GICNJC Posted August 31, 2021 #1 Share Posted August 31, 2021 I have been with CC for a while, however was at a friend's party and a party goer ask me if there are cruise lines that operate in the Caribbean and do not touch US soil. Her large extended family (roughly 50 individuals from infants to 80+) is researching a family get together. They are looking for a cruise under 7 days, (preferably under). I have spend hours on CC to research and having no luck. Looking to the CC hive for their suggestions or where to look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 31, 2021 #2 Share Posted August 31, 2021 you might find 7 days but not usually less Some of the UK lines sail from Barbados P & O come to mind Costa /MSC Use the FIND A CRUISE link at the top of the page & pick an Island then see where they sail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted August 31, 2021 #3 Share Posted August 31, 2021 8 minutes ago, GICNJC said: I have been with CC for a while, however was at a friend's party and a party goer ask me if there are cruise lines that operate in the Caribbean and do not touch US soil. Her large extended family (roughly 50 individuals from infants to 80+) is researching a family get together. They are looking for a cruise under 7 days, (preferably under). I have spend hours on CC to research and having no luck. Looking to the CC hive for their suggestions or where to look. Yacht charter. Check with a broker like Ed Hamilton & Co. (not as expensive per person as one might think). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipgeeks Posted August 31, 2021 #4 Share Posted August 31, 2021 Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas is sailing out of Barbados through next April. 7-nighters. My thought is that to go that far, fewer than 7 nights would hardly be worth the effort and $$. Does she have a time period in mind? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanger727 Posted August 31, 2021 #5 Share Posted August 31, 2021 Royal Caribbean, MSC, and P&O offer cruises that leave from Barbados. There are some upper level cruise lines that also leave from St. Martaan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted August 31, 2021 #6 Share Posted August 31, 2021 (edited) Crystal Serenity currently cruise the Bahamas but embark in Nassau, Bimini and Miami. Not sure if MiMi as a port call would qualify. Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas is sailing from Nassau thru October. Pending relaxation of COVID restrictions, more European lines may resume sailing from Caribbean islands. MSc, Costa, Fred Olsen, P&O, etc. but not likely less than 7 days. suggest you go to cruisetimetables.com, choose departure ports, and then such as Guadeloupe, Fort de France, Martinique ( under France)…EM Edited August 31, 2021 by Essiesmom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipgeeks Posted August 31, 2021 #7 Share Posted August 31, 2021 A large travel agency, especially one that does group bookings, might be another good source of information, and then assistance with the bookings. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted August 31, 2021 #8 Share Posted August 31, 2021 The Seabourn Odyssey is currently doing 7 day cruises (with back to back possibilities) out of Barbados. Their itineraries were developed to avoid all US Ports. Hank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donaldsc Posted August 31, 2021 #9 Share Posted August 31, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, shipgeeks said: A large travel agency, especially one that does group bookings, might be another good source of information, and then assistance with the bookings. I will add that any TA who sees the opportunity to do a 50+ booking should jump through all sorts of hoops to give the OP exactly what they need and a whole bunch of perks including some free cabins. The TA will do all the work in managing this large booking. The OP is wasting their time doing the searching on CC. Let a pro do it as they have tools to do it better than the OP. I do think that the idea that someone suggested for a charter is an intriguing one and should be investigated. Your pro TA can also do that for you. DON Edited August 31, 2021 by donaldsc 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted August 31, 2021 #10 Share Posted August 31, 2021 4 minutes ago, donaldsc said: I will add that any TA who sees the opportunity to do a 50+ booking should jump through all sorts of hoops to give the OP exactly what they need and a whole bunch of perks including some free cabins. The TA will do all the work in managing this large booking. The OP is wasting their time doing the searching on CC. Let a pro do it as they have tools to do it better than the OP. I do think that the idea that someone suggested for a charter is an intriguing one and should be investigated. Your pro TA can also do that for you. DON I think many misunderstand the concept of something akin to group bookings. Many cruise/travel agencies are members of "consortiums" which are essentially large group buying organizations that use volume as a clout when dealing with the cruise lines. These consortiums, such as the Signature Travel Network, are relatively unknown by retail cruise customers. So, for example, when I book a cruise through one of my favorite cruise agencies they are actually leveraging their membership in a large consortium to get favorable pricing, OBCs, and other amenities. While traditional group bookings certainly do exist, they pale in comparison to consortium buying organizations. There are also some decent high volume cruise agencies that generate more volume in a few days then most agencies do in a year. As to Charters, we see more and more of these special interest cruises. However, keep in mind that many of these actually cost more money then a normal booking and target specific customers. There are gay cruises, lesbian cruises, smooth jazz cruises, Star Trek Cruises and there have even been nude cruises! Speaking of the Smooth Jazz Cruise I just noticed that both weeks in 2022 are completely sold out! Personally one of my big no-no's is to accidently book myself onto a cruise that is hosting a large special group (a partial charter if you prefer the term). That is always a risk on shorter cruises (shorter then 2 weeks long) in the Caribbean. Just imagine being on a 3000 passenger ship where 2000 of the passengers are part of group that is opposed to the use of alcohol! It has actually happened! Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jocap Posted August 31, 2021 #11 Share Posted August 31, 2021 As well as P&O, Marella and Fred Olsen are planning Caribbean cruises next winter, all being well. Marella seems that they might be using Jamaica for their home port; Fred O looks like Havana. The UK managed ships don't usually touch any part of the USA, including the islands, because of the visa regulations and immigration checks, for their weekly/fortnightly Caribbean cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zekekelso Posted August 31, 2021 #12 Share Posted August 31, 2021 3 hours ago, Hlitner said: Just imagine being on a 3000 passenger ship where 2000 of the passengers are part of group that is opposed to the use of alcohol! Wooo hooo. No lines at the bars or waiting for drinks! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ontheweb Posted September 1, 2021 #13 Share Posted September 1, 2021 11 hours ago, zekekelso said: Wooo hooo. No lines at the bars or waiting for drinks! The only bad part is walking through the picket line.😒 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoncom Posted September 3, 2021 #14 Share Posted September 3, 2021 As I recall, any booking over 8 berths is a group booking,eligible for a nice discount. Most lines have a Group Desk. Do not hesitate to call them. They will be the most informed too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted September 3, 2021 #15 Share Posted September 3, 2021 2 hours ago, zoncom said: As I recall, any booking over 8 berths is a group booking,eligible for a nice discount. Most lines have a Group Desk. Do not hesitate to call them. They will be the most informed too. I believe it is 8 cabins, not berths. EM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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