GROUP TRAVEL

In its simplest form, Group Travel is a group of people who would like to travel together to the same destination at the same time. Group Travel is best suited for travel on ocean cruises, river cruises, and all-inclusive resorts.

One of the biggest advantages of booking a group trip is the cost savings over the regular price of a cruise or all-inclusive vacation.

To qualify for Group Travel rates, cruise lines, and resorts set a minimum number of rooms/guests that need to be booked. While it can vary by each travel brand and the time of year your experience is taking place, the following are standard minimums to qualify for a discount:

Ocean Cruise - 8 rooms/16 passengers

River Cruise - 5 rooms/10 passengers

All-Inclusive Resort - 5-10 rooms/10-20 guests

In addition to discounted rates that Group Travel receives, extra perks are also included. The larger your group size, the more perks and amenities you will receive. Common additional benefits include; preferred dining time, welcome gifts, onboard credit, complimentary bottles of wine, snacks, and private VIP events such as cocktail hours.

For the group to qualify for a free room, the minimum number of rooms listed above {Is there a minimum number of rooms needed to qualify as a group?} must be booked with two passengers/guests (double occupancy) in each room.

If the group decides that it would rather split the value of the complimentary room rather than it going to one particular person, in most cases, we can substitute the value of the free room for additional amenities such as onboard credit, spa credit, a private culinary/beverage experience, etc.

Most groups prefer for each individual to pay for their own room. For instance, if a group is traveling to an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean for a girlfriend’s getaway, each traveler can pay for their deposit and portion of the room. Please note if someone in the group is unable to pay for their room when the final payment deadline approaches, you may lose your group pricing and amenities if you are not at the minimum number of rooms required.

In some instances, there is one person that will make all deposits and payments for the group. This primarily occurs for corporate trips or for multi-generational vacations where a grandparent pays for the entire vacation.

Deposits are typically due within 30 days of creating your group. Full payments are most commonly due 60-90 days before the departure date. Suitcases on Standby Travel will ensure that members of your group receive multiple, timely reminders about these important payment dates.

This is the most common question we get asked when booking a group. Traveling with a group does not mean that you have to share the entire vacation experience together. Depending on the group that you are traveling with, you can spend as little or as much time together as you wish. Most groups, but not all, tend to spend time together throughout the day, such as an afternoon at the pool or an excursion together while in port. Dinner in the evening seems to be the most common time that groups convene together. We work with your group to create an experience that works best for the people you are traveling with and the reason that you are traveling.

Family Reunions - Multi-Generational Vacations - Milestone Birthdays - Anniversaries - Non-Profit Clubs- Social Clubs - Interest Groups - Corporate Retreats/Training - Incentive Trips - Destination Weddings - Vow Renewals - Chamber Trips - High School Reunions - Fitness and Wellness Retreats - Girlfriend Getaway/Bachelorette Party - Guys Trip/Bachelor Party - Class Reunions - Military Reunions - Church Groups - Couples Vacations - Guys - Craft/Photography Groups - Local and Social Media Influencers - Sports Teams - Holiday Travel

Every destination has a peak and off-peak season. If you would like to avoid crowds, the best time to travel is at the beginning or end of peak season. During these windows, you should still enjoy great weather, experience lower crowd levels, and receive affordable group rates.

If you are planning your Group Travel during peak season, we will want to hold the group space at least one year in advance.

The beauty of Group Travel is that we can customize it to create the experience that works best for the people you are traveling with and the reason that you are traveling. We can arrange private shore excursions, photo sessions, cocktail hours, meeting space, games or other activities just for your group. If you are traveling with a culinary interest group and want a private wine tasting, we can do that. If you are a crafting group who would like to have meeting space where you can create, we can do that. Maybe you are an interest group that would like to have meeting space during the day where you can have a speaker, that is an easy event to set up.

We love working with groups to make memorable, personal travel experiences!