| Want to get a group of friends together from college, | | | | you can get group benefits. Many large travel |
| work, or how about family reunion? Getting a group to | | | | agencies hold what is known as "block space" on |
| cruise together is not as hard as you might think and it | | | | ships. That means that they have reserved space at |
| is often less costly than the traditional cruise booking | | | | group rates, and can at times offer attractive pricing. |
| route. Best of all, depending upon the cruise line, your | | | | Sometimes these agencies hold aside several of the |
| cruise group could end up with some terrific onboard | | | | group cabins for individual clients who might be able to |
| perks. | | | | depart on the group date - it's called "piggybacking." It's |
| Group cruise basics | | | | a great way for people to take advantage of a group |
| The first step is to find a travel agent that understands | | | | cruise rate without being in a group. |
| booking a group and work with them in tandem to find | | | | Group cruise perks |
| the best possible option and deal for your group cruise | | | | Some cruise lines also offer special perks available |
| vacation. The person who works with the travel agent | | | | only to group cruisers. For example, many cruise lines |
| will become the designated "tour conductor." Tour | | | | are now awarding "group amenity points" based on |
| conductors work with a travel agency to make all the | | | | the number of people in the group: the more people, |
| travel and onboard arrangements; their primary jobs | | | | the more points, the more perks. Amenities can include |
| are recruitment and communication. | | | | such things as private hosted cocktail parties, cabin |
| Off-peak sailings sometimes offer more generous | | | | upgrades and shipboard credits. |
| terms, with some cruise lines offering groups a free | | | | The details of group-travel offerings vary widely by |
| fare to every 10th or 14th person. Generally, higher-end | | | | cruise line, itinerary, time of year - even the nature of |
| cruise lines require fewer paid fares to qualify than do | | | | the group. Don't be daunted. Travel agencies that |
| the more mainstream cruise lines. | | | | specialize in group cruises can help find you find the |
| But what if you can't round up enough friends or family | | | | best sailings and negotiate the best possible deal. |
| members to get group benefits? There is still a way | | | | |