Why A Luxury Cruise Should Be Your Next Group Getaway

Let’s talk about group trips—they can be a headache, right? 

Wrangling a large group of people into numerous hotels, through airports, and across borders can be a bit like herding cats, and that’s all before arriving at your destination, where everyone will no doubt be looking at you expectantly, waiting for you to unveil an meticulously-planned experience that celebrates your group’s core values, whilst being universal enough to satisfy everyone. There must be ample time to relax and reminisce over fond memories, but not too much because you of course need to allot time to go out and make brand new ones. Everyone needs to stick together (losing a group member usually spoils the trip) but not too together, because people obviously need individual space and time to unwind on their own. Remember to take note of everyone’s specific needs and necessities—mobility issues, dietary requirements, childcare…the list goes on and on.

That’s a lot of plates to spin.

At first glance, it might feel like an impossible conundrum but fear not! We might just have a luxury cruise-shaped solution for you.

Think about it. Cruises by their very nature bring people together, with mixing and mingling top of the bill. From pre-dinner drinks and al fresco lunches on the deck to evening entertainment and bucket list excursions, cruises offer the perfect blend of exploration, celebration and relaxation, so keeping everyone happy is par for the course.

There’s no need for incessant packing and unpacking, navigating public transport and hopping from hotel to hotel— whether you’re travelling with six or sixty people, a cruise provides a luxurious base for your entire group. It’s a setup which respects your group’s need to spend time together whilst still having alone time in the commodious haven of individual suites, making it the perfect option for family reunions, alumni getaways, club vacations, or even corporate trips (come on, would you say no if your manager suggested a team-building luxury cruise experience? No, we didn’t think so.)

Now, you may be envisioning your group standing bewildered amongst the chaos of some gargantuan, mass-market cruise ship. Be assured—you don’t need to. Thankfully, the days of those sort of soulless experiences are behind us, with small-ship luxury akin to your own sumptuous super yacht an increasingly accessible option.  

One of the more exciting developments in the industry is that multiple cruise lines are beginning to offer itineraries tailored to suit specific audiences. So, whether you dream of river cruising through the wine capitals of Europe, wellness-led ocean journeys, or themed cruises focusing on anything from art and music to fine cuisine and golf, there truly is a cruise to suit every group. 

Here, the magic word is flexibility, and you’ll find it in spades on a group cruise. There’ll be no “8:06am: Have Breakfast Together, 9:12am: Go Hiking Together, 11:23am: Get Hot Stone Massages Together”, so you can put the timetable away. With no shortage of fantastic activities both onboard and ashore, group members have the opportunity to pick and choose, opting to try things as a group or else explore independently. This way, you may have some of your party sampling the wares at a sun-dappled hilltop vineyard, whilst someone stays behind to enjoy an onboard cooking class, and someone else catches waves on a water sports excursion. In the evening, your whole group can reconvene, sharing the day’s experiences over a gourmet meal and planning the next day’s fun beneath the rays of the setting sun, as a string quartet plays softly. With suite selections, dining preferences and bespoke itineraries all pre-booked and waiting for you upon embarkation, the only thing you need to think about is what cocktail to order with lunch tomorrow. 

If you really feel like pushing the boat out (pardon the pun), many cruise lines offer the option of hosting exclusive onboard events for yourself and your group. A sophisticated cocktail soirée for your family, a private sommelier-led wine tasting for your club, a tasting menu dinner in a private dining room—almost any type of event can be easily accommodated (and we guarantee you’ll be talking about it for years to come.)

So, if unforgettable experiences and lifelong memories are on your agenda, you can find out more about group cruises here, or else call our friendly team of cruise connoisseurs for more information.