Be a leader. Taking the time and effort to organize a group cruise can pay off for you and for the participants. Most cruise lines reward the organizer with incentives ranging from a substantial discount to a free cruise, depending on the number of people in the group.
Get your group together. A group can be anything from a bunch of friends to a professional association. Keep in mind that you don't have to do everything together; you'll just be traveling on the same ship.
Visit a travel agent. A travel agent can be a big ally when booking a group cruise. Since every ship line's group policies are slightly different, a good cruise agent can offer advice on the ship line that offers the best value and the best experience for you and your members.
Pay a deposit. Most cruise lines require that you pay a minimal per person deposit 30 days after you make your initial reservation. You do not have to give the cruise line the individual names until later, usually around 60 days prior to sailing.
Promote your event. After you make your reservation, start (or continue) to promote your cruise. Often a group cruise gathers momentum as participants tell friends and those friends tell friends about the trip.
Finalize your reservation. Generally 60 days prior to sailing, you must give the cruise line your final passenger list, pay the balance of the cruise fare and release back to the cruise line any unused cabins. You can usually add last minute travelers if space is available.
Distribute your cruise documents. Your cruise tickets will arrive around two to three weeks prior to your departure. As the group leader, you can have them all come to you or have them sent directly to the individuals.
