Q: What are the benefits of booking a group cruise with BDM Travel?
   A: Booking your Alaska group cruise with BDM Travel offers you benefits you may not be able to get on your own. As a travel agency specializing in group travel, we can often secure exclusive perks and amenities that are not available when booking directly with the cruise line. These benefits may include:

• Discounted Stateroom Rate: We can negotiate special group rates, which can result in a lower price for each traveler in your party.
• Refundable Deposit: Most staterooms booked through our group block include a fully refundable deposit. This provides peace of mind and flexibility, as you can get your deposit back in case of an unforeseen need to cancel before the final payment due date.
• Extra Onboard Credit: We can often arrange for additional onboard credit for each stateroom in the group. This credit can be used for drinks, souvenirs, spa treatments, or even shore excursions.
• Personalized Service: From the very beginning, Monica will be by your side to answer any questions and take the stress out of your cruise vacation. We handle all the logistics for your group, from coordinating cabins and dining times to keeping everyone informed of payment deadlines.
• Additional Perks: Some staterooms may even include complementary specialty dinners for two, plus additional onboard credit.

Q:  What Cruise Line will we be sailing? 
    A: Royal Caribbean.  

Q: How early should I book my stateroom?
    A: We highly recommend booking your stateroom as soon as possible, especially for a popular destination like Alaska. Booking early offers a number of key benefits:

• Stateroom Selection: The best cabins go first. Booking early gives you your choice of stateroom, so you can select the perfect location on the ship, whether you want a balcony in a specific spot, connecting cabins for your group, or a stateroom on a quieter deck. If you wait, you’ll be left to choose from what’s left.
• Best Pricing: Cruise lines often offer their most competitive pricing and promotions when an itinerary is first released. As the ship fills up, prices tend to rise. By booking early, you lock in a great rate, and if a better promotion or price becomes available before the final payment date, we can often reprice your booking to get you the best deal.
• First Choice on Shore Excursions: Popular shore excursions—especially those with limited space, like helicopter tours or small-group wildlife viewing—can sell out quickly. By booking your cruise early, you get first access to reserve these popular activities before they are picked over.
• Onboard Activities and Packages: The same goes for onboard activities. Booking early gives you the opportunity to reserve specialty dining times, spa treatments, and beverage packages when they are released and often at a better price. This ensures you get the experiences you want without having to settle.

Q: How do I know which stateroom to choose?
     A: Choosing the right stateroom can feel overwhelming, but Monica is here to help you find the perfect one for your cruise.  Monica will work with you one-on-one to understand your travel style, preferences, and budget. She will help you navigate the various options—from inside cabins and oceanviews to balconies and suites—and guide you to the stateroom that best meets your needs for an unforgettable Alaska cruise.

Q: How much is the deposit for this cruise?
    A: The deposit for this group cruise is only $250 per person. For most staterooms, this deposit is fully refundable up until the final payment is due. This provides a great deal of flexibility and peace of mind, allowing you to secure your spot on the cruise and the stateroom of your choice without a full financial commitment until closer to the sailing date.

Q: Can I make payments on my cruise?
    A: Yes, absolutely! After you put down your initial deposit of $250 per person to reserve your stateroom, you have the flexibility to make payments on your cruise. You are not required to pay the full balance until the final payment due date, which is typically 90 to 120 days before the sail date.

There are several ways to make payments, and we can discuss which option works best for you and your travel party. We can help you set up a payment schedule that fits your budget, allowing you to pay in installments over time rather than all at once. This approach makes it easier to manage your vacation expenses and gives you peace of mind as you plan your trip.

Q: When will this cruise take place?
    A: We are planning for this cruise to take place in either June or July of 2027. The cruise lines are in the process of releasing their 2027 Alaska itineraries, and we are monitoring them closely. As soon as the perfect itinerary is released that fits our group’s needs, you will be contacted immediately with all the details.

To ensure you are among the first to receive this information and to get first access to our exclusive group rates, simply fill out the form below

Q: Will I need a passport for this cruise?
    A: Yes. Unlike “closed-loop” cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port, this will be a one-way Northbound or Southbound sailing. These itineraries start in one port (e.g., Vancouver, Canada) and end in another (e.g., Seward, Alaska), or vice versa. Since these cruises involve entering or re-entering the United States from a foreign country by air or land, all passengers are required to possess a valid passport. If needed Monica will help guide you through the process of getting your passport well before the sailing begins.

Q:  Will a land tour be offered?
    A: We are currently looking at options for adding a land portion for our group to explore popular inland destinations such as Denali National Park. Once we have solidified the plans and rates for a land tour, we will provide all the information and the option to add it to your cruise booking.

Q: Do I need any special vaccines to take this cruise?
    A: There are no special vaccines specifically required by the state of Alaska or Canada for this cruise. However, both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations, such as for measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

It is always a good idea to consult with your personal healthcare provider or a travel medicine specialist at least four to six weeks before your trip. They can provide personalized advice based on your health history and the latest public health recommendations.

Q: Do I have to dine and do all activities with the entire group?

    A: Not at all! While the benefit of a group cruise is having others to share the experience with, your vacation is entirely your own. Monica’s travel style is simple: if you want to do something, you do it; if you don’t want to do something, you don’t.

You have complete flexibility to plan your own days on the ship and in port. Feel free to join the group for dinner or a specific activity, or enjoy a quiet dinner for two at a specialty restaurant. It’s your vacation to experience however you wish, and you are welcome to participate as much or as little as you like in group events.

Q: What extra expenses should I plan?
    A: Additional expenses may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Airfare
• Transportation to and from the cruise port
• Shore excursions
• Trip insurance
• Pre-cruise and/or post-cruise hotel stays
• Any land tours
• Onboard packages (such as Wi-Fi and beverage packages)

Monica will help you sort out all additional portions of the trip, including any and all of the extra expenses listed above. She can arrange your flights, book your pre- or post-cruise hotels, and help you select the best shore excursions for your travel style and budget. Her goal is to take the stress out of your cruise planning so all you have to do is show up and enjoy your vacation.

Q: Will I see wildlife on an Alaska cruise?
    A: While wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, Alaska is teeming with animals. You have a good chance of seeing humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, otters, bald eagles, and even bears from your ship or on an excursion.

Q: Will I see the Northern Lights?
    A: Seeing the Northern Lights is a long shot during the main cruise season due to the long daylight hours. Your best chance is on a late-season cruise in September, when the nights are darker. For a better chance, consider a post-cruise land tour that takes you to Fairbanks, which is known for Northern Lights viewing.