Will there be group space available for YOUR family/friends cruise in 2016 ? July bookings are selling dates OUT … Even for individual cabins.

Whether folks realize or not, “early birds” like to get their vacation set in stone, 18-12 months prior to sailing … Especially groups of family/friends, who have been doing this for YEARS !

Group space is NOT like individual cabins.  The cruise lines only allow so many groups on any given sailing.  Once they reach MAX, there is no more group space.

And to top that … The more cabins that book on any given sailing, the less chance of your desired cabins being together.  That’s an EXTRA BIG REASON groups need to book early.  Or families with children.

Had call yesterday for 5N’s to the Bahamas June 2016 out Norfolk.  Group space GONE … Both dates !

Also booked yesterday, 2 cabins of 2 people each, for August 2016.  Only place I could get this family together was “far forward” !

Though the cruise lines only consider group space when there’s 8 cabins or more … Cruisers need to remember, as low as 3 cabins and 4 cabins, space gets tight, in booking near each other … Especially if you need cabins with 3 or 4 in a room !

There can be added value in booking your family/friends into group space …

1)      Lock into a rate for at least 30 days, while family/friends get their deposit together.  Otherwise, the cruise lines give max 2 DAYS to get in that deposit, in protecting your rate.
2)      There can be added amenities because group space was held.  Otherwise, if no group space, a 100 cabins can go with you and no added amenities.
3)      And “cruise credits” for the group leader.  But again, no group space at time of booking, and no cruise credits even if 100 cabins sail with you.

 

Peak dates, like Summer, Easter, and even fall, will sell out of group space quickly.  Besides these 2 dates out of Norfolk to the Bahamas, there are many other dates in I already can’t get group space for customers.  Example … Carnival’s new Vista … Carnival’s longer journey adventures !

The cruise lines told Cruises Inc at our convention, that 2016 would prove differently.  It is !

70% of my vacationers for the next year, are already booked by December, the year prior.  So come January, these folks are actually LATE … Which is when another 20% will book (January to mid-March).  The last 10% of my bookings, are the “last minute folks”.  And if they are trying to take a group of folks … Well, location and amenities can be a NULL !

GROUPS … IF YOU KEEP PUTTING OFF CALLING & COMMITTING FOR 2016 … GOOD LUCK !  Individual cabins who only need ¾ too …. Especially if you’re needed “close cabins” for your children.

Call today for 2016 !