Bring the crew. We'll line up the cruise.

The group minimum depends on the cruise line and the sailing. Ask about it when you send your trip request.

You can start small. Ask us how the cruise line handles adding people to a group as they commit.

Some group contracts carry no penalty if the group stays under the minimum, and others do. The bookings you have stay as individual reservations, and whether they keep the group terms depends on the line's terms. Check the contract before you sign.

We'll help you set a realistic target from the start and plan how to recruit.

No. You are the person bringing people together. We answer your questions and plan the sailing with you. You spread the word and keep the group in touch.

You don't need to work in travel to organize a group.

We suggest starting 12 to 18 months before the sail date if you can. That can give you:

• Time to recruit the group
• Early booking offers, where the line has them
• More choice of cabins
• More time for people to budget
• Room to move the dates if needed

Shorter timelines can work, with fewer cabins to choose from and less time for your group to budget. Ask us about your dates.

The most common one is not being clear about cost up front. Tell people exactly what the fare includes and what costs extra:

• The fare usually includes your cabin, most meals, entertainment and basic activities
• Extra costs usually include gratuities, alcohol, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, shore excursions and spa services

Other common mistakes:

• No firm deadlines for deposits and final payments
• Long gaps without news for the group
• Promising more than the trip will deliver
• Organizing a large group without a coordinator

Whether each cabin can pay separately depends on the line and the group contract. Ask about it when you send your trip request.

Tern Travel handles the forms, booking and payment through its links. This site collects no booking or payment details.

Cancellation and refund rules vary by cruise line and by policy. Read the line's group contract and your own booking terms before you sign.

We recommend travel insurance, which can cover cancellations for illness, emergencies or other reasons the policy lists. Whether one person's cancellation affects the rest of the group depends on the group contract.

Talking points for people who haven't cruised before:

• "Unpack once, see several ports." No packing up between hotels.
• "Most of it is in the fare." Most meals and entertainment are included.
• "Something for everyone." Activities for every age and interest.
• "Someone else handles the planning." We take care of the bookings and the details.
• "One booking covers a lot." Transport, a room and most meals in one fare, which helps families and older travelers.

Answer common concerns directly:

• "I'll get seasick." Many modern ships use stabilizers, and in calm seas many people feel little motion.
• "I'll feel trapped." Large ships have many decks, venues and activities.
• "It's for older people." Ships have kids' clubs, teen areas, nightlife and quiet spaces.
• "It's too expensive." Show what the fare includes and what costs extra.

Options vary by cruise line and ship. Ask us what is available for your sailing:

• Group dining: requests go to the cruise line through Tern
• Group shore excursions: private tours in port
• Onboard parties: cocktail hours, deck parties, meet-and-greets
• Custom activities: trivia nights, tournaments, themed events
• Meeting spaces: for presentations, workshops or gatherings
• Dietary needs: tell the cruise line early

Ask us what the cruise line offers for your group.

It depends on what your group likes. Common choices:

• Caribbean: warm weather and beaches, a common first cruise
• Alaska: glaciers, wildlife and mountain scenery
• Mediterranean: history, culture, wine and food
• Mexico: shorter cruises
• Bahamas: short trips that fit a long weekend
• Hawaii: a longer trip at a slower pace

We'll help you choose based on your group's interests, budget, and time available.

Ways to keep the group engaged:

• Start a private Facebook group or WhatsApp chat: one place for updates
• Send a monthly update: countdown, tips and destination highlights
• Host video calls: talk through plans and let people meet
• Share countdown graphics: "Six months until we sail"
• Plan things before the cruise: group T-shirts, group photos
• Post packing tips and checklists: help people prepare
• Share shore excursion options: get people thinking about the ports
• Mark milestones: first booking, deposit deadlines, final payment

Yes. Social media helps with recruiting and keeping people engaged:

• Create an event page: Facebook events work well
• Use Instagram Stories: share destination photos
• Post what members say: from people who have committed, with their permission
• Go live for questions: answer questions in real time
• Create a hashtag: one unique to your group
• Repost members' posts: share what members are looking forward to

Post regular updates, not one announcement.

Incentives that can bring more people in:

• Early sign-up perks: something small from you for the first people to commit
• Referral rewards: onboard credit for bringing a friend
• Group gear: custom T-shirts, hats or tote bags
• Prize drawings: spa credit or an excursion
• Monthly budget goal: a share people can plan around
• Upgrade drawing: a draw for a better cabin category
• Kickoff meetup: a get-together before sailing

Some group contracts let the organizer share onboard credit the group earns among members as an incentive.

No. Booking as a group puts everyone under the cruise line's group terms. Each person books the cabin that suits them:

• Singles, couples and families each choose their own cabin
• A mix of interior, ocean view, balcony and suite cabins is normal
• Some members want connecting cabins, others prefer different decks
• You can be at opposite ends of the ship and still be part of the group

The group is about booking together, shared events and shared perks, not being together every moment.

That's normal. Here's how to handle it:

• Offer a range of cabins: interior cabins for tighter budgets, suites for those who want more space
• Publish the starting price: everyone knows the minimum cost
• Keep extras optional: drink packages, Wi-Fi and specialty dining are personal choices
• Let excursions vary: some book tours, others explore on their own
• Plan included events: some group activities that cost nothing extra

One group can cover several budgets. The group terms usually apply across cabin categories, but check the line's terms.

Yes. Most large cruise ships cater to families:

• Nurseries: for babies and toddlers, often for a fee
• Kids' clubs: supervised activities, age ranges vary by line
• Teen areas: social spaces and activities, with age ranges that vary by line
• Family activities: pools, mini golf, movies, deck parties
• Flexible dining: children's menus and early dining times

In a group with several generations, people can do their own thing during the day and meet up for meals and events.

Depending on the line and the size of the group, the organizer can earn:

• A fare credit or reduced fare: taxes and fees still apply, and the ratio varies by cruise line
• Onboard credit: money to spend on the ship
• Cabin upgrades: sometimes to a better category
• Extras: such as drink packages, Wi-Fi or specialty dining
• Recognition: some lines recognize group leaders on board

The benefits vary by cruise line and group size. Ask us what your group qualifies for before you commit.

You're not handling it alone. Our approach:

• Set expectations early: clear communication prevents most problems
• Send booking and cabin questions to us: we answer what we can
• Stay neutral: don't get pulled into personal disputes
• Agree on a code of conduct: basic guidelines for group behavior
• Act quickly: small problems grow if ignored

Common issues:

• Cabin assignment disputes: ask us what the line allows
• Payment problems: check the due dates in the group contract
• Disagreements over activities: offer options, not requirements
• Personality clashes: remind everyone the ship has room for all

Yes. We recommend travel insurance for everyone in the group. Depending on the policy, it can cover:

• Trip cancellation: if someone falls ill or has an emergency before departure
• Medical care: illness or injury while traveling
• Trip interruption: if someone has to leave the cruise early
• Baggage: lost or delayed luggage
• Emergency evacuation: medical transport if needed

What a policy covers, and when you must buy it, varies by insurer. Read your own policy wording before you buy.

Yes. Groups spread across different places are common. How it works:

• Everyone meets at the port, so there's little to coordinate beforehand
• Email and social media keep the planning on track across distances
• Meeting on board feels like a reunion
• Each person picks their own way to get to the port

Keep in touch online before the trip, and plan a get-together for the first night on board.