How can one keep a Meet & Greet to it's original purpose?

[sapper1]

Yes, but if I'm ON the ship, I am more likely to go to an upcharge restaurant, order something to drink at a bar, or order something to drink with or after dinner. My point was that off the ship, the money I spend doesn't benefit the cruise line. And other discussions about the shortening of port hours reflect that HAL has realized this.

 

 

 

So, to take this further, we shouldn't discuss private shore excursions in the Lido either--after all, HAL provides the food and the space. ;)

 

They know people take private excursions and/or just get off the ship and walk around. There's nothing wrong with talking about it.

I guess we have differing ideas of propriety. We should just leave it at that.

[Hlitner]

If I understand the comments of some in this thread, they want a degree of censorship on HAL cruises where everyone should be banned about talking about anything that does not directly benefit HAL? Personally, we travel and cruise for our own benefit, not the benefit of the travel provider (in this case HAL). If HAL's feeling are hurt that we discuss DIY or Private shore excursions then we will be happy to provide them with a crying towel.

 

About 2 years ago we were at a crowded Meet and Greet (on the Westerdam) and sitting around a table with a group of folks who were all discussing a private excursion we were taking later in the cruise. A lady passenger walked over to our table and said that she thought it was "inappropriate" for us to be discussing a private excursion because the Cruise Director was in the room. After some laughter we all returned to our conversation.

 

Hank

Edited August 22, 2014 by Hlitner

[wander]

I stand on the "inappropriate" side of life to have an OPEN, TAKE OVER THE EVENT discussion of private tours at an event that HAL supplies with food and beverages (and maybe officers). HOWEVER, I also think it equally inconsiderate for all other cruisers not a part of the private tour groups to spend M&G public time on this. I am NOT talking about 3 or 4 folks having a "private" discussion but rather when the Private Tour Leader takes over the meeting and does their organization, information sharing, etc. When this occurs - I leave as I have better things to do onboard than listen to that. Even if I am participating - not the time to discuss.

 

I personally do not have a problem with folks talking about private tours, just how, when and where some such discussions occur. At the very least it is inconsiderate to the hosts.

 

 

I do go on numerous privately arranged tours, but the folks running them have always had their own "meet and greet" events where the details were covered, be it a travel group or an individual planner.

 

Earlier on in this thread a poster made a somewhat put-down comment about a travel group that brings a lot of folks on the ship and implied that they discussed their business at the CC M&G. I have traveled with this group on a number of Grand cruises, including the World as well as some other long cruises. I can assure you that the agency forks DO NOT discuss their tours at the CC M&G. After all these years they know better. They do have their own get togethers where such business is conducted. Now, that is not to say that one of the group members might not make a comment about their tour, but it is NOT a place where any official transactions occur or where whole group information is provided or where the escorts even appear.

Edited August 22, 2014 by wander

[GmaPajama]

Donna...thank you for this thread from two or so years ago! Things like this always come in handy. Kazu found it for me as this has come up on the Roll Call for our upcoming Noordam cruise.

 

Hope you and Jon are well...would love to meet up again on a cruise soon. Sorry we missed you in Martinique last winter.

So many of the old threads are still relevant, and it sometimes saves a lot of research when someone brings them forward. I'm glad you, and others, might have found it useful. I've been tied up with family matters the past couple of months, but now have some time on my hands. I look forward to catching up with my Cruise Critic family. :)

[Riversedge]

As a planner of a past meet and greet and the current planner of two more, I can say that most of the ones I've attended in the past have been very enjoyable. We've made friends that we still get together and travel with. I enjoyed the time when you could put a face to a name and have discussions with the people you've been communicating with on the roll call.

 

I do not feel it is inappropriate to touch base with others doing a private tour but not to the point where it interferes with the general discussions. Just on the side meeting up to talk about a meeting point and time for the tours. Privately. Not promoting tours, just making sure those few people know where to meet up. On our last cruise 2 couples had forgotten they had signed up for a private tour and if I hadn't mentioned it to them quietly at the meet and greet we would have stood there waiting for them. Some people can't seem to get themselves organized even though it's all spelled out for them on the roll call. It takes a face to face unfortunately.

 

What I have not enjoyed (it's only happened once) was the meet and greet where everyone went around and introduced themselves and told a little about themselves. It became a "meet and brag" rather than having time to chat. Name tags listing your name, screen name and where you live can generally start discussions with others.

 

It's nice of HAL to allow us to have the meet and greets and I hope it can continue. I've rarely seen people eat more than a half dozen cookies and a couple of cups of coffee so if they stopped that it wouldn't be a travesty. It's a lot of work for the few that partake. An officer attending is a nice perk but if that stopped it wouldn't change the purpose of the meet and greet which is to get to know our fellow cruise critic members.

[mame42]

Best M&G I was ever at was on our last cruise on NCL, it was a fantastic group of people. The staff was all very nice and we enjoyed talking with them. Most of them went out of their way to say hi in passing after that. Also at the M&G the Captain announced if everyone wrote down their name and cabin number he would be happy to send out a personal invite to each of us to tour the bridge. It was the highlight of the cruise for my husband.

 

Ditto. In general, I am not a fan of party games, but after the officers had been introduced, the organizer had planned several "get to know your fellow cruisers" activities, such as a type of BINGO in which one had to find a person who spoke two languages or came from Tennessee, etc., with small prizes for winners. Not only did we get to know one another beyond name tags, no one had time to be rude.

[sammiedawg]

As I said before I've attended lots of meet and greets and have never seen anyone from the cruise line attend, I think officers and crew have bigger fish to fry. I'm not sure I've even seen any cookies or refreshments there either. People drop in and out to put a face with the name in regard to private tours. It's been my experience that the primary people who showed up were there to connect with the tour organizer and tour companions.

There is nothing in a cruise contract that prohibits free speech, I think there is something about public onboard solicitation but that is not happening or I've not seen it.

I think we worry too much about little things. The cruise lines screwed themselves with overpriced bus trips and overpriced liquor. Smart people figure out different options and they have every right to do so.

There is nothing in the cruise contract saying we must tour with the cruise line or sit and do nothing.

 

FYI premium cruise lines have onboard concierge to assist in private touring, making arrangements for golf outings, tour guides, taxi service, transfers, train trips, spa and gym visits, pub visits or whatever you want to do. Even the river cruises have a concierge that will arrange extra outings. People lined up on Oceania to make private arrangements with the concierge doing the leg work.

 

We recently stayed in Amsterdam at the Pulitzer hotel which is upscale with a big concierge staff. The Pulitzer has its own canal boat and they have their own canal and walking trips for a fee but everyone knows there are better deals out there. I talked to the concierge half a dozen times and he made the reservations for what we wanted to do independent of their own offerings.

Edited August 22, 2014 by sammiedawg

[cruz chic]

As I said before I've attended lots of meet and greets and have never seen anyone from the cruise line attend, I think officers and crew have bigger fish to fry. I'm not sure I've even seen any cookies or refreshments there either. People drop in and out to put a face with the name in regard to private tours. It's been my experience that the primary people who showed up were there to connect with the tour organizer and tour companions.

There is nothing in a cruise contract that prohibits free speech, I think there is something about public onboard solicitation but that is not happening or I've not seen it.

I think we worry too much about little things. The cruise lines screwed themselves with overpriced bus trips and overpriced liquor. Smart people figure out different options and they have every right to do so.

There is nothing in the cruise contract saying we must tour with the cruise line or sit and do nothing.

 

FYI premium cruise lines have onboard concierge to assist in private touring, making arrangements for golf outings, tour guides, taxi service, transfers, train trips, spa and gym visits, pub visits or whatever you want to do. Even the river cruises have a concierge that will arrange extra outings. People lined up on Oceania to make private arrangements with the concierge doing the leg work.

 

We recently stayed in Amsterdam at the Pulitzer hotel which is upscale with a big concierge staff. The Pulitzer has its own canal boat and they have their own canal and walking trips for a fee but everyone knows there are better deals out there. I talked to the concierge half a dozen times and he made the reservations for what we wanted to do independent of their own offerings.

 

I do HAL excursions because I feel more secure doing that. I don't think it has anything to do with being smart or stupid. I don't appreciate the remarks here and from other posters on the board that think you are a moron because you go that route.

 

I think it's bad form to discuss private excursions in front of HAL officers. It's only common (or so you would think) courtesy.

[Lizzie68]

As I said before I've attended lots of meet and greets and have never seen anyone from the cruise line attend, I think officers and crew have bigger fish to fry. I'm not sure I've even seen any cookies or refreshments there either. People drop in and out to put a face with the name in regard to private tours. It's been my experience that the primary people who showed up were there to connect with the tour organizer and tour companions.

There is nothing in a cruise contract that prohibits free speech, I think there is something about public onboard solicitation but that is not happening or I've not seen it.

I think we worry too much about little things. The cruise lines screwed themselves with overpriced bus trips and overpriced liquor. Smart people figure out different options and they have every right to do so.

There is nothing in the cruise contract saying we must tour with the cruise line or sit and do nothing.

 

FYI premium cruise lines have onboard concierge to assist in private touring, making arrangements for golf outings, tour guides, taxi service, transfers, train trips, spa and gym visits, pub visits or whatever you want to do. Even the river cruises have a concierge that will arrange extra outings. People lined up on Oceania to make private arrangements with the concierge doing the leg work.

 

We recently stayed in Amsterdam at the Pulitzer hotel which is upscale with a big concierge staff. The Pulitzer has its own canal boat and they have their own canal and walking trips for a fee but everyone knows there are better deals out there. I talked to the concierge half a dozen times and he made the reservations for what we wanted to do independent of their own offerings.

 

 

What a shame - you've really missed out. Every single cruise we've done (quite a few) on HAL and RCI there have always been officers in attendance, and refreshments served. On RCI the officers also give out little gifts (junk stuff but nice gesture). On our last one there were 3 officers there, as I recall. I wonder why your had nothing and no one at yours? Maybe whoever did the roll calls did not notify HAL.

[sammiedawg]

Cruzchic, I did not mean to imply anyone who takes a ship excursion is dumb, I don't think I said that. Sincere apologies if you were offended.

[richwmn]

As I said before I've attended lots of meet and greets and have never seen anyone from the cruise line attend, I think officers and crew have bigger fish to fry. I'm not sure I've even seen any cookies or refreshments there either.

 

What a shame - you've really missed out. Every single cruise we've done (quite a few) on HAL and RCI there have always been officers in attendance, and refreshments served. On RCI the officers also give out little gifts (junk stuff but nice gesture). On our last one there were 3 officers there, as I recall. I wonder why your had nothing and no one at yours? Maybe whoever did the roll calls did not notify HAL.

 

I agree with Lizzie - it is quite possible that whoever set up your M&Gs never contacted HAL. I just received my confirmation for my upcoming cruise. I addition to showing a setup for coffee, tea and pastries it contains the following statement:

SHIPS PERMANENT COMMENT: Should the

vessel's operational or situational circumstances

permit, at the staff's discretion an appropriate

officers' delegation will attempt to partake for a

portion of this duration. At no time will this be

guaranteed.

 

I know that various ships staff have their own feelings about Cruise Critics but for the most part the M&Gs I have attended have had a few officers present.

Edited August 22, 2014 by richwmn

[LindaM]

As I said before I've attended lots of meet and greets and have never seen anyone from the cruise line attend, I think officers and crew have bigger fish to fry. I'm not sure I've even seen any cookies or refreshments there either. People drop in and out to put a face with the name in regard to private tours. It's been my experience that the primary people who showed up were there to connect with the tour organizer and tour companions.

There is nothing in a cruise contract that prohibits free speech, I think there is something about public onboard solicitation but that is not happening or I've not seen it.

I think we worry too much about little things. The cruise lines screwed themselves with overpriced bus trips and overpriced liquor. Smart people figure out different options and they have every right to do so.

There is nothing in the cruise contract saying we must tour with the cruise line or sit and do nothing.

 

FYI premium cruise lines have onboard concierge to assist in private touring, making arrangements for golf outings, tour guides, taxi service, transfers, train trips, spa and gym visits, pub visits or whatever you want to do. Even the river cruises have a concierge that will arrange extra outings. People lined up on Oceania to make private arrangements with the concierge doing the leg work.

 

We recently stayed in Amsterdam at the Pulitzer hotel which is upscale with a big concierge staff. The Pulitzer has its own canal boat and they have their own canal and walking trips for a fee but everyone knows there are better deals out there. I talked to the concierge half a dozen times and he made the reservations for what we wanted to do independent of their own offerings.

 

Going with HAL has absolutely NOTHING to do with not being smart. It's just plain and simple EASY!! Some of us don't want to worry about little things while on holiday, like transportation to the hotel/ship, or getting back to the ship ontime from excursions. Some people love to plan on tripadvisor and organize private tours and find their own hotels. That is wonderful for them, if that is what they like! I feel sorry for those who have to find ways to save money on their cruise. I've actually decided I don't want to shlep wine onto the ship at ports or embarkation. There is plenty of overpriced wine on HAL that is fine for us! I don't care what we pay...I just want it to be easy. I can't tell you how happy I was at our post hotel in Amsterdam (which was very nice and in a good location WITH a HAL rep. acting as a concierge), when the limo pulled up and took us to the airport right on time. I didn't have to do a thing, except tell the bellman what time to pick up our luggage.

 

We've had the Captain come to our Meet and Greet. On our most recent cruise, the beverage manager was there. And.........Mimosa's were served!!! Actually, I think it's because no one attended a Veteran's party that was in the Crow's Nest at the same time!!

[Lizzie68]

Going with HAL has absolutely NOTHING to do with not being smart. It's just plain and simple EASY!! Some of us don't want to worry about little things while on holiday, like transportation to the hotel/ship, or getting back to the ship ontime from excursions. Some people love to plan on tripadvisor and organize private tours and find their own hotels. That is wonderful for them, if that is what they like! I feel sorry for those who have to find ways to save money on their cruise. I've actually decided I don't want to shlep wine onto the ship at ports or embarkation. There is plenty of overpriced wine on HAL that is fine for us! I don't care what we pay...I just want it to be easy. I can't tell you how happy I was at our post hotel in Amsterdam (which was very nice and in a good location WITH a HAL rep. acting as a concierge), when the limo pulled up and took us to the airport right on time. I didn't have to do a thing, except tell the bellman what time to pick up our luggage.

 

We've had the Captain come to our Meet and Greet. On our most recent cruise, the beverage manager was there. And.........Mimosa's were served!!! Actually, I think it's because no one attended a Veteran's party that was in the Crow's Nest at the same time!!

 

This is very timely - just had a conversation with cruise friends about how we've reached the point where we take the easiest option, even if it takes longer and costs more! I don't have unlimited $$'s but I still prefer to pay more if it makes it easier.

 

Sorry, I guess I hi-jacked and went off-topic - just wanted to say I agree.:D

[jtl513]

Just thinking ... do HAL officers, when they get shore time, do ONLY HAL tours themselves? If not, some of them may want to hear about private excursions. ;)

.

Edited August 22, 2014 by jtl513

[taxmantoo]

Just thinking ... do HAL officers, when they get shore time, do ONLY HAL tours themselves? If not, some of them may want to hear about private excursions. ;)

.

 

I doubt that very much. Do General Motors employees ALL drive GM products? Do all SAKS 5th Avenue employees buy all their clothes there? HAL employees should not be different.

[cruz chic]

Just thinking ... do HAL officers, when they get shore time, do ONLY HAL tours themselves? If not, some of them may want to hear about private excursions. ;)

.

 

I have seen officers on Hal excursions. As a matter of fact when I was on a HAL whale watching tour last year there was a guy that I thought was so rude. He was standing right in the doorway of the boat doorway making it difficult to get in an out. I thought to myself, what a jerk. A few days later imagine my surprise to see he was a officer at a HAL VIP party. I guess being an officer doesn't guarantee manners.

[kazu]

Just thinking ... do HAL officers, when they get shore time, do ONLY HAL tours themselves? If not, some of them may want to hear about private excursions. ;)

.

 

I can tell you that when I met with the person in charge of our meet and greet she asked if we were doing private tours and asked where our meet place was (Prinsendam - May 2013). She told me that she always does private tours if tours are necessary as do most that she travels with on board when they have the opportunity.

 

Some of them are on HAL tours of course as escorts, etc. but if they were paying (at least on that ship), they do it private or diy.

 

She had no issue with us doing private tours and helped me with the tender port. On the other hand, she did say that Captain Andre was very pleased that we focussed on the cruise, meeting everyone and not talking about private tours.

 

We did that after the meeting if anyone needed to talk about it.

 

Most of the planning is done long before a M & G (at least I do), with emails to my travelling companions, etc. and a meet place set up. So, there's not really much to cover unless someone has a last minute question;)

[cruz chic]

Going with HAL has absolutely NOTHING to do with not being smart. It's just plain and simple EASY!! Some of us don't want to worry about little things while on holiday, like transportation to the hotel/ship, or getting back to the ship ontime from excursions. Some people love to plan on tripadvisor and organize private tours and find their own hotels. That is wonderful for them, if that is what they like! I feel sorry for those who have to find ways to save money on their cruise. I've actually decided I don't want to shlep wine onto the ship at ports or embarkation. There is plenty of overpriced wine on HAL that is fine for us! I don't care what we pay...I just want it to be easy. I can't tell you how happy I was at our post hotel in Amsterdam (which was very nice and in a good location WITH a HAL rep. acting as a concierge), when the limo pulled up and took us to the airport right on time. I didn't have to do a thing, except tell the bellman what time to pick up our luggage.

 

We've had the Captain come to our Meet and Greet. On our most recent cruise, the beverage manager was there. And.........Mimosa's were served!!! Actually, I think it's because no one attended a Veteran's party that was in the Crow's Nest at the same time!!

 

I have to agree with you, it's easy, plain and simple. Some folks have the luxury of time to arrange and research tours. Even if I did, I have better things to occupy my mind.

[CowPrincess]

I have to agree with you, it's easy, plain and simple. Some folks have the luxury of time to arrange and research tours. Even if I did, I have better things to occupy my mind.

 

For us, it is about maximizing our experience at a port. We only get one cruise a year so we want to make the most of it :D Sometimes we do HAL excursions and sometimes we do private. I consider the time I put into researching and arranging a private excursion an investment in our trip.

 

After one exceptionally disappointing HAL shorex, I am very selective about which of theirs I use for DH and me. But when traveling solo, it is highly unlikely I'd be going off on my own unless it was a port with which I was familiar... I'd be taking carefully-chosen HAL shorex.

[serendipity1499]

What a shame - you've really missed out. Every single cruise we've done (quite a few) on HAL and RCI there have always been officers in attendance, and refreshments served. On RCI the officers also give out little gifts (junk stuff but nice gesture). On our last one there were 3 officers there, as I recall. I wonder why your had nothing and no one at yours? Maybe whoever did the roll calls did not notify HAL.

 

Perhaps it's because the person who arranged the Meet & greet did not send the officers an invitation.. Any M & G. I've arranged I've sent a Hand written invitation to the Officers ..Normally when we board I immediately go to see the person who is handling the M & G on the ship & get the names of the Officers.. I also send the Officers a Handwritten Thank you afterward..

[DaveOKC]

I doubt that very much. Do General Motors employees ALL drive GM products? Do all SAKS 5th Avenue employees buy all their clothes there? HAL employees should not be different.

 

Funny question! When I was growing up in Detroit, almost ALL GM employees drove GM products, it was a matter of pride in the company. GM encouraged it through employee discounts on new cars, and they even reserved the closest parking lot to the plant entrance for GM cars only!

 

DaveOKC

Edited August 22, 2014 by DaveOKC

[Hlitner]

I have to agree with you, it's easy, plain and simple. Some folks have the luxury of time to arrange and research tours. Even if I did, I have better things to occupy my mind.

 

If we would be happy on a HAL tour (or the tours of any cruise line) the money would not be an issue. But with over forty years of extensive international travel, DW and I just totally dislike being stuck on a bus with 50 other souls, led around like cattle by a tour guide, having to go to the bathroom when told, etc. We simply prefer to do what we want, when we want, with who we want. In some ports we do not even bother to plan anything, but simply do what feels right at the time. At other ports, we do our homework and make some prior arrangements.

 

As to private excursions, we have done a few (mostly on longer HAL cruises) that were organized by others ...and posted on our Roll Call board. In most cases it was just a matter of sending a single e-mail to join those tours which are always much smaller groups that a cruise line excursion.

 

I should also add that DW and I are foodies and love to sample the cuisine all over the world. Most excursions allow little time for lunch and often will take their charges to touristy restaurants that specialize in handling large bus tours. The thought of being in a place like Rome and not being able to enjoy at least 1-2 hours sitting at a Piazza Navona café is too painful to contemplate :). And that is just one example of why we love to do nearly everything DIY.

 

Hank

Edited August 22, 2014 by Hlitner

[taxmantoo]

Funny question! When I was growing up in Detroit, almost ALL GM employees drove GM products, it was a matter of pride in the company. GM encouraged it through employee discounts on new cars, and they even reserved the closest parking lot to the plant entrance for GM cars only!

 

DaveOKC

 

Times seem to have changed. The St Catharines (Ontario - Canada) GM plant's parking lot might have only about 25% GM product. The Ford plant in Oakville, Ontario probably has about the same percentage of Ford products. There are more imported cars in both parking lots than Canadian or American built cars.

Edited August 22, 2014 by taxmantoo

[POA1]

If we would be happy on a HAL tour (of the tours of any cruise line) the money would not be an issue. But with over forty years of extensive international travel, DW and I just totally dislike being stuck on a bus with 50 other souls, led around like cattle by a tour guide, having to go to the bathroom when told, etc. We simply prefer to do what we want, when we want, with who we want. In some ports we do not even bother to plan anything, but simply do what feels right at the time. At other ports, we do our homework and make some prior arrangements.

 

As to private excursions, we have done a few (mostly on longer HAL cruises) that were organized by others ...and posted on our Roll Call board. In most cases it was just a matter of sending a single e-mail to join those tours which are always much smaller groups that a cruise line excursion.

 

I should also add that DW and I are foodies and love to sample the cuisine all over the world. Most excursions allow little time for lunch and often will take their charges to touristy restaurants that specialize in handling large bus tours. The thought of being in a place like Rome and not being able to enjoy at least 1-2 hours sitting at a Piazza Navona café is too painful to contemplate :). And that is just one example of why we love to do nearly everything DIY.

 

Hank

I agree completely, except for the part about being told when to go to the bathroom. We love that. ;)

[kazu]

Perhaps it's because the person who arranged the Meet & greet did not send the officers an invitation.. Any M & G. I've arranged I've sent a Hand written invitation to the Officers ..Normally when we board I immediately go to see the person who is handling the M & G on the ship & get the names of the Officers.. I also send the Officers a Handwritten Thank you afterward..

 

well, my invites are all prepared with a pic of the ship :) and they get delivered. My thank you's though are always hand written. It's the only way to do a thank you note - at least that's the way I was taught.

 

And yes, we usually have officers/beverage managers/whatever. It really depends upon the timing of the M & G. Ours are not good with arrival times at port so I don't expect everyone there by any means, but they will still get the invites (which always include a thank you to HAL for the lovely venue and the assistance)