The Pros and Cons of Cruise Roll Calls
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Joining a roll call can still be beneficial for planning and introductions without the necessity of attending larger group events. There can be a sense of pressure to participate in group activities. If group events aren’t your preference, remember it’s okay to skip them. If you can’t find an existing roll call for your cruise, you can take the initiative and start one on Facebook. How do you get the most out of Cruise Critic’s cruise message boards? To find the Roll Call for your sailing, visit Cruise Critic's Roll Calls.
You Have to Dedicate Time Out of Your Cruise Vacation
These forums are treasure troves of information, offering insights and tips on the specific ship you’ll be sailing and advice on ports of call and onboard activities. The Cruise Critic meet and greet is an organized event between a lead member from the sailing’s roll call and the cruise line itself. It is designed for Cruise Critic members to meet face-to-face. It typically takes place on the first sea day of the cruise, offering an informal setting for interaction. The cruise line supports the event by providing complimentary beverages such as coffee, juice, water, pastries, and other light snacks. However, the specifics of the offerings can vary from one cruise line and ship to another, reflecting their unique approach to hosting these gatherings.
Ask Questions on Cruise Critic’s Forums
We get into the pros and cons of rolls so you can decide if you’d like to join one. Our editorial staff maintains a presence on the boards as well and try to answer questions about upcoming trips we have. (I got my start on Cruise Critic in 2005 – as a community member as well – before embarking on a career in cruise journalism). Our members range from first-time cruisers to veterans with hundreds of sea days under their belts. These include cruisers who almost exclusively sail with a single line, along with those who jump around from ship to ship and line to line. Looking to plan your first-ever cruise, or simply curious about a ship you’ve never tried, a line you’ve never sailed or an itinerary you’ve been interested in?
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After "talking" with new friends on the Cruise Critic Roll Call before your cruise, chances are that you'll want to meet up IRL (in real life). These get-togethers, organized in conjunction with the cruise lines, are ways to say hello in person and often talk to some of the ship's officers. Simply organize your own gathering during sailaway so you can share the excitement together. Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries.
Many like to arrange onboard gatherings, including meetups in a bar or lounge, cabin crawls and slot pulls. After planning and booking a cruise, one of the first things to do is join a roll call. Cruise roll calls are online forums for cruisers to connect pre-trip, offering a platform to meet fellow passengers, exchange tips, and organize group activities. Cruise roll calls attract a diverse group, from first-time cruisers to seasoned veterans, spanning all ages and backgrounds.
She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert. Not only are these threads hugely informative (and tremendous fun for the armchair cruiser), they’re one of the things that Cruise Critic’s members do best. In addition to asking questions, you can also use Cruise Critic’s unique Roll Call feature to connect with folks onboard the same sailing as you – all before you’ve ever set foot aboard your ship. The wide variety of Roll Call participants includes a mix of new and seasoned cruisers, and often longtime fans of specific ships who can share details about your ship with the group. Cruise roll calls may sometimes lack activity, falling short of their potential to connect and engage passengers.
Norwegian Encore Roll Calls
An inactive roll call means fewer interactions and possibly less value gained from the experience. We almost always join a roll call, depending on the cruise line, cruise ship, and the kind of cruise vacation we want. However, my most memorable cruises have been the ones with full roll-call participation. There are more pros than cons to joining a cruise roll call. After booking a cruise, one of the first things to do is join a roll call.
Figure out pre-trip logistics.
Joining a cruise roll call is a great idea, particularly if it’s your first cruise or you’re keen on meeting fellow travelers and making new friends. It offers a platform to share and heighten the anticipation of your upcoming voyage with others who share your enthusiasm for cruising. Roll Calls are discussions where you can "meet up and chat with" other Cruise Critic members on the same cruise on-line before you sail! Cruise roll calls are online groups where cruisers can connect before their trip. They offer a great way to meet other cruisers from the same sailing, get information and insider tips about the cruise, and even arrange activities together as a group. It's not just what's onboard that makes your cruise one of the best vacations you might have.
Popular with cruisers
You will need to create and/or log in to your Cruise Critic member account to access the Roll Call for your cruise. You can browse our list of Roll Calls, but you must be registered and logged in to read and post. Cruising has often been referred to as a lifestyle, and nowhere is that celebrated more than here at Cruise Critic. We’ve got a passionate community of members (and editorial staff) that eat, sleep, and breathe all things ship. Find your Norwegian Encore Roll Call by choosing your sailing month from the drop down menu below. So, hop aboard and come discover what cruising is all about, from the folks who know it best.
This event is typically hosted by major cruise lines on one of the initial days of the cruise, facilitating a physical gathering of roll call members. Regarding the Cruise Critic Meet & Greet, this event is typically scheduled on the first sea day, usually between breakfast and lunch, and lasts thirty minutes to an hour. This timing might be less than ideal, especially if it falls on the only sea day of your itinerary and you were planning to use that time for relaxation. It’s your vacation, and you should do what you want with your time. In this article, we discuss the pros and cons of cruise roll calls so that you can decide whether to participate on your next cruise.
Consider sharing your journey with your fellow Cruise Critic members as-it-happens by posting a live thread detailing your cruise. Individual forums are available for every major cruise line, from German-language brand AIDA Cruises to adult-only newcomer Virgin Voyages. You can read any board you’d like simply by signing up to become a member and can post and ask questions anywhere you’d like. One of Cruise Critic’s defining features since its inception in the late 1990’s has been its Message Boards. A place for experienced and would-be cruisers alike to mingle, share information and ask questions, our Message Boards have roughly 2 million members – a number that continues to grow to this day. Some Roll Calls get started very early, others start closer to sailing dates; some are very active; some tend to be a bit more quiet.
The excursions and activities ashore are often the heart of a sailing. There can be a bewildering amount of choices in many places. Your fellow Roll Call members can offer great advice and maybe even split the cost of a taxi or private guide. On occasion, as I’ve experienced, you might get invited to a follow-up meeting by a cruise ship officer after the official meet-up. This rare opportunity, often extended by the Hotel Director or another officer, allows you to share feedback directly about your cruise experience towards its conclusion.
Regardless of how active a Roll Call is, this is a great opportunity to meet your fellow Cruise Critic members sailing with you. You're over the moon about your upcoming cruise, but where are you going to share that excitement? (Everyone on Facebook will just be jealous.) On your Roll Call, you can indulge your joy with people who are looking forward to the same beaches, bars and relaxing breaks as you are.
A highlight of joining cruise roll calls is the wealth of information available. The community often has insights to share whether you have questions or need advice. You’ll discover insider knowledge about the ship and destinations from experienced cruisers, offering tips beyond what’s found in brochures or on the cruise line’s website. This is an excellent benefit of participating on your ROLL CALL. If you are sailing on a specific ship and departure date, you may post your share request on the specific Roll Call topic for your cruise. You are targeting the specific group of people who would be most inclined to share since they are already sailing with you.
It’s a privileged forum to voice concerns and offer suggestions, contributing to enhancements for future passengers. Want to connect with your fellow cruise passengers before you set sail? In active roll calls, there’s excitement as members introduce themselves and start forming connections by the simple fact that they are going on a cruise vacation. Typically, one or two individuals lead in organizing group meet-ups and coordinating activities, helping bring everyone together.
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Please remember, do not start a new Roll Call topic on the Roll Call forum or any other message board forum with your share request. Use your existing Roll Call topic to post your share request. Please note, our Guidelines do not allow personal ads looking to share shore excursions/tours, transportation, etc. anywhere else on Cruise Critic. While some cruisers like nothing more than to get to know fellow cruisers and get excited about an upcoming trip, Roll Calls can be helpful with pre-trip planning.
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