Book your own group cruise

Group cruises are a great way to spend a vacation with friends, family or any other type of group whether large or small. Cruise lines contract with local outfitters to provide shore excursionsat a bulk discountthen charge you anywhere from ten to forty percent more than the retail cost of the excursion. Most cruise lines offer an airsea program that allows you to purchase your cruise plus airfare in one neat little package, but are you able to pick your flights and are they more expensive. Something i get asked quite often is whether or not cruisers should book shore excursions with their cruise line or independently through thirdparty tour companies. On our first viking cruise, she also worked with me and viking air to book my airfare and flights, staying on the phone with me to ensure i was comfortable in my dealings with the process. How to book air travel for your cruise expertcruiser. You can cruise confidently with relaxed payment and cancellation policies which may allow you to cancel up to 48 hours prior to traveling. Organizing a group cruise can lead to a free cruise for you and plenty of benefits for everyone on your group the fact is anyone can put together their own group cruise. This question is a bit tricky so i have highlighted some of my reasons to book shore excursions with your cruise line as well as. Nothing beats the incredible service, the carefree attitude and the amenities included on a cruise. Our reservation agents will also be able to assist you if you would like to prebook specialty dining for your group using more than one credit card. Air payment isnt required until your final cruise payment.

If the cruise line you are interested in is not listed below, simply call us directly to book your cruise. You certainly can book your group typically eight cabins or more directly through a cruise line, but many group organizers recommend using a cruise agent who specializes in groups. The 10 best hawaii excursions hawaiian island cruise tours. I s your organization, a group of friends or family looking for a something new and exciting to do. Dining can be together as a group or only for certain nights within a cruise. If you intend to book your own excursion at a particular port of call, you must return to the ship before departure time or you risk being left behind. Should i use a travel agent or book directly with a cruise. You can book an excursion as part of a group by booking with the cruise line or with an independent shore excursion company. Consider booking cruise line shore excursions in smaller, more offbeat ports on itineraries in africa, asia, the middle east and south america, where limited tourism infrastructure might present certain obstacles with transportation or quality tour guide alternatives. Contact us at 18003779383 and one of our group cruise specialists will discuss your best group cruise options. Our many hawaii tours from maui allow you to soar above this tropical paradise in a helicopter, snorkel crystal clear waters, or relax at an idyllic beach. Get your fellow 80s fans together in our 80s time machine by creating your own 80s cruise club and get paid to do it.

Over 70% of cruisers book their trips with travel agents. You can change your flights without any penalties or service fees, prior to 60 days before cruise departure. In short, it generally doesnt cost you money to use a travel agent, and in fact, the agent can very often help you save money on your trip more on that in that below. Guests under 18 must have the permission of a parent or guardian to call. When you book as part of a group the costs are lower and you travel with many of your fellow cruisers. Difference between drivers, tourist guides and tour escorts. Have you ever asked, should i use a cruise travel agent to book my cruise. Ive done both it both ways but for sure booking independently requires a lot of research i use travel forums beforehand. Browsebook by cruise line book our theme cruises online by clicking on. The river cruise companies that allow you to book through a travel agentbroker expect that this agentbroker will bring them business. The deals and the simplicity of booking your cruise and flight together via cruise line air packages certainly look tempting, but theres always that.

For more info about group shore excursions, please click here. Jul 09, 2019 if, however, youre traveling with a group or want a variety in where and what to eat, or what to do, an ocean cruise is definitely the way to go. In juneau, we booked the whale watch with alaska galore. You cant use the coupon books if you book thru the cruise line dont believe the cruise line when they tell you that you have to book with them to guarantee that you wont miss the ship.

As such, a travel agent may get a commission from the cruise line youre sailing with. What to know about cruising as a group carnival cruise line. I do enjoy tours that ive booked on my own because the groups are usually smaller and you travel at a slower pace however when we went on our disney cruise i didnt have time to research or plan anything it was booked last minute so i just chose from whatever was offered. Keep in mind that new shore excursion bookings cannot be made online after the cutoff date for the new sailing. Every stateroom is great for convenience with a full private bathroom, but also includes comfort items like carnivals own signature line of linens and. You must confirm your age with a governmentissued id we recommend a passport or drivers license at the pier before boarding the ship. How to book a cruise for the first time conde nast traveler. Shore excursions are optional, guided tours in a cruise ships port of call.

Aug 11, 2016 the best way to find a really great cruise oriented travel agent is a referral from friends or family. The best way to find a really great cruiseoriented travel agent is a referral from friends or family. May 31, 2019 9 best cruise packing tips for 2019 2020. Group cruises can only be booked over the phone or via this blog. Each individual in your group will be responsible for calling and making their own reservations or going on a website to make the restrictions. We did this for our last two disney cruises and it was so nice to get a costco cash card in the mail after we returned home from our cruise. Cruise tips and advise planning the perfect cruise.

Deals on group cruises group cruise specials cruisesonly. Book your cruise with a travel agent 6 reasons why you should. Once you book a group cruise, the cruise line will give you a certain amount of time to spread the word among your group. Because cruising requires specialized knowledge and can be overwhelming to navigate for those outside of the travel industry. You can look on the website for the cruise line international association clia to find a cruisecertified travel agent in your area. Or maybe, why should i use a travel agent to book a cruise when i can simply do it myself. Book your own cruise excursions for up to 40% less than the cruise ships charge. Although each ta goes about doing it somewhat differently, the reality is that a substantial piece of your payment comes back to the ta and with the best ones for us this means many hundreds of dollars or. Browse cruises based on destination, departure date, embarkation point and number of. Cruise lines often treat large groups to cocktail parties. Moreover, you cant use frequentflier miles if the cruise line books your air. When you cruise with a group, the options are endless. Even if your group is not the type that needs to bring outside people such as a large family reunion cruise, it is customary for the group organizer to travel in a free cabin. You can look on the website for the cruise line international association clia to find a cruise certified travel agent in your area.

Oct 10, 2019 every group needs a leader the person who will do the majority of the preplanning research, send the invitations to the group, communicate pricing and determine how to book your cruise. Booking shore excursions independently vs booking through. Well, if you book your trip through the cruise line, youre guaranteed not to be left if the trip is delayed. Group cruises group cruise deals and group cruise vacations. Generally, the cruise line will honor the group rate but some of the amenities offered such as cocktail parties or onboard credits may be reduced or eliminated depending on the final group count. Book at least 4 days before your cruise begins or, at most, 321 days. All you have to do is contact a travel agent, and assume you have enough cruise friends who will commit and purchase enough cabins to qualify for the pricing and benefitperks the cruise lines will supply for groups. Plan a day on your own on a private tour though some cruise lines will book you a private guide and driver as part of its shore excursions program, too and youll see the sights you want to. If you are planning a group vacation, please contact your travel agent or give our group department a call at 86672225, monday friday 09.

For our next cruise in 14, we have decided to book our own airfare and extensions, as we have found that viking cannot match the price. Generally speaking, most cruises can be booked anywhere from 18 months to one week ahead of sailing. Group cruise benefits include a free cruise for you. For those who like to book their own spa appointments, shore excursions, specialty dining, etc. From booking activities, private parties and group shore excursions to getting staterooms close to one another, our professional groups department can make planning your cruise easy and fun. Who will be asked to purchase cruise activities with a credit card. If, however, youre traveling with a group or want a variety in where and what to eat, or what to do, an ocean cruise is definitely the way to go. All you have to do is contact a travel agent, and assume you have enough cruise friends who will commit and purchase enough cabins to qualify for the pricing and benefitperks the cruise lines will supply for grou. Group travel the 80s cruise 2021 the ultimate 80s party. With all of that in mind a good question to ask is, should i book airfare on my own or through the cruise line. In terms of pricing youll of course find any number of prices depending on the excursions youre looking at, but if you compare booking a tour independently vs a nearly identical tour through the cruise line youre very likely to find it cheaper to go at it on your own, leaving more money for say booking another cruise.

Alaska galore is great for whale watching if you get the 2for1 coupon. Our reservation agents will also be able to assist you if you would like to pre book specialty dining for your group using more than one credit card. Our group cruises vary from families to business groups and everything in between. When an agent books a hotel room, cruise, tour, etc, this means the provider doesnt have to sell, market, or service the booking the agent takes care of all of that.

If your group has a minimum of 50 guests, we are able to customize group shore excursions as well. Groups bookings get special prices and onboard perks. It can be a complicated, timeconsuming process that involves dozens of open tabs and maybe a spreadsheet or two. To avoid this, book 12 day excursions and leave yourself plenty of time on the backend for delays. Fly2fun travel protection is always included in the price. The 80s cruise with friends, family and other lovers of the greatest decade ever. Book your cruise online at carnivals website if you prefer to control all aspects of your own travel.

Cruising is thriving and, with it, travel agents that specialize in selling cruise travel are too. We do no try to do it all but work with groups as a team to make sure they have the value expected when booking a group cruise. All the cruise lines book the air travel pretty much the same, buying in bulk, getting discounted rates, and the flights are not always the most convenient. If you wish to book a cabin on one of our special theme or group cruises, please click here. The upside, is that most offer next port protection, which you dont get if booking on your own. Should i book airfare on my own or through the cruise line. When you choose to book the cruise is up to you, but there are pros and cons for booking early or late. Book your entire groups vacation right here, all at once. How to book a group cruise with carnival cruise lines. Head over to the american society of travel agents and find a certified travel agent. Or you may call disney cruise line at 800 95532 and well help coordinate your travel party details.

You will need to re book shore excursions for your new ship andor sail date by repeating the order process using your new cruise booking number. Booking shore excursions independently vs booking through the. As you dream about your next vacation, please know that we are here to guide you with oneonone care and booking assistance. Organize your own cruise shore excursions tips for cruise shore excursions what is a shore excursion. Book your group cruise is a specialty division focused on creating fun, yet organized events on cruise ships. In fact, when the cruise lines call center is closed your agent can still handle many of the changes you may have directly through online access to the cruise line database. How to book shore excursions on your cruise vacation usa today. Group cruise specialists are available to assist you in researching, planning and booking your group cruise with the cruise web. Should i book my shore excursions on my own or through the. Then call 186672225, ask for me, richard only with credit card in handkidding. Organize your own cruise shore excursions shorebee. Use your free cash on your kind of fun, like drinks at the pub, relaxing spa treatments, exhilarating.

Most importantly, its simple to get started and we make the entire process as easy as possible. For a limited time only, book your group aboard a qualifying norwegian cruise and youll save up to 15% plus one free berth for every five stateroomsten berths booked and your choice of up to 4 free perks plus 1 bonus perk. If youd like to prebook specialty dining for larger parties, please call us at 8003277030 for assistance. Additional promotions and discountsif available, will be provided while booking your group cruise over the phone. If you booked multiple staterooms yourself, each stateroom will receive its own reservation confirmation number. They are the best way to enhance your cruise experience by allowing you see and do more in the places you visit. Costa cruises, crystal cruises, disney cruise line, holland america line, princess cruises. Mar 15, 2018 book your cruise online at carnivals website if you prefer to control all aspects of your own travel. Please select your cruise line, cruise ship and departure date to start booking your shore excursions at discount rates that are lower than the cruise lines. If you hesitate to accept a free cabin, then simply use the value of the free tour conductor berths to offset the total price of the cabins of all the paying guests. Group cruises current groups and how to book your own group. Do your research to find a travel agent that will give you onboard credit, or book your cruise through costco if youre a member because they will give you a costco cash card based on the value of your cruise. A few months later, after hanging around my neighborhood travel agency and sponging up all i could to book a cruise for clients, i opened my own agency.