Looking for the right cruise at the right time. Help?

[Mskjel]

It's only been three months and hubs and I are already ready to cruise again! We have the ability to jump on last minute cruise deals, but being on the west coast the ports of call kinda get old. We also enjoy cruising solo but would like one big group of family and friends to cruise with as well! Not everyone has a flexible schedule or a vacation savings, though.

 

I would like to plan a cruise a year in advance to give people as much time as possible to plan for vacation day accrual or time off requests and to save up the money, if necessary. I would like to plan for the cruise I'd like to go on - no groups of people voting on what ports of call they'd like to see, no choices. It would be like herding cats! I pick - you come if you want to. This offer will be open to all of our friends and family, so it could be a block of 5 rooms and it could be a block of 25 rooms - or more.

 

Here's what I'm looking for advice and suggestions and specific cruies:

 

- Sailing in January/February of 2016.

 

-Any cruise line except Carnival (I usually go with Celebrity or RC. I like a more grown-up crowd, even though hubs and I are early 30's. We like people who enjoy having a good time, but we don't like teenagers running in the halls or too many sticky kids wandering around or people getting trashed and keeping us up all night (oh my gosh, I sound like an old man "Get off my lawn!"). We would also like the avoid the all-seniors cruises)

 

- Sailing out of the US.

 

- Highest Priority Ports of Call are Central America. Caribbean is popular, but I've literally seen all of it, since I used to live in Guyana. I could do it again if there were some more *interesting* ports. Since the airfare to Europe would be cost prohibitive for about half our intended group, I'll have to sail the Med some other time.

 

- 9 - 14 day cruise.

 

Those are all my requirements, I think.

 

I'm looking for recommendations on how to get the best deals - maybe if x number of our friends book, then we get a room free? Or maybe an upgrade? When do we need to have everything 'locked in'?

 

We are already looking to book at least a suite for ourselves - we usually do the balcony cabins, but wanted more space for people to congregate for drinks or whatnot. Any suggestions on those cabins for us from those of you who have booked the larger spaces on cruises?

 

I would love personal suggestions, but I am also open to being contacted by travel agents (if that's allowed? Since I'm asking, it wouldn't be soliciting, would it? I hope not. I really want to see all the options).

 

Can you think of anything I've forgotten to ask about or suggestions for cruising with large groups of people?

 

Thanks so much!

[SuiteTraveler]

My idea is that you do something really interesting and book a Garden Family Villa (3 bedroom villa) on an NCL Gem Class Ship. You get the master bedroom. Anyone else who wants to come with you, gets the other 2 bedrooms and the two other beds - which are probably in the huge living room. This suite has 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a hot tub, two levels of outdoor balconies and decks, a huge living room, huge entry hall with player piano, kitchenette, butler service. It is totally awesome, but not as expensive as you would think IF you have 8 people sharing it. If you can get that many people to share the Garden Villa, then the price is actually very reasonable. If anyone else books, then, they would need to book in The Haven where they have 1 and 2 bedroom villas. On the Gem Class Ships, there are 2 Garden Family Villas and then there are 10 Courtyard Villas. I think it would be really amazing to book out this area as much as possible.

[sail7seas]

This is what TA's are for.

Find one and let them do the research work for you. :)

Then, if your end up with a herd of cats, the TA can handle everyone's deposits, final payments, linking all your reservations for dinner seating and possibly and benefits for forming a group.

 

Use a TA for this, IMO

[sail7seas]

My idea is that you do something really interesting and book a Garden Family Villa (3 bedroom villa) on an NCL Gem Class Ship. You get the master bedroom. Anyone else who wants to come with you, gets the other 2 bedrooms and the two other beds - which are probably in the huge living room. This suite has 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a hot tub, two levels of outdoor balconies and decks, a huge living room, huge entry hall with player piano, kitchenette, butler service. It is totally awesome, but not as expensive as you would think IF you have 8 people sharing it. If you can get that many people to share the Garden Villa, then the price is actually very reasonable. If anyone else books, then, they would need to book in The Haven where they have 1 and 2 bedroom villas. On the Gem Class Ships, there are 2 Garden Family Villas and then there are 10 Courtyard Villas. I think it would be really amazing to book out this area as much as possible.

 

 

Just my personal opinion, but that would be a turn off for me. I'd book a Suite for sure but I like my privacy and don't want to share areas.

 

[SuiteTraveler]

Just my personal opinion, but that would be a turn off for me. I'd book a Suite for sure but I like my privacy and don't want to share areas.

 

 

The bedrooms have locks on the door that require card keys and each bedroom has its own bathroom and large balcony, so this suite only shares a massive living room, kitchen, entry hall, hot tub and some extensive deck area. It's really ideal for 6 - 8 people who like to travel together but want their own private space. It has the perfect combination of shared spaces and privacy and it is even more private because it is located in The Haven, which requires card key access.

[Cruisin' Chick]

This is what TA's are for.

Find one and let them do the research work for you. :)

Then, if your end up with a herd of cats, the TA can handle everyone's deposits, final payments, linking all your reservations for dinner seating and possibly and benefits for forming a group.

 

Use a TA for this, IMO

 

Exactly. Sit down with a cruise specialist, book the cruise you want to (probably would have to be when school is in session). Then email the friends and family members that you want to consider the cruise -- give the contact number/email for the TA as well as the ship name/cruiseline/itinerary and dates of the cruise. Then if someone is interested in booking it, they can contact the TA and book the exact category they want (I'm guessing it won't bother you if your cabins aren't all together). If they wait too long to book, that's their problem, right? You won't be responsible for keeping track of them and all that.

 

You can let any of the ones who do book know what dining assignment you requested (just remember that the tables can seat only so many...and besides, many might want flexible dining and others assigned dining), any excursions you're planning on (just in case they want to do the same thing). Maybe you can be the point person and know everyone's cabin so that if you're arranging a "reunion," you can let your group know time/place unless you've figured this out ahead of time, and invite them to show up (but don't require attendance).

 

Just my personal opinion, but that would be a turn off for me. I'd book a Suite for sure but I like my privacy and don't want to share areas.

 

 

Not to mention it's a NCL ship.

Edited October 24, 2014 by Cruisin' Chick

[Lerin]

 

Not to mention it's a NCL ship.

 

LOL, that's what I was thinking. The OP would do better on Carnival than NCL. :D

 

But seriously the above suggestion about the 3 room whatever that was sounded super confusing and not a lot of fun.

 

OP: since you are so specific about what you are looking for you may want to find a TA.

If that isn't to your liking then use an online TA to search for cruises in Jan/Feb 2016, embarks from the US, 9-14 days, and goes to Central America. Something will pop up.

[cruiseapril]

Perhaps a Panama Canal cruise to ports you haven't visited?

[RSLeesburg]

RCI has a 7 day to Argentina & Uruguay in that timeframe; sails out of Brazil. They also have a 14 day around the horn in that timeframe; sails out of Chile.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[mlmc424]

We have done a Friends and Family cruise several times and I completely agree with what Cruisin' Chick has recommended! Works every time!

[s1amblue]

So here's my thought.... Why NOT Caribbean? The point is for family gathering so you get to be the port 'guru ' & choose to enjoy your 'resort' ship or port as much or as little as you want! These tend to be more economical for the budget minded. Plus air is far better for US departures. Call the group department of at least two lines and see what they can offer you for what size block.

[Hflors]

I would like to plan a cruise a year in advance to give people as much time as possible to plan for vacation day accrual or time off requests and to save up the money, if necessary. I would like to plan for the cruise I'd like to go on - no groups of people voting on what ports of call they'd like to see, no choices. It would be like herding cats! I pick - you come if you want to. This offer will be open to all of our friends and family, so it could be a block of 5 rooms and it could be a block of 25 rooms - or more.

 

Here's what I'm looking for advice and suggestions and specific cruies:

 

- Sailing in January/February of 2016.

 

-Any cruise line except Carnival (I usually go with Celebrity or RC. I like a more grown-up crowd, even though hubs and I are early 30's. We like people who enjoy having a good time, but we don't like teenagers running in the halls or too many sticky kids wandering around or people getting trashed and keeping us up all night (oh my gosh, I sound like an old man "Get off my lawn!"). We would also like the avoid the all-seniors cruises)

 

- Sailing out of the US.

 

- Highest Priority Ports of Call are Central America. Caribbean is popular, but I've literally seen all of it, since I used to live in Guyana. I could do it again if there were some more *interesting* ports. Since the airfare to Europe would be cost prohibitive for about half our intended group, I'll have to sail the Med some other time.

 

- 9 - 14 day cruise.

 

 

Thanks so much!

 

Let me get this straight. You want to book a cruise for you and your friends who are going to pay for the privilage of cruising with you for 9 - 14 days with no say in which ship they cruise on or where they cruise to or the number of days that cruise will be. And you also want a ship without any children teens or anyone who parties to much so they don't keep you up at night, but with people who like to have a good time and last but not least no older people. Personally I think what you are really looking for is renting a yacht. That way you get to pick exactly who boards and where the yacht goes. Good luck with all of this. Somehow I don't think you are going to find what you are looking forl.