When should Celebrity or any cruise company disclose ...

[spookwife]

The criteria for disclosure should be closure of public spaces, not the number of people in the group or the nature of the group.

 

 

that I can get behind. however pitching a fit because Lounge A was closed for a private function ruined your cruise even though Lounge B and C were still available is poor form.

[dkjretired]

A couple of years ago there were many complaints about perhaps one of the most innocuous groups you could have on a cruise, the American Girl Dolls. I remember people were furious because the girls were sitting in the buffet with their dolls next to them taking up seats and doing the same in the theater. Apparently the parents thought this was all fun.

 

A lot will depend on how large the group will be, there have been complaints that groups take up the entire late seating, close substantial numbers of rooms, etc

 

Although a little different small groups can cause problems, there were reports of really poor behavior by a large family who were huge stockholders. Affected people all over the ship as they felt they could do anything.

Edited January 2, 2014 by dkjretired

[UniPac]

Well, I just checked groups ahoy and found out that our Equinox cruise is a "motorcycle cruise." :D

 

Sounds like fun!

 

We had such a group on our Equinox sail, too. However we almost didnt recognize them except when they (un)loaded their motorcycles and on Dominica where they have been escorted on their island tour by the police :-)

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[luvs2fly]

It's good business for cruise lines to cater to groups. That being said, it is also good business for them to cater to all their passengers. There is nothing wrong with the cruise lines giving groups special private areas.

 

There is nothing wrong with the cruise lines designating a special area to suites, Zenith and Elite guests. Personally I could care less! However when multiple venues are off limits, it's rude not inform your passengers. The cruise line needs to be up front with hours of advertised venues.

 

It is none of my business who or what group may be on my upcoming sailing. However when the cruise line advertises venues as an onboard highlights and they aren't available as posted, then isn't that false advertising? If your going to change the dress code or any other established rule to accommodate any particular group, then you need to inform your customers! It's only good business.

[johhnnyt]

To me no difference than if any group was booked at a hotel. Cruise line to me has no obligation to tell you who their passengers are, unless you feel comfortable that they could release your details to others

 

Been on with family reunions, gay groups, knitters, stop smoking group, wine lovers, and a German group that I think were some kind of collectors

 

Never once has any group impacted my space or cruise

 

Sometimes a venue is closed off for an event, but who cares, it's open later or next day

[monicajay]

To me no difference than if any group was booked at a hotel. Cruise line to me has no obligation to tell you who their passengers are, unless you feel comfortable that they could release your details to others

 

Been on with family reunions, gay groups, knitters, stop smoking group, wine lovers, and a German group that I think were some kind of collectors

 

Never once has any group impacted my space or cruise

 

Sometimes a venue is closed off for an event, but who cares, it's open later or next day

 

If it was always this simple it wouldn't be a problem. I had one bad experience and have read of many others who have had one too.

 

Ours was on MSC. More than 50% of the ship was reserved for a 'Holistic Holiday' at Sea. The library was closed for the whole trip. The MUTS screen that usually shows evening movies was not available as they had nightly outdoor private parties. They reserved ALL of early seating so even families with very young children were forced to have 8h30 dinner (no open on that line) many had confirmed early seating and were bumped once on board. They used venues, even the main theater for lectures and then ran over the reserved time so we would arrive for a show and find the seats all still full. And on and on and on......

 

But the worst was the 'herd' mentality, they walked the halls in packs and we always had to yield and move.

 

All the other passengers started calling them 'the spandex people' and it became an 'us versus them' cruise.

 

I for one would like to know when more than 30% of the ship is booked for one group (don't care what the group is) and I could at least make an informed decision.

[sabookkeeper]

I have encountered a large Saudi family that was over 300 members and they had special areas for sun bathing blocked off by security guards for whatever reasons. And I believe they had no one outside their group at their dinner tables either. It made for great people watching.

I don't really care what the groups are on board. Some people get all upset over certain ethnic groups, or gay groups or transgender groups or rock and roll groups or others because they feel they might catch something from them or some other religious reason or some nonsense.

I say if you don't want to be around people that are different from you then don't get on a cruise ship. It is pretty hard to get off when you are out at sea. You could stay in your own back yard for a vacation and don't worry about encounters with other people?? No offense is meant to anyone on here but cruising on a ship is a choice. You have to know you will encounter people different than you.

For myself, I don't care what the group is, however, if there is going to be a large group on board I would like to know about it especially if it means that we will not have access to areas of the ship. We paid to have access to the entire cruise ship, not just when a group isn't using it.

[blueboro]

that I can get behind. however pitching a fit because Lounge A was closed for a private function ruined your cruise even though Lounge B and C were still available is poor form.

 

But when a large group of hundreds of passengers has special shows each evening in the main showroom and the regular passengers have to go to a late show like has happened on HAL it can be annoying. Large groups can also take up an entire sitting the dining room, large lounges and more. So unless I got a special low rate I would definitely feel like a second class passenger.

[Redtravel]

I did have a cruise on the Horizon canceled on me. WE then booked a cruise on a Costa ship, the Daphne. When we boarded the Daphne, we noticed that the ship next to us was the Horizon. Lots of noise. The entire ship was chartered to Northern Telecom. The group name was on the ship just below the Horizon. I was unhappy to be canceled...and happy that I wasn't sailing with that group. I have sailed on many cruises with groups. Usually they don't infringe on my cruise. Large ships are usually okay. On smaller ships and on land tours, I always ask about groups....and try not to book if the group makes up more than 50% . Many years ago, we went to a hotel which had 2 large groups. They closed off the pool area, dining room, and many venues for private events for the groups. WE hated it...and never went back. If a group is so large that they can take over the entire MDR for a seating, I think that the other guests should be informed. If that happened to me, I probably would not sail on that cruise line again. If it really matters to you, ask about it when you book.

[H2OH!]

To me no difference than if any group was booked at a hotel. Cruise line to me has no obligation to tell you who their passengers are, unless you feel comfortable that they could release your details to others

 

Been on with family reunions, gay groups, knitters, stop smoking group, wine lovers, and a German group that I think were some kind of collectors

 

Never once has any group impacted my space or cruise

 

Sometimes a venue is closed off for an event, but who cares, it's open later or next day

 

It is significantly different. When you are landbased at a hotel all you have to do is drive to a local restaurant to escape the group. On a cruise you have no choice.

 

I have been part of a large group on a cruise where we had private parties etc. While it was fun for us I did feel bad for passengers who wanted to get into certain lounges etc and were not able to.

 

If a ship is occupied by more than 30-35% by one group, i would like to know.

[foxjim1]

If these groups are a problem or given special privileges it just proves Celebrity is the same as any other run of the mill business - "bottom line is Money"

[RocketMan275]

Some, but very few, groups can be invasive creating problems on a cruise. Certainly the infamous "american girl" cruise stands out as an example of what can happen.

 

"american girl"? Isn't that some kind of a doll. How could that become 'infamous'?

[johhnnyt]

If these groups are a problem or given special privileges it just proves Celebrity is the same as any other run of the mill business - "bottom line is Money"

 

Well it is a business

 

Can't think of any cruise line that doesn't want/encourage groups on board

 

Roll of the dice, like getting stuck with the chronic complainer at your table, the guy that wear the tee shirt on formal night, etc, some get be terrific and others ugh

Edited January 3, 2014 by johhnnyt

[luvs2fly]

I'm just glad I'm not on the Red Sox fan cruise that sails soon on silhouette or the upcoming political cruise on that ship. I try hard to forget about politics that month, being tax time and all.

[NLH Arizona]

Doesn't really bother me if there is a large group on board. One Celebrity cruise had a Accountant's convention. Never really saw them, except at dinner (one couple was at the same table I was at) and the few rooms or lounges they used for their meetings and parties didn't seem to bother anyone. If one lounge is in use, I'd just go to another; there are enough places to go on the ship, that it didn't bother me.

[shipshape sam]

To me no difference than if any group was booked at a hotel. Cruise line to me has no obligation to tell you who their passengers are, unless you feel comfortable that they could release your details to others

 

Been on with family reunions, gay groups, knitters, stop smoking group, wine lovers, and a German group that I think were some kind of collectors

 

Never once has any group impacted my space or cruise

 

Sometimes a venue is closed off for an event, but who cares, it's open later or next day

 

I would suggest there are some differences. Going to a city/hotel, most people do NOT go to stay 100% of the time in the hotel and use the hotel's lounges/theater/dining facilities for say, 7 days to the exclusion of any local alternative

 

Secondly, if there is a conflict, one would think that you can walk down the street/take a cab and make alternative arrangements.....NOT as easy on a captive ship.

[shipshape sam]

I have been on Mariner of the Seas when there have been about 1300 Harley owners on ship of about 3500.

 

We had a good time, but it would have been nice to know that the bottom level of the MDR would be fully reserved for them....and on formal night (I am joking here...that the formal attire would be LEATHER and the waiters would be wearing do-rags(sp?). This is true and we actually thought it interesting.

 

They were a nice and friendly group, so we were okay. They did though occupy some public areas that did create some restriction of using lounges/etc. For most part, they reserved areas in non-prime times and THAT works for me.

 

Can you have poor interaction with non-group people, for sure! I think people sign up and understand this dynamic even if they don't like it.

Edited January 3, 2014 by shipshape sam

[cle-guy]

Ship has no need to disclose any groups as far as I'm concerned. As a group host, I'd want privacy in many times to prevent non-group members from taking advantage of group rates and arrangements.

 

The internet of course lets the educated consumer find out about many of them these days, so it's really buyer beware given the ease of finding such info.

 

It's the same number of people using the same number of facilities no matter what. If the facility is full, it's full move on the the next open facility. Just think the place was packed and you'd have had a horrible time, better to go someplace else for the next hour or so.

[flyingv4me]

I'm just glad I'm not on the Red Sox fan cruise that sails soon on silhouette or the upcoming political cruise on that ship. I try hard to forget about politics that month, being tax time and all.

 

I'm on the Sox cruise...pray for me! ;) I'm an Orioles fan! I don't expect them to be that large a group, and I'll enjoy a challenge! Wish me luck!

[shipshape sam]

Ship has no need to disclose any groups as far as I'm concerned. As a group host, I'd want privacy in many times to prevent non-group members from taking advantage of group rates and arrangements.

 

The internet of course lets the educated consumer find out about many of them these days, so it's really buyer beware given the ease of finding such info.

 

It's the same number of people using the same number of facilities no matter what. If the facility is full, it's full move on the the next open facility. Just think the place was packed and you'd have had a horrible time, better to go someplace else for the next hour or so.

 

You make two assumptions that are many times not correct:

 

1) a non group member can't get the rates without going through the group and thus, the group coordinator might like more people to sign up, but I do not see how I, as a non group member, get member benefits? I guess I could go to a TA and ask for price matching.

 

2) Large groups reserve lounges/other venues to the EXCLUSION of non members, thus is it not first come, first served.

Edited January 3, 2014 by shipshape sam

[luvs2fly]

I'm on the Sox cruise...pray for me! ;) I'm an Orioles fan! I don't expect them to be that large a group, and I'll enjoy a challenge! Wish me luck!

 

I'm a beaten down Astros fan! My husband is a Brewers fan we met in Boston both hating the sox! However Baltimore has always been one of my favorite cities and you should wear your black, orange and white loud and proud!

[shipshape sam]

I'm a beaten down Astros fan! My husband is a Brewers fan we met in Boston both hating the sox! However Baltimore has always been one of my favorite cities and you should wear your black, orange and white loud and proud!

 

Should have some fun!

[phoenix_dream]

I think if Celebrity intends to block off public areas of the ship for a particular group or groups consistently, and for long periods of time, then they have an obligation to so inform all of their passengers before final payment. I don't think it is necessary or appropriate for them to give any specific information about what group it is, provided the activities of the group would not interfere with the common activities of the general passengers. Everyone on that ship is paying for use of the entire ship (save for the advertised 'for a price' areas). Occasional private parties? No problem. Consistently blocking off public areas for long periods of time, or allowing/encouraging activities disruptive to the general cruising public, or giving one group of passengers priority access to prime dining times and so on, is not right and not fair. Everyone has the right to get the entirety of what they are paying for.

 

I also feel it is a totally different situation than hotels. At a hotel, you have a choice to stay, or to cut short your reservation and go elsewhere, generally without a penalty. You often have the option to change your room if someone is disruptive, and move to a quieter area. You also generally do not spend all of your time at the hotel - this is not the case on a cruise ship at sea. With some exceptions (the swimming pool for example) you generally book your hotel for a nice place to sleep, and perhaps a nice breakfast in the morning. If you don't like the entertainment/bar/restaurant area, you can go elsewhere. Very different from cruising for the most part.

[MicCanberra]

IMO, I don't think it would matter unless the group numbers started to top more than half the ship. Certain areas could get a bit crowded and in some areas they would have exclusive use for their meetings or activities or whatever they do.

Whether the public should be told formally about this when the go to book would really depend on the group and the expected numbers.:D

[neverbeenhere]

Could care less. Been on with huge groups, however the deal we got made it worth it. Have some great stories from those cruises. Also, what in the world would be the 'penalty', if the cruise line didn't tell you about the groups. AND when would this notification be due...30,60,90 days out from sailing? Of course, you would like free cancellation privileges??