Officers Attending the Meet and Greet?

[cruz chic]

A few ruined it for all? How do we know this? Maybe it's all the posters bragging about the "special" things they got. Maybe hal is cutting back on staff or needs officers to concentrate on more pressing issues. I'd love to see the proof that a few ruined it for all.

Edited June 15, 2015 by cruz chic

[Lizzie68]

I'd like to see that proof too. I haven't seen much bragging at all, to be honest. And I can certainly say that the officers who attended our get togethers on the Westerdam were relaxed and thoroughly enjoying themselves, not uncomfortable at all. In fact, they stuck around and didn't seem in a hurry to leave at all. If a few have ruined it, not fair to assume every gathering is the same.

[Wakepatrol]

A few ruined it for all? How do we know this? Maybe it's all the posters bragging about the "special" things they got. Maybe hal is cutting back on staff or needs officers to concentrate on more pressing issues. I'd love to see the proof that a few ruined it for all.

 

More pressing than CC members ?:eek::eek::eek::o:)

Edited June 15, 2015 by Wakepatrol

[cruz chic]

More pressing than CC members ?:eek::

 

Hard to believe, isn't it :D;)?

[Hlitner]

We have seen more then one cruiser take advantage of the presence of any Senior Officer to voice various complaints. In terms of Etiquette we think this is totally inappropriate, but unfortunately for many folks today the word "etiquette" has no meaning (just look at the discussions about dress codes). There is a time and place for most things and a social gathering is just not the appropriate time (or place) to voice your displeasure. There is a "pecking order" for cruise ship complaints (well known by most experienced cruisers) which usually starts with either Guest Relations, your steward, or perhaps a waiter. We have dined at the Captain's Table (with the Captain and other Senior Officers) and even in that setting have heard some folks voice complaints. At one table 2 intoxicated ladies started whining to a very polite Captain who managed to rescue himself by getting into a very long discussion with DW about the Amish (this was not on HAL). We later met that same Captain in another social setting (for cocktails) and I complemented him for how he handled that situation. He laughed and told me he was used to it and its why some of his colleagues in the industry do not dine with passengers. We only have 350 some days on HAL (nothing compared to many here on CC) but have never met any Senior Officer that was anything but polite. Wish we could say the same for all the passengers.

 

As to HAL, DW reminds me an incident. We were on a Grand Cruise (Prinsendam) where Captain Gundersen decided to invite every 4-5 Star Mariner to his cabin for Cocktails. Since there were over 350 of us on that cruise (62 days) he invited small groups (12-15 to his cabin) over the 2 month cruise. When we went we were ushered into his spacious cabin which had a large central room where we had a formal cocktail party. One of the passengers started walking around the room opening all the closed doors until the Captain finally stopped her with "that is my private cabin." Go figure.

 

Hank

Edited June 15, 2015 by Hlitner

[chefestelle]

Wow.

[hrhdhd]

<snip>

 

At the same time, I feel a little uneasy at the post(s) suggesting officers don't need to have a presence at any of these events. For the navigational officers, perhaps this is true -- but for those involved in passenger satisfaction (hotel, food and beverage), I'd think they are missing out on opportunities to hear from passengers on the good AND the bad.

 

Although it is unpleasant to hear complaints, when the complaints tend to be repeated cruise after cruise by different passengers, perhaps it is a real issue and needs to be addressed.

 

<snip>

 

I agree with you. In fact, at many of the M&Gs I have attended, the ship's personnel invite passengers to share their feedback, good or bad. I don't think it's rude to provide comments, politely of course, when they are solicited.

[sapper1]

We have seen more then one cruiser take advantage of the presence of any Senior Officer to voice various complaints. In terms of Etiquette we think this is totally inappropriate, but unfortunately for many folks today the word "etiquette" has no meaning (just look at the discussions about dress codes). There is a time and place for most things and a social gathering is just not the appropriate time (or place) to voice your displeasure. There is a "pecking order" for cruise ship complaints (well known by most experienced cruisers) which usually starts with either Guest Relations, your steward, or perhaps a waiter. We have dined at the Captain's Table (with the Captain and other Senior Officers) and even in that setting have heard some folks voice complaints. At one table 2 intoxicated ladies started whining to a very polite Captain who managed to rescue himself by getting into a very long discussion with DW about the Amish (this was not on HAL). We later met that same Captain in another social setting (for cocktails) and I complemented him for how he handled that situation. He laughed and told me he was used to it and its why some of his colleagues in the industry do not dine with passengers. We only have 350 some days on HAL (nothing compared to many here on CC) but have never met any Senior Officer that was anything but polite. Wish we could say the same for all the passengers.

 

As to HAL, DW reminds me an incident. We were on a Grand Cruise (Prinsendam) where Captain Gundersen decided to invite every 4-5 Star Mariner to his cabin for Cocktails. Since there were over 350 of us on that cruise (62 days) he invited small groups (12-15 to his cabin) over the 2 month cruise. When we went we were ushered into his spacious cabin which had a large central room where we had a formal cocktail party. One of the passengers started walking around the room opening all the closed doors until the Captain finally stopped her with "that is my private cabin." Go figure.

 

Hank

I agree with you completely. There is a time and place to voice complaints and a social situation is not one of them.

 

Wow on the snoopy passenger.

[serendipity1499]

I agree with you completely. There is a time and place to voice complaints and a social situation is not one of them.

 

Wow on the snoopy passenger.

 

Hank I too agree with you completely & my comment would be the same as Sapper's.. Wow!

Edited June 16, 2015 by serendipity1499

[Cruzin Terri]

I know that I brought up what happened on a recent M&G I attended and I was quite unhappy about it.

However let us not forget that HAL has a new president and I think Mr. Ashford has many more changes in store besides not allowing senior officer attending Meet and Greets.

He is all about change and saving money and running corporations more efficiently. It's not about the passengers, it's about the almighty dollar.

This is just the beginning.

Terri

[rkacruiser]

I know that I brought up what happened on a recent M&G I attended and I was quite unhappy about it.

However let us not forget that HAL has a new president and I think Mr. Ashford has many more changes in store besides not allowing senior officer attending Meet and Greets.

He is all about change and saving money and running corporations more efficiently. It's not about the passengers, it's about the almighty dollar.

This is just the beginning.

Terri

 

I hope you are wrong. If the new focus is the almighty dollar, management needs to consider who supplies those almighty dollars.

 

If my almighty dollar is no longer appreciated or deserved by the company where I am trying to spend it, I will go elsewhere.

[cruz chic]

I hope you are wrong. If the new focus is the almighty dollar, management needs to consider who supplies those almighty dollars.

 

If my almighty dollar is no longer appreciated or deserved by the company where I am trying to spend it, I will go elsewhere.

 

That's the thing. If a product is unacceptable most people will go elsewhere.

[Cruzin Terri]

I hope you are wrong. If the new focus is the almighty dollar, management needs to consider who supplies those almighty dollars.

 

If my almighty dollar is no longer appreciated or deserved by the company where I am trying to spend it, I will go elsewhere.

 

I hope I am wrong too. But my gut tells me I am not.

 

I will be on a HAL cruise in less than a month. I don't have another booked. We will see after this one.

 

I'm a 4* Mariner and have been very loyal to HAL. I would like to remain so, but have been somewhat disillusioned of late.

Terri

Edited June 16, 2015 by Cruzin Terri

[ger_77]

I've organized Meet & Greets for the past number of cruises and never have we had anyone attack the officers who have been kind enough to take the time from their schedules to attend. Prior to their arrival, I wandered among the assembled (the largest close to 90) and reminded people if they had a complaint or an issue, they discuss it in the privacy of an office, or through a letter, not in a public forum such as a M & G. Thankfully people have been mindful of their manners, and enjoyed the time the officers were able to spend with us. I'd be mortified if people started airing all their dirty laundry with officers and would do my utmost to shut it down as soon as posssible. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[SunLakesBob]

I know that I brought up what happened on a recent M&G I attended and I was quite unhappy about it.

However let us not forget that HAL has a new president and I think Mr. Ashford has many more changes in store besides not allowing senior officer attending Meet and Greets.

He is all about change and saving money and running corporations more efficiently. It's not about the passengers, it's about the almighty dollar.

This is just the beginning.

Terri

 

As I was a turn around specialist - brought in to turn struggling businesses around. You can save money AND increase customer service and food quality. It depends on where you place the emphasis. As we are not part of his management team, we can only guess or we can wait to see what the update product will be. Then we can discuss based on facts and not our feelings.

[Kooolmomma]

I just checked my meet and greet confirmation for my upcoming cruise and it shows that the officers and staff are invited.

 

I wonder if that wording is to avoid disappointment as sometimes they can't come and sometimes they choose not to come (Terri's example).

 

We were on the Westerdam for 20 days (April 11 - May 1st, 2015) and had two meet and greets. We had a slew of officers, Executive Chef, HD, CD, Captain, Guest Relations, Cellar Master, the list just went on.

 

I was furiously writing names to try to get everyone a thank you card.

 

Our Captain was greeted with cheers (we were the Sail a Way Gang after all and he is the Sail a Way hero).

 

We were thrilled to have them there and it added to the occasion.

 

I don't ask my ship co-ordinator for the names. If they aren't readily available here, I just wait until I am onboard and then address my envelopes for my invitations for them.

 

If they can come great and if they can't, that's totally understandable too as they do have other things to do.

 

It is also possible that this is going to vary by ship and the ship's officers on board. Time will tell

 

I agree with Jacqui--I just wait to get on board and ask for names at the front desk and get the invitations and thank you notes with the list given me. If the officers come, that's great, if not, we understand.

Mary Lou

[cbr663]

I agree with Jacqui--I just wait to get on board and ask for names at the front desk and get the invitations and thank you notes with the list given me. If the officers come, that's great, if not, we understand.

Mary Lou

 

I think that the point of this thread is that waiting to get on board and inviting them is a waste of time now as HAL has ordered officers not to attend any CC M&Gs.

[POA1]

I think that the point of this thread is that waiting to get on board and inviting them is a waste of time now as HAL has ordered officers not to attend any CC M&Gs.

Listen... Hate to be rude, but do you have any proof that "HAL has ordered officers not to attend any [Cruise Critic Meet & Greets]?

 

I understand that there's anecdotal evidence that indicates that you can't get the ship coordinator to commit to having them attend; but that's quite a different thing than an order of prohibition.

[Kooolmomma]

I think that the point of this thread is that waiting to get on board and inviting them is a waste of time now as HAL has ordered officers not to attend any CC M&Gs.

 

I totally disagree with you! Some coordinators are complete jerks, I have encountered a few. I have never had any trouble having a successful M & G doing it the way I suggested. Last ones (5) total this past spring!

 

Mary Lou

[kazu]

Listen... Hate to be rude, but do you have any proof that "HAL has ordered officers not to attend any [Cruise Critic Meet & Greets]?

 

I understand that there's anecdotal evidence that indicates that you can't get the ship coordinator to commit to having them attend; but that's quite a different thing than an order of prohibition.

 

 

Well, from what I saw on the closed thread a CC member said they were told by the Events Co-ordinator that HAL had mandated that Crew NOT attend.

 

While that might be true it has also been my experience that not all ships follow the "rules".

 

I think if a Captain or HD enjoys this kind of stuff or a lively roll call they may still attend.

 

 

I guess time will tell.

 

Either way, we've had some great roll calls and meet and greets and I am sure we will continue to do so :)

Edited June 16, 2015 by kazu

[SunLakesBob]

I totally disagree with you! Some coordinators are complete jerks, I have encountered a few. I have never had any trouble having a successful M & G doing it the way I suggested. Last ones (5) total this past spring!

 

Mary Lou

 

The worse thing they can do is not attend. If we don't invite them, we will never know.

[sail7seas]

The worse thing they can do is not attend. If we don't invite them, we will never know.

 

^^ This.

 

[Wakepatrol]

Crew got to choose between Meet & Greet and

 

[Gypsy025]

I have been sitting on the sidelines and reading this thread and amazed at some members statements. I would suggest that everyone read (as many as you can) the many frequent replies and comments from "Bruce Muzz" on CC. The link is below, if this doesn't work, try doing a "Search: Posts Made by Bruce Muzz"

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php?searchid=72806192

 

It is obvious that this is not his real name, but from reading most of his input, it would appear to me that he is/was a Hotel Manager for a number of cruise lines and on numerous ships for more than 20 years....and...before that worked in the hotel business. He is very frank, certainly not shy, holds nothing back and calls a spade a spade. He gives a real incite from the 'other side'.

[cruz chic]

I have been sitting on the sidelines and reading this thread and amazed at some members statements. I would suggest that everyone read (as many as you can) the many frequent replies and comments from "Bruce Muzz" on CC. The link is below, if this doesn't work, try doing a "Search: Posts Made by Bruce Muzz"

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php?searchid=72806192

 

It is obvious that this is not his real name, but from reading most of his input, it would appear to me that he is/was a Hotel Manager for a number of cruise lines and on numerous ships for more than 20 years....and...before that worked in the hotel business. He is very frank, certainly not shy, holds nothing back and calls a spade a spade. He gives a real incite from the 'other side'.

 

I like to take the posts with a grain of salt in some cases. Some of the posts are so outlandish I find myself asking questions which don't get answered to my satisfaction. I think we need to understand that everyone on this board can claim to be whatever. There is another poster on this board that provides ship information more accurately and has disputed some comments that have been made. I can't recall the posters "name" right now.