Since there will be 50+ MINTers I really hope that the other people on board the Mariner will not feel uncomfortable if they want to use a bar or lounge where we have gathered. I think we will need to be careful not to misuse our large number. If you've ever been on cruise where an organized group took over, you know annoying this can be.

I am wondering what we should say when people notice we are together and ask if we are bound by a common thread other than a devotion to vodka and cranberry juice. Should we tell them about Ngaire and invite them to this site? What is the polite thing to do, and do Ngaire and our moderators have a preference about this?

MarnaLou

MarnaLou,

We were on the Navigator with just such a group, about the same size, in June to Bermuda. The group was a charitible group out of Dallas who cruised together every year and were sponsored by "D" Magazine (The equivalent to Los Angeles and New York Magazines). They had some events of their own and actually made some of the cruise events, like Kareoke, their own, but they were welcoming to the others on board. They were not exclusionary (mostly)- their friendliness and welcoming attitude were the key. There were a few who were not warm and fuzzy, but, that was the minority and was not exclusive to them - just people in general.

I think we will meet people on board and will self determine if they are someone who we would like to inform about LCT. I agree we need to be a little careful. Would be terrible if there was someone trying out RSSC for the first time and leave with a negative experience because they were so alone.
I was asked if LCT stood for Luxury Cruise Travel and I said well no but I guess when we are off the web site and traveling I guess it does become that.

03/22/80 Commodore MS Caribe
02/15/03 Paul Gauguin
02/22/04 Norwegian Dream (ick)
11/12/04 Mariner "MINT"
02/15/05 Diamond "ADRIFT"

I don't think this will be a problem. We're a very approachable bunch and really welcome new friends. Based on our other LCT group cruises, we have gone out of our way to be friendly and welcoming to other passengers. I do agree that we need to be sensitive to others and not act as if it is our own "private charter".

As for inviting others into LCT...this should be done at our own discretion using our own good judgement.

I agree - think we are all friendly people and will be sensitive to others and include them if they are interested - joanna

The foresight to just anticipate a situation which could cause someone else to feel uncomfortable is remarkable indeed. It is a rare quality to be able to anticipate the possibility of perhaps annoying others while enjoying the fun and camaraderie of a fairly large group, such as Mint.

I have observed several such situations on cruises. I have watched while members of large groups, traveling together seemed to react to those “outside” the group as if they were intruding on a “private party”. I was never concerned, for myself, but I did observe others who were very uncomfortable and even somewhat annoyed.

I think that the foresight of MarnaLou is just another example of her concern for others and her unspoken wish that the Mint folks do not, in affect, “Take over”

Paul.

I don't think we have any plans to "take over" - Joanna

Filling in time in Chicago airport waiting for my flight to Zurich.

MarnaLou thanks for asking this question.

To be honest I would prefer you do not point to me as a TA to others on board. It can be somewhat uncomfortable for them and for me. I do not think it is appropriate or ethical to do anything that would promote my services as a TA on a ship. I never tell anyone that I am a TA that I meet on a ship and always mention my other business, although I have had people when my name is mentioned ask if i am the same Ngaire that is a TA. Then of course I have no alternative but to confirm that.

When people are referred to me by satisfied clients I sincerely appreciate the referral and that is how a business grows. However, that is a different situation than me being on the ship and getting referrals.

The common thread of LCT is the key here that is the factor that bought us together. Just like Cruise Critic anyone with any TA is welcome as a member.

With the groups we have been involved with in the past we have always mingled with others and invited them into the fold so to speak. The only thing we cannot invite people to are the Brown and Keene cocktail party and dinner in La Verandah that is limited to only clients of mine. It would be inappropriate and the ship would not be happy if we invited people who were not Brown and Keene clients. So please dont invite anyone to that function.

As to Signatures, we all know the nights that we will have dinner together in La Verandah and dinner with the staff so please make independent arrangements at Signatures on those other free nights. Do this as soon as you board to be sure you get accommodated.

Devotion to Vodka & Cranberry Juice?

You can skip the cranberry juice! <img border="0" alt="[Drinking]" title="" src="graemlins/062802drink_prv.gif" />

Joanna

Please , let my apologize for my giving you the impression that there was a presumption that the Mint folks had a plan to “Take Over” Of course there is no such plan and I respectfully suggest that you missed the point of my message.

Actually the question is not whether such a plan exists or does not. The more relevant issue is the perception of the cruise passengers who are not members of this group. If they perceive that the members of this large group, in fact, do dominate the various activities to their exclusion, the existence, or not, of any preplanning is of no relevance.

I think that all experienced cruisers have encountered situations, some unpleasant, brought about by members of large groups who do perpetrate acts which offend other cruise passengers. These offences are not necessarily planned. They are, almost always brought about by slightly too many “Adult beverages”

I would only add that with a group this large. This is a subject which should be discussed on this board, where the cruise planning all started.

Paul.

Joanna

Please , let my apologize for my giving you the impression that there was a presumption that the Mint folks had a plan to “Take Over” Of course there is no such plan and I respectfully suggest that you missed the point of my message.

Actually the question is not whether such a plan exists or does not. The more relevant issue is the perception of the cruise passengers who are not members of this group. If they perceive that the members of this large group, in fact, do dominate the various activities to their exclusion, the existence, or not, of any preplanning is of no relevance.

I think that all experienced cruisers have encountered situations, some unpleasant, brought about by members of large groups who do perpetrate acts which offend other cruise passengers. These offences are not necessarily planned. They are, almost always brought about by slightly too many “Adult beverages”

I would only add that with a group this large. This is a subject which should be discussed on this board, where the cruise planning all started.

Paul.

I really don't see any problem. We are a caring, sensitive inclusive group.

I've been on cruises where there were larger groups and for the most part they were friendly, happy-go-lucky and just having a good time....just like the rest of us. No one in our group is rude, obnoxious or vulgar with or without liquor. What I did hear on VOF and DDD (both large groups) were comments like "you all are always having such a good time". It was hard for them to imagine that I had just laid eyes on some of these people for the first time less than 24 hours ago! Bonds were formed before ever meeting.


And don't forget...we have the infamous Suzanne. She's the queen of enjoying life & bringing people together (and not only to watch her pole dance) LOL!

<img border="0" alt="[naughty]" title="" src="graemlins/naughty.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[naughty]" title="" src="graemlins/naughty.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[naughty]" title="" src="graemlins/naughty.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[naughty]" title="" src="graemlins/naughty.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[naughty]" title="" src="graemlins/naughty.gif" />

Well said Marcie - there were large "groups" on all of the trips we have taken and never a problem - and we were part of DDD last January and people could not have been nicer in reaching out to anyone who wanted to join us - perhaps I have been fortunate but have never experienced a "spring break" mentality on any Radisson cruise just some of the nicest and kindest people I have ever met - the more the merrier and hope to meet many many people who have never heard of LCT!! Joanna

Pole dancing??? Now I KNOW I'm on the right board!
<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZSzeb045' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/1/1_4_97.gif' border=0></a>

Suzanne makes Demi Moore in Striptease look like a novice - Joanna

I didn't mean to suggest that I thought this group would be anything less than wonderful and sensitive. I was really more interested in what to do about inquiries about Ngaire and LCT. Bandwidth and hours in the day being what they are, I didn't know what the capacity of this website is and whether our host and moderators wanted to accomodate more members. I appreciate Ngaire's clarification on those issues.

That said, bring on the cosmos!!!

MarnaLou

And a good conern it was MarnaLou! I too am glad that Ngaire responded....she is a class act!

Thanks Marna Lou for asking the question as we received info from Ngaire that we all needed to hear - I knew you'd know we would never make anyone uncomfortable and go out of our way to include anyone....unfortunate when people have had bad experiences from a group on a cruise regarding drinking too much or ignoring others - I do not see this group as anything but wonderful - Joanna

Hey! Wait a minute.., I thought this was the Mexican Hat Dance Cruise!! I put my pole away for the season...

MarnaLou,
Interesting topic.

Get that pole out of storage NOW!!!

People are expecting both dances from you.

Disappointment everywhere Suzanne-

I'll say!! :( And after all the talk I've heard about it - Suzanne, I was looking forward to it so much!

Masaki

I'll second Masaki's, Joanna's, and Betty's thoughts, I thought us non minters would enjoy Suzanne's and other lively events through the magic of Minters Digital Magic..pls don't disappoint us...we'd love to have this vicarious enjoyment. r/wes

LeeAnn...love the pole dancing pic you posted! Although I have to say, our Suzanne puts on a VERY classy version of that! Suzanne, maybe you can do the pole dance with a sombrero on???

OH, just look at the turn this thread took...WHAT is wrong with us???????? :D <img border="0" alt="[naughty]" title="" src="graemlins/naughty.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[c]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />

OR - maybe you can stack a whole bunch of Sombrero's and make them into a Mexican Pole?

Ahh...

I have become an Urban Legend!!

Suzanne

You are a legend - just not an urban one. Those are falsehoods. You my dear are the real thing. YEA!!!
Wouldn't have you any other way.

Well as a TA, I have to totally agree with Ngaire, I am the same way, I do not let people know I am a TA, unless its my own group, and then they already know that. And if my clients refer someone to me, I am very pleased, as I consider that the biggest compliment I can get from my clients. However, when I have a group onboard a ship, we are always welcoming to others in the bar, around the lounges, etc - but as Ngaire said, advertising is not allowed, and it can become uncomfortable. Her point is also well taken about inviting people you meet to the private parties being given by Brown and Keene as those are special parties arranged between the agency and the cruiseline (and this would be true of any other agency for that matter). And again as she said, referrals are always welcome, but as an Agent I would never actively go after another Agent's business, as I'm sure Ngaire would not - so basically if your group is open and welcoming to anyone you might meet in the bars and lounges, then who knows, everyone might make some new friends, and isn't that part of what cruising is all about???
Have fun you guys - sure wish we could be there - if we ever get the chance to be on a cruise with a group from LCT, you can bet we will be. I'm envious that Kathy and Frank (ChatKat) will be with those on PIP - she tried to get us to come and we probably would have, except that we have a two week beach trip with family planned for that time, plus we will be enjoying a new Grandbaby - so maybe another time, another cruise!!!

JoAnn: I have no doubt this group will be open, open and open to all newcomers anywhere on the ship - Ngaire is always the "voice of reason" and what she said made total sense - it must be awful to experience a group who shut others out - wish you were with us!! Joanna

Joanna - you are right of course, this group on this board is so open and welcoming to new members who join, I can only imagine how much more so they would be in person. (I hope I didn't imply otherwise, I apologize if anyone got that impression.) I'm sure too, that any person not with the LCT group, will enjoy meeting and socializing with the MINT'ers. As I said wish we could be with you all, we certainly will be in spirit.

No No No - you did not imply a thing - wish you could be on MINT too!!!! Joanna