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5 Reasons Why You Should Join a Cruise Roll Call

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Cruise Roll Calls are widely used by many cruise passengers!

Facebook, cruise critic, shipmate are the 3 most popular places on social media to search out roll call groups..

Cruiseship Roll Calls are a great way to meet fellow cruisers before you set sail. The benefits usually include pre-cruise planning tips and camaraderie,  but many cruisers report even greater advantages that extend onboard. While roll calls may not be for everyone, they certainly have been a popular tradition in cruising for many years, which is still going strong.

Cruise Roll Calls

What exactly is a roll call? A cruise roll call is a way for cruise passengers to connect online with other passengers who will be sailing on the same cruise, often several months before their cruise. Online forums and websites such as Cruise Critic, Shipmate and Facebook all have private groups where cruisers can go and search for their cruise and sail date. If one is not started, which is rare, consider starting your own.

Purpose of a Cruise Roll Call

Cruise passengers use rolls calls to chat online about their upcoming cruise with other cruisers, who are just as excited and eager to plan. While every roll call is different, often people will create small groups to share excursions, and may even hold a meet and greet or “meet and mingle” once on board.

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Top Benefits of Getting to Know Fellow Passengers in a Cruise Roll Call

In this guest post, Adrienne from Grateful Getaways, explains the top benefits of using social media roll calls to get to know your fellow passengers (at least some of them) before the cruise. I loved reading about Adrienne’s personal story and experience and hope you will too.

My family and I recently sailed aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas.

Prior to our cruise, I looked on both Cruise Critic and Shipmate to glean information about upcoming sailings.

Cruise Critic is a sister company of Trip Advisor who I use quite a bit for land travel research.  Shipmate has a great countdown calendar and a way to keep track of past and future sailings. Both sites offer considerably more than I use them for but this has been the extent of my usage with them.

For this sailing, I happened upon a private Facebook page specifically for our cruise and sail date, and really enjoyed the group. I spent most of my pre-cruise time chatting with people on the Oasis Facebook page.

Some people may wonder ‘Why?’

Here are some of the reasons that I enjoyed being part of the Facebook Group/Roll Call

1. Planning before our cruise

Have you ever been anywhere or done something and wondered why everyone else seemed to know something you didn’t? Maybe you even thought, “Hmm, wish I’d known that before my cruise.” Well, social media has taught me quite a bit of little tidbits that have made cruising a breeze for me and my family.

While interacting with other passengers, you are privy to things and activities in real time when they occur. Our closed Facebook group would often post information about sales on beverage packages, dates when it was possible to book show times and dinner reservations and even fun ideas of things to do in port.

2.Enthusiastic fellow travelers

If you’re anything like me, you may be surrounded by people who could care less about your upcoming travel plans. Even my family, who’s accompanying me on the vacation, quickly loses interest in talking to me about our upcoming trip.

When you meet up with other travelers, you can chat with other people who are just as excited as you! They never tire of hearing you ramble on and on about how many more days until departure because they are counting down the days alongside you.

We all had fun laughing with each other and counting down the days to embarkation. Many times, amidst my hectic work day, I would find myself logging into my Facebook page to read what funny things were happening amongst the group members. Laughing with other members about fun, frivolous travel could often melt away the doldrums of a boring or burdensome work day.

3. Shared Cruise Information and Knowledge

Many of the passengers in these groups have sailed extensively in the past. They post information about past sailings and tips of things that have been a great idea and things they’d never do again.

I learned so much from the Facebook Group’s administrator about things specific to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships, the world’s largest cruise ships ! 

4. Making New Friends

I am super friendly and highly social.  When I first board a cruise ship, I am eager to explore the ship and see what activities I can sign up for.

My husband, however, is quite the introvert. He’s more interested in getting something to eat and going to the cabin. Most of the time, he is completely uninterested in the on board activities and only wants to hear about the ports we will be visiting.

Since I was so involved with the roll call on the Facebook page, I would often run into other people on the ship that I’d been chatting with for months prior to our sailing. We would meet up and talk in the corridors or hang out in the pubs while sipping a beverage. We made plans to attend various shows or activities together when no one in my family wanted to accompany me, or when their fellow cruisers were equally as uninterested as mine.

One night while sitting in the Windjammer buffet, I looked over and saw two ladies I’d chatted with on our page. I introduced myself to them and we sat chatting amicably for well over an hour. Midway through our conversation, another couple who’d been in our roll call page came over to join us. This was indeed one of the best evenings aboard our sailing.

5. Group Shore Excursion

During our cruise, an excursion to Mr. Sancho’s in Cozumel, Mexico was suggested to those in the roll call. 

Anyone who’s cruised more than few times, has likely been to some of the same ports numerous times. Cozumel is one of those ports for me. We’ve sailed through Cozumel at least four times.

Although I am a firm believer that a day on vacation is better than the best day at work, I still look for new things to do in ports that I’ve frequented throughout the years of cruising. Our Facebook group’s admin informed us all about Mr. Sancho’s, an all-inclusive beach experience.

I’d heard about it but never took the time to truly research it or look into it. On our page, there was a link to sign up with information about the beach, how to get to and from the beach, amenities and a copy of the all-inclusive menu. We signed up and my family had a marvelous time.

Recap: The advantages of being part of a cruise roll call

In conclusion, I had a blast getting to know other passengers prior to my sailing. Joining a cruise roll call on Facebook, Cruise Critic, Shipmate or another cruise group forum has many benefits.

*Getting to know other passengers before you cruise

*Early planning and research

*Sharing information about the cruise ports and ship

*Sharing shore excursion information

*Making new friends

Tip: If you are that member of your sailing party who enjoys planning and researching a trip in advance, you should look into joining or even starting a group.

I’ve been part of cruise groups in the past on Cruise Critic, Facebook and Shipmate.  No two roll call groups are created the same. You may run into a quiet group where everyone doesn’t have much to contribute. However, you may also run into a fun-filled jovial bunch like us!

How to find your cruise roll call:

If you’re interested in being past of cruise group or roll call, search your sailing by ship and date of sailing (ex: Oasis of the Seas Month, Day, Year). If there’s a group, request entry and join into the conversation.

If there isn’t a group already started, consider starting one! People will eventually join as long as the group is easy to find with a Facebook or Cruise Critic search.

If you ever see me aboard your sailing, please stop me to say ‘hi’! I love meeting new people.

Happy sailing to each of you and happy chatting!

Please check out Adrienne on Facebook at Grateful Getaways.

Thoughts from Ilana

Thanks Adrienne for the writing about your personal experience with a Facebook cruise group/cruise roll call. It sounded like you got a lot out of it!

I’ve joined several Cruise Critic roll calls and have learned so much from fellow cruisers. It was also fun for me to chat about often about what to do in ports and various things about the ship. There are times I joined the meet and mingle on the ship, and other times when it just didn’t work out.

If you are going on a cruise soon, you may enjoy reading these smart tips for first-time cruisers .

Have you ever joined a cruise roll call? Why would or would you not recommend it? Let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

If you’ve enjoyed this post, I’d really appreciate if you would share it on on social media and help others to see it too. Thanks so much!

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I went to Cruise Critic after reading this post, signed up, verified my email, and tried to join my ship’s roll call. I get an error saying I don’t have permission to access it. I tried to message the host, and that is also disabled. I went to the FAQ on the site and it says to just ‘reply to topic’ to be added. But I can’t even see the board to reply to anything.

Is there some sort of secret to getting added to a roll call board on there?

I don’t have any information about this, however reaching out to Cruise Critic is the best way to check on it. In the past, I have created an account, logged in, and this has worked.

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The Cruise Roll Call Explained (And Why It Could Make Your Trip)

After you've planned and booked your cruise, check to see if your cruise has a roll call. For cruise newbies unfamiliar with the term, a cruise roll call is typically an online forum for passengers booked for the same cruise. The cruise roll calls are organized by the passengers themselves, and these online meetups have been a popular cruise tradition for years.

Cruise roll calls are a great way to meet other passengers, build camaraderie, and get excited about the upcoming trip. Who doesn't like to talk, plan, and daydream about their future vacation? But cruise roll calls can offer more to passengers than just shared enthusiasm.

These online forums can be excellent sources for cruising tips, as many of the participants in cruise roll calls have sailed extensively. Whether you're looking to meet friends before sailing or simply want to absorb the chatter to find insider advice, joining a cruise roll call can be both fun and informative.

Meet other passengers through cruise roll calls

First and foremost, a cruise roll call can keep you enthusiastic about your upcoming trip. According to the Institute for Applied Positive Research, vacation anticipation reduces stress and makes us happier. While landlubber friends may not share your enthusiasm, you can bet your seafaring friends in the roll call are super excited.

Although it may depend on your personality, and whether you're a social or "prefer to relax" type of vacationer, cruise roll calls are an excellent place to meet other cruise passengers. If you're an outgoing type of person, you can plan to meet friends you make through roll call once onboard. Typically, forum organizers create roll calls months before the sail date, so you'll have plenty of time to get to know other people. It's also not uncommon for the organizers to arrange in-person meetups.

Cruise roll calls are especially beneficial to those who appreciate group activities. The roll call organizer may invite participants to meet up for shows, dinners, bar crawls, onboard games, and group activities during shore excursions.

Gather insider tips and cruise suggestions

Many of the participants in a cruise roll call are probably seasoned sailors. There's a good chance that some have cruised the same cruise line before or cruised the same or similar route. If you have a question concerning the ship, itinerary, or ports of call, someone will surely share their opinion.

Insider info can be particularly helpful when it comes to shore excursions. Cruise enthusiasts have probably visited many of the ports of call numerous times. Whether you're looking for a specific activity, advice on a tour company, or restaurant suggestions, the cruise roll call can be a treasure trove of insider information, especially for hidden gems. Since you're on limited time to explore each place, disembarking with a few suggestions can help you utilize your time wisely.

While cruise roll calls may not be for everyone, they're an excellent resource for info, and for social vacationers, the roll calls are an awesome platform to meet like-minded travelers. You never know. The information and friends you make through a roll call could just make your trip. 

Trending Post: Why Our Family Cruises

Cruise Roll Call 101 – Why You Should Join

If you have ever cruised, or looked into cruising, you may have heard of a cruise roll call .

When we first cruised, I didn’t know what on Earth a cruise roll call was, let alone why I would want to participate in one!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission if you purchase through my link. Please see  full disclosure  for more information.

What is a Cruise Roll Call

Roll calls have changed through the years with the changes in technology and opportunities on the Internet. Now with just a few clicks you can join a group of others traveling on the same ship when you are (more about how to do that later).

But what is a cruise roll call exactly? A roll call is a way for you to chat with fellow passengers that will be experiencing the same cruise you are. It’s a way to ask questions (ex. Has anyone been to the Bahamas before?) or get help (ex. Our luggage tags won’t print, anyone have any tips?) and of course share opinions (ex. I’ve stayed at the hotel closest to the port before and the parking is super expensive. I prefer the Hilton two blocks away). It is also a way to coordinate tours, meetups and more if you would like. Your level of participation is up to you!

Why Should I Join a Roll Call

The main reason for a roll call is CONNECTION. As humans, we are wired to crave connections with others. Introverts , stay with me! The nice thing about a roll call is that it doesn’t mean (like I initially thought) that you are going to have to eat, drink and take excursions with the people you meet at roll call. Like I said, the amount of connection you make is up to you!

A cruise, especially if you have never been on one before, can seem overwhelming to plan. Connecting with others going through the same process that you are, can offer a lot of comfort before getting on that big ship. And dare I say it can also be fun! Also, by exchanging information, especially about cruise ports, you may find tips that help you save money. Remember, however, that like anything else, there are many different personalities, perspectives and expectations involved. That leads us to…

My Roll Call Rules

• Do share your knowledge with the group and have fun planning and getting to know everyone.
• Do not take something someone said as fact until you get a confirmation from at least one other source. For instance, if Bob posts that your cruise line is now requiring Covid boosters before the trip, make sure you confirm that with the cruise line or your travel agent.
• Do not succumb to pressure ! If a roll call member posts about an excursion they are planning and they are looking for more people to join them, only do so if it is really what you want to do. It is not up to you to fill their group! This is your vacation, no one else’s.

Ok, you are ready to join your roll call. Now what?

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Where to find your roll call.

Cruise Critic – www.cruisecritic.com – Click on Boards in the top right corner. Then in the menu, under Forums, click Find Your Roll Call . Next just scroll down until you find your cruiseline. Note: You must be a registered member of Cruise Critic to participate in the roll call boards. It’s free!

Facebook – www.facebook.com – Of course by now we all know Facebook! You do need to join Facebook to participate in a roll call. To find your roll call, simply type something like “July 2 Holland America Baltic” or “August Princess Alaska cruise” to sort through your options. There may even be more than one created for your trip – I usually go with the one that looks like it has the most members and activity.

Cruiseline – https://cruiseline.com/rollcall – Choose your cruise line, ship and date. Cruiseline also has an app called Shipmate. I have found this to be the least interactive of all the roll call sites but maybe you will have more luck!

So, that concludes your Cruise Roll Call 101! I hope this was helpful.

If you have questions about roll calls or fun roll call experiences to share, please comment below!

Now go see something! 🧳

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How to: Join Your Roll Call

By CC Help Michell , March 11 in Need Help Using the Forums? Check Here!

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CC Help Michell

A roll call is a discussion by Cruise Critic members who are on the same sailing.  Members may plan an onboard gathering (Meet & Mingle), activities, share shore excursions, etc. 

If you are looking for instructions on finding your roll call, please see this topic:   https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2594924-what-is-a-roll-call-everything-you-need-to-know/#comment-55971894

A text box will open up, and in it you can type your message (a brief introduction is always welcome if the roll call has been chatting for a while), and when you submit you will have "joined" the roll call.

To be informed of new posts and keep up with the roll call discussion, you might want to "follow" the roll call at the top of the page:

Once you click that button, you will have a choice of how often to receive notifications about new posts to the roll call.

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• Mar 15 CC Help Michell pinned this topic

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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.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission at no extra cost. Please refer to our  full disclosure  for details.

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.

Table of Contents

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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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.

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Everyone you know is going on a cruise

­­­ Lots of people will be getting their sea legs this summer.

Ports have been packed with cruise ships over the last few years, as vacationers flock to ever larger vessels and operators race to accommodate a surge in post-pandemic bookings — many of them from first-time passengers. The industry expects even more this year.

Benjamin Xiang, a San Francisco-based flight attendant, went on his first cruise last August, setting aside his reservations about “cruise people” and a type of trip he’d imagined would be “not my travel style.”

Taking advantage of a Virgin Voyages promotion that let him use credit card points to cover the $2,500 bill, Xiang booked a weeklong, all-inclusive, adults-only cruise from Barcelona, with stops at Mallorca, Ibiza and along the French Riviera.“I invited my best friend, we prepaid a $600 bar tab, and we were like, ‘We’ll just hang by the pool, read a book or something,’” said Xiang, 35. “Turned out we partied every single night and had a blast.”

He’s among the many cruise newbies who’ve helped power the industry’s recent growth. Some 27% of cruise passengers over the past two years have been first-timers, up 12% from the prior two-year period, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), a trade group.

Turned out we partied every single night and had a blast.

Benjamin Xiang, 35, San Francisco

“Will I go back? I think yes,” Xiang said. “Will I pay this time? Yes.”That’s exactly what cruise operators are hoping for, and so far they’re getting it: 82% of all cruisers say they’ll book again, CLIA’s latest report found.

After welcoming 31.7 million passengers last year, 7% more than in 2019, the industry expects volumes to swell to 34.7 million by the end of 2024. Experts say a combination of newcomers, repeat bookers and younger travelers are powering the uptick.

Like Xiang, many first-time cruisers are groups of friends traveling together, said Jennifer Klaussen, who owns Sundari Travel in Malibu, California.

“Once they get on a cruise and realize it’s not what they thought it would be, they’re usually interested in future cruises and diverse destinations,” she said, adding that newer operators have managed to “reduce the stigma associated with cruising — that it’s only for the elderly.”

Passengers under age 40, including kids, made up around 42% of cruisegoers last year, up from 35% in 2019, according to CLIA. While the average age of a cruise customer is 46 industrywide, millennials now make up nearly the same share — 22% — as baby boomers and Gen Xers, who each comprise 24%.“The cruise industry has been hard at work to launch new ships and experiences that are attractive to a younger, newer demographic,” said Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, “whether that’s a big, new ship with eye-catching attractions for families, or more bucket-list-worthy experiences like sailings in the Galapagos or Antarctica.”

The cruise industry has been hard at work to launch new ships and experiences that are attractive to a younger, newer demographic.

Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic

Amenities don’t hurt either, said Nathan Rosenberg, chief brand officer at Virgin Voyages, which began sailing only in 2021, as the cruise industry rebounded from the pandemic. “Millennials and Gen Z love the fact that everything is included. Think meals foodies would love, tips covered, Wi-Fi to stay connected and a ton of fitness classes,” he said.Vessels are getting bigger to handle the growing demand.

In January, Royal Caribbean Group launched Icon of the Seas — currently the world’s largest cruise ship, with 20 decks, 40 restaurants and room for more than 7,000 passengers and 3,000 crew members.

The company, meanwhile, reported a 16% increase in new cruisegoers between this year and last across its various cruise lines. Nearly half of all Royal Caribbean guests are millennials or younger, CEO Jason Liberty said on the company’s first-quarter earnings call.

Similarly, Norwegian Cruise Lines CEO Harry Sommer told CNBC earlier this month, “We appeal obviously to older customers, but millennial and Gen Z is the fastest-growing segment of our cruising right now.”

Cruises generally aren’t cheap, though, and Sommer noted that the company’s target customer is middle- or upper-income. As consumer spending cools down across much of the economy, Americans are adjusting their summer vacation plans to fit their budgets.The share of travelers put off by steep prices hit 32% in Deloitte’s annual summer travel survey , up sharply from 24% last year. But more affluent vacationers still seem eager to shell out on everything from first-class airfare to luxury train trips , as the industry continues to push premium offerings .

“More higher-income travelers are headed to cruises,” whereas “lower-income travelers are going camping,” the Deloitte report, released Tuesday, said. (“RV trips are up across the board,” it added.)

That doesn’t mean cruise passengers aren’t paying attention to price.

Jaclyn Groh will be going on her first cruise in March 2025, sailing around the Caribbean. The 34-year-old therapist and social work professor at Ohio State University in Columbus typically takes her family on boat trips on a lake, beach visits, “and of course the occasional Disney adventure for the kiddos,” said Groh.

While some of her friends have done family cruises, she’s never been interested in the largest cruise ships because they seem “overwhelming.” But in shopping around for a vacation next year for just her and her husband, Groh said her travel agent’s description of the packages available won her over.The smaller Explora II vessel she opted for has a “boutique feel that we love,” she said. And it’s priced about the same as the resort in Curaçao where the couple will be celebrating their 10th anniversary this fall. That week on land will run about $6,500, while the cruise comes to about $6,700.

“The price seems very reasonable for all of the inclusions, and yet with the cruise we will get to experience so many new locations and excursions,” said Groh, who’s looking forward to “a perfect combination of resting in luxury and adventuring.”

Harriet Baskas is an NBC News contributor who writes about travel and the arts.

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• By ochealaaf , August 30, 2023

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• By TravelerK , February 22

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• By JusttheTwoofUs , February 22

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• By MRS TIGGYWINKLE , February 17

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How to Organize a Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle (Meet & Greet) On Board Your Holland America Cruise

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• By newbiewaves , February 14

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• By ABY Chef , February 22

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• NCL Star, July 27-August 8, 2024, Reykjavik, Iceland to New York
• By julie3fan , February 22

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• Evrima - San Juan/San Juan Feb 9 2024
• By PierRunner99 , December 23, 2023

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• By jpciudad , February 20

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• By turnip eater , February 21

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• By RELS , February 22

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• By jchipgcs , February 20

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• By screwsmcernst , February 22
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Dnc forced to plan ‘virtual roll call’ to make sure biden makes ohio ballot in swing-state blunder.

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President Biden now appears poised to make the Ohio ballot after all — with a little help from his friends.

The Democratic National Committee announced Tuesday it planned to formally renominate Biden, 81, and Vice President Kamala Harris in a “virtual roll call” — rendering the pageantry of the August convention in Chicago moot in order to comply with the Buckeye State’s Aug. 7 certification deadline.

“Joe Biden will be on the ballot in Ohio and all 50 states,” DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison declared in a statement.

“And Ohio Republicans agree. But when the time has come for action, they have failed to act every time, so Democrats will land this plane on our own.”

A date for the virtual roll call has yet to be announced. The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee is scheduled to vote to make the procedure change official on June 4, with the full committee expected to do the same soon after.

The Aug. 19-22 convention at the United Center will go ahead as planned.

Biden had been in jeopardy of being left off the Ohio ballot due to the Democratic National Convention behind held after the deadline under state law for parties to certify the names of their presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Top Republicans in Ohio, including Gov. Mike DeWine, have urged the GOP-dominated state legislature to pass legislation extending the deadline and ensuring Biden will get on the ballot.

DeWine had called a special legislative session that convened Tuesday in Columbus to address the snafu.

“While I understand the Democratic National Committee has just today proposed a work-around to help get President Biden on the Ohio ballot, it is prudent legislation be passed to get this done,” DeWine said in a statement .

The Ohio Senate passed a bill extending the certification deadline, but included a provision restricting the use of foreign money in state referenda, at which Democrats balked.

“Through a virtual roll call, we will ensure that Republicans can’t chip away at our democracy through incompetence or partisan tricks and that Ohioans can exercise their right to vote for the presidential candidate of their choice,” Harrison said.

Last week, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, re-upped his warning to Democrats that Biden was at risk of losing ballot access.

Ohio adopted its rule mandating ballot certification 90 days before a general election in 2010. Since then, it has been forced to extend the deadline for Republicans and Democrats in both 2012 and 2020.

Alabama and Washington have also taken steps to forestall any potential ballot snarls that could preclude Biden from access.

Ahead of the convention in Chicago, there have been rumors about Democrats possibly scaling down the number of in-person events due to anticipated protests.

Divisions over the Israel-Hamas war have dogged Democrats heading into the Nov. 5 presidential election and some strategists fear that intra-party strife could be on full display at the convention.

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Major Cruise Operators Slash Summer Prices Despite High Demand - Here's Why

Zinger key points.

• Cruise lines reduce summer prices despite high demand.
• Caribbean and Alaskan cruises see significant price cuts.

Big cruise line operators like Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd RCL , Carnival Corp CCL , and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings NCLH are reportedly cutting summer cruise prices to fill cabins, say travel agencies and company websites.

This adjustment comes as more ships head to popular destinations like the Caribbean and Alaska while rerouting from the Red Sea due to ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hamas, Reuters reports.

Despite record demand and increased revenues, cruise prices for trips departing from the U.S. this summer are lower than last year, Reuters quotes from AAA data.

Royal Caribbean's seven-day itineraries in the Caribbean and Bermuda are down 21% year-over-year for June. Norwegian and Carnival cruises in the same region are down 12% and 11%, respectively, as per TripAdvisor's Cruise Critic.

Royal Caribbean is also reducing rates for Caribbean trips in the third and fourth quarters, according to Todd Elliott, CEO of Cruise Vacation Outlet. "It seems more strategic on sailings that need a little more help," Elliott told Reuters.

He added that cruises around Africa, instead of through the Red Sea, are also seeing price cuts.

Also Read : Mizuho Securities Upgrades Norwegian Cruise Line To Buy

An AAA spokesperson says older ships are being discounted as newer vessels enter the market. For instance, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Sea, which debuted in January, commands $500 to $1,000 more per person than similar regional cruises.

Royal Caribbean raised its 2024 profit forecast in April for the second time , while Carnival reported record bookings in the first quarter of this year .

Similar price reductions are seen in Alaskan cruises this summer due to increased capacity. Carnival's Alaskan itineraries for July and August are priced about 20% lower than the same period in 2023, while Royal Caribbean's prices for the same months are 6% and 12% cheaper, respectively, Reuters quotes Cruise Critic.

Price Action : RCL shares were trading higher by 0.18% at $148.23 on the last check Thursday.

Disclaimer : This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Photo by postcardtrip via Pixabay

© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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Cruise operators offer summer discounts as ships crowd the Caribbean, Alaska

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Fed's Logan: inflation heading to 2%, too soon to cut rates

Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President Lorie Logan said on Thursday she believes inflation is still heading to the Fed's 2% target, although she can imagine "other paths" that the Fed ought to be prepared for, and it is too early to consider cutting interest rates.

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Democrats Adopt Nomination Plan to Allow Biden on the Ohio Ballot

Party leaders said they would nominate the president via a virtual roll call of delegates before the national convention, overcoming a glitch that had threatened to keep him off the November ballot.

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By Michael Wines

• May 28, 2024

Democratic Party leaders said Tuesday that they would nominate President Biden for a second term in office via a virtual roll call of delegates to the party’s national convention, bypassing a glitch in Ohio law that had threatened to keep Mr. Biden off the November ballot in the state.

Ohio law requires all candidates to be legally certified by Aug. 7, but Mr. Biden was not scheduled to be officially nominated until after the Democratic National Convention begins on Aug. 19. The virtual roll call will be completed before the Ohio deadline.

The party acted as the Ohio Legislature was meeting in special session for the first time in two decades in an effort to pass legislation that would have resolved the ballot problem at the state level. The legislators had easily dealt with identical issues involving presidential candidates in 2012 and 2016, but deep divisions among Republicans had stalled any action for weeks.

A frustrated Gov. Mike DeWine, also a Republican, had summoned the legislators to the special session last week, calling their inability to end the legislative gridlock “ridiculous” and “absurd.”

Only last week, the speaker of the Ohio House, Representative Jason Stephens, was blunt about his inability to enact a quick fix for Mr. Biden’s ballot problem.

“There’s just not the will to do that from the legislature,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “It’s a hyperpolitical environment at this time of year. And there are some Republicans who just didn’t want to vote on it.”

The chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Jaime Harrison, issued a statement on Tuesday denouncing the Republican lawmakers for their inaction. “Joe Biden will be on the ballot in Ohio and all 50 states, and Ohio Republicans agree,” he said. “But when the time has come for action, they have failed to act every time, so Democrats will land this plane on our own.”

The early roll call is not a new solution. Democrats also staged a remote vote on Mr. Biden’s nomination in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

That the Ohio special session was needed at all underscored both the dysfunction and the depth of partisan rancor in the ruling party, which holds supermajorities in both chambers of the Legislature.

Faced with similar mismatches in 2012 and 2020, the Ohio Legislature approved one-time exceptions to the Aug. 7 deadline to accommodate the political parties’ convention schedules. Alabama legislators faced an identical technical snag this year and unanimously enacted their own fix on May 3.

But Ohio Republicans left the State Capitol earlier this month without taking action on the ballot issue, even though the state’s Republican secretary of state, Frank LaRose, warned of the problem on April 5.

Deep divisions among hard-line and moderate Republicans in the Ohio House, as well as a political rivalry between Republicans in the House and Senate, have roiled the Legislature for well over a year.

The Legislature approved only 16 bills in its 2023 session, The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported in January, including measures establishing Nov. 19 as James A. Garfield Day, in honor of the Ohio-born 20th president, and setting July as Sarcoma Awareness Month. The total was the lowest since at least the Eisenhower administration in the 1950s, the newspaper said.

Michael Wines is a national correspondent, writing about voting and election issues. He is based in Washington, D.C. More about Michael Wines

Our Coverage of the 2024 Election

Presidential Race: News and Analysis

After seven weeks of legal wrangling and tawdry testimony, Donald Trump’s criminal trial in Manhattan is in the hands of the jury , the final stage of the landmark case.

President Biden made an aggressive push to head off Trump’s modest gains among Black voters, condemning his Republican opponent as a racist .

An anti-Trump effort by Black faith leaders and activists signals that at least some of Biden’s critics on the left  will work to defeat his G.O.P. rival.

Sowing Election Doubt:  Trump has baselessly and publicly cast doubt about the fairness of the 2024 election  about once a day, on average, since he announced his candidacy.

Bringing Trump Into Focus:  For all the news that Trump makes, the Biden campaign is struggling to make the 2024 race about the former president .

Trump’s Bygone Era:  The greed-is-good era of the 1980s was the last time Trump's preferred public image was intact, and he’s been returning there in ways large and small .

Lawlessness as an Election Issue:  In most U.S. cities, rates of homicide and violent assault are down significantly from pandemic-era highs. But property crimes have risen, fueling voter anxiety .

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