Are folks losing interest in Meet & Mingle Roll Calls?

[1ParticularHbr]

First off, forgive me if this is something that has been discussed in the past. Is it just me (and the itineraries I sail) or does it seem that the M&M roll call threads are declining in popularity? When I first joined, roll calls were hopping and were great places to get acquainted pre-cruise and arrange shared shore excursions but lately they've been very slow. Do most people now just hop on this RCI board for questions/news and just skip the roll calls? Discuss.....

[Clarea]

Depends on the type of cruise.

 

For 3/4 day cruises, roll call participation is almost non-existent.

 

Typical 7-day Caribbean cruises get some more action, but not what it was 7-8 years ago,

 

However, unusual cruises, like transatlantics, transpacifics, re-positioning, seem to be as popular as ever.

[squadron]

First off, forgive me if this is something that has been discussed in the past. Is it just me (and the itineraries I sail) or does it seem that the M&M roll call threads are declining in popularity? When I first joined, roll calls were hopping and were great places to get acquainted pre-cruise and arrange shared shore excursions but lately they've been very slow. Do most people now just hop on this RCI board for questions/news and just skip the roll calls? Discuss.....

 

Did Jewel Feb 26 for 10 days. Had very active M and M - one person in particular did a lot of work to organize several activities after - pub crawl, cabin crawl, slot pull, mini golf Had a large turn out at meeting.

[Paulette3028]

Did Jewel Feb 26 for 10 days. Had very active M and M - one person in particular did a lot of work to organize several activities after - pub crawl, cabin crawl, slot pull, mini golf Had a large turn out at meeting.

 

What is a pub crawl?

[lindsyh]

What is a pub crawl?

 

It's when people meet up for drinks at one pub/bar and then move on as a group to the next pub for another drink. Not sure about pub crawls on cruises, but they usually have themes for the attire.

[BILL-WI]

I think the popularity of CC in general has decreased in the last few years. There are so many social media platforms out there and I think it has diluted the CC base. too bad!:(

 

BILL

[preschool teacher]

Even if there are not so many people on the roll call....it is what the people make it to be.....small groups can be great too.

[rubrrick]

I think the popularity of CC in general has decreased in the last few years. There are so many social media platforms out there and I think it has diluted the CC base. too bad!:(

 

BILL

 

Bill, you are quite right. The M&M's start with Cruise Critic, and in the past few years, CC has come up with new rules regarding social media, and is not as highly thought of today. Also, some of the "old timers" that were so good with information, that was spot on, sadly have passed away.

 

On board, unless we are doing a TA, or other longer cruise, we still attend the M&M's to support them, but they are definitely declining in attendance, and the social style of today is not what it was some years ago.

 

Times have changed, and what was really good at one point in the past, is now not nearly as fun at it once was!!

 

Pax vobiscum!!:)

 

Rick

[KirkNC]

I think it just depends on the cruise. Longer cruises tend to be more active due to independent shore excursions. I just recently read a HAL thread where they had 170 signed up for a M&G :eek:.

[Truluv]

Agree with 1ParticularHBr, Bill-Wi and others. I only check in when I have an upcoming cruise or am planning a trip (hard to believe I registered here in 2002). There are fewer posters now than there were years ago, if you don't count regulars with huge numbers of posts. Same with the Meet N Mingles. I was surprised at how few cruisers seem to be registering for them now, when you consider the number of passengers on the ships. The numbers seem to drop off every year.

 

I understand why people may not want to go to the meetings onboard just to win a key chain, especially if it means missing another activity. On the other hand, it can be fun to compare notes and plans before the cruise, or to put faces to names. Last year I didn't receive a Meet N Mingle invitation in my cabin, so RCL took the choice away from me!

Edited April 5, 2016 by Truluv

[Spurschick]

I think it also depends on the time it is scheduled for. Our last m&m was 10:15 am immediately before welcome back. It felt a bit rushed but we met some great people.

[crisndeefromde]

I think a lot of it has to do with people shying away from the boards in general. The nasty posts are out of hand and the moderators don't seem to stay on top of doing their jobs like they used to or need help. I enjoy going to our meet and mingles. Have met some fantastic members there and its great to put a face to a name. I had a meet and mingle several years ago on the Adventure that was packed....when the activities director asked if anyone had questions....number one question.....who is Bob? we would love to meet him if he is here in attendance...and he sure was...it was awesome to meet a gentleman that has answered so many of our questions...yes over and over but hey we learn that way! What a great guy! I think social media has allowed for better interaction perhaps but I know there is craziness on some of the boards I follow for cruising too. Happy cruising!!

[SI Cruiser]

M&M is primarily a female senior citizen event just like CC. The ladies love the little trinkets that the cruise line provides. The men prefer spending sea days in the casino or the bar.

[tserface]

Our roll call for next month's cruise gas been very active and I'm looking forward to the face to face meeting. We have over 130 people signed up for the party.

 

Tom

Edited April 5, 2016 by tserface

[tserface]

I'm a man and I hate the casino. I can't breath in there!

 

Tom

 

M&M is primarily a female senior citizen event just like CC. The ladies love the little trinkets that the cruise line provides. The men prefer spending sea days in the casino or the bar.

[gaylemh]

I have been on very active roll calls, with plans to meet at sail away. There would be upwards of 50 people planning to meet, when in reality we were lucky if 5 showed up.

 

As far as the M & M on the ship, it is normally scheduled around 9 - 9:30 on any of the ships I have been on. Most people don't want to rush or they want to sleep in the first morning of a cruise. Any of the recent ones I've been to they raffle off a couple of cheap trinkets, and as soon as it's over everyone runs out. There is no mingling.

[richstowe]

Depends on the type of cruise.

 

For 3/4 day cruises, roll call participation is almost non-existent.

 

Typical 7-day Caribbean cruises get some more action, but not what it was 7-8 years ago,

 

However, unusual cruises, like transatlantics, transpacifics, re-positioning, seem to be as popular as ever.

I think it just depends on the cruise. Longer cruises tend to be more active due to independent shore excursions. I just recently read a HAL thread where they had 170 signed up for a M&G :eek:.

I agree 100% . By far my most active roll call and biggest M&G was for a Med cruise .

It was all about setting up independent tours with our fellow CCers .

 

M&M is primarily a female senior citizen event just like CC. The ladies love the little trinkets that the cruise line provides. The men prefer spending sea days in the casino or the bar.

Wow . It's not too often where you read a completely original post . Congratulations ?

[rubrrick]

I have been on very active roll calls, with plans to meet at sail away. There would be upwards of 50 people planning to meet, when in reality we were lucky if 5 showed up.

 

As far as the M & M on the ship, it is normally scheduled around 9 - 9:30 on any of the ships I have been on. Most people don't want to rush or they want to sleep in the first morning of a cruise. Any of the recent ones I've been to they raffle off a couple of cheap trinkets, and as soon as it's over everyone runs out. There is no mingling.

 

Thank you gaylemh! This is what I'm talking about, and the fact that it is hard to even meet someone that you have corresponded with on CC....half the time they don't show up.

 

Time for me to go back to my lurking.:D

 

Rick

[PompeySailor]

We had 96 signed up for a recent M&M, only 25 showed up that day

from a very active roll call that was going for 20 months:eek:

 

Time of day can factor into why so many choose not to attend with other events going on.

 

It had been arranged on our roll call to all meet up at the pool bar on embarkation day, many more showed up for this and was a really cool way of getting to know everyone.

Drinks were flowing, sun was shining, music playing:)

 

Green beads!

[Virtopia]

I've noticed this as well. The roll call for my upcoming cruise is probably the worse I've experienced ... heck, the one just started for my sailing next Dec has more activity.

 

I was really hoping for my upcoming one to be more active as it will be my first time in Europe and I was hoping to book some group tours. There's been mention of 2 tours, but more than likely I'll have to book the others independently.

[CanadaRob]

Some good points so far in this thread. Meet n mingles have to have everybody involved to make it with anything. To actually get up and say who you are and where you're from helps to break the ice and gets people talking after.

The informal sail aways can be great too if there is a little organization into it. Someone has to take point on that in the roll call and say we are meeting at the sky bar or schooner or wherever and look for me I'll be with this person wearing xx and come say Hi!

[Goodtime Cruizin]

As said earlier, there is no mingling. There's no creative attempt(s) by RCCL to ensure mingling either. It's pretty much a waste of time. I'll sign up for the Roll Call, but I'm not too sure we'll be attending the M&Ms any longer.

[Oak Hill Cruisers]

On our recent B2B2B, we had gift exchanges after the M&Ms, which were fun for those who partook.

 

Also, the day before we embarked on the first leg of the B2B2B in Singapore, about a dozen of the M&M folks met at a food court for drinks & eats. Great fun.

[Clarea]

As said earlier, there is no mingling. There's no creative attempt(s) by RCCL to ensure mingling either. It's pretty much a waste of time. I'll sign up for the Roll Call, but I'm not too sure we'll be attending the M&Ms any longer.

We have had much more mingling (and fun) on our informal M&M's on embarkation day. I would not miss the formal M&M hosted by the cruise line if it was discontinued.

Edited April 5, 2016 by clarea

[kalliekae]

I have been on very active roll calls, with plans to meet at sail away. There would be upwards of 50 people planning to meet, when in reality we were lucky if 5 showed up.

 

As far as the M & M on the ship, it is normally scheduled around 9 - 9:30 on any of the ships I have been on. Most people don't want to rush or they want to sleep in the first morning of a cruise. Any of the recent ones I've been to they raffle off a couple of cheap trinkets, and as soon as it's over everyone runs out. There is no mingling.

 

This is exactly what happened on our M&M. I was disappointed since I was looking forward to meeting people. There was no mingling and the cruise staff had no enthusiasm. It was obvious that the staff wanted it over quickly. I won't bother attending another one.