When it comes to creating a student cruise group, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  1. Under the Homeland Security Act, passports are a requirement for any travel outside the United States, so it’s critical to make sure your student group members have passports.
  2. A completed parent/guardian consent and release form must be presented at embarkation.
  3. In looking at a booking time frame, it’s good to start planning a year in advance of the sailing date. This provides the necessary time for the planning and arrangements needed, as well as getting the applicable deposits and final payments in.
  4. Securing some type of trip protection or insurance plan is important. In addition to the policies that the individual cruise line might have, there are several good travel insurance companies that you can work with.
  5. Cruise lines still have airfare supplements available, but it’s good to do some price comparison and see if it might be better to arrange your own transportation to the embarkation port rather than book through the cruise line.
  6. Cruise ships offer more dining options than ever, as the lines have departed from the traditional “main” and “late” dining times.
  7. One of the nice perks cruise lines provide is complementary meeting rooms and space, which can be reserved.
  8. Plan for any special events in which you’d like your student group members to participate—onboard or in port.
  9. Another thing to consider is the departure port. Cruise lines have expanded the choice of US departure ports, providing more options for your group’s itinerary.

Determining the right cruise line, right ship and right itinerary—and planning well in advance—will ensure your student group cruise is successful.