tere247 Posted January 17, 2020 #1 Share Posted January 17, 2020 Is there a way to find out ahead of time if there is a large group sailing on our cruise? We are currently at the end of the first part of a b2b on the Sky Princess and there is a group of 800 that has closed the Vista Lounge and the Jazz club every night until 11-11:30 for their private events. Next week, from what I’ve heard another group of 600 will be on board. These venue closings have made the other areas of activities extremely, EXTREMELY crowded. Princess Live has had people blocking the walkway in order to be able to see the shows there. All levels looking at the parties on the piazza has been so very crowded. Also, for some reason 5Skies is not being shown this week. We’ll see what happens next week. I wish I would have known about these groups before hand. I would have booked another date. On a side note, there was no elite bath amenities given. They only had lib balm and shower caps. But I could have if I wanted. We’ve had the best servers in all my 27 Princess cruises. Beef Wellington was thick and oh so tender. Most crew members were very friendly. And I can’t find my family members with the medallion. Although they can find me. Ship is beautiful. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted January 17, 2020 #2 Share Posted January 17, 2020 13 minutes ago, tere247 said: Is there a way to find out ahead of time if there is a large group sailing on our cruise? We are currently at the end of the first part of a b2b on the Sky Princess and there is a group of 800 that has closed the Vista Lounge and the Jazz club every night until 11-11:30 for their private events. Next week, from what I’ve heard another group of 600 will be on board. These venue closings have made the other areas of activities extremely, EXTREMELY crowded. Princess Live has had people blocking the walkway in order to be able to see the shows there. All levels looking at the parties on the piazza has been so very crowded. Also, for some reason 5Skies is not being shown this week. We’ll see what happens next week. I wish I would have known about these groups before hand. I would have booked another date. On a side note, there was no elite bath amenities given. They only had lib balm and shower caps. But I could have if I wanted. We’ve had the best servers in all my 27 Princess cruises. Beef Wellington was thick and oh so tender. Most crew members were very friendly. And I can’t find my family members with the medallion. Although they can find me. Ship is beautiful. Google Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voljeep Posted January 17, 2020 #3 Share Posted January 17, 2020 what kind of groups ? and colo - what would the OP google … also interested for future cruises 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverbeenhere Posted January 17, 2020 #4 Share Posted January 17, 2020 (edited) There are a number of agencies that specialize in Theme cruises. One will never be able to find all the potential groups that would be on your desired sailing, but you can check with the sites of these agencies. Also, professional organizations frequently have listing in their various publications. Google: Theme Cruises. BTW: Cruise Critic has a number of Special Interest cruising boards. Edited January 17, 2020 by neverbeenhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelers36 Posted January 17, 2020 #5 Share Posted January 17, 2020 I wonder if the Princess sales system has these cataloged. You call Princess on the pretense of looking for thematic cruises and if you get a list, then you know the ones to avoid. Not sure this will work at all however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voljeep Posted January 17, 2020 #6 Share Posted January 17, 2020 1 minute ago, steelers36 said: I wonder if the Princess sales system has these cataloged. You call Princess on the pretense of looking for thematic cruises and if you get a list, then you know the ones to avoid. Not sure this will work at all however. I went thru an online TA for a little 3-4 day cruise out of Tampa - not on Princess - turned out to be a … wait for it … Legends of the Steelers themed cruise - about 1000 out of 2000 cruisers lots of private events , some venues booked, etc … but some of the nicest , most polite people we've ever met on a cruise anyway, called the TA after and she explained, right or wrong, that they were not allowed to reveal if a cruise had 'groups' on it... something about right to privacy or something … seemed logical at the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelers36 Posted January 17, 2020 #7 Share Posted January 17, 2020 11 minutes ago, voljeep said: I went thru an online TA for a little 3-4 day cruise out of Tampa - not on Princess - turned out to be a … wait for it … Legends of the Steelers themed cruise - about 1000 out of 2000 cruisers lots of private events , some venues booked, etc … but some of the nicest , most polite people we've ever met on a cruise anyway, called the TA after and she explained, right or wrong, that they were not allowed to reveal if a cruise had 'groups' on it... something about right to privacy or something … seemed logical at the time Yes, I suppose that makes sense. But I guess you are supposed to know about the group in order to book it. I have heard about the Steelers theme cruise. Didn't go. But I do know the Steeler Nation is the best!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzsnooze Posted January 17, 2020 #8 Share Posted January 17, 2020 The crowds you speak of isn't related to any group except for the closure of the venues you mentioned. If the ship is at capacity what's the difference who makes up the demographic. The fact there is a large group on board doesn't effect how many people are at the buffet or MDR or theater, it's all capacity controlled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysalis Posted January 17, 2020 #9 Share Posted January 17, 2020 googling ship name, and cruise dates, improves your odds of finding theme cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Raider Posted January 17, 2020 #10 Share Posted January 17, 2020 Sometimes, you can find out in the roll call section here on CC or even under their section for Special Interest Cruising. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted January 17, 2020 #11 Share Posted January 17, 2020 Princess will not give out that info. You could try googling for a large group on your ship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissP22 Posted January 17, 2020 #12 Share Posted January 17, 2020 (edited) https://adventurebears.com/mexican-riviera-cruise-2020/ https://cruisedesignstravel.com/mediterranean-cruise-2020/ https://cruisedesignstravel.com/scandinavia-2020/ https://cruisedesignstravel.com/alaska-2020/ Edited January 17, 2020 by MissP22 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted January 17, 2020 #13 Share Posted January 17, 2020 37 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said: The crowds you speak of isn't related to any group except for the closure of the venues you mentioned. If the ship is at capacity what's the difference who makes up the demographic. The fact there is a large group on board doesn't effect how many people are at the buffet or MDR or theater, it's all capacity controlled. When a venue as large as the Vista Lounge is closed all evening to all but the group then the remainder of the passengers are locked out of various normal entertainment activities for that evening in that venue. Things like shows, dancing, certain live bands, etc. The remainder of the passengers have to try to fit into the other small entertainment locations on the ship. The Sky is lacks any other large entertainment location. It only has the small Princess Live and Jazz Club. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted January 17, 2020 #14 Share Posted January 17, 2020 2 hours ago, voljeep said: colo - what would the OP google … also interested for future cruises Post #9? This came up alot when the Bears group would cruise Princess 800 strong and take over the aft pool. (Emerald Princess). We have been on a couple of cruises that they were on and believe me it does affect the experience when there are that many. On the Crown in Oct there was a very large wedding party that were able to take over (with the Ships blessing) Club Confusion on several nights as a private party until midnight or so. No others allowed in. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tere247 Posted January 17, 2020 Author #15 Share Posted January 17, 2020 2 hours ago, Colo Cruiser said: Google I have. Nothing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tere247 Posted January 17, 2020 Author #16 Share Posted January 17, 2020 1 hour ago, neverbeenhere said: There are a number of agencies that specialize in Theme cruises. One will never be able to find all the potential groups that would be on your desired sailing, but you can check with the sites of these agencies. Also, professional organizations frequently have listing in their various publications. Google: Theme Cruises. BTW: Cruise Critic has a number of Special Interest cruising boards. Duh..... never thought to do that 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tere247 Posted January 17, 2020 Author #17 Share Posted January 17, 2020 12 minutes ago, skynight said: When a venue as large as the Vista Lounge is closed all evening to all but the group then the remainder of the passengers are locked out of various normal entertainment activities for that evening in that venue. Things like shows, dancing, certain live bands, etc. The remainder of the passengers have to try to fit into the other small entertainment locations on the ship. The Sky is lacks any other large entertainment location. It only has the small Princess Live and Jazz Club. Jazz club was also reserved for this group 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voljeep Posted January 17, 2020 #18 Share Posted January 17, 2020 3 minutes ago, Colo Cruiser said: Post #9? This came up alot when the Bears group would cruise Princess 800 strong and take over the aft pool. (Emerald Princess). We have been on a couple of cruises that they were on and believe me it does affect the experience when there are that many. On the Crown in Oct there was a very large wedding party that were able to take over (with the Ships blessing) Club Confusion on several nights as a private party until midnight or so. yep, we were on a Halloween cruise when about 400 of that group took the 2nd part of a b2b for them aft ADULT pool took on a whole new meaning for that few days … and yes that area and Outriggers are one of our go to places... but not for that cruise unfortunately 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted January 17, 2020 #19 Share Posted January 17, 2020 9 minutes ago, tere247 said: I have. Nothing Guess you are clear to book. 🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzsnooze Posted January 17, 2020 #20 Share Posted January 17, 2020 1 hour ago, Colo Cruiser said: Post #9? This came up alot when the Bears group would cruise Princess 800 strong and take over the aft pool. (Emerald Princess). We have been on a couple of cruises that they were on and believe me it does affect the experience when there are that many. . The Bears have been reported to be an obnoxious group of cruisers no matter what venue they are in. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voljeep Posted January 17, 2020 #21 Share Posted January 17, 2020 8 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said: The Bears have been reported to be an obnoxious group of cruisers no matter what venue they are in. I thought the cruise planners group was a lot worse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdee3636 Posted January 17, 2020 #22 Share Posted January 17, 2020 I'm not sure if the above link will work, but a CC member named "VMax1700" compiles a monthly list of upcoming Holland America charters (full-ship and partials) and drydocks. Maybe he or she can tell you how it's done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pms4104 Posted January 18, 2020 #23 Share Posted January 18, 2020 (edited) 5 hours ago, voljeep said: I went thru an online TA for a little 3-4 day cruise out of Tampa - not on Princess - turned out to be a … wait for it … Legends of the Steelers themed cruise - about 1000 out of 2000 cruisers lots of private events , some venues booked, etc … but some of the nicest , most polite people we've ever met on a cruise anyway, called the TA after and she explained, right or wrong, that they were not allowed to reveal if a cruise had 'groups' on it... something about right to privacy or something … seemed logical at the time We nearly were on a 49ers fan cruise on the Ruby. Switched to different cruise once I lrarned of the group ... mostly because we did not want to lose venue access due to the group events. Edited January 18, 2020 by pms4104 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike45LC Posted January 18, 2020 #24 Share Posted January 18, 2020 If Bears is being used as a euphemism for "gay", then I have been on a couple of their cruises. When the Bears take over a pool and all of the ship's hot tubs and saunas, it does interfere with my enjoyment of the cruise. Maybe it is not "woke" of me, but seeing people -- of whatever orientation and genders -- getting "friendly" in the hot tubs is distasteful to me. And it seems that many of the Bears are into public displays of affection, if only to shock and dismay the rest of us. But when any group -- Elvis fans with half a dozen Elvis impersonators, a sports group, a real estate investors group, a large wedding, whatever -- take over a ship, it does seriously interfere with the rest of us. If the Vista Lounge is closed three evenings of the seven? That means that whatever we'd normally have there that night there won't take place. It is not that the buffet or the IC or the MDRs will be overcrowded, it is that at least one venue will be closed to us. So there is less karaoke, trivia, name that tune, etc., etc. for us. Too bad the art auctions aren't cancelled instead, but those generate revenue for the cruise line, and are not the events that get bumped. Of course Princess does not want us to know about groups, because Princess knows that some of us would avoid that particular cruise. And even if the group is something I'd otherwise enjoy, I'd be barred from the special events that will close the venue to the rest of us. If I'm not a member of the group, I can't go into the Vista to watch those Elvis impersonators! OP, it is a great question, how do we know if there will be a large group? 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissP22 Posted January 18, 2020 #25 Share Posted January 18, 2020 57 minutes ago, Mike45LC said: If Bears is being used as a euphemism for "gay", then I have been on a couple of their cruises. When the Bears take over a pool and all of the ship's hot tubs and saunas, it does interfere with my enjoyment of the cruise. I doubt if you would have enjoyed using the aft pool in Oct. It was their pool & not one other person dared to use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now