Cruise lines have long been known for offering great vacation deals and hassle-free travel. Now they are emerging as event planners as well. Many cruise lines are extremely eager to accommodate large and small groups of travelers. If you are in the throes of planning a wedding, an anniversary shindig, a family reunion or even a multi-day business meeting, talk to a cruise line. You may find cruise ship Meeting Planners can create an unforgettable program for your affair for the same cost of a land-based event.
Cruise ships are an ideal setting for group travel of all kinds, from family reunions to corporate seminars. Cruise vacations provide an easy, enjoyable way for groups to travel together. And although not many people know it, most cruise lines offer free fares to those who take charge of organizing a group cruise for 16 or more guests.
To qualify for one complimentary cruise fare, a group usually must fill at least eight staterooms, based on double occupancy. The 16th passenger in a double-occupancy cabin cruises free, although this person still is responsible for paying his or her port charges, taxes and airfare. Group leaders, also called "tour conductors," also have the option of spreading the discount among group members, earning a lower fare for everyone. (Note that third and fourth passengers in a cabin typically do not count toward the minimum group requirements.)
Some luxury lines require as few as three or six cabins to qualify for one free tour conductor fare. The tour conductor's task is to act as the group's spokesperson and decision maker. The travel agent discusses the details of the cruise with the group leader, who then conveys that information to the rest of the party.
Full Cruise Ship Charters:
You can even charter the entire ship for exclusive use by your organization. You can fly your own Company or Association flag, choose the itinerary and daily events. Schedule your entertainment and conferences to your choice. Cruise Ship Charter capacities range from 50 to 4300 passengers and min one year advance.
Group Cruise Vacations are ideal for family reunions. Today's amenity-filled ships cater to all age groups and to a variety of tastes. A wide range of activities, entertainment and dining venues can all be found on a single ship, from Broadway musicals, intimate gourmet restaurants, wine bars and spas to magic shows, poolside pizzerias, ice cream parlors and water slides. Many ships have well-organized youth programs with counselors, as well as baby-sitting services and venues just for young cruisers, such as teen discos and video-game arcades.
Meals and on-board entertainment and activities are included in the cruise fare, making it easier for family members to budget. Group cruise specialists can help you plan private events and organize special touches such as family or busines group photos and "bon voyage" champagne and chocolates in each cabin.
Alumni associations, church groups and affinity groups often enjoy cruising together. Rotary clubs, reunions of fraternities and sororities, retirement community residents, bridge groups, gourmet food and wine clubs, book clubs and golfing buddies also make great candidates for group cruising. Areas of a ship can be reserved for special group functions - theaters for guest lecturers and lounges for private cocktail parties, for example.
Many businesses are taking advantage of the perks of group cruising. Choose a floating resort for your next executive retreat, corporate sales seminar or annual meeting. Companies can offer cruise vacations
as incentives to reward top salespeople and other employees who do exceptional work. Professional associations - lawyers, CPAs and real estate agents, among others - can use on-board conference facilities for accreditation or continuing-education courses.
Lounges, cinemas and theaters are the perfect venues for presentations, awards ceremonies and breakout sessions. "Meeting space is free of charge", adding that audiovisual equipment is usually included at no charge as well. Depending on the cruise and the size of the group, cruise lines may be willing to offer a package deal on staterooms. A cruise line meeting planners specialist or travel agent can make recommendations, including booking a suite for four people instead of the usual state rooms (this is not always cheaper, but it can be).
If you are an avid cruiser, you have probably already cruised with some special interest groups and never known it. Most ships are large enough that multiple special events, seminars, and receptions can take place almost unnoticed by the majority of passengers.
Planning an affinity group cruise involves booking a cruise as early as possible. Consulting with a travel expert is always a good idea since there are lots of cruise options today and even the most avid cruise shopper cannot keep up with everything.
Affinity group cruises should be fairly short since getting time off from work and school is tough for most people. Plan ahead, not just so you can get the rooms you want, but to allow people to put in for time away from the job. Keep an eye on the pocketbook of the participants; some folks who would gladly attend a family reunion may not have the financial clout to pay for a transatlantic cruise.
When booking an affinity group cruise, consider the port of embarkation and debarkation, that is, the place where you get on and off the ship. Cruise passengers not only have to pay for their cruise, they also have to pay for travel back and forth from this port. While many cruise lines can offer attractive package deals to combine cruise fares with airline tickets, there is still an incremental expense.
There are a surprising number of ports for cruise ships today, including Tampa and Galveston (on the Gulf of Mexico), Los Angeles and Vancouver (West Coast), and New York and Fort Lauderdale (East Coast). The ports may limit the cruise options for your particular group (for instance, you can't sail from Vancouver and go to Bermuda on any established route). However, for an affinity group cruise, the journey is more important than the destination.
On-board ship, affinity groups should take advantage of having hassle-free meals and entertainment. This leaves plenty of time for photos and videos. Those with blogging skills can commemorate the activities online; more traditional cruise passengers may be inspired to create a scrap book or other record of event memorabilia.
So if you want to get away from that tired old family reunion in the park, have the greatest graduation party ever, or renew your wedding vows with a few family and friends A group should begin its search for a cruise at least six months before the desired departure date. However, Lester advises that for the best results, groups should start planning as far as 12 months in advance. This will give group specialists time to negotiate the best discounts and handle the logistical issues. "Cruise lines already booking groups for 2008 and even for 2009.
For more information or reservations on group cruises, call Anchors Away Cruise Center group department at 1 888 516 6306.
