Meet N Mingle Info??

[curtdesilets]

How do we sign up for a Meet n Mingle party on our upcoming cruise? On Celebrity, it's an easy process of just clicking a link on the roll call page. I do not see a similar thing here on the HAL Roll Calls. Any ideas????

Edited June 14, 2014 by curtdesilets
spelling

[kazu]

How do we sign up for a Meet n Mingle party on our upcoming cruise? On Celebrity, it's an easy process of just clicking a link on the roll call page. I do not see a similar thing here on the HAL Roll Calls. Any ideas????[/quote

 

Have you gone to your roll call? Someone on the roll call normally arranges it (with luck). It is not automatic.

 

HAL is happy to do it but someone has to ask from the roll call.

 

Actually it's a nice way to get a roll call going sometimes to ask who wants to do it;)

[windsor26]

How do we sign up for a Meet n Mingle party on our upcoming cruise? On Celebrity, it's an easy process of just clicking a link on the roll call page. I do not see a similar thing here on the HAL Roll Calls. Any ideas????[/quote

 

Have you gone to your roll call? Someone on the roll call normally arranges it (with luck). It is not automatic.

 

HAL is happy to do it but someone has to ask from the roll call.

 

Actually it's a nice way to get a roll call going sometimes to ask who wants to do it;)

 

Is there a person on each ship to be contacted or do you go through head office We are on the oosterdam in Dec

[AlohaPride]

Someone from the Roll Call needs to call ships services to make the plans. It's not automatic with HAL for CC. HAL does have Facebook meet and greets at 2 pm the day of embarkation.

[kazu]

 

Is there a person on each ship to be contacted or do you go through head office We are on the oosterdam in Dec

 

 

You just need to contact ship services. different people take care of different ships but they cover for each other.

 

Just remember to email them back 30 days out and let them know the final numbers.

 

they are very easy to deal with.

 

Choose a sea day or a short port day (depending upon your itinerary).

 

hope this helps:D

[Spinner2]

Kazu's is right; you need to talk to HAL's Ship Services at least 30 days from cruise departure date. My list shows Jocelyn Larson as the person who handled the Oosterdam but that may not be correct as my list is not a current one. You can e-mail onboardeventservices@hollandamerica.com and they'll route your e-mail to the right person, I'm sure. Just start a little sooner than 30 days out to give them time to have the right person get back with you.

 

You'll receive a Word doc form in return which is easy to fill out; you'll ignore the items that they charge for as you don't need them. (Even if your group is large somebody on staff will hand you a mic if it's needed; don't order and pay for sound equipment; at least this has been my experience). Then you'll get a confirmation back from your ship services person and you can print or take it with you on a mobile app just in case. I've always had a note in the cabin when I arrived from whoever will be your onboard contact--beverage manager maybe, entertainment staff maybe) and you can introduce yourself accordingly if you want. They are very helpful. Sometimes the ship is in a position to offer you more than tea/coffee/cookies; you never know. And my experience has been that a lot of ship staff is likely to drop by unless you've scheduled your meeting for a time when they are all busy; i.e., sail-away, early in the morning (they have their own meetings!), mealtimes, etc.

[kazu]

Kazu's is right; you need to talk to HAL's Ship Services at least 30 days from cruise departure date. My list shows Jocelyn Larson as the person who handled the Oosterdam but that may not be correct as my list is not a current one. You can e-mail onboardeventservices@hollandamerica.com and they'll route your e-mail to the right person, I'm sure. Just start a little sooner than 30 days out to give them time to have the right person get back with you.

 

You'll receive a Word doc form in return which is easy to fill out; you'll ignore the items that they charge for as you don't need them. (Even if your group is large somebody on staff will hand you a mic if it's needed; don't order and pay for sound equipment; at least this has been my experience). Then you'll get a confirmation back from your ship services person and you can print or take it with you on a mobile app just in case. I've always had a note in the cabin when I arrived from whoever will be your onboard contact--beverage manager maybe, entertainment staff maybe) and you can introduce yourself accordingly if you want. They are very helpful. Sometimes the ship is in a position to offer you more than tea/coffee/cookies; you never know. And my experience has been that a lot of ship staff is likely to drop by unless you've scheduled your meeting for a time when they are all busy; i.e., sail-away, early in the morning (they have their own meetings!), mealtimes, etc.

 

I just call and they do the form ;) The first time I called as I had a question and they said they would take care of it. Now, when I call to arrange and confirm a good time they do it for me and just email me the form and confirmation;) Guess that makes me lazy - not sure:rolleyes::p

[curtdesilets]

Thanks For All Of Your Responses.

 

I think I'll take the lead for our roll call, but the unfortunate part is that only 6 members so far are on it. We may need a few more to make the party happen. :eek:

 

-Curtis (The OP)

[kazu]

Thanks For All Of Your Responses.

 

I think I'll take the lead for our roll call, but the unfortunate part is that only 6 members so far are on it. We may need a few more to make the party happen. :eek:

 

-Curtis (The OP)

 

that gives you 12 (assuming they are all couples) so you don't need many more;) It's the total number of people you will have.

 

If you do end up with that number you can arrange to get together on your own at a time and place that suits you all.

 

HAL is pretty flexible so with 20 (10 roll call members assuming they are all couples or a couple more roll call members if you have some singles), then you can have HAL do it no problem:)

 

Good for you taking the lead. :D Have a great cruise:D

[sherilyn70]

Even if you don't have a lot, if you post a clear time for your group to get together corporate may notice and still come to meet your group. I organized our gathering and never contacted anyone about it since it was a small group, but the beverage manager and one other office showed up to say hello. They knew our time and location and also that I was bringing name tags so we could identify each other. :)

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[superoma]

On our Christmas cruise on the Ryndam in December, Seattle did not let the ship know - at least that is what I was told afterwards.

 

When you get on board, take your confirmation letter to the front desk and just make sure they have you listed. We had our meeting, nice turnout, but no one from the ship showed, no water, juice, nothing. We were only about 12 so they put us in The Mix, but at 11 am that worked well, except for forgetting about us.

 

they apologized and offered to reschedule for us, but we had met and greeted and were OK. I just made them aware that there had been a miscommunication.

 

I have done several meet and greets and that is the first time that happened. So, the reconfirmation with the front desk was suggested by the front desk on the Ryndam, in order to prevent it from happening again.

 

I always enjoy meet and greets. be aware that even if you have a larger number sign on for the m & g you won't get the full number showing up. I also do name tags but because I never ask for cabin numbers, I don't do invitations.

[kazu]

On our Christmas cruise on the Ryndam in December, Seattle did not let the ship know - at least that is what I was told afterwards.

 

When you get on board, take your confirmation letter to the front desk and just make sure they have you listed. We had our meeting, nice turnout, but no one from the ship showed, no water, juice, nothing. We were only about 12 so they put us in The Mix, but at 11 am that worked well, except for forgetting about us.

 

they apologized and offered to reschedule for us, but we had met and greeted and were OK. I just made them aware that there had been a miscommunication.

 

I have done several meet and greets and that is the first time that happened. So, the reconfirmation with the front desk was suggested by the front desk on the Ryndam, in order to prevent it from happening again.

 

I always enjoy meet and greets. be aware that even if you have a larger number sign on for the m & g you won't get the full number showing up. I also do name tags but because I never ask for cabin numbers, I don't do invitations.

 

Good point. If I have the letter in my room with the contact # I just call and confirm. No letter and I go look for the arrangement. I have done that ever since one of my meet and greets was mucked up. They came to the table pretty fast and fixed it but it was embarrassing.

 

I usually have a really good turn out - I do invitations for the roll call and the key officers and staff on board (and name tags of course unless I have a name tag specialist on the roll call & then I lean on her;)). I ask the roll call to email me their cabin numbers (kept confidential and off the roll call) for delivery. If some choose not to - they don't get the invites.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I haven't gone to a Meet And Greet in a long time.

One time there was only about 8 of us. 7 of us met informally.

Another time on the Noordam one person made all the arrangements through HAL -- had the confirmation letter. There were around 80 of us -- they gave us the Crow's Nest. They had water, coffee, tea and cookies set up. Not one officer showed up.

[kazu]

I haven't gone to a Meet And Greet in a long time.

One time there was only about 8 of us. 7 of us met informally.

Another time on the Noordam one person made all the arrangements through HAL -- had the confirmation letter. There were around 80 of us -- they gave us the Crow's Nest. They had water, coffee, tea and cookies set up. Not one officer showed up.

 

There is no guarantee that an officer or officer(s) will come to the meet and greet. They have a number of priorities on board and if the meet and greet conflicts - they can't make it. Most of our meet and greets do have officers. If they can't come, there is usually the CD or the FCC.

 

I don't take the officers' or staff's attendance for granted at a meet and greet. Instead, I appreciate it if they can take the time from their busy schedules to come. Whether they come or not, a meet and greet is a great way to meet your roll call and always enjoyable IMO.:) I guess they are what you make out of them;)

[Spinner2]

I make up and print flyers about the meet/greet before I leave home; half-sheet to go to key staff (although most entertainment directors on board will put the event on the staff master calendar) and quarter-sheets for the roll call. I take the staff flyers to the front desk and together with the person helping me I write who to deliver them to (Captain, HM, DRM, party planner who apparently often like to be invited, CD, etc.; usually 10 or so; the front desk can guide you on this) and doing this does increase attendance it has seemed to me.

 

Then the roll call quarter-sheets; I just take my cabin number list and walk the ship which is excellent exercise and drop them into their mail slots. So much is going on those first couple of days; it's easy to not remember to come! An added bonus for me is we cruise often enough that I know many crew and I almost always run into some I know from previous cruises; they introduce me to their co-workers if any are around so now I know more; it's fun. Definitely an added bonus.

 

And you don't have to do any of this; I enjoy it, but everything will go just fine if you arrange with Seattle 30 days out, take your confirmation notice to the front desk if there's not an acknowledgement note in your cabin when you arrive, and remember to go yourself, a few minutes early because people will show up early!

 

I should mention that while most people on your roll call (if they say anything!) will just thank you for arranging the M/G, and others will mention that they enjoyed talking to officers who happen to attend as it's not likely they would get many other opportunities, there will probably be some who will tell you that you shouldn't have encouraged the officers to come; the roll call should just be for chatting among yourselves. You can't please everyone. There is no one model for what a Meet/Greet should be.

Edited June 16, 2014 by Spinner2

[Linda&Vern]

Since CC started limiting the Roll Call section to one-page per ship I've noticed that most of the time my cruises don't even show up, even though I know someone started a thread. I think the only way to find a Roll Call is if it is so active someone is always posting, so the sailing date never leaves the page.

[kazu]

I make up and print flyers about the meet/greet before I leave home; half-sheet to go to key staff (although most entertainment directors on board will put the event on the staff master calendar) and quarter-sheets for the roll call. I take the staff flyers to the front desk and together with the person helping me I write who to deliver them to (Captain, HM, DRM, party planner who apparently often like to be invited, CD, etc.; usually 10 or so; the front desk can guide you on this) and doing this does increase attendance it has seemed to me.

 

Then the roll call quarter-sheets; I just take my cabin number list and walk the ship which is excellent exercise and drop them into their mail slots. So much is going on those first couple of days; it's easy to not remember to come! An added bonus for me is we cruise often enough that I know many crew and I almost always run into some I know from previous cruises; they introduce me to their co-workers if any are around so now I know more; it's fun. Definitely an added bonus.

 

And you don't have to do any of this; I enjoy it, but everything will go just fine if you arrange with Seattle 30 days out, take your confirmation notice to the front desk if there's not an acknowledgement note in your cabin when you arrive, and remember to go yourself, a few minutes early because people will show up early!

 

I should mention that while most people on your roll call (if they say anything!) will just thank you for arranging the M/G, and others will mention that they enjoyed talking to officers who happen to attend as it's not likely they would get many other opportunities, there will probably be some who will tell you that you shouldn't have encouraged the officers to come; the roll call should just be for chatting among yourselves. You can't please everyone. There is no one model for what a Meet/Greet should be.

 

agree so much with this and well said. I do the invites to the key people and the roll call but I like the flyer idea :) You are absolutely right - you can't please everyone. You can only do the best you can do to put together the meet and greet and encourage participation.

 

Since CC started limiting the Roll Call section to one-page per ship I've noticed that most of the time my cruises don't even show up, even though I know someone started a thread. I think the only way to find a Roll Call is if it is so active someone is always posting, so the sailing date never leaves the page.

 

Suggestion Linda & Vern - if you keep your roll call in your subscribed threads you can access it and keep it going :D and bring it back on the front page:D

 

Best way to do it IMO. Ours never go off the front page thankfully but I have been to known to post on the odd occasion:p

[Spinner2]

Since CC started limiting the Roll Call section to one-page per ship

 

But that is disappointing re the single-page rule because many roll calls get started way out from the cruise and it will be some time before there are enough people to keep the thread going. Maybe we need to encourage roll-callers to subscribe (many don't, I know; never thought of it--don't know how, etc.) so all have access. A mention in the first post with simple instructions, by the OP?

 

Kazu, you and I would have fun, I think, running a meet/greet together!

 

And anyone contemplating doing this who wants suggestions, my e-mail is in the signature; just label with CC or Meet/Greet, something similar.

[DaveOKC]

Where are you all seeing only 1 page per roll call? I am on the Zuiderdam one and I can see 20 pages????

 

DaveOKC

[richwmn]

Since CC started limiting the Roll Call section to one-page per ship I've noticed that most of the time my cruises don't even show up, even though I know someone started a thread. I think the only way to find a Roll Call is if it is so active someone is always posting, so the sailing date never leaves the page.

 

Where are you all seeing only 1 page per roll call? I am on the Zuiderdam one and I can see 20 pages????

 

DaveOKC

 

It is not limiting to 1 page per roll call. If you look at the bottom of the page it shows "display options" and is most likely set to 1 month. That way only threads that have been active in the last month show up. You can change that to one day or one year if you wish.

 

In addition to making it a subscribed thread, you also now have (at the top of the roll call page) an option to search for your roll call

 

Rich

[kazu]

But that is disappointing re the single-page rule because many roll calls get started way out from the cruise and it will be some time before there are enough people to keep the thread going. Maybe we need to encourage roll-callers to subscribe (many don't, I know; never thought of it--don't know how, etc.) so all have access. A mention in the first post with simple instructions, by the OP?

 

Kazu, you and I would have fun, I think, running a meet/greet together!

 

And anyone contemplating doing this who wants suggestions, my e-mail is in the signature; just label with CC or Meet/Greet, something similar.

 

Marney - I KNOW we would have fun:D Both Marney's and my email are in our signatures and I add my willingness to help if it is of any benefit. I know Marney is happy to help since if memory serves she helped me with my first one :) Part of the fun of cruise critic is members who are happy to share their knowledge :)

 

To subscribe, just click the thread (thread options) and you get the option (if you are set up not to automatically subscribe to threads). Once you have it in your subscription list you can even sign up for instant email so that when someone posts on the roll call you are notified :) You can do instant, daily or weekly.

[Linda&Vern]

It is not limiting to 1 page per roll call. If you look at the bottom of the page it shows "display options" and is most likely set to 1 month. That way only threads that have been active in the last month show up. You can change that to one day or one year if you wish.

 

In addition to making it a subscribed thread, you also now have (at the top of the roll call page) an option to search for your roll call Rich

Thanks for the hint. I really had looked all over for some options - I just didn't scroll down far enough.:o Thanks for explaining.