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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.
ROLL CALLS
However, our ROLL CALLS are not a classified ad area for your tour share. They are, as mentioned above, a place for cruisers to get to know one another before they sail. You will receive a much better response to your TOUR SHARE REQUEST if you take some time to read the entire ROLL CALL; get to know the other members and allow them to get to know YOU first! Now comes the fun part -- planning your time onboard and in port. Join a Cruise Critic Roll Call, and you'll find oodles of helpful info from people who are going on the exact same cruise as you.
What is a Cruise Critic meet and greet?
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.
The Pros and Cons of Cruise Roll Calls
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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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.
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A group countdown or "single digit dance" is far more fun than doing one on your own. My mission is to inspire and help you plan your future Tasty Itinerary with our cruise and travel tips and guides. With 20+ years of coordinating logistics and travel planning, I've taken that expertise to plan our cruise, food, and travel experiences. We hope this overview helps you consider joining your sailing’s roll call. It’s worth checking out its activity level and whether it appeals to you. If you’re not keen, there’s no obligation to participate or introduce yourself.
Sign up for a Meet & Mingle, or organize a sailaway party.
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.
Quiet Roll Calls
Cruise roll calls might feel overwhelming if you’re not fond of large group meet-ups or social events. As someone who leans towards introversion, I find these gatherings draining. It’s not about a dislike for meeting new people; I prefer smaller, more intimate settings for meaningful interactions. Participating in more than one roll call is possible and sometimes encouraged, as members from different groups might come together to organize the Cruise Critic meet and greet.
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.
Cruise roll calls connect you with fellow travelers on the same adventure. They’re perfect for meeting new friends and finding companions with similar interests, such as organizing cruise shore excursions. Joining a roll call opens the door to forming meaningful connections even before you set sail.
You can find and join a cruise roll call on several platforms. Cruise Critic is the most prominent, featuring a dedicated section for roll calls across all cruise lines and sailings. Facebook groups targeted to specific cruise ships and sailing dates are another option, as well as Reddit, which hosts cruise roll calls too. Cruise Critic meet-ups, a common outcome of cruise roll calls, present an excellent opportunity to meet many passengers and ship officers face-to-face. These events are a fantastic way to network and gain insider knowledge about your cruise, often revealing tips and upcoming attractions. Additionally, officers usually provide their extension numbers, ensuring you have direct contact for any queries or issues during your voyage, enhancing your cruising experience.
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.
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.
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.
