What is a Cruise Roll Call?

Whether you’re an outgoing social butterfly who can’t wait to start meeting your fellow passengers or the shy type who would feel more comfortable knowing a few people prior to sailing, signing up for a cruise ship roll call allows you to get to know people on your cruise while your feet are still on dry land. Learn more about roll calls:

1. What exactly is a cruise roll call? 

Technically, it's a forum thread for passengers on the same sailing. Think of it as a shared message board: Boards are broken down by ship and sail date, so the only people on the thread will be passengers you'll be sailing with on your cruise.

2. Is it just for meeting other people?

Nope, it's way more than that. Cruise ship roll calls are also a great source of information. For those who’ve never stepped foot on a ship, it’s an excellent opportunity to ask more experienced cruisers questions before the sailing. And even if it’s not your first cruise, it never hurts to ask those in the know for recommendations on everything from restaurants to shore excursions.

A roll call is a great planning tool for travelers who like to plan in advance. If, for example, you’d rather go scuba diving with friends than strangers, there’s no need to wait to see if you meet fellow divers on the ship — see if any are in your roll call. Some tours also offer discounted rates for groups, so bringing other travelers along can save you money. 

3. How do I join a roll call?

You can join roll calls on Cruiseline.com, but we've focused on optimizing the experience on our app, Shipmate. You'll get push notifications when someone replies to your question, and you can even send direct messages to other cruisers on your sailing. All you have to do is download the app, sign up for an account, then go to "My Cruises," select "Add Cruise," and find your ship and sailing. Once you have it, then click "Add Cruise." 

4. What can you do in a roll call?

If you have a burning question about anything from drink packages to shore excursions, go ahead and ask it. If you don't have a question, simply sign in and introduce yourself. It's not a bad idea to add a little about what you like to do and whom you’re traveling with since couples, families, and single cruisers will often look for different things on a cruise. Be sure to check your roll call often in case you can help answer other fellow passengers' questions and see what's new.

Join A Cruise Roll Call