Chartered ship, what to expect????

[amc40]

I recently found out that 1700 passengers on our Freedom April 15th cruise are winners of an incentive program from SJrs (whatever that stands for).

I'm starting to get alittle nervous. They have open seating on the 2 &3 floor and I'm sure other perks. I just hope the regular paying customers don't get short changed.

If I had known this before I probably would have booked a different cruise.

Can anyone offer some advise on what to expect from their own experiences with chartered ships?

No matter what I'm going to enjoy this cruise, but it's just one more thing to worry about.

[katiel53]

I guess it would depend on what kind of group it is. For example, if it's a gospel church group, I wouldn't imagine they would be using the nightclubs and casinos so if you wanted to use them, it shouldn't be a problem. If though it's a group from a school, it might be a lot of kids. Without knowing the kind of group, it's hard to say what may/may not be taken over by the group.

 

I also would be upset if a large group of any kind were overtaking a ship. I have seen where some areas of the ships weren't able to be used because of a large group. How did you find out about the group? I have tried to check for our cruises, but got nowhere. I hope your cruise is all that you want it to be and that this group doesn't restrict your use of the ship.

 

 

Katie

[amc40]

I only found out about it when they joined the roll call thread. It sounds like some kind of jewlery co. I guess they want to keep it a secret. It's also spring break for us in the Northeast, so most of the other cruisers will probably be families.

It's going to be a full ship, I just hope areas aren't closed off for SJr's only.

[Nitra]

I recently found out that 1700 passengers on our Freedom April 15th cruise are winners of an incentive program from SJrs (whatever that stands for).

I'm starting to get alittle nervous. They have open seating on the 2 &3 floor and I'm sure other perks. I just hope the regular paying customers don't get short changed.

If I had known this before I probably would have booked a different cruise.

Can anyone offer some advise on what to expect from their own experiences with chartered ships?

No matter what I'm going to enjoy this cruise, but it's just one more thing to worry about.

 

This is what they call a partial charter. They can do things like have their own entertainment, including hire a band for the pool area, bring aboard entertainment for their group, block areas for their exclusive use etc.

[bubbadog]

there will probably be lots of jewelry sales lol:))), maybe some good deals ya never know:))):rolleyes: :p

[IMNiles]

As others have already sussed, it looks like it's an incentive trip for a jewelry company. I think the problems people have with groups usually stem not from who or what they are, but the degree to which they "take over" parts of the ship.

 

I think it really kind of depends how many organized events they have. I was once part of a considerably smaller incentive group (hundreds, not 1000+), and while most of our stuff was in the conference center, there were a couple times we had exclusive use of lounges for our events. I think they tried to schedule those so as not to impact the other passengers too much.

 

As large as this group is, it seems unlikely that they'll be able to take over any but the largest venues (theater, show lounge, etc), and there are SO MANY different bars, lounges, etc, on this ship it shouldn't be a big problem. I suppose if they tried to block off the pool deck or solarium that might cause some grumbles. It's also possible that they might get a preferred block of ice show tickets or something, which would tend to reduce the number available for everyone else. It's pretty easy for a large group to "pull strings" while onboard since they wield control over so much revenue.

 

Another complaint I've heard about groups is that they can tend to be "insular," meaning that if they are present in large numbers in a particular venue they can seem to "take over" even if it's not a planned event.

 

That said, I've met some very interesting and fun people who were a part of groups onboard. An encounter with a large group does not have to be a negative experience. In fact, it's an opportunity to meet a bunch of people with whom you might not usually associate. In this case, these are people who are so passionate about what they do that they won a cruise - sounds like the sort of people I'd like to meet!

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[cb at sea]

When a group is that large, it's almost like it isn't a "group" at all. The folks in the group will not know all the others--they will be in their own "little personal" groups--just like your family! Aside from some "planned" activities, you probably won't even notice there is a group! Go--have fun!

[copnlpn2]

cb at sea - I agree with you!

 

Cindy

[ddean52]

I'll tell you this for what its worth. On last year's cruise to Venice, I found out before hand that there would be a large corp. group on our cruise! I freted about it, researched it and discovered it was true. I started thinking of the 200 head monsters (large groups) we would sometimes see at disney world when my daughter was younger, and where ever such a group decided to go they would create an "instant line" and long waite time. Anyway, cruise day arrive, we embarked brilliance and............totaly forgot about the charter group and was never aware that they were onboard. Enjoy the cruise and the chances are you will be unaware of them.

[Dphipps2]

On our last cruise there was a group called "stampers". I never figured out what they did, something about stamps for scrap books, etc. It was an incentive cruise that they won and they were everywhere. They were mentioned during the shows, etc but it was never a problem. We knew they were a group and they did have meetings in certain rooms but other than that we wouldn't have noticed them at all. Their meetings were usually during the day and in rooms that were not used as much.

 

I say don't worry about it. I'm sure you won't even notice it as a group.

[amc40]

Thanks for all the responses, I'm feeling alittle better about the situation.

You're right if I didn't know before hand, I probably would never notice.

 

The dinner seating thing kind of bothers me. I hope we don't get stuck with the tables next to the kithcen door. I'll have to check seating when I first get on board.

 

This is an expensive cruise for us and I just want everything to be wonderful.

8 more days before we're in Miami!

[ddean52]

AMC40...this sounds like pre-cruise jiters...you will have a great time. I would not even thik about this issue again!

[Bruin Steve]

Personally, I always worry a bit about large groups on a cruise...and I've been on cruises with large groups...

 

Once I was on a cruise where there was a group of 100-200 from a company that sold China Tours...Of course it was an incentive reward for hitting some threshold of sales...and the people from the company had no particular interest in doing anything but having a good time like everyone else...there were no special programs or venues blocked off or anything of the kind...I only knew the group was there because we shared breakfast one morning in the dining room with a couple from the group...I don't think much of the group even knew who the other members of the group were...

 

OTOH, I was on another cruise where a large group was booked and this group didn't have any areas roped off "de jure"...but "de facto" they pretty much excluded others...They turned the karaeoke sessions into their private "singalongs"...and they took over entire lounges at times...Outsiders really got to feel like they had stumbled into someone else's private party...

 

And, there have been threads on these boards from time to time about specific groups on cruises (I dread to bring back up the "Bear" thread--about a particular Gay group which, among other things, had one of the pools roped off each at sea day)...

 

So, I think it really depends on the nature of the group...

Some groups have special functions set up...If the group is small enough, they may be in conference rooms and may not impact any area of your cruise...but, if larger or if using areas of the ship ordinarily open to everyone, may become somewhat obtrusive...

 

If there are no specific functions, it really just varies on the nature of the group...

 

--Is it a close knit group where everyone knows each other or has a specific overiding theme or interest not common to the general public?

 

--Or, is it a very loose knit, disconnected group of otherwise ordinary people?

 

I think I would have a greater problem being on a ship with a large number of people tied together by a particular thread inherent to who they are...a religious group, a Gay group, a racial or ethnic group, etc. (And mind you, it is nothing against anyone in those groups...it's just that there is a particular bond which leaves you as a clear outsider) than to a group made up of contest winners or a business relationship or something of that sort--especially where the group may have little more in common than that...

 

I do think that 1700 is an incredible large number...Chances are that when you sit down at open seating breakfast or in a br or lounge, the object of their busines may become an overriding topic of conversation....Of course, even with 1700, I'd guess half of those are just spouses or guests who have been taken along for the ride...and after a day or two, even the SJers, whatever that may be, will tire of talking about it and would rather talk about the port stops, the tours, the entertainment, the food, sports, politics, the weather, music or any other subject whatsoever...

 

Good luck...

[TEXASMUNK]

SJRS.org

This might be your neighbors on your cruise

[nlcentralchmps03]

SJRS.org

This might be your neighbors on your cruise

It tells me that SJRS.org is not a website.

[amc40]

BruinSteve,

You're scaring me! Actually I do think it's some kind of jewlery business, maybe not tightly connected. But if you read our roll call thread you will see they're pretty pumped up about their business.

Jim,

I did check out SJRS.org, I don't think so......they don't seem like the cruising type.

[ElvisandTracey]

The OP asked a question, so I am going to give an honest, though perhaps unpopular answer.

 

Anyone aware of the dreaded Bears threads knows that sometimes folks have issues with large charters, and boy, 1700 is a LARGE charter. Even on Freedom, that's at least 30-35% of the entire ship. Any time a group that big sails with you, they will surely have some special treatment that will affect you.

 

They may have private times with the rock wall or flow rider. They may close down a bar or two. Some groups are given entire pools just for thier group. You 'll have to wait and see.

 

I have no personal problems with charters, or the Bears, or anyone, but it would be naive for you to think that such a large group won't impact the whole ship-they will.

 

But with such a huge ship, I am sure you'll be able to work around them.

[amc40]

ElvisandTracy,

I appreciate your honesty. Of course, I have many of the same fears.

 

I think RCCL should inform potential cruisers that the ship is chartered and by what group. It seems only fair. I probably would have chosen a different ship.

 

Not much to do now, but enjoy my cruise.

[ElvisandTracey]

ElvisandTracy,

I appreciate your honesty. Of course, I have many of the same fears.

 

I think RCCL should inform potential cruisers that the ship is chartered and by what group. It seems only fair. I probably would have chosen a different ship.

 

Not much to do now, but enjoy my cruise.

 

Many people have written to RCCL asking for some master list of what charters are sailing where and when, only to be told that to announce such info. would be a breach of the confidentiality of the charter group.

 

Those in the charter deserve their privacy, just like you wouldn't want RCCL to annouce to the world where and when your family is sailing-if you want to tell people, you will.

 

It's still a shame for those like you who find out too late. But think happy thoughts, she's a BIG ship-you'll have plenty to do, charter or not.:D

[mdmourges]

Hopefully they are a fun group that get awesome perks and you can assimilate. lolololo

 

Mark

[gkrebs]

When a group is that large, it's almost like it isn't a "group" at all. The folks in the group will not know all the others--they will be in their own "little personal" groups--just like your family! Aside from some "planned" activities, you probably won't even notice there is a group! Go--have fun!

 

LOL, can you say "Bears". Im sure they didnt all know each other but they sure hung out together.

 

OP If it were me, I would go some other time.. If they already have two decks booked for seating chances are you wont get the seating you want. I bet they have early seating. since its Springbreak youll probably paying as much as you would on a summer cruise. Look at the Liberty or one of the voyager class ships. Plenty of time to change your mind with no penalty.

[amc40]

gkrebs,

It's too late for us to change. Yes we did pay top dollar because it's the kid's vacation week. The group has late seating, which is what we have. I booked the cruise almost a year in advance. I should have realized something was up because there weren't many balconies or even insides available.

 

I will just have to hope for the best.

[PH8]

I just think its kinda strange they dont come out and tell you exactly what kind of group they are...:confused:

[amc40]

Me too!

[Ocean Boy]

I think RCCL should inform potential cruisers that the ship is chartered and by what group. It seems only fair. I probably would have chosen a different ship.

 

RCI isn't going to tell anyone anything that could potentially keep them from selling off available cabins. Just like you said, you probably would have chosen another ship.

 

Now that I think about it, I remember hearing something about some group that was going to be on our last cruise aboard Adventure with us. I never gave it another thought. And now that I think of it, nothing at all happened aboard ship that even reminded me that there was a group. I guess we lucked out.