Large groups taking over cruise - opinion please :)

[curlerguy]

How does one find out if there is a group on your sailing?

[Clarea]

How does one find out if there is a group on your sailing?

I usually use Google and query the name of the ship and the departure date. You may have to use several forms of the date.

[setsail]

How does one find out if there is a group on your sailing?

 

There are groups on every cruise, some large, some small

[teajak]

Way back in 1999 we sailed on the Carnival Paradise when it was non smoking. This was when you could literally book last minute. Found an unbelievable rate on the seven night cruise on a Wednesday and we sailed on Saturday. As we were boarding we noticed a great many really OLD PEOPLE. I'm talking walkers and Oxygen. We found out the next day a local South Florida travel agent had book over 80% of the cruise from two very, very large condo type retirement villages. Also found out that the youngest of the group was 73 years old. It was an interesting week. The ship's AC was set very high because they were all cold. We were miserable in the public areas. Massive lines at the service desk they were complaining about being too cold, the food to spicy ect. All the poor bartenders were only serving glasses of water to take pills (I'm not exaggerating). All were wanting early dining times and most were not happy they couldn't get it. We were close to being run over by wheel chairs more than a few times.

I am one of those really OLD PEOPLE cruising at 85 and my DH is even worse at 87.Horror of horrors I use a walker and he needs oxygen at night. We love to cruise, go to the shows and lose in the casino. If we were ever to be on the same cruise please identify yourself so that we won't spoil your cruise, I promise to avoid you. Your loss ;).

[tiessa]

I am one of those really OLD PEOPLE cruising at 85 and my DH is even worse at 87.Horror of horrors I use a walker and he needs oxygen at night. We love to cruise, go to the shows and lose in the casino. If we were ever to be on the same cruise please identify yourself so that we won't spoil your cruise, I promise to avoid you. Your loss ;).

 

 

 

You can come be on my cruise! I like really OLD PEOPLE!!!!

[Little Buddy's Mom]

I am one of those really OLD PEOPLE cruising at 85 and my DH is even worse at 87.Horror of horrors I use a walker and he needs oxygen at night. We love to cruise, go to the shows and lose in the casino. If we were ever to be on the same cruise please identify yourself so that we won't spoil your cruise, I promise to avoid you. Your loss ;).

 

One of these days, he will be one of those really OLD people and I wonder how he'll feel about it then.;)

 

Hope you enjoy many more years of cruising. :)

[m*u*g*]

Our only negative from group experiences are with large groups of quinces. This is the only negative from my past two cruises. Wasn't as bad on Allure since ship was bigger.

[Colorado Babe]

How can you tell if a large group will be on the same sailing one has booked?

[martinm]

I googled this sailing. It appears it will be a bunch of computer geeks. When it comes to group cruises, I would think they would be quite layed back. Truthfully, I wouldn't worry about this group. Except of course the wifi will be challenged that week with all those geeks and their Mac Books and laptops.

 

It could be much worse. I was reading recently about a large group of bikers that essentially took over the ship. There would definately be a different vibe on that ship.

 

I would bet there will be other passengers who will not even notice they are there. I have been on group cruises and was surprised at how well RCL handled the separate entertainment.

 

Strike up a conversation and you might found out about some new cool computer thing.

 

:)

 

Laid Back, ??? Thanks because you dont work with a bunch of crazy nerds ;)

These guys can be a total blast to hang out with...

Edited October 9, 2013 by martinm

[danielsumner]

I am one of those really OLD PEOPLE cruising at 85 and my DH is even worse at 87.Horror of horrors I use a walker and he needs oxygen at night. We love to cruise, go to the shows and lose in the casino. If we were ever to be on the same cruise please identify yourself so that we won't spoil your cruise, I promise to avoid you. Your loss ;).

 

This thread is about large groups on cruise ships. The Carnival Paradise carries a little over 2 thousand passengers. Over 80 % of the cruise was elderly. There were less than 10 children on board. So there were 1600+ from the two retirement condo villages. If this doesn't count as a large group what does? Did I say I didn't like OLD people (I'm getting there myself)? The balance was just way way off. I've looked at the forum for "Banned" topics and I don't see one about "Old People". This topic is about large groups on cruise. Don't get your kickers in a bunch. I will stop posting, all you get when you join in is grief.

[teajak]

This thread is about large groups on cruise ships. The Carnival Paradise carries a little over 2 thousand passengers. Over 80 % of the cruise was elderly. There were less than 10 children on board. So there were 1600+ from the two retirement condo villages. If this doesn't count as a large group what does? Did I say I didn't like OLD people (I'm getting there myself)? The balance was just way way off. I've looked at the forum for "Banned" topics and I don't see one about "Old People". This topic is about large groups on cruise. Don't get your kickers in a bunch. I will stop posting, all you get when you join in is grief.

WOW, whose knickers are in a bunch.LOL:p

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We cruised last October to Bermuda and found out there was a group called Autism of the Seas on board [several hundred counting families and staff]. As a retired teacher I know this can be a challenging group of children. We noticed the group mostly on the pool deck. . . and this was because the staff wore bright orange t-shirts so they could be easily identified. They ate in a separate dining area and had dedicated activities. All of the families appeared to be having a good time.

 

I think RCL does a nice job with groups. There was a group of realtors on our Grandeur cruise in April.

 

Neither of these groups impacted our enjoyment of our cruise.

Edited October 9, 2013 by DragonOfTheSeas

[setsail]

How can you tell if a large group will be on the same sailing one has booked?

 

Google

[looking4info]

I am one of those really OLD PEOPLE cruising at 85 and my DH is even worse at 87.Horror of horrors I use a walker and he needs oxygen at night. We love to cruise, go to the shows and lose in the casino. If we were ever to be on the same cruise please identify yourself so that we won't spoil your cruise, I promise to avoid you. Your loss ;).

 

The thread asks about large groups. Two people does not equate to a large group. Poster mentioned warm public areas but don't see anything said about the trip being spoiled.

[LarryL]

We cruised over Halloween, in 2005, on the Rhapsody. That sailing had a group called Pirates of the Gayribbean and I have to say, they made a fun cruise even more enjoyable. Halloween night was the best ever. Our DD and her friend still talk about it.:) They were a smaller group of about 200 and never once did we feel they were trying to take over any venue. Very nice group of people.

[Brigbound]

WOW, whose knickers are in a bunch.LOL:p

 

They could be fancy knickers in which case that is a different sort altogether. ;)

[travelplus]

This sounds like a " fan" group of an entertainer. We had one of these on our Oasis cruise; Gino Vanelli. Admittedly, they were obviously a smaller percentage of total pax, and given that his big hit was frim the 70s, most of the group was women in their 50s, but I wouldn't have been able to pick them out from others except for their neck "credential" that allowed them into private concerts and events. Some venues were used for them, but at times when nothing else was going on there anyway. (Like the disco at 7 PM-there wouldn't be bartenders in there anyway). Finally on the last day of the cruise he performed in the Amber theater open to all. Most non group pax walked in stayed for half a number and walked out!

The good news is when they are using a little used lounge ( and Freedom has plenty of lounges) for their private events they are not clogging up the other venues, and it is LESS crowded. Have fun, I wouldn't sweat it!

 

I'm 29 and know Gino Vanelli's song I Just wanna Stop"

[SherriZ366]

We cruised last October to Bermuda and found out there was a group called Autism of the Seas on board [several hundred counting families and staff]. As a retired teacher I know this can be a challenging group of children. We noticed the group mostly on the pool deck. . . and this was because the staff wore bright orange t-shirts so they could be easily identified. They ate in a separate dining area and had dedicated activities. All of the families appeared to be having a good time.

 

I think RCL does a nice job with groups. There was a group of realtors on our Grandeur cruise in April.

 

Neither of these groups impacted our enjoyment of our cruise.

Goggled Autism on the Seas and we have a group on our 5-4-2013 FR cruise. Saw your other post in another thread on the group also. Sounds like RCI and the organization had things pretty organized. We are late seating and don't have many kids on our seating. FR has about 3,600 passengers so "several hundred" in a group is not a huge deal. This is also a week when schools are still in session.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Goggled Autism on the Seas and we have a group on our 5-4-2013 FR cruise. Saw your other post in another thread on the group also. I am glad you found that since I gave more details about this grouo on our cruise.

 

Sounds like RCI and the organization had things pretty organized. We are late seating and don't have many kids on our seating. FR has about 3,600 passengers so "several hundred" in a group is not a huge deal. This is also a week when schools are still in session.

 

The Autism of the Seas organizers did a very good job and I would not hesitate to sail on a ship with their group.

[petesweet]

I googled this sailing. It appears it will be a bunch of computer geeks. When it comes to group cruises, I would think they would be quite layed back. Truthfully, I wouldn't worry about this group. Except of course the wifi will be challenged that week with all those geeks and their Mac Books and laptops.

 

It could be much worse. I was reading recently about a large group of bikers that essentially took over the ship. There would definately be a different vibe on that ship.

 

I would bet there will be other passengers who will not even notice they are there. I have been on group cruises and was surprised at how well RCL handled the separate entertainment.

 

Strike up a conversation and you might found out about some new cool computer thing.

 

:)

 

My friend and I (two single women) are going to be on the biker cruise (2000+). Learned about it on our rollcall. We're just "girding up our loins" and determining to enjoy whatever comes our way!!:D

Kathy

Edited October 10, 2013 by petesweet

[martinm]

Eeeek not BIKERS!

 

I hope you know most bikers are actually something else... lawyers, electrician, doctors and judges...

 

These guys all like to ride...

 

If the cruise was "Outlaw" bikers.... then you might want to "gird up your loins" or wear something speacial ;)

 

(I'm a biker too)

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We booked a week at a time share in Myrtle Beach last May--yep, it was bike week. :eek: We did not know that when we booked and would not do it again because everything was so crowded. But, we found most of the bikers were at least middle aged and living out their one-week fantasy before they go back to their professional jobs. LOL They were a very friendly and family oriented group. Most had wives with them and many had children.

Edited October 10, 2013 by DragonOfTheSeas

[mintjulip123]

I have been on two cruises that had large groups aboard. The first one was a Goth convention. They were quite pleasant and invited anyone who might be interested to join a couple of their parties. There was never an issue with getting a lounger in the sun ;) We did have to investigate when there was talk of the "Evil Faery" who turned out to be the DJ.

 

The other one was the Adventure Bears. They took over the public areas and were most unfriendly. I do try to look to see if there are any potential groups on a cruise before I book.

[evelyn51]

Just google your ship and date. I'm sailing with a bunch of Beatles fans. LOL Shouldn't be too bad.

 

 

 

 

I hope my one brother-in-law isn't on your sailing. He looks a bit like Paul and breaks out into song everywhere! Looking like him yes! Sounding like him NO!!! :eek:

[evelyn51]

One of these days' date=' he will be one of those really OLD people and I wonder how he'll feel about it then.;)

 

Hope you enjoy many more years of cruising. :)[/quote']

 

Yes aging happens to the best of us! I'd cruise with you too. ;)