HAL Does not attend Meet & Mingle

[Guest ldtr]

On 6/29/2023 at 11:53 AM, Tampa Girl said:

 

Perhaps HAL is getting tired of attending these functions and listening to the attendees exchange information regarding independent tours, which compete directly with HAL excursions.  I never cease to be amazed at this.

A few years ago some CC folks had a meeting on a Princess ship on a cruise around South America  The blatant organizing and out right selling of private excursions resulted in a rather negative reaction from the officers and notification that selling any products on the ship without prior approval was a violation of the cruise contract.

 

In this case they had tables where people could sign up for excursion and money was changing hand at the meeting.

[ontheweb]

35 minutes ago, ldtr said:

A few years ago some CC folks had a meeting on a Princess ship on a cruise around South America  The blatant organizing and out right selling of private excursions resulted in a rather negative reaction from the officers and notification that selling any products on the ship without prior approval was a violation of the cruise contract.

 

In this case they had tables where people could sign up for excursion and money was changing hand at the meeting.

That is way "overboard" (pun intended). About the only thing that should happen concerning private excursions is passengers who have already booked something together meeting to determine where they will meet to get together to meet their excursion guide.

[kazu]

43 minutes ago, ldtr said:

A few years ago some CC folks had a meeting on a Princess ship on a cruise around South America  The blatant organizing and out right selling of private excursions resulted in a rather negative reaction from the officers and notification that selling any products on the ship without prior approval was a violation of the cruise contract.

 

In this case they had tables where people could sign up for excursion and money was changing hand at the meeting.

 

Wow - they were lucky hey didn‘t get kicked off for solicitation.

 

That’s unbelievable and beyond ridiculous and rude.  There’s lots of time to do that on the roll call.  Just beyond the pale 😱 

 

[cruisemom42]

I think the arranging of private tours aspect probably has changed significantly since the 5+ years ago that most of these stories date from. In recent years, most private tours that I've either joined or arranged have been ones where 1) the participants pay the vendor directly via PayPal or some other electronic method, 2) the participants pay the vendor on the day of the tour, or 3) one person arranges and pays for the tour then asks other participants to pay them via Venmo or similar.

 

At any rate, I still do not believe HAL passengers are any better or worse than any other passengers with regards to either complaining or arranging private tours. HAL just has a different outlook on how important it is for officers to be visible around their ships and engage with passengers, whether in a private group meeting or anywhere else. 

 

It's not a dealbreaker for me, but I do enjoy seeing it on other lines, and as I said before I think it brings a certain "je ne sais quoi", especially when they are seen to be enjoying the ship and each others' company, as well as greeting passengers, even if just in passing.

 

 

[albingirl]

14 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

I think the arranging of private tours aspect probably has changed significantly since the 5+ years ago that most of these stories date from. In recent years, most private tours that I've either joined or arranged have been ones where 1) the participants pay the vendor directly via PayPal or some other electronic method, 2) the participants pay the vendor on the day of the tour, or 3) one person arranges and pays for the tour then asks other participants to pay them via Venmo or similar.

 

At any rate, I still do not believe HAL passengers are any better or worse than any other passengers with regards to either complaining or arranging private tours. HAL just has a different outlook on how important it is for officers to be visible around their ships and engage with passengers, whether in a private group meeting or anywhere else. 

 

It's not a dealbreaker for me, but I do enjoy seeing it on other lines, and as I said before I think it brings a certain "je ne sais quoi", especially when they are seen to be enjoying the ship and each others' company, as well as greeting passengers, even if just in passing.

 

 

I love the officers. On my last cruise, my beloved left the show and I was alone. There were a group of dashing officers outside the showroom and I asked one of them to escort me to my stateroom since I can never find it. This was, of course after drinking wine. One was gracious and said yes and I appreciated that kind gesture. And, no, I  am not a flirt, just lost at times. 

[AV8rix]

Prior to covid there was usually one dinner per cruise with various officers "hosting" tables.  I know this because we were told in advance so I always requested an Engineering officer 😊 -- and usually got one.  This, of course, was only for the fixed seating tables on the upper floor.  Haven't seen it since covid -- but haven't been on a Grand or the GWC, so they may still do this on those special cruises.

[Tampa Girl]

12 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

I think the arranging of private tours aspect probably has changed significantly since the 5+ years ago that most of these stories date from. In recent years, most private tours that I've either joined or arranged have been ones where 1) the participants pay the vendor directly via PayPal or some other electronic method, 2) the participants pay the vendor on the day of the tour, or 3) one person arranges and pays for the tour then asks other participants to pay them via Venmo or similar.

 

 

 

 

 

Apparently not too significantly.  Take a peek at a very recent posting on the VOV's 2023 roll call re private tours and the M&G..  

[Haljo1935]

On 6/30/2023 at 6:25 AM, DaveOKC said:

We were in two Meet and Greets on the Nieuw Amsterdam a few months ago and even though we had only about 10 members show up, we had several officers attend.  I guess it depends on the ship and how busy they are at the time, as at the previous post Covid cruises we did not see any officers.

 

I was on one of those and came in (late) just as officers were leaving. Their presence was a topic of conversation for a while.

I also thought, like @RuthC the purpose was for passengers to meet and considered Officers attending a bonus. I'll continue to attend with that expectation.

[POA1]

59 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

I was on one of those and came in (late) just as officers were leaving. Their presence was a topic of conversation for a while.

I also thought, like @RuthC the purpose was for passengers to meet and considered Officers attending a bonus. I'll continue to attend with that expectation.

I'm glad I'm not alone in my expectations about the meet ups. The officers and staff are pretty easily identified and generally approachable. It's the CC people I want to meet. You're all very nice and it's great to finally put a face to a CC user ID.

 

That being said, I'd never try to use any kind of social setting for "the airing of the grievances." On the other hand, when people like to complain in public, it's a particular source of merriment for me and my friends. There was a Neptune Suite guest who raised such a fuss about the insufficient # of blueberries in the morning muffins in the Neptune lounge that the Hotel Director & chef would be there inspecting them each morning to ensure that the fruit to muffin ratio was acceptable.

 

This was on the Oosterdam in 2004 and I can guar-an-dam-tee you that we all still know her name.

 

So... Please don't be a jerk to the good people working on the ship. However, if you simply must... Please do it in front of me. You're not just being a d-bag, you're making memories!

[Haljo1935]

Oh my @POA1 oh my and he he!! Good memories are good no matter how they come our way.

[3rdGenCunarder]

17 minutes ago, POA1 said:

I'm glad I'm not alone in my expectations about the meet ups. The officers and staff are pretty easily identified and generally approachable. It's the CC people I want to meet. You're all very nice and it's great to finally put a face to a CC user ID.

 

That being said, I'd never try to use any kind of social setting for "the airing of the grievances." On the other hand, when people like to complain in public, it's a particular source of merriment for me and my friends. There was a Neptune Suite guest who raised such a fuss about the insufficient # of blueberries in the morning muffins in the Neptune lounge that the Hotel Director & chef would be there inspecting them each morning to ensure that the fruit to muffin ratio was acceptable.

 

This was on the Oosterdam in 2004 and I can guar-an-dam-tee you that we all still know her name.

 

So... Please don't be a jerk to the good people working on the ship. However, if you simply must... Please do it in front of me. You're not just being a d-bag, you're making memories!

 

I keep a journal when I travel, and although I have been lucky to not have run into too many jerks, they become fodder for my journal and email the blog I send to friends. The best was a very snooty woman at the dinner table on Cunard. She was NOT pleased to have a couple of Americans (how crass!) added to what she considered "her" table. She sounded totally "home counties," (counties around London), and her husband, who had family in Scotland, didn't sound any more Scots than I do. But she kept saying "In the Highlands we do this" and "In the Highlands we have that." In my journal, she became Mary, Queen of Scots. 

 

[cruisemom42]

1 hour ago, Tampa Girl said:

 

Apparently not too significantly.  Take a peek at a very recent posting on the VOV's 2023 roll call re private tours and the M&G..  

 

Link please?  No idea how to find this without it since you don't list the ship or dates....

[kazu]

20 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Link please?  No idea how to find this without it since you don't list the ship or dates....

 

Zuiderdam roll call - Voyage of the Vikings - 2023

[POA1]

18 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

I keep a journal when I travel, and although I have been lucky to not have run into too many jerks, they become fodder for my journal and email the blog I send to friends. The best was a very snooty woman at the dinner table on Cunard. She was NOT pleased to have a couple of Americans (how crass!) added to what she considered "her" table. She sounded totally "home counties," (counties around London), and her husband, who had family in Scotland, didn't sound any more Scots than I do. But she kept saying "In the Highlands we do this" and "In the Highlands we have that." In my journal, she became Mary, Queen of Scots. 

 

I absolutely LOVE your post. It gives me hope for humanity. Whilst we must suffer fools, we can do so lightheartedly.

[Mary229]

1 hour ago, POA1 said:

I'm glad I'm not alone in my expectations about the meet ups. The officers and staff are pretty easily identified and generally approachable. It's the CC people I want to meet. You're all very nice and it's great to finally put a face to a CC user ID.

 

That being said, I'd never try to use any kind of social setting for "the airing of the grievances." On the other hand, when people like to complain in public, it's a particular source of merriment for me and my friends. There was a Neptune Suite guest who raised such a fuss about the insufficient # of blueberries in the morning muffins in the Neptune lounge that the Hotel Director & chef would be there inspecting them each morning to ensure that the fruit to muffin ratio was acceptable.

 

This was on the Oosterdam in 2004 and I can guar-an-dam-tee you that we all still know her name.

 

So... Please don't be a jerk to the good people working on the ship. However, if you simply must... Please do it in front of me. You're not just being a d-bag, you're making memories!

We became quite chummy with the folks next to us at the next table in the dining room on a cruise.  We were in steerage and they in Neptune.  He liked my habit of ordering fresh fruit after dinner and soon started doing the same.   One night I had bigger, plumper blueberries and we started quite the ruckus about his lack of choice blueberries - to the amusement of all. 

[POA1]

The Department of Telling Me When I Am Wrong has issued a correction. It was 2005 on the Ryndam Mexican Riviera.  The department feels safe in stating that it was a Mrs. Furst and that she was revealed to be Ms. Ryndam.

 

I sincerely apologize for outing her, but if she's not shuffled off this mortal coil, I owe her some berries.

[Copper10-8]

2 hours ago, POA1 said:

I'm glad I'm not alone in my expectations about the meet ups. The officers and staff are pretty easily identified and generally approachable. It's the CC people I want to meet. You're all very nice and it's great to finally put a face to a CC user ID.

 

That being said, I'd never try to use any kind of social setting for "the airing of the grievances." On the other hand, when people like to complain in public, it's a particular source of merriment for me and my friends. There was a Neptune Suite guest who raised such a fuss about the insufficient # of blueberries in the morning muffins in the Neptune lounge that the Hotel Director & chef would be there inspecting them each morning to ensure that the fruit to muffin ratio was acceptable.

 

This was on the Oosterdam in 2004 and I can guar-an-dam-tee you that we all still know her name.

 

So... Please don't be a jerk to the good people working on the ship. However, if you simply must... Please do it in front of me. You're not just being a d-bag, you're making memories!

 

Thanks for the Sat morning laugh, Brian! 😁 🤙

[POA1]

1 hour ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Thanks for the Sat morning laugh, Brian! 😁 🤙

I was feeling kind of "ranty" today. I had a tire blow on the I-595 off ramp by FLL yesterday. So... I'm a huge fan of the run flat MB tires, up until you have to replace them.

[NotLikeBelleRosen,IHope]

On 7/1/2023 at 9:27 AM, Tampa Girl said:

 

Apparently not too significantly.  Take a peek at a very recent posting on the VOV's 2023 roll call re private tours and the M&G..  

I'm part of the VOV 23 roll call. The private tours discussed fall into the categories of already paid to vendors by individuals, or funds due to vendor on day of tour. The sign up sheets are so people know who else will be doing the tours or activities with them. The sign up sheets are not for hawking tours. The subject was specifically addressed on the roll call a few weeks ago.

[Tampa Girl]

40 minutes ago, NotLikeBelleRosen,IHope said:

I'm part of the VOV 23 roll call. The private tours discussed fall into the categories of already paid to vendors by individuals, or funds due to vendor on day of tour. The sign up sheets are so people know who else will be doing the tours or activities with them. The sign up sheets are not for hawking tours. The subject was specifically addressed on the roll call a few weeks ago.

 

 

Thank you for clarifying.  We are booked on the Rotterdam to Boston segment of that cruise.  For future reference, can you refer me to the number of the discussion that you described?  I have, in the part, planned a few M&G's and would like to have a definitive understanding of this subject.

[NotLikeBelleRosen,IHope]

33 minutes ago, Tampa Girl said:

 

 

Thank you for clarifying.  We are booked on the Rotterdam to Boston segment of that cruise.  For future reference, can you refer me to the number of the discussion that you described?  I have, in the part, planned a few M&G's and would like to have a definitive understanding of this subject.

#1659, #1664 and #1967. I look forward to seeing you on board.

[albingirl]

On 7/1/2023 at 11:36 AM, POA1 said:

I absolutely LOVE your post. It gives me hope for humanity. Whilst we must suffer fools, we can do so lightheartedly.

Agree.  I find it all very entertaining. 

[mcrcruiser]

We have sailed close to 100 cruises not with HAL vut more with Celebrity & RCCL .however ,we are 3 star Mariners with HAL .   when i organize a Meet & Greet ,we ask for a MIC 7 invite officers ,The vest M&G was on Eurodam in 2019 for HAL .The  person who organized the M& G   had the people ask one question each &  the Captain answered ,He even spent more time with us , Thus ,it seems to me that it is the way the organizer structures the M&G that can make irt successful or not

[Haljo1935]

14 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

We have sailed close to 100 cruises not with HAL vut more with Celebrity & RCCL .however ,we are 3 star Mariners with HAL .   when i organize a Meet & Greet ,we ask for a MIC 7 invite officers ,The vest M&G was on Eurodam in 2019 for HAL .The  person who organized the M& G   had the people ask one question each &  the Captain answered ,He even spent more time with us , Thus ,it seems to me that it is the way the organizer structures the M&G that can make irt successful or not

True, but officer or other ship representative still has to show or all good intentioned planning doesn't matter.

[Btimmer]

I've organized and led a number of M&G's on HAL ships over the years.  I've only had one officer (the CD) attend and he fit right in.  I am very careful right up front to emphasize this venue was not to sell or promote excursions.  They are, however, an opportunity for all to meet fellow passengers with interests in various ports.  I try to have a time where everyone has a chance to introduce themselves and then a chance for questions to be asked.  For our upcoming Grand South America, I'm working on getting our M&G set up.