Sailing with a large charter group on board - should we switch?

[librarylady19]

I just learned that there is a large charter group on Solstice 11/28 sailing (probably more than 700 pax). We are not part of this group and I'm concerned that it will have a negative impact on our cruise experience. I have read many posts about the problems with large groups taking over bars, entertainment venues, pools, etc.

Can anyone give me another perspective on this situation based on their experience. I don't want to switch if it's no biggie as our time frame is pretty limited and we have a sweet hump cabin on this sailing.

(Before I get flamed, let me state that this has nothing to do with the group in question, just the fact that it is a large group of people who booked through one agency and will be participating in sponsored activities.)

[jackdiamond]

To which charter group do you refer?

[Fblack]

I was once on a cruise in the Med on the Millennium with a very large group. A few times they took over some lounges and other facilities for private events. It caused a little confusion a few times. You want to use a facility and it's only open to a private party.

 

A few times due to their schedules they might all show up at the pool the same time and made it hard to find a chair, use the pool and just relax. Or they tried to save a hundred seats at a show.

 

And for some reason they occasionally acted like they owned the ship. I won't go in to details. But all in all, the cruise still was very good. Just be aware of a few potential conflicts.

[librarylady19]

To which charter group do you refer?

Since you ask, it's Pied Piper, a gay cruise group. Again, let me reiterate, the interests of the group are irrelevant; I'm just concerned about sheer numbers of pax and want to hear from others who may have experienced a large group cruise in the past on X or other lines. I truly hesitated about posting in the first place, but where else to get a good idea of what to expect but from other CC people.

Thanks.

[Yeldarb]

We were on the Carnival Spirit with a large group and I was really annoyed going to a bar or club and finding it closed for a special group function. Did I still have a good time? Yes. Did it detract from the overall experience? Yes.

 

Cheers!

[tuggers]

I understand your concern about the large number of the group. I might reschedule but having said that, knowing who the group is, I have to say two of the best cruises I'ver ever had were with large groups onboard. One was the Key West Fantasy Fest cruise and the other was a TA with a large group of cross dressers! Never had so much fun in my life! However these groups were 200 or so but on smaller ships. 700 people is a lot of people anyway you look at it.

The only problem I personally would have is that I'm a pool person and I'll bet there could be times it will be hard to find a chair. Likewise there may be times you would want to go to the buffet, a show or a bar etc and will find it sort of 'taken over' by a group or scheduled as a private party.

When we travel with friends or meet friends on the ship we usually end up with groups of 4, 6 or 8. Here you might have groups of 40 or 50. That's the down side I see. However, you have a special cabin and have made your plans. Could you duplicate that on another cruise you would be just as happy with?

[gillianrose]

I just learned that there is a large charter group on Solstice 11/28 sailing (probably more than 700 pax). We are not part of this group and I'm concerned that it will have a negative impact on our cruise experience. I have read many posts about the problems with large groups taking over bars, entertainment venues, pools, etc.

Can anyone give me another perspective on this situation based on their experience. I don't want to switch if it's no biggie as our time frame is pretty limited and we have a sweet hump cabin on this sailing.

(Before I get flamed, let me state that this has nothing to do with the group in question, just the fact that it is a large group of people who booked through one agency and will be participating in sponsored activities.)

 

First of all, a charter refers to a group which takes over an entire ship. They CHARTER the ship. In your case, Pied Piper is bringing a group onboard. I would not be concerned about that group at all except for the size of the group. That is a very large number. If it were me, with this much time to look for another cruising opportunity, I would likely move to another sailing where there would be a more diverse mix of people onboard.

 

The people who want to book into the Pied Piper group would likely be happy, too, because there might be more cabins available for them to book.

 

If anyone flames you or anyone else who does not want to be on a cruise with a huge group, then that is their problem.

[neeps]

I had known there was possibly a group onboard before I booked this cruise which is why we went for balconies. Then if there are too many people round the pool we would have somewhere to sit. Mind you that happens anyway whether its a group or just everyone else:) This is the cruise we want to do on the ship we want so no reason to change just because there is a group onboard. Its not changing the total number of passengers onboard. If they have better entertainment than the ship can we gatecrash:D

[librarylady19]

I had known there was possibly a group onboard before I booked this cruise which is why we went for balconies. Then if there are too many people round the pool we would have somewhere to sit. Mind you that happens anyway whether its a group or just everyone else:) This is the cruise we want to do on the ship we want so no reason to change just because there is a group onboard. Its not changing the total number of passengers onboard. If they have better entertainment than the ship can we gatecrash:D

\

You make a lot of sense neeps! when someone on our rollcall mentioned special comedy shows, that was my first thought - Can we join you??

I'm not a big pool person anyway - at least not the outdoor pools - and plan to stake out my spot in the Solarium. Thanks for the insight!

[mafig]

We have a large group on our upcoming cruise and they have made getting reservations at the specialty restaurants difficult.

 

Other than that I don't believe we'll have too much to worry about. (Now if they were taking over the casino, I'd be upset!:D). I usually check for groups before I book, in this case I didn't, don't know why.

 

You say the pool is important to you. I consider the Solarium part of the "pool" area.

 

If I were you, since your cruise is so far in the future, I'd look to see if I could go on another sailing.

:)

[DCT61]

Pied Piper USUALLY does not carry their own entertainment. Occassionally, there is a cocktail party held in one of the lounges, and they advertise a MIDNIGHT party (1) outdoors on warm weather cruises. Rarely is a showroom or lounge closed down for a private event for them. They do eat together as a group, and they can take private shore excursions provided by the tour company.

[lcumpire]

Out of curiosity - how does one find out if there is a large group on a particular cruise?

 

Thanx

[biker1972]

Hmmm. Ship holds 2800 people. 700 are affiliated with a group. 2100 are not. I have a hard time finding a chair by the pool because the chair hogs got there early, so perhaps the 700 will have the same complaint that I do, chair hogs out of the 2100 other passengers. And I doubt if all 700 will want to be in the Martini bar when I want to be there, or even if all 700 like Martinis. And it is a cruise vacation with various ports that will mean getting off the ship. And I hate to think of some of the ports when 4 or 5 ships are there at the same time.10,000 people getting off at Georgetown, Grand Cayman is not my idea of fun but it does happen. And the 700 would be a small drop in that bucket.

[jagoffee]

I cruised on a ship with a very large group that made up more than half the ship. It was a French Veterans group in the F.P on the T.P. From that example I would change. 700 passengers on the Sostice is not as large, but it is still large. I think it makes one feel like a "second class" when normally one feels like they are very special. IMO this is the main reason that that cruise lines try to keep the group size and presents a "secret". It is my understanding if you call and ask, they will not confirm or share information with you. You have been fortunate enough to find out. If it was me, I would switch even if it cost more.

[jackdiamond]

jagofee, I agree.

[stereo]

Hi--It alldepends upon how you feel about being an outsider--I recently sailed on a ship with about 700 passengers from PR and at certain times I felt uncomfortable--changed a bicycle tour when management called to tell me that out of a max of 16--12 were a group of friends. Then again I have changed dinner reservations when told that a large group would be celebrating at a particular time--I like to mix amd mingle ---I would feel uncomfortable if as I walked along the ship I constantly came in contact with any group that considered me an outsider--I can just imagine the dinner conversation--They are not so bad--they are pretty nice --did you see them do ---I do not mind them at all--Why do they do----My last thought--I used to ski at a resort in Calif--The lodge held about 100--A man from a northwestern city would bring a group of about 25 with him--After a few times management asked him not to --they would all enter the dining room at the same time --take over the lounge etc--all the other guests felt like second class citizens --we were not invited to his private parties

[Cruise_Monkey]

We sailed on the Norwegian Dawn two Januarys ago out of New York. There was a large group (+/- 500 people, in family groups) on the ship. They took over 1/2 of the buffet area due to some special dietary needs so all the other passengers had to use the remaining half. There's be large groups of them (50 or so) around the pools; beyond just being crowded, people are less reserved with they're surrounded by their own group, so there was more rowdiness in general, particularly among the kids.

 

I would go out of my way not to sail with that situation again, but in your case given the specific group on your ship, I probably wouldn't change.

[Host Anne]

On our Equinox cruise in January, there were more than 500 musicians and their guests on a Jazz cruise. I was sorry we didn't see more of them. They had no impact on the cruise at all. I'm guessing your cruise will be the same way as it doesn't sound as if there are organzied events that close for private parties every day.

 

We've also sailed recently where a large family group (maybe 30) had three or four tables in the dining room and they did impact our cruise. They were overly demanding of the wait staff causing the staff to be unable to really service their other tables. We actually felt very sorry for the staff and didn't mind except for how rudely all of the family members treated the staff.

 

My point is you can run into groups of hundreds and have no problem and groups of 30 where you do. I wouldn't change the cruise if it were me.

[Smartcookie]

Library Lady, 700 plus is a very large group.

 

Is there any way to find out if passengers not in the group (like you) will be shut out of certain venues, like deck parties, etc? If so, I would switch as it infringes on your ability to take part in everything the ship has to offer.

 

I know there was a big controversy on these boards a few years ago stemming from the fact that passengers weren't informed about a particular group cruise on RCCL prior to booking.

[02143]

For what it's worth, she's already switched cruises.

[Fblack]

On the cruise I was on, the daily activities designed specially for the large group can impact other passengers. It did to us. As an example, say the group has a seminar or lecture set for 1:00PM. So to make that time, they all seem to show up at lunch the same time. Happened to us and several times the buffet was over loaded and with no seats. On a regular cruise, people tend to flow in at various times. Not a huge group all at once.

 

Additionally, right after a 1:00PM lecture, the group tended to all head for the pool area. So hundreds show up at once grabbing every chair and every spot in the spa or pool. It just impacts the enjoyment of individual travelers. Just something to consider.

[Smartcookie]

That was fast!

[squidward]

I've sailed as part of a Pied Piper group on several occasions. Usually it's less than 50 passengers, but the post-TG cruise is their biggest.

 

With Pied Piper on board, you may notice the following differences on your cruise:

 

1. The dance floor is full EVERY night, until the wee hours. And someone will have a cow bell.

 

2. Formal nights are amazing. Bring your cameras, or no one back home will believe you.

 

3. Getting a seat by the pool in the morning is easier. See #1 above - many group members are out late at night and sleep in the next day.

 

4. You'll never drink alone. There will always be people at every bar, 24/7.

 

5. You haven't lived until you see a middle-aged bearded man with a paunch warble a Judy Garland torch song at Karaoke night.

 

I could go on. Point is: You might actually enjoy your cruise more with a Pied Piper group on board.;)

 

Squiddy

[librarylady19]

For what it's worth, she's already switched cruises.

Actually, I have not switched. I do appreciate all the input from all of you and will keep my options open for now.

[librarylady19]

I've sailed as part of a Pied Piper group on several occasions. Usually it's less than 50 passengers, but the post-TG cruise is their biggest.

 

With Pied Piper on board, you may notice the following differences on your cruise:

 

1. The dance floor is full EVERY night, until the wee hours. And someone will have a cow bell.

 

2. Formal nights are amazing. Bring your cameras, or no one back home will believe you.

 

3. Getting a seat by the pool in the morning is easier. See #1 above - many group members are out late at night and sleep in the next day.

 

4. You'll never drink alone. There will always be people at every bar, 24/7.

 

5. You haven't lived until you see a middle-aged bearded man with a paunch warble a Judy Garland torch song at Karaoke night.

 

I could go on. Point is: You might actually enjoy your cruise more with a Pied Piper group on board.;)

 

Squiddy

 

Thanks Squiddy,

I was thinking that is might liven up the ship - esp. after reading some of the recent Solstice returnees complain about how quiet the ship was and the dearth of nightlife. You're right...could be a good party!