Group Cruise Benefits - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

attagirl · 03-30-2007, 01:49 AM

Here are some reasons why it is beneficial to book group cruises.

Free Cruise
Some cruise ships will give one person a free Cruise rate as leader of the group, but you are still responsible for taxes. Or sometimes you can choose as the group leader to apply the rate to the entire group.
Amenities
Certain cruises have Amenities associated with them. Some Amenities include private or shared cocktail parties, free bus transportation or shipboard credits..
Customization
You choose whether you want to be involved in every detail or if you want to take a hands off approach. We can provide you with unlimited flyers to pass around to family, friends or co-workers. We can even mail them directly to prospective cruisers. Anyway you want us to set up the group is fine. You are the Boss!
Price
excellent discount pricing for all major cruise lines. This means we guarantee you and your group the absolute lowest price!
Service
personalized service and when it comes to groups this takes on even greater significance.

So for all you people who think that booking a group cruise is not beneficial hope this helps.

djgifford · 03-30-2007, 07:08 AM

Please note that for the FREE cruise, there are minimum requirements in the number of cabins booked.

Being a TA, I feel #5 is the most important. It is the number one reason to use a TA...SERVICE! Groups are more complicated than a single booking. Some people feel it is easier...but it is actually more work...I LOVE doing groups.

I would like to add #6. Fun...I find personally I have more fun on a cruise if I am cruising with a group of friends and/ or family.

Rex · 03-30-2007, 01:35 PM

nice list!

Cruise Planner · 03-30-2007, 03:14 PM

I agree 100% with Dolores!

Service is the most important thing with groups. There are alot of complaints from groups working directly with the cruise line or working with agents who are able to handle groups.

And that 'free cruise' is not quite accurate. You actually get a Tour Credit, or TC as it's called. This is based on the largest category booked - i.e. if you book some inside, some oceanview, and some balconies, the TC will be based on which of these categories had the most number booked. Some group leaders will use the TC's to help towards their cruise or apply the amount across the group and thereby lower the price for everyone. I've had some groups that will hold a raffle and the winner gets a free cruise - this is especially great if it's a church group or non-profit group that wants to raise some money.

You also get Group Amenity Points (or GAP). These can be used for various things such as putting wine, bathrobes, or other items in the cabin. Or they can be used to do a cocktail party or even to help lower the rates. Your agent can help with your particular situation.

But note that group space may not be available on all cruise lines or all sailings. During some of the more popular times of the year they may not be offering anything for groups since they don't need groups to fill the space. In other words, why reduce the price for a group when they know they will sell out at a higher price.

And as Dolores stated, groups require alot of work. Those of us who do groups on a regular basis enjoy them, but there are a huge number of details involved.

But they are fun! I've been on several myself and there's nothing like sharing a cruise with a bunch of people who have a common interest.

Pete

djgifford · 03-30-2007, 09:32 PM

Thanks Pete...

I had a terrible day today with an emergency for a group I had...notice I said had...NCL canceled a sailing (actually 2) and I had a group on one of them! Needless to say...the day has been crazy and my clients don't get their vacation in 8 weeks. UGHH!

Cruise Planner · 03-30-2007, 10:30 PM

I heard about the problems with the bearings on that ship. Ouch! That's going to be a pain getting the group settled again. I had a couple of clients on there so it wasn't a big deal for me, but I don't envy your chore. Plus the fact I never did like working with NCL, especially groups. They can be a real pain! Hope it turns out okay for you.

Pete

djgifford · 03-31-2007, 05:53 PM

thanks Pete!!

We are working on it...they aren't happy with the compensation from NCL either...so another obstacle!!

reggierail · 04-01-2007, 02:54 PM

We seem to have a consensus here.

I have had nothing but problems with virtually every NCL reservation that I have ever made. The latest involved repricing after final payment.
NCL just doesn't allow repricing after 75 days prior to sailing.
I just repriced 2 Celebrity bookings, actually under 45 days before sailing.
I've also done the same on Carnival.
NCL also charges double port charges for a solo cruiser.

OK, now that I've added my displeasure to the others re NCL.

That was a good list of benefits in booking a group.
There were very good points, but..........
The point about guaranteeing the best price isn't always possible.
There are occasionally special promos that apply to new bookings that
are actually cheaper than any group or individual pricing.
An example is RCCL's Happy Hour and Celebrity's Exceptional Deals.
They are applicable to new bookings only, repricing on existing bookings
is not permitted, either in or out of penalty.
Cancelling an existing booking to make a new booking at the lower price is also prohibitted.

So, it would be impossible to guarantee a group the absolute lowest possible price.

Reggie

LADodger99 · 04-02-2007, 08:33 AM

I have to agree about NCL being a pain to deal with. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are great for repricing. I had a client receive a refund on the Jewel of the Seas in December just two weeks prior to sailing.

jsme · 04-02-2007, 12:51 PM

Reggie is doing a group cruise for some of us here on CLF for November 2008 on the Pride. (FYI- if anyone is interested go to our group cruise site on the roll calls for CCL) He sold the idea to me very easily. They are worth the hard work.