Diggerof4

262 day until we go to Alaska!

I believe it is the amount you purchase decides whether it is UPS or USPS (snail mail). I have purchased a $100 GC almost each month and it does arrive by regular mail (USPS).  It took about a week.  For the larger dollar amounts, it's understandable why they would need a signature. 

Here is what I have already done and will do:

We have already agreed on Time, Place and Port

I am setting up:

-Cruise: for group discounts only. Each person would be responsible for their own financial responsibilities. We are going to have several get together to explain the W’s. Who, what….etc

Pre-cruise hotel:. I only arranged group discounts only. Payment, booking their room, deposit is up to them. Picked hotel that had airport transfers, breakfast and a nice place to meet up (patio or lobby), place to park (for those who drove) and a business center for those who forgot to get something, like print up passes.

-Transportation: Individuals are responsible for their own transportation from the hotel to the pier, Pier back to hotel or airport, however I am renting a limo bus. As time gets closer it will depend on the size of the vehicle regarding how many people we have will determine cost. I have already told individuals the approx cost and added tip, gave high end amount, so they are prepared and they are aware of changes can occur. I would need payment before we go in either check or case form. Gave due date of payment. *this is the only money transaction that I will be doing for the group.

-Called Delta and AA and they told me they do not offer group discounts, the only perk was you can extend payment process for your ticket. Some only applied to international and not domestic flights only. But, everyone is responsible for their own flights.

-Perks for being TC, I will split the OBC among all the cabins.

-Any on board activities, they are responsible.

Have I missed anything?   Thank you SO MUCH for all the great advice and situations for me to think about.  Trying to avoid some of "situations" that was astound upon you . 

On 9/5/2019 at 2:06 PM, hockeyguru32 said:

Vista

Can you tell us why. Planning group cruise 20 people, going on the Vista. Not until 2021.  

PVP = Personal Vacation Planners 

Sending 🤗 virtual  hugs to all of you !  You made me fell so much better and gave some great advice.  Please keep it coming. 

1 minute ago, fyree39 said:

OK, someone needs to talk about Early Saver vs. another option that's actually refundable and doesn't have cancellation penalties. Don't fall into that trap!

Yep, when you do a group cruise, I think you are not elig for that... don't know. 

40 minutes ago, keywest1 said:

If you decide to book yourself, be sure to call airlines and check for group booking rates.  I just booked direct flights on AA for eleven.  I was able to select the flights we wanted and this is a main cabin fare with changes allowed for at least $1000 savings round trip over the basic fare with no changes allowed.  We will be assigned a block of seats, but we can choose who sits where within that block.  It's worth checking into 🙂

OMG, I didn't even think that could be done !!!! THANK YOU   THANK YOU !!!

52 minutes ago, klfrodo said:

Get ahold of a local travel agent who specializes in cruises. Otherwise, you are set up to fail.

By going through the TA, that leaves you out of the money and other obstacles that will pop up.

 

Here's what happened to my wife.

She announced we were going on a cruise and everyone within earshot wanted to go.

She spoke with the cruiseline, had the dates all selected, had everyone put down their group deposit of $25.

She self taught herself html code and developed a website just for our group (this was 15- 20 years ago).

Had parties to discuss things.

Next thing you know, somebody spoke to somebody and "they" could have gotten a better deal.

"They" announced that "we" are screwing them over.

Price is too high, nobody said anything about airfare, etc. Why didn't you get us group airfare?

Time to pay the rest of the deposit, half the people dropped out. We haven't got the money, can you pay for us and we'll catch you later?

Time to pay off the cruise, half the remaining dropped out.

Now, we no longer had enough people to do a "group" cruise.

 

The rest of us went and had a great time, but never again.

 

Now,,, we just say hey, we're going on a cruise,, here are the dates,,, here is the name of our TA,,,, you're more than welcome to join us.

Thought of everything you said.  Great advice!!!  I upfront said, you will be responsible for your own flights, cruise payments including deposits, gave the information in case the price goes down what they can do also the cancellation policy.  How many people are needed to get perks.  I also told like anything else, prices do change. Explain the reasons why the may or may not be able to get a lower price, or possible OBC.  I told them I would get cabins lined up as a group, hotel as a group and transportation as a group, the rest is up to them. 

1 hour ago, justacrusin said:

We used my PVP and since everyone agreed on the dates and ship, I had each family call in and book their own rooms.  My PVP was then able to link our reservations together and I didn't have to pay the whole deposit.  This worked out well for us and our PVP was able to keep our rooms on the same deck and close together.

PVP? what is a PVP?    I called Carnival they want each person to put down a $250 deposit.  I am not going to put down a deposit for each person ... not 20 people 😲...LOL.  Yep, I will be the first to put the deposit down, and then send a mass email to everyone else.  We have the date, ship and port to leave and ports to visit.  Most are saying it's to early.  Cruise  Feb 2021. I told them it's not to early to a deposit down and then pay as you go. 

4 hours ago, ryndam said:

 

Both Uber and Lyft will certainly pick-up at the pier. My initial observation about ride-sharing services on disembarkation day was only to advise that vehicular traffic pier-side is generally congested during disembakation.

 

If traveling with a group, it may be advantageous to reserve a private van/bus to handle your group. There are many options available for private group transfer airport-pier-airport.

There sure is, and I have looked at several of them.  My group is growing, I am now at 20 people.  Thank you so much for all the tips.  I am newbie group organizer.  I organize for my family of 4, but 20!!!  LOL

Well, I was picked to do a group cruise.  So, this newbie needs some help. First point to any forum that might help me with "group" cruises.  2. How far in advance should I do a group cruise.  3.  Are there any additional web sites that might have helped you or anyone else to assist them with group cruises. 

Carnival Vista out of Galveston, 20 people.   Any and all suggestions are welcomed !  

7 minutes ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

The drop off is close to the building but it can be a trek from the building to the ship. It is possible to order a wheelchair to take you on that journey. That wheelchair can not take you onto the ships, but you can get a ship's wheelchair for the final part. I've done this more than once with a friend who is not too mobile.

I will check with those individuals, They are Stubborn.   We may have to change ports. Ug.  being a group organizer sometimes has it's disadvantages. 

Following, Ditto on the question. Different cruise line, same question. 

On 8/10/2019 at 11:47 AM, ryndam said:

Both Uber and Lyft operate in Galveston. We have been satisfied with the rides. If you do not have too much luggage and do not mind crossing the street from the piers on disembarkation day, both Uber and Lyft pick-ups seem to be a more efficient operation when the pick-up is not amid the congestion directly in front of the terminal.

I am sure it is on CC somewhere, but are you saying they can not come close to the port for pick up?  I will need to do some more research. What I am trying to find out is "what" service will get us closest to the doors.  Traveling as a group and some individuals have a hard time walking.  No walker, cane, wheelchair, just a difficult time walking.  I have looked at the map and just can't tell how close drop off is to actual cruise ship.  Just want to get as close as possible. 

PhillyFan33579, that was actually a brilliant marketing choice by Carnival.  How many people would have steered away because they had to buy all days and the whole cabin.  And what great way to advertise by sight and word of mouth.  A different question... Does the ships carry enough food for situations like this or do they go to a different port to load back up? 

15 hours ago, grandmarnnurse said:

Me, either. I did one in 2004 out of NYC to Nova Scotia, and the winds were so bad, they roped off all upper outside decks, and the hurricane wasn’t even near us—it just affected us that way. Because of the risk involved with cancelled cruises, and the aggravation of waiting to hear if cruise will be cancelled, keeps me from booking during hurricane season.

For our 30th along with family trip, first time our adult kids on a cruise the winds were so bad they roped off the top. We went the end of May (thought we would be safe). You would not believe what kind of cruise we had. First night someone fell overboard, Our rooms were checked twice, FBI came on board (supposedly), announcements every hour  ( I understand why) winds were so bad they kept roping off outside hallways, rained everyday, crew got sick.  LOL, I almost told one waiter, Sit down I will serve you 😂, almost missed the boat (our fault), the boat was rocking I almost fell all the way down the stairs, OH... there is so much more.  This was just a 5 day cruise.  Going on another one next year same time (Alaska) and my kids went HELL YEA! Let's do it.  Love the positive attitude. 

On 8/16/2019 at 8:20 AM, Texas Tillie said:

 

Be sure to purchase some Beaver Nuggets!!🤓🤡😎

I have a friend here in MN that makes those. EVERY and I mean EVERY bake sale, they are the first to go.  I tried making them, lets just say I am going to buy them from now on.  LOL  

20 hours ago, MinnesotaCruiser423 said:

Either flying in the day of or the day before I would use https://galvestonexpress.com/ I have used them multiple times and always had great service.

 

If you have a large group you could also call Zaman Limo.  By far the most affordable private car service I could find for a group of 6.  The ph # is  (832) 267-511.

 

We always fly in the day before and stay at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel.  Great location for restaurants and activities.  

Thank you and I have called them.  Cruise in 2021 for possible of 16 people.  I am arranging what I can and try to get a jump on it.  I know with that many people not everyone will arrive and departing at the same time.  So, I wanted info for those couples.  Thank you.  And I will check out the other boards.

I am reaching out hoping someone can point me out to a board already started on this subject.  I have looked and looked until my poor eyes are tired. 

Can someone point me to a board and/or give advice reg:  Landing in Houston Texas and try to get to Galveston to the pier. 

Might as well through a 2nd question, should we stay in Galveston (Pre-night cruise) or stay in the Houston area....or it doesn't matter.   

13 hours ago, fyree39 said:

I live in the Mojave Desert. It'll be 108 all weekend. I should compare notes with her.

 

I'm a seasoned cruiser, too, from a warm (boiling hot) area. I still don't bring 5 coats to Alaska. I just thought it was weird and a complete waste of luggage space.

I loved this video!  It shows what to do and NOT to do and everyone has a different lifestyle.  For us (4 people), this was WAY to much stuff. We will be gone 15 days. Arriving 1 week before cruise. We are packing for 7 (plus the outfit we will have on) and doing some laundry before getting on the ship.  Trying to just backpack it, however I don't think it will work due to  3 family members have cpap machines. I know that our DD and I will being buying somethings in port.  She was right, when it is windy and you have a lot of moisture in the air and can seem colder than what the actually temp it. 

Thank you everyone !  And it was my error, I should have said waterproof coat and some waterproof hiking boots, maybe gloves. My hands get really cold.  Oh! we know about layers.  There are times in the winter we are actually colder than Alaska. We (4 of us) were trying just to backpack it and not pay for luggage fees.  Approx cost $30 x 3 = $90 one way, that is $180 round trip. Of course depending on what airline we take it can be as much as $60 per bag.  We will be the people on board with shorts, tenny shoes and a sweatshirt.  LOL. Once we get it finalized I will come back to let you know.  There are so many factors.  Keep the advice coming.  It is reassuring that a lot of you thought of the same things we did.   OH...and by the way, we have had snow in May.  LOL  

This is to see how many have done this, as well as getting advice.  Has anyone mailed their coats, boots, etc ahead of time to avoid paying extra at the airport? 

    We are flying out a week a head of time (end of May) before our Alaskan cruise in 2020 (beginning of June). We are thinking of mailing out our coats boots, etc to the first hotel we are staying at.  Just called the hotel and she gave me instruction.  She said we are not the first to do this.  On our way back, we will wear most things.  

    Thank you in advance. 

6 hours ago, ParrotRob said:

 

Plenty of people lounging by and in the pool on the Legend last week in Alaska.  That's what the retractable roof is for.

 

This might be a strange question, but we are going to be going to Alaska 2020 on the Spirit.  Will  Legend still be doing  Alaska route next year or is Spirit replacing the Legend.  AND.......does the Spirit have a retractable roof too? 

Found my answer on a thread from 2008.  Spirit class ships have retractable roofs. 😁

This might have been already posted, but the fresh squeezed OJ..If you have drink package would that be included ?