Group Cruises on Royal Caribbean, TA?

[bluecookies]

I'm looking for some advice regarding booking about 20 or so cabins. I understand how the free berths work. I've never used a TA for my personal bookings. How would I go about finding a really good one who specializes in group cruises? Are there advantages to just booking directly through RC?

[Clarea]

I would talk to friends and associates to get TA referrals. With a group that large, you should be able to negotiate how the TC (tour conductor) credit is distributed. You get one TC credit for each 8 staterooms (double occupancy) booked.

[klfrodo]

Here's how I'd do it.

From experience of my wife doing it herself.

 

Find a TA or maybe call RCCL Group Dept.

 

Tell them the ship, the dates, how many cabins you think you might need,, and slowly back yourself out the door.

E-Mail the pertinent information to all the people you think may want to go, and slowly back out the door.

 

 

Here's what's going to happen behind the scenes.

When this cruise is announced, 100 people will respond and all of them will ensure you that they want to go.

When it comes time to make reservations and place a deposit, 50 of them will do so.

When it comes time to make final payment 10 of them will do it.

 

During this timeframe

Someone will complain that they could have gotten a better price

Someone will complain that so and so got a reduced rate

Someone will complain about the ship/date/itinerary, etc.

Someone will complain that they weren't consulted

None of these complainers will offer to step up and help resolve any issues.

 

I sound negative don't I?

It can be lots of fun. I hope you experience that part of the trip.

[bluecookies]

Here's how I'd do it.

From experience of my wife doing it herself.

 

Find a TA or maybe call RCCL Group Dept.

 

Tell them the ship, the dates, how many cabins you think you might need,, and slowly back yourself out the door.

E-Mail the pertinent information to all the people you think may want to go, and slowly back out the door.

 

 

Here's what's going to happen behind the scenes.

When this cruise is announced, 100 people will respond and all of them will ensure you that they want to go.

When it comes time to make reservations and place a deposit, 50 of them will do so.

When it comes time to make final payment 10 of them will do it.

 

During this timeframe

Someone will complain that they could have gotten a better price

Someone will complain that so and so got a reduced rate

Someone will complain about the ship/date/itinerary, etc.

Someone will complain that they weren't consulted

None of these complainers will offer to step up and help resolve any issues.

 

I sound negative don't I?

It can be lots of fun. I hope you experience that part of the trip.

 

 

This is good stuff right here.

[Big_G]

I post this link with a disclaimer. I have no idea how they come to be recommended by Royal Caribbean. The two that were referred in my area are clearly residential locations but they are registered agents. I also don't have any idea if this violates CC TOS so don't kill me over it.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/travelagentLocate.do

 

Edit: My disclaimer should also say I've never used their recommendation.

Edited May 2, 2018 by Big_G

[bluecookies]

I put in my location and had dozens of agencies displayed. I e-mailed the first 5 on the list 2-3 days ago. I have yet to hear back from any of them.

 

 

I post this link with a disclaimer. I have no idea how they come to be recommended by Royal Caribbean. The two that were referred in my area are clearly residential locations but they are registered agents. I also don't have any idea if this violates CC TOS so don't kill me over it.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/travelagentLocate.do

 

Edit: My disclaimer should also say I've never used their recommendation.

[kknorr0320]

Here's how I'd do it.

From experience of my wife doing it herself.

 

Find a TA or maybe call RCCL Group Dept.

 

Tell them the ship, the dates, how many cabins you think you might need,, and slowly back yourself out the door.

E-Mail the pertinent information to all the people you think may want to go, and slowly back out the door.

 

 

Here's what's going to happen behind the scenes.

When this cruise is announced, 100 people will respond and all of them will ensure you that they want to go.

When it comes time to make reservations and place a deposit, 50 of them will do so.

When it comes time to make final payment 10 of them will do it.

 

During this timeframe

Someone will complain that they could have gotten a better price

Someone will complain that so and so got a reduced rate

Someone will complain about the ship/date/itinerary, etc.

Someone will complain that they weren't consulted

None of these complainers will offer to step up and help resolve any issues.

 

I sound negative don't I?

It can be lots of fun. I hope you experience that part of the trip.

This is spot on.

We used Royal's groups department for our current cruise and were able to use the conductor fare as an on board credit divided among the group.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

[taglovestocruise]

Booking 20 cabins a good TA should be able to add $1500.00 minimum in perks. Pre paid grats alone are worth 4000.00.

[Paulxyz2004]

Here's how I'd do it.

From experience of my wife doing it herself.

 

Find a TA or maybe call RCCL Group Dept.

 

Tell them the ship, the dates, how many cabins you think you might need,, and slowly back yourself out the door.

E-Mail the pertinent information to all the people you think may want to go, and slowly back out the door.

 

 

Here's what's going to happen behind the scenes.

When this cruise is announced, 100 people will respond and all of them will ensure you that they want to go.

When it comes time to make reservations and place a deposit, 50 of them will do so.

When it comes time to make final payment 10 of them will do it.

 

During this timeframe

Someone will complain that they could have gotten a better price

Someone will complain that so and so got a reduced rate

Someone will complain about the ship/date/itinerary, etc.

Someone will complain that they weren't consulted

None of these complainers will offer to step up and help resolve any issues.

 

I sound negative don't I?

It can be lots of fun. I hope you experience that part of the trip.

 

Best advice so far.

[ohgreatjen]

Welcome to CC.

 

As this is your first post and you seem to have just signed up, you should have just read the guidelines and realize that your first post on here already violates them.:eek:

 

Sorry I don't know what I did wrong. I found these boards while looking for information on my cruise to Cuba in a couple days. I thought I was being helpful. I will delete my account.