Roll Call Question ...

[BEAV]

I booked a cruise today and just checked out the roll call. A large number of participants are all booked through a certain Travel Agency who's identity is mentioned several times throughout the thread. The poster managing the roll call name list highlights your name if you booked through this certain agency. Special onboard activities only for those booked through this agency are also mentioned.

 

I'm a little hesitant to join the roll call since I haven't booked through this particular agency. I realize it's my choice whether or not I want to participate.

 

First off, is naming/discussion of specific agencies allowed on roll call threads?

Lastly, are there those out there who would also be reluctant to join such a roll call and find it a bit intimidating?

[Charles4515]

I booked a cruise today and just checked out the roll call. A large number of participants are all booked through a certain Travel Agency who's identity is mentioned several times throughout the thread. The poster managing the roll call name list highlights your name if you booked through this certain agency. Special onboard activities only for those booked through this agency are also mentioned.

 

 

 

I'm a little hesitant to join the roll call since I haven't booked through this particular agency. I realize it's my choice whether or not I want to participate.

 

 

 

First off, is naming/discussion of specific agencies allowed on roll call threads?

 

Lastly, are there those out there who would also be reluctant to join such a roll call and find it a bit intimidating?

 

 

 

Hit the report button. What you described is not allowed.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[BEAV]

Hit the report button. What you described is not allowed.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

I actually did that 3 or 4 days ago when I was still considering booking the cruise. So that brings up the question whether the roll call threads are monitored to the degree the regular boards are...?

[Charles4515]

I actually did that 3 or 4 days ago when I was still considering booking the cruise. So that brings up the question whether the roll call threads are monitored to the degree the regular boards are...?

 

 

 

I suspect they are not. I would hit the report on all the posts that mention the agency and special agency activities. I think the mods will notice eventually.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Charles4515]

I have never used this email contact address myself so I don't know if you will get a reply, it is listed as a contact address about user content.

 

community@cruisecritic.com

Edited May 30, 2016 by Charles4515

[Lois R]

Hi Beav, it has been a long, long time policy of Cruise Critic

that naming of Travel Agencies is prohibited.

As for monitoring of the roll calls themselves? The mods can only

do so much (I am sure you are aware they are volunteers). And if

there is something not right on your roll call.....I agree with Charles,

hit your triangle and let CC know about it.

 

As for being intimidated by others on your roll call?......the roll call

is supposed to be for all cruisers, not just for people in a "clique" who

booked with one agency. As for joining? Are you being made to feel

unwelcomed? If so, then maybe start your own roll call......that may

be a bit extreme but I wouldn't want to chat on a roll call if I was feeling

that way......or just don't do anything and just have a good time live

on the ship:)

[myfuzzy]

Hi Beav, it has been a long, long time policy of Cruise Critic

that naming of Travel Agencies is prohibited.

As for monitoring of the roll calls themselves? The mods can only

do so much (I am sure you are aware they are volunteers). And if

there is something not right on your roll call.....I agree with Charles,

hit your triangle and let CC know about it.

 

As for being intimidated by others on your roll call?......the roll call

is supposed to be for all cruisers, not just for people in a "clique" who

booked with one agency. As for joining? Are you being made to feel

unwelcomed? If so, then maybe start your own roll call......that may

be a bit extreme but I wouldn't want to chat on a roll call if I was feeling

that way......or just don't do anything and just have a good time live

on the ship:)

 

 

I am in the same situation on my cruise roll call. It was started over 18 months ago, and the posts were steady by the same people up until the beginning of this year. When I booked this cruise, I wasn't welcomed by the group, even though others were. When I tried being upbeat and tried to become welcome into the group, it was mentioned that everyone was to busy with other cruises before this one to post and when it got closer to sailing, they would be making plans for activities. I have been on very active roll calls and made a lot of new cruise friends. I posted that I could have a great sailing with or without this group, and I have not posted in over two months. I have been watching whatever has been posted, so far a certain few have been planning water activities and they are very small groups, so anyone entering the roll call now going forward would not be included either. I have on my big girl panties, I am moving on.

[Lois R]

I am in the same situation on my cruise roll call. It was started over 18 months ago, and the posts were steady by the same people up until the beginning of this year. When I booked this cruise, I wasn't welcomed by the group, even though others were. When I tried being upbeat and tried to become welcome into the group, it was mentioned that everyone was to busy with other cruises before this one to post and when it got closer to sailing, they would be making plans for activities. I have been on very active roll calls and made a lot of new cruise friends. I posted that I could have a great sailing with or without this group, and I have not posted in over two months. I have been watching whatever has been posted, so far a certain few have been planning water activities and they are very small groups, so anyone entering the roll call now going forward would not be included either. I have on my big girl panties, I am moving on.

 

Sounds like you are better off without them....but I am sorry nobody

welcomed you.:(.......doesn't sound like a very friendly group.

[sippican]

To the OP, as suggested, report every single post by clicking on the triangle in the top right corner. under comments you can just type in "promoting TA". Mentioning or promoting a travel agent or agency is forbidden on these boards.

The Mods are usually very responsive.

 

We have found that some roll calls can be very "cliquey" and others much more inclusive of everyone. We were very active on a roll call that was mostly composed of a group that had been "cruising together" for years. We tried joining some of the tours and activities, but felt like an outsider as conversations and planning future trips took place around us. We had booked the Chef's Table dinner on the day reservations opened and it happened to fill up with other Roll Call members. At dinner, someone said, "Oh, we didn't know you'd be joining us!" Like it was their own private function, lol!

 

Regardless, your trip can be fabulous without them.

Edited May 30, 2016 by sippican

[Azulann]

Sorry you have a roll call that is all about a Travel agency and their clients!

I was on a roll call years ago,and very late bookings kept asking if you were with ----?

Found out it was the name of a travel agent. We had already organized many private tours. Some of these latecomers even joined some of the tours. Glad we had a diverse and active roll call before the last month when those last minute cruisers all showed up.

On another cruise, four day Carib cruise, was mostly Travel agents again. They had a FB page too. Ended up not posting on the roll call except to answer specific questions for the ports or about the ship for first time cruisers.

Will never do less than a 10 day cruise after that one.:eek:

[BEAV]

As for being intimidated by others on your roll call?......the roll call

is supposed to be for all cruisers, not just for people in a "clique" who

booked with one agency. As for joining? Are you being made to feel

unwelcomed? If so, then maybe start your own roll call......that may

be a bit extreme but I wouldn't want to chat on a roll call if I was feeling

that way......or just don't do anything and just have a good time live

on the ship:)

 

Hi Lois!

 

I've only skimmed through some of the posts, but not the entire roll call as it's quite long. But I'm happy to report I haven't -- yet, anyway -- seen anyone made to feel not a part of the group if they didn't book through this specific agency. However, a few newcomers to the thread not booked through the agency have asked/inquired if it's only for clients of that agency. But the fact the agency is freely named/discussed a number of times, and those booked through them are specially identified on the name list as being clients of this TA tends to give me (and perhaps others?) pause.

 

Thanks to everyone else who's responded with your thoughts/suggestions.

Edited May 30, 2016 by BEAV
spelling/grammar

[Lois R]

Hi Lois!

 

I've only skimmed through some of the posts, but not the entire roll call as it's quite long. But I'm happy to report I haven't -- yet, anyway -- seen anyone made to feel not a part of the group if they didn't book through this specific agency. However, a few newcomers to the thread not booked through the agency have asked/inquired if it's only for clients of that agency. But the fact the agency is freely named/discussed a number of times, and those booked through them are specially identified on the name list as being clients of this TA tends to give me (and perhaps others?) pause.

 

Thanks to everyone else who's responded with your thoughts/suggestions.

 

Beav, they are definitely going against CC policy. Whether they know it

or not....or they know it and don't care....., I would still triangle

the mods and let them know what is going on......

[dkjretired]

I would be more concerned that they are a large group that has partially chartered the ship. When this happens sometimes it can be good and bad. Awhile ago there was a church group on one of the Celebrity's ships who demanded that the ship close down all bars and the casino for the length of the cruise. Just an example but I would definitely check it out. Perhaps make a phone call to that agency and inquire about booking and see what's up.

[myfuzzy]

Sounds like you are better off without them....but I am sorry nobody

welcomed you.:(.......doesn't sound like a very friendly group.

 

Thank you so much for your sympathy and support. I am traveling with my son and DIL, so they will not be missed.

[Texed]

Thank you so much for your sympathy and support. I am traveling with my son and DIL, so they will not be missed.

 

You seem to be a very nice person, so it is the other folks' loss. :)

[Beanb41]

Roll calls can be positive and negative. Some roll calls are very active, some are less so. I would ignore the "Group" and go about seeking or ding on your roll call that you want to do. If you have like minded people on your roll call they or you will reach out to each other. If there are not like minded people such as yourself then that's how the roll call flops.

Whilst naming a particular Travel Agency may be against the rules I can see some merit in the members of a large party especially if they come from different places reaching out to each other. I would have thought that this is part of the Roll Calls purpose.

I would not however feel intimidated by the group but as I have already said go about your business and let them go about theirs.

If you find that eventually the Roll Call is not for you then step back and when the invitation for the Meet and Greet, providing you have registered for it, arrives you can choose to go or not as the case may be.

Unless I have a particular reason for attending a meet and greet or connections party as it is often called I generally give them a miss.

[myfuzzy]

You seem to be a very nice person, so it is the other folks' loss. :)

 

Awwwww, you are so sweet, I usually run the gift exchange, so you nailed it....their loss.

 

I just noticed you are from Houston, we sailed a few years ago on the repositioning from New York to Bayport, the first Princess ship to port there. Early on the Roll Call, we chatted with folks from Houston as well. Come to find out they were flying to my city, to do some touring, before the cruise, so I met up with them, treated them to lunch, upon the return to Houston, they gave us the red carpet treatment. So far Houston has treated me right!

Edited May 31, 2016 by myfuzzy

[GottaKnowWhen]

I would be more concerned that they are a large group that has partially chartered the ship. When this happens sometimes it can be good and bad. Awhile ago there was a church group on one of the Celebrity's ships who demanded that the ship close down all bars and the casino for the length of the cruise. ...

 

No bars? No casino? Then what is the point of cruising?!?

 

But seriously, I am curious to know whether Celebrity allowed this one group to dictate the experience for everyone on the ship. I would be very disappointed in Celebrity if that were the case.

 

stan