Group cruises?

[ship1024]

Is there a way to join cruise groups? If so, where can they be found?

[Aquahound]

From what I've seen, when a group fully or partially charters a ship, you have to book through their website.  As far as the groups themselves, I'm sure you can Google specific interests.  

[ColeThornton]

15 minutes ago, ship1024 said:

Is there a way to join cruise groups? If so, where can they be found?

 

 

I think you need to be more specific.  What kind of cruise groups are you referring to?

[George C]

We cruise on music charters, if you check “starvista live “ you will see 9 different music cruises, these are more expensive than normal cruises.

[ship1024]

Hi. Thank you for your responses.  By group I meant a group of people who book together to take advantage of group rates and extras. For example, CCL requires at least 8 staterooms for a group. Not really interested in a theme or chartered cruise.

Edited February 15, 2023 by ship1024

[Aquahound]

Oh, well in that case, just talk to your travel agent, or directly with the cruise line.  

[lenquixote66]

3 hours ago, ship1024 said:

Is there a way to join cruise groups? If so, where can they be found?

Our TA books almost exclusively group cruises and on occasion whe is able to add us to a group.

[ship1024]

Thank you lenquixote66. Are they really a better deal than booking outside a group?

Edited February 15, 2023 by ship1024

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, ship1024 said:

Thank you lenquixote66. Are they really a better deal than booking outside a group?

Actually, they might or might not be depending on who’s arranging the group, what’s included, are there TA perks/rebates involved (and who gets them)….(the list goes on….)

[Charles4515]

16 hours ago, ship1024 said:

Hi. Thank you for your responses.  By group I meant a group of people who book together to take advantage of group rates and extras. For example, CCL requires at least 8 staterooms for a group. Not really interested in a theme or chartered cruise.

Talk to your travel agent. Some are members of consortiums that book a block of cabins.

[Charles4515]

14 hours ago, ship1024 said:

Thank you lenquixote66. Are they really a better deal than booking outside a group?

Sometimes they are. They might have an OBC or some other perk. You can compare with what other agents and with booking direct to find out.

[ship1024]

Thanks. I don't have a ta but I do have a call pvp. I wonder if she can do anything with this .

[Flatbush Flyer]

44 minutes ago, ship1024 said:

Thanks. I don't have a ta but I do have a call pvp. I wonder if she can do anything with this .

There’s your problem. Get a TA who is a cruise specialist (particularly for your preferred line) who will share commissions in the form of cash rebate or refundable SBC. That’s how to save $$$ on your bottom line costs.

[Charles4515]

1 hour ago, ship1024 said:

Thanks. I don't have a ta but I do have a call pvp. I wonder if she can do anything with this .

They won't. The TA's are either sharing commission or get a perk to hand out from the cruise line based on their sales of that cruise line. Or if they reserve group space they get an OBC to give out if they sell a minimum number of cabins. 

[Corby114]

Some larger travel agencies and online cruise agencies book blocks of rooms for sale on certain weeks and certain cruise lines. If they don't sell all of the cabins by a certain time they return the cabins back to there place of origin so that the cruise line can sell them. You can normally get a better rate if you pick the right week. 

[Hlitner]

I do think that Lenqixotte66 has it right.  What some used to call "Group Cruise bookings" are not a common thing these days and has long been usurped by high volume cruise agency deals and often their related agency consortiums (something not often discussed on these boards).  What does this mean for the cruise customer.  That they should simply shop around among reputable high volume cruise agencies for the best overall deal.  

 

While a so-called group discount can happen for various size groups, there really is no advantage over what is done by these high volume agencies and their related consortiums.  

 

The whole concept of an agency booking "large blocks of cabins" has been generally replaced by consortiums (these are essentially large groups of cruise/ travel agencies) that use their volume clout to negotiate with cruise lines.  These consortiums are truly a win-win-win for customer, agency and the cruise line.  Many folks who deal with travel/cruise agencies are not even aware that their favorite agency might be a member of a large consortium such as the Signature Travel Network , Virtuoso, Nest, or other similar groups.  The good consortiums not only give their members the advantage of a very high volume booking group, but they also provide some training to their member agencies/agents.  

 

Hank

[Charles4515]

45 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

 

The whole concept of an agency booking "large blocks of cabins" has been generally replaced by consortiums (these are essentially large groups of cruise/ travel agencies) that use their volume clout to negotiate with cruise lines.  These consortiums are truly a win-win-win for customer, agency and the cruise line.  Many folks who deal with travel/cruise agencies are not even aware that their favorite agency might be a member of a large consortium such as the

My travel agent is at a small travel agency, 3 or 4 agents that actualy have an office but her agency is a member of a consortium. So a large online agency is not a necessity for a "group" discount..  

[Hlitner]

Just now, Charles4515 said:

My travel agent is at a small travel agency, 3 or 4 agents that actualy have an office but her agency is a member of a consortium. So a large online agency is not a necessity for a "group" discount..  

I think the term "group discount" is somewhat misleading.  These days, in most cases, the price you pay for a cruise will be the same whether it be with an agency or booking direct.  The major differences happen with amenities, On Board Credits (OBCs), and with some agencies a post cruise rebate (essentially sharing of commissions/overrides, etc).  There are also situations where a high volume agency will offer some of their own "adjustments" which can be further enhanced by stuff from the Consortium.  Many bookers will not have a clue other than they get X  and Y.  We have one upcoming booking where we are getting a generous OBC from the cruise agency and an additional OBC directly from their consortium.   This is not the norm, but it does happen and can be quite generous.  

 

So again, we go back to our recommendation (for many years) that shopping around among several reputable high volume cruise agencies can pay some big dividends (for time spent).  I am not a personal fan of small agencies (especially one person agencies) for a whole host of reasons.  But we do have friends who love their small agencies so that is one of those different strokes kind of thing.

 

Many folks already understand that the skill and knowledge of agents varies in a very big way.  Some folks might deal with an "outside agent" who has hardly any training, little knowledge of the cruise industry, and is simply working from home for a small commission given by their home agency.  Other agents might be highly trained with various industry designations (ACC, MCC, etc) and have lots of valuable knowledge that they can pass on to their customers.  We are always "all ears" when on cruises and enjoy hearing the booking ideas from other experienced cruisers/travelers.  I have learned an awful lot from just sharing large tables on cruises, and DW and I have put that knowledge to work in our own trip planning.  Not only has that knowledge saved us many thousands of dollars, but keeps giving us terrific ideas for more independent travel and cruises.

 

Hank

[navybankerteacher]

On 2/14/2023 at 8:07 PM, ship1024 said:

Hi. Thank you for your responses.  By group I meant a group of people who book together to take advantage of group rates and extras. For example, CCL requires at least 8 staterooms for a group. Not really interested in a theme or chartered cruise.

Talk it up with your friends and family - groups do not simply materialize, they are formed by people who want groups —- people like you.  
 

Even if you only know one or two people who might be interested, each of them might also know a couple who each know others.    At the very least you would not be getting involved with a group of total strangers.

[capriccio]

My TA (from an on-line agency) always gives us a discount over the cruise line fare (anywhere from 7 to 12%) plus often includes a Group On Board Credit of $50 to $80.  I presume that is when the agency has a 'block' of cabins on that particular cruise.

[ship1024]

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge!

[cruisinelmo]

When we had our 50th wedding anniversary cruise the cruise line will normally consider 7 staterooms booked as a group and they would apply a discount to that group. You can set it up with your sales person give a name for the group and individual people who are interested can call in and reserve their room

[CPT Trips]

4 hours ago, cruisinelmo said:

When we had our 50th wedding anniversary cruise the cruise line will normally consider 7 staterooms booked as a group and they would apply a discount to that group. You can set it up with your sales person give a name for the group and individual people who are interested can call in and reserve their room

We had a larger group and received a higher rebate. We used a TA rather than booking through the cruise line. He comped us a welcome aboard cocktail hour and handled all the registration and pre boarding paperwork. The paperwork processing saved us, as cruise organizers, a lot of hassles dealing with those who were cruise noobs. 

[Darwould]

If you book early with a deposit and changeable fare to get the stateroom you want, you can watch for the sales (sometimes only on a specific day)  anytime before final payment and change to a better final price...or deal (price plus perks).  However, you may lose some of the perks of the initial booking (for example, free gratuities)...it's all a trade off, but has saved us thousands of dollars over the years. We have also made a deal to get discounts from the ta in exchange for doing all the legwork... ie walking in with the info on the cruise, stateroom, and deal that is available at the time.