Wave Season 2009: Catch the Spirit of Cruising

[Host Caroline]

am starting a thread on this so that you guys can respond to it, discuss it etc. BUT if it degenerates into any name calling or discussions re individuals it will be removed immediately. Your cooperation is appreciated:) Caroline

 

What is “wave season” you ask? Wave season is the busiest time of year for cruise lines, travel agencies that sell cruises and, as a byproduct of this phenomenon – Cruise Critic experiences tremendous activity and an influx of new and veteran cruisers to our site.

 

With the above in mind, we would like to offer up some tips and suggestions to both newbies and our longstanding members:

 

To Our Newcomers

 

Our community has always been haven for people who LOVE cruising to share their personal experiences with one another; and we welcome you. Therefore, it should make sense to you that many people have found a home here on Cruise Critic because they are fans of one (or more) specific cruise lines, and they in turn have made long-lasting friendships with other cruisers.

 

It would be helpful if before posting you take some time to familiarize yourself with our site. If you need some help navigating; please do not hesitate to post a question on the Help Forum , or send an email to us at boards@cruisecritic.com. Also, you will learn so much by browsing the forums -- the amount of information on our message boards is nothing less than staggering, and spending time reading can answer many questions for you, and also provide insight into how the community works. And of course, our veteran members are more than happy to help you with any of your questions; they are our most valuable asset.

 

We’d also like to point out an interesting conundrum; although our site name is Cruise *Critic*, newbies who post a highly inflammatory “first post” about your cruise line experience may notice that your critique is not necessarily welcomed with open arms by our community members. Remember, we are a community of people who LOVE cruising. Our members understand you are unhappy and even angry – heck, they’ve probably experienced exactly what you have at some point in their long cruising careers! But if you take this into consideration before posting, and perhaps offer up a more balanced review (it could not possibly have been all bad!), your experience will probably be met with a less “outraged” response.

 

Understand that an online community is made up of all different types of people from all walks of life with many different personalities – just like real life! We’re sure you’ve all experienced less than courteous interactions in your “real life”; you shouldn’t be surprised to find them online. Ignore those who aren’t helpful; focus on those who are and soon you will find yourself truly enjoying your experience and learning all there is to know about cruising.

 

To Our Veteran Members

 

First, we’d like to thank all of you for your dedication to Cruise Critic and your fellow community members – this past October we celebrated our 14th birthday (did you know we've been around longer than GOOGLE)? Our forums are the largest in the cruising world, with more than 16 million posts and over 400,000 community members. Your “voice” is heard all throughout the cruise world.

 

With that in mind, we would ask for your help in assisting the industry during these tough economic times. It is common knowledge that the growth of the cruise industry lies with attracting first timers to their fold. Cruise lines are reaching out to these cruisers in record numbers and we’d like you to do the same. We’ve noticed a lack of patience in this regard and we ask you to take a moment to remember back to when you were either new to cruising OR new to an online posting environment.

 

Most of you are wonderful about helping out the newbies, but those of you who respond with “do a search” know who you are. If repetitive questions bother you, simply don’t respond at all. Also, we’d definitely appreciate seeing a “kinder, gentler” manner towards anyone who has less than stellar comments about a cruise line. Oftentimes new posters “find” us after a cruise and post negatively. We appreciate those of you who offer helpful responses to these new members; welcome them ask them to stay and share your insight and knowledge about the issues. Remember, the OP (original poster) isn’t the only one reading your response – your comments could help a lurker. (Enough of the popcorn and “dead horse” smilies, please).

 

You are the frequent cruisers of the world; you are setting an online example – if you will – of what new cruisers can expect from the cruising experience. Yes, we realize that an online community is made up of all types of people from all walks of life with all different personalities; that’s just life. We get that you may loose your patience, or are tired of the same old questions. What we’re hoping for is that the upcoming year brings with it patience, tolerance and understanding, and that we all make an effort to exhibit the true spirit of cruising in our day-to-day participation in the community.

 

To Everyone

 

Thanks for listening, and for visiting us today, tomorrow and the future. Here's wishing everyone a great 2009!

 

LauraS

Community Manager

community@cruisecritic.com

[blues4.1man]

My wife and I are new here and found you through a web search. We do love to travel and believe as you do, it is important to maintain the harmony. People are people and disagree but if someone can not say something good then it is usually better not to say anything. We like your boards and hope we are welcomed. We have much to share.

[iTinKso]

Thanks Caroline for your well-worded tips! Thanks to being a member of Cruise Critic, my DH and I were able to take part in a Meet and Greet on our Star cruise this month; we were able to meet the Captain and the heads of all of the departments on the ship! Cruise Critic has helped to make all of our cruises memorable and fun with the many tips I have picked up on this site!

 

Here's to another good year of getting the best inside info ever! :)