Benefit of "group cruising" - Page 2 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

packard89 · 04-07-2009, 06:29 PM

Thanks everyone for the responses. I have some decisions to make and I will defintely come back to this thread if I have more questions. (I'm sure I will.)

Thanks again,
Kirsten

my vacation lady · 04-08-2009, 11:14 AM

The other TA's answered this so well. My suggestion is to book your group as early as you can to get the best pricing, availalbilty and amenity points. Since you are looking at a holiday sailing, there may already be many groups blocked on this sailing and the cruise lines often limit the # of cabins accounted for in group space and what they leave open for individual reservations.

I would also suggest that you over estimate the # of cabins you think you might need for your group by a little bit. It is typically easier to reduce the unsold space rather than increase the # of cabins at the original rate. I don't mean that if you think you will need 8 cabins you tell your travel agent to hold 50 but perhaps 12. This will also give you the option of blocking a few different categories of cabins, just in case your groups want inside, oceanview and balconies.

If your group wants cabins as close to each other as possible, plan to put down the full deposit with names of each guest so your TA can get cabins assigned. If this is a family cruise and you will need triple and quad cabins, each cruise line handles that differently. Some may put some in your group allotment. Others will give you pricing for the 3rd and 4th guest (which can be subject to change until deposited) but not allocate any cabins for you until lyou have names to give them.

Work with a travel agent that you feel comfortable with and happy planning.

packard89 · 04-08-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my vacation lady

The other TA's answered this so well. My suggestion is to book your group as early as you can to get the best pricing, availalbilty and amenity points. Since you are looking at a holiday sailing, there may already be many groups blocked on this sailing and the cruise lines often limit the # of cabins accounted for in group space and what they leave open for individual reservations.

I would also suggest that you over estimate the # of cabins you think you might need for your group by a little bit. It is typically easier to reduce the unsold space rather than increase the # of cabins at the original rate. I don't mean that if you think you will need 8 cabins you tell your travel agent to hold 50 but perhaps 12. This will also give you the option of blocking a few different categories of cabins, just in case your groups want inside, oceanview and balconies.

If your group wants cabins as close to each other as possible, plan to put down the full deposit with names of each guest so your TA can get cabins assigned. If this is a family cruise and you will need triple and quad cabins, each cruise line handles that differently. Some may put some in your group allotment. Others will give you pricing for the 3rd and 4th guest (which can be subject to change until deposited) but not allocate any cabins for you until lyou have names to give them.

Work with a travel agent that you feel comfortable with and happy planning.

Thank you for the advise.

suntanshipshape · 06-26-2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sue miller

I am a group leader here on CLF and when we have enough credits for a free berth or cabin, we have not taken the free berth or cabin, we use it to get the group extras, for example a free meal in a specialty restaurant for the group. I think all TA's and group leaders do diiferent things. As a group leader here I get zip, only included in what the group gets.

for you.