My tips for planning a group trip.
So if you read my recent post about cruisin’ through the Caribbean with Carnival Cruise Line, you’ll already know that it was a group trip: I had the pleasure of rolling with a crew that included Liebling, my mom, my auntie, and two friends.
This made for a relatively different travel experience for me. I’m a staunch advocate for solo travel; I love the independence, freedom, and learning that stems from traveling on my own. Whenever I don’t go solo, I travel with Liebling (ultimate travel buddy and master of maps) or with one or two friends (ultimate purveyors of laughable moments and memorable turn ups); rarely do I ever travel with a group this large.
However, after tackling the high seas with a team of six, I realize that in order for a getaway of this magnitude to run smoothly there are at least 5 things one must do.
Tips for a successful group trip:
1. Plan well in advance
The luxury of traveling solo dolo, à deux or even à trois, is that travel plans can be executed on a wing and a prayer. Flying off to an exotic locale at a moment’s notice is easy when only one or two additional people are involved. However, larger group trips require greater prep and co-ordination: with so many more people in the mix there are bound to be competing schedules, holiday constraints, and responsibilities (think dogs and kids). This was the case for us, so we started planning for our July group trip around February: pinpointing dates when all six of us were able to travel proved the first major challenge of executing our getaway. Use Google Docs or a group planning website to plot out itineraries– they’re a lot easier than sifting through long email strings.
2. Sort out transport and accommodation
Once you and your team have determined exactly where and when you’re going, the next detail to sort out is how you’ll get there and where you’ll stay once you arrive. Again, when you’re by yourself or traveling in a small group, these details are almost negligible, but a larger group trip requires greater prep and consideration (see #1).
To wit:
- Does it make sense to head to your destination on the same flight?
- Once there, does it make sense to book an airport transfer together, or will every (wo)man fend for his or herself?
- Should you book separate hotel rooms, or think about renting out a villa/house in which everyone can lodge together?
While the fact that we were on a cruise made accommodation a non-issue (a huge benefit of cruising), we still had the task of puzzling out transport and transfers. In the end, since four members of our team are based in NYC (me, Liebling, and my two friends Joy and June), I decided it made more sense for my mom to fly down to NYC from Toronto so that the five us could make our way to Texas together. We headed to Houston on the same flight, then upon arriving, met my auntie, who had already flown in from Seattle. All six of us then proceeded to the port of Galveston (where the cruise started) together in a minivan– a transfer we arranged prior to the journey.
3. Realize you WILL move more slowly
When I travel by myself, I can get around fairly quickly, but when more people are involved it’s natural to move at a slower pace. Your travel crew will inevitably be comprised of people who take longer to get ready than others, those who move more slowly due to age or lack of urgency, and those who stop to take pictures every second step. The key is to recognize from the beginning that you will not whip through your sightseeing checklist at lightning speed; instead, try to adjust your itinerary (or expectations) accordingly. The great thing about being on a cruise was that our group did not have to be joined at the hip at all times– since it was so easy to meet up at meal times or events on the ship we often did our own thing during the day.
4. Figure out the dollars and sense prior to going
Money can often be a sticking point on a group vacation: different budgets, spending habits, and methods of payment can take frustration levels from 0 to 100 real quick. To avoid losing your cool and unduly emptying your pocketbook, talk money and budgets with your travel buds before it becomes an issue. Who will pay for what and when? Will tabs be split evenly? How much money should people expect to be spending? Are credit cards needed, or is cash better? Should parties get foreign currency prior to travel or on the ground? Basically, what makes the most sense? Having an open and honest dialogue about these details is key!
5. Remember that everybody is different
Traveling with a group often means dealing with difference. Remember that the members of your travel team are not a monolith: the larger the group, the more your interests, intentions, and personalities will vary. My tip, as always, is to embrace these differences and encourage people to do what makes them happy: as I note above, your group is not a monolith, so there’s absolutely no reason they need to be joined at the hip for every tour or experience. With that in mind, my recommendation is to pair up those with similar interests, travel styles, or personalities so that everyone has a partner or “road dog”– this will ensure nobody feels left out or left behind. On our trip, there were distinct sub-groups within our larger group: my mom and auntie (similar in age and outlook) hung out together most, followed by Liebling and I (naturally!) and Joy and June (they’re identical twins and built-in besties, after all).
Have you ever been on a group trip or travelled with a large number of people? Do you agree with my tips?
This post was created for Away We Go with Carnival, the destination for getting in the getaway state of mind. Head on over.
61 Comments
You’re fortunate to get to travel with your family! My loved ones are so far away, and not that much into travel as I am..
Great tips though.! Last time I traveled with a group, it was in Uni. Everyone paid for themselves but we kept on rubbing each other up in the wrong way, obviously because of personality and pace differences.
This has absolutely been my experience. In 2005, I went on a trip with my college through Europe for Art History credits. While it was awesome to get college credits while traveling around and seeing Europe, I found the glacial pace of the group to drive me up the wall. Three days into the trip I had enough and decided to ditch the group. I still had to go to specific museums, but I slept in, got breakfast, took care of things like laundry, then wandered over to the train station, meandered around before going to the museum, and then group was still outside waiting to get in. That was the last straw for me and I did my own thing for the rest of the trip.
I try to avoid traveling in groups as much as possible as it is a pain but your tips makes it more bearable. I guess it really depends on where you are going and who you are going with.
I went with a group of friends on an all-inclusive trip before and while it was fun. It was a crazy! I became the group leader who organized everything for them.
I only travel with my boyfriend now. He is the best travel partner for me!
I’m usually not too big on Group travel either, but, this is really good advice, Oneika. You mentioned the thing about coordinating flight arrivals and transfers which is often the one stage where major details go awry with Groups. And, yeah, its slower moving around with more people.
Great tips Oneika!
Yes, I’ve been on a group trip with an independent group travel company like Intrepid, etc, and it was fine! The trick is for the group to be small (8 people) and to know that you don’t have to go to everything together. Just let the group leader know what you’re doing, and then go ahead and do it!
Re-with family, there’s only my husband, tween, and myself. I usually do all the travel planning (ho!ho!), but I take care to add things that hubby might like, and that son might like, ‘cos my personal travel style is utterly different, and then blend them together. Oh, yeah. When travelling with family SLOW DOWN!
‘Nice one!
Wonderful views on that!
That’s an awesome point
Wonderful views on that!
That’s an awesome point
That’s an awesome point
I am actually happy to read this web site posts which carries lots of helpful facts,
thanks for providing these kinds of data.
Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a
thirty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now
destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I
had to share it with someone!
Awesome issues here. I’m very glad to see your article.
Thanks a lot and I am looking forward to contact you.
Will you please drop me a mail?
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog
and I’m impressed! Very helpful information specifically
the last part 🙂 I care for such info much. I was seeking this particular
information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
Having read this I thought it was very enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!|
Thanks very interesting blog!
First off I would like to say great blog! I had a quick
question that I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I
was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear
your mind before writing. I have had a tough time clearing my mind
in getting my ideas out there. I do take pleasure in writing but it
just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted simply just
trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips?
Kudos!
I am extremely impressed with your writing abilities as
well as with the structure to your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you
customize it your self? Either way stay up the nice quality writing,
it’s uncommon to look a great weblog like this
one nowadays..
Everyone loves what you guys are up too. Such clever work
and reporting! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to blogroll.
I pay a quick visit each day a few web sites
and websites to read content, but this web site presents quality based articles.
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your article seem
to be running off the screen in Internet explorer.
I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something
to do with internet browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let
you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the
issue resolved soon. Cheers
Hey there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I genuinely enjoy reading your blog posts.
Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects?
Appreciate it!
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally,
it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
You clearly know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence
on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something informative to read?
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my website so i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to improve
my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
This is a great tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere.
Short but very precise info… Thanks for sharing this
one. A must read article!
Have you ever considered publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.
I believe this is among the such a lot important info for me.
And i’m glad studying your article. However should observation on few basic
issues, The website style is perfect, the articles is in reality nice : D.
Excellent activity, cheers
My relatives every time say that I am killing my time here at net,
however I know I am getting experience everyday
by reading such fastidious content.
I’m really loving the theme/design of your blog.
Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
A number of my blog audience have complained about my website not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.
Do you have any ideas to help fix this problem?
Nice answers in return of this difficulty with genuine arguments and describing
everything about that.
hi!,I love your writing so much! proportion we communicate more about your post on AOL?
I need an expert on this area to solve my problem.
May be that’s you! Taking a look ahead to peer you.
Great post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I’m inspired!
Very helpful information specifically the ultimate part
🙂 I maintain such info a lot. I used to be
seeking this certain info for a very lengthy time. Thank you and best
of luck.
I do not even know the way I finished up here, however I believed this put up
was once good. I do not understand who you’re but
definitely you’re going to a well-known blogger when you are not
already. Cheers!
Have you ever considered creating an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
I have a blog based on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you
share some stories/information. I know my
visitors would appreciate your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.
you are in reality a just right webmaster.
The website loading pace is incredible. It seems that you
are doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterwork.
you’ve performed a wonderful job on this matter!
Hello to every body, it’s my first pay a visit of this webpage; this weblog consists of remarkable and genuinely fine
data in support of visitors.
Wonderful views on that!
Why is it I always really feel like you do?
fantastic points altogether, you just received a brand new reader.What could you suggest about your publish that you made a few daysin the past? Any positive?
Good article. I’m going through a few of these issues as well..
Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Much thanks again. Want more.
Bskazo – problem solving assignment Jucryg owrloq
Este artigo é realmente uma perfeita ajuda para os visitantes que estão em busca de bons conteúdos.Parabéns.
wow, awesome article.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.
Thanks-a-mundo for the blog article.Thanks Again. Will read on…
I appreciate you sharing this article. Want more.
I enjoy what you guys are usually up too. This kind of clever work and exposure!Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve incorporated you guysto blogroll.
When a person writes an paragraph he/she keeps the image of a user in his/her head that how a user can know about it. So that’s why this paragraph is ideal. Many thanks!
I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thank you again
I want to to thank you for this excellent read!! I certainly enjoyed every bit of it.I have you book marked to check out new things you post?Here is my blog post – Ilok Air Conditioner
Hi! I just would like to offer you a huge thumbs up for your great info you have right here on this post. I am coming back to your blog for more soon.
Thank you, I’ve recently been searching for info about this topic for agesand yours is the best I have found out till now. But, what concerning the conclusion? Are you certain about the source?
Thanks for some other fantastic post. The place else may anyone get that type of information in such an ideal approach of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m on the search for such info.
Will follow these pointers subsequent time.
What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid other users like its aided me. Great job.
can you purchase azithromycin over the counter
Really appreciate you sharing this blog.Really thank you! Awesome. ventolin
oral ivermectin for rosacea ivermectin ointment
Comments are closed.