Thread: Family Reunion Cruise advice

Hi,

My 8 brothers and sisters and their families and my elderly mother usually rent a huge house at the beach. A few of us have become enamored with cruising and the others are excited to try it. So, we are trying to get a trip together for next summer (2010) and would like to go to the Caribbean from one of the Northeastern ports, we also want 7 or more days. Would we be able to get a group rate? There are more than 20 of us. The cabin needs are varied, some families requiring either a suite or connecting rooms. Anyone have any advice? My brother and I both have TAs, but neither of us have talked to them yet.

Thanks for any help or advice you can give me!

Kay

Carnival has 2 ships sailing from the Northeast next summer. The Miracle is sailing out of NYC and the Pride is sailing out of Baltimore (if you consider that the Northeast). There is group pricing available for both ships, with varying amount of GAP points available, depending on sail date.

You should realize that these dates were released a while ago, as a result, there may be limited availability for connecting cabins (these always go first when families are traveling, such as school vacations, holidays, etc.).

I would recommend booking sooner, rather than later, if this is something you think your family would like to do. A travel agent should be able to hold group space for you for 30 days, while you figure out the logistics with your family. Please note, you will not be able to pick out specific cabins, until you are fully deposited.

Thanks for all the great information. I have another question -- What are GAP points AND Does Royal Caribbean offer group rates as well?

Yes, I do consider NY and Balt. northeastern. We are in between both ports.

Thanks again!

Gap Points can equate to on board credit. Royal Caribbean most certainly does give them. Royal has sailings out of Baltimore and Bayonne and I have used Bayonne and the Explorer of the Seas quite a few times. You definitely will get a group rate and can get maybe even a better one with a good travel agent. My opinion - you book early, check for price drops and get the most out of your Gap Points that way.

Hi Kay and welcome to CLF. You will always get great advice here as you've already discovered. Keep us posted on your adventures!! Sounds like a great time for your Family!!!

We had a family reunion cruise two years ago on the Radiance of the Seas. There were 26 of us. Ten days with MY relations was TOO long! Now we all hate each other

Yikes! So sorry GeneK!

Originally Posted by kdbcruzer

Yikes! So sorry GeneK!

It was a nightmare! The ones with little kids were ALWAYS late for dinner. Sometimes we had to wait a whole hour for some of them to get ready. Since we had early seating, we barely had time to eat! Others were always late for excursions and while waiting we missed the bus. A few of them were always drunk, others were always borrowing money in the casino, which they never paid back. NEVER again! But I hope it works out for you. Let me know

Originally Posted by GeneK

It was a nightmare! The ones with little kids were ALWAYS late for dinner. Sometimes we had to wait a whole hour for some of them to get ready. Since we had early seating, we barely had time to eat! Others were always late for excursions and while waiting we missed the bus. A few of them were always drunk, others were always borrowing money in the casino, which they never paid back. NEVER again! But I hope it works out for you. Let me know

I'm sure this isn't funny to you Gene, but I'm ROTFLMAO.......

Originally Posted by hanna

I'm sure this isn't funny to you Gene, but I'm ROTFLMAO.......

LMAO too Hanna, now that it's over. Saves me a lot of money on Christmas cards and gifts!