Vacationing with one of the major cruise lines means meeting passengers from all ages groups and walks of life, and this often includes friends groups, work groups and family members who opt to plan a reunion at sea. I was reminded of this recently as I boarded the new MSC Seascape out of Miami, Florida. Several groups wore matching shirts with their family name and reunion details emblazoned on the front, not only for fun but also to help them easily locate each other at the port.
This got me thinking about just how easy cruising is for groups who want to travel together but not necessarily share space or expenses along the way. Alternatively, booking a huge vacation rental that sleeps 20+ people (or any group size) means figuring out who sleeps where a fair amount for different "groups within the group" to pay. This kind of trip also requires someone to cook and clean up, negotiations on where to dine out and when and potentially even both.
The same is often true for group trips at traditional hotels, although everyone in the group can theoretically book and pay for their own room. The only option for groups close to cruising in terms of convenience comes in the form of all-inclusive resorts where food and drinks are included, yet cruising is still better for groups due to the reasons I outline below.
Affordable Fares for Everyone
One of the main reasons so many friends groups and family reunions choose cruising is the fact that room sizes and options with affordable fares abound. As an example, the MSC Seascape offers interior staterooms without any outdoor space for those who want to pay as little as they can, ocean view staterooms, balcony staterooms and spacious suites for family or group members who may want to splurge on the trip.
My stay on the MSC Seascape was in the luxurious "ship within a ship" Yacht Club part of the vessel, and I spoke to a woman on my cruise who was staying in the Yacht Club as part of a reunion with more than 30 people on board. She told me she was the only family member staying in the Yacht Club, and that she chose to upgrade herself due to the premium drink package that came with the booking — and the fact the Yacht Club gave her a place to escape other family members if she needed a break.
Pay At Your Own Pace
Not only can group members choose a cabin on the ship that suits their budget and family size, but cruising makes it possible for everyone to pay for their own trip separately and on their own time. This is a lot more convenient than having one family member gather funds from everyone to pay for a vacation rental, and it makes it so late payers don't hold everyone back. Having separate bookings for each cabin on a group cruise also means that additional family or group members can be added to the trip up until the last minute — at least, as long as the cruise doesn't sell out.
Generally speaking, most cruises allow travelers to put down a deposit until the cruise is anywhere from 90 to 120 days out. That's the point where final payment must be made, and this gives group members time to plan and some wiggle room to make payments if they need to.
Endless Food and Drinks
Another benefit of group cruising is the endless buffets and main dining room options cruise ships offer. Everyone in the group can dine and snack in the included venues as much as they want, and any time they want, without having to worry over which group member will foot the bill.
While all cruise lines and vessels have a selection of dining options for different palates and tastes on board, the MSC Seascape had main dining rooms and specialty restaurants that catered to steak-lovers (Butcher's Cut), seafood-lovers (Ocean Cay), sushi lovers (Kaito Sushi Bar), cruisers who love tacos (Hola!) and more. These options made it so group members on a budget could stick with free options without stopping some group members from splurging on a specialty dining experience.
Activities Galore
Cruises are known for offering non-stop action and entertainment, and all the major cruise lines are pros when it comes to catering to passengers of all ages. From dance classes to bingo, cooking classes, miniature golf, karaoke and zip lines, most of the large cruise ships that depart from the United States really do offer something for everyone.
On top of activities, updated vessels also offer on-board casinos, water parks, sports areas, bumper cars and more. The amenities you have access to definitely vary by ship, yet friends groups and family groups also get to select the right ship for their group type ahead of time.
Cruise Ports Throughout the U.S.
Finally, cruises are great for families and other large groups who have people scattered all over the country. These groups just have to pick a single cruise port that's within reach of everyone that plans to join the trip, and they can cruise the friendly seas together from there.
We all know that many of the more popular cruise ports across the U.S. are found within the state of Florida, yet you can also book cruises from New York, Galveston, Texas, Los Angeles, California, the Port of New Orleans in Louisiana and elsewhere.
Bottom Line
There's a reason you always see friends groups and family reunions on cruise ships. With different cabin types for different budgets, endless food options and plenty to see and do, today's large cruise ships have mastered the art of keeping everyone on board fed and entertained around the clock.
If you're considering a group cruise or family reunion at sea, consider reaching out to a travel agent to help you plan. The services of these travel professionals are typically offered for free, and they can take care of all the details so you can enjoy your group vacation with minimal hassle and stress.
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