Family of 24 on 50th anniversary cruise

[quilter06]

We want to take our family of 24 on a cruise to help us celebrate our 50th anniversary. Ages are from 76 to 4. Any suggestions for ship and itinerary? We'd sail from FL sometime near Thanksgiving of 2012 for 5 to 7 days. An early starting plan is necessary to get everyone scheduled. We've sailed on Princess and Celebrity but are open to other cruise lines.

Thanks for any tips.

[cb at sea]

I think a travel agent is what you need....they can give you all the info to choose the line and ship, and then, handle everyone's booking....you do NOT want to be responsible for taking care of everyone's reservations and activities!

 

I think any cruiseline going to the Caribbean will be a great time for all....go to a TA and get the brochures...

[boulders]

Most lines won't have their itineraries out for Thanksgiving 2012 until next spring. Some, like Disney, won't have them out until next fall.

[onthelake]

I think a place to start is to look at how many cabins/people per cabin (specific family groups). That may lead you to a specific cruise line. We are big Princess fans but any line will probably be just as good for you since it is a wonderful celebration and time to be together.

[bill turcotte]

Some lines have a discount for that many people , For every 10 people you may get one free ect ..

We went on a family cruise once . We had 5 cabins - they un locked all the walls between the balcanese which gave us an huge amount of space .

I would not get a outside travel agent incase thier is a price drop they you get the run around . every line has a in-house agent for large parties. In- house agents are more flexiable .

 

But you need to ask - what happens if thier is a price drop . What happens if -If the number of people change .( Do not get ship insurance ..) can you arrange a family meeting place and time on the ship ( an bar in off hour or confernce room .) What free-be will they set up for up . Snacks , lite apps , drinks ect.. ) Free family pictures ..The ships photo guys come to you to take photos .Can you saves a group of chairs for the shows so we can sit together . Thier a crazy amount of small stuff the ship will do if you ask before you pay .

[LisaT91403]

We have 23 people in our group going on Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) in June, ranging from 3 to 73 years old. We chose based on the ship itself, not on the itinerary per se. We really wanted lots of things for the kids to do (splash pad/kid's pool, mini golf, carousel, kid's club and babysitting, rock climbing, flow riders, zip line, etc.)...but also wanted lots of things for the adults as well.

 

On Royal Caribbean, you get one free passenger fare for each block of 8 cabins booked.