What r the groups?

[Gregg]

Next year we are offering some brand new vacation options. Our full ship charter is moving to land at Club Med Ixtapa. This beach vacation will have similar programming that we've offered on our cruises.

In addition, we are now offering some large groups (approx 250-400 guests) to some amazing destinations and NCL's brand new EPIC ship.

Join us spring break as we sail to Hawaii or sail with us next summer to Europe or on the Norwegian EPIC.

We will still have the R Family team as well as some of the entertainment that we've offered on our charter cruises. We'll offer private dining with R Family and private excursions on all of the cruises. You've asked for these destinations over and over and we are excited to offer these new groups aboard some of NCL's newest ships.

Hawaii - Pride of America - March 27, 2010
Europe - Barcelona to France/Italy - Norwegian Jade - June 20, 2010
Caribbean - Norwegian EPIC - August 14, 2010 (join us on the EPIC's inaugural season)

Much more info coming soon on our website.

[pcrum]

Dear Greg:

This was our first R Family Vacation and we very much enjoyed the Alaskan cruise. The scenery was beautiful and the entertainment was wonderful. I came on the cruise with my 77 year old mom and we absolutely loved it!!

It was also wonderful to see all the different types of families on board. Although we are straight, my husband and I are "political gays" and very much support the political aspirations of the lesbian and gay community.

We came on the cruise primarily for the Broadway entertainment, having seen the cruise advertised on Broadway.com. We would love to do the Epic cruise next August, but wonder about the entertainment you will have on board and how it will work with the entire ship not being R Family. Will some venues be closed off for only R Family activities? Will you have the same amount of Broadway entertainers on board?

I would also like to give a shout out to Seth Rudetsky, who was absolutely wonderful. He could not have been nicer when I asked him to autograph his book for my son. He seemed to genuinely enjoy interacting with the guests. What a great talent and wit. We would love to see him on future R Family vacations!

Thanks again for putting together such a great product. Although this was our first R Family experience, I don't think it will be our last. I'd love to bring my kids next time, who are HUGE Broadway fans. Please keep all the great entertainment!'

P Crum

[candue]

Next year we are offering some brand new vacation options. Our full ship charter is moving to land at Club Med Ixtapa. This beach vacation will have similar programming that we've offered on our cruises.

In addition, we are now offering some large groups (approx 250-400 guests) to some amazing destinations and NCL's brand new EPIC ship.

Join us spring break as we sail to Hawaii or sail with us next summer to Europe or on the Norwegian EPIC.

We will still have the R Family team as well as some of the entertainment that we've offered on our charter cruises. We'll offer private dining with R Family and private excursions on all of the cruises. You've asked for these destinations over and over and we are excited to offer these new groups aboard some of NCL's newest ships.

Hawaii - Pride of America - March 27, 2010
Europe - Barcelona to France/Italy - Norwegian Jade - June 20, 2010
Caribbean - Norwegian EPIC - August 14, 2010 (join us on the EPIC's inaugural season)

Much more info coming soon on our website.

Sorry to ask what should be obvious, why should people book thru R Family when they can get deals directly through NCL and Lattitudes.? I love R Family and have been willing to pay premium fares but why should I when I could cruise with my friends cheaper?

[dstabile]

Sorry to ask what should be obvious, why should people book thru R Family when they can get deals directly through NCL and Lattitudes.? I love R Family and have been willing to pay premium fares but why should I when I could cruise with my friends cheaper?

I have researched and they rates that R family put out are the same that the cruise line offer. I for one am going on the europe cruise, even if it is just a few people going from R family, to me it is worth it just to have someone on the ship to share the experience with and be able to hang out with. We have been on many cruises and yes they have "friends of Dorothy" meetings usually once or twice, but for us the timing is always off and we can never make the get together and when we do finally meet up with someone from the group they are either singles or couples and when they see we have a kid, well, that's the end of that.

[candue]

Thanks for the info, great to consider.

[Jan V]

Sorry to ask what should be obvious, why should people book thru R Family when they can get deals directly through NCL and Lattitudes.? I love R Family and have been willing to pay premium fares but why should I when I could cruise with my friends cheaper?

TJ -

Gregg also said at the info session that those who do not book through R Family will not be able to participate in the R Family activities on the cruises. They will be "private" events for the members of the R Family group. I did look a the fares and they do appear to be the same as the NCL fares - hard to tell 100% because there are so many classes of each cabin type.

[candue]

Hmmm,, That in itself could cause hard feelings with the other passengers who are blocked access to things on a cruise. Segregation of sorts always causes difficulties. Sorry I missed the info meetings on these. In my opinion I think it would be a great deal for R Family and a stinky deal for the other passengers who are paying the same prices and get less. At any rate, one way or another, looking forward to the boat peep gatherings.

[ColoradoDad]

Anyone who had hard feelings that they couldn't access every single thing on a cruise ship would need to get over it. Cruise ships host groups all the time. I wouldn't feel slighted in the least if there were other groups with different events. I could find many other things to do than to feel bad about not being able to attend a conservative Christian singles mixer, an AA dance, or a lecture series hosted by a MENSA group, for example. When someone stays at a hotel, they don't have an expectation to be able to walk into any of the conference rooms and join any group that may be there - why would the ship be any different?

[travelchix]

Anyone who had hard feelings that they couldn't access every single thing on a cruise ship would need to get over it. Cruise ships host groups all the time. I wouldn't feel slighted in the least if there were other groups with different events. I could find many other things to do than to feel bad about not being able to attend a conservative Christian singles mixer, an AA dance, or a lecture series hosted by a MENSA group, for example. When someone stays at a hotel, they don't have an expectation to be able to walk into any of the conference rooms and join any group that may be there - why would the ship be any different?

I would agree with you that it shouldn't be a big deal, but I know that it sometimes is. I think people see it differently with the cruise because it's not likely that we'd be taking up "conference room" space that wouldn't otherwise offer anything to another traveler (as in a hotel). Someone who can't get reservations for Cagney's on their anniversary because Rfamily is taking up the whole restaurant, or who can't use the Starlight lounge at certain times because there's a private show, etc. I don't think everyone feels that way (and maybe fewer should) but I know that there are a number of people who do feel like they paid to use all the amenities and public areas :rolleyes: on the ship, and if there are areas they are excluded from they complain. You can check out the cruisecritic.com boards to see how whiny people can be about this kind of thing.

[ColoradoDad]

LOL Travelchix, I've either been on that website or one just like it a couple of years ago and know exactly what you mean. Unfortunately the ones who post on there probably don't find much overall to be happy about. :) The way I thought about the cruise we went on was that it was a huge floating city and there was more than enough to do at any given moment. You're right though - people will find something wrong if they want to! The debate will go on about this type of vacation, but I'm really happy that they chose some really great and new destinations for next year.

[Luv2Cruise]

One of the largest complaints that most people have about groups is not the type of group(s) on board but the amount of area that they take up for personal events. I myself have had this issue on cruises over the years and I can tell you that it's not fun finding several of your favorite lounges on board closed off for these events.

We will bypass the R Family group cruises next year. It will not be the same as a full charter. As I have posted on other topics on this board, we understand why R Family is doing this and wish them well but it's just not our cup of tea.

[Ameridane]

We are very excited about the EU cruise!! I think it sounds fun if there are some jealous people wanting to crash our party!!!!

[candue]

Hi Mary, how are you all? I think you should come to Mexico!

[Lakeladies]

Hi Mary, how are you all? I think you should come to Mexico!

Which Mary are you talking to. Or is it me, MaryAnn.
Yes, we are going to Club Med. Signed up on the cruise.

[Ameridane]

Hi Mary, how are you all? I think you should come to Mexico!

Hi TJ!! Would love to go to Mexico, but EU cruise is only a 3 hour flight and a fraction of the cost for us. I do hope we meet again someday soon, somewhere in world! :)

[Crazy aka Cheryl]

Hi TJ!! Would love to go to Mexico, but EU cruise is only a 3 hour flight and a fraction of the cost for us. I do hope we meet again someday soon, somewhere in world! :)

Hey Honey,
Nice to see you on the Boards.How R U Guys doing?

[babaloos]

I think it would help everyone to know exactly what those "private" functions will be. So many of us want the same experience as with charters (or at least similar), so specifics would be very helpful. Otherwise...booking the cruise closer to the sail date, through another website, will definitely be less expensive. The fares may be the same now, but 5 months from now chances are other cruise websites will have better prices. All the more reason to know what RFamily will be offereing! We're booked for Europe...and we're going regardless...but it may help others decide.

[Ameridane]

Hey Honey,
Nice to see you on the Boards.How R U Guys doing?

HI CCC! We're doing great. Missed you all though. How are you? Where will you be in 2010? It must be difficult with so many choices!!