Big groups impact on your cruise

[Sailingpeace]

Originally Posted by ONT-CA

There cannot be any more people in the dining room than there are chairs to hold them. There cannot be any more people in the pool than allowed. There cannot be any more people on the lounge chairs than there are lounge chairs. In short there cannot be any more passengers aboard the ship than there is accommodation for. Therefore I cannot see the relevance of numbers. I can only see the relevance of who or what these passengers are.

A. I believe most of us understand the number of passengers chair principle...but thank you for explaining just in case...
b.The relevance in numbers, if you read my OPost, is to not having the normal use of the ship you usually have and come to expect, even when ship is full. I am referring to, like for example, closed off areas ( this meaning an area that you would normally access, like a bar ( a place where you can get a drink) or a restaurant ( a place where you can get food) , but that you can't because it is only allowed for the group members) . The link bewteen big groups and that is that for a big group some big areas can be off limits, and even more than one at the time. That is what I experienced at a land resort and hope not to face on a cruise.
c. as for your other useful comment on wasting time finding out about race, religion etc....who would even think of such a thing?! Diversity is one of the pleasures of cruising and meeting different people... oh! with one exception , hoping we all have one thing in common; an open mind .

[cruisequeen4ever]

We were on a cruise with about 500 pax from another country. They didn't speak English, so for instance, Bingo was called in 2 languages, which got annoying and long. Also, they monopolized a dining room every night as they rotated through them, and we always seemed to choose the same one. The servers were so stressed to give the group the best service, that we were kind of ignored and given less than exemplary service. Soo, I think it's better to avoid a cruise with a large cruise. We still had a fantastic cruise, but it would have been a little better without a huge group.

[Starlaker]

Sailingpeace, Love your post!

[Sailingpeace]

Originally Posted by Starlaker

Sailingpeace, Love your post!

Thank you

[ddloml]

On our cruise to Bermuda a few years ago on Norwegian Dawn, there was a 'gypsy' orchestra group from the Netherlands celebrating its 100th anniversary. We got the benefit of many extra musical performances on board, both small group combos on the Lido deck and bars, as well as a full big band performance in the afternoon in the theater on an 'at sea' day. It was a wonderful addition to the cruise.

[Kamloops50]

Originally Posted by Sailingpeace

A few weeks ago,someone mentionned finding our after booking that a big group would be onboard. I believe that happy people travelling together is a good thing. I am worried that what could happen would be becoming a second class passenger, some areas, be it on decks or bars or dining rooms could become off limit because reserved for the large group. I have met such a situation at a land ressort and was not happy about it. You make plans to go to a certain restaurant ( that was one of the reasons you booked that resort) only to find out that as you get there or try to make reservations, that is is for the group members only.
Could that happen on Princess? If so, I believe there should be of way to finding out, just as hotels let you know when booking that the pool is beeing repaired etc. Would we be informed or is there a way to find out? What we pay for and expert is full use , like on any normal Cruise, of the full ship and services.

I've only had this happen in Alaska where tour groups where on board .
No problem with restaurants but parts where half for groups.

[smtcan]

Originally Posted by ddloml

On our cruise to Bermuda a few years ago on Norwegian Dawn, there was a 'gypsy' orchestra group from the Netherlands celebrating its 100th anniversary. We got the benefit of many extra musical performances on board, both small group combos on the Lido deck and bars, as well as a full big band performance in the afternoon in the theater on an 'at sea' day. It was a wonderful addition to the cruise.

We were on a Celebrity cruise with a group called (I think) Symphony at Sea. They had an orchestra with them and took over several rooms for rehearsals and also used the theatre in the afternoons for performances. Apart from the danger of meeting large instruments in corridors they did not cause any problems and we had the opportunity to attend some of their concerts, which we enjoyed.

[Bowie MeMe]

Once was on a cruise with a large restaurant chain celebrating their award winning restaurants. The biggest problems were several rooms and lounges being taken out of general service and used for their seminars and meetings. Didn't ruin the cruise but did make us jealous seeing some really great swag that we didn't get

On the Star Princess in South America we had at least 5 language groups that had at least 100 people each group plus maybe 500 folks from Argentina so that was almost half the ship. Translators were on for language group tours (French Japanese Chinese German and Spanish (European) and a Spanish speaking Asst. cruise director and asst/asst. cruise director. Not much of a problem except for one large group parked for 24 hours a day in Horizon Court and thus the flow was really poor (never vacated so others could eat/find table) and they pulled all the tables together to make their own area so hard on waiters. With all the South Americans, they were all large extended families with the universal problems of loud kids/drunks/door slamming. Wasn't expecting so many kids in the pool in OUR winter cruise

I think humans in small groups and with cultural responses in line with my own expectations make for a much better cruise but I frequently do not have control of this situation.

[SusanSmithJr]

I think the people who run the cruise ships are interested in pleasing as many people as possible. If they cater to large, pushy and boarish groups, their regular passengers would migrate elswhere.

There was a rather large group of Australians on my cruise. They all wore lanyards to recognize each other, everyone else knew as soon as they'd say, G'day. They added a flavor to the journey that helped make the sailing unique.

The worst group I have ever come across was a convention of salespeople who were involved in a multi-level company (which as since closed their doors). These people would constantly try to sell, any place and any time. I saw them pitch their products to homeless bums. They'd diagnose and prescribe their product, for problems I never knew I had. They were worked into such a frenzy, they couldn't turn it off.

Now that is a group one can complain about. And clowns, clowns just freak me out.

[catsforkids]

Originally Posted by Orangefan

How were you able to find out that the Nov 4th sailing of the Ruby Princess was 80-90% booked with large groups? Last week I asked my CP and called Princess myself for some answers and could not get an answer. The final payment is due in a little over a week. My problem has been getting a good airfare. The rates have been quite high. A few weeks ago there was another discussion about these large groups on CC Princess. I know the ship will be filled with cruisers but the stories shared about taking over areas like the pool,seating around the pool, dining areas and MUTS reserved etc. I am having my doubts about going on this cruise. I have tried to get some other Princess bookings but many are sold out.
Sali

Hi Sali! I think we cruised together before & did Zumba?? Was that you? Emerald last Nov or the Ruby in Jan?

On the Nov. 4 sailing it is the Adventure Bears, who will probably take over the Aft pool. The next week is an Expedia group. I am sailing alone so I will find some place to hang out & have fun. Zumba may be REALLY fun if the Bears do it

[Orangefan]

Originally Posted by catsforkids

Hi Sali! I think we cruised together before & did Zumba?? Was that you? Emerald last Nov or the Ruby in Jan?

On the Nov. 4 sailing it is the Adventure Bears, who will probably take over the Aft pool. The next week is an Expedia group. I am sailing alone so I will find some place to hang out & have fun. Zumba may be REALLY fun if the Bears do it

Hi Linda !
You have a great memory ! I was on the Emerald in Nov 2011 and Crown April 2012. You would have loved the Crown to Aruba and Curacao. Lots of great zumba ( 4 times I think ) and 3 Bollywood classes in the Atrium.
I haven't signed in the M & G because although the reservation has been in for awhile , the air is the problem. Time is running out . The final payment is due Aug 14 to the CP and I need to get the air settled or no trip.
I am not concerned about the makeup of the groups but the size and what areas might be limited access to us. If I can get airfare I will probably go. I did try other Princess cruises around the same time but most are sold out and air still hard from Syracuse.
I will continue to check the roll call and let you know if I will be on the ship or not.
Enjoy your day !
Sali

[lovelearnteach]

If you don't want to sail with groups then don't sail one of the commercial cruise lines. For a more "personalized" experience, book one of the luxury lines. Like most things you get what you paid for. The competition and volume of the commercial lines makes it appealing for groups. On all of my cruises there were groups and they in no way detracted from the enjoyment of my cruise .

[Pam in CA]

Originally Posted by lovelearnteach

If you don't want to sail with groups then don't sail one of the commercial cruise lines. For a more "personalized" experience, book one of the luxury lines. Like most things you get what you paid for. The competition and volume of the commercial lines makes it appealing for groups. On all of my cruises there were groups and they in no way detracted from the enjoyment of my cruise .

Instead of a premium cruise line, I prefer to take longer or more exotic cruises. You're less likely to have a big group on a 15-30 day cruise although I remember on my Sapphire 31-day cruise in 2005, there was a very large German group who were very loud and obnoxious. But they mostly stuck with each other so it didn't bother me.

[abqmommyof4]

Its a cruise people. a vacation! go with the flow enjoy your selves and have fun. remember when the LOrd gives you lemons make lemonade and when he gives you the moon make moonshine..... Life is too short to get upset over the little things

[Aussieflyer]

Originally Posted by lovelearnteach

If you don't want to sail with groups then don't sail one of the commercial cruise lines. For a more "personalized" experience, book one of the luxury lines. Like most things you get what you paid for. The competition and volume of the commercial lines makes it appealing for groups. On all of my cruises there were groups and they in no way detracted from the enjoyment of my cruise .

We were on Silversea PA11 (now Explorer) to the Arctic a while back and there was an Australian tour group on a Captain's Choice tour. We knew that the group was going to be on the ship but based on the price they were charging we thought the group would be maybe 20 - 25 people. In fact there were 43 (almost half the passengers on the ship). With the other Australians on the ship who were not with the tour (us included) over 70% of the ship's passengers were Australian. Whilst the group did not commandeer areas for meetings etc and were very friendly it took away one of the reasons we cruise - to meet people from other countries and cultures, so in a way having the group did detract a bit. There was one advantage - it did reinforce our decision to never go on one of the tours - the tour guide was next to useless and did not engage at all with the group and they had been on a very heavy land itinerary before boarding the ship.

[lovelearnteach]

Originally Posted by Pam in CA

Instead of a premium cruise line, I prefer to take longer or more exotic cruises. You're less likely to have a big group on a 15-30 day cruise although I remember on my Sapphire 31-day cruise in 2005, there was a very large German group who were very loud and obnoxious. But they mostly stuck with each other so it didn't bother me.

I bow to your far superior knowledge !

[Pam in CA]

Originally Posted by lovelearnteach

I bow to your far superior knowledge !

It's not superior knowledge. You are far more likely to encounter a big group on a 7-day or less cruise. And I don't take longer cruises to avoid groups. I take them because they either have an interesting itinerary or I'm traveling with friends.

[lovelearnteach]

Originally Posted by Pam in CA

It's not superior knowledge. You are far more likely to encounter a big group on a 7-day or less cruise. And I don't take longer cruises to avoid groups. I take them because they either have an interesting itinerary or I'm traveling with friends.

I don't cruise either to avoid groups, but the OP seems to .

[catsforkids]

Originally Posted by Orangefan

Hi Linda !
You have a great memory ! I was on the Emerald in Nov 2011 and Crown April 2012. You would have loved the Crown to Aruba and Curacao. Lots of great zumba ( 4 times I think ) and 3 Bollywood classes in the Atrium.
I haven't signed in the M & G because although the reservation has been in for awhile , the air is the problem. Time is running out . The final payment is due Aug 14 to the CP and I need to get the air settled or no trip.
I am not concerned about the makeup of the groups but the size and what areas might be limited access to us. If I can get airfare I will probably go. I did try other Princess cruises around the same time but most are sold out and air still hard from Syracuse.
I will continue to check the roll call and let you know if I will be on the ship or not.
Enjoy your day !
Sali

Hi Sali - I hope the air works out for you. It's always nice to start our dreaded winter season with a tan! I'll watch for you on the roll call

[catsforkids]

Originally Posted by lovelearnteach

If you don't want to sail with groups then don't sail one of the commercial cruise lines. For a more "personalized" experience, book one of the luxury lines. Like most things you get what you paid for. The competition and volume of the commercial lines makes it appealing for groups. On all of my cruises there were groups and they in no way detracted from the enjoyment of my cruise .

For a real adventure and small numbers, we sailed with Lindblad twice. Wow, what an experience they give! But at quite a price tag! If I could afford it I would travel with them but I can take 2-4 Princess cruises for what 1 Lindblad would cost. Maybe someday if I win the lottery.....