Are folks losing interest in Meet & Mingle Roll Calls?

[hancock]

I join the roll calls of my cruises. Enjoying sharing info and learn from other cruisers. That being said, I have two observations. Occasionally, I find that a roll call will become too organized by someone who seems to take over all discussions. That turns me off. I have also observed that the M&M on the ship is often taken over by the staff member so that we have little opportunity to mingle and get to know one another. This negates the purpose of the M&M.

[BillOh]

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

 

You maybe, are probably, likely correct. When the cruise related groups started popping up on Facebook there was a lot of talk there about this place being toxic and confrontational. There was some truth to it, but you have to realize several things. Among them there are over 1 million registered users here, and probably a huge number of active users. The election of 1980 taught me the term vocal minority. The loudest are always the most accurate, or best in any terms. You learn to filter those out. (by using the ignore feature, or learning to just let it go. I am starting to see the same things on Facebook so I expect to see people migrate back. The 1000 people in those groups will get tired of answering what night is formal night for the 1000th time.

 

Also while I'm not allowed to talk about the moderation of this forum, it is somewhat organized in a manner conducive to continued dialog. On Facebook, and probably other areas I haven't looked anyone can start a group and be a moderator. I got kicked out of one facebook group for advising the people in the roll call there that they were posting their names, and hometowns and when they were out of town and it wasn't hard to find their home addresses.

[Missus Makkem]

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.

 

Why dont you just stir it up?

[BillOh]

 

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.!

 

This maybe one of those questions with multiple correct answers. Most times I see nothing else of consequence going on at the same time as the CC M&M, but in 2013 on Allure they had a Crown and Anchor welcome back event at the same time.

[Half Pint]

I have never looked at the roll call forum for any of our cruises. DH and I vacation to spend time with each other away from our everyday life and while we are friendly to others, we aren't interested in socializing with strangers beyond a few minutes at a time.

[BillOh]

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.

 

300 posts in 13 years, seems like you make up your mind about things pretty quick.

[BillOh]

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.

 

I have been in ones like that. (My 2011 Allure cruise), but my 2013 Allure cruise was the exact opposite. In fact I mentioned it in my 2013 cruise and people made a real effort. A lot of times the people in the roll call can help determine the success of the M&M, when Royal doesn't sabotage the person who started it by changing the time and not telling him! :mad:

[Wanderista]

This board was recommended by a smaller travel board as the place to go for cruising information. I started kicking around the idea of a cruise to Bermuda and here I am. I'm around 30. I never thought about cruising when I was younger because of bad stereotypes mostly related to college Spring Breakers. Now that I'm safely away from that demographic myself, I am interested in trying something new.

 

This board is definitely a great resource and has answered a lot of my questions as I figure the whole thing out. Now I'm excited and it's good to have an outlet for the excitement. I honestly have no clue what my vacation plans next year will be. I am guessing that I'll have a great time on this cruise and will be very willing to cruise again but I will be open to other options as well. Maybe I'll do a New England cruise or maybe I'll fly to Iceland. I'm not used to booking travel plans far in advance as the norm seems to be for cruising. A few months early is more usual for me though if I want another cruise, I will look earlier than I do for flights.

 

There's no Roll Call for my sailing (though there are for nearly every other sailing on the ship lol). I have no clue who will be on my cruise but I'll see how it goes. I've lived in Europe and I speak French, a little Italian and a little German, so I do enjoy meeting some Europeans if that is who it turns out to be.

 

We're going on an RCI excursion/tour so I'm sure I'll meet some people that way. We also have traditional dining, so we might meet some tablemates. I would have been willing to join a private tour if I'd had an active Roll Call, but it's no big deal. I am finding the board to be helpful anyway.

[Paulette3028]

I joined CC in 2013 probably right before we sailed on Jewel. My DH found it and thought it would be an interesting way to get to know more about cruising. At that point we were already cruising for awhile. We signed up for the M&M and figured we'd go....I LOVE meeting people, any way I can.

 

It was fun -- great attendance.....but also great energy from cruise staff that attended. Elvis the Activity Manager was in charge and it was a blast. He made sure it was a mingle event. Unfortunately he set a very high bar, for those who would represent the cruise line for me in the future at an M&M.

 

Now, I have learned that the best way for ME (just speaking of ME and DH) to get the most out of our Roll Call and its M&M is to be a serious participant in the Roll Call.

 

Through our Allure roll call we met a couple that we met the night before our sailing and then had dinner with them all week.....great fun and have become good friends.

 

Proof of that was our Independence roll call. It really seemed like a very pushy guy was overly trying to control the roll call. I softly put in some of my own thoughts, questions etc. The more I did that the more 'open' and fun the roll call became. It takes input from people, whether a large group or small to give the roll call a 'personality'.

 

The actual M&M was outstanding. Amy Tripp who was the AM that ran it, but she handed the microphone over to the cruisers after the first few minutes and said she never saw such a fun group before.

 

With other outlets in social media that have taken up some of the space, it may take more effort than years before.....but it can work out well.

 

Now, I make sure to organize an embarkation day get together at the SkyBar. Everyone knows what I will be wearing......and the socializing starts. This can get done for a short or long cruise, whether there is a formal M&M or not.

 

The old lament remains the same....you will get out of something in direct proportion to what you put into it.

[sellwingri]

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.

 

This Post is the most sexist one I've ever read!! You had to have posted it as a joke right?? No one really believes this, do they?

[BillOh]

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.

 

I can largely agree with this, but can blame both the roll call and the royal crew. Though its clear to me Royal doesn't care if these events happen or not and the crew they sen wants to get back to their routine as soon as possible. (Though Elvis the then Activities Director on Jewel and soon to be CD on Empress made a real effort) If there is no mingling because nobody is getting up and doing so your 49.9% of the problem :) Sometimes you can't fight city hall. For me, I started the last 3 Meet and Mingles that I tried to attend, so I did a lot to keep the conversation going and keep the interest up. I know for my next cruise there are at least 2 "famous" CC members I have read a lot of posts from and I already know about a few others I look forward to meeting. I encourage people to posts pics of themselves in our roll calls to facilitate the mingling.

[BecciBoo]

It depends who's on your cruise....if you have some of us that live to cruise and are very enthusiastic, the roll call will be so.

 

As fir M&M I used to help organize functions. I once set up a Duct Tape contest and it went over very well, gift exchange, etc. These types of events help people to mingle, but if no one takes the lead, then not much happens. But I'm getting older, been there done that....now I don't even think about it, haven't been to one for a couple cruises. In fact my next cruise is with family (18 peeps), so I know I will not have time to attend M&M so I didn't even sign up for it.

 

Roll call is another story, I always stay active on them. Helps to share and get excited with others on my cruise. The closer to the cruise, the more I'm on CC. Some times of the year I may check CC once a week or even once a month...right now, 2 weeks out, I'm on here several times a day:eek: But after 22 M&Ms, I can live without them. I think they are more for new cruisers. But Mcat is right, so much has changed in how we communicate and interact with the adent of social media...now we don't hardly talk on the phone anymore, just text.....:rolleyes:

Edited April 5, 2016 by BecciBoo

[BillOh]

This is an interesting thread. This is my first meet n mingle and I can honestly say the lack of integration with other social media options is a real blocker.

 

Not Being allowed to share messages on other social media has really slowed things down for me at least. My only other cruise a few years ago, there was also a closed private FB group that was really active and fun prior to the cruise. In fact many of us are still in contact, and have holidays together a few times since.

 

Sadly, cc and this type of board just doesn't make it easier enough to interact with potential friends of the future. I did write to the admin about the rules regarding sharing FB but had no response. Disappointing really.

 

But as in all things you get out what you put in, so I am making that effort to get to know a few folks in our m n m before we sail.

 

 

How old are you? I don't know that I agree, but that doesn't mean I'm right and your wrong. I'll be the first to admit younger newer people think differently from me as I become that "get the hell off my lawn" guy around home. ;)

 

There is a certain paragraph above I agree with , but were not even allowed to talk about it.

Edited April 5, 2016 by BillOh

[Disneycruisers]

Not Being allowed to share messages on other social media has really slowed things down for me at least. My only other cruise a few years ago, there was also a closed private FB group that was really active and fun prior to the cruise. In fact many of us are still in contact, and have holidays together a few times since.

 

 

Thank you! This is SO TRUE!

 

I know we can't mention the social media site, but my family and I are still in touch with at least 10 families whom we met NOT from THIS forum, but from links that were provided here (and on the DISboards forums, same link.)

[BillOh]

This has happened to us twice. We never got the invitations to our cabin - and therefore did not attend. That's sad, although some of the M&M have been kind of awkward. Or maybe it is just me and my language barrier.

 

Its also happened to me twice once in 2013 and once in 2015. In 2013 I was so involved with that roll call that I knew of the event and in 2015, not only did I not get the invite, they moved the event up 30minutes!

[BillOh]

+1.

 

Their board; their rules. I had a post vanish on me because I posted a link to a group page on another social platform. I guess I didn't read the rules carefully enough. Again, no disrespect to the CC team - their board; their rules. I'll respect them.

 

I will argue, however, that not allowing the cross pollination hinders the overall product. There are two sides to that position and the CC admins are encamped on the other side. The beautiful thing about free enterprise is that you can simply wait and let the market decide.

 

All that said, I'm still here. There's still intrinsic value in the knowledge base and when I meet people that are new to cruising, this is one of the places I still encourage them to visit. What I've noticed over the past handful of years are three things:

 

1. People migrate here for the knowledge base. The depth of knowledge is amazing and there are some great folks here that are willing to offer their experiences with respect to all things cruising.
   
2. People are migrating elsewhere for targeted cruise groups.
   
3. M&M, as currently implemented by RCL, is a dying dinosaur. The format offers a meeting time that not many desire, the meeting is poorly attended and of those that do attend, there are a number of people that simply don't network well. It's almost as if they didn't mingle much pre cruise so they become wall flowers.
   

 

I don't know I agree 100%, but this is a well thought out post.

[BillOh]

I think these boards can be very intimidating, particularly if you are new.

 

This is an excellent point and at least in the roll calls I and several others try to make a point to welcome people and let them know its ok if we have heard that question 100 times before. :D

 

Out on the main boards though there are a few people who are on my ignore list who seem to read every thread with the intention of saying nothing more than, "That has already been asked, use the search feature" or something even less helpful.

[susancruzs]

I travel by myself, enjoy the commenting back and forth before cruises on the roll call pages. Everyone is different, some people are more cautious and don't want to share. I don't have a problem with it, never felt intimidated, or not safe, I don't get that part.

 

I've been traveling by myself over 30 years, 25+ cruises some with friends, some not and I like the meet and greet but fine on my own. I do traditional dining and except for one time years ago, have always met super people. I usually end up doing things with table mates during the cruise, or at least stopping to chat, or have a drink before dinner.

 

I'm very friendly and outgoing, some people respond well to this, others not so much. I can tell when people are reserved, quieter and I try to leave them alone! :)

Edited April 5, 2016 by susancruzs

[yj2cute]

How old are you? I don't know that I agree, but that doesn't mean I'm right and your wrong. I'll be the first to admit younger newer people think differently from me as I become that "get the hell off my lawn" guy around home. ;)

 

There is a certain paragraph above I agree with , but were not even allowed to talk about it.

 

I'm with you, Bill. I think the newer, younger cruisers, who are extremely active on other social media, think CC is a dinosaur. They can't live without checking their FB, T-----r, In------m or s------t account 5000 times a day. But I still prefer CC over a FB group. Many others on that site say the interface of CC is difficult to navigate. I don't get that complaint. I find it very easy to navigate, but I guess I'm used to it after 16 years. It is as it is with many things in life, a generational issue.

Edited April 5, 2016 by yj2cute

[Paulette3028]

It depends who's on your cruise....if you have some of us that live to cruise and are very enthusiastic, the roll call will be so.

 

As fir M&M I used to help organize functions. I once set up a Duct Tape contest and it went over very well, gift exchange, etc. These types of events help people to mingle, but if no one takes the lead, then not much happens. But I'm getting older, been there done that....now I don't even think about it, haven't been to one for a couple cruises. In fact my next cruise is with family (18 peeps), so I know I will not have time to attend M&M so I didn't even sign up for it.

 

Roll call is another story, I always stay active on them. Helps to share and get excited with others on my cruise. The closer to the cruise, the more I'm on CC. Some times of the year I may check CC once a week or even once a month...right now, 2 weeks out, I'm on here several times a day:eek: But after 22 M&Ms, I can live without them. I think they are more for new cruisers. But Mcat is right, so much has changed in how we communicate and interact with the adent of social media...now we don't hardly talk on the phone anymore, just text.....:rolleyes:

 

I have learned today what a Pub Crawl is.....now please let me know what a Duct Tape Contest is?

 

I should have figured out by myself what a Pub Crawl was....but if I leave it to my own thoughts as to what a Duct Tape Contest is....serious strange thoughts could occur. (LOL)

[bigque]

I believe that even though there are a lot of folks here a lot of them just lurk and don't post anything. A lot of people have found and moved on to other social media sites of like minded cruisers where they don't have to deal with all the craziness of constant negativity and bashing! People have left that here and have moved on!

[CRUISEFAN0001]

I'm with you, Bill. I think the newer, younger cruisers, who are extremely active on other social media, think CC is a dinosaur. They can't live without checking their FB, T-----r, In------m or s------t account 5000 times a day. But I still prefer CC over a FB group. Many others on that site say the interface of CC is difficult to navigate. I don't get that complaint. I find it very easy to navigate, but I guess I'm used to it after 16 years. It is as it is with many things in life, a generational issue.

Pretty much agree with that.

 

Millennials in particular prefer texting and social media over verbal communications.

 

Between having 4 employees in that group and a couple kids...they all jump at a text message but rarely respond to a phone call.

 

CC is a legacy user interface...so without all the icon-based pizazz found elsewhere online...yeah...its a dinosaur in comparison.

 

We are just fine with things as they are (although lack of a "like" button is definitely out of touch with most newer websites).

[Charger2008]

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.

 

No sure what you would consider senior citizen; however, this 54 year old female prefers to be on the Flowrider :D While we have attended a meet and mingle or two, we can normally be found either flowboarding or at the Solarium :)

 

Trinkets - AAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA, good one ;)

[The_Big_M]

After registering and getting email confirmation, several of us on Liberty of the Seas 3-13-16 sailing never got our invitations delivered to our staterooms. It wasn't overlooked in other handouts. We have gotten one every year in the last 7 years until this ship

So that is why some were "no show".

 

It's weird how often these invites are going missing...

 

Mass market flyers don't seem to. Is it only the custom paperwork?

[Ryansdaddy]

My wife and I are in our 30's and 40's. We signed up for the roll call but passed on the meet and mingle. It's our first cruise and we just felt it may get in the way with other activities we want to try and do while on the ship. We are outgoing and can pretty much talk to anyone it just didn't seem as much fun to us. Some of the older posts regarding M&M really turned us off as well.

 

Honestly too it just seemed like a lot of the attendee's weren't necessarily in our age group as well. Not that's a bad thing either. I'm just trying to throw out some perspective from a younger cruiser so please don't flame me. I think younger cruisers are looking for more young cruisers to hang out with to feel more comfortable with the vacation. (Again just an opinion on why the M&M's aren't as well attended--please don't kill me! I'd have a beer at the bar with each and every one of you. I can make friends with a tree if given enough time)