Family Reunion Cruise

[Luvsdaislands]

Hello everyone,

I am planning a Family Reunion Cruise for my family of about 200 people.

Has anyone planned one before??

Has anyone be on one before??

What was your experience??

What kind of together family functions did you attend/plan? i.e., talent show, meeting, etc.

All help is welcome!

Luvs

[doone]

I did this 2 years ago, but only for 28 people, not 200 like you have.

 

Your going to have so much fun. I would highly recommend that you find a travel agent who specializes in group cruises to help you to be sure you have a wonderful cruise.

 

In my group, everyone just did their own thing, with a group its very difficult to get everyone together to do the same thing. We all met for dinner, which was great. That's about the only time we all did something together.

 

Your going to have a great time, but just remember, with a group that size, not everyone will want to do the same thing at the same time, so just go with the flow.

 

Good luck, keep us posted as how your doing.

[Luvsdaislands]

Thank you.

 

I know 200 is alot, that's how many names are on the roster. I am planning now for 2009 (we have alot of older people and people with small children) to allow time for people to pay for the expenses and save up. Hopefully most will attend

 

I have a few ideas, I have dinner together on the list, and I want to do maybe 2 other things during the cruise and what to know how people pull it off with the planning. I want to plan something like a meet and greet, a talent show that the kids can put on for the older family members, a family history/storytelling session (trick the children into learning family history :) ), etc. etc.

[doone]

One thing we were offered because we booked as a group was a cocktail party. We got 45 minutes of free cocktails one night. We were able to choose this day and time ahead so we all knew about it. Then the cruise line sent invitations to the individual cabins, worked out well and it was great. We had a wonderful waiter, paid great attention to us, we tipped him well for his attention.

 

When you book as a group, you get a few little perks, this was one we really enjoyed.

[takeavacation]

Totally agree with going with a TA that works with groups! I am a TA and groups are challenging -- even when we know what to stay on top of! You can arrange a cocktail party - and reserve lounge space for just your group (of course it depends on the numbers that actually attend). I hope you have a great time -- but...don't try to arrange to much for the whole group to do together -- it's hard to get everyone to want to do the same thing.

 

However -- do try to arrange a photo op session -- you'll want a photographer for just your group -- and not someone who has a large line forming behind you.

[johno95]

On my upcoming cruise, someone from the TA is coming on the cruise, and has contacted us to let my wife and i know she will be there, helping to arrange things. and we're not even a group! she'll just be working with those who booked through her.

 

i wonder if, with such a large group as 200, the TA would send someone to help organize things. perhaps the cruise line would give her a discounted room.

 

Totally agree with going with a TA that works with groups! I am a TA and groups are challenging...

[Why-wait-to-retire]

We also had a group of 28 relatives on our cruise Oct 2005. We booked the cruise about a year and a half out. My brother setup a family cruise web page, (with the countdown of course) that told which relative had signed up. That was nice, because looking forward to the cruise is half the fun.

My sister arranged for a group rate at the Embassy Suites in Tampa so that everyone could fly in the day before our cruise sailed. This worked out really well.

We did a family photo on one of the formal nights before dinner. But with a group of 200 you should definately make some kind of appointment with the photographer.

The cruise was alot of fun. Everyone had a great time. Except my mom. She didn't like the part about staying ahead of Wilma!

Your going to have such a great time!!!

K & C

[Amlee]

check with Carnival, as they have a set up that on their webpage that will help you alot. You put in your information and then you email out to your family members. It will help you!

 

Also as someone else said, don't try to plan a whole lot to do as a group. I would suggest a meet and greet type thing at the beginning of the cruise. Then do a farewell meeting toward the end of the cruise. Let the in between work themselves out. Most if not all cruise ships have group event planners that you can be in contact with.

 

Also your NOT going to please everyone! Some might want late dinning others might want early. Dates are going to conflict. Go with the date that most can go with, then let everyone else work around it.

 

Also find a TA that would be willing to escort your group. That way he or she is on hand to take care of everything.

 

Most important thing is to keep your cabin number a secret!! As the person that is doing all of this, you will be the go to person. You will hear ever cry, moan and itching that happens. You don't want a knock on your door at all hours of the night because so and so isn't happy.

[melissasneu]

Your family reunion trip sounds wonderful. As I read through your ideas I thought it might be fun to do a family craft project. It might require a few people to do some prep work before you leave but a scrapbooking project or a family cookbook project might be a wonderful keepsake for all to remember this special time. You could combine the ideas and ask people to make copies of old photos and send a recipe with it and put together a book to distribute at your cocktail party.

 

Melissa

[bububr]

I've been planning a family reunion cruise for about a year now. The date, the ship, the costs, etc....were all sent out via e-mail and hard copy. There were amny people interested. Well, its now almost September, the cruise is in January.....only a handful of people have booked, the prices have increased as cabins sell out...but fortunately we still have enough cabins to be a group.

 

Many of the family have children, so this was actually PLANNED when the various kids would be on break. There was only one family that had to take the kids out of school and that is the day we disembark....they ARE booked and really looking forward to it..So the excuses have started coming in...

 

"Its too expensive"...well if you had put down your deposit when we told you and you were interested it wouldn't be....

 

" I have to ask if I can get the time off, and lots of people are going to be on vacation" .....okay you were told of the exact schedule A YEAR AGO!...maybe you should have thought about it then....

 

"airfare is SO EXPENSIVE now"...Okay. we fly Southwest. We booked our air months ago. Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale.....$59.00 each way .....( see above ). The same fare has doubled now.

 

"we were waiting for the prices to go down"...Okay in the email- I explicitly said ' if the price drops, the line will honor the lower price and refund the difference. A deposit WILL lock in the price.

 

Now I don't know if its just me, or does anyone else out there have this problem when dealing with relatives?

 

However, we still have a few months and we're going to have a blast anyway.. as for the rest...they're gonna be off the holiday card list for sure.

 

Dave:eek:

[Amlee]

I've been planning a family reunion cruise for about a year now. The date, the ship, the costs, etc....were all sent out via e-mail and hard copy. There were amny people interested. Well, its now almost September, the cruise is in January.....only a handful of people have booked, the prices have increased as cabins sell out...but fortunately we still have enough cabins to be a group.

 

Many of the family have children, so this was actually PLANNED when the various kids would be on break. There was only one family that had to take the kids out of school and that is the day we disembark....they ARE booked and really looking forward to it..So the excuses have started coming in...

 

"Its too expensive"...well if you had put down your deposit when we told you and you were interested it wouldn't be....

 

" I have to ask if I can get the time off, and lots of people are going to be on vacation" .....okay you were told of the exact schedule A YEAR AGO!...maybe you should have thought about it then....

 

"airfare is SO EXPENSIVE now"...Okay. we fly Southwest. We booked our air months ago. Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale.....$59.00 each way .....( see above ). The same fare has doubled now.

 

"we were waiting for the prices to go down"...Okay in the email- I explicitly said ' if the price drops, the line will honor the lower price and refund the difference. A deposit WILL lock in the price.

 

Now I don't know if its just me, or does anyone else out there have this problem when dealing with relatives?

 

However, we still have a few months and we're going to have a blast anyway.. as for the rest...they're gonna be off the holiday card list for sure.

 

Dave:eek:

 

Just wait until you get on the ship! :rolleyes:

 

Hence my keep your cabin number a secret!

[Luvsdaislands]

Thanks for the advice about keep my cabin number a secret...writing that in my notes and highlighting it. Never thought abut that.

Our family is actually trying to put together a quilt, we started the project this year. Each family is to make a 7x7 square and create something that describes their immediate family. My cousin is responsible for sewing the pieces together and after completion it will be hung in the museum where our family is from. I was thinking about having the children make a smaller quilt, using the same concept, on the cruise.

I know the it's coming....the reasons why I can't go...it came when I announced it at this year's reunion. "what about the older people", "it's going to cost too much", "children need learn about our family history and not play the entire time,". I plainly said, if you don't want to go...don't go and keep your mouth closed!!!

[Happy ks]

Although our group was far smaller, I wrote a quarterly newsletter about our upcoming cruise, we had booked a year in advance.

 

Someone just has to put the stake down in the ground and it seems like it will be you. I'll agree with others recommendations to find a TA to do the business end of the cruise planning. No way do you want to be left holding the bag for missed deposits, payments, passports needed, airfare, hotel etc...

 

Give a choice of 3 dates in a mailer, with a deadline set for voting. Some people will not try to make it, some will complain, some will want control but don't give in to any of it. You'll be surprised at who won't come, it's usually the most enthusiastic people (at first!). To the ones who complain about the date, simply explain that the majority ruled and you're very sorry if it causes any inconvenience.

 

I think for every 8 double cabins booked, your group may be in for a free berth. Discuss this with your TA, they can let you know how it can either be dispersed to give everyone a discount, or if you are doing all the work, a free cabin for you. Some might argue the point, I think if you're the one shouldering the headaches and stress, you deserve something out of it.

 

Good luck to you and please don't make anyone wear those horrid matching T-shirts!

[bububr]

"Good luck to you and please don't make anyone wear those horrid matching T-shirts!"

 

We were going to get all the men matching green speedos with an Irish shamrock on the front! It was the ladies who were getting the T's:D

 

Dave:D

[Happy ks]

"Good luck to you and please don't make anyone wear those horrid matching T-shirts!"

 

We were going to get all the men matching green speedos with an Irish shamrock on the front! It was the ladies who were getting the T's:D

 

Dave:D

 

I can just see a thread about it on the Fashion Board now...."should we do a kelly green or dark green for our mens Speedos?" :p

 

At least make them she-shirts and not T-shirts! Women do not look good in crew necks ;)

[jewels95]

A group of 200 people will need at least a year planning. There are lots of amenities for a group of this size. Money off the cruise price, private cocktail parties, bottles of champage etc.

In addition to the Travel Agent traveling with you, the TA will get the ships event coordinator involved.

The TA should also set up a table on board for the group to find out what is going on for there group while on board the ship.

Hope this helps.

Sharon

[star1979]

I've been planning a family reunion cruise for about a year now. The date, the ship, the costs, etc....were all sent out via e-mail and hard copy. There were amny people interested. Well, its now almost September, the cruise is in January.....only a handful of people have booked, the prices have increased as cabins sell out...but fortunately we still have enough cabins to be a group.

 

Many of the family have children, so this was actually PLANNED when the various kids would be on break. There was only one family that had to take the kids out of school and that is the day we disembark....they ARE booked and really looking forward to it..So the excuses have started coming in...

 

"Its too expensive"...well if you had put down your deposit when we told you and you were interested it wouldn't be....

 

" I have to ask if I can get the time off, and lots of people are going to be on vacation" .....okay you were told of the exact schedule A YEAR AGO!...maybe you should have thought about it then....

 

"airfare is SO EXPENSIVE now"...Okay. we fly Southwest. We booked our air months ago. Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale.....$59.00 each way .....( see above ). The same fare has doubled now.

 

"we were waiting for the prices to go down"...Okay in the email- I explicitly said ' if the price drops, the line will honor the lower price and refund the difference. A deposit WILL lock in the price.

 

Now I don't know if its just me, or does anyone else out there have this problem when dealing with relatives?

 

However, we still have a few months and we're going to have a blast anyway.. as for the rest...they're gonna be off the holiday card list for sure.

 

Dave:eek:

 

 

We have that problem if the reunion is on sea or land with it being same weekend every year for the last 23 yrs. My family did a cruise a couple years ago. There was about 70 of us and it was great even though all could not make it(Really couldn't afford it/3+ Kids/Fear of being on boat).

 

Only had one get together for a meeting, same dinner seating plus a family picture on formal night. And yes had to wear the matching tshirt all over the bahamas...lol

 

[TolleranzaDelDio]

If you really wanna stand out wear Canadian tuxedos (denim shirt/blue jeans) embroidered with your family name and crest...on formal night. :p

[Kudos2Fly]

We have done 2 family cruises with my husbands family of about 25 people.

 

My farther in law paid for the whole family both times, if you wanted to upgrade then you paid that part..

 

We also have gotten together in his fathers room for a sail off party. But with your group, you could arrange a get together in one of the lounges while at sea.

 

You have a "large" group and getting people together for a excursion will be rough. Plus with different age groups there is a big difference in interests. But a few get togethers on the boat should work out.

 

But go with a TA...for your family. Trip Insurance is another thing to think about with that many people involved.

[bububr]

That wasn't nice.............

 

Of course they could also wear the Virginia/West Virginia tuxedo ( new coveralls and a clean wife beater ).:D

 

Dave:eek:

[jazzlvr57]

I agree, find a good TA to work with. That way they can keep track of all of the questions, changes, problems, etc. Work it out with them so that they can come along with you. Then they can be the "go to" person on the cruise rather than you.

 

I know because I do arrange group cruises - even with as few as 30 - 50 people it can become a nightmare. Last minute changes, cancellations, someone wants to go who didn't a month ago. Also sometimes a TA is able to get extensions on deposits and other types of things that you may not realize are available.

 

200 is going to be a lot to deal with - let them have the worries and headaches so you can just plan your wonderful,fun, family reunion cruise!

[megr1125]

"Good luck to you and please don't make anyone wear those horrid matching T-shirts!"

 

We were going to get all the men matching green speedos with an Irish shamrock on the front! It was the ladies who were getting the T's:D

 

Dave:D

 

that's funny.....YOU could be part of my family...that's something that one of my relatives would say..and we're irish!

[DBXX]

We are doing a group cruise as well, but there is only 30 of us and I also noticed at the beginning when you tell everyone about it they ALL want to come until it is time for them to pay then nothing, they say later then that passes and they just dont come. Weird :rolleyes: Another thing is watch out being the leader I learned the hard way. I was the leader of my group (I quit that job :eek: ) but I went to differant agencys and compared prices and everything, did all the research on the ports and what to do, answered the thousands of questions from everyone (none of us have ever cruised) and then when it came down to them knowing about the free berth which by the way in my case is $200 came down to like $12.50 per person for that berth well they all got greedy and decided that all of my work and stress (by the way I was booking for everyone and everything) but they decided they wanted there $12.50 and that all of my work should be for nothing that they said and I quote "WELL YOU WOULD HAVE DONE IT ANYWAY EVEN WITHOUT A CREDIT" Which of course I would they are my friends but if they are offering a credit and one person is doing all the work and making it easier on everyone then that person should get the credit IMO. Well feelings were really hurt, but I got over it and I just realized THEY ARE JUST THAT DAMN CHEAP :eek: But it certainly opened my eyes to things and how people are when it comes to that. So be careful of that. I had no idea that would happen to me, I truely thought after I had done all of that research and everything for all of them after 4 mths at that time (we planned a year ahead of time) I certainly thought there would be no question if I deserved it but there certainly was. WOW..... Good thing I found out the way they felt after 4 mths instead of a year when we were ready to cruise it would have been way worse. In fact they are still asking questions about things can you beleive that??

 

Danielle

[coach32]

Don't plan this yourself. Get 2 to 4 other family members who can motivate their portion of the family and make the when and where decisions with them. Find a TA that will collect payment and keep everyone informed. There are a number of good TA's that can set your group up on their website for registration, payment, cabin selection etc. All the questions that you would get can be directed to them. I can reccomend a good one if you have any problems finding one. Plan your family activities on the ship. Let everyone be on their own in port. Your planning should not include transportation to and from the ship or you will end up packing and carrying everyones luggage.

[KC_fn]

You'll definitely want a group photo, but don't wait till formal night and then try to grab a photographer; make arrangements the day you get on the ship. I've sailed with a group, albeit a much smaller one. Centrum staircases make a great setting for a group portrait; shorter people at ground level; the others on the stairs.

 

Don't schedule every minute for family activities; allow plenty of "down time" for people to do their own thing.