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Cruise Traveler Magazine

Raye & Marty Trencher

A reader recently asked us if you can really cruise for free?

Yes, you can and it’s easier to do then you might think. Just ask the professional photographers of the Cameracraftsmen of America ( see photo below ). Last year we escorted 90 members of the group to Alaska. 

But, you don't need that many people to qualify for a FREE cruise. As a matter of fact, you can do it for as few as 10, though 16 ( 8 cabins ) is the minimum on most cruises. Or, do like the Kristin Selph Family ( 28 ) did, take a family/friends cruise with Royal Caribbean.

In, essence all these people wanted to do was cruise with a group of friends, professional colleagues or family.

How did they do it?

First, they discussed their wants and needs with their travel agent, who helped them focus on a group cruise idea, looking at ways the group could have fun, enjoy their cruise vacation and save money at the same time.

Then, they reserved a group of cabins on a cruise to the destination of their choice.

Next, they sent fliers and e-mails with the cruise information to their associates, club members, family or friends. The goal was to entice as many people as possible to consider going along and then get enough friends or family to reserve a spot in the group, so they could earn a free "Berth". A free birth, is one guest's passage in a cabin shared by two people. One pays, the other does not.

What Happened Next?

For one of our groups, our guest and her husband were able to cruise for free when 32 people joined her group. As the group leader, the cruise line designated her the “tour conductor.”

If you are the group leader, you will work closely with your travel agent coordinating the arrangements, communicating with your group and getting people signed up. Your travel agent takes care of all the cruise details, cabin selections, collecting payments, arranging for cruise documents and any special requirements, such as dietary needs, group meeting space etc.for your group, once onboard.

All you really need is a good excuse for people to go, say a family reunion, birthday, anniversary, wedding, office party at sea — or just about any excuse to have fun. Sign up enough people and you will cruise FREE.

The 24 cruise lines of the CLIA ( Cruise Lines International Association ) including Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Regent, Royal Caribbean and Cunard, pretty much have the same policies, as they define a group cruise as a minimum of 16 people occupying eight cabins (third and fourth passengers do not count toward the total to qualify for a free "Berth"). The 16th person (the group leader aka tour conductor) cruises free. However, if you are the FREE passenger, you will pay government fees and taxes, port charges and, of course, airfare to the port, if need to fly to join the cruise. Getting a free fare is one thing; getting a free cabin is something else altogether.

Now we mentioned earlier that it only take 8 cabins, or 16 people to get one (1) free berth, but to get both you and your traveling partner a free cabin, that takes twice as many people to join your group.

From time to time, some cruise lines lower the required number of people and cabins to qualify. Off-season sailings, like September and October in the Caribbean, when some cruise lines offer groups a free berth for every  5 cabins sold.

 
Sail together, Save together

Search the Web to find and book your next group cruise. Look for Web sites that highlight the major cruise lines that offer group cruise discounts, group cruise packages and cheap group cruise rates on all contemporary, premium, luxury, specialty and river cruise lines. Google is free and easy-to-use, allowing you to research, find and reserve group cruises for family reunions, vacation groups, religious and fraternal events, friends & family groups, girlfriend getaways, fund raisers, corporate meetings and incentive cruises.

Just fill out the Group Request Form click here
 

Groups Who have Sailed.