Group "travel agent", AKA mom/grandma needs final confirmation of plans

[RNCheryl]

So, July Bliss Alaska, 50th anniversary.  Hubby and I are paying for 5 cabins of family (including ourselves) for the cruise.  7 adults, 3 kids.

 

1.  Can I reserve Teppenyaki for the group on line on the first available booking date?

2.  Will each family unit need to create their own password entry into the NCL site (Sure this is required due to passport info, etc) and I do not want to be responsible for this.

3.  On said first available booking date, can I access EACH family's NCL site (they will give me passwords) to book Jersey Boys?

4. What about Prohibition and comedy clubs, booked on board.  Does each family unit (cabin) have to do that themselves.

5. What about MDR for 10 every night except 2 (Teppenyaki night and Juneau night).  On board?  On line?

 

I am stressing so much about this.  I want everyone to have a good time and not miss out on anything.  Also, I don't want anyone to "waste" time booking something they don't want.  Younger cruisers will also want to do karts and laser tag.

 

I am used to booking for the 2 of us.  Hubby is happy with anything and everything I plan, so no stress.  Have any of you faced this 

[rocklinmom]

We did a family cruise with five cabins, but each family paid for their own cabin so I'm not sure how yours is booked if you are paying for all five?  I assume each cabin has its own booking number.  Usually each one will also have their own login and password.  If you compile a list of the five login's/passwords and booking numbers, you should be able to access all of them and book things together.  And everyone can book their own interests as well.  I don't recall being able to make MDR reservations in advance, in less that's a new thing.  It would probably be easier to do that onboard anyway, once you coordinate a dinner time and MDR that work best for everyone each night.  Our group of 16 had an early breakfast and late breakfast option and then dinner together each evening, and we just figured that out each day based on activities, shorex's, etc.  You can call the dine line (MDR) and arrange a big table.  And if you find a server that you like you can also request them.  Some are better than others at handling large groups.  We still talk about our family cruise and I'm sure yours will too! 

[Sauer-kraut]

Are you sure you want to book MDR every night mentioned for the ENTIRE group???  I would rethink that one, as some family members might not want to eat when you have the reserved time.   You might get stuck with a very early (5;30 pm or very late after 9 pm seating for that amount of people).

You can book everything for everyone at one go -- you don't have to go inot their accounts.

Book Teppanaki and the shows for the entire party.  They will charge the key card once you are in the restaurant. 

 

[senoragilbert]

First of all, happy anniversary and congratulations! It's no small thing to be married for 50 years...and to have built up enough trust that your husband is always happy with what you plan. That's my goal...18 down and only mild complaining with my plans. 😂

 

Even if you pay for all the cabins, each family may create an NCL account for their own stateroom (actually, every person may have an account). They just use the confirmation number, their names and birthdates to associate the reservation with their account. That way, they can enter their own information for the passports, etc. 

 

As you say, you'll need their account info to book entertainment tickets. I believe others have reported that they've been able to get tickets at the actual box office for their group.

 

As far as dining goes, I would book the teppanyaki and maybe one MDR dinner for the whole group, but I don't know your situation. If you are really, REALLY into togetherness, go for it! You'll have to eat really early, but that might be best for the kids anyway (mom and dad can get them to Splash Academy before the shows start for the evening). You may have to pay upfront for the teppanyaki, but I was successful in getting reservations for 4 using my own dining plan (we'll pay the other diners on board), so hopefully you'll have the same experience! If you have trouble getting a group of 10 in teppanyaki, you could always book a 4 and a 6 at the same time with two accounts and tell the Maitre d' when you get on board that it's really 10. 

 

I hope that helped a little! 

[GeezerCouple]

When we brought family along with us (kids and grands), it was a much smaller group.

 

However, I made all of the reservations and also kept the online accounts.

For one thing, we didn't even want them to see the prices of the cruise or any add-ons.

Yes, it was slightly tedious to enter all the information (birthdays, and passport numbers), but once those were in, that was done.

 

I just asked, as needed, about planning for restaurants or excursions, and planned them all.

For things done "through" NCL, I went online "as if" I were the others, and did whatever needed to be done.

Most of the excursions were private, so that didn't involve the NCL or their website.

 

This would be a bit more work (and tedium?) with such a large group, however.

 

GC

[Visigoth]

1.  "Can I reserve Teppenyaki for the group on line on the first available booking date?

Two issues here."  

Because of the popularity and limited seating the Teppanyaki may not be available to reserve until after you board.   Also of concern to you is the fact that the seating around the Habatchi may be for eight rather than 10.

 

2.  "Will each family unit need to create their own password entry into the NCL site (Sure this is required due to passport info, etc) and I do not want to be responsible for this."

For the reason you noted and many others (printing edocs, printing luggage tags, etc)  each family unit needs their own NCL site access.

 

3.  "On said first available booking date, can I access EACH family's NCL site (they will give me passwords) to book Jersey Boys?"

Since each family can book only their own shows and entertainment it should be incumbent on them to do their own booking.  If you have someone that will have difficulty with this you might want to oversee the process either in person or by phone.  You can probably also do this through NCL by contacting their customer service line.  

 

4. "What about Prohibition and comedy clubs, booked on board.  Does each family unit (cabin) have to do that themselves?"

Sometimes one person can do this and sometimes they want a rep from each cabin present.  The new Norwegian Cruise app may allow you to make these arrangements on your cell phone (after boarding).  If you attempt to do this on your own you may be asked to make some schedule compromises on the fly.  This means you need everyone to agree to allowing you to make those decisions for the group or go with you to OK changes.

 

5. What about MDR for 10 every night except 2 (Teppenyaki night and Juneau night).  On board?  On line?

You will have a difficult time reserving 10 spots for dinner at the MDR either on line or on board.  We have traveled with many groups of 8 to as many as 37 and we had the best luck with MDR reservations when talked directly to the MairerD.  I generally stopped by in the morning and asked if we could be accommodated for the group at a particular time.  On occasion they had to slide our reservation 30 minutes one way or the other.  I always showed up at least 30 minutes early and reminded them.  Your biggest hurdle hear is trying to get 10 people to show up at the same time.  I, inevitably, found myself waiting in the hall way in front of the MDR so that I could escort the stragglers to our table.

 

Good luck with this endeavor.  It's great to travel with friends and family but it can be difficult to be in charge.  Many of your plans for everyone to dine or play together will not materialize because someone forgot, or had something better to do, or over- slept, or...... 

 

[RNCheryl]

Thank you all.  The thinking about the group dinner was:  we will all do our own thing during the day:  kids club, excursions, napping, drinking, trivia, etc, and gather for dinner at night, share our adventures, plan for the next day.  We shall see.

[njkate]

14 hours ago, RNCheryl said:

Thank you all.  The thinking about the group dinner was:  we will all do our own thing during the day:  kids club, excursions, napping, drinking, trivia, etc, and gather for dinner at night, share our adventures, plan for the next day.  We shall see.

Well in my humble opinion if you are picking up the tab for this that is the least they can do, assemble for dinner when Mom/Grandma says so 🙂 Happy Anniversary and enjoy your cruise 🙂