Meet & Mingle, Where Were You?

[Peregrina651]

26 minutes ago, harbourside said:

I have signed up for my cruise 20th September .  How do I find out how many have signed up. 

By

going back in to M & M it only gives me the option of signing up again.

 

It can be done but it takes a few steps. Harbourside, I see you figured it out while I was typing but there will be others with the same question.

 

Click on the M&M link, choose your cruise line and then your ship which brings you to this page. Once you choose your sail date, the click here to see registered... link will appear. Click on it and then book mark it so you can find it more easily the next time.:

 

Edited July 27, 2019 by Peregrina651

[Ready to Sail!]

On 7/22/2019 at 8:13 PM, Vineyard View said:

I just tried to change the number attending our M&M. Another couple traveling with us is not now able to, so out of courtesy I wanted to reduce. Cruise critic, from what I could determine, would not allow me to make any changes to our party number as I had already registered. 

I do believe that there are contributing issues with this process from CC that could assist not only Viking but maybe other lines?  Combine that with M&M right in the dinner hour, or no notice of many passengers, and I think there is certainly room for improvement in the end result on both sides  

I emailed cruise critic about two weeks prior to our sailing date and asked them to remove our names.  We decided we were not sure we would attend and did not want to just be a no show.  They emailed back that we had been removed.  

[Peregrina651]

7 minutes ago, Ready to Sail! said:

I emailed cruise critic about two weeks prior to our sailing date and asked them to remove our names. 

 

There is a dedicated M&M email address given out somewhere in the registration process.

 

Meet_and_Mingle@cruisecritic.com

[Vineyard View]

Thank you. I just sent an email. I appreciate your assistance. 

[lonagarr]

On 7/26/2019 at 10:41 AM, Senior Gators said:

Peregrina, we would never consider you a "trouble-maker"! You have been a fount of knowledge of almost all things "Viking" and we have benefited greatly from your wisdom and seemly infinite patience to answer so many questions posted here and on Viking Roll Calls. We think "sage", "oracle" or "mentor" might be more appropriate appellations. And you could add in some instances "shaker and mover".

 

But you are correct, it is a problem to get the word out to all those who either:

1. Cruise Viking Oceans and don't join or participate in Cruise Critic,

2. Aren't aware of Viking Roll Call's listing of specific cruises by ship and date,

3. Haven't figured out how to sign up for their cruise's M & M, or

4. Don't feel that it is worth their time and energy to participate.

 

We don't have any answers at the moment but face the problem of low or no participation for the two upcoming cruises we have booked for 2020. The Roll Calls have had almost no activity and the M & Ms are even worse. We seek suggestions of how to get more cruisers to participate.  

 

Senior Gators

I think part of the problem is that some people don't know that Cruise Critic exists! Whenever I travel, I'm always surprised by the people who don't know about sites like Trip Advisor and others that are out there to help people research and learn about travel. I can't even remember what I did before the internet, it is so crucial to me when planning. Also, I do think that where the invitation is placed in the room is an important factor as there is so much to do when you first enter your cabin. Perhaps a different color of envelope, something bright, to get people's attention? 

[Peregrina651]

6 minutes ago, lonagarr said:

I think part of the problem is that some people don't know that Cruise Critic exists!

 

More like most people -- but that is okay by me. I don't want a Meet and Mingle with half the ship. They already have that on board; its called the Explorer's Club.

 

If roll calls are any indication of Cruise Critics' market penetration, then somewhere between 1 and 10% of cruisers, depending on the cruise line, know about Cruise Critic AND participate in the boards or roll calls. Viking is closer to 1% than it is to 10%. In numbers that means some where between 5 and 45 cabins on any given cruise.

[lonagarr]

5 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

More like most people -- but that is okay by me. I don't want a Meet and Mingle with half the ship. They already have that on board; its called the Explorer's Club.

 

If roll calls are any indication of Cruise Critics' market penetration, then somewhere between 1 and 10% of cruisers, depending on the cruise line, know about Cruise Critic AND participate in the boards or roll calls. Viking is closer to 1% than it is to 10%. In numbers that means some where between 5 and 45 cabins on any given cruise.

A very good point. Too many people there would make it less special. 

[zitsky]

12 minutes ago, lonagarr said:

A very good point. Too many people there would make it less special. 

 

I don't care how many people.  I just want them to make me feel welcome.  I don't want it to feel like a private club.

[lonagarr]

1 minute ago, zitsky said:

 

I don't care how many people.  I just want them to make me feel welcome.  I don't want it to feel like a private club.

The only people who would know about the M&M are CC members, and since CC is a public forum, anyone can join. The purpose of the party is for the people who have met each other here online are then able to possibly meet their fellow cruisers in person.

[zitsky]

The more we promote CC, the more people who sign up.  I'm not sure how many is too many.  Has anyone had a M&M with 100 people or is it usually more like 50?

[Peregrina651]

30 minutes ago, zitsky said:

I don't want it to feel like a private club.

 

We are a private club. The idea of the M&M is to put faces to the names of the people with who we have been chatting in the months prior to sailing. Viking graciously provides us hospitality, but is our party.

 

17 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Has anyone had a M&M with 100 people or is it usually more like 50?

 

I have never heard of 100 on Viking and even 50 is a high number.  I think we had 42 signed up for our first but at least 10 of that number were friends traveling with a member.

Edited August 20, 2019 by Peregrina651

[Vineyard View]

13 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

I have never heard of 100 on Viking and even 50 is a high number.  I think we had 42 signed up for our first but at least 10 of that number were friends traveling with a member.

I would be really surprised to see that many on Viking, maybe in the future?

We participated in a large M&M on HAL several years back. The Ryndam held 1260 pax, and there were 120 at the M&M - that 10% you referred to Peregrina. It was pretty impressive to all who participated.  I got the impression that it was a larger gathering than usual. 

Our roll call for the upcoming October trip has been pretty quiet compared to others I have been on with Viking. We will be at the M&M if the date/time works for us. If it doesn’t we will let Viking know ahead.....if we find the invitation (that we will look for) in time to do so. 

[Peregrina651]

3 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

We participated in a large M&M on HAL several years back.

 

Cruise line is definitely a factor. So is roll call traffic, not just how many people stop by and introduce themselves but also how many posts are generated. Viking is definitely on the lower end of the spectrum of guests who are also members/active members of Cruise Critic.

 

Our group of 42 at the M&M was a large group compared to the others I have attended but we also had a very active roll call and a number of us showed up with more than just our cabin-mates. We were upstairs in the Explorer's Lounge and it was a bit small for the group and a bit noisy with that many people in that space. Glad they have moved it to Wintergarden.

[lonagarr]

4 hours ago, Lorizack said:

Thank you for your message, Peregrina ! We’re in 4060 on our upcoming Trade Routes Cruise, and with no scheduled tenders, I’m guessing it will be a quiet location. The fact that you will be returning to that cabin area by choice is reassuring.

Which upcoming Trade Routes cruise are you on, this year's September 22 or October 6?

Edited August 20, 2019 by lonagarr

[Grandkidshmbnkcs7]

How do we sign up for the Mix and Mingle?

 

[zitsky]

1 hour ago, Grandkidshmbnkcs7 said:

How do we sign up for the Mix and Mingle?

 

 

Go to Meet and Mingle page

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/rollcall/cruiselinel2.cfm?cruiselineid=203

 

To see who is going

 

Click View Your Registered Party Information

 

Click Who's going?

[Cruisin Kay D]

Maybe turnout depends on the time of day it is held.....when do they usually have it?   

I cannot imagine that turnout is low because of other things going on during that time, since there is no casino, no silly pool games and no kids.   Regular cruise lines have so many activities that turnout can be affected by what else is going on. 

Last couple cruises I have been on (major lines) this event is held around 11 AM.   Certainly late afternoon, say 3:30 or 4 pm, might be a nice time, as long as Trivia is not being held then.  

Mainline cruise companies put invitations & notifications on the bed or on the desk.  Putting those things in a portfolio sounds ridiculous....

Just my opinions!!!   

[just_dont]

Maybe turnout depends on the time of day it is held.....when do they usually have it?   
I cannot imagine that turnout is low because of other things going on during that time, since there is no casino, no silly pool games and no kids.

Viking seems to hold it at 6:00 PM on the 2nd to 4th day.
I think in an earlier post I recalled it being the same time as our Arctic Circle crossing, but in reality it was during the Sail Away from Geiranger, which is arguably one of the most spectacular scenic cruises there is, especially the first 30 minutes. The ship departed Geiranger at 6pm, and 15-20 minutes later the captain spun the ship 360 degrees right between the Seven Sisters and The Suitor waterfalls. Up on deck was the place to be, but the Meet & Mingle was at the exact same time in the Wintergarden.
Unfortunate that we had to choose.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[Peregrina651]

34 minutes ago, Cruisin Kay D said:

Last couple cruises I have been on (major lines) this event is held around 11 AM.   Certainly late afternoon, say 3:30 or 4 pm, might be a nice time, as long as Trivia is not being held then.  

 

Unless it is a sea day or a very late arrival in port, most people are off the ship at 11 am. So, Viking saves these events for late afternoon, after all of the tours have gotten back and folks have had a chance to freshen up. At 4 pm daily , it is tea-time in Wintergarden and unless you want to start a riot, you don't mess with tea-time. So, 6pm seems to be the chosen time for the M&M. For the most part, this seems to work very well for people.

 

 

[kcpvwill]

Having had an alteration to our itinerary on Viking Sea because of hurricane Dorian our CC Meet and Mingle was on the second sea day, Saturday at 9.45am !  

 

Not it a bad turn out considering the time but some partners had spa treatments booked and others preferred the enrichment lectures.  

[zitsky]

2 hours ago, kcpvwill said:

Having had an alteration to our itinerary on Viking Sea because of hurricane Dorian our CC Meet and Mingle was on the second sea day, Saturday at 9.45am !  

 

Not it a bad turn out considering the time but some partners had spa treatments booked and others preferred the enrichment lectures.  

 

What day was the second sea day for you?  2nd, 3rd etc?  It's nice to have it early in the cruise.

[kcpvwill]

We sailed straight away arrivals day Thursday and the CC M+M was on Saturday at 9.45am.  

[Vineyard View]

If there is a sea day early in the cruise, this would obviously be a great opportunity for the M&M. If this is the case, then having it at 6:00 is a time that I believe will absolutely impact attendance. People often make specialty restaurant reservations on sea days, and if I had to choose between the two I seriously doubt that we would skip that dinner reservation. Sea days provided multiple opportunities outside of the 4:00 tea time, which is also a big draw. 

If there are no early sea days, and the M&M is scheduled at sail away, that will have an impact on attendance. I don’t know what the answer is in that situation. 

[pacruise804]

On 8/19/2019 at 8:42 PM, zitsky said:

 

I don't care how many people.  I just want them to make me feel welcome.  I don't want it to feel like a private club.

 

Several years ago I heard a series by Andy Stanley about dating that said "Be the one the one you are looking for is looking for." While it was about dating, I find the thought holds true in all relationships.  If I want to meet people at an event then I need to be open and receptive to meeting others and sometimes even make the first step of introducing myself.

 

Since joining Cruise Critic we have taken 5 cruises and participated in 3 M&M.  Princess was our first and best to date for crew involvement, but it was a struggle to connect with others (this was our first Princess cruise and we did skew young for the demographic).  Our next 2 cruises were Carnival and we had a better connection with passengers, but we still had to make the effort to introduce ourselves.  Our last two cruises were shorter (RCCL and Carnival) and one was with our children, so we knew we weren't going to participate.

 

I just started a roll call for my Viking cruise and hope we have enough participation to have a M&M, but I also know that if there is one we will get out of it what we put into it and I can't control how much other passengers are willing to interact with us.  I suspect again we will be on the younger side (47 & 48 at time of sailing) and this is our first Viking cruise so I suspect we might come off as a little "green."

[zitsky]

I only have two cruises to compare Norwegian at 2000 pax and Viking at 1000.  Relatively, there were more people at the Norwegian M&M than you would expect.