky.

 

Anne Maria