Meet and Mingles

[glittergal1]

Hello all has anyone on here set up a cruisecritic meet and Mingle ? I just wondered about a few things if anyone can help?

when you email them (NCL) to ask for a meet and Mingle can you suggest a day for it to happen and a time . Could they do them in the evening ?

 

Im collecting names and numbers on my roll call to hopefully have a meet and mingle does there need to be a minimum number of people before they will do one ?

[Partyatsea]

The second to last sticky thread at the top of this forum is all about M&Gs

[punkincc]

Hello all has anyone on here set up a cruisecritic meet and Mingle ? I just wondered about a few things if anyone can help?

when you email them (NCL) to ask for a meet and Mingle can you suggest a day for it to happen and a time . Could they do them in the evening ?

 

Im collecting names and numbers on my roll call to hopefully have a meet and mingle does there need to be a minimum number of people before they will do one ?

 

I'm pretty sure they will be telling YOU the day and time. They generally do them on the morning of the first sea day, usually 11:00 am and they pick the venue depending on the # signed up and whatever else might be scheduled that day. Also, consider the fact that they will do this at the time most convenient for senior staff to attend. Never seen an evening one, as these are held in public areas generally closed during the day, like a specialty restaurant, but they would be open at night. If you have 25 or so that is probably enough, and most Roll Calls have 40 to 60 probably who attend the meeting. Just my opinion, but it is will be like herding cats to get everyone together in the evening with dinner reservations, shows, etc. going on. It's hard enough on a laid back sea day. But you are free to schedule any number of informal get togethers in the evenings for drinks or dinner or groups who want to do a show together.

Edited March 22, 2015 by punkincc

[glittergal1]

Thank you that is what I was thinking might happen

[xriva]

The Meet & Greet is usually scheduled on the morning of the first sea day, and the ship will provide pastries, coffee & juice (and senior staff.) I think that is a time the room and the staff is available - in the evenings, many would be busy. However, it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

Prepare for 50% turnout! People always plan to attend the M&G, but many will miss it.

 

Let the ship know early! The "two weeks" mentioned in the sticky post is really too late, as one organizer found out on my next cruise. Someone else knew the Hotel Director, and was asked if there was going to be a M&G since nobody had mentioned it. So, the M&G has a new organizer now.

 

Make sure nobody else has already started the process. I've seen roll calls where some helpful soul has started the M&G and not mentioned it to the roll call organizer.

[glittergal1]

Thank you , we sail May 31st so I thought I would get in touch at the beginning of April I have 40 people so far do you think that will be enough?

[sparks1093]

Thank you , we sail May 31st so I thought I would get in touch at the beginning of April I have 40 people so far do you think that will be enough?

 

I set up our M&G on the Gem and was told there is no minimum. We got about half of the roll call to attend ours.

[clean1owner]

I organized the M & G on our Dawn cruise. I agree that 2 weeks out is not early enough. I first contacted NCL about 4 weeks prior to sailing, and everything went real smooth.

 

I received an email about 1 week prior to sailing letting me know the set up. They put us in the Star Bar at 11:00am on the first sea day. The Captain and Department Heads all showed up for some Q & A.

 

We had about 75% of those who said they were coming actually show up.

[Valen9]

I organized the M&G on our Gem sailing in February. I think I contacted them about 3 weeks out, when I had 23 people offering to attend. It went VERY smoothly -- a single email to the address in the sticky got me a reply in about a week with a date and time. The Group Events coordinator on the Gem was there with sign-up sheets and nametags.

 

My only advice for those sailing the Gem is to have seasick bags standing by if you are assigned to the Bliss lounge in the winter. There's usually a LOT of ship movement on the first day out of NYC (and the last day before docking at NYC) and we had some troubles with that. The crew is AWESOME and will make it as easy as possible for you.

Edited March 23, 2015 by Valen9

[newmexicoNita]

Thank you that is what I was thinking might happen

 

Yes, they are almost always the first sea day in the late morning. What we do is have 2: 1 is an unofficial one, strickly social and no NCL management there. We do this the first night, either at a sail away type of party, or one right after the life boat drill. Then the second one is the NCL official one.

[Squidward Q Tentacles]

I organized the M & G on our Dawn cruise. I agree that 2 weeks out is not early enough. I first contacted NCL about 4 weeks prior to sailing, and everything went real smooth.

 

I received an email about 1 week prior to sailing letting me know the set up. They put us in the Star Bar at 11:00am on the first sea day. The Captain and Department Heads all showed up for some Q & A.

 

We had about 75% of those who said they were coming actually show up.

 

Forget the two weeks before the cruise, even four or eight weeks! If you are going through all the trouble of organizing a meet and greet then contact NCL the moment you know you are doing it. That is unless somebody else has already started organizing the meet and greet.

 

Twice now I have had someone contact NCL eight or nine months before the cruise to let them know they were the 'organizer' of the meet and greet.

 

On my last cruise I was really hampered with my activities I was planning because NCL would not talk with me because I was not the official contact.

 

On my first two cruises on the Pearl I was able to talk to the captain and arrange a bridge tour, but this last December cruise no bridge tour.

 

NCL even told me I could not conduct a cabin crawl! That was the craziest thing I ever heard, it is nothing more than friends letting friends see their cabins.

 

So my advice for anyone planning the meet and greet, contact NCL way early!

[biker@sea]

Forget the two weeks before the cruise, even four or eight weeks! If you are going through all the trouble of organizing a meet and greet then contact NCL the moment you know you are doing it. That is unless somebody else has already started organizing the meet and greet.

 

Twice now I have had someone contact NCL eight or nine months before the cruise to let them know they were the 'organizer' of the meet and greet.

 

On my last cruise I was really hampered with my activities I was planning because NCL would not talk with me because I was not the official contact.

 

On my first two cruises on the Pearl I was able to talk to the captain and arrange a bridge tour, but this last December cruise no bridge tour.

 

NCL even told me I could not conduct a cabin crawl! That was the craziest thing I ever heard, it is nothing more than friends letting friends see their cabins.

 

So my advice for anyone planning the meet and greet, contact NCL way early!

 

Yup !

 

If you are the group leader , Touch base with NCL as soon as you have like 10 people interested .

:)

[glittergal1]

OK thanks I will get in touch today

[margie1221]

Hello! I would just like to add that if your M&G is scheduled in the Star Bar - on the Gem, Jewel & Dawn - make sure your folks know that the Star Bar is tucked in around the corner from Cagney's. We lost some attendees since they could not find the location!!!

 

Also, I believe that on some itineraries you set your clocks back that first night so, remind your folks of the time of the M&G and emphasize that you'll be in a new time zone!!

 

Just trying to help with little pitfalls I have experienced!!! Have fun - LOVE the Cruise Critic M&G on NCL - they really take care of us!!

[Linda the Book Lover]

I just returned from a cruise on the Star where I was lucky enough to be the M&G go to person. I sent a letter one month ahead and everything was perfect. I touched base about one week out with an updated number.

 

I did request a bridge tour for our group and we did not get one as a CC group. One member of our group conducted the cabin crawl. The members in the owners suite graciously invited everyone to their cabin for refreshments at the end of the cabin crawl. There was one slight oops which was easily handled the prize raffles. I requested a table for items to be placed and when I explained I purchased gifts for our members out of my money with no request for compensation there was no issue at all. NCL wanted to make sure I was not handling my own "gambling venue" so to speak.

 

This is the second time I was able to work with a nice group of cruise critic members as the M&G point person. Have a wonderful time! NCL did take care of us:)

[don't-use-real-name]

Hello! I would just like to add that if your M&G is scheduled in the Star Bar - on the Gem, Jewel & Dawn - make sure your folks know that the Star Bar is tucked in around the corner from Cagney's. We lost some attendees since they could not find the location!!!

 

Also, I believe that on some itineraries you set your clocks back that first night so, remind your folks of the time of the M&G and emphasize that you'll be in a new time zone!!

 

Just trying to help with little pitfalls I have experienced!!! Have fun - LOVE the Cruise Critic M&G on NCL - they really take care of us!!

 

My Panama Canal voyage 10/20 the M&G was in the Meeting Rooms just

forward of the Library on Deck 12 - a difficult location to find and like the

poster above we lost some folks. The M&G was held at 10am with all -4-

meeting rooms open - had coffee tea juices and a variety of breakfast pastries.

The M&G host had 60 some signed up with 40 some actually present.

 

On my most recent cruise NCL DAWN 1/11 I hosted the M&G with about 40 some

signed up with 30 some present.

The Captain and Crew heads made a ratio of 1 to 3 - crew to cruisers.

M&G held in the Star Bar 10am with the usual drinks and breakfast goodies.

 

Made the arrangements 3 weeks ahead of time with NCL LINK:

 

http://www.GroupEvent<ship name>@ncl.com.

 

It is a must THAT ONLY ONE PERSON initiate the M&G and follow thru with the

hosting keeping NCL informed of the head count. Allow for as much time in

advance as possible. In my case I realized that no one had started the M&G

so I started the ball rolling. After the M&G other activities may take place such

as a Cabin Crawl (visiting others cabins) A Slot Pull in the Casino and A Gift

Exchange talk it up/post on CC for what your M&G folks would like to do.

 

M&G's are a great opportunity to make sailing friends for life and get attention

from the crew for needs and wants no guarantees but a chance to put the foot

in the door to answer questions and get that special request honored.

[glittergal1]

Hi all I emailed NCL and received a reply the very next day :) with it all arranged , we are in the Bliss Ultra lounge on the Epic

With it being our only sea day Ive a feeling not everyone will come who has said they will but i hope most of them will especially those of use who have arranged tours together .

 

 

Thank you for all your input

[don't-use-real-name]

By having your M&G on a sea day there are no shore excursion interruptions and

by having it in the morning there is very little conflict with other ship organized

activities shows etc.

Ideally it should be after 10 but before 11 or so - so the bon voyage partying

effect has worn off and the first buffet or lunch in the MDR is not interfered with !

If you have 75% of your M&G group present you have done well and the more

that you talk it up on CC roll call the better - try and find out where your group

is located by cabin and get some interest up on doing a Cabin Crawl or having

other engaging things like planning or coordinating shore excursions together.

 

Now that you have arranged for your M&G keep the CC postings going and

NCL will take care of the rest onboard - if in a suite make mention that you

are hosting the M&G to the Concierge. Even if you are not in a suite contact

the Concierge anyway to ask questions if help is needed.

Generally NCL will provide the name tags for your group and will log all those

in attendance by cabin number and other details. If your group decides to

take a shore excursion together mention it at the M&G to the crew for help

in getting ashore as a group !

 

Good golly they do a tremendous job of making you welcome and insuring that

the M&G is a success !

[teseo]

an useful link for activities for your M&G

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2188259

[sparks1093]

By having your M&G on a sea day there are no shore excursion interruptions and

by having it in the morning there is very little conflict with other ship organized

activities shows etc.

Ideally it should be after 10 but before 11 or so - so the bon voyage partying

effect has worn off and the first buffet or lunch in the MDR is not interfered with !

If you have 75% of your M&G group present you have done well and the more

that you talk it up on CC roll call the better - try and find out where your group

is located by cabin and get some interest up on doing a Cabin Crawl or having

other engaging things like planning or coordinating shore excursions together.

 

Now that you have arranged for your M&G keep the CC postings going and

NCL will take care of the rest onboard - if in a suite make mention that you

are hosting the M&G to the Concierge. Even if you are not in a suite contact

the Concierge anyway to ask questions if help is needed.

Generally NCL will provide the name tags for your group and will log all those

in attendance by cabin number and other details. If your group decides to

take a shore excursion together mention it at the M&G to the crew for help

in getting ashore as a group !

 

Good golly they do a tremendous job of making you welcome and insuring that

the M&G is a success !

 

On the Gem they had a dedicated Group Event Coordinator who took care of all of the details of the M&G, so I would recommed contacting that individual instead of the Concierge, although I am certain the Concierge could do everything they could to help. Right after we arrived in our cabin the Coordinator was on the phone introducing himself and outlining what the plan was for the M&G. In fact the call came so quickly that it wouldn't surprise me to find out there was someone in the hallway communicating with him and saying "they are in the cabin now".:)

[rvsullivan]

We had an issue on our last two cruises. Both times the M&G was set for 11 am. The officers were there ready to start at 11 and folks were just arriving. For 15 minutes, people straggled in. Captain was upset. He indicated the start time was 11 and he and his officers were there ready to go at 11. Make sure your people arrive about 15 minutes before start time. So if you have an 11 am start time, tell your people to be there at 1045.

Our last cruise we had the Capt and officers for about 3-4 minutes and they left. The Captain allocated 20 minutes for his staff and at 1120 they left.

Edited March 28, 2015 by rvsullivan