why not join in roll calls?

[SeagoingMom]

The first M&G I went to was on a 10 day Panama Canal cruise. About 5 people showed up.

But on our 32 day B2B from Buenos Aires, the RC's were very active. There were actually 3 RC's BA to Val, Val to LA, and the B2B. They started a year before the cruise and there were 100's of posts.

Fletch1 (Russell) put the 2 M&G's together up in Skywalkers and they were both well attended. There were a number of private tours that were organized, and the people got together to get the final info.

I even bit the bullet and organized a fantastic culinary tour of Lima for 8 of us.

It sounds like you may have been on our 10-day Panama Canal cruise on HAL Zuiderdam in 2011! Five is about the number that showed for the M&G on that cruise, too!

[SeagoingMom]

We joined once. The group was small but friendly until someone brought up the subject of staterooms during a conversation. We were treated rather coldly after I was asked for our room number and someone recognized it as a full suite.

 

We found out later in the cruise that there had been several "roll call" activities that we had been uninformed of, even though our room number was known and written down with everyone else's. We took it in stride and didn't let it bother us.

 

We cruise to spend quality time together and enjoy the sites. We choose our cruise based on the itinerary, not the on-board activities.

 

Happy sailing everyone.

I am having trouble imagining why folks would discriminate against you because you were in a suite! Any hypotheses?

[DonnaK]

Almost every roll call I've been a part of (with the exception of 3 of them) was a dud - inactive, unfriendly, cliquish, and aloof. Like many here, I am not interested in cabin crawls or slot pulls, but I do like finding out other people's plans for the ports and perhaps joining a private tour, so I continue to join them.

 

I haven't been to a good Meet and Mingle in a very long time. Only a handful of people attend, or they mostly sit around amongst themselves and not doing much mingling.

[wwcruisers]

I am having trouble imagining why folks would discriminate against you because you were in a suite! Any hypotheses?

 

That was my thought too. As someone who has actually stuck up their hand and volunteered to organize a cabin crawl, I would have been thrilled to meet a fellow r/c'er in a full suite!! :p

[sailing canary]

Excuse my ignorance - not been on a cruise yet - but what are cabin crawls and slot pulls??

[BridgeMates]

I love the Roll Calls! Over the years we have been on some fabulous private excursions and met many wonderful people. After the tours you'll have lots of new friends from all over the world to chat with on the cruise. The longer the cruise the more roll call activity. 7 day Alaska or the Caribbean don't usually generate much activity and if you're traveling with friends you might not be so interested in the M&G's and other activities arranged by CC groups, but if you're traveling alone or with only your spouse, it's great. You can be as involved as you want. Each cruise and each roll call is different.

[Cruise_me_Crazy]

Excuse my ignorance - not been on a cruise yet - but what are cabin crawls and slot pulls??

 

Cabin crawls are a loosely organised tour of various cabin types. People volunteer their cabin to be opened up for viewing by other cruisers. Gives you a chance to see if a sunset cabin / hump cabin, suite etc are worth your hard earned dollars for future bookings!

 

Slot pull is where a group of cruisers pool their money (ie $15 p.head) and play the pokies. Say 3x pulls on the same machine each then pool the winnings.

 

 

 

I am on a TA leaving shortly from Rome. So very greatful for the other contributors. Our roll call has a part 2 to it as it got so huge. Our own website & FB page.

Because of it I have learned so much and save dollars so many times over. Super friendly bunch.

I am doing activities through them I normally wouldn't!

Yes we have a gift exchange, cabin crawl, slot pull, sail away party, meet n greet night before cruise, small tours booked, trivia teams, crafting group, poker, bridge, mahjong groups, the 6 sea days will be exhausting!! :D on and shared transport to the port & post cruise dinner! :)

 

Cannot wait!

[maywell]

Excuse my ignorance - not been on a cruise yet - but what are cabin crawls and slot pulls??

 

 

Cabin crawls are when people see the different types of rooms / cabins as ship has to offer. Its usually done voluntary by the various people at a Meet & Greet who are willing to show off their room / cabin to others.

 

Slot pull is when people organized a slot or game machine to play for a group to gamble at. Its usually about $5-20 a play depending on cost of the machine to allow you to play / pull / gamble at.

 

Someone can correct me if I got those wrong. :o

 

 

Regarding Roll Calls, I'm noticing it can also be the cruise line setup - If its on NCL, at least you get a room such as specialty restaurant to meet people the next day after embarkment organized by the line. But if its on Carnival, the roll call is on their own in finding a spot and it (my understanding anyway) is usually done after muster call on embark day. So I kinda understand why some people don't do roll calls - I had to do a mad dash and figure out where the aft bar is on ship I have never been on before in cold rainy weather on sail away time. At least got a nice view and photos of city's skyline & Statue of Liberty, plus got to meet 7-9 out of the 20 roll callers at the Meet & Greet (got to meet the last one at the mini-golf game set up by the group). :D

[Harry and Lucille]

So far, there are 10 of us staying at the same hotel the night before we sail. Thought that it might be fun to meet each other before 10 days in the same environment. I am not a fan of beads, headwear, tee shirts, etc. however, in this case, with the hotel being full of cruisers, the wife and I will wear Mardi Gras beads. Enough for all. If they want, they can find us, receive their goofy beads and we will be able to identify each other. Very informal get together.

 

On a previous cruise, there were 14 folks staying at several hotels within easy walking distance of the marina restaurant at the Bahia Cabana. We all met up for dinner. It was short, fun and good. Don't think that we ran into any of them on the cruise. Everybody just does their own thing. :cool:

[John&LaLa]

Years ago I joined in the Roll Calls.

But then they changed. People wanted to bring gifts, play games, do cabin crawls. I am not interested in those things.

No more Roll Calls for me.

 

You can find out about things like Dynamic Dining reservations (RCCL), cabin sales, etc.. I do agree there is wat to much senseless chatter. :banghead: Always do roll call, never do M&M, but if I run into someone at pool or casino that's fine. :beer:

 

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app

[wishIweretravelling]

Interesting question. I've learned that people are often not in person what they seem on line--sometimes to the better, sometimes not. That being said, I always participate on the roll calls. Part of the fun of cruising is, to me, meeting new people. I get that for some that is not an interest. But the roll calls are great for those who do have some interest in mingling.

 

A couple of examples. Ten years ago, I was booked on a cruise with my mother. I "met" a woman on CC who was booked with her husband, and she and I started emailing. Come embarkation day, we immediately spotted each other in the terminal, and the friendship stuck. We've cruised together--planned ahead of time--a couple time since then, visited each other in our respective towns, and maintained a friendship that still survives despite living hundreds of miles apart.

 

Another example. I met a family (all adults) on a cruise many years ago. I was traveling solo, and they kind of adopted me. One of the sisters was close in age and interests to me, so we did a lot of things together on the cruise. We fell out of touch, but re-found each other on CC when we discovered we were about to be on the same cruise again. This time the friendship stuck. And, fast forward to today, we both are now in life situations where we would be solo cruisers but instead we travel together and are quite compatible. I would not be able to afford as many cruises and other trips if I always had to pay the single supplement, and would not have as much fun, without this connection. Not to mention that I wouldn't have these friendships that I highly value.

 

So, yeah, roll calls do have value to some of us.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[sgttami]

Interesting question. I've learned that people are often not in person what they seem on line--sometimes to the better, sometimes not. That being said, I always participate on the roll calls. Part of the fun of cruising is, to me, meeting new people. I get that for some that is not an interest. But the roll calls are great for those who do have some interest in mingling.

 

A couple of examples. Ten years ago, I was booked on a cruise with my mother. I "met" a woman on CC who was booked with her husband, and she and I started emailing. Come embarkation day, we immediately spotted each other in the terminal, and the friendship stuck. We've cruised together--planned ahead of time--a couple time since then, visited each other in our respective towns, and maintained a friendship that still survives despite living hundreds of miles apart.

 

Another example. I met a family (all adults) on a cruise many years ago. I was traveling solo, and they kind of adopted me. One of the sisters was close in age and interests to me, so we did a lot of things together on the cruise. We fell out of touch, but re-found each other on CC when we discovered we were about to be on the same cruise again. This time the friendship stuck. And, fast forward to today, we both are now in life situations where we would be solo cruisers but instead we travel together and are quite compatible. I would not be able to afford as many cruises and other trips if I always had to pay the single supplement, and would not have as much fun, without this connection. Not to mention that I wouldn't have these friendships that I highly value.

 

So, yeah, roll calls do have value to some of us.

 

 

 

Nice story!

 

I reconnected with an old high school friend on Classmates about 15 years ago and found out that we were booked on the same cruise through CC. We've been in touch ever since and when I sail to Port Canaveral she meets me and we spend the day together...

[Lerin]

I've lurked around a few roll calls just to get an idea of what activities people are doing. If something sparks my interest or it appears someone can answer a question, then I'll chime in.

 

Never met a single person from a roll call though, even though I've been informed of where meet and mingles are planned. Each time it either hasn't fit into my schedule, I forgot, or the meet up wasn't something that interested me (such as a slot pull).

 

Aside from that, my line of work involves speaking with strangers and others on a regular basis. When I'm on vacation I rather enjoy not having to partake in a lot of small talk. ;)

[wwcruisers]

Tried that and there were no bites. I really think done with roll calls and Meet and Greets especially after that last bizarre Meet and Greet.

 

LOL -- OK -- now, I have to ask: what happened at your last M&G? ;)

 

Hoping that your current roll-call improves, before your cruise. Some just come together beautifully, and others never do -- for whatever reason.

[iheartbda]

LOL -- OK -- now, I have to ask: what happened at your last M&G? ;)

 

Hoping that your current roll-call improves, before your cruise. Some just come together beautifully, and others never do -- for whatever reason.

I'm not hoping for any improvements but it's all okay. DH is travelling this cruise so we'll have our own good time.:)

 

Crew member who was running the M&G was VERY perturbed with anyone who did not have their invitation, me being one of them. I thought I had not received one but it was buried in all those first day fliers we're bombarded with.:o Told her I had received a confirmation email from RCCL so she asked if I had that....nope. She checked her list and said I wasn't on it.:confused: She was very concerned with not having enough of the little freebie gifts. In her defense, there were far more people there than had confirmed on the roll call that they were coming. I think people lurked, then just showed up without registering.

 

She started having all the husbands stand up, introduce themselves and their wives. Just before she got to me, she suddenly stopped. OK, no big deal but, I was travelling with my college roommate and not my husband. She did not take into account anyone who wasn't with a husband or who might be travelling solo. There were a number of people who had no chance to introduce themselves.

 

There was a gift exchange and as soon as everyone got their gift....POOF, everyone was gone.There is another person on the current roll call who was also on that cruise and had the same thoughts. There were some other things but just in case, the person involved would read this thread, mum is the word.:D

[John&LaLa]

I'm not hoping for any improvements but it's all okay. DH is travelling this cruise so we'll have our own good time.:)

 

Crew member who was running the M&G was VERY perturbed with anyone who did not have their invitation, me being one of them. I thought I had not received one but it was buried in all those first day fliers we're bombarded with.:o Told her I had received a confirmation email from RCCL so she asked if I had that....nope. She checked her list and said I wasn't on it.:confused: She was very concerned with not having enough of the little freebie gifts. In her defense, there were far more people there than had confirmed on the roll call that they were coming. I think people lurked, then just showed up without registering.

 

She started having all the husbands stand up, introduce themselves and their wives. Just before she got to me, she suddenly stopped. OK, no big deal but, I was travelling with my college roommate and not my husband. She did not take into account anyone who wasn't with a husband or who might be travelling solo. There were a number of people who had no chance to introduce themselves.

 

There was a gift exchange and as soon as everyone got their gift....POOF, everyone was gone.There is another person on the current roll call who was also on that cruise and had the same thoughts. There were some other things but just in case, the person involved would read this thread, mum is the word.:D

 

The things we'll do for a ten cent key chain. :rolleyes:

 

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app

[NCCruzQueen]

........... Another example. I met a family (all adults) on a cruise many years ago. I was traveling solo' date=' and they kind of adopted me. One of the sisters was close in age and interests to me, so we did a lot of things together on the cruise. We fell out of touch, but re-found each other on CC when we discovered we were about to be on the same cruise again. This time the friendship stuck. And, fast forward to today, we both are now in life situations where we would be solo cruisers but instead we travel together and are quite compatible. I would not be able to afford as many cruises and other trips if I always had to pay the single supplement, and would not have as much fun, without this connection. Not to mention that I wouldn't have these friendships that I highly value.[/quote']

 

wish, thanks for your kind words. I feel very fortunate to have met you all those years ago. We have had some really special experiences. Looking forward to our next cruise in just a few weeks!

[TeaBag]

I find the roll call an easy way to join up with others to share a private tour which is much better than a bus load of people on a ship's tour. As for the slot pull, cabin crawl, gift exchange, etc. I have never felt pressured to join. It's usually a case of, "put your name on the list" and that's that.

[BlueRiband]

I have been cruising for many years and I was wandering why so few people join in on the roll calls, and to me it seems less and less all the time..I have met some amazing friends from the roll calls, talking to them for months and then meeting them at the meet and greets, I find it so exciting to chat with other fellow cruisers that are going on the same ship as us...

 

Because their idea of a great voyage is not my idea of a great voyage?

 

A meet and greet is the ONLY CC event that I would want to attend for the exact reason you mentioned. However, once a "superorganizer" assumes charge it's a different story. This person will want names and cabin numbers for her (and it's almost always a her) spreadsheet. Extra activities like cabin crawls, gift exchanges, private tours, and "slot pulls" will be organized.

 

Want to go to a great shipboard lecture but your organizer has decided that's a great time to hold the M&G? Party pooper. More comfortable with a ship sponsored excursion? But her tours are so much better and we only need two more people! Don't care to buy a gift for a perfect stranger or go on a cabin crawl? Oh come on and have some fun!

 

My vacation time is precious and subordinating it to people on a roll call is not my idea of fun. Better to just let people who enjoy these activities do so than to sign on and not participate.

[iheartbda]

..............

Want to go to a great shipboard lecture but your organizer has decided that's a great time to hold the M&G? Party pooper. More comfortable with a ship sponsored excursion? But her tours are so much better and we only need two more people! Don't care to buy a gift for a perfect stranger or go on a cabin crawl? Oh come on and have some fun!

...............................

 

I once got a whammy because I said I didn't do group tee shirts and my dh would not wear one in a million years. Shirts didn't even have some creative, at best, name on them. Funny, but the organizer had said she couldn't wait to meet me but after the initial meeting, a couple of days later when I saw her, she acted like she didn't know me. I think it was because I spoiled the group picture since I think I was the only one not wearing the official group tee shirt.:D:D:D

[paul929207]

Because their idea of a great voyage is not my idea of a great voyage?

 

A meet and greet is the ONLY CC event that I would want to attend for the exact reason you mentioned. However, once a "superorganizer" assumes charge it's a different story. This person will want names and cabin numbers for her (and it's almost always a her) spreadsheet. Extra activities like cabin crawls, gift exchanges, private tours, and "slot pulls" will be organized.

 

Want to go to a great shipboard lecture but your organizer has decided that's a great time to hold the M&G? Party pooper. More comfortable with a ship sponsored excursion? But her tours are so much better and we only need two more people! Don't care to buy a gift for a perfect stranger or go on a cabin crawl? Oh come on and have some fun!

 

My vacation time is precious and subordinating it to people on a roll call is not my idea of fun. Better to just let people who enjoy these activities do so than to sign on and not participate.

I guess I have been lucky or just take the right type cruises. We have been on 36 cruises and joined the Roll Call for most of them. Some have had organized slot pull or cabin crawls, but we did not participate in them. I never felt any pressure to do so. We have taken may private tours organized on the Roll Call, but never were pressured to do one that didn't interest us. Last year we did about 30 private tours on our cruises.

 

As to giving private info to the Roll Call, that is up to you. No one can make you give your name, cabin, or any other info.

[wwcruisers]

We've been very lucky, too. Occasionally, we'll end up on a "dead-on-arrival" roll call -- but, not very often. At the other extreme, we've also managed to dodge the "roll-call-zilla's" that some folks here have described -- the "my way or the high-way" people. Most of our roll-calls have been well-organized (without being pushy) and the onboard activities have been well-attended. We've met some folks who turned out to be good friends -- in person, and on the boards.:cool:

[lovemylab]

I always join the roll call but my level of participation will vary.

 

I join the roll call to share information and join others on private tours. We have met some wonderful people through the roll calls and sharing tours. I've been on some roll calls that were awful (large group of people who have all cruised together before and most of the posts were about their personal lives).

 

I don't post my cabin number, last name or any other personal info. I also have no interest in gift exchanges, cabin crawls, etc. so I don't bother with these activities and have never felt pressured to do so.

[freanesi]

Did our first cruise with NCL. Athens to Istanbul. Joined a very active roll call which helped us organise some shore excursions. I found the roll call to be very helpful with information about ports. Some of us met for dinner the night before the cruise. We went to the meet and greet, joined others for our shore excursions and one night for dinner on board. Not everybody joined in and there was no pressure to do so.

We have just booked our second cruise, Barcelona to Venice and I am eagerly anticipating joining another roll call for info on ports of call and hopefully to join with others for shore excursions. The roll call enhanced the whole cruise experience for me as I could share information I had found and chat with others about things they had found. I guess this is also part of being a "newbie" to cruising. I think the good thing about roll calls is that it is up to the individual how much you want to be involved.

[SeaMystique]

Well, this is very interesting. We're going on our first cruise in2/15 and I signed up with the roll call right away. DH is self - employed, I'm retired, and we don't get to meet new people very often. I can't see what we have to lose by hanging around with some experienced cruisers who know all the ropes.

This said, I have to say I was a little unnerved when I found out 1) there is a spreadsheet 2) there is a cabin crawl, and c) we are all going to be given Mardi Gras beads to wear. There was also some vague mention of aT-shirt. Someone on this forum said "high school." That's exactly what I thought. However, I'm going to reserve judgment because doing different things on a vacation is what it's all about, and furthermore no one can force us to spend time with them if we choose otherwise. I understand the people who just want peace and quiet: when I was working, I'd have said the same. Times and people change, however.

Also, I'm not sure I understand all this fearfulness out there. If someone wants to look at my cabin,why should I care. It's not my home, it's a floating hotel room. As for not divulging information about oneself, what's the big worry? Identity theft? I don't see my fellow cruisers as a bunch of opportunistic criminals. Or am I missing something?