Differences in Roll Calls

[Turtles06]

5 hours ago, HOSKI said:

So does NCL have somewhere to register for a meet & mingle like RCI?  

 

No.   If folks on an NCL Roll Call want to have a Meet & Greet, someone on the Roll Call has to volunteer to take charge, and email NCL to request the space.   The info for that is on a sticky at the top of this NCL forum (and searches on this forum should also yield some more recent info):

 

 

NCL is used to doing this. 

[kfnesq]

On 2/18/2019 at 10:45 PM, casofilia said:

I like to see something else at a M&G but I offer suggestions and then hope that someone else will take up one or other idea.  This is usually good when the M&G is a little larger so there are more people who take part.  My favourite is a Fridge Magnet exchange.  I do not like a Gift Exchange as they can become very bitchy and hard to control.

I love the fridge magnet idea!

[EllieinNJ]

On my two May 2018 cruises, I volunteered to organize the M&G.  The one on the Epic in the med had 90 people responding for the M&G and only 35 actually showed up, mostly for the slot pull that another cruiser organized.  The one on the Breakaway had 60 people respond and only 20 showed up.  That was truly embarrassing because the officers didn't bother to stay.  I swore off leading M&G's after that.

 

Now the one I just came off of, the Sun, had a very active roll call and a lot of tour sharing.  The arranger for the M&G was very smart and asked to be e-mailed directly if attending.  She also made personalized name tag and card holders for each one.  Just about everyone showed up.

 

I am now booked on a Crown Princess cruise to the British Isles for August 29,  2019.  The roll call has about five people posting.  All the other dates for this itinerary are about 10 pages long, even ones after my date.  Not sure why mine had so little interest.

[Port Power]

11 hours ago, HOSKI said:

So does NCL have somewhere to register for a meet & mingle like RCI?  My 2nd NCL cruise I had posted her about what we were doing at one port and we ended up putting a huge group together onboard.  Then 18 of us ended up on the tour I booked for my hubby and I.  I like talking about excursions so that we can join others.  We are still lifelong friends with one of those couples we met on the Dawn. 

 

No.  With NCL, someone volunteers to liaise with NCL and organise the M&G.  That person emails special events of the relevant ship and sets it up.  On the Roll Call the coordinator posts when and where and members  choose to attend.  The coordinator then advises final numbers to the ship.

[casofilia]

@HOSKI

 

So does NCL have somewhere to register for a meet & mingle like RCI?

 

If you mean to arrange a M&G then use "specialeventsshipname@ncl.com" but put the actual name of the ship instead of "shipname".  If you mean to attend a M&G you have to find who is the organiser on your Roll Call and join through that.

 

 I like talking about excursions so that we can join others. 

 

Please don't do that at the actual M&G.  The M&G is hosted by NCL in a room they provide, they provide food and drink (not alcoholic), provide an officer's contact list and arrange to have officers attend.   To discuss Private Shorex at an NCL arranged function as it is in direct opposition to NCL's shorex.  Do it on the roll Call and if you need to do it on the boat do it AFTER the M&G.

[LD Silver]

3 hours ago, kfnesq said:

I love the fridge magnet idea!

 

We did a shot glass exchange on the Escape a couple of years ago.  Over 60 people participated.

 

 

[Barb Nahoumi]

The Roll Call for our May 17th Bermuda Cruise on the Gem has 6 pages already.  Pland are being made for a M&G, and other activities.  If anyone is planning on this cruise, please check out the Roll Call for it.

[Diannedaniel]

3 hours ago, EllieinNJ said:

On my two May 2018 cruises, I volunteered to organize the M&G.  The one on the Epic in the med had 90 people responding for the M&G and only 35 actually showed up, mostly for the slot pull that another cruiser organized.  The one on the Breakaway had 60 people respond and only 20 showed up.  That was truly embarrassing because the officers didn't bother to stay.  I swore off leading M&G's after that.

 

Now the one I just came off of, the Sun, had a very active roll call and a lot of tour sharing.  The arranger for the M&G was very smart and asked to be e-mailed directly if attending.  She also made personalized name tag and card holders for each one.  Just about everyone showed up.

 

I am now booked on a Crown Princess cruise to the British Isles for August 29,  2019.  The roll call has about five people posting.  All the other dates for this itinerary are about 10 pages long, even ones after my date.  Not sure why mine had so little interest.

WHAT is a SLOT PULL & a CABIN CRAWL? I have seen them mentioned & never heard of them. I am in charge of arranging the M & M for an upcoming cruise and need all the help I can.

[OCruisers]

5 minutes ago, Diannedaniel said:

WHAT is a SLOT PULL & a CABIN CRAWL? I have seen them mentioned & never heard of them. I am in charge of arranging the M & M for an upcoming cruise and need all the help I can.

 

On your roll call ask if anyone would like to organize a Slot Pull or a Cabin Crawl?  If so, get them to be in charge of doing it.

Just because you have been nice enough to arrange the M&M doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself.  

[Diannedaniel]

12 minutes ago, OCruisers said:

 

On your roll call ask if anyone would like to organize a Slot Pull or a Cabin Crawl?  If so, get them to be in charge of doing it.

Just because you have been nice enough to arrange the M&M doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself.  

BUT I don't even know what they are..?? 

[Turtles06]

34 minutes ago, Diannedaniel said:

WHAT is a SLOT PULL & a CABIN CRAWL? I have seen them mentioned & never heard of them. I am in charge of arranging the M & M for an upcoming cruise and need all the help I can.

 

Very briefly: a slot pull is when a group of pax get together in the casino (pre-arranged), contribute the same specific amount per person, take turns making a set number of pulls on a slot machine, and divide up any winnings.  I know that some folks say they've had fun doing this, but we did one once and it was the most boring thing ever; an hour spent watching other people play a slot machine.  It's not exactly a spectator sport.  YMMV in terms of enjoyment. 🙂

 

A cabin crawl is when a bunch of pax (who have different categories of cabins) agree to let the rest of the pre-arranged group visit them (typically in small groups, leaving from a designated area at set times).  This lets folks see cabin categories that they may not be familiar with.  Obviously, it's great if some folks in the high end suites open theirs up for the crawl!   (I've enjoyed cabin crawls on ships I haven't been on before.)  

 

Both of these need someone to be in charge and take care of all the arrangements.

 

I hope that helps.

Edited February 21, 2019 by Turtles06

[Vinegarjoe10]

12 minutes ago, Diannedaniel said:

BUT I don't even know what they are..?? 

 

Turtle beat me to it. LOL. Read his description. 

Edited February 21, 2019 by Vinegarjoe10
error

[fabnfortysomething]

5 hours ago, EllieinNJ said:

On my two May 2018 cruises, I volunteered to organize the M&G.  The one on the Epic in the med had 90 people responding for the M&G and only 35 actually showed up, mostly for the slot pull that another cruiser organized.  The one on the Breakaway had 60 people respond and only 20 showed up.  That was truly embarrassing because the officers didn't bother to stay.  I swore off leading M&G's after that.

 

Now the one I just came off of, the Sun, had a very active roll call and a lot of tour sharing.  The arranger for the M&G was very smart and asked to be e-mailed directly if attending.  She also made personalized name tag and card holders for each one.  Just about everyone showed up.

 

I am now booked on a Crown Princess cruise to the British Isles for August 29,  2019.  The roll call has about five people posting.  All the other dates for this itinerary are about 10 pages long, even ones after my date.  Not sure why mine had so little interest.

the officers usually only stay for about 10 mins after introducing themselves and handing out contact cards

 

at least a 50% drop out rate is par for the course

 

I agree that discussing private tour arrangements is pretty crass whilst ships officers are present

however after they have left its a good opportunity to identify your fellow tour mates you have pre arranged on the roll call so you know what each other looks like and arrange meet up on port day

 

definitely don't hawk business for spare tour places at meet and greet

 

but from previous experience if haven't met up with tourmates at meet and greet get a bit antsy re they turning up and paying their share on the day   

[NLH Arizona]

16 hours ago, HOSKI said:

So does NCL have somewhere to register for a meet & mingle like RCI?  My 2nd NCL cruise I had posted her about what we were doing at one port and we ended up putting a huge group together onboard.  Then 18 of us ended up on the tour I booked for my hubby and I.  I like talking about excursions so that we can join others.  We are still lifelong friends with one of those couples we met on the Dawn. 

Look for your roll call and then post that you would like to attend the meet and greet.  NCL doesn't do it the same as Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, as you can't sign up for it without doing it on the roll call and NCL doesn't send invites like the other two do, at least Celebrity does.

[NLH Arizona]

5 hours ago, EllieinNJ said:

On my two May 2018 cruises, I volunteered to organize the M&G.  The one on the Epic in the med had 90 people responding for the M&G and only 35 actually showed up, mostly for the slot pull that another cruiser organized.  The one on the Breakaway had 60 people respond and only 20 showed up.  That was truly embarrassing because the officers didn't bother to stay.  I swore off leading M&G's after that.

 

 

My most embarrassing meet and greet was on Celebrity.  Only 3 of us passengers showed up and 8 officers and the Captain.

Edited February 21, 2019 by NLH Arizona

[fabnfortysomething]

3 minutes ago, NLH Arizona said:

My most embarrassing meet and greet was on Celebrity.  Only 3 of us passengers showed up and 8 officers and the Captain.

I relate to that

5 of us showed up with 10 officers

upside is that we joked with cruise director for rest of cruise about being outnumbered by staff

and we still stay in touch with the couple and their son who did turn up

 

message is if you commit to meet and greet please turn up

[casofilia]

Just because you have been nice enough to arrange the M&M doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself.  

 

I cruise to enjoy myself in port or on the boat so make the arrangements for the M&G and any combined dining we do and, maybe, a fridge magnet exchange.  I offer to be a go between for others to arrange other things but do keep well clear of making those arrangements.  The way I arrange the M&G is sufficient extra work as I believe I do it "properly" my way!!!!

 

I don't drink enough to bother with the pub crawl

I don't gamble enough to bother with the slot pull, and agree watching other pull slots is worse than watching paint dry or grass grow!!

Really when you have seen one lot of cabins is there any need to see the same cabins on another ship.

 

In some ways I feel the same about the Platinum ship's tour but they seem to be different and depend on the guide.

[Markanddonna]

I suspect that many frequent cruisers have Roll Call fatigue adding in a few bad experiences. I tend not to participate in 7 day or less roll calls (almost never go on short cruises like these.)  

 

The most active roll calls are for long and more exotic cruises with lots of sea days and interesting ports.  I agree that we shouldn't be talking about events that compete with the ship's (slot pull and private excursions.) The last one on the NCL Jade was just awful.  They put our large group in a very small conference room with chairs lined up and people standing in the hallways. 

 

My most recent roll call on a 10 day MSC cruise wasn't terribly active but you would never have known by all the people at their wonderful cruise critic party- the best I have ever seen.  Wonderful drinks, canapes, and a beautiful Italian cream cake. They also took our group photo and gave everyone a free copy- delivered to the state room.  The captain, CD, and most of the officers were in attendance. MSC really knows how to do it up right!

 

 

[casofilia]

at least a 50% drop out rate is par for the course

 

I think that that is abominable.  It is not fair on the organiser nor on the shipping line.  Especially so on NCL who make such an effort to provide a lot based on the number they are given.

 

If you have signed up for the M&G GO!!   If you change your mind, even on the morning of the M&G do the decent thing and let the organiser know.   Especially if the organiser has dropped a reminder into your "post box" the evening before.

[casofilia]

definitely don't hawk business for spare tour places at meet and greet

 

Princess have it written to the information they have available that there must be no discussion of Private Shorex at any M&G/M&M on a Princess ship.

 

Even firmer is the prohibition on money being paid over in the M&G/M&M for Private Shorex, they indicate that people may be put off at the next port.

[HOSKI]

5 hours ago, casofilia said:

@HOSKI

 

Please don't do that at the actual M&G.  The M&G is hosted by NCL in a room they provide, they provide food and drink (not alcoholic), provide an officer's contact list and arrange to have officers attend.   To discuss Private Shorex at an NCL arranged function as it is in direct opposition to NCL's shorex.  Do it on the roll Call and if you need to do it on the boat do it AFTER the M&G.

I didn't mean on the ship.  I thought you weren't allowed to discuss them on the roll call. 

[Turtles06]

11 minutes ago, HOSKI said:

I didn't mean on the ship.  I thought you weren't allowed to discuss them on the roll call. 

 

A Roll Call is exactly the place to be discussing and arranging private shore excursions. 

[Markanddonna]

33 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

 

A Roll Call is exactly the place to be discussing and arranging private shore excursions. 

 It is appropriate to have private meetings too. Or like "Let's meet at x lounge at 3:00 to discuss our private excursion."

[casofilia]

A Roll Call is exactly the place to be discussing and arranging private shore excursions.

 

It is appropriate to have private meetings too. Or like "Let's meet at x lounge at 3:00 to discuss our private excursion."

 

Perfect; I have been to M&G's where Private Shorex have been virtually the only topic of conversation and even where money for them has changed hands.

If you have been on the Roll Call, and you would have to have been to find out about the M&G, use the Roll Call to work out the who, when, where and why of the meetings for private shorex.

 

 

 

[Sailing12Away]

My upcoming trip on the Jade in 3 days (weee!) we have a small group of people interested in a meet & greet. Nothing formal involving the officers or NCL, but just a general agreement of "hey, let's gather at such and such place at such and such time and say hi". 

 

Myself and another cruiser are in high level Haven rooms, so we've offered tours to anyone who wants a peek. But nothing formal, just a simple way to put a face to the names you've been chatting with for the past weeks/months so you'll have a familiar face to say hi to at the bars while waiting for drinks.