The Pros and Cons of Cruise Roll Calls
What is a cruise roll call? Should you join one? What are the pros and cons?
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.
After booking a cruise, one of the first things to do is join a roll call. Cruise roll calls can be helpful. We get into the pros and cons of rolls so you can decide if you’d like to join one.
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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.
What is a Cruise Roll Call?
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.
We almost always join a roll call, depending on the cruise line, cruise ship, and the kind of cruise vacation we want. Because I’m an introvert, I tend to keep to myself. 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.
Pros and Cons of Cruise Roll Calls
The Pros of Cruise Roll Calls
Get Valuable Cruise Tips
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.
Make New Friends
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.
Enjoy Group Activities
Cruise roll calls shine for those who love group fun. They enable you to join fellow roll call members for various activities onboard as pub crawls—ideal for making the most of unlimited drink packages—gift exchanges, slot pulls, and group shore excursions.
Maximize Cruise Critic Gatherings
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.
Note: Many cruise lines have halted these meetings, but a few remain. It’s worth checking. This means independent group meetings may take place on the cruise.
Opportunity for a Follow-Up Meeting
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. It’s a privileged forum to voice concerns and offer suggestions, contributing to enhancements for future passengers.
The Cons of Cruise Roll Calls
Quiet Roll Calls
Cruise roll calls may sometimes lack activity, falling short of their potential to connect and engage passengers. An inactive roll call means fewer interactions and possibly less value gained from the experience.
Pressure to Join Activities
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. You shouldn’t feel obligated to join.
Preferring Smaller Gatherings
Cruise roll calls might feel overwhelming if you’re not fond of large group meet-ups or social events. The groups can run from small to large. 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.
Joining a roll call can still be beneficial for planning and introductions without the necessity of attending larger group events.
You Have to Dedicate Time Out of Your Cruise Vacation
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.
Should you join a cruise roll call?
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.
What to expect with cruise roll calls?
Cruise roll calls attract a diverse group, from first-time cruisers to seasoned veterans, spanning all ages and backgrounds. 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.
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.
Where can you find and join a cruise roll call?
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. It’s often our go-to place for joining a roll call. Facebook groups targeted to specific cruise ships and sailing dates are another option, as well as Reddit, which hosts cruise roll calls too.
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. 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.
If you can’t find an existing roll call for your cruise, you can take the initiative and start one on Facebook.
What is a Cruise Critic meet and greet?
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.
Tip: If someone has not taken the lead in arranging a Cruise Critic Meet & Greet with the Cruise Line, consider taking the lead responsibility. Sometimes, you are rewarded with perks from the cruise line that may not be included with your cruise fare, like daily breakfast at one of the specialty restaurants. It would help if you were organized and ready to take on this responsibility, though.
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.
BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:
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- Get Cruise Ready With Our Cruise Prep Guide
- Cruise Cabin Tips for a Comfortable Stay
Kathy Ava
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. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.