Large Convention on Cruise - Issues?

[Redtravel]

Cruise ships are large. If the group is extremely large, then the cruise line should warn people about the possible closures of venues. I have switched sailing dates when I was notified in advance. Unless you are part of the large group, expect to find various venues closed. Also, groups tend to be loud. I was once the victim of a large group at a hotel. The hotel was almost completely sold out to 2 large convention groups. Less than 5% of the rooms were sold to individuals. Unluckily I was there at the time. Pool parties, barbeques, beach activities, dining room, spa, etc were closed off at various times for the group. It was terrible. I was also on a bus tour with a large group that were all traveling together. Also, not a good time. Now, I always ask when I book about the possible overwhelming groups. I try to avoid booking if I am faced with the group. Good luck.

[crusinpsychRN]

I was on one cruise with a beauty pageant going on. They took the largest lounge every day. Couldn't access aft by going through the room. Had to go up a deck then down again.

[kitty9]

I would change the cruise. They will take over the public venues with their group, and no one else can go there, which is a pain. And because they take over venues, activities that normally would take place can't because there's no venue available. For instance, they didn't have a lot of trivia games because the group took over the places where they normally held trivia. One of the main entertainment areas at night was closed to everyone but members of that group. Small groups don't impact anything, but anything over 300 really can have a negative impact.

[uktog]

I have to agree, if you can change I would. One cruise we were on in our earlier days of cruising had a group that made up overy 35% of the guests and it did impact on our experience. Speciality restaurant was virtually impossible to get into and our favourite bar at that time was closed off most of the time.

It will not ruin your cruise but it will impact on your experience

[jgnova]

It's kind of unfair the way the contracts always favor the corporation. They reserve the right to change anything they want with no compensation to you (move you to a different cabin because someone in a suite wants your cabin for their daughter, change your dinner reservations, close venues for other groups, cancel your entire booking because they got a group booking), but you have no rights to do anything.

 

I think the cruise lines should be required to notify passengers of a large group or anything else out of the ordinary - and if something changes after you've booked, to notify you and help you change if you want - including compensating you for other travel arrangements.

 

j

[The Big Booper]

It's kind of unfair the way the contracts always favor the corporation. They reserve the right to change anything they want with no compensation to you (move you to a different cabin because someone in a suite wants your cabin for their daughter, change your dinner reservations, close venues for other groups, cancel your entire booking because they got a group booking), but you have no rights to do anything.

 

I think the cruise lines should be required to notify passengers of a large group or anything else out of the ordinary - and if something changes after you've booked, to notify you and help you change if you want - including compensating you for other travel arrangements.

 

j

 

The line can't publish the news that there is a large group on a sailing because of our over-the-top privacy laws.

[phoenix_dream]

It's kind of unfair the way the contracts always favor the corporation. They reserve the right to change anything they want with no compensation to you (move you to a different cabin because someone in a suite wants your cabin for their daughter, change your dinner reservations, close venues for other groups, cancel your entire booking because they got a group booking), but you have no rights to do anything.

 

I think the cruise lines should be required to notify passengers of a large group or anything else out of the ordinary - and if something changes after you've booked, to notify you and help you change if you want - including compensating you for other travel arrangements.

 

j

I agree - some of the things they can do are just not right, and not good business in my opinion. We had a cruise cancelled because a very large group chartered the whole ship. Luckily, we had not booked our airfare yet. Unluckily, we had few re-booking options as we were locked into a spring break timeframe. We were not happy to say the least.

 

I think cruiseships can in fact advise about these situations - they can do so without saying who the groups are if that is a privacy concern. At the very least, then, passengers can decide if they want to still sail on that particular cruise.

 

I can tell you, if I had an option I would definitely not take a cruise with a very large group. At best it would be an annoyance at times. At worst, it could really put a damper on things.

[ghstudio]

The line can't publish the news that there is a large group on a sailing because of our over-the-top privacy laws.

 

I don't think there is any law stating that they couldn't publish the name of the group of even the names of all passengers on the ship, if they chose to do so. They could probably publish that list with cabin numbers if they chose to do so.....legally. Passsengers might not like it, but you are claiming our privacy laws don't allow it....which I think is over stating our laws.

 

Do you see anything in your contract with them that prohibits that publication? Can you point me to a single state or federal law that prohibits their publication of that information?

[bighairtexan]

I found out that the total number including vendors is well under 800 but still large. However most of the daytime will be taken up w/ the TA's in the theater w/ classes and presentations. That's not a venue used much during the daytime, and I figure it means it might be slightly easier to find a poolside chair during the daytime.

Also the TA's won't be doing specialty dining on sea days so that eliminates seating competition on 4 of the 7 nights. It might be a GOOD THING as Martha Stewart says.

[FrankinPA]

Apparently, CP Con 2012 will be on the same Reflection cruise I'll be on. 400+ TAs, maybe 200+ vendors (another 400 people?), so approximately 1/3 of the ship will be their group and their convention.

 

Does this translate into bars and public areas closed at various times for convention activities? Exhibits in the public areas?

 

I booked early and was looking forward to this as my first cruise. Now, I'm beginning to wonder if I should change?

 

What are others experiences with large convention groups on board during your cruise? Should I be worried or no big deal?

 

Thanks!

 

Bruce

 

We are on Reflection next Nov. What sail date are you on?

[flyingv4me]

We are on Reflection next Nov. What sail date are you on?

 

We were booked on the 10/12/11 inaugural cruise, but we canceled earlier this week and booked a cruise on the refurbed Millie instead. While things might be perfectly fine on the cruise, even with the convention, we simply didn't want to run the risk with such a large group on board.

 

We'll look to book the Reflection at another time! :)

[FrankinPA]

I think you made a wise move. I would not want to be in that situation either. Cruises are for relaxing, not being an unwilling witness to a convention.

[IMNiles]

It's interesting, this topic has been coming up a lot more often recently, but this thread is nicer than most. Many descend into justifications for why it's reasonable not to want to spend time with "that kind" of people. Why the sudden upsurge in conversations about groups?

 

Perhaps the cruise lines are more aggressively courting groups to fill cabins, or maybe more folks are taking advantage of quasi-business-related writeoffs? In the past, many ships had dedicated meeting space, but as these ships go "under the knife" for refurbishment, these spaces are disappearing. Perhaps this is pushing groups out into the "public spaces" more and people are noticing?

 

At any rate, it seems quite contentious. I've been on a lot of cruises, and shared ships with groups of all stripes. With the variety of venues offered by most ships, I don't believe I've ever been more inconvenienced than having to move to "the next bar down" if something was going on. In fact, I've met some of the most interesting people and been party to the most fascinating conversations. Spend a cocktail hour chatting with someone obsessed enough about (Insert Hobby or vocation here) to spend a week with hundreds of like minded folks, and I think you'll come away entertained if not enlightened.

 

Many of us have knee-jerk reactions to one group or another, but isn't this just an opportunity to challenge our preconceptions and find out what we have in common?

 

Full disclosure: I am about to set sail as a member of what is likely to be a very large group, but this is my first as member of a group larger than 50 or so. I think it will be very interesting indeed to see the "other side."

[boogs]

I've been on a lot of cruises, and shared ships with groups of all stripes. With the variety of venues offered by most ships, I don't believe I've ever been more inconvenienced than having to move to "the next bar down" if something was going on.

 

My experience mirrors your to a degree. If the groups are small, the impact is minimal. But, if the group is so large that they account for 25% or more of the passengers, then the situation is much, much different. On a recent Constellation European cruise there was a large group - about 400 - from Lebanon celebrating some national event. The Reflections Lounge, the largest nightclub venue on the ship, was booked by this group almost half the cruise, both during the day and in the eveining. To lose out on the entertainment options this lounge would have provided in the evenings was a major disappointment.

[Tenn4ever]

I Looked up the group mentioned on the link (thanks!) --- think we will be OK.

 

Karen

 

Here's the llink for the group: http://www.classictravel.net/familyreunioncampmeetingatsea2012/

 

I read the description of this group's plans - speakers, entertainment, singers. It sounds like a very large group and probably lots of children which means the group has probably arranged for early seating in the dining room.

 

It's for the June 1, 2012 Northbound Alaska sailing.

 

Karen, I'm not so sure that there won't be a major disruption. I think we're looking at several hundred and maybe a lot of children.

 

We booked this cruise as soon as it came available last April and also selected the early traditional dining. We are not willing to change to late seating. This will be our first cruise celebrating 40th anniversaries. We were very careful about what we chose. We wanted the first week of June because we figured there wouldn't be a lot of children out of school yet.

 

I would be very disappointed as would my husband and the other couple we are traveling with to find out we can't get into the entertainment time we want or if we are forced out of our dining option which was chosen last April.

[CruisinCadie]

On our last two cruises, there were groups of 250 more or less, and absolutely no inconvenience to the rest of us. Except for one evening when one of the lounges was closed for a group banquet, the members ate and mingled with the rest of us. We met some fascinating people that way. Granted, these were smaller groups than some, but there were no problems at all.

 

Kathy D.

[Italy52]

Here's the llink for the group: http://www.classictravel.net/familyreunioncampmeetingatsea2012/

 

I read the description of this group's plans - speakers, entertainment, singers. It sounds like a very large group and probably lots of children which means the group has probably arranged for early seating in the dining room.

 

It's for the June 1, 2012 Northbound Alaska sailing.

 

Karen, I'm not so sure that there won't be a major disruption. I think we're looking at several hundred and maybe a lot of children.

 

We booked this cruise as soon as it came available last April and also selected the early traditional dining. We are not willing to change to late seating. This will be our first cruise celebrating 40th anniversaries. We were very careful about what we chose. We wanted the first week of June because we figured there wouldn't be a lot of children out of school yet.

 

I would be very disappointed as would my husband and the other couple we are traveling with to find out we can't get into the entertainment time we want or if we are forced out of our dining option which was chosen last April.

 

 

I can certainly understand your concerns. You have made plans for a wonderful cruise experience and I sincerely hope that Celebrity meets or exceeds all your expectations.

 

My comment was in reference to OUR personal cruise experience. Since we have Select dining, I don't anticipate any problems with our dining times. However, if we get bounced from our 2 Olympic dining reservations then I will be very upset. As far as the entertainment, we don't really bother with that so that would not be a concern for us. As for the kids, Alaska is usually not a huge draw for the kids --- at least that has been our experience on our last 8 cruises to Alaska. We have seen some children but no way near the numbers for the Caribbean cruises.

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed that all goes well for everyone traveling June 1st.

 

Karen

[ghstudio]

It's wonderful to read how tolerant everyone is of large groups on the cruises that they aren't on. We all have a way of imagining how we won't be bothered because we are flexible. But then you go on a cruise with a large group...you find that your early dinner reservation is now a late reservation because the group has taken over the early time; you have children running around in the casino; you can't find a chair around the pool because there are dolls taking up chairs....and so on.

 

My advice is that if you find that you are on a cruise with a group that you don't identify with, change the cruise.....it's called minimizing the risk. Maybe they won't bother you at all...but why take the chance.

 

When something like a captain missing a preplanned wedding because he has to do something with the more important group...that's a warning shot across the bow....change your cruise.

[WisCruiser2]

I remember many years ago, perhaps 6 or 7, when the much loved NEWTOCC was a regular here and there was a thread on large group cruises. Reading it was hilarious. Imagine 500 hairdressers or 800 Spanish dance officionados. I did just check my cruise on search and discovered that the potential large group taking a Rockabilly cruise did not materialize due to low bookings. The organizer suggested that this might have been due to the economy and the group makeup.

It does pay to do a little research. I guess I can stop trying to attach the poodle to my circle skirt. :D

 

I too was told that there was no early dining and had to take select and prepay gratuities. I wonder if that has changed now that the large group that had been anticipated did not book this. Of course there has been no price drop as a result.

 

OMG, if that is our upcoming cruise I am SO glad the Rockabillys WON'T be on it!

[Nowisthetime1]

This is your first cruise and sadly it could turnout to be very restrictive. I had friends who went on a cruise, with a large group, and the group even took over the pool areas and would block anyone trying to use the pool areas. The group took over the ship, basically, and my friends were miserable their whole cruise. This was their first cruise and they have refused to try another one after that experience. Hopefully, should you take the cruise travel agents will be more understanding and treat the other guest properly. The ships crew, however, cater to the large group first if their is a situation. Is there another ship during your dates you can change too? Personally, I would even change to another cruise line if I found this out; but that is just me. I love Celebrity cruises but have not had to deal with this large of a group on a ship. I too have health issues and I would not pay for a cruise and be told to eat in my cabin because I could not have early dinning; which I have to have also. Whatever you decide, I hope your cruise is wonderful and you have a great time.:)

[A Sixth?]

200, no problem.

 

800. :eek:

 

I would go if it was free, but not on my hard earned money.

 

The tide has turned on that ride, get off.

 

My 2 cents.

[A Sixth?]

We were booked on the 10/12/11 inaugural cruise, but we canceled earlier this week and booked a cruise on the refurbed Millie instead. While things might be perfectly fine on the cruise, even with the convention, we simply didn't want to run the risk with such a large group on board.

 

We'll look to book the Reflection at another time! :)

 

Just caught up.... good move IMHO

[Tenn4ever]

I can certainly understand your concerns. You have made plans for a wonderful cruise experience and I sincerely hope that Celebrity meets or exceeds all your expectations.

 

My comment was in reference to OUR personal cruise experience. Since we have Select dining, I don't anticipate any problems with our dining times. However, if we get bounced from our 2 Olympic dining reservations then I will be very upset. As far as the entertainment, we don't really bother with that so that would not be a concern for us. As for the kids, Alaska is usually not a huge draw for the kids --- at least that has been our experience on our last 8 cruises to Alaska. We have seen some children but no way near the numbers for the Caribbean cruises.

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed that all goes well for everyone traveling June 1st.

 

Karen

 

I agree, Alaska is usually not a huge draw for children and the time we chose is when most would still be in school. Some get out by the end of May but most not until the end of the first week in June. However, this is a cruise group who would be bringing children with them so I think there will be more than normal. Although, the children are not the main concern but not being able to take advantage of all the ship has to offer because of some large group taking over the venues and pushing us out of our reservations for dinner.

 

This puts me in a bad situation. The other couple wanted to travel with Princess but I convinced them to do this cruise to Alaska with Celebrity because of Celebrity's smoking policy. Now, Pricesss smoking policy is changing in January and they have the better itineraries to Alaska. I'm afraid this group will ruin the entire atmosphere and my friends will be disappointed especially since I chose Celebrity.

[Bobed1927]

H20HI, you said, 'This is happening on the 12/3 cruise with expedia." Did you mean Eclipse? I'm sailing on the Constellation on December 3. I hope that the group is not on our cruise.

[bighairtexan]

The 12/3 Eclipse has Expedia Cruise agents and vendors on board.