Monday, June 3, 2013

Group Cruises Are An Enjoyable Experience For All

By Michelle Howe


If you think a cruise is too anonymous for you, you should think about trying group cruises. If you enjoy plenty of company and usually vacation with a group of family and friends deciding on a cruise has its advantages. Your itinerary will take you to several different ports allowing you to see the sights and share all the highlights of your trip with people you care about.

The type and value of incentives given by cruise companies for making large party bookings can vary from one business to another. In general, the larger the number of people in the group, the better the incentives which often include free accommodation for one or more people, extra on-board credit, free excursions and a range of other offers. The incentives are usually presented to the individual taking responsibility for organizing the trip on behalf of the group.

It is generally the individual who makes the booking and is responsible for collecting the money and paying everything, that is considered to be the party leader and the main contact with the travel agent or cruise line. Although each individual passenger has to submit their details to the cruise company, it makes everything run more smoothly, if the leader acts as spokesperson for the whole group.

The type of cruise, the theme and the itinerary are usually chosen by consensus from the group. There are hundreds of itineraries for ocean going liners to destinations around the world. Passengers have a choice of accommodation types, including single, twin, double, family cabins and suites. Liners can hold upwards of a three or four thousand passengers and crew.

Ocean going cruise ships are like a small town. There are shops, cafes, bars, cinemas and live entertainment venues where groups can meet up to socialize in the evening after a day sight-seeing or lazing by the pool. Group members are free to choose how much time they want to spend with their travelling companions and have time to themselves, when they want it.

River cruises also provide passengers with a range of facilities and activities but on a much smaller scale. They can generally cater for two or three hundred passengers in single, double or family sized cabins. They stop at various places along the river banks and offer a first class service to all their passengers the same as the ocean going liners.

The ships itinerary can last from two days, or can be extended over several weeks. There is a choice of destinations and itineraries to suit large family parties or like-minded individuals with hobbies or activities in common. Each member of the party has the opportunity to join in with organized excursions or explore on their own when they stop in different ports in different countries.

Getting on board a ship without companions can be a daunting prospect for some people. However, group cruises provides you with the opportunity to travel with people you know and stops you from worrying about not knowing anyone. There is so much choice when it comes to finding something to do with your time and you can do things on your own or with the group if you prefer. Sharing your trip with family and friends can help to make it a memorable vacation.




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