August 2007

Cruising is perfect for groups. Organize a group cruise for a wedding, anniversary, family & friends reunion, professional seminar, seniors or singles trip, a church fundraiser, a fraternal or alumni organization, a hobby or dance group...the list is endless.

Cruising also offers the perfect reward for outstanding performance. Whether for an employee or a client, the gift of cruising is an excellent and cost effective way to show your appreciation.

Whether you are a detail-oriented person with a gift for getting everyone together or are retired with time for travel, our Group Leader Incentive Program is a great way to introduce others to the art of cruising while earning complimentary accommodations for yourself and a companion! Our Group Leader Incentive Program allows you to escort up to three groups per calendar year and cruise free with each group.  We offer our group leaders complimentary accommodations when they escort a group of 8 or more staterooms (16 passengers).  We will help you to create special amenity packages for your group: cocktail parties, shore excursions, t-shirts, totes, shipboard credit, photo credit, albums and much more.  We will collect deposits; send all cruise documents, confirmations, and tickets directly to the members of your group.  It's easy.  We do all the paperwork; you get the credit and the complimentary accommodations.

1.  Pick a Ship and Itinerary - See how many people are interested in joining you.

HINT:  New ships tend to attract the most takers.

2.  Select a Month to Travel - Once you have a ship and itinerary and an initial group that's interested, attempt to select a month that all can agree to travel.

HINT:  The best group deals are offered in May, June, September, October, and early November.

3.  Contact Cruise Planners - Once you have an idea of your group size, the month, and ship of sailing, contact Susan and let her know that you are interested in leading a new Cruise Planners group cruise. She will explain the process to you and will contact our Preferred Cruise Lines to obtain your official quote. After you receive your proposal, and check with your initial group members, it is full speed ahead!

HINT:  A flexible sailing date may mean a better price and more amenities!

 4.  Promote your Group Cruise - Once you have your Cruise Planner group started, we will create a special flyer for your group cruise listing all the information about the cruise including prices and booking information. 

 5.  Remind Group Members to Send in Deposits - Once you have decided to reserve a new group, full deposits for each cabin booked need to be made.  Encourage your group members to send in their deposits as soon as they have decided to cruise with the group.

6.  Encourage Purchase of Travel Insurance - It's important to remember that there are penalties on a group starting at 70 days prior to departure so recommend that your group buy third party travel insurance.  Ask for our preferred providers.

HINT:  Third party insurance offers more comprehensive coverage than the cruise line package.

7.  Plan Some Fun - Plan some group activities during the cruise. Make arrangements to go on some shore excursions together. We can help you with this.

8.  Final Payment- Pre-paid gratuities are due with all final payments.

 Group leader perks:

All Cruise Planner groups must book a minimum of 8 cabins to be considered a group and receive the group perks.  The group leader will receive one free berth if at least 8 cabins are sold and two free berths (or one free stateroom) if at least 16 cabins are sold.

Group leaders must pay for their cruise upfront. They will be rebated the equivalent rate per berth for the category which has the largest number of cabins booked.

                             Sincerely,

 

 

           

                                                      Michael & Susan Tietjen

                                                                 Cruise Planners of NWNJ, LLC