Dallinfamily

Hello everyone, Our thanks in advance for reading our message. <BR>For a change, our extended family is considering taking a cruise for our next family vacation. <BR>We will be a group of about 20-30. <BR>We are puzzled as to where to start with our planning; we'd like to do a little independent research before relying on the TA. <BR>We'd like to cruise the Caribbean, and our plans are tentatively for Feb '02. <BR>Is our group large enough to qualify for a group discount? <BR>Since we range in age from 18-63, we're trying to please a lot of different tastes. Any recommends for a cruise line that "has it all"-club, casino, activities but also large enough to find a quiet deck for reading. <BR>Some of us are smokers. Will we have a problem getting rooms near one another? <BR>Any recommends from you veterans on where the "best" cabins generally are on a cruise liner?? <BR>Thank you again, and safe and happy travels to all.

John

We have done "family cruises" several times. they are fun and their is enough variety to please all ages. we have gone on Royal Caribbean and have been happy. <BR>My advice: get the cruise brochures from all the major carriers and pick your itineray first. The port of origin may be a determining factor. If you are coming from different places you want an easily accessible port (Miami and San Juan both have easy access). <BR>Once you have decidedon route then go to a travel agent and get "cost estimates". The cruise lines deeply discount cruises and with a large group you get even better rates. (for some every 6th or 7th cabin is free). <BR>Get the travel agent to price it both with the cruise line doing the air and without. You usualy get better deals, more control of flights if you "do it yourself" and add the transfers (this is impt so your luggage is taken care of). <BR>The sooner you book the better your deals will be. <BR>Our favorite cruise is the Western Caribbean route (Cozumel, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, private island.) this cruise has a day at sea to start and end the cruise. <BR>Good luck.

Andy

Hi- I personally love Celebrity--they are having a huge sale right now with lots of upgrades on the Millenium--ship is about 9 monthes old,I think and has things for everyone..yes,you should be able to get a group rate--ask your travel agent to call and find out the specifics--all ages will love this ship-

Paul Therault

<BR>My advice is not to attempt to book air for your large family on your own. Have your travel agent arrange air throught the cruise line. Hang the few extra dollars. <BR> <BR>I am a travel agent and find there is nothing but headaches with passengers arranging teir own air to save a few bucks. You will end up with many different flights and if there is an airline problem the airline will leave your entire family stranded and you will miss your ship. <BR> <BR>The "all different tastes" also will create a large problem. You can not please everyone with all the different ships and itinerares. <BR> <BR>Good luck to you, you have quite a bit of work ahead. <BR> <BR>Paul

John

My advice is remember that Paul is a travel agent and his advice about booking air is as biased as mine. I have taken many cruises and have always booked my own air. With the internet today, this is very easy and the "few extra dollars" that Paul talks about would add up to thousands given the size of your group. And about the transfers - the cruise line will charge you about $20 apiece to get you to the port from the airport depending on which city you embark from. With my family of four - I can rent a limo cheaper than that! We've always just taken taxis. <BR> <BR>The bottom line is the choice is yours - do things yourself or let the cruise line do them for you. The latter will always cost you significantly more. This same advice applies to excursions -those that the ship offers will cost you sometimes 10x what you can do on your own. Its an extreme example but we just returned from a med cruise on RCCL and one of the ports was Livorno (Florence) - the ship wanted $340 for a bus ride to Florence, a tour of the museums and churches, a lunch and a bus ride back. We took the train (it was faster than the bus), did our own walking tour (read, read, read) of the same places and had lunch all for about $25 apiece. This same situation applies to the Caribbean as well.

c

Booking air for a family of 4 would be a lot easier than a family of 20-30... <BR> <BR>When my sister and brother and I decided to take my parents on a cruise, we had a party of 8. Only my husband and I had been in the Caribbean before, and by the time all was said and done, my parents simply told us to make a decision on which cruise line and itinerary. From what you said, it doesn't sound like you have prior experience to help... <BR> <BR>One thing we have always appreciated was spending the first day at sea -- it gives you a chance to find out what is available on ship and for port excursions, without having to miss any time in a port. <BR> <BR>I think you should go to a travel agent as soon as you can (find one who specializes in cruises, if you can). With their help, you can probably eliminate a lot of choices quickly and probably get a lot of your questions answered right away (how do you get a block of rooms together, do you qualify for group rates, etc.) <BR> <BR>Good luck, and have a great time!!! <BR> <BR>

someone

Call the cruiseline or get a travel agent who specialize in cruises. <BR> <BR>Ask for group rate. It should start at minimum of 8 cabins depending on the cruiseline. <BR> <BR>Ask for air add on rate and book with air. If you find a better rate on your own prior to final payment, just cancel the air add on. <BR> <BR>Book early. Cabin selections are first come first service for the most part. You can ask for rooms next to each other. <BR> <BR>

Paul Therault

<BR>Hi John, <BR> <BR>You have your experience with your small family, not a large group. <BR> <BR>A large group may create a logistical nightmare. <BR> <BR>One must use a travel agent, this is a fact. All names must be spelled correctly, all documents must be in order (nothing missing). Third party insurance can be purchased at a more reaonable rate than the cruise line insurance. The travel agent may kick back a portion of his/her commission, etc. etc. Most important, you would have someone to answer all your questions. <BR> <BR>For a no-nonsense, peace-of-mind vacation ..... use a travel agent <BR> <BR>Also, transfers are complimentary with the exception of Princess. <BR> <BR>You are correct about the ship's tours, they are expensive and with extensive studying you can save quite a bit of money. But then again, with a group, how do you keep them all together? <BR> <BR>Paul