Planning a group cruise on Oasis, what is best through Royal Caribbean or TA?

[crvng4mr]

Hi all,

 

I have been addicted to this site until the wee hours of the morning after finding it last week:). I am taking my first RC cruise on the monarch Friday:D and have since decided to plan a group cruise for 12-29-12 on the Oasis. What do you think and why it is best to arrange through travel agent or RC?

 

Also, as I will check reviews on blocking certain rooms, what are your favorite rooms onboard the Oasis? I have seen that the aqua theatre balcony so far is a favorite.

 

Thanks in advance!

[6rugrats]

I would never attempt to book a group cruise. Turn this headache over to a TA.

[crvng4mr]

I guess I didn't realize it would be such a headache. I thought all I had to do was block rooms and pass info on to everyone else.

[6rugrats]

Yes, and when something goes wrong, or someone is unhappy, or wants to make changes, you will be the one they blame or the one who has to deal with it. No thanks.

[SadieN]

A TA will shield you from any questions & headaches your travel companions have. Have been organizing a group cruise for hte past 5 years and always let a TA handle it.

[jmf123]

Welcome to CC! Book your group with a TA that is a cruise specialist who has experience with group bookings. A group booking consists of eight staterooms or more. A TA may be able to offer you a group rate, or through group amenity points provide perks such as a bottle of wine per stateroom, OBC, prepaid gratuities, etc., and you could end up with a free berth. A TA will also assist you with selecting staterooms, make sure you all dine together, accept payments and be sure that passenger names are spelled correctly, advise everyone on proper proof of citizenship, arrange for any special needs, etc. There is a lot of organizing and work to do for a group, let an experienced cruise specialist handle it for yours. Be sure to ask about fees that the TA may have in place so there are no surprises later. And confirm deposit amounts and dates, cancellation penalty info, etc. I would also strongly recommend that your fellow cruisers purchase travel insurance. Personally I like Travel Guard's Gold Plan, or check insuremytrip dot com. ;)

[cb at sea]

Ditto all of the above....let a TA handle the details! You pick the date and ship, and let everyone book their own arrangements. That way, everyone will get exactly what they want...and you won't be blamed when there is a snafu...and there will be somewhere along the way.

[crvng4mr]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I am off to find an experienced group cruise TA!