Meet and Greet on Princess Cruises

[hockeygal54]

I am in the process of organizing a M/G for our PC cruise next month aboard Coral. I have heard several things about what ship would/would not do for us. So that being said....what has been the experience of other folks doing this and who needs to be contacted if anyone in the Princess organization.

 

 

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[Colo Cruiser]

They will provide a venue and some wait staff, thats about it.

Some officers may come, we usually send out invites for them.

 

Here is the contact list, not sure how up to date it is....

 

Jenny Streeck - Sapphire & Grand jstreeck@princesscruises.com 661-284-4444

 

Diana Hall - Diamond & Star -- dhall@princesscruises.com 661-284-4449

 

Jan James - Golden, Ocean & Pacific jjames@princesscruises.com 661-284-4452

 

Berna Grayr - Emerald & Ruby bgrayr@princesscruises.com 661-284-4448

 

Coleen Reyes - Crown & Carribean creyes@princesscruises.com 661-284-4447

 

Stacey Anderson - Royal, Dawn & Sun sanderson@princesscruises.com 661-284-4333

 

Lawrence Andrada - Island, Coral & Sea landrada@princesscruises.com 661-284-4445

Edited February 17, 2014 by Colo Cruiser

[Pam in CA]

I am in the process of organizing a M/G for our PC cruise next month aboard Coral. I have heard several things about what ship would/would not do for us. So that being said....what has been the experience of other folks doing this and who needs to be contacted if anyone in the Princess organization.

Princess provides a room/lounge for an hour. Sometimes, the CD participates, sometimes they don't. You need to contact (for the Coral):

 

Lawrence Andrada - Island, Coral & Sea landrada@princesscruises.com 661-284-4445

 

Once onboard, take invitations for the Captain, Staff Captain, CD, Captain's Circle Host, etc. to the Passenger Services Desk for delivery to them. They may or may not attend and if they do, it could be for just a few minutes.

 

Unlike other lines, Princess roll call M&Gs are usually well-attended and the purpose is more focused on getting to know your fellow travelers than chatting up the officers. I've been to M&Gs sponsored by the cruise line and even though food and beverages were provided, attendance was low and often, people showed up for a free drink and food, and left. Often, I've found that at Princess M&Gs, people are having such fun getting to know each other that they adjourn to the dining room or somewhere else to continue to get to know each other.

[bob brown]

I've only been to one CC Meet and Greet on Princess, it was on the Caribbean Princess a couple of years ago. We had a very small roll call, and it was not really organized until the last minute, so we had an "informal" one, and just met each other at the International Cafe Bar at around 10 AM on the first sea day. We did ask them to have someone from guest relations to address our group, and they did do that.

 

I did notice however, up at the Skywalker's Lounge, there was a floor sign in a storage area that said "Cruise Critic's Private Function", or something like that, so apparently Princess deems it worth having that sign for more formal gatherings....

 

When you contact Princess, I think you will be refered to some kind of group coordinator for your ship that will make the arrangements with you.

[geoherb]

We had a great meet and greet in December on the Ruby. I did not organize it, so I'm not sure what all went in to doing so. We had almost as many staff members show up as we did Cruise Critic folks. It was in Skywalkers during the morning of our first sea day. The highlight was that Commodore Romano came. He is the best captain we've ever had--very visible during the cruise, always taking time to talk to passengers.

[trbarton]

I am in the process of organizing a M/G for our PC cruise next month aboard Coral. I have heard several things about what ship would/would not do for us. So that being said....what has been the experience of other folks doing this and who needs to be contacted if anyone in the Princess organization.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Since I have hosted several M & G before I can add some information.

 

You already have the contact list for Princess. They will ask you for your Booking Number, how many people you expect, I usually say 30 people, and of course the date and time for the M & G.

 

They will supply you with a meeting place and have an open bar where you can buy drinks but unless you want to arrange with Princess for some kind of refreshments at your expense you're on your own.

 

I did a M & G on the Grand in December in December, 10:30 to 11:30 am on the first sea day and although I invited all of the principal officers none attended. I was told by the CD that all of the staff had to attend a mandatory meeting in the morning so thus no officers were there. It was suggested to have one in the afternoon so on my May Alaska cruise I have one planned for 1-2 pm the first sea day. Also one officer said that he did not receive my invitation that I left at the pursers desk when I boarded the ship until a few days after our first meeting, he attended our second M & G. So no guarantee that any officers will attend but as soon as I can talk to the CD I mention our meeting.

 

I had around 30 people signed up but only about half of the people that signed up attended. Here's a photo of our December M & G.

 

I have templates of the letters that I leave for the officers, the flyer that I use for the details of my M & G, the name labels that I use (I use the first name & there CC name that I can supply if you would like them. Email me at trbarton743@aol.com.

 

Remember that after the 1st of the month of the month of your cruise contact the Princess rep again and they will supply you with the current list of the officers.

 

My last cruise I also invited some of the entertainment on board to join us.

 

On my second M & G I did a White Elephant gift exchange where people bought items from one of the ports that we had visited $10 or less.

 

Hope that this info will help.

 

Edited February 17, 2014 by trbarton

[JF - retired RRT]

Another easy to do suggestion...set up a spreadsheet in google docs. I did that for 3 M&Gs so far. Topics that you can include: name(s), cc handle, cabin #, attending M&G ?, join in a gift exchange?, cabin crawl?, informal sail away ?.

Very easy to do, share the link in the forum, then everyone keeps their info up to date - no work for you:D

[Tickled2Trvl]

We sailed on the Coral last Oct. the Princess contact was;

Rosanne Pennucci

rpennucci@princesscruises.com

661-284-4443

 

The ship reserved an area in Crooners for our M&G, I had delivered invitations for the officers to the purser desk and later found out they had NOT been delivered to the officers. At the same time as our M&G, Princess had a note in the Patter for a singles meeting in Crooners...it did cause some confusion, nothing to lose sleep over though.

 

Lawrence has been reassigned to the Regal the last I spoke with him when planning our M&G last year.

[Debbdo]

I am in the process of organizing a M/G for our PC cruise next month aboard Coral. I have heard several things about what ship would/would not do for us. So that being said....what has been the experience of other folks doing this and who needs to be contacted if anyone in the Princess organization.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Thank you for organizing this....looking forward to it!!

 

Debbie

[cr8tiv1]

Another easy to do suggestion...set up a spreadsheet in google docs. I did that for 3 M&Gs so far. Topics that you can include: name(s), cc handle, cabin #, attending M&G ?, join in a gift exchange?, cabin crawl?, informal sail away ?.

Very easy to do, share the link in the forum, then everyone keeps their info up to date - no work for you:D

 

HI JF...

 

and why didn't you share this with us before. What a brilliant idea! I am not the most organized and thank goodness someone else always takes care of the roll call list.

[hockeygal54]

I don't know anything about spreadsheets.....I'm a nurse!! :). My roommate can do that part tho I think. For now I've got a notebook!

[Colo Cruiser]

I don't know anything about spreadsheets.....I'm a nurse!! :). My roommate can do that part tho I think. For now I've got a notebook!

 

 

No need to make it anymore complicated, just do whatever you feel comfortable with.

[SuitCaseBears]

Another easy to do suggestion...set up a spreadsheet in google docs. I did that for 3 M&Gs so far. Topics that you can include: name(s), cc handle, cabin #, attending M&G ?, join in a gift exchange?, cabin crawl?, informal sail away ?.

Very easy to do, share the link in the forum, then everyone keeps their info up to date - no work for you:D

 

WE've done that for our M&G which is now up to over 80 people. I'm pretty sure they wont all attend, but it's fun that we've generated some interest.

 

But seeing as this is my first M&G that I'm organizing, to whom do you send invites. I could figure out Captain, Cruise Director, Hotel GM, but who else?

[Orangefan]

We had a great meet and greet in December on the Ruby. I did not organize it, so I'm not sure what all went in to doing so. We had almost as many staff members show up as we did Cruise Critic folks. It was in Skywalkers during the morning of our first sea day. The highlight was that Commodore Romano came. He is the best captain we've ever had--very visible during the cruise, always taking time to talk to passengers.

 

I agree ! Commodore Romano is the best. While on our M & G 2 years ago, no staff attended until Commodore Romano joined us. He had 4 scheduled weddings to officiate and other duties but took time to be gracious and even share some stories with us. I will be on the Ruby again the end of March and hope he will be on the ship and not on vacation.

Sali

[trbarton]

WE've done that for our M&G which is now up to over 80 people. I'm pretty sure they wont all attend, but it's fun that we've generated some interest.

 

But seeing as this is my first M&G that I'm organizing, to whom do you send invites. I could figure out Captain, Cruise Director, Hotel GM, but who else?

 

 

Here's the officers that I send letters to.

 

Captain:

Staff Captain:

Hotel Manager:

Food & Beverage Director:

Customer Service Director:

Maitre d’ Hotel:

Cruise Director:

Circle Hostess:

Onboard Events Coordinator:

Executive chef:

Senior Doctor:

Executive Housekeeper:

 

Tom:)

Edited February 20, 2014 by trbarton

[julie3fan]

WE've done that for our M&G which is now up to over 80 people. I'm pretty sure they wont all attend, but it's fun that we've generated some interest.

 

But seeing as this is my first M&G that I'm organizing, to whom do you send invites. I could figure out Captain, Cruise Director, Hotel GM, but who else?

 

I'm in the same boat (pun intended)! I also am organizing my first ever M&G and am wondering who to send invites to. I'm racking my head about which staff have attended on other (non-Princess) cruises, and now I wish I had paid more attention! I want to say the Maitre d' showed up, as well as the Executive Chef, Chief Engineer, and Head of Housekeeping. I don't think it would hurt to invite the Casino Manager, Spa Manager, Bar Manager, or the Cruise Consultant (I don't know the exact title for that position) either.

 

Maybe some of our more experienced M&G organizers can help round out the list?

 

I'm glad I ran across this post. With the search feature currently non-operational, I was hesitant to start a new thread in fear of duplication.

 

Julie

(sailing LA round trip to Hawaii on the Star Princess April 4th)

[julie3fan]

Here's the officers that I send letters to.

 

Captain:

Staff Captain:

Hotel Manager:

Food & Beverage Director:

Customer Service Director:

Maitre d’ Hotel:

Cruise Director:

Circle Hostess:

Onboard Events Coordinator:

Executive chef:

Senior Doctor:

Executive Housekeeper:

 

Tom:)

 

We must have posted at the same time...your list is wonderful! Thanks so much!!

 

Julie

[Loonbeam]

One note - ask them to list the signage/event as CC meet and greet or similar.

 

If you post it as CruiseCritic you get a lot of well, Cruise Critics.

[trbarton]

I'm in the same boat (pun intended)! I also am organizing my first ever M&G and am wondering who to send invites to. I'm racking my head about which staff have attended on other (non-Princess) cruises, and now I wish I had paid more attention! I want to say the Maitre d' showed up, as well as the Executive Chef, Chief Engineer, and Head of Housekeeping. I don't think it would hurt to invite the Casino Manager, Spa Manager, Bar Manager, or the Cruise Consultant (I don't know the exact title for that position) either.

 

Maybe some of our more experienced M&G organizers can help round out the list?

 

I'm glad I ran across this post. With the search feature currently non-operational, I was hesitant to start a new thread in fear of duplication.

 

Julie

(sailing LA round trip to Hawaii on the Star Princess April 4th)

 

Julie:

 

I've done many M & G but you will see in my earlier post that I invite many officers. Their could be many reasons why some officers don't attend a M & G since they may have other commitments on the ship at the time of our meeting. While one officer may not come on one cruise on another cruise they may attend so that's why my list stays the same. The only thing that you don't see on my list is the ship photographer that I invite for a group photo, and I just started inviting the entertainer's. On my last cruise on the Grand in December I invited the couple that was doing the Hawaiian classes and they both came.

 

If you would like to see any of my templates that I use please email me at trbarton743@aol.com and I will supply you what I have.

 

Tom:)

[SuitCaseBears]

Here's the officers that I send letters to.

 

Captain:

Staff Captain:

Hotel Manager:

Food & Beverage Director:

Customer Service Director:

Maitre d’ Hotel:

Cruise Director:

Circle Hostess:

Onboard Events Coordinator:

Executive chef:

Senior Doctor:

Executive Housekeeper:

 

Tom:)

THanks Tom

[hockeygal54]

What are u guys putting in these invites? Just the usual like a bd party? Will Princess tell u when u contacted them where/when it can be?

[Colo Cruiser]

What are u guys putting in these invites? Just the usual like a bd party? Will Princess tell u when u contacted them where/when it can be?

 

Yes the M&G rep will let you know Place/Time.

We keep the invites simple.

[paul929207]

The Princess Rep will contact the ship and agree upon a time and place for the M&G. This will them be emailed to the requestor.

 

As to the invites, I just get a package of party invitation. Usually 8 to 12 to a package.

[trbarton]

What are u guys putting in these invites? Just the usual like a bd party? Will Princess tell u when u contacted them where/when it can be?

 

I have templates of letters that I use for each of my M & G. If you would like any of the templates that I use please email me at trbarton743@aol.com.

 

Tom:)

[hockeygal54]

I have templates of letters that I use for each of my M & G. If you would like any of the templates that I use please email me at trbarton743@aol.com.

 

Tom:)

 

TOM--I just sent you an em about the templates. Thanks!

 

 

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