Understanding "group cruises" ! Why groups must book as early as 15 months prior. Why you too need to book now if joining a group

So you understand a little bit about groups and why they often need to book as early as 15 months in advance.
Or why, if joining a group, you need to follow the plan and book when they do.

 

Groups can't wait last minute to decide to travel like individuals or 3-4 cabins ! Here's some of the reason why !

* The cruise lines allow only a maximum number of groups to sail on every sailing. Why ? Not everyone sails in a group; they have to let individual cabins have space too.   There are other reasons, often political, financial, etc !

* Travel agents and group leaders hold space, they have NOT yet sold. As soon as rates come out, agents and long time group leaders gather up all the space; often leaving limited space for smaller groups to buy, later. You have to hurry ! It's not a joke ! This is why agents encourage their group leaders to get their space early. Even 15 months in advance ! As soon as the next years rates come out !  You wait till January 2014, and your date, if popular, is gone !  Oh, you can still buy 8 cabins plus, but the amenities given to groups are not available to groups, if there's no group space !  You have to have space, even if it's in categories you do not want, to have the amenities (your agent can explain this deeper).

*  Know ... All this held space, even if there are no names or deposits ... Drives your rate up !  The more space reserved on any given sailing, DRIVES RATES UP !  The cruise line feels that all these folks want to sail, so rates start, or immediately, climb !  So even individuals get hurt by this !  It's WHY individuals should book early too !

* Groups usually like to room near each other. If you do not book early or all at the same time, then this can't happen.  Sure you may find 3-4 cabins together.  But too often, you could easily be scattered, the later you wait.  Even on different decks !

* If your groups like balconies, these go first !  And if  you are hoping they will be in a row, plan early !

* If you need cabins that hold 3 or 4 in a room, these go first !

* If you are planning during a popular time, these go first ! Whether it be cruises that sail only seasonally, like Alaska, or during holidays, like Easter.

*  The cruise line give a maximum of time for group leaders to hold space !  Every cruise line is different.  Example:  Royal Caribbean gives 30 day to  hold more than 16 cabins.  After 30 days, if your group leader wants to continue to hold space, they have to put up $ 50 per cabin for all space that does not yet has a name or deposit.  And the group leader does not get this back till after the cruise sails !  Who can afford that ?!  Example:  Carnival.  Group rate is not the lowest available at Carnival; so the longer you wait, you're driving your own rate up !
 

 

TRUST YOUR AGENT, when they are trying to tell you, BOOK NOW ... Reserve the group space now ! Especially if the space is currently there ! It could change in a week ... in a day ... while you're on the phone !  Agents know this cruising World !

 

You ask, what about all the last minute deals ? These aren't for groups !  Even less available, if taking kids to be in your same room !  These are for last minute travelers. One cabin ! Only 2 people ! Who do not care where their cabin is or if they get a balcony !

You say, what if the rates go down ?  If you see lower rates, most cruise lines allow you to have the lower rates, as long as final payment has not been made (Once exception I know - Flash Rates with Holland America & Princess - These are often not done till final payment has passed (?) !  I'm not talking if they are offering amenities ... I'm talking rates here !  Of course, once final payment, you can not have ... That's for last minute folks ... the ones who don't care where they room is ... The ones who don't care that the rooms are scattered !  So what do you have to loose ?  Buy now, at the best possible rates ... Watch rates ... Call your agent when you see a lower rate !

 

You say ... Well, you can't commit that early ! WHY NOT ?
Other than possibly a few cancellation fees, you can get your money back from the cruise line or tour operator if you cancel before final payment date ! And for after this date, there's Trip Cancellation Insurance (however, many are due at time of deposit - Many not refundable if cancel before final payment - OUR IS ) !

You say ... You don't know what you're doing that far in advance ! Does anyone know what they will be doing or where they will be, 15 months from now ? NO. You are not any different than all these other folks that commit in advance. Not choosing to commit in adance is "you" ! It's all there for you, where you can !

Note to Group Leaders.  If you are putting off holding space and getting your group to commit early, you are allowing rates to climb, as I'm speaking to you, right here !  You are the person, that your followers are depending on, to get them in on "ground level rates" ... This means, before they take even there 1st climb !





You say you haven't even booked your 2013 vacation ?  Sorry !  You may want to consider, dropping everything else, and getting that done next week !  Then move right on to booking 2014 !


Here, use my cheat sheets of info:
www.BestCruiseSavings.com
www.CruiseClose2Home.com
And ...
www.DeckPlansAndMore.com
www.CruiseLine4me.com

Here >>> Join our August 2014 Customized-Escorted land & RCI cruise groupo !  Deadline for guaranteed rates from RCI is May 8, 2013 !  Yes, 2013 !