
CRUISE TRAVEL (Update 8.21.09)
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Passport Requirements became effective June 1, 2009, for land and sea borders. While the WHTI requires a valid passport for land and sea travel, a final ruling was issued allowing leniency for “closed-loop” cruises, i.e., sailings that both originate and terminate in the same U.S. port.
Recent guidance received from the Department of Homeland Security indicates the documentary requirements under WHTI for “closed loop” cruises are not limited to cruises that travel only to contiguous territories or adjacent islands. This means U.S. citizens calling on ports in Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica and Belize will also be exempt from the passport requirement.
U.S. citizens taking “closed-loop” cruises are not required to have a passport, but will need proof of citizenship such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization, a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) as well as a government-issued photo ID. Children are also required to bring proof of citizenship, and if 16 and over, a photo ID is also required. Canadian and Bermudian citizens are required to have a passport for air, land and sea travel, including all Carnival cruises.
Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking “closed loop” cruises, we strongly recommend all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel). Having a passport will enable guests to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event they miss their scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if they need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.
If a cruise begins and ends in different U.S. ports or begins and ends in a foreign port (such as our Alaska cruises and Hawaii cruises) a valid passport or other recognized WHTI-compliant document is required. A valid passport is required if you are traveling on any of our Europe cruises.
For more information, a complete list of WHTI-compliant documents or to obtain a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov.
U.S. Alien Residents need a valid Alien Resident Card. Non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport and a valid, unexpired U.S. Multiple Re-entry Visa, if applicable.
*Ashley's Note* A cheaper option would be the new passport card which is $45.00 for adults and $35.00 for children. Here is the link to the Passport Card Frequently Asked Questions: http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3921.html.
Service Gratuities
For your convenience, we automatically charge the gratuities for dining and stateroom staff to your onboard Sail & Sign account. The total amount is $10.00 per guest, per day (our recommended guideline) as follows:
$ 3.50 Per Day Stateroom Services
$ 5.50 Per Day Dining Room Services
$ 1.00 Per Day Alternative Services: distributed to other kitchen and hotel service staff
Our Staff is totally committed to exceed your expectations in every way possible. If you are not satisfied with the service you receive, we encourage you to contact the Purser’s Information desk while onboard. This will allow us to address your concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion. At your discretion, you may adjust the gratuities at any time.
For beverage purchases, fifteen percent of the bill is automatically added to the Sail & Sign charge. Room Service staff may be tipped as service is rendered. Tipping your Maître d’ is at your discretion, based upon the service you receive.
*Ashley's Note* Although Carnival automatically adds the tips to your sign and sail card, you can go to the Purser's Desk at any time during the cruise and have them removed. For example if you choose not to ever eat in the dining room, you may decide to have your dining room staff's gratuities removed.
Casual attire is the order of the day. We suggest shorts, sundresses, tank tops, etc. for the ladies, and for men; shorts, polo shirts, T-shirts, etc. will do. We suggest you wear rubber-soled, low heeled or flat shoes for extra traction while onboard. The use of any footwear with wheels, including but not limited, to Heelys© shoes, is prohibited on board our ships. For dining you may want to dress up a bit and/or bring along a light sports jacket or cardigan.
Most evenings we have a Cruise Casual dress code, but there are those Cruise Elegant evenings one or two nights throughout your “Fun Ship” voyage, where you will have the opportunity to showcase your more elegant attire. For those who want casual attire for dinner time, the Seaview Bistro on the Lido Deck is open nightly, and has a more relaxed theme. Both dress codes for the dining rooms are described below.
Cruise Casual Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Sport slacks, khakis, jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long), collared sport shirts; Ladies - Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses, Capri pants, dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs). Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, and sleeveless shirts for men.
Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so. Ladies - Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you‘d like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too! Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.
All staterooms have an amenity basket displayed in the bathroom. The amenities are subject to change and are only sample sizes. The basket may include such things as: his/her razors; shampoo and conditioner; body wash; Tylenol; deodorant; hard candies. Supplies will be replenished by the room steward, if quantities allow.
Self-Service Launderettes:
Each ship has at least 2 self-service launderettes located on the stateroom decks.
There are two or three washers and dryers, and one iron and ironing board in each launderette. The cost is $2.00 per washer load and $2.00 per dryer load. Vending machines dispense small boxes of detergent and water softener at $1.00 per box.
Note: Due to local environmental requirements, the washing machines in the guest' launderette will be closed in port, per each ports specific requirements; the dryers and irons will be available for guest use.
Room Service is available 24 hours a day with a selection of sandwiches, beverages, desserts and fruit; a continental breakfast is available during the morning hours.
Dining preferences (time, companions) may be requested at time of booking. No requests are guaranteed. By popular request, all our Dining Rooms are now Smoke-Free. Your table assignment will be confirmed at embarkation. Dining times are subject to change:
Main Seating
Breakfast (at Sea)* 7:45 AM
Lunch Noon
Dinner** 6:00 PM
Late Seating
Breakfast (at Sea)* 9:00 AM
Lunch 1:30 PM
Dinner** 8:15 PM
You can also enjoy a continental breakfast in your stateroom until 10:00 AM or a limited breakfast menu on deck. Lunch and dinner are also available bistro-style on the Lido Deck. Spirit-class and Conquest-class ships, as well as the Carnival Splendor, have the added convenience of a reservations-only supper club (nominal fee will apply).
*Breakfast times vary by ship; these times are provided as a general guideline. Please check your daily Capers for exact times.
*Ashley's Note* Everyone in our group will be seated together for dinner in the dining room. The Carnival Freedom is a Conquest Class Ship so they have a Supper Club where all meals are $30.00. I would advise everyone to try the Supper Clubs. They offer a unique atmosphere and delicious food.
Regulations from ATF: Cigarettes and Tobacco Products Foreign-made cigarettes and tobacco products may still be brought into the U.S. in personal-use quantities (exemption: 1 carton per person).
The following guidelines pertain to U.S. Residents only. Non-U.S. Residents must comply with customs allowance guidelines set-up by the Customs Office in their particular country. Specific information will be provided on board the ship.
All Heads of Households are required to complete one U.S. Customs Declaration Form, to include those family members traveling with them who reside at the same address.
The Head of Household must declare the total value of all articles acquired abroad that they are bringing into the United States, including those items purchased on the ship, in foreign ports and any duty free stores. All purchases including tax free items (ex: artwork, unset precious gemstones, perfume, cosmetics, antiques and U.S. made products) must be listed on the back of the U.S. Customs declaration form. Undeclared merchandise is subject to seizure and/or penalty.
If the family has exceeded the U.S. Customs exemptions, the Head of Household must present him or herself with receipts to the Customs Agents on the last morning of the cruise before the debarkation process begins.
Duty-Free Allowance: Ship itineraries that include any of U.S Virgin Islands: St. Thomas; St. Croix; St. John.
$1600 (retail) of duty-free purchases per person may be spent. Note: of the $1600, no more than $800 can be purchased outside the U.S. Virgin Islands or on board. 5 liters of alcohol per person (21 years or older).
Note: 1 liter of alcohol must be a product of the U.S. Virgin Islands. 5 cartons of cigarettes containing 200 cigarettes each (18 years or older). Note: 4 cartons of cigarettes must be purchased in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
100 non-Cuban cigars (18 years or older).
Duty-Free Allowance: All other ship itineraries.
$800 (retail) of duty-free purchases per person may be spent.
1 liter of alcohol per person (21 years or older).
Note: On certain itineraries, an additional liter may be purchased.
1 carton of cigarettes containing 200 cigarettes (18 years or older).
100 non-Cuban cigars (18 years or older).
Hey I just found this list on a website. Another cruise bride was giving this list out on the ship but I thought I'd give it to you all now... For 1st Time cruiser some of it won't make sense until you actually get on board.
•If you don’t like what is offered on the main menu, you can ask the waiter for either a steak or grilled chicken. Or you can always order from the kids’ dinner and dessert menu (mac & cheese & banana splits)!
•You can order as much of a menu item as you like. More Lobster, please!
•Any pasta item on the main menu can be ordered as an appetizer. Just ask.
•Post cards, foreign postage stamps and playing cards are available at the Purser’s desk.
•24 hour pizza place also serves Calzones and Caesar salads. If you want a special topping and they have it they will make you that pizza.
•Go to tea-time. They have different snacks and it’s a nice place to relax.
•Ask the steward if you forget something, ie: toothpaste...they often have samples
•Bring baggies of assorted sizes. For saving snacks for excursions and wet clothes.
•They have an early and late night seating as well at the Captains party...take advantage of both for double free drinks.
•Ask for your drink in a plastic cup (not the fancy one). Saves $$$.
•Orange juice is available at the same place all day they just remove the label.
•Tie a bright ribbon/scarf to your luggage for easy spotting. Also can work on cabin door.
•When the regular hot tub is too full, use the spa one.
•Use of the sauna/steam room is free.
•Use the spa shower if multiple people need to shower at same time.
•You can ask for extra pillow chocolates.
•Early and extra tips for stewards = more perks for you.
•You can order free drinks from the bar in the room at Captains dinner as opposed to those on the tray.
•Bring travel hooks to hang stuff in your room
•Take a hand towel with you to the beach it will help remove sand and is handy for lots of other things too.
•Baby powder helps remove sand.
•Use a magnet to trick the balcony door into thinking its closed to keep the air on.
•Self disembarkation is FASTER. Also if your leaving Florida on disembarkation day pay the extra $ to have Carnival send your luggage to the airport. That way you can leave right off the ship carefree and not see your luggage until you arrive home.
•Make sure to stock up on "snacks" before debarkation. The wait can be pretty long and everything is closed during this time. Except for the coffee shop which takes cash.
•Cards become demagnetized don’t use your credit card for the room safe. If the safe will not open call the desk they will send someone to open it
•If you get sea sick you can go to the Pursers desk and ask for pills. They are free there.
•Use your telephone for leaving each other messages in the cabins.
•Do walk the entire ship on your first day.
•You can also ask your Room Steward for the book that is in your cabin.
•Bring a night light/ alarm clock especially if your in an inside cabin.
•Bring water shoes.
•The ship uses two types of toilet paper. Both are made by the same company. The sandpaper they call "envision" you will not want to subject your bottom to for 8 days. Ask your room steward to make sure that your stateroom is stocked with the "preference" paper instead.
•Bring a sweater the dining room can be cold.
Camp Carnival, Circle "C," and Club O2 are year-round, fleet-wide programs that provides daily fun-filled and age appropriate activities for children and teenagers between the ages of 2 and 11 years old. In addition, there is supervised "free play" and babysitting service in Camp Carnival. Scheduled activities are planned for the following age groups:
* 2 - 5 years old
* 6 - 8 years old
* 9 - 11 years old
* Circle "C" 12 - 14 years old
* Club O2 15 - 17 years old
Our Youth Programs are not a "Day-Care" but an activity based program. The program is designed so that kids have the choice of being with peers of their own age, whenever desired, but also give families the chance to enjoy "quality family time" together.
On Sea Days Camp Carnival’s hours vary with activities starting at 9am and finishing at 10pm. Camp Carnival will close during the day to allow for Under 2’s. The closing times for 2-11 year olds will be 12-2pm/1pm-3pm and again for an hour before the dinner session (this will vary depending on the ship and the run). Activities for 12-14 year olds will vary from ship to ship, but on a typical sea day it will run 10am-12pm, 2-5pm and 8pm-1am. Activities for 15–17 year olds will also vary from ship to ship, but on a typical sea day it will run 1-6pm and 9:30-1pm.
Babysitting is provided for ages 0-11, nightly, from 10:00pm to 3:00am. There is a charge for this service (see "Babysitting").
Camp Carnival Hours on Port Days: Supervised free play begins 15 minutes prior to the first scheduled ship tour to approximately 12:00pm; lunch will be offered and after the lunch an afternoon movie/ cartoons will be shown. Scheduled activities resume at 2:00pm until 10:00pm with a break before dinner. This service is complimentary. For ships that arrive in port later in the day supervised freeplay will be offered in the afternoon (each ship will vary so check with your Youth Staff when you are onboard).
Children under 2 years old will be offered babysitting services from 12pm-2pm on sea days (Babysitting fees apply). During this time parents can leave their child with the Camp Carnival staff or they are welcome to stay with their child free of charge. Infants under 24 months (2 years) may not participate in any scheduled activities taking place in Camp Carnival. THERE ARE NO AGE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY.
Children aged under 2 years old will be offered babysitting services on sea days during the supervised freeplay times (Babysitting fees apply). On port day mornings, infant care begins 15 minutes prior to the first scheduled ship tour to 12:00 noon, or port day afternoons during the scheduled freeplay times (for specific times check with your Youth Staff when arriving on board).
How do I sign my children in and out of activities?
2-8 Years Sign In/Out Policy:
Parent/Guardian must specify in the registration form which adults over the age of 18 are authorized to sign in/out the child. All designated adults will be required to present his/her Sail & Sign Card at both sign in/sign out. For the safety of the children, there are no exceptions to this rule.
9-11 Years Sign In/Out Policy:
Children 9 YEARS OLD AND OVER are free to sign themselves in/out of Camp Carnival as they choose at any time and for any reason. Camp Carnival is not responsible for children 9 years old and over once they have signed themselves out of a Camp Carnival Activity. Children are not permitted to sign themselves out after 10:00pm. After 10:00pm 9-11 year olds must be picked up by their parent from the Slumber Party (Babysitting fee applies after 10:00pm). Please give your 9-11 year old a cabin key or arrange to meet them at a specific time and place. Parents that do not want their 9-11 year olds to sign themselves in & out of our activities will be REQUIRED to sign their child in & out when attending Camp Carnival.If the parent/legal guardian chooses to change this policy and allow the child to sign in/out by themselves they must contact the Youth Director.
There is no sign in and out policy for the teens 12 – 17 years old. They are free to come and go as they choose.
What are the beeper/phone polices onboard? How can you contact us?
Parents with CHILDREN 5 or UNDER will be provided with a beeper/phone for the duration of the cruise. Beepers/phones will be provided for those parents with children 4 and 5 years depending on the ship availability. Beepers/phones must be returned to Camp Carnival BEFORE 10:00pm on the last night of the cruise or you will be charged for it. There is no charge for this service, but there will be a charge for the beeper/phone on your Sail and Sign if the beeper/phone is lost or not returned in good condition.
Parents will be beeped/called if the child is misbehaving, ill, seriously unhappy, asking continuously for their parents and in case of an emergency. The beeper/phone is used for ship-use only; the range does not extend beyond the ship.
What will happen to my children in case of an emergency while they're attending Camp Carnival?
All children 11 years of age and younger must wear a muster station wristband throughout the cruise. Wristbands are available from the Youth Staff. In the event of an emergency, children participating in Camp Carnival activities will be taken to the assembly area (this will vary from ship to ship). They will be divided into the appropriate groups according to their muster station by the Youth Staff. During an emergency situation, the parents should collect their own life jackets and their child's life jacket from their stateroom and proceed directly to their muster station. The Youth Staff will deliver all children to their parents muster stations according to their muster station wristbands.
Do you provide meals & snacks?
Camp Carnival will be closed every sea day for lunch; hours may vary from 12pm-2pm or 1pm-3pm. On port days, children who's parents are off the ship may eat with the Youth Staff. Camp Carnival will ask parents to pick up their children for lunch if they are on board the ship.
Camp Carnival will be closed for dinner on the first night of each cruise (this may vary depending on the ships itinerary). If you choose, we will provide dinner for the children in the Lido Bar and Grill. Check your Camp Carnival capers for the specific time and place. A variety of foods will be offered for the children consisting of different menu each evening. Some of the selections are: spaghetti & meatballs, fish fingers, tacos, chicken nuggets, fried mozzarella, macaroni & cheese, chicken tenders, French fries, cheese & pepperoni pizza along with cookies, fruit, Jell-0 and ice cream. Check your Camp Carnival Menu for each night's specific menu.
Within the Dining Rooms the children's menus feature a wide variety of kids' favorites, including hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, French fries, pepperoni pizza, and banana splits, along with a "daily junior special" offering something new and different each day. The menus are included on the back page of a fun coloring/activity book featuring word finds, mazes, tic-tac-toe, crossword puzzles, connect the dots and other games. Crayons are also provided.
Due to severe food allergies and USPH requirements no food can be brought into the Camp Carnival facility. Light snacks may be provided by the Youth Staff, some activities will involve food products, this will be clearly indicated in your Camp Carnival Capers.
Do you take children who are in diapers?
It is not mandatory for toddlers to be potty-trained in order to participate in the Camp Carnival Program. Parents must provide the youth counselors with diapers and toiletries to be used for their child.
Do you administer medication?
The Camp Carnival Staff may not administer any medication and/or needles to any child participating in the Youth Activity Program. Additionally, no medications with the exception of epi-pens, diabetic testing equipment & inhalers are permitted in the playroom. If your child requires regular medication while attending Camp Carnival, parents must return to administer that medication.
What are the Staff Qualifications for Camp Carnival?
Our Youth Programming Staff is friendly and experienced and want to enhance your child's vacation experience.
Carnival knows the importance of providing your children with top-notch care and supervision. Our Youth Staff has to meet important educational and professional requirements, as well as pass an extensive background check. All of our Youth Staff members are college educated in Education, Youth Recreation, or has professional experience (teaching, daycare, camp) with children. Our Youth Staff is an international array of professionally trained counselors in CPR and basic First Aid. Additionally, should there be a medical emergency; all staff are instructed to contact the parents immediately, as well as the shipboard infirmary.