Advice-Family Reunion Cruise

[Wanna_Cruize]

Just finished talking to my mom, and have decided to organize a cruise next Sept for her 90th birthday. Going to be a short 4-night so people don’t have to take more than 1 week off work, and will be fairly inexpensive.

 

I come from a large family so it’s likely we would have more than 8 cabins. I have a couple of questions so thought I’d put them out here:

 

1) PVP vs. TA? We’re platinum & I’ve booked most all our own trips directly with Carnival. I usually contact my current PVP after I’ve made all the decisions Is there a real benefit to booking via a TA in this circumstance?

 

2) Will we have to put down deposits on all the cabins, or is that the benefit of going through a group desk and/or TA? How long will they hold a block of cabins?

 

3) I have a friend of a friend who is a TA (actually met them on our last cruise) but wondered if I contacted her with these questions if it would ‘obligate’ me to book through her if there is no benefit to do so.

 

3) We will need to reserve at least 2 handicapped. Are these available with group or other specialty rates?

 

4) We have special offers currently avail (casino rates, platinum special, etc) would a potential group rate be better than that, or could they be used and still count towards the total # of cabins booked?

 

5) definitely going to suggest everyone get travel insurance, esp because of Moms age. Anyone know about Varvivals plan re: pre-existing conditions?

 

 

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[Wanna_Cruize]

Varnivals = Carnival’s (stupid fat fingers on phone)

 

 

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[wemjam]

There is a special "extension" for group bookings. I believe it is for 10 cabins or more though. If you will have this, I would contact them and they can help. Just call the main Carnival number and they can direct you.

 

Otherwise, just book yourself or get help from PVP (which is what I would do). Deposit requirements should be the same regardless of how you do it.

 

I would book as soon as possible, as handicap rooms are limited, so if you are sure you need/want these you will want to make sure you can get them.

[easyboy]

Suggest you lay out your situation to a reputable TA or TAs and let them offer you their best deal. Asking for offers does not mean you are committed to accept them.

 

 

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[kctwinmommy]

While I've never been in that big of a group, we've had 4 cabins together before. We always booked them with a PVP through Carnival. We've had the same one for over 10 years now actually. But I like having that extra certainty in knowing someone is looking at all the logistics with an overall view and they can help if there's problems. He always had our dining reservations connected and the cabins near each other (2 of us always did balconies, so we usually had cabins next to each other).

[rtfnl]

If you book with a PVP be sure to let him/her know that you want to book as a group in order to get amenity points which may/may not be available depending on you sailing. If you use a casino promotion rate - the cabin will not count towards the group. If you decide to book directly contact the Groups Dept. For my group of 78 I collected money from everyone and paid Carnival directly. Individual booking numbers are given only after the cabin has a zero balance.

 

I like to have control over my booking as to why I no longer use a TA. If you use a TA Carnival will not speak with you - everything must be handled by a TA.

[WaggesAZ]

I think that I would use a TA or a PVP if you have a good one, it would be easier to have one person to assist everyone and have the same information relayed. If you are trying to do the group rate, I would recommend that you book it that way from the get go. With your cabin requirements, you wouldn't want to move to a group after the fact because Carnival would require you cancel and rebook and they turn those rooms loose during the rebooking, so no guarantee you'll get them back.

 

We currently have 8 cabins booked and that qualified for group rate, but it is a week long. Shorter cruises may have a larger number of cabins required. I have always booked with a big box TA and this was the email (somewhat edited ;)) I received when I inquired about transferring to a group through that TA and it may help answer some of your questions:

 

Thank you for contacting "Big Box TA" group department for your group cruise proposal. Below please find some general information regarding rates and the booking process.

 

Group Amenity: For every eight (8) double, triple or quad occupancy staterooms, one (1) guest is free, excluding $257.25 in port charges and taxes. This credit (Tour Conductor Credit or TC) is applied prior to final payment and is based on the lowest category booked within the group.

 

Additional Group Amenity: With a minimum of 8 cabins, additional onboard credit of $75 per stateroom is being offered for this sailing, subject to change until bookings are confirmed

 

Group Leader Responsibilities: We communicate with one person, a Group Leader. Please let your participants know to contact you for any questions or concerns about the cruise. Of course, if you need any information or assistance, do not hesitate to contact us.

 

At this time, no space is held. Rates are subject to availability and can change without notice. All rates quoted are on a per person (PP) basis, based on double occupancy. Single occupancy rates available upon request and are generally double of the per person rate minus some of the taxes.All rates quoted are in US dollars.

 

Past Passenger discounts may vary. During the booking process we will apply these and notify you of any discounts if available.

 

Taxes and Fees: Group rates include port charges, taxes and fees. However, any increase in fees, taxes or surcharges, including fuel supplements, which are imposed by the government and/or the cruise line are outside the control of Travel Agent and are the passenger’s responsibility to pay, even if the booking is paid in full.

 

Deposit Amount: $250.00 per person at time of booking (single occupancy staterooms require double the per person deposit), fully refundable up to final payment. Suites and Family cabins may require additional deposits. Group cabins are booked with a deposit and final payment. Due to the complexities of managing multiple cabins, we are unable to accept partial or interim payments.

 

Final Payment Due: 90 days prior to departure (except for certain holiday or longer than 7-night sailings).

 

Names changes: Name changes are allowed at Carnival’s discretion. Name changes are subject to cancellation charges and rate increases. Service fees apply to name changes. Name changes are not permitted for guests with airfare.

 

Occupancy Changes: Occupancy changes may require a cabin number and/or category change. Rates can increase due to occupancy changes.

 

Travel with Minors:

·Infants must be 6 months old (12 months for Transatlantic, Hawaii and Transpacific) to be eligible to travel.

·Guests under the age of 13 years must travel in the same stateroom with a parent, grandparent or court-appointed legal guardian. relative or guardian 25 years or older.

·Guests between 13 and 17 years of age must travel with their parent, grandparent or court-appointed legal guardian in either: the same stateroom or can be separated by up to three staterooms down or across the hall.

·Guests 18 through 20 years of age traveling with a parent, grandparent, or court-appointed legal guardian are not required to be within close proximity of the adult’s stateroom if assigned in separate staterooms.

·Guests less than 21 years of age, not traveling with a parent, grandparent or court-appointed legal guardian, must travel with an adult 25 years of age or older in the same stateroom

 

Cancellation Penalties: Penalties for cancellations become effective after final payment and will increase as the sailing date approaches.

 

Process to set up a group:

• Call or email your group agent when you are ready to book. Advise number of staterooms, occupancy and category you anticipate needing.
  
• At the time we receive names and deposits, we will book any available category based on the prevailing rates of the day.
  
• The group participants fax their forms with their stateroom request and payment information for a minimum of 8 staterooms.
  
• The stateroom assignments are confirmed to the Group Leader via a Financial Status Report.
  
• The Group Leader will pass information to group participants, verify spelling of legal names, and get participants’ approval on the assigned stateroom.
  
• Once the minimum number of staterooms has been received, a Group Agreement, confirming all deadlines, required documentation and additional information, is sent to the Group Leader for acknowledgment and signature.
  
• The group is turned over to a “Finalizer” within the group department, who will work with you until your group sails and assist you with dining assignments, special meetings, final documentation, etc. The Finalizer also will be able to add additional staterooms, if needed.
  

Minimum Group Size: For sailings of five or more days, the minimum group size is eight double, triple or quad occupancy staterooms.

I hope you find this helpful!

[jgh1204]

Not sure were you are sailing from, but from Galveston, the 4 day cruises are more expensive than the 5 day.

[SadieN]

Book far enough ahead that you can get the two HC cabins you need.

 

 

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[Wanna_Cruize]

Thanks for all the help. Just got home and had a chance to check this thread. I agree I need to get this rolling as soon as possible so we can lock down some of the cabins. This is just a quick Catalina/Mexico trip we've done lots of times before. It's just the group wrinkle that I'm unsure of.

 

Think I'll throw my questions out to the TA acquaintance and see what she says/offers, and then ck tact my PVP and ask the same questions. Thanks for the advice.

[Athankfulheart]

One thing that your TA can offer that a PVP/groups person cannot is a 25pp deposit/hold for 90 days from when the group is created. As a group leader, this isnt my fav way of doing things though, because I find that people are less likely to back out when a bigger deposit is on the line. It may be an advantage to your family group. Either way you will get the amenity pts and obc with your group rate. Very few people are booked on our group rate because there have been better promos. The nice thing is that promo based OBC and our amenity OBC are stackable.

 

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