Understanding groups rates. How many cruisers to qualify ? Is there group space left in 2016 ? Group travelers raising your rate, as an individual cruiser ?

Times have changed.  Use to be … The more folks you invited to sail with you, the lower the cost, to include amenities for those who traveled in the group.  Then it changed to … A lower rate with amenities, as long as you had 8 cabins with 16 cruisers (with the same rate up to 100 -250 cabins).  Today … Not so true !

In general, you are still supposed to have planned for sailing, a minimum of 8 cabins of 16 travelers, to be considered a group to the cruise lines.  Meaning, you must begin in holding space, for at least this many travelers.  And, if this many travelers do not book, the rate “can be” raised by the cruise line and amenities taken away.  Not all these same rules stand true for folks who book with Cruises Inc (that’s a whole different article).

So are there lower rates for the group traveler ?

Here’s the “short explanation” of a few cruise lines, but info not in full …

Royal Caribbean – If holding space today, the rates are the same as those who are not booking into a group.  If book early enough, hopefully there will still be amenities for the group traveler.  However, once the group is cut off to book into, and there are not 8 cabins of 16 people booked, no one else can book into the group, to be given the amenities.

Norwegian – Again, If holding space today, the rates are the same as those who are not booking into a group.  As long as one cabin has booked into the group, the amenities are given to the last minute cabin who books, even if group rates are no longer available.

Carnival - Group rates may even be higher, due to Carnival’s Early Saver rates.  And 5 cabins of 10 people must “sail” to receive the chosen amenities.  Again, last minute cabins can book into group, for the amenities (as long as 5 cabins of 10 folks sail), at todays rates.

Holland America – May offer lower group rates.  However, a lower rate may be offered for the cruise, and then the cabin moved to the group for the amenities.  Again, as long as one cabin has booked, last minute bookers will receive the same amenities, at todays rates.

Princess – May offer lower rates due to complimentary upgrades for the group.  However, again, like HA, there may be a lower rate promotion, where the new cabin is then moved into the group, to receive the amenities.  Again, as long as one cabin has booked, amenities are available to the last minute booker, at today’s rates.

It’s complicated, YES !  Which is why you want to be sure you’ll allowing a  cruise specialist/travel agent, handle your group for you.  Someone with experience in groups … Someone who knows, every cruise line is different.  How will you know ?  That’s a good question !

So if there are no lower rates or there may be a lower offer than group rates, what value does holding group space have ?  LOTS !

Possible amenities is one advantage !  If you look at the cruise lines named above, several will continue to give the amenities, even if the traveler books last minute.  You can SEE WHY, Cruises Inc buys 1500+ sail dates … For providing amenities for our customers !

Another big advantage … Locking into a rate, while rates continue to climb !  Meaning, while your group travelers call to make a deposit, rates most often, continue to climb !  And if they have climbed, you have locked into a lower rate for your travelers to buy into !  Again, it’s WHY, Cruises Inc buys 1500+ sail dates … Save our customers money after rates have climbed !

The more important question … Will there be any group space when YOU CALL to reserve space ? 

That’s not a black-white answer. 

The cruise lines ONLY ALLOW a minute amount of space for group travelers.  This means, if you call too late, the group space is gone.  At that point, doesn’t matter if you sell 100 cabins, if there’s no group space … (1) There’s no amenities for your travelers … And (2) No rate can be locked into, while your travelers are getting their deposit together !

What is TOO LATE ? 

Again, not a black-white answer.
Who can predict how early folks will book for "your sailing" ??

Early bird travelers KNOW to call & book their space early.  I’m talking “as early as” … Rates come out for your sailing.  Many cruise lines have space right now, for the 1^st quarter of 2017 !  The longer you wait to book, even for this time frame, can be TOO LATE !

I have folks calling right now … Asking for October & December 2016 and the space is gone !

And even our 1500+ dates for 2016, many of the lower rates are gone … Though with select cruise lines, our amenities may still be there for you !

My suggestion … Groups need to book a year to 15 months out !  Are you past this date ?  Then hurry & call & see if there's available space NOW !

You’re right … Many of your followers may not be ready to commit this early !

They’ll either MISS THE BOAT or you’ll get lucky, to have several who will book, same time as you, in hopes of the cruise line giving you more time, for those folks not yet ready.

However, in reality, if your folks won’t book when you have space in hand, they may never book.  It’s best to find out early, whether you have any followers or not … Then to wait till 9 months or 6 months from sailing, after the rate has climbed or the space is gone.

Which will it be ?  Book early ?  Or call to find NO SPACE ?

You say, you’re only planning to take 2-3 other cabins with you and not 8 cabins ?

Remember … All these groups are booking … They are taking up the available space.  They are also causing rates to climb as they continue to book.

So even if you don’t need group space … Why allow those who are in a group, to get your space ? To raise your rates ?

And if you want balconies, suites, family suites, or taking kids … You need to book earlier.  These are the type of cabins that go first !  Especially if you need cabins to be together ! 

You may not think these needs are considered special … BUT THEY ARE !  I call these rules !  If your status is more than one-two cabins; you want to be together; or you need cabins that hold 3 or 4 people, you are NOT one of those folks who can wait till last minute !

So you waited later to book last time ?

That was last time !
Since November of 2014, folks are booking earlier than they have before !
WHY ?
LOOK AT ALL THE CRUISE LINE OFFERS !
Who wouldn’t jump onboard ??
Will you ?  Or will you be too late ?

Did you know ? 

70% of cruisers book their next year’s cruise, prior to Christmas !
20% book Jan to mid-March.
10% book at the last minute.
Which are you ?