Individual vs group booking

[pands]

I am working with an on line TA to get a family cruise together for my parents 50th wedding anniversary for July 2005. We will need six cabins. She called me yesterday and said we could possibly book as a group and save about $100 per cabin but from reading this board I'm pretty sure that group bookings are not eligible for price adjustments down the line. Thought I'd see what you experts say. Any thoughts? I know its a gamble to wait and see if the prices come down especially since its a summer cruise but since its so far out I kind of hate locking into a price that may be less later. Thanks for your imput.

[Triguy]

If you can get 14 or more people [B]you[/B] may be eligible for a discount. You would then be a group leader.

[pands]

There are already 15 (possibly 17) of us going and I guess I get to be the "group leader" no matter what because I'm the one in my family who seems to destined to take care of these types of things [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[tef43]

You typically need eight double-occupancy cabins to qualify for a free berth.

Carnival generally does not honor price drops in the case of group bookings.

[B]Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas[/B]
[img]http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v196/tef43/almamater.jpg[/img]
Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Shhhh, it's a surprise!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=e9967a&cdt=2004;10;9;7;10;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Followed by:
Carnival Valor 10/30/05 CC Group
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2005;10;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
And then:
Carnival Spirit 12/10/05 Mexican Riviera
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2005;12;10;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Perhaps something else as well. Watch this space.

[I]Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.[/I]

[ritarussell]

That's not true. This depends on the agent. If there is a drop in price, the agent can request the groups rate be dropped. I would just ask the agent to check them out from time to time. We have taken two group cruises and both times were able to lower our price. You also can be eligible for a free cabin with as little as 5 cabins(I believe)have your agent check this out with Carnival. They have changed their amenities program.

11/03 Fantasy
4/03 Sensation
5/02 Sovereign of the Seas
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ffff&cdt=2004;8;8;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until the Destiny


[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=e9967a&cdt=2004;11;27;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until our Enchantment of the Seas Family Reunion

[dms_cruisers04]

pands, I setup a group booking directly with Carnival for my family and friends. We're doing the Destiny in Sept.
You will need 8 cabins (double occupancy) to qualify for a group rate (atleast on a seven day itin). Depending on the cruise, you should be eligible for a 16 for 15 discount (free berth, still need to pay govt.fees and taxes) and your group will get a choice of other amenities based on how you want to use your "points" you are offered. Because we're on a 7-day itin, we get 6 pts - so in addition to a free berth, which we are splitting between everyone, we have a $100 per cabin onboard credit (4 pts), 1 hr cocktail party (1 pt - which is in addition to the Past Cruisers party) and a photo coupon for each cabin (2 pts). Groups are still eligible for price adjustments, I asked that question specifically when I was checking on booking, unfortunately, everything that's come across so far, is still more than what we're paying (we booked last year when they were offering the free upgrade, so we paid for a 4A and are staying in a 4F - yeah for me!!)
Something else to keep in mind, which was a nice surprise when I noticed it, we have our cabins split 4 and 4, between inside and oceanview (some of the group wanted windows) the free berth we received was for the 6A rooms, a nice size discount. As long as you book (or atleast reserve) all the rooms together, everyone can have a cabin anywhere they want onboard. Thought that was nice too. And you can also split dining times and whether gratuities are paid in advance or not. It has been a lot easier than I thought it would be.

Mike

Family & Friends 1st time on the Destiny
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;09;12;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[lunyma]

*points*, and TC credits (tour conductor/free berth) vary from cruise to cruise. It depends on the date of sailing, and ship. Your travel agent has no control over this. When they call the cruiseline, or book online, they will be told what is available. Carnival uses what agents call a *Chinese menu*.. X from column A, X from column B, and X from column C. What one group gets on any given cruise, can be totally different than what you may be offered on YOUR cruise. Generally, btw... Group pricing is NOT negotiable if prices go down. The only way to have prices reduced, is to give up one or more of the *perks* offered. Also... Just so you know... Some of the perks offered are additional commissions to the travel agent, that you will obviously never be told about...

Pam : )
Emerald Seas 6/20/83
Nordic Empress 6/93
Imagination 3/30/00
Ecstasy 9/4/00
Majesty of the Seas 10/27/00
Triumph 12/16/00
Radiance of the Seas
3/26/01 & 3/29/01
Crown Odyssey 6/24/01
Golden Princess 10/11/01
Spirit 11/11/01
Sensation GGC 1/13/02
Sovereign of the Seas 3/24/02
Imagination 5/18/02
Pride 11/2/02
Explorer of the Seas 3/29/03
Enchantment of the Seas 9/1/03
Serenade of the Seas 10/28/03
Grand Princess 11/16/03

check out my pics at [url="http://community.webshots.com/user/lunyma"]http://community.webshots.com/user/lunyma[/url]

[serene56]

I think you should ask for the agencies policies for groups. Most agencies do not give the reductions when price comes down to the groups. Ask her is you can be entitled to any price reductions as a group then get it in writing.
Same with upgrades. Ask and get the reply in writing.

Going NOWHERE
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;10;22;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]


Miracle, February 13, 2005
Legend, October 22,2004
Voyager August 31,2003
Victory September 22,2002
Regal Empress,June 2001
Sensation,August 2000

[CruiseFever]

I don't know a whole lot about groups (a CC host can be a trusted and invaluable help on this one) but it "feels" to me like you should be able to save more than $100 pp group vs individual booking.

For more info go to the group area on this board and see "what it takes to be a group leader"...I think is the name of the topic.

It's more than a good thirst

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Diamond Princess 12/22/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05
Carnival Valor 10/30/05

[pands]

Thanks for all the information. I'm still checking this out right now if we do a group thing it looks like it would be 1230.90 pp for an 8B on the Miracle for a 7/05 sailing. That's cruise, port and tax. That's the best pricing I've seen so far but again there's part of me that wonders if its likely to come down anymore. I guess I just need to ask myself, "Do you feel lucky?"

[imsulin]

There are times Carnival will adjust the price for a group if the individual rates have been lowered. It really all has to do with the time of year, and how full the ship is. lunyma has some very good information about how group bookings work, too. pands - your 7/05 sailing is during one of the most expensive times of year to cruise, so it's doubtful that the price will drop. June, July, August....honeymoons, graduations, family vacations, etc. Most of the ships will be full. Plus, prices are always higher on brand-new ships. I would guess that a Cat. 8B on the Conquest or the Glory would be cheaper for the same date of sailing.

[jnnifer01]

What if you book directly through Carnival? There are 13 of us.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2005;4;17;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Explorer of the Seas
(Royal Suite) 4/17/05, 7 Day Eastern Caribbean (2nd Anniversary)

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;12;13;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
Carnival Ecstasy 12/13/04, 5 Day Mexican Caribbean


Carnival Pride
(Category 11) 4/25/04, 7 day Mexican Riviera (1 year Anniversary!)
Carnival Conquest
(Category 12)4/27/03,7 Day Western Caribbean(Honeymoon & 1st cruise)

[imsulin]

It doesn't matter if you book through Carnival, or through a TA. The Carnival Group Department determines the pricing and the amenities, regardless of how you book.

[serene56]

WOW- I just looked at pricing for that July---
WOW im speechless- guess that is why I never sailed in the summer.

Have to looked into a balcony gaurantee which is selling for 922pp instead of booking a direct cabin??

Going NOWHERE
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;10;22;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]


Miracle, February 13, 2005
Legend, October 22,2004
Voyager August 31,2003
Victory September 22,2002
Regal Empress,June 2001
Sensation,August 2000

[pands]

Yes the balcony guarentee is $922 but by the time you add port and tax it's up to $1113.90 pp. If it were just me and my DH I wouldn't have a problem with guarentee but with this many people, some of who have never cruised and are a little nervous about it, I think it's worth getting a firm cabin assinment. Also, because over half of the passengers are minors between the ages of 11 and 19 we need to make sure their cabins are right across the hall from some of the adults.

[serene56]

When you book as a group not everyone has to take the same category cabin. You and DH can go with a guarantee. while someone else wants a balcony and the other person wants an ocean view room. That is all doable by the travel agent.

Going NOWHERE
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;10;22;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]


Miracle, February 13, 2005
Legend, October 22,2004
Voyager August 31,2003
Victory September 22,2002
Regal Empress,June 2001
Sensation,August 2000

[imsulin]

Exactly. Not everyone in the group has to book the same cabin categories. Those balconies aren't cheap, especially in the summer, and those passengers taking their kids may find the standard outside or inside cabins more affordable. I think it's better for those absolutely needing cabins next to each other to pay the full deposit and get exactly what they want.

[StaceyM]

Our group of 23 is a prime example of a group who was booked as group, got a free berth and group rate and the price of our cruise dropped recently so we are all getting substantial ship board credits. so.... It can be done. Our agent is an online TA and gave us the best rate we could find at the time of booking.

[pands]

Not everyone will be in the same category of cabin. Some of us will have balconies, some ocean view and some inside. However, since we are travelling as a group my folks would prefer to know where everyone is and have the cabins close together so that's why we want to get assigned cabins. Right now we are definatly leaning towards the group booking. The only hassle is that we have to cancel and rebook instead of transfering our current booking. Oh well, the difference is enough to make it worth our while. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]