Do You Meet Fellow CruiseCritics Onboard??

[MandyGirl]

Seeing all the polls has brought a question to my mind...

On your cruise, do you meet fellow CruiseCritics that you shared posts with in the weeks/months leading up to your cruise?

[MandyGirl]

We have had mixed results on our cruises.
- On our two NCL cruises, we all definitely met and it was awesome getting to meet those I had communicated with (didn't "hang out" but definitely met!).
- On our Celebrity cruise, we actually did not find anyone on CruiseCritic to speak up that they were on the same cruise (it was less than 20% American passengers according to the crew, so I am assuming very few were aware of CruiseCritic at that time).
- On our HAL cruise, we found one person to be on the cruise from CruiseCritic but nothing was ever brought up about CC gatherings, so I just assumed HAL cruisers didn't do that. (However, when stepping off the elevator one night, a lady quietly told her male companion "that's the girl from the message boards" so I figured that was the other poster I communicated with or maybe just someone who reads CC and never posts - and they wanted to keep their identity secret).
- On our upcoming HAL cruise, we are all looking forward to meeting! :)

So I've seen quite the variety. In any case, we've enjoyed meeting those we communicated with!

[ryansmemom]

Chimera and I have been meeting people we have met on the CC board while on our cruises for some time now. We have found meeting people to be very enjoyable and made some very good friends this way.

In some instances we have scheduled future cruises with people or continued our relationships at home. Last year on the Maasdam we met a large group of CCer's and had a wonderful time. There are a large number of us planning to meet up next year on the Veendam and I know everyone is very excited about that.

We usually set up a meeting place and time before the cruise and then meet up once on board. This has worked out very well for us and enhanced our cruise experience.

We have met some really wonderful people through this board!

Linda :)

[FlorenceItaly]

I met a few people from the roll call board in June on the Maasdam. It was very enjoyable, and enhanced my cruise(Hi Becky, Hi Beverly).

There are a few of us on my roll call for the cruise later this month, and we are planning on meeting.

And, in September I am going on a CC Group Cruise...there are about 200 of us!!

Marie

[jhannah]

I also have had mixed results. I missed one gathering, but made it to another that was most enjoyable. Really is neat to put faces and REAL personalities to the names on the board. Funny, but some "pan out" while others are completely different that what you imagine from just reading posts. All were great people, though.

[Vicar]

I had already finished my last cruise when I started coming here. But I would love to meet some of the people I have met here if we happened to be on the same cruise in the future.

Heck I still have high hopes of all of us going on that "Blender thread" cruise *LOL*

[MandyGirl]

jhannah - I totally agree! One CC person I met didn't look like what I expected at all, but he was just as cool in person as he was in his posts! He had backpacked in over 33 countries and had shared how beautiful Scotland was. We just experienced our first trip to Scotland this summer... and appreciate what we have learned from other cruisers. :) We're always "game" for meeting, although sometimes you may not find CruiseCritics on the same sailing as you. With the links to pics in my signature, we're not hard to miss, so it interesting to finally meet a fellow CC person when you've never seen a picture of them.

[MISSYLOU]

I started meeting CC'ers on board in Nov 01 on the Maasdam. Met Joel Keenan who many long time HAL posters might remember. At that time he posted here quite often and had an amazing sense of humor. Anyone heard from Joel?

Have met CC'ers on every cruise since then. We always manage to hit it off with some in the group. Have two cruises booked where we will be sailing again with CC'ers we met on previous cruises.

We seem to hook up with a lot of Canadians. Why is that, eh?:D

We think meeting here and onboard is a great way to share our addiction with others.

[localady]

On most of our cruises, we've not found many CCers, if any, on the cruise.

Last December though, we had the pleasure of meeting about 36 folks who were CC'ers and/or their significant others. It was a 17 day South America cruise, which gave us a chance to get together twice, once with assistance of the Food and Beverage Management. It was an exceptional group of people and many of us continue to keep touch here and elsewhere. :)

Am looking forward to our unofficial "CC Veendammers" cruise in Nov 05, as many from this forum will be present!:cool:

[cruisinjudy]

We first met other CC friends on Statendam in 2002 and we have met up with other CCers on all but a family cruise on Ryndam last year. It is really great to feel like you know people all over the ship!

[joanagain]

on my first cruise, i had a dinner companion everynight with a very knowlegable and interesting lady, we talked about many things but not cc...she gave me advise on many "do"s, that as a crusing newbie , i was unaware of...

it was not until i came back from the cruise, did i read the boards and find out that she is also a cc enthusiast.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

We have been able to met with cc'ers several times on several cruises. The best groups were on the Rotterdam and Maasdam where we all met nearly every day.

On our last cruise, the get togethers seem to be when we had something else planned - that's the breaks. On that cruise we were first seating dinner and the majority of the group were second seating.

:)

[Orcrone]

There are only a few people from CC that are going on my October cruise on the Maasdam, and they're ones that don't post regularly. However, there's a good size, and seemingly fun group from C@ that are going on the same cruise. So I'm looking forward to meeting all of them. It's being referred to over there as the HAL-O-Weenie cruise.:D

[Lois R]

hi.:) ..the one really neat thing on Celebrity is...if you have 25 people or more on your ROLL CALL up to 3 days prior to your cruise....X will have a "get together" for them on the ship.
Its quite nice....putting faces together with names:D It is informal...usually on the first sea day..with coffee, pastries, etc.....
Now, sometimes folks end of being friends for life...other times, a nice smile or hello during the week. But I have always enjoyed meeting others from this site! And I look forward to meeting the small group on our roll call too! Hi Pete, Beckey, Ruthann, Dave, Eric, Victoria...and whoever else is going with us!!

[lipoppop]

On our June cruise to the Norwegian fjords about 20-30 cc's met in the Crow's Nest just after the lifeboat drill. This was arranged by a cc'er who acted as secretary on the cruise posting for that specific voyage.

[Lois R]

Cool...that is where our group is meeting:D

[xpcdoojk]

Like Lois I have sailed on X and RCI most recently, and we have had rubberband, cruise critic, and now meet and mingles as they are called. We have had low to high turnout on these events. The longer more exotic cruises had better attendance than the short 7 day cruise.

I hope to meet people in the roll call forum and at least have a drink and put a face with a message board id.

jc

[FrankiRN]

We go to the M&M, usually to meet the folks that we have been corresponding with on the Roll call that we didn't get to meet the night earlier at the hotel bar :D .

[TT]

We have been meeting people for years and it has been great. We loved seeing people around the ship and receiving/giving drinks when we saw them around. We became so close with one of the couples that on the Final sailing of the NCL Norway (yea right) we exchanged gifts and had a great time with them all week. Hi Gretchen/Carl! We also have extended for them to come and stay with us here in Florida anytime. They are just the nicest people going. We also have kept in touch with many other cruisers. Only once was I surprised/confused at the outcome of a CC board member. But, passed that I love meeting and exchanging information. I am looking forward to the Sept. Zuiderdam cruise and meeting everyone.

Toma

[Terri Lee]

Definitely yes!On the Rotterdam in December 2001, a bunch of us CCs had a great time together.I sat at the same table at dinner with 2 couples,Billi and Alan,along with their daughter,Alex,plus Allan and Barbara(can't remember their actual CC names!)Another couple,on the same cruise.....Quendryth and her husband..............great times were had by all.

Then on the Maasdam,December 2002, I arranged for 2 newbies to be at my table,Josh and Bobby(from Atlanta).They were terrific company and we had a ball together!
The last CCs were on the Zaandam December 2003,micmin and her husband,although we never saw the other CCs who were on board at that time:( ................that was my last cruise................

Just noticed a pattern....I seem to go in for December cruises! LOL!

Terri;)

[xpcdoojk]

FrankiRN

You are going on Hal in December 05, change to November and go with us to South America! Come on girl, you can do it.

jc:cool:

[elmorejj]

I enjoy meeting people from CC and have made some great friends. One time, I was sure the poster was a man, was I surprised when I found out it was a lady!! We will be cruising for the third time with this lady in Dec......jean

[Sage]

We have met some delightful people on cruises and have grown very close to some wonderful people we met on the Rotterdam. We look forward to the Veendam cruise in 2005, as there is a large group on that cruise.

[FrankiRN]

JC, we're not cruising in December. Who told ya that? We are cruising RCCL in October, the Navigator. And then the Legend for a 2 week Panama canal next March. No what I think is that YOU should jump off HAL and come on the Navigator with us. A good time will be had by all and I can assure you that EVERYONE will buck the heck up or else :D .

[LAFFNVEGAS]

We have not been so lucky in this area. Our Zuirderdam April of 2003 there were about 6 CCer's that were suppose to meet by the Lido Pool at a set time. I made a fool of myself asking about a dozen people if they were part of Cruise Critics? I would just get this really strange look:eek: So after about 30 minutes I gave up. Never did run into any one. Now on our Oosterdam cruise there were only 4 of us but 2 never responded back on the Roll Call Board the other one was great she actually had a cabin next door to us. We ran into them all over the place so that was fun putting a face to a name. So far I have started 2 Roll Calls for the Ryndam and the Westerdam, no one has responded. I have not started the Oct 2005 Oosterdam because I think it is a little bit early but I think that will be a different story there are already a few that are booked and getting that bargain from this board:cool:

[xpcdoojk]

Laffnvegas, that is so funny. I am always a ringleader organizing meet and mingles in the past, and I always try to get a co-ringleader to help out. So we are in Auckland as the boats came in from the final race in the America's cup races before sailaway. We had agreed to have our meet and mingle at the official time and place, but many of us wanted to meet so I said at 5pm anyone interested should meet at the farthest forward deck. So, of course, there were quite a few people there and I am looking for my internet co-ringleader as there were about 50 of us on the Legend of the Seas. So, I see someone coming up and they are not looking at the sailing yachts or the shore and I figure they are looking to figure out if I am one of the group. So, I would say hi are you part of the cruise critic group, and of course, they looked at me and then in german would say who is this crazy man. (There were a lot of Germans and Swiss there because of the America's Cup races which Alinghi the Swiss yacht won) Finally after about 20 minutes, I decided to beat a retreat before everyone on the ship thought I was a nutcase, and went to the crown and anchor bar and had a martini.

jc:D

[GrammyPL]

We always try to meet CCers on every cruise. If no one else does it--- then I will post on the Roll Call Board. I try to have everyone meet after boat drill. We have meet some really great people from this board. Penny

[xpcdoojk]

My bad

I looked too quickly at your ship list and saw the Westerdam 12/95 and ignored the 9! I am, too, jaded to do traditional Caribbean itineraries. I am getting old, 45, and I don't want to wait until I can afford or have the free time to see the world, and I am going to damn well see it now while it and I are still here.:p :eek: :cool:

jc

[jhannah]

45 ... getting old ... you're kidding, right????

[joeinwpb]

I can’t imagine not meeting others from CC on my cruise. I’ve always said cruising is about meeting people. Our last cruise, this spring, on the Maasdam was greatly enhanced with the time I spent with other CC members. :)

I plan on doing some resort vacationing. It will be very interesting how many friends we meet in resort vacationing.

I notice many of the folks responding to this thread are the ones I find most amiable. I would absolutely love meeting, and cruising with them, as we have already had so many meeting of the minds.

My next scheduled cruise already has 50 people signed up, with over a year to go. :cool:

[HeatherInFlorida]

We've only been on one cruise since I found out about these Boards and that was on Celebrity. We had a pretty good roll call, not great, but about 8 of us wrote back and forth every day and had a ball getting ready to go. About 35 signed up for the CC party. We were to meet on the fantail the first day. Well, only 6 of us showed up for that and how embarrassing when only about 8 showed up for the party!!! We had a lot of fun talking and everyone was very nice, but that was pretty much the end of it.

So I'm a little gunshy about it. We always meet such amazing people on every cruise anyway that it's not necessary in order to have an absolutely fabulous time. But I've run across some really great people on these Boards and I hope someday to see some of them on one of our cruises.

Joe, it's funny but we have gone on a lot of resort vacations and have never met one single person on any of them. We always go on that kind of vacation when we want more of a private getaway. For some reason, it's just not the same as a cruise. People smile, greet you and are pleasant, but that's about it....it's kind of like going to Publix:D

[OCruisers]

Always "SO HAPPY" to meet other CC members on a cruise!

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[Lois R]

Heather...my FAVORITE place to shop:D The Managers always have a smile and a "HELLO" for me! I love Publix LOL LOL LOL

[MandyGirl]

I notice many of the folks responding to this thread are the ones I find most amiable.
:) I would tend to agree! :)

[Sinbad37]

;) We are "Vendammers" for the 14 days in Nov. 2005.

I have enjoyed the posts of fellow travelers for that cruise so much it seems like a "Reunion" excitement.

I was too new to the "Boards" prior to that time to have thought of such a good idea!

Sorry to say, the only couple from CC that was going on our Rotterdam trip this November. 2004, may be unable to make it for health reasons. It is disappointing, as I can see what it could add to the enjoyment.

We were fortunate in some table mates on past cruises! Though not CC members they did add much to the fun enjoyed by all. With some, there is still the desire to share future adventures, which when I can get my Ed on an "aireoplane" may still happen!

Anyone out there going on the Rotterdam to Panama Canal? 11-12-04 t0
11-22-04?

[jazzsea]

I have met people from the Yahoo boards but not from Cruise Critic. I've recently switched back to Cruise Critic after three years of only posting on Yahoo. The Yahoo boards allow those of us in the cruise business to post our specials and any great prices that we have found.

That being said, I like the Cruise Critic boards better. I learn something new from here every day. Thanks for making me feel welcome.

[gizmo]

I have met people from CC on board, and invited them to share some private excursions I had booked, which some did. They were all super people and I enjoyed their company. :)

[Oink]

:) Interesting poll and responses Mandygirl! I discovered Cruise Critic a couple of months before our 10 day Summit cruise in April 2003. We met a lot of great people thanks to these boards....many of whom we still e-mail. In fact, our second cruise on the Summit this past May was a mini reunion of our 1st Summit cruise. :D Four couples from last year sailed again this year. We had about 75 people show up for the official CC party on board.

Anyway, I think the best way to guarantee a good gathering is to arrange a sailaway meeting at a centrally located, high traffic spot. Usually the bar nearest the main pool works, and right after the muster drill. Now, if we could only get more posters on our roll call, right? :rolleyes: Later....Oink! :)

[gizmo]

Anyway, I think the best way to guarantee a good gathering is to arrange a sailaway meeting at a centrally located, high traffic spot. Usually the bar nearest the main pool works, and right after the muster drill. Now, if we could only get more posters on our roll call, right? :rolleyes: Later....Oink! :)
I have to disagree with this. I think many people miss the meeting at sailaway. Many head back to their cabins to continue unpacking or even get ready for dinner if they have early seating. I have always arranged another time and it has worked out much better.

[Lois R]

:D Hi...I can understand both points.....some people do go back to their cabins after muster.....but others don't ( well I go back to return my life jacket;) )...but then I am outa there LOL.
When I sailed on the Mercury back in March we did what both Oink and Gizmo suggested! For those of us who wanted to meet at Sailaway.....we did...and then we met again...next day at a certain time and location and met others who came to the 2nd meeting only:)
Actually our group was kind of small.....and a few of us became good friends and did things together througout the week....we loved TRIVIA....!

And also, Ken (one of my friends) suggested that if anyone was on board in the afternoons....that we would meet at 3:00 in the Navigator Lounge.......it worked great! There always seemed to be some of us there!....we caught up on how our cruise was going, etc...etc.. That was one of my very best cruises:D

[Host Walt]

I have to disagree with this. I think many people miss the meeting at sailaway. Many head back to their cabins to continue unpacking or even get ready for dinner if they have early seating. I have always arranged another time and it has worked out much better.IMO, the two biggest mistakes:

1. Trying to schedule a get together on the first day. Most everyone is still getting oriented and has a buzz about the upcoming cruise, unpacking, not missing the show, etc., etc. Some are just plain exhausted from the trip and just want to grap a bite and crash. The last thing they want at that time is an obligation to meet a bunch of people at a specific time, interrupting everything they are doing.

I always recommend that the meeting take place at least on Day #2 (or the first day at sea). There's no urgency to meeting immediately, unless of course group activities have been arranged.

2. Failing to prearrange an identification technique. Physical descriptions, garment colors, etc. seldom, if ever, work. Prearrange a symbol, such as a simple pinned on flower or even just a Post-It note with CC in black letters stuck on shirts. If you are meeting in a public lounge or similar place, one or two people can volunteer to make a paper sign that simply says CC or Cruise Critic and be the official greeter(s).

- - - - - - -

Always remember, an affinity among some of the group is not assured. Don't be disappointed if attrition occurs; it's not personal. The folks are on board for a variety of reasons; the primary reason seldom being to meet fellow Cruise Critics. If relationships click, as will normally happen, think of it as a bonus.

[CDRMark]

First cruise coming up in November and am very much looking forward to meeting other CC-ers onboard. Roll call is a little light so far but it is early. Thanks to everyone for all their great info.
MarkB

[gizmo]

IMO, the two biggest mistakes:

1. Trying to schedule a get together on the first day. Most everyone is still getting oriented and has a buzz about the upcoming cruise, unpacking, not missing the show, etc., etc. Some are just plain exhausted from the trip and just want to grap a bite and crash. The last thing they want at that time is an obligation to meet a bunch of people at a specific time, interrupting everything they are doing.

I forgot about being exhausted. On our last cruise, we had to fly in the same day. We were up around 4:00 - 4:30 AM and by the time sailaway rolled around Mr.Gizmo was out like a light!

[joeinwpb]

Excellent advise Walt. I posted I would be arriving in “Brand new cover-alls, and my wife could be recognized by her Mini-skirt, and support hose”. :eek: I shocked many people when they found I was a very normal person. Maybe a little more out going. :)

We had around 20 CC members on our cruise. Enjoyed meeting them all.
:)

[Lois R]

Hi....Walt, read my post......you and I had the same exact thoughts....hmmmm
great minds think alike:D

[Joedog]

Hi,

We just got back from our 7/24 Zuiderdam cruise on HAL and we had about 20 people on our roll call thread. We set up to meet at the piano bar at 2:30 the first day which proved to be a little too early and some people didn't make it ~ mostly because HAL's computers were down during check-in. Anyway, we did get to meet about 4 couples which was great. One couple in particular was on their honeymoon (Debi and Mark) and we spent a lot of time together. We had the best time on Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas where we shared a cabana together and had a blast.

I would suggest having 2 meetings in case some people can't make it to the first meeting. One before sail away and maybe the second after breakfast the next day (around 10 or 11). Also, having the meeting at one of the bars maybe during the day makes it easier to find each other. Not as many people at a bar as there are at the pool or buffet during the day.

Anyway, we were very happy to meet our fellow CC members. Wish we met all of the people from our thread but it just didn't happen. Debi, if you are reading this... We miss you guys... when are we going again????

Happy Sunday to everyone!

[RevNeal]

For some reason people never have trouble identifying me. :)

[Host Walt]

For some reason people never have trouble identifying me. :)
Must be the glasses! :)

[JimVrhovac]

Ruth and I try to meet others whenever we cruise. We tend to stand out because of the animal slippers that we wear so we are easy to recognize. I have had people come up to me and ask me if i am the guy from the boards.

We have met a lot of nice, and interesting, people on our cruises and have cruised with them afterwards.

The best way that we have found is to pick one lounge beforehand and set a time when it is convenient for everyone. We usually set up 5-7 pm which fits in to first and second seatings.

Some people show up every night and some people only show up once. On the older ships the Oceans bar seems to be the best place as it has smoking and non smoking sections that are close together.

Jim & Ruth

[ekerr19]

Our first CC members cruise was last spring on the Maasdam. We set the first meeting for the Crow's Nest, 9:00 - 10:00pm. We also set up a secondary meeting the following afternoon in the Ocean Bar between 4:00-5:00pm. Almost everyone showed up the first night - we had 30+ (with kids and significant others) we had such a blast!

Our group ending up spending quite a bit of time together and it really had a positive impact on our cruise. We look forward to meeting up with fellow CC's on our Spring 2005 Volendam cruise (doone is booked as well :) ) and it should be a wonderful time.

We haven't met too many from the upcoming Noordam, I think joanagain is the only other CC'r booked that I know of.

[Phil_W]

On 7/31 HAL Zuiderdam I did not go to the CC meet because I was meeting with my wife's whole family. I did however meet one person in line for the Shore Excursion desk. She was spreading around her CC knowledge to everyone in line so I figured she must be a TA or from the CC boards. I asked and we recognized each other's names from the boards.

(Side Note: I read online about the $25 credit promo deal on the boards.. I got the TA to apply it to the whole family.. Definately a great way to get brownie points with the inlaws.) :)

[Cruising since '81]

Host Walt,

I tend to disagree with you statement that the first day is not a good day to meet people. We just returned from the Zuiderdam (7/321 - 8/7, 2004). Four groups from Cruise Critic planned to meet at the Ocean Bar right after the muster drill. Guess what, everyone was there(12 people), and everyone was easy to spot because the cabin numbers were listed on the orange life jackets. We all gave out our cabin numbers before we boarded. We talked for about 15 minutes, then some of us had to get ready for dinner. All week long, we bumped into each other. I think if we had waited until the second day (at sea), we would have forgotten. Also, not many people walk into a bar with their life jacket, so it actually was our "little cruise critic tag".
I have been to other cruise critic parties on the RCI lines. On a two day to nowhere on the Navigator of the Seas, we scheduled a meeting at the pool bar, and all five couples showed up. This meeting was done just by being on cruise critic.
On the other three seven day cruises, the cruise critic party was scheduled later on in the week. Only half of the registered people showed up. Of course, there had to be 25 signed up to have a party on Roayl Caribbean, but it is nice that RCI arranges a place and snacks.:) ;) :) ;)

[Oink]

:) Hi Again! My experiences have been similar to Since 81's. We've done the sailaway meeting on all four of our last cruises. The only one that didn't work out very well was on the Grand last Nov. One of the other CCers insisted that we all meet at this aft bar that was far removed from all the "action". It was a lousy party with LOTS of no shows. All the others were VERY fun with a great turn out, meeting at a more central bar right after the muster drill. We used post its and a lot of us had on Hawaiian shirts. :D Later....Oink! :)