Group Cruise

[srp1419]

Hi! I was wondering how does booking a group cruise work?

 

We were thinking about doing a cruise wedding, and I was wondering if I do it as a "group" cruise, does everyone have to book at the same time? Or do I have to pay a deposit upfront for a certain amount of rooms and then my guests have a certain amount of time to book? Or...?

 

What happens if not enough guests end up booking in the end?

 

If someone could please explain how this work to me it would be great! Thank you!!

Edited October 11, 2016 by srp1419

[RWolver672]

I would strongly suggest you go through a travel agent. They can put a hold on cabins, then your guests can contact them. It takes eight cabins booked to make a group. If less than eight, then you will no longer be considered a group. A good TA can explain what all is involved. If this is your wedding, you will have enough to worry about without dealing with people's bookings.

 

If you are planning on doing the wedding on an island, please remember that there is no guarantee that the ship will visit the islands that are scheduled if the weather makes it difficult to dock.

Edited October 11, 2016 by RWolver672

[sailingwithfriends]

To get some extra benefits, you must have 8 cabins. However, a group can be less rooms. If you book through a travel agent or directly through the group booking at Carnival (look on their website at the bottom), you will be guaranteed to sit together at dinner. I have booked several group cruises through different travel agents. The travel agent will hold so many rooms at a set price for a specified length of time. Each person will be responsible for contacting the TA and paying their deposit and then final payment. If you are the person booking the cruise, you can get a discounted room for every 8 cabins booked. There are other benefits that Carnival offers. I love traveling in groups. I would make sure everyone knows they don't have to do everything together. They can catch up at dinner that night. We usually have one group excursion. Sometimes, one or two people will decide to skip that excursion. That's okay. I wouldn't make things required for the entire group. Just offer suggestions as to things to do. Let them decide if they are interested.

[twitzgall]

I organize a group cruise of friends every year for my friends and print out a small laminated card for all of them with meetup points (if you're bored and wanna try to find the group) and dinner on there..also where everything is and of course we do dress-up nights every night(we go in december)...on the opposite side i put everyone's cabin/phone and location.

 

This card I made was a 5 day on the Victory

 

here is an example of a card front:

 

Column 1

Monday - Miami/At Sea

~4:00p After Emerg. Briefing - Serenity Deck Hot Tub (D12, Fwd)

7:30p Alchemy Bar Meet-up (D5, Aft)

8:15p Dinner - Santa Hat (D3, Aft)

 

Tuesday- At Sea

9:30a Dining Room Brunch (D3, Aft)

Noon Sirens’ Bar & Pool Meetup (D9, Aft)

7:00p Casino Bar Meet-up (D5, Mid)

8:15p Dinner - Dressy (D3, Aft)

 

Wednesday– Grand Turk (9a-5p)

9:00a Dining Room Bfast

10:30a Atrium Bar Meetup/Dbark (D3, Mid)

7:00p Casino Bar Meet-up

8:15p Dinner - Ugly Sweater (D3, Aft)

 

Column 2

Thursday - Dominican Republic (8a-4p)

7:30a Dining Room Bfast (D3, Aft)

8:15a Atrium Bar Meetup/Dbark (D3, Mid)

5:00p Serenity Meet-up (D12, Fwd)

8:15p Dinner - Xmas PJ’s (D3, Aft)

 

Friday - At Sea

9:30a Dining Room Brunch (D3, Aft)

Noon Sirens’ Bar & Pool Meetup (D9, Aft)

7:00p Alchemy Bar Meetup (D5, Aft)

8:15p Dinner - Casual (D3, Aft)

 

*Note: It’s your vacation so do what you want; everything here is optional...except “The Quest”

Worthwhile events: comedy shows, piano bar, love & marriage show, karaoke, taste bar

 

here is the back of the card:

 

Name Stateroom # Location

 

Justin, Steve, Tom - 8346 - Verandah-Mid

Courtney & Sara - 1048 - Panorama-Fwd

Danielle & Shawna - 2427 - Main-Aft

Derrick - 6432 - Upper-Aft

Taylor & Glenn - 1432 - Riviera-Aft

[srp1419]

Great thanks everyone for your responses.

 

We are planning to have the wedding on embarkation day while still in port of Miami. As I said so that our guests have a choice whether they will cruise or not. And also this will eliminate the worry of doing it in a port and maybe missing the port because of bad weather.