Thread: Help, least expensive cabin arrangement for 5 on Oasis?

I'm trying to help a friend get on my reunion cruise and I need to keep it as inexpensive as I can. It's her and her husband and three little kids. E. Caribbean 4/7/2012

I'm wondering if anyone has ideas?

Unfortunately there is nothing inexpensive about Oasis and especially Spring break. The least expensive would probably be two insides that connect or a family inside if any are left.

Also if this is a reunion cruise, is it a group? Maybe the group rates are a little less?

The good thing is since it is over a year away they could make payments on it monthly to help soften the blow.

MaryKLady, since this is a reunion cruise, you would have Group Rates, so as Jen mentioned, select an Inside cabin. Cruisefares are higher on Oasis Of The Seas. I have Group space for Oasis in September, 2011, and an Inside cabin then is $1,061..36 per person, taxes and fees included. The 3rd, 4th and 5th passengers staying in the same cabin would get a discount. Contact the agent who booked your cruise and talk to him or her.

For a family of 5 with little children, I would look at the family cabins or booking two connecting inside cabins and compare the prices of the two. Keep in mind that the family cabins sell out very quickly and are not necessarily the cheapest way to go. But believe it or not, often the balcony cabins overlooking the inside of the ship are the same price as the inside cabins since there are not alot of inside cabins on this ship.

As was mentioned, if you have at least 6 or 7 cabins, an agent can establish a group for you. While the group rates on RCCL are the same as individual rates, the Group Amenity Points (GAP) can be used to provide onboard credit, reduced rates, or other amenities.

Specializing in groups, I can tell you first hand that booking as early as possible is very important for groups, especially when wanting to sail during high season, such as Spring Break. So don't wait to have your agent establish the group as soon as possible.

Pete

Pete, is that always the case with Royal Caribbean, ie, their Group Rates are the same as the individual rates? I checked the individual rates for the week of travel for the group space I am holding and the group rates are lower than the individual rates.

It's possible that the group rates you have were secured before a price increase, which is not unusual especially if you book the group early and at a popular time to cruise. But RCCL changed their group rate policy about 2 years ago and now the group rates are the same as the individual rates. If you were to check them on the same day for the same cabin on the same sailing.

For example, I just looked at the Group Rates and the Individual Rates for the Freedom of the Seas on April 29, 2012 - they are exactly the same (category E1 $1069 per person). But there are 8 GAP points being offered, which would then allow you to offer $100 of onboard credit.

And let's not forget the Tour Credit (or TC). Often agents will keep this if they are the ones promoting the group, but if someone else brings the group to the agent, then this can be used to help reduce the cruise fare for everyone. Usually doesn't turn out to be much (sometimes as little as $20 - $35 per person) depending on the number and types of cabins.

Carnival tends to offer good group rates - sometimes $100 less per person. But their GAP points aren't as good. Plus, their Early Saver Fares are usually better than their group fares.

That's the thing about groups; there are many details and options to worry about.

Pete

CLF, where Travel Agents work together. I like the sound of that.

Originally Posted by MCcruiser

CLF, where Travel Agents work together. I like the sound of that.

It's called networking, Mindy. Then I turn to my trusted researcher when I need other pertinent information, lol.

Pete, that's possible. I checked the group rates I have against the individual rates sometime after I secured said group rates. The group was booked very early, more than a year out.
I have noticed Carnival's early Saver rates are cheaper than their group rates.
Thanks Pete.