Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

I am proud to be certified by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) as an Elite Cruise Counselor. The Cruise Counselor Certification Program is CLIA's most comprehensive training which requires agents to successfully complete a number of compulsory training courses and exams, attend cruise conferences, and conduct ship inspections. Anita Thompson, Attheta Travel, dba Cruise Holidays.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Cruising with a Group

One of the reasons that a cruise is a great vacation choice is that it offers something to please every passenger. With a variety of accommodations, menus, games, pools and hot tubs, gyms and spas, on-deck activities, clubs for kids and teens, nightly entertainment, lounges, dance clubs and shore excursions – not to mention stellar service – even the most finicky travelers are bound to enjoy themselves.

This is also the reason that a cruise is a fantastic choice for a group vacation. Perhaps it’s not possible to please all the people all the time, but if it can be done, it’s likely to be on a cruise ship. You can make arrangements with the cruise line for planned activities – such as receptions, lectures, meals and shore excursions – that the members of your group can enjoy together; or, you can simply let people do what interests them most.

Cruise Holidays’ recent Cruise Trends survey revealed that a wide variety of groups choose to cruise together. When Cruise Holidays’ cruise experts were asked what types of groups they booked cruises for, the most common answer was groups of family members or friends. Just imagine how great it would be to hold your next family reunion in the festive atmosphere of a cruise ship; or, to swim and sun on the deck with 10 or 20 of your closest friends.

Other groups that cruise include those celebrating a wedding; groups of seniors; church and other faith-based groups; dance enthusiasts (they definitely enjoy the live music); food and wine aficionados; groups celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary; and coworkers or winners of workplace incentive awards.

The list goes on: you could also come across an art appreciation group or a group of ancestry buffs, quilters or singles on your next cruise.

If you’re thinking of organizing a group cruise, talk with a Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert. He or she will be help you pick the best cruise line and itinerary for your group; arrange special events (for example, your book club might want to visit certain bookstores in your ports of call); and possibly arrange for discounts, depending on the size of your group. Your personal cruise expert will also have suggestions for communicating with your group members in the days and weeks leading up to the cruise, which is sure to be a fantastic memory and bonding experience for everyone involved.