Family reunion

[pmcantrll]

Have anyone done a family reunion cruise and that can give me some feedback on how it went?

 

 

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[Ocean Dancer]

We are in the process of doing a small one now and will let you know when we get back in Oct. If you book 8 cabins, one of you goes free, plus taxes of course........That is 15 people and the 16th is free. Good luck and have fun planning!!:)

[firefly333]

We are in the process of doing a small one now and will let you know when we get back in Oct. If you book 8 cabins, one of you goes free, plus taxes of course........That is 15 people and the 16th is free. Good luck and have fun planning!!:)

 

Actually you get one berth, minus port charges which are part of the cruisefare of the most booked type of cabin, usually inside. (NCFs, non commisonable fare, which is part of the cruisefare).

 

so if the cruisefare is say $579 per person .. subtract out about $160 for port fees, and one person would get $419 off their fare.

 

Plus the other 7 cabins who pay the group fare to get this perk, will pay a little extra over the regular fare to get any points for perks for the group. Nothing is free when you book with Carnival.

[Cruizinman]

If everyone is laid back , its not a problem. Remember the key word laid back ;). Picking a cruise date where everyone can agree on , whew ! :eek:

 

Short cruise will be your best bet. The closer to the port the better off you are. Just incase you lose you insanity and are in dire need of exorcist :p;)

[pmcantrll]

Ok thank you guys for the information

 

 

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[pmcantrll]

We are in the process of doing a small one now and will let you know when we get back in Oct. If you book 8 cabins, one of you goes free, plus taxes of course........That is 15 people and the 16th is free. Good luck and have fun planning!!:)

 

I would love to hear how everything went for you. Do you get to board the ship before everyone else and will that block off some rooms for you and how will the dining area go.

 

 

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[pmcantrll]

I am really looking forward to doing this and I will need all the feedback that I can get. Thank you guys so much for your input.

 

 

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[Carnival_Brides]

We got married on the Pride and had 13 of our nearest and dearest scheduled to join us for the cruise. It was an experience and it was fabulous, but it was a bit of work to get it all together. The best part of the cruise was that there was something for everyone.

 

We didn't do a group booking because there were too many limitations and the price was way too high. We booked 5 balconies and 1 oceanview for $6500 on our own as Early Saver. To book as a group and get that "free berth" and cocktail party with the amenity points was $8500 for the same cabins.

[Ocean Dancer]

Actually you get one berth, minus port charges which are part of the cruisefare of the most booked type of cabin, usually inside. (NCFs, non commisonable fare, which is part of the cruisefare).

 

so if the cruisefare is say $579 per person .. subtract out about $160 for port fees, and one person would get $419 off their fare.

 

Plus the other 7 cabins who pay the group fare to get this perk, will pay a little extra over the regular fare to get any points for perks for the group. Nothing is free when you book with Carnival.

 

Are you a T/A? Your info is not 100% accurate, and most ALL cruise lines offer the "buy 8 cabins, one person goes free" as I said. You must pay for port taxes, gov't fees, but the cruise lines do let you go free as their fare is excluded. Families usually divide up the total so all pay the same.

[Ocean Dancer]

I would love to hear how everything went for you. Do you get to board the ship before everyone else and will that block off some rooms for you and how will the dining area go.

 

 

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I certainly will get back to you. My advice is to talk to several T/A's and find one that you are comfortable with. You will have to deposit the rooms you want and yes, you can all eat together at the same table since your reservations will be linked. Sometimes planning is one of the best parts of cruising, and cruising will be a wonderful way to celebrate a reunion as there will be something for everyone.:)

[hloakes]

We went on a cruise for my parents' 50th anniversary. We had a group of 18. We looked at booking as a group, but to do this, one person has to handle all the reservations and money. I elected not to do this because if anyone back out, I would be left holding the reservation and the cost.

 

Everyone used the same planner at Carnival, so our reservation were linked without one person having to handle everything. We lost the potential discount or free berth, but I did not want the hassle of taking care of the payments and the potential of having to pay for someone who could not. It also allows each family to choose their own cabins and prices.

 

There were a few rough patches, but we had a good time.

[redtxn1]

We did a family reunion on the Magic last New Year's. There were 32 of us and we did do the group booking.

 

We had an absolute blast! We had a couple of hiccups, mainly related to the MDR. Instead of seating us all in the same area, as the group directors indicated would happen, we ended up spread around the MDR. Because we were celebrating birthdays, anniversary's, etc. it made for some rearranging of people on certain nights. However, to make up for this snafu, Maitre D Ken Byrne offered our group a pretty in depth tour through the galley. Also, they set us up in a private party room and provided cakes and champagne for all of us.

 

We did a couple of group pictures, all 32 of us, standing on the staircase in the lobby. The camera person prompted us to sing Sweet Caroline (instead of saying "cheese")...we were quite the spectacle to the crowd that begin forming around us.

 

Anyway, we all did our own thing in port and then met back up for dinner. On sea days, some were at the pool, some at the casino, some exercising...just a very relaxing vacation and always had at least one buddy to do whatever you wanted.

[CruiseAwesome]

If everyone is laid back , its not a problem. Remember the key word laid back ;). Picking a cruise date where everyone can agree on , whew ! :eek:

 

Short cruise will be your best bet. The closer to the port the better off you are. Just incase you lose you insanity and are in dire need of exorcist :p;)

 

The story of my life! We went back and forth for months for our Thanksgiving cruise!

[sandytxtx]

We have done the reunion x2 now. They were 10 years a part. It is the best thing you can do. You don't have to worry whos house to meet up at, no one has to cook all the time, no one has to clean up all the time, no one has to make up beds, do dishes, carry out trash, or clean . Every one goes and does what they want during the day. The important thing is EVERY ONE DOES WHAT HE R SHE WANTS TO, then you get together at night, have drinks, and eat dinner. Share what everyone did that day. we did games like scavenger ( spelt wrong ) and at night check and see who go the most things on the list. Pictures with certain waiters, are doing silly things. Just go with it and have fun, after all it is every ones vacation. We start planning at lest a year ahead of time, so everyone can get the vacations at the same time. Have fun

[SadieN]

We are in the process of doing a small one now and will let you know when we get back in Oct. If you book 8 cabins, one of you goes free, plus taxes of course........That is 15 people and the 16th is free. Good luck and have fun planning!!:)

 

 

In the process of planning our 6th group cruise.

Carnival will refund the free berth fare (commissionable part) after the cruise has taken place. Some TA's will cover the cost at time of booking knowing this.

 

OP- Group cruises can be fun.

-Use a TA or Carnival PVP whether you do an official group cruise or not.. S/he will field any and all questions. It is great for saving your sanity.

-DO NOT HERD CATS. Let everyone do there own thing during the day. That's not to say don't do anything together but don't force Aunt Mary to snorkel when she wants to shop.

-Link your reservations for dinner. Assigned dining works best for large groups.

[mzthaij]

We went on a cruise for my parents' 50th anniversary. We had a group of 18. We looked at booking as a group, but to do this, one person has to handle all the reservations and money. I elected not to do this because if anyone back out, I would be left holding the reservation and the cost.

 

Everyone used the same planner at Carnival, so our reservation were linked without one person having to handle everything. We lost the potential discount or free berth, but I did not want the hassle of taking care of the payments and the potential of having to pay for someone who could not. It also allows each family to choose their own cabins and prices.

 

There were a few rough patches, but we had a good time.

 

this is what i'm doing now. i did not what to be hunting people down for money. i think for a group larger than 8 this the best way. well for us any way.

 

 

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[Smiling Cruiser]

I've been part of groups onCarnival before. The group leader talks with group dept. and determines the # and types of rooms to be held. That info is given to invited guests by you (group leader). Guests call and book using the group booking number. No one holds their money. At a pre-arranged date any of your groups rooms not purchased will be released. The group perks will depend on the total number actually purchased, not reserved.

 

 

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[subieroo]

Interested to see what other responses are coming. in the process of planning for a 50 person reunion in 2 years.

[LittleJeanne]

We have a group that travels together 1x per year. At one point several of us used to work together . Two of us had been on multiple cruises with family and one of the ladies spearheaded getting us all together. She had a TA that she had used for years for her family cruises. We have generally booked through this TA for our fall group cruise.

 

The last 2 years she got us a group rate because of the number of rooms we had. We let her take care of all the arrangements and hassle. We just told each person to contact her. She worked it out that instead of someone getting their room free she split the amount Carnival would have given us for that room back into OBC for each room.

 

Last year our cruise sold out well before we left and there never was any kind of real price drops. After months of watching I really did feel like the price she got us was a bit cheaper than what most cabins were priced.

 

This year our group shrunk down to just 3 couples. So a group booking wasn't necessary.

We chose Hawaii for next year at our cruise last year. But when we started planning it we've had a few back out and once again didn't qualify for the group rate. So, our days of booking as a group may be ending.

 

The last 2 years they were not able to seat us all at the same table. But, we were at tables right next to each other. So it made it easy to still be a part of each others dinner.

[wmowan8485]

Doing a first family reunion cruise in 2 weeks on the Victory. Guess who got stuck being the lead on this? :eek: Anyway, we did not go through the group dept. because we have an aft wrap, an extended balcony and 5 insides booked.

The group prices were so much more than just booking early saver and we were able to take advantage of several price drops. Our bookings are linked and we have late seating for dinner. Everyone gets to choose what they want to do during the day and we will all get together for dinner. We'll all probably hit the comedy club at the same time too. :)

 

I will assume that you will be the lead so be careful to pick a date that the majority can make. You will not be able to please everyone. I've heard from some family members, I've done those ports before to I've been on that ship twice already. I do agree with a previous poster that you may want to keep it to the 4 - 5 day sailings. Especially if your family is anything like mine. :eek:

 

We have t-shirts for embarkation and door decorations featuring precious family photos. After a year of planning, we leave in 15 days and I couldn't be more excited. If you're up to the challenge go for it, just keep in mind that all of work and frustrations will be worth it in the end.

[MrPete]

I put one together for about 21 of us after a family member died. Pretty much a democracy with different key members proposing differentlines, ships, and itineraries. I "won."

 

Didn't organize a thing. Everyone was relaxed, and did their own thing, and it was just fun when some ad hoc stuff was happening.

 

What WAS funny to me was CCL had just launched their VIP program, and I was enjoying all these visits from officers, invitations to private parties with top shelf alcohol and hors d'ouevres, wine, etc. I later found out these were all perks for group leaders.

[pmcantrll]

If you do a group are u able to get on the ship early or still the same time

 

 

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[Cruizinman]

Regular time, but those that purchase FTTF or are Diamond ,Platinum will board early.

[sjcruiser]

If everyone is laid back , its not a problem. Remember the key word laid back ;). Picking a cruise date where everyone can agree on , whew ! :eek:

 

Short cruise will be your best bet. The closer to the port the better off you are. Just incase you lose you insanity and are in dire need of exorcist :p;)

 

I had been trying to organize one for several years, and it is major headache to say the least, especially for someone like me who likes to plan everything, or have everything set to time schedules as far as the initial interest meetings/email, itineraries, ships, etc. I started planning in the summer of 2011, for cruising in summer 2012, and had all the prelogistics laid out with payment arrangements, etc., Most who lived in the NE would have short car, bus, or train ride to NYC, so airfare was only an issue for maybe a handful. Needless to say, the group went from around 80, to 15, but it was fine and very manageable, but never again. Sailing next month, I joined an extended family members family reunion cruise. What I do now is book, tell them I'm going, which ship and where, see who's interested, and have them either book themselves, or I book for them and have them make the payments.

[Cruizinman]

I had been trying to organize one for several years, and it is major headache to say the least, especially for someone like me who likes to plan everything, or have everything set to time schedules as far as the initial interest meetings/email, itineraries, ships, etc. I started planning in the summer of 2011, for cruising in summer 2012, and had all the prelogistics laid out with payment arrangements, etc., Most who lived in the NE would have short car, bus, or train ride to NYC, so airfare was only an issue for maybe a handful. Needless to say, the group went from around 80, to 15, but it was fine and very manageable, but never again. Sailing next month, I joined an extended family members family reunion cruise. What I do now is book, tell them I'm going, which ship and where, see who's interested, and have them either book themselves, or I book for them and have them make the payments.

A wise man :) Enjoy your cruise .