Cruise Critic Connections Party Have Restarted

[mahdnc]

Someone on our Oct Constellation TA roll call pointed out that the connections party (aka Meet N Mingle) registration page has been reactivated (link).  So are they being held on board now?  Are they held in the same indoor venues as before?   I know many people didn't bother attending even before the pandemic although we always did.  How do people feel about attending it now?

 

 

[mfs2k]

I’m going to mine in October 

[jelayne]

DH hasn’t gone in years and I rarely do.  Over time there was less “meeting and  mingling” more go listen to CD’s we value you & Cruise Critic speech, introduce some Officers,  CaptIn or Staff Captain may say a few words.  Close with there are refreshments (location) you are welcome to stay for another 10 minutes, 15 minutes before we set up the room for …….  Officers leave and so do most others.

 

We enjoy the Roll Call Sail Away gatherings much more,  they aren’t in the a.m. on a sea day when we sleep in and there are more relaxed and folks seem to mingle more.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

We haven't attended one in years and won't start now. We have a much better time meeting people at a bar, dinner, etc.  The connection parties always seemed forced, or there was a well bonded group and everyone else was on the periphery. 

Edited April 30, 2022 by CHEZMARYLOU

[keesar]

1 hour ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

We haven't attended one in years and won't start now. We have a much better time meeting people at a bar, dinner, etc.  The connection parties always seemed forced, or there was a well bonded group and everyone else was on the periphery. 

Well said.  There was the privileged bonded group who tended to stick together.  Talked about being in a suite or their status.  A real turn off event.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Well, I'm currently on the Summit.  Received a notice prior to sailing that we had enough people signed up to have a party.  Never received an invitation.  I agree, sometimes the officers can do too much talking, but I enjoy getting to put faces to names I've been chatting with on Cruise Critic.  Not sure how there could be a bonded group in advance since people don't know one another.

[TeeRick]

I have found the Connections parties to be more well attended on longer cruises particularly those with nicer itineraries.  Just like such cruises usually have more active roll calls.  For your basic Caribbean cruise many of the roll calls are pretty dead and they don't have enough people to qualify for one.  

[CHEZMARYLOU]

59 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Well, I'm currently on the Summit.  Received a notice prior to sailing that we had enough people signed up to have a party.  Never received an invitation.  I agree, sometimes the officers can do too much talking, but I enjoy getting to put faces to names I've been chatting with on Cruise Critic.  Not sure how there could be a bonded group in advance since people don't know one another.

OH, Believe me there can and are bonded groups. When chats on the roll calls get into a lot of personal details, having nothing to do with cruising, and go on and on I just know I don't want to get involved and don't post much. YMMV.

 

[Pinboy]

1 hour ago, keesar said:

There was the privileged bonded group who tended to stick together.  Talked about being in a suite or their status.  A real turn off event.

Thank you for this --

Perhaps it's me , but, I really could care less where anyone we meet has their accommodations on board, what their " status " is , or how many their yacht sleeps . 

But, I do think it would be fun to meet many of my fellow CCers and see who's who.

LOL-- From some of their posts------I can only imagine !!

 

 

[pisces223]

[mahdnc]

17 minutes ago, pisces223 said:

 

When things were paused, the official registration page (which is on Celebrity's website) was suspended, too.  It is now very much back on line: https://www.celebritycruises.com/cruise-critic-connections

 

[Ben Kenobi]

I've been to some Connections parties where it was as described.  I felt like I was intruding on a group that didn't want to talk to anyone outside their core members.  On others I've had great conversations and met people I'd talked to on here.  We've had one where a gentleman who organized the roll call arrange a casino outing, another where members arranged excursions which were amazing and I've done a couple of excursion planning myself.  

 

It can be hit and miss, at the least you've met some officers, had some great pastries and tea or coffee!