Before you decide NOT to join a roll call, please read

[tuggers]

I have had several emails and private conversations with people who are hesitant to sign up for roll calls. One reason is because people seem too 'cliquish', everyone else is friends and they feel they'll never fit in. The second reason is because there are so many events planned they feel over-whelmed, like this roll call will take over their cruise.

I know when we have lots of people on the roll calls that we have either sailed with before or have known for a long time on the boards, we tend to have 'private' jokes, 'in' stories, etc. While these are fun for us to re-hash, they can be off-putting to people just coming on. I hate to see anyone left out of a roll call because they don't feel welcome so I would ask that we try to keep the roll calls a little more open.

This only happens on some roll calls, not all, and I think most of you know what I'm talking about.

For those who feel overwhelmed by so many planned events, please be assured that you can do as many or as few, or none, if that is what you choose. Lots of time people meet at the Cruise Critic Party and find things in common and want to spend time together. Sometimes, you'll only see those people in passing to say 'hi' to. Either way is great. Your cruise is what you make it and you spend your time as you choose. I promise, no one is going to make you feel bad for not participating in planned events.

And for those who have told me they stay away because some of the signatures are 6+ inches long and annoying, there is a great little thing in your User CP where you can turn those off! I have. WAY too much info for me!

So come on, join your roll call for that cruise you just booked and get to know your fellow cruisers. Who knows, you may get addicted to CC like a lot of us!:)

[fhmoore]

Participating in the roll calls is a huge added bonus to our cruise enjoyment!

We usually cruise with 8-16 friends and family. We did our first "by ourselves cruise" last year and it was great to meet new friends and co-conspirators before boarding. It was our first cruise on HAL and the answers and tips from fellow roll call members was invaluable. Our next cruise's (Connie TA Sep/07) roll call is the most active I've ever seen! I will admit I was a bit intimidated that so many had already cruised together. But they have been amazingly helpful and welcoming.

So, come on and join in the fun!

 

Frances

[mahdnc]

Thanks, Gail for posting. Good food for thought for people who do join roll calls!!

[melika091900]

the roll calls are great

We have met some great people on the cruises weve been on due to cruise critic.... and we still keep in touch...

I hope more and more people join them, its nice to meet people from all over the world, and different states etc.

I know some people dont like to meet in groups , or anything , but you should at least try it once,,

like i said , weve made some lasting friendships .

happy cruising everyone

melissa

[PatC]

Gail,

 

Great info for those who don't wish to join a roll call. We've met some of our best friends this way and have sailed with them often. We just met another great group on Galaxy in March. The great thing about this is you also meet people from around the world. What interesting conversations you can have.

 

It took me a long time to get started but now I feel like I'm at home when I click on and see names I recognize.

 

Thanks for the great info.

 

Pat

[DaisyGirl55]

I had a great Roll Call which I was a part of last year...unfortunately, our cruise was cancelled a few weeks before we were to sail, so we never did get to meet and talk in person. I still see many of them on these boards, so even tho we never got to meet face-to-face, I still feel like I know who they are.

 

I have not had the greatest luck in getting up an active roll call for my upcoming cruise, but I keep checking everyday to see if anyone else is there. Last week, I actually saw 2 new posters on the same cruise as I am going on! How exciting!

 

Hopefully, more people will see the post by Tuggers and join in on the Roll Calls. My DH was as little hesitant because he doesn't really go in for big, organized groups. When I assured him he could do as much or as little as he wants, he was fine with everything.

 

We are all here on these boards becuase we love to cruise, and we still get excited about going somewhere on a ship. Why not take it a step further and join the Roll Call for your sailing?

[fllady]

And I will ditto what Pat C said. Hi Pat!!:D We met on a roll call group about 3 years ago stay in touch and can't wait to get together after John retires!! Hugs to you both!! from Ellis and I!:)

[QOE]

Thanks Tugger. I agree some of the postings should be in private emails.

[TennesseeTeachers]

I agree with all the other CC posters. Sign up and GO. It is nice in a ship of over 2000 people to see a few recognizable faces. To say hi while waiting for the dinning room to open, or set with during a show. We have meet people to do excursions with and still chat with on the boards a year after the cruise. I even met my TA this way. I know some of you travel with a group, but my wife and I travel by ourselves and WANT to meet new people.

 

While you may not "gel" with everyone who comes, you will meet several folks you will see again. The main thing is when you get there MEET people. Don't wait for them to come to you. Don't be afraid to ask them thier names latter in the week when you see them, or call them by screen name and everyone else thinks your in a special club.:) and that you are with the "IN" group on the ship.

 

The first one I went to had 30 folks of which about 14 hung out several times during the cruise. The last one had about 15 of which 8 went on an excursion together.

 

I have found it to be a great experience!!

 

Darrell Duncan

[jwattle]

Well stated Gail; thank you! I know that we enjoyed our previous RC Meet and Mingle, and the upcoming Liberty ones are really hopping. Thanks again!!

[d&a Delaware]

Our cruise on Century just a month ago was only our second cruise, but the first in which I participated in a roll call -- and I am very happy that I did. It took a while for the roll call to get rolling :p , but we met just enough people to give the Century a hometown feeling as we would just run into acquaintences and new friends in unexpected places on the ship. I will definitely particiapte in roll calls for future cruises. And, now a question, how soon is too soon to start a roll call for an upcoming cruise? What are your experiences?

 

David

[conweb]

Hi David! I am from Delaware ... little town called Viola! Thanks for the info...I started a roll call and my cruise isn't until 1/08...only 8 peeps so far but?????

[Texed]

OK Gail! I will come out of my shell and join the roll calls. :cool:

[Andy]

Hi Gail !

 

Thanks for posting. I have to say that the friendships I have made over the years from the Roll Calls have been incredible. It is a great way to meet people with similiar interests. To this day, I speak with many people whom I have met on past sailings. IMHO, the Cruise Critic Meet and Mingle is one of the things I most look forward to on my Cruise.

 

I look forward to meeting many new Cruise Critic friends in upcoming Cruises !

[cechase]

We are right now active in our seventh Celebrity Roll Call [Millie, 12/2/2007 TA]

 

In the past we have found the roll calls to be tremendously informative and helpful, as well as meeting people that we would never have met except for the roll calls, and have made friends that we still communicate with.

 

A couple of examples: As a result of our roll call activity for our Oct. 2005 cruise on Galaxy in the Med, we were able to arrange several transfers with other cruisers from our hotel to the port and back. We were able to get one great couple changed from late seating to our table at early seating [We always have a RS, we seem to get some kind of priority for that]. One delightful young man was on our flight from Atlanta to Rome, and because of the roll call we knew he was in business class with us and were able to chat. We are an older couple and had never been to Rome before and were somewhat confused when we got off the plane, and he escorted us to baggage and our prearranged transfer.

 

That has been our experience on all of our Celebrity cruises, and we would urge cruises to be active on the roll call threads, because you will find that it will greatly enhance your cruise experience. You don't have to engage in every activity, because they are usually small groups, but you will have a great opportunity to meet people from all over, and not just the US, but Canada, Great Britain, Australia and elsewhere.

 

Gail, great post.

[alfiemom]

I have been active on several roll calls for many cruises. The information presented by others is just amazing. We saved thousands (yes, thousands) of dollars on a TA where people we posting that there were all sorts of discounts. Ended up with a CC for less than the 2C.

 

The thing is, we haven't even MET most of these people. We're going on a TA this fall at the suggestion of a "friend" on one of the boards. She told me about it before the prices started hitting the roof. Never met her. Also doing tours with her and another couple that we haven't MET, but know.

 

When I had to cancel last year's TA for knee surgery, I got emails galore with good wishes from everyone on that thread. Most people are kind, good and happy to share suggestions. Yes...there are jerks, but aren't they everywhere?

[Bruin Steve]

Heck, I even join roll calls for cruises I haven't even booked! (Well, sort of...I've gone on the roll calls for my sister's Century Baltic cruise last summer to get info for her...she's just not into these boards...And I'm now on the Roll Call for the July 19, 2008 Constellation cruise--that I'm now about 80% sure I will be booking soemtime in the near future)...

 

I am completely puzzled that there are so few of us on the roll call for my upcoming Liberty of the Seas cruise...the ship holds over 3,000 people and the cruise is less than two months away...

 

Lots of great reasons to join the roll calls:

--Other members will help alert you on price drops, itinerary changes, etc.

--Others may have great suggestions on port tours and activities

--Great place to find people to share private tours

--Great way to be involved during the long wait until the cruise

--Just fun talking to others with something in common...whether you end up hanging with them on the ship, meeting with them only briefly or not even connecting at all during the cruise...

 

I have "met" people on roll calls that I have shared tours with...some that I have hung out with together in venues on the ship...and others that I had very little to do with...There is no particular obligation to anyone on the list...

 

Some folks are, by nature, sort of "anti-social"...they like to stay to themselves...and they tend to think that joining the roll call disturbs their anonymity...NOT TRUE...You can join in and still never reveal yourself while onboard...

 

Others of us are social animals...We get on a ship with 2,000 strangers...then we meet our table mates, we meet people while on shore excursions or while in the showroom waiting for a show to start...By the end of the cruise, we feel like maybe we still have about 1,500 strangers, but we have several friends and many other acquaintances...The "Roll Call" tends to be a place to start that process months ahead of the game...But, at the same time, if someone doesn't want to be that social, we respect that as well...

[Leela]

Great post, Gail.

 

I've joined the roll call for all the Celebrity cruises I've taken, and post pretty regularly on them, but I'm one of those people that when I get on the ship I kind of keep to myself. The last cruise I took I was so exhausted from my pre-cruise life that I spent most of the first half sleeping...however, for some reason our cruise had two "Cruise Critics" meetings. I went to the second and it was nice to put some names with faces. Even though I didn't really get around to socializing much with the people I met, it was still worthwhile -- especially when it came to finding seats in crowded places. For instance, one night I walked into the Martini Bar and all the tables were taken. But I saw someone I recognized from the party sitting at a table with some still-empty chairs, so I asked if I could join them. We had a nice drink and a nice chat before dinner.

 

And hey, if you're shy, you already have something in common to talk about: the cruise!!!!

 

So I heartily suggest that people join the roll call -- even if just to lurk -- and definitely show up at the "Cruise Critics" party.

[Flaren]

Even though I'm a complete newbie to cruising, I just booked my first cruise 2 weeks ago (7/11/08 Millennium Alaska Northbound, my honeymoon!) and I was so excited about it that I actually got up the courage to start a roll call for it myself. The people on these boards seem like a wonderful bunch of folks, and I'm looking forward to meeting and chatting with everyone, and hopefully getting some good advice as a first time cruiser!

[catmand]

Thanks for the post Gail

Ditto all the good things others have said.

Would like to add: there has been a roll call for our upcoming cruise (in 4 days) for about a year now. Some folks have posted darn near daily, others once in a while, and some just once or twice. The person that joined the roll call last week was welcomed and treated just like everyone else.

[anyname]

I am one holding out. I have to do a lot of socializing all week and so I am more of a veg out kind of vacationer and am worried I'd have to "visit" every few feet! I am not a snob or anything (obviously since I was one of the "do we have to wear gowns/tuxes) but always feel the need to talk to those I know when I see them LOL

 

But I did hear we get pins??? LOL

[LeftcoastBC]

The "Rollcall" is such a great Idea. I've learned a lot about the ships/ports/tours/etc etc. prior to going. I've met a lot of great people and actually spent some time with a few. :)

I've even saved MONEY when I've learned of price drops and I've been able to stay abreast of some "Pod" concerns on certain ships.

 

Sign on as Gail says. Participate as much or as little as you want.

 

but don't miss this great fuction of this Site.

[alfiemom]

Joining in or not is certainly YOUR option. I participate on the boards quite a bit; however, my DH & I like to have a table for 2. We've been invited to join some of the others (only if we wanted to) and I graciously declined. No hurt feelings, no recriminations. We're doing tours and transportation with a couple of the others, but, other than seeing them on board and perhaps an occasional drink, we're on our own.

 

It's nice being able to make that choice and still have a relationship.

 

Bobbie

[Bfson]

Couldn't agree more. We have done it on all of our crusies and greatly enjoyed the results. You immediately know several folks on the ship. Makes it seem far less impersonal.

[GORDONCHICK]

Gail - excellent post, as always! And I couldn't agree more. It's nice to see a smiling face occasionally in the mobs of people on board. Our roll call for Alaska is quite meager, and I wish some more very social people would join in. We still have a few months to go, so I'm hopeful.

 

It's not like someone is going to drag you from your cabin and make you participate, but at least try joining a roll call once and see if you like it and the difference it makes in your cruise!