Group rates?TA?

[nschille04]

Hey all.

 

Reading this board has been soooo helpful in my search for the right cruise wedding. I had a few more questions I was hopeing to get answered. First of all, would you recommend going through a travel agent or booking myself? Can travel agents help out with the wedding and dealing with TWE? Also, which lines offer group rates? Im especially interested in Princess cruises so Im hopeing they offer a discounted rate for large groups.

 

Thanks everyone,

Nicole

[thinfool]

Hey all.

 

Reading this board has been soooo helpful in my search for the right cruise wedding. I had a few more questions I was hopeing to get answered. First of all, would you recommend going through a travel agent or booking myself? Can travel agents help out with the wedding and dealing with TWE? Also, which lines offer group rates? Im especially interested in Princess cruises so Im hopeing they offer a discounted rate for large groups.

 

Thanks everyone,

Nicole

 

What is TWE?

 

Use a good TA...he/she will make the arrangements that you want and ask questions that you will not think of. Virtually all cruise lines offer group pricing, Princess included. A good TA will have no trouble getting your cruise 'off the ground'.

 

Princess is an excellent choice...the 'Love Boat' !!

[flhokie]

Definitely use a TA! Not just for price--depending on time of year, itinerary, etc. they might be able to get you a better price. Even if they can't get you a lower rate they can handle all the cruise details for you and your guests (make reservations, help with cabin selection, take payment, etc.) and help you navigate the available "extras" for your group (which all depends on group size, cruise line, popularity of sailing,etc.). If you want to coordinate any group events separate from the wedding (cocktail parties, shore excursions, etc.) they can help with that.

They do not usually navigate TWE however.

 

We had a group of 50 passengers for our at sea wedding on Princess. While the rates our TA was able to get every were not lower than going rate (although they were a higher category of that type of cabin for the lowest price for that type of cabin), they had a "cruise sale" where, during one specific week our guests were able to book with reduced deposits, and by booking during that week they received coupon books onboard. Our TA also helped to arrange a cocktail party and helped us to choose how to use our "ammenity" points and "free" berths (for every so many berths booked, you get a free one).

[sas80]

Hey all.

 

Reading this board has been soooo helpful in my search for the right cruise wedding. I had a few more questions I was hopeing to get answered. First of all, would you recommend going through a travel agent or booking myself? Can travel agents help out with the wedding and dealing with TWE? Also, which lines offer group rates? Im especially interested in Princess cruises so Im hopeing they offer a discounted rate for large groups.

 

Thanks everyone,

Nicole

 

(last I read) I agree with everything everyone else posted.

 

Especially if you are having a group that will include 8 or more cabins, definitaly look for a TA to take your booking.

 

My advice is to NOT choose an online TA. These TA's tend to be quickly trained to work for the online agencies and (it seems) simply do not know (or dont care) to get you the best deal.

 

My suggestion is you ask around for recommendations for TA's. Interview at least 4. Let them know how many cabins your group is projected to have and ask them straight out what kind of perks they could arrange for you.

 

My friend just got married while sailing on the Voyager. They used a local wedding planner in Cozumel. They had the option of getting one free berth for every 8 cabins booked, but chose to apply that option to get perks for their guests. We all got

One bottle of red and white, delivered to our stateroom.

A private cocktail party with premium alcohol

A casino voucher for $5 of play

A free dinner at chops/portofino for each person

Pre paid gratulities for each person.

 

Now, she just so happened to pick a sailing date that had a lot of GAP (group amenity points) offered, which is why we got so many perks. But the wine was thrown in BY the TA.

 

This is why I say "shop around". You may find a TA whom is willing to offer extra perks.

 

As well, always get the list of offered perks in writing.

 

Good luck!