CRUISE-CRITIC Meet-Greets Anymore??

[LocoLoco1]

Are the Meet-Greets a thing of the past? Nothing on our 15/day Carribbean in Feb. 2022.

[Flatbush Flyer]

59 minutes ago, LocoLoco1 said:

Are the Meet-Greets a thing of the past? Nothing on our 15/day Carribbean in Feb. 2022.

Sounds like you missed an opportunity to organize it.

FWIW: we had quite the group on Riviera in January and less than a handful on Insignia for both the May and June segments. 
On upcoming Marina segments in October and November, the Roll Calls would suggest that there will be reasonable turnouts.

[LocoLoco1]

Wondering if the Staff even sets up for  such a thing Post-Covid. 

[mom says]

Post Covid? Did I miss the announcement?

 

It may depend in the line, but I think many lines have still suspended the ship sponsored meet and greets, for the obvious reason. Doesn't mean you can't organize an informal one through your Roll Call.

[CruiserBruce]

There was a huge one on our recent cruise on HAL. Captain came.

[LocoLoco1]

10 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

There was a huge one on our recent cruise on HAL. Captain came.

Hmm. On our 15/day in Feb. the event for 4 and 5-star was 1 hour of drinks next to the Casino. The actual Cruisecritic thingie was me myself and I and 2 no-shows. We organized a few in years past of 100+.

[navybankerteacher]

22 hours ago, LocoLoco1 said:

Are the Meet-Greets a thing of the past? Nothing on our 15/day Carribbean in Feb. 2022.

Only if no one on your roll call is willing to get it going.

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, navybankerteacher said:

Only if no one on your roll call is willing to get it going.

Over recent years, there has become a default CC M&G on Oceania ships (unless someone has volunteered to survey the Roll Call for better times/locations). Pre-pandemic, it was immediately following the embarkation Muster Drill and it was located on the Starboard side of Horizons adjacent to the bar. When the Muster rules turned to video, the place stayed the same but the time became 6ish (allowing folks to grab a cocktail just before Happy Hour ended and just as the music started. Perhaps not the best for all itineraries. But, at least, it establishes a starting point.

[squick64]

Royal seems to not be doing them for now because of Covid, so you have to sort something out yourself. And I guess that's always been the case on other lines.

[rkacruiser]

16 hours ago, LocoLoco1 said:

The actual Cruisecritic thingie was me myself and I and 2 no-shows. We organized a few

 

That describes my experience.  Organized one for a Zuiderdam cruise and I was the only attendee.  I have also helped to organize a few and enjoyed doing so.  (It's a bit of effort.)  Some work; some don't.  One of the best was my first for my 2002 Asia Pacific Cruise on the Volendam.  

[dolittle]

It has nothing to with Covid  M and Gs  went from meeting up for info and hook ups for private tours to gift exchange and games and I even heard some have skits(I hope that is not so) . The people who start the M and G become the person in charge and many have a kindergarten mentality. Those who meet at a bar without a leader are getting it right.

 

[rkacruiser]

23 hours ago, dolittle said:

and hook ups for private tours

 

I know for a fact that such a prime activity during the M&Gs is a reason why there was a change on HAL.  Officers, drinks/goodies?  Once available, but, they saw increasing competition for tours that they offered with those who were organizing private tours.  No more goodies/drinks or Officers.  On some cruises, though, in recent years, that seems to be changing.  But, an open bar?  Not anymore.  

[ldubs]

On 8/8/2022 at 2:35 PM, dolittle said:

It has nothing to with Covid  M and Gs  went from meeting up for info and hook ups for private tours to gift exchange and games and I even heard some have skits(I hope that is not so) . The people who start the M and G become the person in charge and many have a kindergarten mentality. Those who meet at a bar without a leader are getting it right.

 

 

 

I wonder what kind of gifts are exchanged?  Not judging.  Just curious.    

[ldubs]

7 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I know for a fact that such a prime activity during the M&Gs is a reason why there was a change on HAL.  Officers, drinks/goodies?  Once available, but, they saw increasing competition for tours that they offered with those who were organizing private tours.  No more goodies/drinks or Officers.  On some cruises, though, in recent years, that seems to be changing.  But, an open bar?  Not anymore.  

 

Seems very reasonable.  They are in the business of selling excursions.   No one would want to fund or support the competition.    

[VMax1700]

Our meet & greet on HAL Rotterdam later this month, currently has 62 pax signed up.

As happened pre covid, HAL will supply the location, tea, coffee and cookies.

After that it is up to us!

[LauraS]

On 8/7/2022 at 12:57 PM, mom says said:

Post Covid? Did I miss the announcement?

 

It may depend in the line, but I think many lines have still suspended the ship sponsored meet and greets, for the obvious reason. Doesn't mean you can't organize an informal one through your Roll Call.

 

Exactly!  We hope you would meet on board anyway.  This is the way it "used" to be (old skool if you will LOL).  All it takes is one ringleader to say "hey let's meet at sailaway"..for example.

 

We're updating our M&M list here all the time.  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/meet-mingle/main/

 

Some recent examples:  New information for Princess and NCL. 

 

We have nametags available for most lines on the above page as well.  Simply print out a "test" at home, and take to office supply store OR find online.

 

We'd love to see a photo of your gathering; upload to our M&M gallery!

 

Laura

[rkacruiser]

9 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

Our meet & greet on HAL Rotterdam later this month, currently has 62 pax signed up.

As happened pre covid, HAL will supply the location, tea, coffee and cookies.

After that it is up to us!

 

That is good to know.  Good for HAL!  But, it used to be "so much more".  (Be thankful for what one can get, I suppose.)  

[rkacruiser]

When learning what HAL is continuing to do for Meet 7 Greets, I just have to make a very strong shout out to MSC for the CC Roll Call M&G on MSC Meraviglia in January, 2020.  A very large crowd, enough to fill up the large lounge that overlooked the mid-ships pool.  A greeting line of Officers as we entered the lounge, a pianist at work providing background music, a nice selection of canapes (including some caviar) and mixed nuts on each table, stewards continually circulating with flutes of Prosecco and other drinks, brief remarks from the Captain and the Cruise Director with the CD remaining in the lounge for conversations long after the other Officers had left, a group photo that was given to the guest at no charge, and an opportunity to have one's photo taken with the Captain and the Hotel Director.  It has been many years since I have experienced a M&G like that one.  

[dolittle]

15 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

 

I wonder what kind of gifts are exchanged?  Not judging.  Just curious.    

It was something from your home state and not more than 5 $ . These people are almost always nice but please stop it.

[dolittle]

I do not get the whole meet the officers thing ,to me this is one of the things that does not belong in a M and G . It takes away from the meeting and greeting and the hook up for tours. It should be about the cruisers not the crew.

[pris993]

On 8/7/2022 at 7:47 AM, LocoLoco1 said:

Are the Meet-Greets a thing of the past? Nothing on our 15/day Carribbean in Feb. 2022.

Joint the roll call board for any cruise you are on, I believe folks on the roll call organize meet and greet with cruise lines.  I have not attended one in years but do read the roll call for cruises I take.  

[rkacruiser]

23 hours ago, dolittle said:

I do not get the whole meet the officers thing ,to me this is one of the things that does not belong in a M and G . It takes away from the meeting and greeting and the hook up for tours. It should be about the cruisers not the crew.

 

Meeting and greeting your fellow guests ought to be the prime reason for these functions.  Having the Officers briefly attend and say a few words of welcome, what harm does that do?  If one or more of the Officers chooses to stay for awhile and welcomes conversation with the guests who choose to do so, what harm does that do?  Meeting those who have made tour arrangements prior to the cruise, probably through the Roll Call, OK by me.  But, soliciting for other guests to join a tour is not OK by me.  I have observed this happening and, on some occasions, such becomes the prime reason why the meeting was planned.  As I have stated, I know for a fact that such activity is the reason why HAL changed their participation in M&Gs.  And, that has had a negative impact on this cruiser.  

[LocoLoco1]

I agree. Peddling Non-HAL excursions and tours seems tacky when done aboard a HAL ship

[Crew News]

The Holland America Line (HAL) CC Meet & Greets that I have coordinated provided frequent posters on the HAL Forum the chance to meet those with whom they have shared so many threads. 

 

IMHO the second most valuable aspect of a M&G is planning future cruises by tapping into the experience of fellow cruisers who are willing to share their advice.  Learning what not to miss and what to avoid is invaluable.   Many first-time HAL cruisers have commented to me, not only how much they learned at their first M&G, but the level of confidence/enthusiasm they have gained for future HAL cruise planning.

 

I have encountered only a few instances of recruiting for private tours during 30+ HAL M&Gs.  I routinely had Hotel Directors (now Managers) attend my HAL M&Gs but after a rumored number of unpleasant instances, staff officers attending M&Gs is no longer an option on short cruises.

 

 

[rkacruiser]

14 minutes ago, Crew News said:

I have encountered only a few instances of recruiting for private tours during 30+ HAL M&Gs

 

Your comments are the same as mine.  It has only been in recent years, maybe since 2010 or so, when the private tour recruiting has become an issue.