Carnival Cruise Group Discount Strategies

Maximize Your Cruise Group Discount with These Expert Travel Agent Tips

A cruise vacation has something for everyone, which is why traveling as a group has become so popular. You can be as active or inactive as you like. Also, besides being more affordable than just traveling with your spouse, it’s also much more fun. Furthermore, most cruise lines reward groups with onboard spending credits, bottles of wine, upgrades, and more. Also, if your group is of a certain size, they may even comp your cruise fare as a “thank you” for putting the group together. Who can’t get behind the idea of cruising for almost FREE? Here are some strategies to maximize your DEP (discount earning potential)!

A cruise vacation has something for everyone, making it an ideal choice for group travel. Not only is it more affordable than traveling with just your spouse, but it’s also much more fun. Most cruise lines reward groups with onboard spending credits, complimentary upgrades, and more. If your group is large enough, you might even qualify for a free cruise as a “thank you” for organizing the trip. Learn all about Coordinating Group Travel. Here are some expert tips from travel agents to help you maximize your group discount potential:

1. Book early—at minimum, 12 months in advance; 18 months work even better to lock in the best available rate. Don’t worry if rates on your cruise get lowered later. If the final payment date hasn’t occurred yet, you can also request that your booking rate be lowered.
2. Choose the off-season/Shoulder season whenever possible. Rates for Mexico and the Caribbean are lowest from September through the first two weeks of December. For Alaska and Europe, deals run rampant during the months of April, May, and September.
3. Choosing the Right Ship – If possible, stick to ships that are at least 3 years old. Everyone wants to sail on the newer hardware, and thanks to supply and demand, they’ll pay a hefty surcharge to do so. However, ships that are 3-5 years old are in excellent shape, have better availability, and have already shed that new ship price tag.
4. Be flexible with your dates: Check the week before/after—You’d be surprised how many times you can secure a lower rate or better group perks by sailing a week earlier or later. Often, it makes no difference to your group members, and this small change could pay off big.
5. Work with a Travel Agent: Don’t Do It Alone—Planning a group trip can be quite the undertaking; after all, vacations are supposed to be fun. Don’t add any unnecessary stress to your vacation, and seek the expertise of an experienced Travel Agent. If there are no storefront agencies in your area, all these arrangements could be made over the phone at 1-866-475-7023. A Travel Agent with experience in group travel would be an invaluable resource.

You want to complete as many of these strategies as organically as possible while never forgetting your group’s needs. It’s better to skip a strategy if it drastically hinders people from participating. For example, if 70% of your potential group members work for the local school system, then it doesn’t make sense to choose a fall cruise. Chances are most of them won’t be able to travel during that time, so they won’t be able to take advantage of the additional savings.

Insider Tip: When searching for the best group cruise deals, consider factors like the size of your group, the age range of participants, and any specific preferences or requirements. A knowledgeable travel agent can help you find the perfect balance between maximizing your discount potential and ensuring your group’s needs are met.

Hopefully, you took our advice and enlisted the help of an experienced travel agent who can help you make these tough decisions, ultimately increasing your DEP without negatively impacting your group’s attendance. Do you have any other sure-fire strategies that help you get the most bang for your buck? Share the wealth below!

Atlas Cruises & Tours is one of the leading retail travel agencies in the United States. Our agents have the knowledge and expertise you need when planning a vacation. Our partnerships with some of the biggest travel companies such as Carinival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian cruise lines and many more allow us to create one-of-a-kind travel experiences. AtlasTravelWeb.com offers exclusive perks, including complimentary shore excursions, free cabin upgrades, shipboard credits, and more. Most importantly, our travel consultants take the time to get to know you to ensure your vacation is perfectly tailored to your needs. As your travel experts, we provide invaluable advice and offer you unrivaled resources so that your dream vacation surpasses all of your expectations. Ready to plan your group? Visit our group planning form to get in touch with us.

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