Tell me about your best Meet & Greet?

[snedecor]

We've had several that were fun, but a few stand out.

 

Island Princess on the way to Alsaka, our M&G had the hotel manager, the CD, and the head chef! Each person bragged on his own department, and the chef brought finger foods, OJ, sparkling water, etc.

 

Grand Princess, we somehow clicked on the forums before the M&G so that when we actually met, we were almost friends! We went on excursions in Jamaica together, took pictures of each other and emailed them after the cruise, etc.

 

On the Conquest, I had Wee Jimmy, the CD, the piano bar player (I believe his fiancee), the comedian, and the assistant CD attend. Jimmy brought trinkets that he passed out, and more substantial gifts (champagne, wine, ships on stick, etc.) that he gave out as trivia prizes.

 

We invented a Cruise Critic hand sign (two hands cupped in C shapes facing each other). For the rest of the cruise, Jimmy went around flashing this CC sign, and if one of us responded, he'd put us in the front row, or give us something! In the M&G, he dropped a hint that he loved KFC wings, and the M&G group brought him a total of 109 wings from Grand Cayman (almost missed the ship because of that...)! I got a door decorated, and a pair of ship on sticks for that. That was my most fun M&G! @HostMach helped us set it up and it worked great!

 

People seemed to enjoy knowing that someone in charge on the ship cared enough to show up, and was open to Q&A.

 

People also like to share notes and experiences, so plan time for just conversation. The experienced cruisers like to share their experiences, and the newbies like to learn! We talk favorite excursions in upcoming ports, and make plans to perhaps go as a group. I also enjoy hearing about other's exotic cruises (Antarctica, Cape Horn, Panama Canal, World Cruise, etc). That's why a public space, like Lido deck on embarkation day never seem to work out well for me. Too loud, too many other people wandering around, and you can't have conversation, other than just one-on-one.

[Name Of The Game]

I was going to participate with Michigan's famous Sander's Hot Fudge but changed my mind as I was packing for the cruise. I was very glad I decided not to participate as many, many people brought either baseball caps or t-shirts and I don't wear either of them.

 

That was smart. Who wants a T-shirt or cap from someone else's state? :confused:

[Racegirl6]

How do you go about creating a meet and greet? Some of these really stand out as very successful. We don't have many in our roll call yet.

[crusinpsychRN]

Cyn7 put together a party and we had a blast!

 

Some people are regular chatty cathy's on line and then no show. Last cruise 1 other person showed...

[crusinpsychRN]

I'm on a roll call now which got switched over to fb. I can't figure out fb for anything so I'm not getting as much out of it as when it was on the roll call page.

[marshhawk]

Our last Legend cruise, we had an incredible Roll Call group-we met for drinks in sports bar for (meet and Greet #1-about 54) this was before dinner, the later that night Javamom coordinated a slot pull in the Casino (about 40), and at the end of the cruise, we did a putt putt tournament. Renegades won. We were a very tight roll call, and while we didn't hang together 24/7, we knew where each other was in the event we wanted to get another party up and going. I keep in touch with two of these people weekly, if not daily.

And on the Fascination-2011-we had a small but tightly knit roll call, we took care of each other, and still keep in touch-our meet and greet was at tea on the first sea day, but we decided to meet for dinner the night before the cruise, and had a blast! So much so, that if people did show up for that meet and greet and felt uncomfortable, we are sorry.:(

[jimbo5544]

How do you go about creating a meet and greet? Some of these really stand out as very successful. We don't have many in our roll call yet.

It really varies a lot. The busiest we have had was well over 130 members on the Breeze this past April (also on FB) and have had some that were 5 or 6 people. Popularity of the ship and dates and itin are factors as well.

[PSkinner]

How do you go about creating a meet and greet? Some of these really stand out as very successful. We don't have many in our roll call yet.

 

I did our M&G trough Carnival. I contacted then about private parties and prices. Then on our roll call page everyone decided how long and what type of party we wanted. I collected money through paypal with 1 week before sailing as the deadline for payments. I created a spreadsheet with cc names/real names/cabin number/booking number so I could get with people after we boarded if need be. Contacted Carnival with the type of party, number of people and the date/time we requested. Everything was confirmed with Carnival on the final phone call so I could let everyone on the roll know.

We had a casual meet after the Muster Drill and got to know everyone then and our official M&G was nest day from 11-1. I made name badges for everyone but by then I think most of us had already met. After our M&G then party came back to our cabin. Great group of people!

total amount of party was added to my S&S account that's why I collected funds.

[doe326]

Best one I've been on was the Breeze TA. We had over 200 people at our M&G. Lots of prizes were given out. Activities were planned just about every sea day for us to get together. Had a great cabin crawl.

Had two other good ones on Princess. One on a Panama Canal Cruise and the other this past April on a Hawaiian cruise.

[Boozebabe]

Been to several over the years. A couple times I was the only one there but usually there is about a dozen people. BUT the best was the last one on our May5th Breeze cruise. A mini meet after muster was attended by about 12-15 people. Then the party meet in Liquid Lounge was attended by about 30 of the most fun and crazy people yet.

 

I would advise anyone to attend one. You can always excuse yourself if you don't click with the group. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[jwjax]

I did our M&G trough Carnival. I contacted then about private parties and prices. Then on our roll call page everyone decided how long and what type of party we wanted. I collected money through paypal with 1 week before sailing as the deadline for payments. I created a spreadsheet with cc names/real names/cabin number/booking number so I could get with people after we boarded if need be. Contacted Carnival with the type of party, number of people and the date/time we requested. Everything was confirmed with Carnival on the final phone call so I could let everyone on the roll know.

We had a casual meet after the Muster Drill and got to know everyone then and our official M&G was nest day from 11-1. I made name badges for everyone but by then I think most of us had already met. After our M&G then party came back to our cabin. Great group of people!

total amount of party was added to my S&S account that's why I collected funds.

 

This is the way to go if you have an active roll call group! Our last two cruises on the Fascination had just that! Very chatty and ready to party groups. If the group doesn't drink, then Carnival will still provide a room to meet, with no perks etc.. Of course, a lot of groups meet at sail away for the initial M&G, to meet everyone and say hello in person etc...:)

 

However, if the group is ready to party.....:D , then Contact Carnival's Group dept and get a current price list of all the possible options for a great private get together.

 

1, 1.5, 2 or more hours of Open Bar, snacks, even Hors d'oeuvre's if you wish to spend a little extra on food items instead of dry snacks. Carnival will provide a lounge and bar/wait staff to accommodate the number of paid guests attending the party.

 

I attended one where Dr. Bucket's handled the arrangements, and then the next I made all the arrangements. Couldn't be easier. Carnival will work closely to make sure it is a success. :)

 

As for payments to the host/coordinator, I used checks to me, and later we found out that using Carnival's E-Gift Cards was the absolute easiest method to pay! Especially if your roll call includes other than US citizens. We cutoff payments about a week before sailing, and that was it. Let Carnival know when you board if there were any changes since the final confirmation phone call and you are set.:D

 

Good luck and have fun....

 

PS....Slot Pulls are also great fun.... they work out best if a list and payment is made ahead of time. Cabin Crawls are fun for first timers, or even seasoned cruisers who want to see the different cabins. A Poker Run during the Crawl is always fun as well.:) On our last cruise, we even had a gift exchange and scavenger hunt!

 

PSPS... It also never hurts to Contact JH at Carnival to ask for some door prizes and Staff attendance....etc.

[4spring]

Wow - some great stories, ideas, & pictures. Love the pictures!! Keep sharing!