Here Are All the Cruise Line Group Policies
by Dori Saltzman /
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Group policies within the cruise industry are as varied as the cruise lines themselves. While the large ocean-going lines have somewhat similar policies, the rules for group cruises on luxury lines, river cruises and small-ship cruise lines can be widely divergent.
To help you choose which cruise lines you’d like to work with on group cruises, we’ve compiled the groups-related policies for the vast majority of cruise operators. (These are standard group policies; meetings and incentive group policies may be different.)
AmaWaterways | American Cruise Lines | Avalon Waterways | Azamara | Carnival Cruise Line | Celebrity Cruises | Crystal | Cunard | Emerald | Holland America | Lindblad Expeditions | MSC Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line | Oceania Cruises | Princess Cruises | Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Royal Caribbean | Scenic | Seabourn | Silversea Cruises | Tauck | Uniworld | Viking | Virgin Voyages | Windstar Cruises
AmaWaterways
Minimum: 5 staterooms/10 guests for European and Mekong cruises | 4 staterooms/8 guests for Africa and Egypt cruises
Maximum: Groups larger than 20 staterooms may require a part-charter agreement to secure specific staterooms.
Holding Period: None. Deposit only holds discount/benefits but does not hold staterooms.
Group Discount: Starts at $250 per person (can be higher on “Enhanced Group” sailing dates)
Deposits Required: Refundable $25 per person/$50 per stateroom
Group Amenity Points: GAP is part of the Enhanced Group Offer that is available on select sail dates. On these dates the standard group discount is combinable with any retail discount and 2 amenity points are awarded that can be redeemed for any two of the following choices: a confirmed Travel Advisor rate for a TA escort, $50 onboard credit per stateroom, a bottle of wine per stateroom, or a box of chocolates per stateroom. | For groups of 35 or more, AmaWaterways can arrange private bus transportation to/from the airport.
Tour Conductor Credits: 1 TC for every nine full fares booked
Commission: Up to 18% group commission on river cruise fare | 12% commission on pre- and post-cruise land packages | 10% commission on travel protection and extra hotel nights | 5% commission on contracted air.
American Cruise Lines
Minimum: 10 passengers
Maximum: N/A
Holding Period: Once deposited, group space is held until final payment. If payment is not made on time, cabins are recalled. Any released staterooms are subject to the cancellation policy.
Group Discount: $600 per stateroom, rates are guaranteed for 60 days without deposit.
Deposits Required: Varies by length of sailing: 9 nights or less: $500 per person / 10 nights or more: $900 per person
Group Amenity Points: No GAP | One evening during cruise, group can enjoy a private cocktail hour (group size restrictions apply) | Onboard group meeting space can also be requested.
Tour Conductor Credits: One TC stateroom for every 20 passengers booked, with a maximum of two TC staterooms.
Avalon Waterways
Minimum: 8 guests
Maximum: 5 cabins or 10 passenger berths until these are filled; additional space can be requested in increments of 5 cabins.
Holding Period: 180 days before departure with per person deposits paid. All groups must be named with individual deposits at 180 days prior to sailing, or the time of booking, whichever is later.
Group Discount: N/A
Deposits Required: $250 per person, non-refundable for guaranteed staterooms
Group Amenity Points: For Europe and Southeast Asia, the Group Advantage Program (GAP) provides complimentary prepaid gratuities | Groups in Europe of 30+ guests will receive a private motor coach for Avalon land sightseeing excursions.
Tour Conductor Credits: Half free (cruise and land extensions) for 7-8 paid guests or one free for 9 paid.
Commission: Up to 18% on river cruise fare and land extensions |10% commission on travel protection and extra nights | 5% commission on non-discounted flex (contract) air
Azamara
Minimum: Non-contract groups: 8 rooms/16 guests | Contract groups: 26 rooms
Maximum: Non-contract groups: 25 rooms
Holding Period: 90 days without deposit
Group Discount: N/A
Deposits Required: $50 per stateroom
Group Amenity Points: Points vary by sailing. Points can be used for cocktail parties, specialty dining experiences, in-room amenities, onboard credit, to lower TC requirements, and more.
Tour Conductor Credits: 1 TC for every 12 fully booked rooms
Carnival Cruise Line
Minimum: 8 staterooms
Maximum: N/A
Holding Period: Up until second deposits are due (approximately 120 to 150 days prior to sailing), after which unsold space will be recalled.
Group Discount: N/A
Deposits Required: $25 per person within 60 days of creating group
Group Amenity Points: Point amounts determined by sail date and itinerary | May be used for amenities such as Champagne, chocolate, bath robes, cocktail receptions, onboard credits
Tour Conductor Credits: 1 TC for every 15 full-fare lower berths
Celebrity Cruises
Minimum: No-deposit group: 8 staterooms | Deposit required group: 17 staterooms | Galapagos cruises: 5 staterooms
Maximum: No-deposit group: 16 staterooms | Deposit required group: 50 staterooms (without special approval) | Galapagos cruises: 6 staterooms (without special approval)
Holding Period: 30 days without deposit | Celebrity Cruises may contact advisor at any time to review unsold inventory. | Unsold group inventory will be recalled at 150 days prior to sailing for cruises of nine nights or longer or 120 days prior to sailing for cruises of eight nights or less. | GRPX and Group Standard pricing inventory will be reviewed 8 months after deployment. Unsold space will be recalled if there is no activity on group block.
Group Discount: Group pricing is available mostly right after deployment is opened for bookings; average discount can be up to 10% at deployment of sailing.
Deposits Required: $50 per stateroom to hold space | Celebrity suites and higher require 200% deposit at time of group request | Galapagos sailings: $900 per Ocean View stateroom and $1,800 per Suite
Onboard Credit: Group bookings made at least 10 months prior to sailing receive $100 OBC for Inside and Ocean View staterooms, and $200 OBC for Veranda and above staterooms
Group Amenity Points: All groups sailing before April 30, 2025, receive 4 GAP points. All deposited groups sailing after May 1, 2025, receive 4 GAP points. Points can be used for onboard experiences, cabin upgrades, onboard credit, stateroom deliveries or gifts, additional discounts, to reduce the tour conductor requirement, bonus commission or marketing dollars, and more. (Excluding Galapagos sailings)
Tour Conductor Credits: 1 TC for every 16 full-fare guests, based on double occupancy. Singles paying 200% of the full fare count as two guests for tour conductor purposes. | Galapagos cruises: 1 TC for every 10 full-fare guests, based on double occupancy, maximum 1 TC per group. Singles paying 200% of the full fare count as two guests for tour conductor purposes.
Crystal
Minimum: 4 suites/staterooms
Maximum: None
Holding Period: Fares protected for 90 days from group creation or until final payment date of sailing, whichever comes first.
Group Discount: None
Deposits Required: Within 90 days
Onboard Credit: Up to $400 credit per suite/stateroom ($200 per person)
Group Amenity Points: None
Tour Conductor Credits: TC ratios vary from 1 for 7 to 1 for 15, depending on the specific sailing. A minimum of 4 cabins is required to earn a TC (at a 1 for 7 ratio), and advisors can earn up to 4 TC cabins per group.
Cunard
Minimum: Non-contracted group: 10 guests | Contracted group: 200 guests
Maximum: Non-contracted group: 200 guests
Holding Period: Advisor receives first and second recall dates (timed to set time before departure date), at those dates 50% of any unsold space is recalled unless 50% of the total space has been sold; final recall is same day as final payment; on World Sailings, final recall is six months prior to sailing.
Group Discount: Groups of 10 or more guest receive a 5% discount off Launch Fares
Deposits Required: $25 per bed
Group Amenity Points: Advisors can get highest number of amenity points (up to 10) by blocking space as soon as itineraries are opened for booking. Points can be used for onboard credits, cocktail parties, passenger gifts, as extra commission or to lower the TC credit requirement (minimum and maximum group sizes may apply). Amenity points are reduced as the sailing date approaches.
Tour Conductor Credits: One TC for every 15 full-fare lower-berth guests
Emerald Cruises
Minimum: 10 guests for European Rivers, South East Asia Rivers and Yacht cruises | 12 guests for Douro River
Maximum: 90 guests
Holding Period: 30 days if one booking is made within first 30 days after group creation | Up to 60 additional days (based on availability) | Pricing is protected indefinitely.
Group Discount: River only, $200 per person
Deposits Required: Not required to allocate group space but required within 48 hours of reserving.
Group Amenity Points: Points can be used for additional fare savings, onboard credit, extended drinks package, bonus commission, enhanced tour conductor earnings, or an exclusive travel advisor rate.
Tour Conductor Credits: 1 TC for every nine guests on European Rivers and South East Asia Rivers | 1 TC for every 11 guests on Douro River | TC varies on yacht cruises
Commission: Starts from 15% for all groups
Holland America Line
Minimum: 8 staterooms
Maximum: None
Holding Period: Groups can be set up when the product is opened; first review of group space is at 150 days prior to departure
Group Discount: Varies between destinations, but typically provides a discount over standard fares; terms and conditions apply.
Deposits Required: None to hold up to 16 staterooms. $50 per stateroom for 17+ staterooms due within 30 days of holding the group. Deposits on bookings are based upon standard policies and varies depending on voyage length.
Group Amenity Points: 5-9 days: 4 points | 10-20 days + Alaska cruises: 6 points | 21+ days: 8 points | Legendary Voyages: 10 points. GAP points can be used for a variety of amenities, including but not limited to, onboard credits, specialty dining, or a cocktail party.
Tour Conductor Credits: One TC for every 16th guest booked. GAP points can be used to buy down the ratio to earn a credit at 1:13 or 1:11.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
Minimum: 8 passengers in order to qualify for discount
Maximum: N/A
Holding Period: Six to eight weeks
Group Discount: 5%
Deposits Required: Approximately 15%
Group Amenity Points: No GAP
Tour Conductor Credits: On average, one free berth for 12 to 15 full-paying guests depending on product and season
MSC Cruises
Minimum: 8 cabins
Maximum: Standard Group Policy – up to 70 cabins (71 or more falls into Large Group policy)
Holding Period: 30 days without deposit
Group Discount: N/A
Deposits Required: No deposit for groups of 16 staterooms or less | $25 per person for groups larger than 16 staterooms
Group Amenity Points: Points are determined by sailing date, itinerary and season | Points can be used for reduced tour conductor requirements, stateroom gifts, OBC, Wi-Fi, bonus commission, cocktail parties, marketing funds, and more.
Tour Conductor Credits: 1 TC for every 15 full fare passengers (excluding 3rd and 4th guests in a cabin) | TCs are paid out along with commission after the sailing has departed.
Commission: 5% on pre-/post-hotel, transfers, motor coach transportation, prepaid beverage packages, cancellation insurance, specialty dining, and spa packages. 10% on pre-paid shore excursions.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Minimum: 5 staterooms
Maximum: 199 staterooms
Holding Period: 60 days without deposit
Group Discount: 5% if booked between 121 and 270 days of sailing; 10% between 271 and 450 days, and 15% off if booked 451 or more days before sailing.
Deposits Required: $50 per stateroom within 60 days of group creation plus $250 per person within 7 days of booking.
Group Amenity Points: Oceanview staterooms above receive all amenities from one of two package options, plus a bonus amenity from a list of seven options. For inside cabins, advisor can choose two amenities from a choice of two packages, plus one bonus amenity.
Package A Amenities: Free Open Bar, $200 Shore Excursion Credit, Specialty Dining Credit ($180 value), Free Wi-Fi ($150 value)
Package B Amenities: 10 photo prints, $200 shore excursion credit, free Wi-Fi ($150 value), $100 onboard credit
Bonus amenities include $100 onboard credit, $100 bonus commission, $100 fundraising credit, 10-photo package, cocktail party, commitment/vow renewal, or free calling/texting.
Tour Conductor Credits: One TC for every 10 berths
Oceania Cruises
Minimum: 8 staterooms
Maximum: More than 50% of the ship’s capacity
Holding Period: Group space reviews are conducted periodically and group space may be recalled at any time. | Fares held for life of group.
Group Discount: N/A | Discount may be available for group escort stateroom (minimum of 5 full-paying staterooms required) | 15% tour discount if group has a minimum of 25 guests participating on a single individual tour (20% discount with at least 50 group guests on single tour)
Deposits Required: None.
Group Amenity Points: Amenities must be negotiated with sales rep and can include complimentary transfers, pre-pad gratuities, onboard credit, one-hour cocktail party (groups of 20 or more guests), lowered TC requirements, bonus commission, and more. | Private bus and guide for standard coach tours with 30 group members booking that tour.
Tour Conductor Credits: Up to 16-day cruises: 1 TC for every 15 full-fare berths | Cruises of 17 days or longer: 1 TC for every 11 full-fare berths
Commission: 5% when group books a minimum of 20 Your World Collection and/or Unlimited Passport Collection shore excursion packages (10% for 40 or more) | 5% when at least 25 group members book an individual tour (10% with 50 or more)
Princess Cruises
Minimum: Non-contracted group: 10 people | Contracted group: 252 people
Maximum: Non-contracted group: 250 people
Holding Period: 60 days in 10 to 40 bed allotments
Group Discount: $50 off on lower berths for three- to 12-day sailings | $100 off on longer sailings
Deposits Required: No deposit for groups of 16 berths or less | $25 per berth for groups larger than 16 people
Group Amenity Points: Amenity points are determined by when the group booking is made, bookings made closer to when sales open can receive the maximum (up to 6 points). Points can be used for cocktail parties (32 passenger minimum), passenger gifts, onboard credit, extra commission, Medallion accessories, or to lower the TC credit requirement. | Two additional GAP points are awarded for Celebration groups (vs standard groups).
Tour Conductor Credits: 1 TC for every 16 full-fare lower-berth passengers
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Minimum: 8 suites
Maximum: N/A | No more than one group per ship per month (some flexibility)
Holding Period: Will recall space as time and need demand | Will hold pricing.
Group Discount: N/A
Deposits Required: N/A
Group Amenity Points: Can be used for things like $400 OBC per booking, waived custom air fees, etc.
Tour Conductor Credits: 1 TC for every 10 guests (lower TC ratios are sometimes offered)
Royal Caribbean International
Minimum: Non-contracted group: 8 staterooms and 16 guests | Contracted group: 199 staterooms
Maximum: Non-contracted groups: 1 group per sailing and no more than 50 staterooms (up to 199 with prior approval)
Holding Period: 30 days from the date of creation of the group or 30 days from the date the additional group stateroom(s) was added to the group booking
Deposits Required: $50 per stateroom to be paid within 30 days of the group’s creation for groups of more than 16 staterooms
Onboard Credit: A $50 per stateroom onboard credit will be applied when creating group space at least 6 months prior to sailing
Group Amenity Points: Instant 4 points for groups of 16 cabins or more once deposit has been paid at the group level.
Tour Conductor Credits: 1 TC for every 16 full-fare guests, based on double occupancy. Singles paying 200% of the full fare count as two guests.
Scenic
Minimum: 10 guests for European Rivers, South East Asia Rivers and Scenic Eclipse | 12 guests for Douro River
Maximum: 90 guests
Holding Period: 30 days if one booking is made within first 30 days after group creation | Up to 60 additional days (based on availability) | Pricing is protected indefinitely.
Group Discount: $200 per person on river cruises | $250 per person on yacht cruises
Deposits Required: Not required to allocate group space; $500 per person within 48 hours of reserving.
Group Amenity Points: Points can be used for onboard credit, fares savings, bonus commission, enhanced tour conductor earnings, or an exclusive travel agent rate.
Tour Conductor Credits: 1 TC for every nine guests on European Rivers and South East Asia Rivers | 1 TC for every 11 guests on Douro River| TC varies on Scenic Eclipse
Commission: Starts from 15% for all groups
Seabourn
Minimum: 5 suites/10 guests
Maximum: Seabourn Odyssey, Sojourn, Quest – 40 suites | Seabourn Encore, Ovation – 50 suites
Group Discount: N/A
Deposits Required: $25 per booking (refundable and applicable to any booking with the group); once reservation is made within the group, standard deposit is due within three days
Group Amenity Points: No GAP | Once TC has been reached advisor may choose from a choice of two amenities:
Sailings of 9 days or less: $250 per suite OBC or 3% bonus commission
Sailings of 10 days or more: $500 per suite OBC or 5% bonus commission
Tour Conductor Credits: 1 TC for every 7 or 9 paid guests depending on the sailing; maximum of 8 TC
Silversea Cruises
Minimum: Minimum is determined by Silversea at the time of group creation and can vary from as little as eight to as many as 16.
Maximum: n/a
Holding Period: n/a
Group Discount: There is no group discount, but per suite onboard credit is provided between $200 and $300 depending what tier it has been assigned.
Deposits Required: No deposits required to start a group “shell.”
Group Amenity Points: n/a
Tour Conductor Credits: Tour conductor credits depend on what tier the group has been assigned. For Super Advantage tier groups, the eighth guest sales free with seven full-paying guests. For Advantage tier groups, the 10th guest sales free with nine full-paying guests. For Standard tier groups, the 12th guest sails free with 11 full-paying guests, and with the Reserve tier, the 16th guest sails free with 15 full-paying guests.
Commission: Commission also varies by what tier the group has been assigned. Super Advantage and Advantage tier groups receive a minimum of 15% commission. All others receive standard commission.
Tauck
Minimum: 8 guests for Bridges Family cruises | 20 guests for Tauck “Hosted” Groups | 10 guests for all other cruises
Maximum: Varies by ship capacity and other factors
Holding Period: Up to 180 days prior to departure
Group Discount: N/A
Deposits Required: Refundable $200 per person to hold space
Group Amenity Points: No GAP
Tour Conductor Credits: 11th guest travels free after 10 guests are paid in full (if there are only 10 guests, one traveler receives 50% off) | Bridges Family Sailings: 9th guest travels free after 8 guests are paid in full (if there are only 8 guests, one traveler receives 50% off)
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Minimum: 10 guests
Maximum: N/A
Holding Period: None. Rates are protected until the day of departure as long as the group is active with confirmed bookings, but staterooms are not held.
Group Discount: Europe – $200-$600 | Exotics – $300 per person
Deposits Required: None
Group Amenity Points: No GAP
Tour Conductor Credits: Europe – 1 TC with every 9 full-paying guests, based on double occupancy| Exotic – 1 TC with every 15 full-paying guests, based on double occupancy
Viking
Minimum: 5 staterooms
Maximum: N/A
Holding Period: Varies by sailing
Group Discount: $125 per person on ocean, expedition & Mississippi River voyages | Up to $250 per stateroom
Deposit Required: $500 per person
Group Amenity Points: No GAP | Groups of 10 to 15 staterooms receive a welcome bottle of sparkling wine in each stateroom (on European river cruises only) | Groups of 16 to 24 staterooms receive a bottle of sparkling wine in each stateroom and a 30-minute cocktail party for the entire group (on European river cruises only)
Tour Conductor Credits: 1free TC (cruise only) for every 15 paid guests. (A maximum of 4 TCs can be earned per sailing).
Virgin Voyages
Minimum: 10 cabins
Maximum: 75 cabins (more with permission)
Holding Period: 30 days without deposit
Group Discount: N/A
Deposits Required: 20% of cabin price
Onboard Credit: $50 for Insider/Seaview cabins | $100 for Sea Terraces | $200 for Rockstar and Mega Rockstar suites
Group Amenity Points: No GAP
Tour Conductor Credits: 1 free Sea Terrace cabin for every 10 cabins (of any type)
Windstar Cruises
Minimum: 10 guests
Maximum: 20 to 35 cabins depending on ship size and availability at time of group creation
Holding Period: None. Pricing will be held but not cabins.
Group Discount: Depending on the group date selected, discounts are 5% off Savings fares (Star Group) or 10% off Savings fares (Star Advantage Group). Type of group is based on voyage date and itinerary, and determined by Revenue Management and Inventory Control at time of group creation.
Onboard Credit: $100 per person
Deposits Required: N/A
Group Amenity Points: No GAP | Complimentary cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres for Star Advantage Group; available for Star Group bookings for groups of more than 18 people.
Tour Conductor Credit: 1 TC for every 9 guests confirmed for Star Group bookings | 1 TC for every 7 guests confirmed for Star Advantage Group bookings.
Commission: Star Advantage Group: $100 per person
