Group travel

[depotma]

Hi-first time posting on this board. I usually book a group of about 65 people to sail in January. Have been faithful to Carnival. Never experienced any problems. Would like to change things up a bit though. I have experience with the group booking policies of Carnival. Can anyone explain the policy of Celebrity? Points, etc. Thanks in advance for any help. Sue

[canderson]

Hi-first time posting on this board. I usually book a group of about 65 people to sail in January. Have been faithful to Carnival. Never experienced any problems. Would like to change things up a bit though. I have experience with the group booking policies of Carnival. Can anyone explain the policy of Celebrity? Points, etc. Thanks in advance for any help. Sue

I'm assuming you're not a TA or you'd be talking directly to Celebrity -- but it sounds as though you do direct booking anyway rather than using a TA (who could tell you about this).

 

Anyway, Celebrity provides a 1 for 8 credit for group bookings.

 

As to "points", if you refer to Celebrity's frequent flyer program, anyone not previously enrolled will receive 1 or more points (would have to know cabin types and cruise length) if they enroll on their first cruise. Those already enrolled will receive their normal points - just be sure that their Captain's Club numbers are properly associated with their bookings.

[DancerOT]

Let me clarify what Canderson said. It is one free birth per 8 cabins, not a whole free cabin. Enjoy your cruise!

[ocngypz]

Celebrity's group policies are much more restrictive than Carnival's.

 

1. You cannot drop points.

 

2. TC's must sail

 

All sorts of other things as well.

 

GAP depends on the sailing. And you have to select from the GAP list.

 

There are all sorts of other guidelines regarding match selling, etc.

[flashdog_1]

Could you say that in English without abbreviations, please?

[canderson]

Celebrity's group policies are much more restrictive than Carnival's.

 

1. You cannot drop points.

 

I figure if Sue knows what you meant by that, she ought to be contacting Celebrity to set up an agent contract with them, not asking here!

 

Which way did you take it? I was about 50/50.

[ocngypz]

On Carnival you can take the group amenity points and buy down the cruise rate upfront. In other words, instead of fruit baskets, bottle of wine, etc. you get a lower rate. This is called "dropping" points. You cannot do that on Celebrity.

 

The amount of group amenity points on any sailing varies per cruise. Sometimes there are none! During the slow periods (between Thanksgiving and Christmas for example) more points are available. That's why you see soooo many groups.

 

The best advice I can give anyone putting together a group.. know how many doubles,triples and quads you will need upfront. If you need more cabins later, if the rate has gone up, you will have to pay the new rate!

 

For group organizers Carnival offers more flexibility, though $25.00 deposits per person are due within 30 days of opening the group, then you pay the balance of the deposit later. Celebrity, you have 90 days to get full deposits in.

 

More groups evaporate than come to fruition.

[flashdog_1]

Celebrity's group policies are much more restrictive than Carnival's.

 

1. You cannot drop points.

 

2. TC's must sail

 

All sorts of other things as well.

 

GAP depends on the sailing. And you have to select from the GAP list.

 

There are all sorts of other guidelines regarding match selling, etc.

 

What are TCs and GAP??

[caviargal]

I am a group cruise specialist. Celebrity and RCI recently completely revamped their group program. It is more strict than before in terms of timelines, etc. I was at an X seminar a few months ago and they have a document that lays it all out quite clearly.

 

This is really not the best venue for getting correct info. If you call the Group Department at X, they can give you detailed info.