Has anyone found out after booking that your cruise has a theme that is private?

[bubiesmom]

Wow, I'd say that would be a shock if you weren't expecting it, especially back in the early 80's! My grandmother would stroke out I think..... giggle.... and considering I have talked my parents and grandparents into coming on this cruise, I hate to get onboard and be restricted, I'll never hear the end of it!

 

Leah

 

Yeah, NCL should disclose that info. Wouldn't want to be on a cruise with my kids if that were the case.:(

[dyslexic pirate]

I have been involved in theme cruises. I don't think the cruise line tell you about them because they don't want you to take advantage of the group rates. If they have you at the normal rate it's to their advantage that you don't get an additional discount.

 

On our music themed cruises we offer a chance for people who didn't book with us to buy tickets to some of the events that may interest them. The venues where the concerts/parties/dances will be held are usually during "off" hours or they are the smaller alternative theaters rather than where the main entertainment will be held. In other words these would be the theaters that would be sitting empty if they weren't reserved by a group.

 

I believe ships set all this up just like a major land based convention hotel would. Our groups have always been friendly and the TA that organizes everything for us does an awesome job.

 

I have experienced the feeling of being overwhelmed by the beautiful little quincera girls. (100+ of them chasing my 16 year old son! it got a little interesting!) And the religious groups with bunches of kids that go wild when the adults in their groups aren't around can get on my nerves.

 

When you check in or board the ship you may ask or look around for signage welcoming groups on board. I wish the cruiselines would be more forthright so people could book accordingly.

[beachchick]

dyslexic pirate: You may be right, but I think it's far more likely that the cruise lines don't want to tell you about huge groups, themed cruises, and multiple private events and closed venues because they are afraid the general public would react exactly as most of us do and say, "The heck with that; I'm not paying full price only to be kept out of most of the ship's venues and activities!" That's what we would say, and it doesn't matter what the group is. If they are taking over so much of the ship that "regular" pax are denied many if not most of the activities and events that are expected (and that non-group/theme cruises have), then it would not be worth the price of the cruise for us. I honestly believe that that is why they don't tell you that 75% or more of the ship will be group X and that their activities will mean that your major onboard activity will be "sitting in your cabin" (sorry, had to steal that--it's perfect).

 

beachchick

[Globaliser]

Now my question to you all is, if the cruise line hasn't advertised this theme and the events are marked as private, does this mean that the stardust theater is closed to the general public from 9:30 pm at night and the spinnaker's lounge is closed from 8 pm on some nights and the poolside is off limits some days because of "oldies" events (these are the times that are posted on the ta's website as the schedule of events)? I am quite upset to think that these areas will be off limit to us on the cruise. We are paying cruisers too and to be told we can't be around the pool at certain times or in the lounge in the evenings is kind of upsetting. Has anyone ever encountered this and what was it like?

I've done a number of cruises like this, and to be fair, their success for the passengers who were not part of the group depended quite a bit on the cruise director. One CD in particular, who gets a lot of bad press on the NCL forum for her manner, is actually a fabulous manager who ensured that the passengers outside the group got all of the normal events - just sometimes in slightly different (and often better) places.

 

As an aside, that's a point worth remembering whenever anyone says "The CD did nothing for me". Most of what a CD does is invisible to passengers.

 

The non-group passengers on our cruises also got some extra benefits as well, including one or two poolside parties with entertainment that they wouldn't normally have as it was provided by artists for whom we had paid.

[CruisinfromRI]

It happened to me too! On my first cruise last December on the Carnival Valor, I realized after booking that it was the Rusty Wallace NASCAR cruise... Over 1/2 (probably more like 3/4) of the passengers on the ship were part of the "private event". I didn't mind, they only blocked off the theater and some of the lounges during specific hours, but there were always open parts of the ship. The dining rooms were always empty because the crowd on board preferred the buffet. (Don't get me wrong, I follow NASCAR a little bit, just not the hardcore fan that these folks were). For the most part, during group events we had the run of the ship, there were no crowds. It worked out well, however, I would completely understand that a different group onboard might very well take over the ship in a different way. Also, they didnt check who was part of the group for the most part, in many cases, we were able to slip in the back and check out the events that were occuring with the group...

 

As a side note, we did run into Mr. Rusty Wallace... might be the funniest moment of the whole vacation when we saw the poor guy with a panicked look on his face sprinting up the stairs back to his cabin, then about 1 floor down a woman was running after him all loaded down with souvineers yelling "which way did he go?"... It is amazing to me that these "celebritys" of all sorts would want to lock themselves on a ship with crazed fans :-)

[alwayssingin]

I came across a list of "special" cruises a couple of weeks ago, but now I can't find it. I thought they were NCL cruises, but I could be wrong.

[alwayssingin]

Found it. Looks like these are put on by NCL, not an outside source.

[garycarla]

In defense of the cruiselines, there are good reasons they do not publish when groups on onboard.

 

At what point should they tell you. A group of 20, 100,200, 400? Where do you draw the line?

 

If the group has all, most, some of their events at times that impact others, should they tell you? If there are 300 bridge players that use less used rooms to play, would that matter?

 

Since some people book a year or more in advance and the group might cancel at say 4-6 months out, timing is an issue. If the group starts out at 300 people but ends up at 20, should they then try to notifiy everyone that was thinking of cruising, but changed their mind? And how would they know who those people were?

 

With the very obvious exception of a group taking maybe 80% of more of the rooms and taking over many of the public venues, I don't think the cruiseline could manage the notification process. But even this is difficult. I just don't see how they can handle it.

[browniegirl]

This is definitely a tough issue. I can see where it would be tough for the cruise line, but at the same time, we are looking out for "our" best interests and best value for our money. If the venues were open to the public as well, that would be great, but they aren't. If they weren't shutting down the late show many nights, that would have been good, if the pool area wasn't closed on 2 nights, that would have been great, etc. Like a previous poster said, obviously NCL isn't going to tell us because they want us to pay full fare, not the group rate, and then have to be content once onboard, because by then it's too late. This issue for us would have been moot if they weren't taking over main venues during regular "open" times, that is why I feel we should have been notified to make an informed decision either way. Maybe they should say when you book that there is a "major" event going on, however.... then they offer you a $100 OBC, etc to make up for it.... then people go "Oh, okay, thanks for telling me and sure, give me that obc....". Instead, you find out once you are onboard and then it's too late, there you are.... rushing thru dinner to get to the one and only early show..... that would have really upset me. I am so glad to have found out now, but not sure what is going to come of it, I'm worried. I am so excited about the cabins we have... if it weren't for bad luck sometimes, I'd have none!

 

Leah

[NJBear]

a few posters are under the impression that.......obviously NCL isn't going to tell us because they want us to pay full fare, not the group rate............in my past experiences the 'group" rate for many of these cruises is much more expensive than the regular cruise fares that can be found online or at local TA's. The groups have expenses to cater to their specific groups that are not covered by the cruiseline..entertainers or guest speakers for one..not only do the groups have to pay for their fees but their room and board and travel as well. and since the entertainers or guest speakers are paid from the group fund, that is why they are closed venues....I agree there should be a place for all of us to see if a group or groups are booking a specific cruise so we can be better informed..but the "how to do that" escapes me as well

[flag fan]

I don't see that it would be too difficult for a cruise line to post on its website when it has chartered over a certain percentage of the ship's cabins (maybe 25%-50%). If the charter cancels, they take the notice off the website; if they charter after some passengers have already booked, so be it; at least those passengers know that if they periodically check the cruise website they can find out and make plans accordingly (such as cancel the cruise). Many cruise lines update their websites on shore excursions and other information. (I don't know if NCL does, but it easily could.) The reason for not giving information on charters seems to be economic--if they post that a cruise is 50% NASCAR or 50% gay, customers that are not NASCAR fans or gay are less likely to book. Even if the charter cost is higher than the standard cruise cost (which it is for gay charters), the cruiseline will lose out if it can't book those rooms the charter company did not take, and I suspect most passengers would not see it as a bargain to be on a charter cruise (such as a gay cruise) for less cost than the charter custsomers are paying. The gay charters (Atlantis and RSVP) advertise their cruises as "all-gay," so it seems that both the cruise line (NCL in this case, although I think others may do it) and the charter company are keeping important information from their potential customers if there are mixed chartered/non-chartered cruises. If the chartered group results in the closing of some venues to non-charter passengers I don't see how the cruise company can charge a full fare to the non-charter passengers for partial service. Some passengers may enjoy being on a charter and sharing some charter entertainment for free, but I suspect most passengers would like to be on a regular cruise (the one advertised), not a charter where they would be outsiders.

[leennp]

I have decided to never book a cruise again without doing a google search for the ship and date I am looking out. You still may not find out though if they don't have a web page or lots of links. I ended up on the NCL Sun in October after canceling a RCCL cruise out of Fl. I found out on Cruise Critic that there was a large group onboard, a gay mens group and the events and group cruise were sponsered by a gay porn film company. Just didn't sound like a group I wanted to cruise with, and after questions on CC about cruising with a large group, i am glad I made the decision to change. Of course I got a lot of negative comments on CC for not wanting to cruise with the Bears, but I didn't want to take the chance not being able to enjoy all of the events and venues on the ship when so many were changed to private events, when I could evaluate my options and switch to another line. Like you, I didn't want to spend that kind of money on a cruise and be disappointed. I am glad I found out 4 days before my final payment was do so I actually had a choice. So it is not just NCL, it is all lines, and RCCL was no more helpful in disclosing exactly how large the group was or how much of the activities and entertainment were geared to the group.

Lee

[browniegirl]

Wow, some very well said posts.... thanks for the support everyone, it is so nice to read everyone's opinion on this matter, I am sooooo glad I am not alone in the way we are thinking. I still haven't heard back from my TA yet, not sure how long this process can take?? I guess it all depends on how generous/understanding NCL is feeling today......

 

Leah

[mbisson]

Leah,

I agree with you 100% about the reduction of available facilities and that the cruise lines should notify passengers. I was wondering why you were resisting changing to another ship since penalties would not yet apple. So I looked up rates for your cruise. Wow, with the rates for your sailing, I don't know how much they can offer you!

 

jmo

-Monte

[browniegirl]

Monte - I guess I am not totally resisting, it is just that we were pretty excited to sail on the Jewel, have only been on the Sun before, and we managed to secure some nice AF Aft cabins that are apparently wonderful cabins. We are a total of 11 all together so it means coordinating 3 different groups (7+2+2)... so changing things isn't as easy as I'd like. Also my DH has had his leave approved already for those dates and he's not sure if he can get them changed, maybe but not sure, we may have to try. We did get a good rate (I think so...) and now I wonder if that is why, because of this charter going on. I still haven't heard back from my TA and I imagine it's a battle field..... we still haven't heard back from NCL from last week whether or not they were going to give us back our original OBC (we upgraded from CC to AF), as they took it away when we upgraded ourselves.... Now I bet they just offer us the original OBC and think it's a great deal for us... I hope we get some positive feedback on this from my TA and NCL.... I was a bit confused from your post:rolleyes: , you agree that they are good rates or bad rates?

 

Leah

[MagnoliaBlossom]

We almost got trapped into a group cruise. I had been the the TA that morning to book a cruise on the Rhapsody, which then was sailing from nearby New Orleans. A customer who is also a cruise addict asked, asked me that afternoon when we were sailing next and i told her, to which she replied "oh great you'll be on our dance cruise". :eek: I happened to know that each spring all the children's dance schools do a cruise together which results in about 500 little girls, complete with squeals and giggles, on one ship! They do some sort of dance routine each day as part of the entertainment. Don't get me wrong, I love children and admire their devotion to something positive like the arts, but the tiny tutu cruise was not my idea of a relaxing vacation.

 

We did however one year wind up with a group of 30 cross dressers and was the funniest cruise we've ever been on. A whole boat load might have been different but a handful was truly entertaining

[mbisson]

When I said that it appears you were resisting changing, I didn't necessarilly mean you should change dates ( I know how difficult this can be when air & vacation schedules are involved). Have you considered changing to another ship (I know you prefer the Jewel)? There are lots of other lines/ships sailing from Miami that weekend, that wouldn't be giving you the problems/concerns that this sailing is.

 

-Monte

[browniegirl]

When I said that it appears you were resisting changing, I didn't necessarilly mean you should change dates ( I know how difficult this can be when air & vacation schedules are involved). Have you considered changing to another ship (I know you prefer the Jewel)? There are lots of other lines/ships sailing from Miami that weekend, that wouldn't be giving you the problems/concerns that this sailing is.

 

-Monte

 

Thanks Monte, we will definitely look into that. I am sure all the ships are beautiful and maybe with some luck we can get similar suites! Fingers crossed!

 

Leah

[flowerchild]

Where did you get this info? We are cruising Alaska on the NCL Star in May 2007...I'd like to make sure it is not a "gay theme cruise"! However PC and open minded we are, I think my husband would be pretty uncomfortable if things got a little raucous...no offense to anyone who is gay, please do not consider me rude or prejudiced, I just know my very macho and straight husband would be weirded out.

[browniegirl]

Yes, that was an awesome find!!!! Maybe if we know where to look, we can keep checking! Thanks!

 

Leah

[cruisingbug]

At what point should they tell you. A group of 20, 100,200, 400? Where do you draw the line?

 

With the very obvious exception of a group taking maybe 80% of more of the rooms... .

 

I think you just drew the line. :)

[CaWino]

It seems to me, from the objections voiced, that it is not an issue of how many cabins are booked, but how much of the advertised amenities are going to be off limits. I can relate. I was on a cruis this past January, and a large group had the small show lounge reserved and off limits to the "regular" paying customers. I prefer a small intimate show over the big broadway shows and was very disappointed. This was my first real cruise, so I just chalked it up to a learning experience. I would look to find another cruise if it were me, as it sounds like the venues are ones you want to participate in.

Just my two cents

Brad

[seamama1]

Try this one for a shocker on your honeymoon...Years ago (1982 or so) a few nightclubs and organizations got together to book a whole gay cruise from Ft Lauderdale to the Bahamas. It wasn't until everyone was boarded that anyone found out, that although a large part of the ship was booked by the group, there was perhaps 25% that was vacant and sold to the general public.

 

At dinner the first night (and most nights thereafter) there was a honeymoon couple at a table with all same sex couples, little old ladies watching shirtless men dancing all over the ship to "It's raining men" and the pool games took on quite a different ring.

 

Noone was told that there was private events and as we all know..the staff on the cruise line wasn't about to tell anyone that they cannot enter a public room. It was quite a shocking and at the same time eductational cruise for most---4 days in hell for others

 

It is more common that most cruisers think that there are large groups with their own private events going on..The last cruise I was on had perhaps 100 or so people from a large corporation that held private gatherings all over the place..then again only 100 wasn't so intruisive on the ship as a whole

 

I'm not quite sure your comments about the gay group is up to snuff, but I will ignore it... Just a reminder that they are not out to "hit on you and yours".... they are there to enjoy their cruise just like you are.

 

No cruiseline will tell you how many groups are on board nor what kind of groups they are. It isn't any of your business. A good portion of the cruise business are groups and they are on every sailing. If it is a large group, there will be times when you might not have access to an area for a few hours - but not all the time and not every day. Groups are the "bread and butter" for most cruiselines and are an avoidable thing.

 

What you need to do is stop worrying about who else is on the cruise and what they are doing. Just enjoy yourself. If one pool is closed for a coupla hours - go to another. If the disco is closed for a coupla hours - come back later. If a lounge is closed due to a private cocktail party - find another lounge.

[seamama1]

Oh my god! No offense to any amway sellers out there, but OH MY GOD! That sounded like a nightmare!!! I just don't like paying for something and then being short changed so to speak....

 

Leah

 

What exactly do you perceive to be "short changed"? OP was accommodated.

[seamama1]

Hi thanks everyone, I have notified my TA and he is going to look into it and see what NCL can do for us. I was looking forward to having the option of 2 show times a night (there will only be one on our cruise because on at least 4 of the nights, they have the theatre booked from 9 or 9:30 pm on), that way we didn't have to rush through dinner to get to the early show, having that option, etc, or letting the kids swim when they want, etc. I can understand having private functions on board, but when they impact the rest of the cruisers in quite a major way, then I have an issue. They have one of the lounges booked exclusively on the last night of the cruise and in the evening of day 6, the pool area is off limits for a "prom night" dance and band.

 

And even if we did not want to go to a late show or if we weren't going to hang around the pool on that evening, or hang out in that lounge that one evening, shouldn't we be aware of this change? I doubt NCL sees it like I do, but I hate feeling ripped off.

 

Leah

 

Oh brother. Lighten up! They don't have to notify you of anything. If you don't like the set up....change dates.