Best choices for group cruises
Benjamin Smith
persons, and say it is of the type that is like the GGC or Sue's group,
a group looking for fun?
Well, Celebrity has been chosen quite a bit but I think for one reason.
Price, price, price. But, I fail to see how they are any more than
adequate, most of the time, for a group cruise.
So, is it Carnival? RCI? Are most group cruises "fun and games"
oriented? Certainly all aren't. When the SSHSA or WSS chooses a ship for
a society group cruise, they may choose Cunard, and there will be
discussion, dancing, socializing, but not much in the way of irreverent
types of activities, not a party and fun emphasis. HAL is another
choice, Celebrity and Princess possibilities, but it seems they've done
Carnival, interestingly enough, and some like Carnival.
Finally, do most groups call attention to themselves and is this a good
thing if they do? I'm on both sides of the fence on this one. I really
think it depends on the whole tone of the cruise, but sometimes pax
reaction is different from the "official" tone of the cruise.
Ben S.
Lloyd Parsons
group. I only have experience with the GGC's and I know that the group
is out to really enjoy the cruise AND the group activities.
I like Carnival because there is always something going on and the
overall attitude of the line is fun and how to have more of it. RCL
certainly has the right stuff for that also, especially on the newer
ships with all the activities that they have available.
I would think a more sedate line might detract from that. And I'll
reserve what I think of Princess until after I go on the GGC2003. My
mental picture now of Princess is that it is more laid back, I hope its
not too laid back.
Lloyd
In article <3E0C47B1...@ix.netcom.com>, Benjamin Smith
KPJEG
Ken G
OcnGypZ
>What's the best chioce (which line) for a group cruise, say 30 plus
>persons, and say it is of the type that is like the GGC or Sue's group,
>a group looking for fun?
Ben:
There are all different types of groups... and all different definitions of
"Fun". There are many groups which have a great time on Celebrity. Perhaps it
has more to do with the "activity" level of the individual group more than
anything else. I've been on many cruises with Celebrity and haven't even known
there were large groups onboard until I met the Group Leader or t/a. They just
"blended" right in.
In your particular instance on Constellation with the hats... well... I am
siding with Celebrity on this one. It IS poor manners to wear hats in the
dining room... any dining room. It's just poor manners to wear a hat to the
table, period.
Manners aside for a moment. I can understand Celebrity's not wanting a group
to become part of the "floor show" . I can see where they have to make
judgment calls to insure that a group... any group doesn't affect the ambiance
of any one of the public rooms. I can also understand how one group
coordinator can vary from another... ditto the Hotel Manager... Restaurant
Manager... F&B Manager... Guest Relations Manager.
All in all... I suppose anyone.. be it t/a or group leader should pick a line
which best matches the "activity" level of their group.
Babette
villa deauville
I had never been on a group cruise until I put my toe in the water
and went on the MGC on the Pride in November. I had been on the
Celebration a few years ago and swore No More Carnival.
My DH and I gave a lot of thought to should we or should we not join the
group.We are not youngsters and wondered how we would fit in
With much trepitation we drove up to the Radisson in Port Canaveral
where we were going to have dinner and stay overnight and board the next
day From the moment we got there i was "home" with new old friends.
I had the time of my life. I did as much or as little as I wanted to.
Dining at a table with six other people was new as we always sit at a
table for two.
I found the Pride to be everything the Celebration was not. Did the
people I was with make a difference?. Of course they did. But the ship,
crew, management were the friendliest I have encountered. All one did
was ask and voila it was done - with a smile. Management was great.
Doing everything they could to make sure our group was not neglected. I
believe it was the people and toa very large extent the ship that made
this group cruise so memorable.
SUNNY<..........came away from that cruise givng Carnival kudos for all
they did to make this cruise memorable, at least for me.
S'nd I
CupCaked
>When the SSHSA or WSS chooses a ship for
>a society group cruise, they may choose Cunard, and there will be
>discussion, dancing, socializing, but not much in the way of irreverent
>types of activities, not a party and fun emphasis. HAL is another
>choice, Celebrity and Princess possibilities, but it seems they've done
>Carnival, interestingly enough, and some like Carnival.
Ben, WSS and SSHSA cruises are based on one thing and one thing only:
who gets the best price and how many freebees are included for them.
Since both locals you mentioned use the same New York-based travel
agency, there is very little consideration as to what the members
really want. We have recently dropped our membership in the LI
chapter of the SSHSA because of this. We still belong to the national
organization, however.
Believe me when I tell you this. I have some insider insight.
Karen
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http://www.cupcaked.com
(...and leave off the "potatoes" to e-mail)
kuki
news:3E0C47B1...@ix.netcom.com...
> What's the best choice (which line) for a group cruise, say 30 plus
> persons, and say it is of the type that is like the GGC or Sue's group,
> a group looking for fun?
We've done quite a number of group cruises the last 3 years, and have found
no one cruise line is best suited to groups. Each group we've done has fun
its own way. With groups I think most of the energy and fun come from within
the group, more so than from the cruise line.
You rely on the ships to supply good food, nice surroundings and good
entertainment, however the most successful groups we've done are made so by
the chemistry within the group. For each individual group cruise it's up to
the group leader to get a read on what type of group they have, and what
"activities or events" will entertain and please them.
The ambience of the ships have something to do with it, and I suppose impose
some restrictions, but with good planning that shouldn't affect the "group's
enjoyment".
We've done groups on Carnival, RCI, Celebrity, Princess, and have a group
cruise coming up on Radisson in summer 2003, and have never found a ship
where we've said to ourselves.. this ship/line just doesn't work for groups.
I think the group leaders need to try and adapt their "group activities" to
play into the strengths of the line they choose.
The same "shtick" doesn't work with every group cruise.
On some the "antlers" or "hats" work, on others it's a private group wine
tasting, or behind the scenes tour, that makes it fun.
Regards,
Kuki
Features Editor
http://www.cruisemates.com