When should Celebrity or any cruise company disclose ...

[Host Jazzbeau]

The group has to reserve well before final payment to ensure they can block off all the rooms they think they might need, so the cruise line could give you that information and let you decide whether to sail or cancel. But of course they won't.

 

So, private enterprise being what it is, there are websites that compile this information for you. Not how many are sailing, but which groups on which cruises.

 

Thankfully my bookings are showing up clean so far. If I found a group I would definitely explore other dates/ships.

[Host Jazzbeau]

IMO, I don't think it would matter unless the group numbers started to top more than half the ship. Certain areas could get a bit crowded and in some areas they would have exclusive use for their meetings or activities or whatever they do.

Whether the public should be told formally about this when the go to book would really depend on the group and the expected numbers.:D

 

You might think differently if you have been on that notorious Dec. 9 Constellation cruise:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1958713

[purrlinda]

When the group is a nudist group.

 

The hard part would be deciding whether I should have my glasses cleaned or frosted over if a group like that was on my cruise.

 

This makes me think of the saying "Those who shouldn't do, and those who should, don't."

 

:D

[c-legs]

My $ 0.02 worth ( Canadian $$ even..! )

 

Specific names/activities/affiliations related to group(s) on a certain sailing ought to remain confidential.

But the presence of group(s) occupying 30%+++ of total berth capacity ought to be clearly disclosed as,by the very nature of such group(s), at this level, one can safely presume the public areas will suffer more than minimal impact enough to amend and hinder the ''normal/as advertised/as promised'' use of such areas ( MDR, main show longe, lounge XYZ, etc.etc...). That possibility must be disclosed to the ''independant'' paying guests so they are aware that this may not be a ''standard'' sailing

,based on ''normal'' expectations.

IMO, it is the cruise line's responsability to advise its clientele in the scenario suggested above...as much as it is the cruise line's right to sollicit and service groups business.

If a disclosure protocol is established and followed, then the buying public will make an informed decision....by choice ( which carries the responability of dealing with the consequences if it turns out to be a bad one).

 

My opinion.

[MicCanberra]

You might think differently if you have been on that notorious Dec. 9 Constellation cruise:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1958713

 

Ok perhaps a smaller more demanding group can cause a lot more havoc. I have been on cruises where there were over 250 CC members and apart from the M&M it was not that big a deal.:D

[kevinyork]

On Eclipse last July there were 400 Brazilian Solicitors. The impact had plusses and minuses. Plenty of deck space on sea days as they were in the conference rooms. However, they were allocated the Sky Lounge in the evening and had their own band. Whilst the CD kept announcing the lounge was open to all we found the 'private function' barrier up twice. They also seemed to move en masse, filling lifts and hitting the buffet in big groups which was a pain.

 

The difficulty is deciding at what level, if any, should X declare that a large group is onboard. I think they should do so when they know that some facilities wont be available to all as normal.

[MicCanberra]

The difficulty is deciding at what level, if any, should X declare that a large group is onboard. I think they should do so when they know that some facilities wont be available to all as normal.

 

Probably the best trigger to have notifications sent out.:D

[dkjretired]

I'm on the Sox cruise...pray for me! ;) I'm an Orioles fan! I don't expect them to be that large a group, and I'll enjoy a challenge! Wish me luck!

 

Could be worse, you could be a Yankees fan....

[dkjretired]

"american girl"? Isn't that some kind of a doll. How could that become 'infamous'?

 

Post #27 will give you a taste of it, there were a couple of threads about it on the board and people were furious.

[cle-guy]

So does X need to alert us of sailings swimming with those damned entitled elite's?

 

They are always closing Michaels down and having private breakfasts and such in various area of the ship. Sometimes even the Sky lounge is shut and reserved for their "gatherings".

[kevinyork]

So does X need to alert us of sailings swimming with those damned entitled elite's?

 

They are always closing Michaels down and having private breakfasts and such in various area of the ship. Sometimes even the Sky lounge is shut and reserved for their "gatherings".

 

You have a point there!

[Fouremco]

We book cruises based on itinerary and on the ship and its facilities. If those facilities are no longer going to be available, or access is going to be very restricted, then I believe that the cruise line should be obligated to advise me. I don't need to know the details as to why they won't be available, just the fact that was was being advertised at the time of my purchase is no longer what is being offered.

 

I'm not a gambler, so if I was advised that the casino would not be available, for whatever reason, it wouldn't have any impact on my decision to cruise. But I'm sure that there are many who might cancel if the casino was closed to them.

 

There was a recent thread where a couple had late traditional dining only to find out upon embarkation that they had been bounced because of large group having taken over that entire sitting. Should they have been advised so they could decide how important their dining choice was to them? I think so.

[tink1112]

I will also be on the Red Sox cruise and I am hoping that it will not close off too much of the ship. Although I don't think it is going to be an issue. I don't mind when venues are closed for short periods of time but if there is an area that will be closed for the whole cruise or for full days I feel that should be disclosed before final payment. They don't have to tell me what group it is but I think we should know if there will be any major closures to areas of the ship. We pay for access to all public areas and if that's not available we should know before we sail.

[johhnnyt]

I don't know of any cruise line that provides information on 'other passengers' affiliations, memberships, special needs etc and nor should they for privacy reasons.

 

How would it work? three months before sailing send out a letter saying

WARNING

600 Knitters will be onboard

120 Scot Bagpipers

11 people in wheelchairs

9 members of the Goldberg family from Pittsburgh

 

Will be on your cruise, here's a list of the events each has planned, so if you want to cancel the cruise, do so now?

 

If its that important to you that all facilities onboard be available 24 hours a day, maybe renting a yacht would be a better choice

 

Of the 20+ cruises I've done I've never had any group impact any cruise experience, although a friend went on a grateful dead cruise, and glad to say I wasn't onboard that one

[Onessa]

My $ 0.02 worth ( Canadian $$ even..! )

 

Specific names/activities/affiliations related to group(s) on a certain sailing ought to remain confidential.

But the presence of group(s) occupying 30%+++ of total berth capacity ought to be clearly disclosed as,by the very nature of such group(s), at this level, one can safely presume the public areas will suffer more than minimal impact enough to amend and hinder the ''normal/as advertised/as promised'' use of such areas ( MDR, main show longe, lounge XYZ, etc.etc...). That possibility must be disclosed to the ''independant'' paying guests so they are aware that this may not be a ''standard'' sailing

,based on ''normal'' expectations.

IMO, it is the cruise line's responsability to advise its clientele in the scenario suggested above...as much as it is the cruise line's right to sollicit and service groups business.

If a disclosure protocol is established and followed, then the buying public will make an informed decision....by choice ( which carries the responability of dealing with the consequences if it turns out to be a bad one).

 

I think if Celebrity intends to block off public areas of the ship for a particular group or groups consistently, and for long periods of time, then they have an obligation to so inform all of their passengers before final payment. I don't think it is necessary or appropriate for them to give any specific information about what group it is, provided the activities of the group would not interfere with the common activities of the general passengers. Everyone on that ship is paying for use of the entire ship (save for the advertised 'for a price' areas). Occasional private parties? No problem. Consistently blocking off public areas for long periods of time, or allowing/encouraging activities disruptive to the general cruising public, or giving one group of passengers priority access to prime dining times and so on, is not right and not fair. Everyone has the right to get the entirety of what they are paying for.

Both well-reasoned opinions.

 

We were on a "Pampered Chef" reward cruise and there was only one evening (out of 7) when the large lounge was closed for a private party. The rest of the group activities were "invisible" to the rest of us. It was the most U12YO cruisers that the Radiance had every had, but the AO staff was prepared and our then 8YO DD had a blast (did not effect her cruise).

 

If lounges and the pool area and the shows, etc -- will be reserved for the group throughout the cruise; the other pax deserve to know.

Edited January 3, 2014 by Onessa

[Onessa]

I have been on Mariner of the Seas when there have been about 1300 Harley owners on ship of about 3500.

 

They were a nice and friendly group, so we were okay. They did though occupy some public areas that did create some restriction of using lounges/etc. For most part, they reserved areas in non-prime times and THAT works for me.

I live near Milwaukee and was downtown the Saturday of Labor Day weekend - during the height of the HOG festival. I have always found Harley owners very nice.

 

When I was collecting money for my DD's marching band trip while the band was performing in parades - I found the little old ladies and the motorcycle folks to be the most generous!

 

A couple of years ago there were many complaints about perhaps one of the most innocuous groups you could have on a cruise, the American Girl Dolls. I remember people were furious because the girls were sitting in the buffet with their dolls next to them taking up seats and doing the same in the theater. Apparently the parents thought this was all fun.

If I recall, the cost of the American Girl cruise was outrageous! Almost the equivelent of charging the doll full pax rate :D. Maybe the parents were just trying to get their money's worth:rolleyes:

[Presto2]

To be honest this is a difficult one as the cruise lines can't be seen to discriminate against any groups.

 

E.g.

 

On our first cruise on the Silhouette to the Holy Land in August 2011 there were a lot of Jewish passengers. On the first Friday evening a large part of the dining room was taken up by those passengers celebrating the Sabbath together as a family.

 

We were fortunate enough to be seated in that area and the evening was very special for us as well - a memory to cherish as we watched them celebrate together as a group.

 

Now if it had been some other groups, however - like a wild party night like the UK's 18 -30s holidays - we may not have been as comfortable !

 

I suppose all you can do is google the dates ????

[20pluscruises]

So does X need to alert us of sailings swimming with those damned entitled elite's?

 

They are always closing Michaels down and having private breakfasts and such in various area of the ship. Sometimes even the Sky lounge is shut and reserved for their "gatherings".

 

True. However, you are aware of the times these areas will be closed before booking your cruise.

 

I don't care who the group is...I just want to know if bar areas, internet room, MDR lunch, etc. will be closed off for more than 2 times during my 7 day cruise. Less than two...don't care.

 

FYI...we were on the trip with Motorcylce club an they were great fun. Also, plenty of room at the pool, lunch, bars as they biked around each island the entire day. Also, really neat to see all the bikes lined up outside our balcony on each island stop. I was jelly!!!

Edited January 3, 2014 by 20pluscruises

[luvs2fly]

My little girl is 7 and the director of her cheerleading/dance school has just started planning a retreat for the girls for spring break 2015! She is looking into cruise lines, X being one of them. Last year we all went to Beaches. It was miserable. There were over 60 screaming, jumping and flipping little monsters all running together in a pack.

 

My mother told my daughter that she would take her if my husband and I wouldn't. Since I'm a decent person I will post a warning to any and all.

 

Would you want to cruise with this group? Would you like to know the sailing, so that it could be avoided? Should the cruise line tell people about groups? I think they should only disclose venue changes, restricted access and any established rule change for any particular sailing. Other than that buyer beware!

[Fouremco]

My little girl is 7 and the director of her cheerleading/dance school has just started planning a retreat for the girls for spring break 2015! She is looking into cruise lines, X being one of them. Last year we all went to Beaches. It was miserable. There were over 60 screaming, jumping and flipping little monsters all running together in a pack.

 

My mother told my daughter that she would take her if my husband and I wouldn't. Since I'm a decent person I will post a warning to any and all.

 

Would you want to cruise with this group? Would you like to know the sailing, so that it could be avoided? Should the cruise line tell people about groups? I think they should only disclose venue changes, restricted access and any established rule change for any particular sailing. Other than that buyer beware!

LOL. Without mentioning names, there are a couple of posters who have recently expressed a strong aversion to having any children on board, let alone "60 screaming, jumping and flipping little monsters all running together in a pack." I see lots of opportunity here for some poetic justice! :D

[johhnnyt]

Thanks for pointing out that you haven't experienced this problem. It's always helpful to get advice from someone who doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

Just curious, are you willing to have the cruise lines query and disclose your affiliations, beliefs, etc with other passengers prior to boarding?

[MicCanberra]

I don't know of any cruise line that provides information on 'other passengers' affiliations, memberships, special needs etc and nor should they for privacy reasons.

 

How would it work? three months before sailing send out a letter saying

WARNING

600 Knitters will be onboard

120 Scot Bagpipers

11 people in wheelchairs

9 members of the Goldberg family from Pittsburgh

 

Will be on your cruise, here's a list of the events each has planned, so if you want to cancel the cruise, do so now?

 

If its that important to you that all facilities onboard be available 24 hours a day, maybe renting a yacht would be a better choice

 

Of the 20+ cruises I've done I've never had any group impact any cruise experience, although a friend went on a grateful dead cruise, and glad to say I wasn't onboard that one

 

That situation would never occur, but it does highlight how it may affect a cruise.:rolleyes:

[dkjretired]

I don't know of any cruise line that provides information on 'other passengers' affiliations, memberships, special needs etc and nor should they for privacy reasons.

 

How would it work? three months before sailing send out a letter saying

WARNING

600 Knitters will be onboard

120 Scot Bagpipers

11 people in wheelchairs

9 members of the Goldberg family from Pittsburgh

 

Will be on your cruise, here's a list of the events each has planned, so if you want to cancel the cruise, do so now?

 

If its that important to you that all facilities onboard be available 24 hours a day, maybe renting a yacht would be a better choice

 

Of the 20+ cruises I've done I've never had any group impact any cruise experience, although a friend went on a grateful dead cruise, and glad to say I wasn't onboard that one

 

We were on a cruise with the Goldbergs, what a horror....

[luvs2fly]

Just curious, are you willing to have the cruise lines query and disclose your affiliations, beliefs, etc with other passengers prior to boarding?

 

I'm not! I would be furious if my personal info was shared. However don't you think they should let their customers know if their vacation will be impacted by restricted venues, dining times or any changes in established rules?

[20pluscruises]

We were on a cruise with the Goldbergs, what a horror....

 

You think that was bad? On our cruise we had The Griswald's :eek: