Christmas 2009

Derek,

If there is interest in a group shore excursion/s then yes, I can arrange just about anything anywhere and would be very happy to do so for the group.

More than likely I'll be joining the group - looking forward to meeting everyone!

Hi fellow Christmas Cruisers,

I'm more than likely joining you! Anyone else from the greater Philly area? If so, anyone interested in spliting a limo or van?

I wanted to add this to our growing list of links, the NYC subway map and information.

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

Nick, what a great idea!! I'm adding to your links list and maybe Nina can make a master list for everyone as we get closer to sailing:

Theater Tickets

I Love New York - Tourist Information

NYC Taxi - Your Rights

LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

Kennedy Airport (JFK)

Newark Airport (EWR)

NJ Transit

Done, look for the new sticky

Brilliant idea! Those links will be very handy!

Oh boy, Nick and Eddie have started Alrighty then, I'll just sit back and wait for the floor show!!

Nina, how much time do we have for deposits once Cunard opens 2009 for bookings? I know Royal Caribbean/Celebrity gives 90 days for groups to get deposits in, I was wondering if Cunard's group policy is similar.

This is certainly shaping up to be a fun and lively crowd, just hope Cunard is ready for the Eddie and Nick show

Murray S wrote:

Nina, how much time do we have for deposits once Cunard opens 2009 for bookings? I know Royal Caribbean/Celebrity gives 90 days for groups to get deposits in, I was wondering if Cunard's group policy is similar.

I can hold group space with no deposit for 30 days. After 30 days a $50.00 per cabin bulk deposit is due for every cabin held in the group that is not under full deposit. As an agency I will cover up to 10 cabins and as deposits come in re-apply it to additional space as long as it is available to maximize the cabins held. If you are planning on sailing then please send in your deposit as soon as that decision is made as it will enable me to hold more space for those who may join the board later this year and early next that wish to cruise with us.

After this we have until 6 months prior to sailing to fill the rest of any unsold space. From there Cunard slowly starts taking the space back (although, they have the right to recall any or all unsold space at anytime if they do not feel it is selling and have demand for it elsewhere). So, I do not recommend waiting until the last minute to reserve your cabin within the space! Really sooner is better than later to secure the category and location you want. Especially, if you want a quad cabin or cabin combo. After the group space is filled, if someone wishes to join the group I will book them at the best available individual rate and pull them into the group to qualify them for the amenities. If at any time there is an individual rate in a certain category that is better than the group rate I will book into that and then pull into the group.

I will be posting a poll as to what type of cabins everyone would be most interested in and encourage all of you to cast your vote, as this will aid greatly in my ability to secure space where it is wanted most.

There, the Great Leader has spoken so make sure you all as you leave ......

Nina, since I'm a bit of a dunderhead, can you clarify a bit...I'm a little confused. I understand that we all need to get our full deposits on the cabins we each desire, what I'm fuzzy about is the $50 per...is that in addition to the deposit we already put down? If so, is that applied to our outstanding balances?

Also, for those who might be traveling as a single occupancy are there any special discounts (I know dream on) ....

Marina,

Cunard requires a bulk deposit on all groups with more than 8 cabins to hold the space . That deposit works out to $50.00 a cabin and is usually covered initially by the group leader (in this case me) as people sign up and put down their specific cabin deposits the bulk deposit can be reused to hold additional cabins. You would not have to pay a $50.00 deposit, that is more of an internal requirement but one I wanted to make everyone aware of as I do not have unlimited cash resources to tie up for nearly 2 years All you need to have ready is your standard deposit of 25% or if you are booking during one of the sale weeks I will have planned (highly recommend) it would be 12.5%. Once the pricing comes out I can check on any single discounts that might be available to you.

In a snapshot it works like this:

Space comes out and I hold 25 Cabin with no deposit for 30 days

CF members book 15 cabins before the end of the 30 days

I apply deposit to the remaining 10 cabins

10 more members book over the next 1-6 months

If group space is still available to be held I request 10 more cabins and move the bulk deposit to those cabins. This cycle continues until either the space is filled or the deposit loss deadline hits. (the point when I either forfeit deposits or release the cabins on all unheld space)
(Because of the likely event that all group space will fill quickly it is important that I am able to hold as many "unbooked" cabins as possible, which is why I need your help by booking within the first 30 day window if possible.)


Anyone who wished to book after this would need to be booked at the lowest available individual rate and pulled into the group upto the date of sailing.

Let me know if you have any more questions. It is a bit confusing when you don't have a nice internal chart as I have but it works well.

Nope, you made that perfectly clear, thanks for the clarification Nina.

But, I do have a question, I don't know about anyone else but, we like to space out our payments, usually quarterly so it isn't such a hard hit all at once. Can we make those type of arrangements with you? In other words, we normally make our deposit, then maybe six months later, another 25% followed up by another 25% and then our final payment. Would you be open to similar arrangements? If not, that's ok too - we will still book either way.

Eddie, that would be just fine if you want to break it up like that. Once I have your CC information on file it would just be a matter of emailing or calling me with an amount and the date you want it applied. Or, we can set it up to automaticly charge every 6 months on the first business day of the month. I would just email you a notice the week prior to remind you.

Nina, another question, if we book during a sale at the 12.5% deposit rate, does that mean there will be a second deposit - as they do for the world cruises? Hope you understand what I'm asking.

Helen

Helen, I do understand what you are saying and no, there is no required extra deposit between the first and final payment. However, if you would like to make payments in between you are certainly welcome to.

Hi Gang,

I'm Robyn, I've been following the Ajani blog and now that your group is now officially formed for Christmas in 2009, I'd thought I'd register and say hello.

Looking forward to making some new friends!

Robyn

Hi Robyn,

Welcome to the group!

Nick

Robyn!!

Welcome aboard Robyn!

I can't believe how this is growing and how quickly we're growing! And CC said it couldn't be done! We'll show 'em!!

OK, so who put the sneeky little link over on the other board?

Thanks for the welcome!

Just lurking, wishing I could afford to go... Maybe one day...

Fingers are still crossed, we won't know for a while whether or not we'll be able to make it.