Meet and Mingle disappointment?

[christiecruise]

Hey CCers,

 

I was fortunate to have been charged with the M & M for our Spirit cruise in late Dec.

 

A few weeks ago, I contacted my group event rep. to schedule our M & M, and got a pretty standard reply, fine. Have contacted again twice asking questions and asking for a bridge or behind the scenes tour.

 

It is disappointing to me that the response is so vague and broad, but I'm OK with that if that is everyone else's experience with NCL! So, your thoughts are appreciated.

 

Here is the last response that I sent/received:

 

"Hello Angela,

 

I'm looking forward to our CC meeting in Henry's Pub on Dec. 19th at 10AM! Would it be possible to schedule a Bridge Tour or Behind the Scenes Tour for our group? We have quite a few people interested if one of those is available."

 

Please check the Freestyle Daily for the times that this function is offer. These tours are subject to change and they are offer for a cost.

 

Also, I have several new CC members who would like to know what to expect at the Meet and Mingle. On my last voyage it was in the afternoon and only a few CCers attended. Will food and beverages be provided?

 

This is an informal meeting always a ship officer tries to be present at this meetings. if food is provided it will be at the ship discretion.

 

just wonder if this is the experience that I should expect? After reading extensively on CC, it seemed like the communication was usually more personal...?

[Sauer-kraut]

Well....

not really personal answers, it is indeed up to the captain or F&B manager as to what is provided for the C.C. group. I think it was gutsy to ask for a behind the scenes tour, that is something that is HARDLY EVER given to a C.C. group.

 

As to the refreshements its usually just cookies and juice nothing to really get excited about.

 

Bascially the group coordinator is just there to schedule things, they aren't involved with the other details, they are located at Headquarters so they can't say what will be on board for you or not.

[DebbieCruises]

Hey CCers,

 

I was fortunate to have been charged with the M & M for our Spirit cruise in late Dec.

 

A few weeks ago, I contacted my group event rep. to schedule our M & M, and got a pretty standard reply, fine. Have contacted again twice asking questions and asking for a bridge or behind the sciences tour.

 

It is disappointing to me that the response is so vague and broad, but I'm OK with that if that is everyone else's experience with NCL! So, your thoughts are appreciated.

 

Here is the last response that I sent/received:

 

"Hello Angela,

 

I'm looking forward to our CC meeting in Henry's Pub on Dec. 19th at 10AM! Would it be possible to schedule a Bridge Tour or Behind the Scenes Tour for our group? We have quite a few people interested if one of those is available."

 

Please check the Freestyle Daily for the times that this function is offer. These tours are subject to change and they are offer for a cost.

 

Also, I have several new CC members who would like to know what to expect at the Meet and Mingle. On my last voyage it was in the afternoon and only a few CCers attended. Will food and beverages be provided?

 

This is an informal meeting always a ship officer tries to be present at this meetings. if food is provided it will be at the ship discretion.

 

just wonder if this is the experience that I should expect? After reading extensively on CC, it seemed like the communication was usually more personal...?

 

I have attended and planned a few Meet & Greet parties. I have never asked for anything from the group event coordinator except the room. They have always provided pastries, juice, coffee, and tea. Lots of officers attend, but it does seem to be the larger the group the more officers attend. You will have a letter in your cabin with your on-board contact person's name and number. I have asked for boxes to collect school supplies for kids in Samana, but that's about all. I asked the concierge to book Teppanyaki for a large group of us, which he seemed happy to arrange for us. The "behind the scenes tour" is only free for Platinum latitudes members, and I think it costs $50 each for others, so I never dreamed of asking for one for the group. At some of our M&G parties, we have planned on our own for cabin crawls, and some planned tours together. It's always fun to get to meet your fellow cruisers and meet so many ship's officers, too. Sometimes we have gift exchanges, sometimes not. On our next cruise we'll be having a slot pull event. I think I am to make arrangements with the casino manager for that.

 

I hope you have a great M&G party and a wonderful cruise!

[bakerintn]

In my experience, very little communication prior or once on board.

 

We did learn the planned location a couple of weeks ahead....but when that got changed once on board, no way to contact everyone because my group would not share real names or cabin #'s. There was not any central bulletin board where one can leave messages.

 

That said, the M&Gs were well attended by the ship's officers, and a continental breakfast type spread was provided. The bar tender, so we could order bar drinks of we wanted.

 

I would mention the bridge tour desire during the M&G...to the Cruise Director or the Captain or his designee. Bridge tours are rare and the behind the scenes tours have become a paid event.

 

I tracked down the on-board in charge person after I boarded to start building the relationship...

[jame_g]

Yes, the Meet and Greets are usually informal. NCL provides a space so that you can meet up with your fellow CC members. They usually have a couple officers come and give you a welcome and mingle with those present. They will often provide some cookies, pastries, coffee. Nothing fancy, stuff you can usually find at the buffet.

 

I've never heard of them offering a behind the scenes tour in recent years. So I think you set yourself up for disappointment asking for this.

 

Bridge tours are at the captain's discretion. They are not always offered, and the invitation usually comes at the meet and greet, not ahead of time. Some captains rarely offer bridge tours, others do so more frequently, but not always. Even taking the behind the scenes tour for a fee doesn't guarantee a bridge tour.

[christiecruise]

Thanks for the responses so far! I have always combed the CC threads before asking a question... not always successfully!

 

This question, there seemed to be people who have coordinated in advance for their M&M bridge tours, etc. or I would not have even considered asking.

 

But thank you all for your thoughts, I really appreciate them!

[PorkChopKid]

We've been to several M&G events where the number of attendees was large and yet others were not so well attended. Meeting others from the Roll Call has always been enjoyable. The only disappointment has been in how roughly 1/2 of the people who sign up for a M&G actually show up. Sure wish people would say what they're going to do and do what they say. I feel for those who take the time to organize a M&G.

[che5904]

Well I certainly think the events rep. could have been more friendly in the email.

 

Something to the effect of

"At NCL we value CCers and therefore set aside a space for you to have your M&G. All plans and arrangements for this event are the responsibility of the CCer(s) that has volunteered to organize it.

Some officers from the ship are encouraged to attend if they are able to. There may be a behind the scenes tour offered on your ship for a cost, which you will find in your freestyle daily if there is one offered on your sail. If food is provided it will be at the F&B officer's discretion."

 

But a friendly response or not, she did provide you with accurate information.

 

Good luck with your M&G, I hope you have lots of people attend and enjoy meeting some fellow CCers.

[STARFISH*4]

always was told that a Bridge Tour could not be set up ahead of time, as it was up to the Captain onboard.....and each experience with the Meet & Greets vary ship to ship sailing to sailing.

all i have attended were done well and in February on the Star we got a Bridge Tour....i set up the M&G last year on the SUN and was treated VERY WELL, the only thing i didnt get was a Bridge Tour--there was alot going on that day--the officers made time for us and shortly after our M&G the SUN experienced MAJOR mechanical probs...just HAPPY to get the ATTENTION that we did!

i have set up both M&Gs on my B2B leaving Saturday and HOPEFULLY they will be attended WELL and ALL will have a GOOD time and always APPRECIATIVE of what NCL does do, and they DO CARE about us CCers;)

[beachchick]

I would think that they would not arrange for any behind the scenes tours, especially bridge tours, for a M&M group. Some of those are attended by 200+ people. Can you imagine trying to corral that many through a tour? There's no way the cruise line could agree in advance to do something like that. Of course, it's also possible that the M&M group could be 50 or less, but there's no way of guaranteeing how many people will show up. I bet more would if they knew behind the scenes tour(s) were "booked" for the group.

 

beachchick

[debnjoe1438]

As stated previously the bridge tour is up to the Captian & HD. At one M&G my husband asked and we got the bridge tour on the last sea day. On another ship, it didn't happen.

 

Can't hurt to ask. :D

[SuiteRose]

I planned the meet and greet last January on the Pearl... we had about 80 people sign up and about 50-60 attened... we filled the Star Bar. Originally we were supposed to meet in the smaller dining room but that was changed when I got a letter in my cabin on embarkation day... I was so upset about the change since I had no way of getting in touch with the rest of the roll call. The event coordinator was very sweet and understood my concern, she put a large sign in front of the dining room and stood their personally directing people to the new location. Then came upstairs to be there if we needed her for anything. The Star Bar was a much nicer location... it was really well attended by ship officers and they stayed quite a while. We were a large group... we weren't offered a bridge tour or behind the scenes tour... but we were all happy with the treatment we received on the ship.

[agabbymama]

We sailed on the Star in Sept from Vancouver doing the Pacific Northwest down to Los Angeles. I emailed NCL and received a response in about 3 days, that she would contact the ship and let me know if my request could be accommodated. I wanted the Biergarten on the day of embarkation after the Muster Drill. We had 60 signed up for M&M. She finally got back to me a week later that they would prefer to do the M&M on an "at sea day". I responded that was too late, it was half way through the cruise. Took about another 3 days, but she finally agreed to my request in the Biergarten from 5:00-6:00, but she couldn't guarantee any crew as sail away they were very busy. As we got closer to sailing date, I emailed again asking about refreshments. She replied that cookies, coffee & punch would be $4.50 pp. I declined. But I did take a huge bag of pretzels myself and set them around the area.

 

We embarked, had the Muster Drill and headed up to the Biergarten. I was met there by Anna (the ship's coordinator). We ended up with about 48 of the 60, so had a great turn out. But there was so much traffic in the Biergarten (I would select a different venue if I were to do it again). About 7 crew members joined us. AND I was sure surprised when pound cake/banana cake, punch, coffeee & tea were brought to the table and 2 crew members setting it up and watching that it was sufficient. I was a little worried at who ordered this stuff, so I asked the one server and he said COMPLIMENTARY! No worries. We did a gift exchange. Then Anna passed around a sign-up sheet and said she could make no promises, there was a new Captain taking over in Vancouver, so she wasn't sure what he would do. Well, we ended up with myself and 3 other couples being invited to dine with the Captain. And another 25 or so did get invited to tour the Bridge on another day. The only thing we all had in common was the M&M.

 

So the land based personnel don't necessarily know what is going to happen on the ship. And the Captain makes the final decision, so things can change from ship to ship, Captain to Captain. Just go prepared to enjoy, and appreciate anything that comes your way.

 

We had such a blast. We also planned a slot pull, a cabin crawl, and a smaller group of us did the Specialty Dinner at Cagney's to celebrate 4 birthdays. The CC activities sure saved the cruise. Between bad weather, missing ports, etc. the cruise could have been a real bummer.

[www3traveler]

Basically a Meet and Greet is a chance to meet other CC members on board and some Staff members. It is usually hosted by the Hotel Director and he introduces those Staff members presented. I do not know if the Captain will be present or not. A friend of mine will become Captain of The Spirit on the 18th December. He will just be coming back from vacation and has not been Master of The Spirit in several years. Captain Lars is a very funny man and a gentleman in every sense of the word. One of his favorite lines is: "It takes a Swede to run a Norwegian ship." I hope that you will enjoy your cruise. I am very much looking forward to mine on the Spirit beginning January 15th.

[Zeno]

You must remember that as a COURTESY, NCL provides a location for Cruisecritic M&Gs free of charge.

 

Anything beyond that is frankly - icing on the cake. That said -they usually provide simple refreshments (coffee and tea and maybe juice and some cookies and/or danish).

AND at least a couple of ship's officers MAY attend if their schedule's permit.

 

Since you have no way of guaranteeing the turnout, I think ANYTHING beyond a space for the M&G is pretty nice of them to provide. At the M&G I organized on the Dawn, we had around 6 ship's officers, light refreshments and were asked to sign-up for a drawing for dinner with the ship's officers(free) (most of those who signed got picked for the dinner). I thought all that was pretty good. It would never have occurred to me to expect NCL to provide any extras free-of-charge. And as others have pointed out final decisions on any special extras are probably not made until the actual cruise.

[Laszlo]

I guess I don't really understand what the Meet & Greets are all about. Yes it would be nice to meet some of your fellow cruisers and the crew. But why should anyone except a tour of the bridge or any other perk when its not offered to anyone else?

[DMH15]

We've been to several M&G events where the number of attendees was large and yet others were not so well attended. Meeting others from the Roll Call has always been enjoyable. The only disappointment has been in how roughly 1/2 of the people who sign up for a M&G actually show up. Sure wish people would say what they're going to do and do what they say. I feel for those who take the time to organize a M&G.

I have only been to one and I was the organizer. Several people on my cruise were seasick the first night/morning. I was one of them. Those who didn't come, other than the sick ones missed a good one.

[anthem]

I guess I don't really understand what the Meet & Greets are all about. Yes it would be nice to meet some of your fellow cruisers and the crew. But why should anyone except a tour of the bridge or any other perk when its not offered to anyone else?

 

Because apparently some people believe that they should get more if they organize such events. This concept has almost gotten to the feeling that they deserve it and its a responsibility by the cruise line (not just NCL). I'm beginning to think its like those people who blackmail/threaten a bad review on yelp/chowhound/urbanspoon unless they get something from a hotel/proprietor. . .. .

[www3traveler]

I am organizing the M&G on my cruise and I DO NOT WANT OR EXPECT anything in return. I very much appreciate Staff taking time out of their very busy schedules to attend. Like I have said before, an M&G is a chance to meet fellow CC members, putting faces to names and being introduced to Staff members. For me, it is always a joy to be aboard an NCL ship and to meet interesting people (passengers and Staff).

[anthem]

I am organizing the M&G on my cruise and I DO NOT WANT OR EXPECT anything in return. I very much appreciate Staff taking time out of their very busy schedules to attend. Like I have said before, an M&G is a chance to meet fellow CC members, putting faces to names and being introduced to Staff members. For me, it is always a joy to be aboard an NCL ship and to meet interesting people (passengers and Staff).

 

Thats great and the way I think it should be. . . I was merely commenting that there are enough incidences where people expect significantly more than what you are expecting and I'm not sure where the basis comes from.. . .

[Dayenu]

It's been my experience, the locations of M&G do change, and there would be a clear large sign where it's been moved.

[jaja]

You must remember that as a COURTESY, NCL provides a location for Cruisecritic M&Gs free of charge.

 

Anything beyond that is frankly - icing on the cake. That said -they usually provide simple refreshments (coffee and tea and maybe juice and some cookies and/or danish).

AND at least a couple of ship's officers MAY attend if their schedule's permit.

 

.

 

 

Totally agree..

[christiecruise]

Thanks to all for the helpful information. As I mentioned in my original post, I was wondering if the limited and impersonal communication from the events coordinator is what the rest of you have experienced. To be honest, I did not realize that I was emailing with a land based coordinator who would not be involved with the event on the ship.

 

It makes much more sense after reading your replies. The bridge/behind the scenes tours were something that I had read about many times, so it seemed reasonable that they were offered if one asked. Thanks for the clarification.

 

Just trying to do a good job coordinating the M&M for my group! ;)

[valleyvillage]

What I found with two M&Gs was that once we were on the ship the staff was wonderful. Both times the Captain made an appearance and invited us to tour the bridge. This was on the Star and it was a lot of fun.

 

I would encourage you to offer a gift exchange, a cabin crawl, slot pull, they really enhanced our cruise. Several of us made arrangements to have dinner together at Cagney's and it was a highlight!

 

Have a great cruise!

[che5904]

Just trying to do a good job coordinating the M&M for my group! ;)

 

I'm sure you will do great. All you really need to do is get the place and time, let it be known to your roll call. Gather names and number count for the event rep. Anything else you do is just topping on the cake. Whether it's name tags, gathering cabin numbers to send reminders that there is a M&G, or trying to get interest for a slot pull. It really is totally informal.