Group Cruises

By Elizabeth Armstrong

For a list of cruises with discounted group rates, click

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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.
      Vacations To Go, a national travel agency specializing in cruise discounts, enhances the process by creating customized Web pages for each group it books. Participants can log in and view ship details and pictures, the itinerary, cabin categories and available rates. They can sign up for the cruise and submit payments as well.
      Group members don't have to worry about contacting the agent themselves, and the agent doesn't have to field multiple questions from individuals in the same group. The free fare for the group leader is a reward for doing much of the work.
      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 specialists at Vacations To Go can help you plan private events and organize special touches such as family photos and "bon voyage" champagne and chocolates in each cabin.
      "We can arrange to do a round-robin seating at dinner, so no one is assigned to the same seat at the same table every night, allowing people to dine with others in their group," says Bill Lester, manager of the group department at Vacations To Go.
      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," says Lester, adding that audiovisual equipment is usually included at no charge as well.
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. "We're already booking groups for 2007," he says.

For reservations or information on group cruises, call Vacations To Go’s group department at 800-514-9986.

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