Help for group cruise

[mousefansmom]

Hi-
Has anyone organized a group cruise, and if so, how difficult was it? Was it worth the cost savings? If you don't have a large family, where did you find the other cruisers? Finally, I have sailed with dcl once, so am a castaway club member (can't find my # though) so is there additional savings?
I am considering putting one together for next November, and would split any credits earned evenly with all who are sailing, but I don't even know where to start!
Can anyone help?

TIA
Mousefansmom:confused

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

I organized a group cruise (though not with Disney) for this coming Sept. It's not as difficult as you'd imagine.
The hardest part was deciding where and when, and since it sounds like that is mostly covered, you're almost home free.
Start by calling DCL and finding out what kinds of prices you can get, how you can reserve the number of cabins you'll need (group rates usually require about 8 cabins) and what amenities your group will receive. When I set our cruise up (remember this is a different line) I only had to request how many cabins I needed and then we had two weeks to start making deposits. We probably only had 2/3rds of all the deposits at that two week mark and the rest filtered in later, but they were fine with that. As far as amenitites, we're getting a lot. Room credits for all cabins, a cocktail party and photo coupons. We're just now starting to look at excursions.
The other big thing to remember, make everyone go in with the understanding that everyone needs to enjoy their vacation the way that's best for them. Don't try to organize everyday in advance. You can see everybody at dinner and on sea days, so don't try to make everyone do things as a group the entire time.
Any questions, feel free to ask.
Hope this helps.

 

[cjsmom97]

I did put together a group for our November cruise. I don't know if it is always this easy getting the rooms and so forth but my TA made it super easy for me. As far as the savings goes, once you get 8 rooms, you all get $100 off each room. And, one person (not one room) will be free (for whatever category you have the most of or it may be an average - we won't know for sure until we get our co-ordinator - which for us is cat 11's) but you have to pay the taxes and port fees. You will also get a choice of one or two gifts but that isn't determined until closer to cruise time. Most of my family is going with us in November and they didn't want to spend a lot for the rooms so most are in Cat 11's. The credit will be around enough to pay for my youngest child but not totally. I have put in countless hours with putting flyers together and getting everyones reservations together (with REAS packages). So, do I think the cost savings is worth it - no! For the amount of hours I have spent giving out prices and so on to family and friends (which I don't mind), the credit seems so little now. Don't get me wrong, groups aren't all that bad, but they are pretty time consuming. I make sure that I am very involved with my TA and DCL for everyones reservations, dining rotation, seating times, and any other questions that come up. It is a lot easier for me to answer most of the questions instead of my TA as most of the questions and planning come at family functions (when TA's aren't available). But, I am also probably in the minority because my TA has even given me her home number to call if I need something. I have called her at home at night on her days off to add people to the cruise. She has been extremely helpful. She has even helped a few here on the boards. Now, as for CC Members, I think all they are doing right now are freebies like a towel and pins.

 

[ivanova]

FYI, for anyone thinking about any of the 2005 CA cruises, no group discounts or bookings are being allowed.

 

[mousefansmom]

I have been doing searches all afternoon, and found that on cruise-addict.com I could post to look for people interested in a disney cruise for a specific date. I think the DISboards should do this too! That way DU could be the booking agent, and all of us could save some $.

Thanks to everyone who has replied!
Mousefansmom

 

[PURTYPAT1]

bump