How to save cruising with friends & family!
Whether embarking on a group trip for a celebration or simply vacationing with friends, cruise lines excel at accommodating groups. Special programs are available that offer additional benefits when organizing a group cruise - including the potential to cruise for free - but understanding how to effectively utilize these programs is key. This article will explore how group bookings function and provide crucial insights for when coordinating a cruise with loved ones.
Before we get started:
Due to the complex considerations and advantages linked with booking and negotiating group travel, it is highly recommended for individuals interested in group trips to collaborate with an experienced travel agent. Further details on this will be provided below, but it is essential to emphasize this point at the outset.
What is a cruise group?
When a sufficient number of staterooms are occupied by guests intentionally traveling together who share a common bond (such as being family or friends, members of the same church or club, etc.), cruise lines may offer special considerations to these group members that individual guests booking separately may not receive.
Travel agents, also known as travel advisors, frequently combine individuals from affinity groups with unrelated bookings on the same cruise to secure additional amenities for all guests aboard, even if the occupants of these staterooms are not acquainted. Nevertheless, for the purpose of our discussion, we will focus on groups where all members booked the same cruise in order to travel together, such as for a family reunion at sea.
It is important to note that everyone in the group is not required to pay together or stay in the same type of staterooms - in fact, there are few significant restrictions for group bookings.
In order to receive group benefits, the majority of contemporary and premium cruise lines typically necessitate the booking of at least sixteen lower berths. The first two occupants in a stateroom are typically considered to occupy the lower berths (with upper berths denoting bunk beds, although the specific type of bedding is not relevant for this discussion). Consequently, a minimum of eight staterooms with two occupants each would be needed to meet this requirement. However, it is important to note that certain cruise lines may have varying stipulations, such as a different number of lower berths or the exclusion of specific sailings from group benefits.
What are the advantages of organizing a cruise group?
When organizing a group cruise, various perks and incentives are available to participants. Similar to the criteria for forming a group, these benefits differ based on the cruise line and specific voyage, but the following details are generally applicable across a wide range of scenarios.
Group Amenity Points
Groups receive Group Amenity Points (GAPs), with the quantity of points varying based on the specific voyage. These points can be utilized by the group organizer in various ways, such as securing onboard credit, organizing a cocktail party, or purchasing gifts like bottles of champagne.
More favorable rates or group prices
This aspect of group bookings is often complex and varies greatly, influenced by numerous factors. By arranging a group booking in advance, it may be possible to secure current rates so that individuals joining later, when prices have increased, can benefit from the initial booking rates. A skilled travel agent may be able to collaborate with the cruise line's sales team to obtain discounted rates, particularly if the group is flexible with departure dates and can assist in filling sailings that are not booking up rapidly.
There is no definitive guarantee that groups will receive lower rates, and the calculation process is not standard. However, creating a group does offer the potential benefit of securing discounted rates.
Additional perks for groups
The most frequent extra benefits that cruise lines provide to groups include onboard credits, drink vouchers, complimentary specialty dining, prepaid gratuities, free internet, complimentary cocktail parties, and other special considerations.
If a group is sufficiently large, it might be feasible to arrange special amenities or activities that are not typically offered as part of the standard package. This could include reserving public venues or activities exclusively for the group, such as having an hour of exclusive access to a shipboard surf simulator or rock-climbing wall without any other guests in line.
And then they have Tour Conductor Credits
Curious about how to cruise for free? By organizing a group, you may have the opportunity to have your fare covered through Tour Conductor Credits (TCs) offered by cruise lines. The number of rooms and berths needed to earn TCs varies by cruise line, but typically, for every eight double occupancy rooms in a group, one TC is awarded. Therefore, if your group consists of sixteen rooms, you could potentially have the fare covered for two individuals sharing a stateroom.
The type of credit awarded varies depending on the cruise line. Some may calculate the credit based on the average fare of the group, while others may offer a fixed amount. If, for instance, the group organizer earns two TCs for an ocean-view stateroom but desires a balcony, they can choose to pay the extra amount in cash.
Alternatively, the TCs can be "cashed out" and the monetary value distributed among all members of the group to lessen everyone's cruise expenses, or the value can be allocated as Onboard Credit (OBC) instead of covering the group organizer's own cruise fare.
How to arrange a group
Do not attempt to plan this alone. I cannot stress this point enough. A proficient travel agent can be beneficial in any situation, but for a group, their assistance becomes even more crucial. There are two primary reasons why engaging a reputable travel agent is vital when organizing a group cruise.
Experience navigating & negotiating
When reviewing the possible benefits of organizing a group, it is apparent that while certain perks such as Group Amenity Points and Tour Conductor credits are clear and determined by cruise line regulations, other advantages necessitate a more nuanced approach. Establishing connections with key figures at the cruise line and possessing a thorough understanding of the system can be extremely advantageous. Do you believe you are sufficiently informed and prepared to assemble a group? Now, envision the advantages that stem from the expertise and proficiency of a skilled travel agent - one who has collaborated with groups across various cruise lines.
You don't want to be the point of contact for the group
If you're coordinating a group for your relatives, old schoolmates, or colleagues, you likely don't want to deal with every question or modification that arises among group members. Rather than having your phone constantly ring when Uncle Ted inquires about vegan meal options on the cruise, or when your friend Tanya contemplates upgrading from a verandah to a suite, allow your travel agent to manage these communications. This approach also ensures that you have a knowledgeable professional available to respond promptly to your inquiries.
For further details concerning group cruises, please feel free to reach out to me through the designated contact information.
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