Corporate Cruises - How do you know if you're on one?
 

Does anyone know how to find out whether the cruise you've booked has been mostly sold out to a large group? I've had this experience before & it was awful. Would appreciate any insight anyone has.

That won't be easy to find out.

Rarely are ships booked by just one large group, but it does happen. Quite often however they sell parts of the ships cabins to corporations, special interest groups like singles travel, etc.

Your question as to "mostly sold out" is probably not going to be specific enough to get an answer.

Have your travel agent check on this, or, do as I have done and just call the line and ask. No guarantee you'll get a straight answer, but its worth a try.

You may want to tell whoever you ask of your past experience and then just see if you can get a satisfactory answer as to the likelyhood of a re-occurance on the cruise you're looking at.

You will probably not be able to get the information. The cruise lines are getting more strict with giving out information on bookings. Typically, only the travel agent (or agency management) has access to the agency's own bookings. In many cases, the booked passenger is referred back to their travel agent for information. After September 11, security on guest and cruise information became a lot more strict.

Best Regards,
Julia

Thanks very much to both of you for taking the time to reply. The cruise line unfortunately isn' giving out info & the TA says they don't know so guess I'll have to wing it. Was hoping there was a website somewhere that listed these things. I appreciate your interest - thanks!

Lisa

Lisa,

Here are a few things related to your question:

1. Do a Google search on the ship's name and the date you are sailing. Often times, large functions or private parties, or even corporate events may pop up. I did that a few years ago when we sailed on the Celebrity Century. I found the only "groups" sailing on our date was a travel agent group of 40 (and our TA got us an even better rate than that group :) ), and another group of thirty that were part of a lecture group related to senior citizen health group. You just want to make sure there is not a 1,000 member Mary Kay convention going on, or something of a similar sort.

2. Sail on a smaller ship that limits groups. We are going this fall on the SeaDream II, which carries about 110 passengers, I believe. They limit groups to a maximum of 32. They will also let a group charter the entire ship. Either way, "regular" travellers are minimally impacted. Plus, they don't allow the groups to have many private functions, post signs, wear nametags, make announcements, etc.

Good luck!
Bill