Class reunion

[carma7007]

Hello, my high school class wants to plan a cruise for a group in 2025. Can anyone give me ideas on the best way for us to do this. Would it be better if people just booked individually or would we contact the cruise line and ask them to assist thank you in advance. 

[Roscoe13]

2 minutes ago, carma7007 said:

Hello, my high school class wants to plan a cruise for a group in 2025. Can anyone give me ideas on the best way for us to do this. Would it be better if people just booked individually or would we contact the cruise line and ask them to assist thank you in advance. 

Approximately how many would be in your group?

If your numbers are going to support the group rate, 10 cabins I think, then you definitely want to book through an agent.  Definitely not worth the headache, let the agent take on the stress.

[Old Fart Cruisers]

Maybe you could offer both if you have a large enough group.  Some of your classmates might have casino and/or other special rates available to them that would be better than any group rates that Carnival would offer.  So, you could share Carnival's rates with your group, but leave it up to the individual member of the group to see if they would be better off booking on their own.

 

From Carnival's site:

Group Travel

Thinking about group travel? Whether you're coordinating your family or school reunion, a special occasion, or planning a professional seminar for an organization, Carnival offers you fantastic group rates and a great variety of amenities to make your event unique and unforgettable.

To qualify for group space, you will need to have a minimum of 8 staterooms (in category 4B or higher) and book your reservations through our Group Department. For groups consisting of 16 guests or more, our group specialists will help you prepare for everything, down to the smallest details - including parties, meetings, dining arrangements and group shore excursions. If your group has a minimum of 50 guests, we are able to customize group shore excursions as well.

For more info about Group Shore Excursions, please click here.

If you are planning a group vacation, please contact your travel agent or give our Group Department a call at 866-721-3225, Monday - Friday 09:00 AM - 08:00 PM ET.

[carma7007]

3 hours ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

Maybe you could offer both if you have a large enough group.  Some of your classmates might have casino and/or other special rates available to them that would be better than any group rates that Carnival would offer.  So, you could share Carnival's rates with your group, but leave it up to the individual member of the group to see if they would be better off booking on their own.

 

From Carnival's site:

Group Travel

Thinking about group travel? Whether you're coordinating your family or school reunion, a special occasion, or planning a professional seminar for an organization, Carnival offers you fantastic group rates and a great variety of amenities to make your event unique and unforgettable.

To qualify for group space, you will need to have a minimum of 8 staterooms (in category 4B or higher) and book your reservations through our Group Department. For groups consisting of 16 guests or more, our group specialists will help you prepare for everything, down to the smallest details - including parties, meetings, dining arrangements and group shore excursions. If your group has a minimum of 50 guests, we are able to customize group shore excursions as well.

For more info about Group Shore Excursions, please click here.

If you are planning a group vacation, please contact your travel agent or give our Group Department a call at 866-721-3225, Monday - Friday 09:00 AM - 08:00 PM ET.

 

3 hours ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

Maybe you could offer both if you have a large enough group.  Some of your classmates might have casino and/or other special rates available to them that would be better than any group rates that Carnival would offer.  So, you could share Carnival's rates with your group, but leave it up to the individual member of the group to see if they would be better off booking on their own.

 

From Carnival's site:

Group Travel

Thinking about group travel? Whether you're coordinating your family or school reunion, a special occasion, or planning a professional seminar for an organization, Carnival offers you fantastic group rates and a great variety of amenities to make your event unique and unforgettable.

To qualify for group space, you will need to have a minimum of 8 staterooms (in category 4B or higher) and book your reservations through our Group Department. For groups consisting of 16 guests or more, our group specialists will help you prepare for everything, down to the smallest details - including parties, meetings, dining arrangements and group shore excursions. If your group has a minimum of 50 guests, we are able to customize group shore excursions as well.

For more info about Group Shore Excursions, please click here.

If you are planning a group vacation, please contact your travel agent or give our Group Department a call at 866-721-3225, Monday - Friday 09:00 AM - 08:00 PM ET.

Thanks for the info.  I couldn't find it when I looked. Appreciate the help

[carma7007]

We will have more than 10.  Thank you for guiding me

[lenquixote66]

One of my neighbors was on a cruise for the 50th.reunion .They all used the same TA who booked reunion cruises.You might want to try that .

[olemissreb]

My high school class tried to do this for our 35th reunion. Only 2 people ended up actually cruising...not sure how many actually booked and then couldn't go (I know of 2 for sure). 

 

Someone local (we sailed from NOLA) was able to meet with a travel agent and get all the info so she could post it on our class FB page. It was only a 4 day cruise to Cozumel and back.

 

Hope your reunion turns out much better than mine did.

[MCC retired]

Suggest to have a Good Travel Agent handle your group.

Cost you nothing

Knowledge of ships and cruise lines.

Handles all questions from potential guests

Single point of contact for bookings and payments. (As a former cruise TA , I can state that everyone thinks a Group Cruise is a great idea until it is time for payments)

TA may throw in some extra amenities in addition to those offered by the cruise line.

 

 

 

 

[MacMadame]

My college is always organizing travel trips for alumni. They don't limit them to a particular class year and I think that helps. Not that I've ever been on one. (I enjoyed my college years but don't like all the "rah, rah, our college is the best and graduates the best people" nonsense that seems to accompany any organized alumni activities.)

[Philob]

IMO it's best to contact a local brick and mortar travel agent to handle this. Each party will have different needs, better to let the pro handle it, especially the $$$:

 

 

[carma7007]

On 3/8/2024 at 9:25 AM, olemissreb said:

My high school class tried to do this for our 35th reunion. Only 2 people ended up actually cruising...not sure how many actually booked and then couldn't go (I know of 2 for sure). 

 

Someone local (we sailed from NOLA) was able to meet with a travel agent and get all the info so she could post it on our class FB page. It was only a 4 day cruise to Cozumel and back.

 

Hope your reunion turns out much better than mine did.

We have found that including all the years that were at the school with us gets us a better result for attendance. So we will do that again.  Maybe try that.  Many times this helps siblings attend together. 

[carma7007]

On 3/7/2024 at 12:54 PM, Old Fart Cruisers said:

So, you could share Carnival's rates with your group, but leave it up to the individual member of the group to see if they would be better off booking on their own.

Old Fart Cruisers, can you guide me to where you found the group information on their website.  I am unable to locate the section you quoted.  I would like to share it with our other organizers.   Thank you

Edited March 10 by carma7007

[olemissreb]

3 hours ago, carma7007 said:

We have found that including all the years that were at the school with us gets us a better result for attendance. So we will do that again.  Maybe try that.  Many times this helps siblings attend together. 

We may try again one day, but with a couple classes above and below us. We did invite the class immediately after our to join us at our 40th reunion and we had a few show up. It was so much fun.

[Old Fart Cruisers]

5 hours ago, carma7007 said:

Old Fart Cruisers, can you guide me to where you found the group information on their website.  I am unable to locate the section you quoted.  I would like to share it with our other organizers.   Thank you

I just used the search words GROUP TRAVEL on Carnival's site.  You could try calling their Group Department a call at 866-721-3225 that was listed on that page.  They might be able to help your organizers with information about promoting your event, or at least steer you in the right direction.  Good luck with your reunion.  And we will all be looking forward to a review about your reunion cruise. 

Here is a link to the information from Carnival:

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3770/~/group-travel