Does anyone fear Meet & Mingle like I do?

[scrapycruiser]

The last time I used them was when we were on the Allure, in 2012. I believe that you go to inletphotosportofeverglades.com or just inletphotos.com the company is called something like Smughug. Once you get there look for all the pictures from sail aways with people waving from the ships fantails. I know that they get back up so it may take awhile before they are posted. If you have questions for them click on "Contact us" at the bottom of the page and they should get back to you. The cost of the photos is very reasonable. You have to review the pictures from your sailing to find the ones that you are in. I don't know how may other ports they take pictures from. The port we lft from was Port Everglade, FLA.

 

Thanks much ! I'll check it out !

[LindaO]

I have this fear when it comes to the Meet and Mingle. I'm sure everyone is really nice and want to make "cruise friends". However, as in "real life" not everyone meshes with everyone else. Has anyone gone to a Meet and Mingle and had people from there just follow them around, even though you wished they wouldn't? Perhaps like, you're sitting at the Schooner Bar, they see and you sit for the evening even though you really don't have anything in common or (not to be mean) but you really don't want them there.

 

No... never met a person at the MM like that... Been to many M&Ms... and there are a variety of people. Sure you can group people -- the 'so many cruises I can't remember them' -- the 'single cruiser looking to party' -- the 'couple looking for anyone else to talk to other than each other' and the most popular 'here is all the cruise advice I can remember' etc... but you can also find the nicest people... who are helpful when asked, kind, friendly and interesting. You can avoid those who are not your type. There are thousands of people on the ship... and you can meet each and every one... or none... it is up to you. You can go to the M&M and if you don't like it...leave. If you attract someone who annoys you.. then just politely tell them... "I (We) prefer to be alone... maybe we can talk with you some other time." Or, excuse yourself and go to another venue. Say you are going to the bathroom and leave... whatever works.

I hope you decide to give them M&Ms a try. Sometimes you find that the most vocal person on the CC board is shy and unassuming in person. There is something "freeing" about being able to sit at your computer and type. The personality on the CC board can often be entirely different than the person you meet. I've come away and said.. WOW... that isn't what I expected. I've made a few good friends here on the CC boards... and I'd hate for you to miss that opportunity. The M&M isn't about the prizes.. it is about the people... We've done so many things that were organized on our CC thread.. from a gift exchange (yep we all brought something from our home towns... from key chains to jars of jelly to pairs of socks) the only thing it had to be "packable" and under $5... that was fun!!! I still have my Canada key chain!!! We've done post card exchanges...The slot pulls were lots of fun.

Try not to dwell on what might happen... and remember... the Blessing is in the Journey!

Wishing you fair winds and calm seas!!!

[jerraeb]

If you get a chance to go to a M & M, go, there are some great folks that attend these little meetings. We always have a good time. I'm not too social but have not had a bad experience.

We have met some great people and stay in touch with them, we have even cruised with some of them multiple times.:cool:

[CelticDuck]

Is there any reason to fear Meet & Mingle over and above any other casual contact on the ship? It seems to me that, if I have a stalker mentality ( I don't - honest! ) I'm just as likely to hound the nice folks I met in the casino or chatted with at breakfast. Social anxiety is real for many people, but you'll be faced with forced casual relationships throughout the cruise; even if you forgo M & M. That's assuming you're not Sheldon Cooper of course. :)

[StarSong]

Ive only been to one and met some really nice people. No brag fest and certainly no "cling ons"

 

We've been to a few and have found them enjoyable. One couple gave us great advice during one of the last RCCL Mexican Riviera sailings. DH & I had done that cruise several times and had also been to Alaska, and were ready to try the Caribbean.

We started to chat with a well traveled couple at the M & M and asked what itinerary they would suggest for first time Caribbean cruisers. They took the time to ask what kind of ports and activities we liked. They strongly recommended Western Caribbean for our first trip. Other than quick smiles and hellos as we passed in the ship for the rest of the week, we had no further contact with them.

DH & and have cruised the Caribbean a number of times since that meeting, and remain grateful for the excellent introduction to the area.

In general, I find the M & M to be a good place to learn something from people who know a whole lot more about cruising than I do. Being a mere low-caste Platinum, I don't rub elbows in the CL, Diamond, Diamond-Plus or Rhodium lounges.

If nothing else, the M & M is a pretty good place to feel young since I'm still well under 80. :D

[Doug R.]

I find that a very non-confrontational way to get rid of creepy stalker types on a cruise is to slip into the conversation that I am glad my parole officer approved me going on this cruise provided I continue to take my meds. :eek:

[crisndeefromde]

I have to say I have never feared a meet and mingle. While I haven't enjoyed some as many as others, it sometimes depends on how active a roll call thread is. I/we have met some fantastic people. I can tell you it is an honor to meet some of the "celebrities" that are amongst us.....CkRobyn from Canada....she and her family are just so so awesome. If it were not for her and Oceanboy, we may never have tried sailing out of san juan. This past year we cruised two weeks with her and her family. What a great time. It is great to see some new friends when on the ship and also when out on the islands. Our first cruise in April 06 we had friends and family with us, but our second cruise in Dec 06 we were a little scared being by ourselves and going to ports we didn't go to on first one. I had signed us up for a meet and mingle and chatted on the roll call and we had a great time and felt good seeing others from the meet out and about on the islands. I guess each person has their own experience. We have enjoyed most of ours. We love talking to other cruisers about what they are doing or have been doing on the cruise and love hearing about where they have been. We have gotten some excellent tips at these mingles.

[LindaO]

I find that a very non-confrontational way to get rid of creepy stalker types on a cruise is to slip into the conversation that I am glad my parole officer approved me going on this cruise provided I continue to take my meds. :eek:

 

Doug... this is perfect... and I plan on using it at the next available opportunity!!! So much better than the bathroom... out the back door plan!!! :)

[FrozenOne]

I find that a very non-confrontational way to get rid of creepy stalker types on a cruise is to slip into the conversation that I am glad my parole officer approved me going on this cruise provided I continue to take my meds. :eek:

 

I am so going to remember this! ROFL...

[Yenom]

I find that a very non-confrontational way to get rid of creepy stalker types on a cruise is to slip into the conversation that I am glad my parole officer approved me going on this cruise provided I continue to take my meds. :eek:

 

Hilarious comment!!! Thanks for the laugh!

[novicetraveller]

No... never met a person at the MM like that... Been to many M&Ms... and there are a variety of people. Sure you can group people -- the 'so many cruises I can't remember them' -- the 'single cruiser looking to party' -- the 'couple looking for anyone else to talk to other than each other' and the most popular 'here is all the cruise advice I can remember' etc... but you can also find the nicest people... who are helpful when asked, kind, friendly and interesting. You can avoid those who are not your type. There are thousands of people on the ship... and you can meet each and every one... or none... it is up to you. You can go to the M&M and if you don't like it...leave. If you attract someone who annoys you.. then just politely tell them... "I (We) prefer to be alone... maybe we can talk with you some other time." Or, excuse yourself and go to another venue. Say you are going to the bathroom and leave... whatever works.

I hope you decide to give them M&Ms a try. Sometimes you find that the most vocal person on the CC board is shy and unassuming in person. There is something "freeing" about being able to sit at your computer and type. The personality on the CC board can often be entirely different than the person you meet. I've come away and said.. WOW... that isn't what I expected. I've made a few good friends here on the CC boards... and I'd hate for you to miss that opportunity. The M&M isn't about the prizes.. it is about the people... We've done so many things that were organized on our CC thread.. from a gift exchange (yep we all brought something from our home towns... from key chains to jars of jelly to pairs of socks) the only thing it had to be "packable" and under $5... that was fun!!! I still have my Canada key chain!!! We've done post card exchanges...The slot pulls were lots of fun.

Try not to dwell on what might happen... and remember... the Blessing is in the Journey!

Wishing you fair winds and calm seas!!!

 

I am one of those people who is active on the roll call but a bit shy and quiet in the flesh. I would chat to complete strangers, but I wouldn't always go out of my way to socialise.