Meet And Mingle Farce

[caroden]

Just got back last Saturday from the Mediterranean cruise on The Voyager of the Seas sailing from Barcelona.

 

After months of speaking to fellow passengers on the Roll Call Board for the 9th September sailing, and finally achieving our target of 25 people, we received confirmation by email from RCCL of our Meet and Mingle and we were all very excited about meeting each other.

 

However, when we all arrived on board, there was no Meet and Mingle Invitation in our staterooms. When we asked at Guest Relations, we were told that they knew nothing about the Cruise Critic Meet and Mingle, and they had never received confirmation from Miami with regard to any passengers who had registered.

 

A few of us who turned up to the High Notes Lounge at the time we received in the email, went away again when we realised that there was nothing being hosted there for the Meet and Mingle, and several people left their names at Guest Relations asking if a new time and venue could be arranged.

 

By Thursday, still nothing had been done, despite daily canvassing from several people. A few of us had found each other by chance, having exchanged photos of each other before we sailed, or cabin numbers.

 

I finally approached the Cruise Director who said he would look into it, and then received a voice mail on our cabin phone later that day, saying that it was too late to do anything, but they would release the names of the few passengers who had left their details at the desk and their cabin numbers for me to contact them myself and arrange a meet up on our own.

 

Only 14 of the 27 people registered for Meet and Mingle were able to be traced, and then only 9 turned up, as the others had then caught Norovirus which swept through the passengers during the latter part of the cruise. (See Roll Call Board for VOS 9th September 2006)

 

We were all very upset, that the Meet and Mingle turned out to be such a farce, and wonder if any other RCCL cruise passengers have had similar experiences or whether this was indeed a one of.

 

I emailed RCCL directly to complain about our disappointment and suggested that they write to everyone who was registered for the Meet and Mingle with an apology.

 

I have never had an acknowledgement of my email and we are all still waiting for our apology and an explanation!

[navygf]

Sorry to hear that your M&M didn't happen. I'd be expecting an apology and explanation as well.

 

There was a thread about M&Ms in the past couple of weeks that mentioned the changes in the dates and times and lack of invitations that made it seem as though they want to do away with the get togethers. However, on the 8/26 Empress sailing, we had a 930am M&M and it went well. I think the early hour of the meeting made it that several people missed it, but we still had a nice turnout for ours.

[dougp26364]

The exact same thing happened on our Vision cruise of Sept. 1. We all received confirmations when we hit 25 the first time and then again when we got back up to 25 (we went below and then back up again) but, once onboard the Customer relations desk knew nothing about it.

 

At any rate, the official M&M never came off. A few of us met for the sailaway and there were a few others that bumped into each other looking for the M&M that never happened. RCI either needs to improve upon these events or drop them all together. Nothing like being told you're going to have a private party before you get on the ship only to find out your not. It's really disappointing to an otherwise wonderful vacation.

[isujim]

I guess things like this can fall through the cracks.........has never happened to any of our Meet and Mingle groups but can see where it could happen especially if the communication is coming out of Miami.

 

We always schedule our own boarding party the afternoon of embarkation....that way we have met at least once prior to the Meet and Mingle...........

[shipknotshore]

I would be disappointed too. I've heard of some of the members not getting their invitation or mixed up info. but I've never heard of the entire M&M not happening because the office didn't let the ship know. Guess things like that can happen...we just don't want them happening on OUR cruise. I do hope that RCI recognizes that they messed up by responding to your email and offering up an apology.

[piercetc4]

the idea of setting up your own meet for just in case sounds like a good one- may post this on our roll call- meet for a drink right after muster drill in ......... ......... - stay a short time or a long time but meet up so will recognize each other- for the meet and mingle and for rest of cruise in case there is no meet and mingle.........great idea.....

[emilygrace]

Did you look at the "confirmed Meet and Mingle Party List" before you left home? It is a link at the top of this forum. It should have had a date, place and time for your party, so even if you didn't get the invitation in your cabin, you would have known where it was to be held. If there was nothing listed, then RCL dropped the ball on this one.

 

I sure hope this doesn't happen for my upcoming Jewel cruise.....there would be about 140 unhappy people!!!

[critterchick]

Emilygrace, the OP referred to an email from RCI that apparently told them the location would at High Notes.

 

It's really a shame that RCI can't consistently arrange these events. On our upcoming cruises we're planning on meeting at sailaway, and maybe those of us who are Diamond members should talk with the Concierge to make sure that the official M&M will take place - not that it's such a big event, but if they are offered to us, the cruiseline should follow through.

 

We arranged our own get togethers on the Diamond Princess - customer service set aside a section of the lounge for us, with a dedicated waiter & dry snacks (pretzels, peanuts, etc.) We had 2 of those, and then Richard Joseph, the CD, arranged for champagne/mimosa party with about half a dozen members of the entertainment staff. That was above & beyond, IMHO.

 

Ooops, now I'm rambling!

[Fran Harp]

the idea of setting up your own meet for just in case sounds like a good one- may post this on our roll call- meet for a drink right after muster drill in ......... ......... - stay a short time or a long time but meet up so will recognize each other- for the meet and mingle and for rest of cruise in case there is no meet and mingle.........great idea.....

 

Yes, I think I'm going to keep this in mind as well, and have each of us wearing something which distinguishes us. Our roll call is actually posting photos of as many of us as possible, and noting room numbers already - and the cruise is more than a year away.:D

 

Freezing Fran

[kyriecat]

We had a similar problem with the 9/2 Radiance sailing. Several people received an email that the M&M was at 12:30 in the Hollywood Lounge. I showed up and a couple of people were there. They said that they received a phone message that M&M was moved to 5:30. This was on formal night so most people elected to either dress for dinner or go to the Captain's reception instead of the M&M. I skipped it because I was getting ready for dinner. I never received an official invitation.

[AFT_LOVER]

at giving invites to M&M party the day after it was held. Thank goodness that friends who knew where we were stopped by to ask if something wasn't OK. I stated we have no invite & then they sw it after dinner & show in our room, 10 hours later. I made a stink but heard nothing on it.

 

We are next on Freedom 10/15, member cruise too, and rumor hs it that formal night our party is at 5PM, drink time in CL then dinner. So we won't be there since it is to be at 11AM.

Did you look at the "confirmed Meet and Mingle Party List" before you left home? It is a link at the top of this forum. It should have had a date, place and time for your party, so even if you didn't get the invitation in your cabin, you would have known where it was to be held. If there was nothing listed, then RCL dropped the ball on this one.

 

I sure hope this doesn't happen for my upcoming Jewel cruise.....there would be about 140 unhappy people!!!

[bouhunter]

I'd have to say if our M&M on Mariner was typical, you didn't miss much. Some snacks that didn't look very good and a sales pitch from the staff. We were glad we went even so, as our daughter met the daughter of someone from our roll call and they spent time together that week in Adventure Ocean.

[poppajoe]

The exact same thing happened on our Vision cruise of Sept. 1. We all received confirmations when we hit 25 the first time and then again when we got back up to 25 (we went below and then back up again) but, once onboard the Customer relations desk knew nothing about it.

 

Man am I unhappy that I ddin't get to see your shirt! ! I saw the security escorting some people off in Juneau and I was afraid they might have taken offense. :eek:

 

I contacted C & A and worte a letter about the M & M and got the usual CS baloney. I agree tho, if they are not going to take it seriously after they had confirmed to us twice, then they need to get out of it completely.

 

How's work? Back on the long shifts?

 

Later,

Joe

[dougp26364]

Did you look at the "confirmed Meet and Mingle Party List" before you left home? It is a link at the top of this forum. It should have had a date, place and time for your party, so even if you didn't get the invitation in your cabin, you would have known where it was to be held. If there was nothing listed, then RCL dropped the ball on this one.

 

I sure hope this doesn't happen for my upcoming Jewel cruise.....there would be about 140 unhappy people!!!

 

We did look and it had been there since we hit 25 the first time. I was expecting it to disappear after we dropped down under 25 but it did not. Then we were above 25 again (and it stayed that way) and the listing stayed the same. In fact, we received a second confirmation E-mail the day before the cruise departed.

 

When we hadn't received our M&M invitation, we went to the pursers desk. Others had been there as well before us. When we asked about the M&M, they already had the answer. Miami hadn't communicated to them that there would be a M&M and, if they did, they'd try to schedule it on another day. They'd let us know if that happened. Of course, there was no further communication, no apology for the mix up......nothing.

 

Oh well, I guess once again I've learned NOT to rely on RCI in Miami to hold up it's end of the bargain, even if it is in writting.

[LauraS]

I've shared this thread with my contact for Meet & Mingles over at Royal Caribbean.

 

I know there had been a mixup a few weeks back, but was told everything should be working fine now. I'm sure they'll want to hear about this.

 

Laura

[dougp26364]

The exact same thing happened on our Vision cruise of Sept. 1. We all received confirmations when we hit 25 the first time and then again when we got back up to 25 (we went below and then back up again) but, once onboard the Customer relations desk knew nothing about it.

 

Man am I unhappy that I ddin't get to see your shirt! ! I saw the security escorting some people off in Juneau and I was afraid they might have taken offense. :eek:

 

I contacted C & A and worte a letter about the M & M and got the usual CS baloney. I agree tho, if they are not going to take it seriously after they had confirmed to us twice, then they need to get out of it completely.

 

How's work? Back on the long shifts?

 

Later,

Joe

 

Yep, back to the long shifts and extra days. We have to put some money aside for our 6 night Radiance cruise coming up this December. :D

 

I'm pretty sure someone left the ship every day because of a family members illness. We had met another couple in Junuea and they had one of their family members taken off the ship in Skagway due to some sort of infection.

 

We had a front row seat from our balcony when they airlifted the guy off the ship towards the end of the cruise (inside straight cruising day I think). I believe I have a picture of the helicopter hovering just off the ship on our ships photo's link in my signature below.

[Liz]

We have a group of 30+ on AOS Oct. 1. Our M&M is scheduled for 5pm on formal night. Do you know how we can "petition" to have the time changed, so that those of us with main seating will not have to rush out of the M&M to have dinner? Someone suggested tracking down the CD, but then we may have problems letting everyone know in time - it would be so easy if the invitations were delivered with the correct information.

Thanks for any help you can offer or suggest-

 

Liz

[OPSoccermom]

We had the same thing happen on our 4/15 Serenade cruise. Those of us who were signed up got confirmation of time and place before we sailed, only to show up and find out the staff was not expecting us.

 

Fortunately, before we sailed we had created a spreadsheet for our group that contained information, including cabin numbers, for all of us. So when our group did convince the cruise staff to re-schedule the M&M, it was easy to contact everyone.

 

We also scheduled our own getogether on embarkation day so we did have a chance to meet and get to know each other .

[Pradagal]

I guess I've been lucky every meet & mingle has gone off without a hitch.I'm sorry for anyone who has not been able to enjoy this fun but short event.

[AFT_LOVER]

and it is blank on the M&M List & no phonecall on FREE excursion for Diamond members. What a major difference from the Jewel member cruise last May.

 

 

Did you look at the "confirmed Meet and Mingle Party List" before you left home? It is a link at the top of this forum. It should have had a date, place and time for your party, so even if you didn't get the invitation in your cabin, you would have known where it was to be held. If there was nothing listed, then RCL dropped the ball on this one.

 

I sure hope this doesn't happen for my upcoming Jewel cruise.....there would be about 140 unhappy people!!!

[CRUSINGFAMILY]

I know we had a very large registration with Cruise Critic for one voyage we were on and they said they didn't receive any confirmation from Miami that they reached the qualified number for our cruise either.

 

Anyway, one of our fellow Cruise Critic members had the printed confirmation with her (great thinking on her part), she presented it to Guest Relations and the Meet n Mingle was arranged and happened.

 

I am sorry that your Cruise Director thought so little of the value of your meeting.

 

We have been a part of some of the largest Meet n Mingle's RCCL has experienced. Our last two cruises had in excess of 100 people show up to each gathering. We have even presented the Captain and Cruise Director with gifts. I think the Cruise Director should have taken a more serious look at your situation.

 

Cruise critic members are a special core group of repeat cruisers and should be valued appropriately.

 

So I guess if you register for Meet n Mingle in the future, print out your confirmation, take it with you and ask on Day 1 and be persistent. I know you were persistent but with proof in your hand, they'll have to honour your request.

[sdear]

I was on Freedom 9/10. Our meet and Mingle went off without a hitch ! We had a great turn out, and had alot of fun at the party.

 

One note, they kept changing the time right up until the day before we left for Miami. So keep checking.

 

We all had invites in our cabins with the correct time, but many didnt know the time had been changed at the last minute.

[rolloman]

To tell you the truth the meet and mingle deal is overrated. I am not sure why so many people get amped up over it. It is nothing more than a gathering, no special awards, no free drinks, nothing, just several passengers who chatted online sharing their excitement and information before the cruise. MY suggestion to you is arrange your own meeting prior to sailing and then you can guarantee to hook up once onboard. Why rely on someone else if its so important to you???? Why rely on the cruiseline to set your time which is usually inconvienent for most?? Some of the best gatherings I have attended we did ourselves by suggesting a meeting place and wearing a certain color.

[rubrrick]

On our upcoming Jewel cruise next week out of Boston, they want to hold the party on the third night between the first and second seating. Basically no one in our group wants it then, and we have had no response when trying to change it to a sea day.

Our group cannot think of a worse time to hold an M&M. Has anyone esle had this experience........and if so.........how many showed up?

 

Rick

[MGoBlue2]

Just got back last Saturday from the Mediterranean cruise on The Voyager of the Seas sailing from Barcelona.

 

After months of speaking to fellow passengers on the Roll Call Board for the 9th September sailing, and finally achieving our target of 25 people, we received confirmation by email from RCCL of our Meet and Mingle and we were all very excited about meeting each other.

 

However, when we all arrived on board, there was no Meet and Mingle Invitation in our staterooms. When we asked at Guest Relations, we were told that they knew nothing about the Cruise Critic Meet and Mingle, and they had never received confirmation from Miami with regard to any passengers who had registered.

 

A few of us who turned up to the High Notes Lounge at the time we received in the email, went away again when we realised that there was nothing being hosted there for the Meet and Mingle, and several people left their names at Guest Relations asking if a new time and venue could be arranged.

 

By Thursday, still nothing had been done, despite daily canvassing from several people. A few of us had found each other by chance, having exchanged photos of each other before we sailed, or cabin numbers.

 

I finally approached the Cruise Director who said he would look into it, and then received a voice mail on our cabin phone later that day, saying that it was too late to do anything, but they would release the names of the few passengers who had left their details at the desk and their cabin numbers for me to contact them myself and arrange a meet up on our own.

 

Only 14 of the 27 people registered for Meet and Mingle were able to be traced, and then only 9 turned up, as the others had then caught Norovirus which swept through the passengers during the latter part of the cruise. (See Roll Call Board for VOS 9th September 2006)

 

We were all very upset, that the Meet and Mingle turned out to be such a farce, and wonder if any other RCCL cruise passengers have had similar experiences or whether this was indeed a one of.

 

I emailed RCCL directly to complain about our disappointment and suggested that they write to everyone who was registered for the Meet and Mingle with an apology.

 

I have never had an acknowledgement of my email and we are all still waiting for our apology and an explanation!

While unfortunate, I doubt anyone who has read these boards for any length of time is in the least bit surprised. Inconvenient schedules, missing invitations, etc. seem to be the regular occurences.