Thread: TA doing a group who gets the free berth?

Several of us are looking into doing a group cruise. If we do so, who will get the free berth? If our TA decides to go with us will she/he take this from us and stay in the cabin? We were hoping to split the cost of the cabins between the group to come up with a small discount.

Here is another question. In order to get enough cabins to do a group what if we have to open the group up to anyone that would like to go? Would a TA take this on and still apply the same savings to the group? I realize the savings would be very little.

Originally Posted by jsme

Several of us are looking into doing a group cruise. If we do so, who will get the free berth? If our TA decides to go with us will she/he take this from us and stay in the cabin? We were hoping to split the cost of the cabins between the group to come up with a small discount.

Here is another question. In order to get enough cabins to do a group what if we have to open the group up to anyone that would like to go? Would a TA take this on and still apply the same savings to the group? I realize the savings would be very little.

The free berth is determined between the group leader and the TA. It also depends on the cruiseline you choose. The TA shouldn't take the free berth for their own cabin, JMHO. Royal Caribbean doesn't allow you to split the free berth, but Carnival does. I leave it up to the group leader, what they want to do with the free berth!

I have a bunch of groups that I am going to be helping to fill the whole space, as the initial people may not have enough. No big deal really.

Feel free to ask any more questions...

Thank you Delores I had no idea how this worked. Thus why I asked. lol

I love this forum!!!

Reggie when are you going to answer?

Originally Posted by jsme

Reggie when are you going to answer?

Sorry Darlin, I didn't realize that I was on call.
I do try to put in a little time working.
Maybe Dolores and I should take shifts covering this section.

It's pretty much the same answer as above, it is worked out
between the TA and the group leader. In all actuality, the free berth is called a TC
as in Tour Conductor. It is often used by the person operating a tour or tour package. The same applies to hotels and some other travel services. Those are getting fewer and farther between though. Many of the large internet agencies book group space and just put the money collected for the berth that they get free in their own pocket, most of the time not even telling the client they are booking into a group.

Dividing up the free berth(s), is one of the most difficult things to determine.
The reason is that the amount depends on what cabin is booked and how many cabins are booked. You actually get a free berth for every 8 cabins sold and there are some instance when that number can be reduced less than 8 cabins, depending on the sailing date. The free berth is also in the category that you have the most cabins sold in. It's hard to make it a hard and fast dollar amount while the group is being promoted. That's why I leave it up to the group leader and the amenities and discounts are announced when the group is finalized.

Whew, sorry for running on like that.

Reggie

LOL...Reggie...I will take the early shift...you take the late...

For example, what are the discounts and amenities?

Group rates with some cruiselines are lower than if booked in individual...

The free berth discount....is too variable...approx. the cruise fare of one person...in the lowest category that the highest number of cabins is booked into. So if it is all 4A on a CCL cruise...it is NOT much, lol.

Amenities are things like onboard credits, wine, photo coupons...etc...

Thanks for answering so quick, Dolores. I was just wondering

No problem, Chudley...lol...for some weird reason I am wide awake! I am usally sound asleep by this hour, lol...

I'm just the opposite, I'm tired. I need to go to bed soon anyway, we're leaving town for the weekend.