how to get a group together for a cruise

[foxycleopatra]

Hello!

 

I will be cruising in September for the first time ever (Norwegian Sky, 9/13 to 9/17 out of Miami) and I have been reading the boards for weeks now. I have noticed that some people are apparently part of a group of cruisers. I have some questions, as I was thinking about getting a group from our church together next year to cruise together.

 

1. How would I go about getting a group together?

2. How would I find out about existing groups, in case I might want to join a group?

3. How would I find out about any planned themed cruises so that my children do not see a bunch of half-naked people hanging out at the pool during our September cruise? (a star trek convention, etc. would be cool, but a nudist group would not be.)

 

Any input would really be appreciated.:)

[kitty9]

Find a good local travel agent and get all those questions answered. TA's have access to information that the general public doesn't have. BTW, by cruising in September, you will not have many other kids on board the ship, so your kids may find a reduced kid's program and very few school age kids on board. Parents don't tend to take cruises in September because school has just started and school can't be missed.

[patseacruiser]

Since you seem to be new to this you should definitely get a travel agent to walk you through it. Besides plenty of people from your church may have questions that you probably won't be able to answer plus there is insurance - single or group. And the travel agent will answer them and believe me it can be very time consuming so if you get the benefit of the group without all the work that's a deal.

[imsulin]

Hello!

 

I will be cruising in September for the first time ever (Norwegian Sky, 9/13 to 9/17 out of Miami) and I have been reading the boards for weeks now. I have noticed that some people are apparently part of a group of cruisers. I have some questions, as I was thinking about getting a group from our church together next year to cruise together.

 

1. How would I go about getting a group together?

2. How would I find out about existing groups, in case I might want to join a group?

3. How would I find out about any planned themed cruises so that my children do not see a bunch of half-naked people hanging out at the pool during our September cruise? (a star trek convention, etc. would be cool, but a nudist group would not be.)

 

Any input would really be appreciated.:)

 

Star-Trek usually means themed costumes and masks. Half-naked people are NOT nudists, so it looks like you have your terminology confused. Your church is OK with Star Trek??

[Peace2U]

Well, you might see half-naked people but not totally naked. Also, stay away from the nude beaches. I don't wanna see what your mama gave ya. ;) And yes, it's me.

[lady_cruiser]

You can always start with the cruiseline you are planning on sailing on. Just call their 800 number, tell them you are planning on having a group cruise and ask them to speak with one of their group specialist. They will work you through it step by step including what kind of perks you might be able to get.

 

While I haven't started a group cruise yet, its in my future, the cruise line will be the first place I start.

 

Why? Because I and the group will have more control over changes than we would have if we hand it over to a travel agent. If I see a price drop I can call the cruise line directly and get it for all people that would be affected by it. If I hand this over to a travel agent I would have to hope that he/she will be available to get this done for me right away. Many times I have seen a price drop, called my agent only to find out he was out of the country on another group cruise and unavailable.

 

And keep reading here at Cruise Critic. This is the best place to learn all the ins and outs of cruising.

 

Sorry I forgot to WELCOME you to the Cruise Critic community!

[foxycleopatra]

Thanks for the responses!

 

Patseacruiser and lady_cruiser: It sounds as if a TA is definitely the way to go. Thanks so much for the info!

 

Kitty9: that's precisely why we are cruising in September. My children are very well-behaved and I do not want to cruise with tons of screaming kids! Since they are homeschooled, the flexibility in our schedule allows us to cruise during non-peak times. We don't plan on putting the kids in any programs as this will be a family vacation and as such, they will be with the family.

 

Imsulin: I think that you are correct about my choice of words; thanks so much for catching that. I think that you might have the two different cruises confused as I expressed concern over the nudity during the September family cruise. I would hope that my fellow church members would be just fine with Star Trek. It happens to be one of my favorite TV series of all times!

 

Seabeacon: I wondered how long it would take for you to find me! I don't wanna see your stuff, either! :D

[Happy ks]

I think you may be pleasantly surprised on your first cruise. Family vacation does not mean you have to be joined at the hip and your kids may definitely want to be a part of the kids program as there is so much for them to do there.

 

I'd definitely use a TA for this type of trip arrangement. I've not worked with a cruise company for a group but I do know you do not want to be responsible for anyone elses deposits, price drops, final payments, etc... A good TA will make up a flier for you to copy and distribute, making that chore easier for you. Let the people who want to go with the group make the choice, you may be surprised at who attends, it's not always the people you think will be there. Take yourself out of the "management" end of the group or else you may be very sorry. The TA's I've used for our family groups have been a tremendous help.

 

The trick is to get a good TA, one who specializes in cruises and has worked with group bookings. Interview a few (even by phone, they don't have to be brick and mortar) to find one you are comfortable with.

[cruzincrazi]

Get a good travel agent and stick with them. Travel Agents have the ears of the Cruise Lines and can get amenities for your group and take all the hassle out of 'handling' all the details. Yes, you can book throught the CL yourself, but why bother with all the details. Group cruises can be time consuming. There are many way to save and get the extra things that can make a group cruise all the better and an agent can help.

[Happy ks]

Get a good travel agent and stick with them. Travel Agents have the ears of the Cruise Lines and can get amenities for your group and take all the hassle out of 'handling' all the details. Yes, you can book throught the CL yourself, but why bother with all the details. Group cruises can be time consuming. There are many way to save and get the extra things that can make a group cruise all the better and an agent can help.

 

 

Not to mention frustrating and the possibility of losing friendships. The people who let you down or have high expectation for you to do it all for them will be surprising. Leave it to the professionals.

[Peace2U]

I don't wanna see your stuff, either! :D

 

Aw, I meant the people who frequent nudist beaches, not you. Come on, you're foxycleopatra. You vogue with the best of 'em. :D

[foxycleopatra]

Aw, I meant the people who frequent nudist beaches, not you. Come on, you're foxycleopatra. You vogue with the best of 'em. :D

 

I just wanted to make it clear that I didn't want to see anybody's anything. :eek:haha I see that you have booked another cruise!!!!

 

I can't wait to hear about your experience on the Sky. I do wish that we were going at the same time, but at least I can find out from you what to expect beforehand.;)

 

Regarding my name: I was tired and couldn't think of anything and we happened to be watching Austin Powers. But yes; I am foxycleopatra so "you know how I do!!!!!!!!!!!"

[euro cruiser]

I have organized church trips - it's a great way to raise funds when your stewardship efforts fall short of budget needs, not to mention a great fellowship opportunity.

 

Absolutely use a travel agent, for their expertise and to give you an "arms-length" between your fellow travelers and their potential problems.

 

Make sure your church's attorney goes over any contracts the travel agency or cruise line want you to sign. Also, your church should insist that all travelers sign a release that protects the church, your pastor (or priest), and governing body from liability.

 

To the extent possible, insist that travelers purchase travel insurance, so you don't make a commitment on the church's behalf and then be held liable if folks have to drop out before the trip.

 

I've found that a simple powerpoint presentation, heavy on photographs, along with appetizers and drinks appropriate for the destination is all it takes to sell the idea. After that it's a lot of follow up and individual conversations, but once a few people sign up momentum takes over.

[Peace2U]

haha I see that you have booked another cruise!!!!

 

Well, it's very tentative at this point but hopefully will be something to shoot for. Jeff isn't a Carnival fan, but I think I can talk him into it. It would be a shame to leave him at home. ;) And remember, we're gonna try to cruise together, so I would not book without your approval. :D