Our April cruise on the Mardi Gras had the Circle C meet up at 8 pm the first night. You will go with them earlier in the day, we went at 1 pm, to check them in but the meet n greet you just drop them and go. Can’t help with the Rudi’s dinner as we didn’t get a chance to dine there. Enjoy your cruise, Mardi Gras has been our favorite ship so far!