FAQs:
1. I've never cruised before, what all is included?
Welcome to your first cruise! How exciting! There are many things included in the cost of your cruise. The cruise price includes the 5 night cruise in an outside room category. Outside rooms have a window, however there is no balcony to sit on (balcony rooms are no longer available for this sailing). Included are all of your food and snacks on board the ship. Included beverages are water, tea, lemonade, and coffee. Soda, juice, and alcohol are at an additional cost.
2. What are the additional costs I will need to prepare for?
As I mentioned above, soda and alcohol are not included, however you can purchase an unlimited soda and/or alcohol package (see extra options on the booking form). Any off ship activities / excursions will be extra, as well as food/drink while you are off the ship in port. While there are many free dining options on board the ship, there are also some optional specialty restaurants that come with a charge. Lastly, I encourage clients to consider tipping their room steward and waiters a bit extra if they do a nice job. The pre-paid gratuities that you pay are distributed to those staff members working behind the scenes to make your cruising experience amazing. Room stewards and waiters work extra hard, so tipping them is a nice gesture.
3. I've booked cruises on my own before, do I have to book through Dazzling Getaways?
Great question! You will receive several benefits by booking this cruise through Dazzling Getaways. We have created a dedicated group on board solely for you and your friends. If enough people book in to the group (minimum of 8 staterooms) there will be special group amenities that you would not receive otherwise. Additionally, when you book into a dedicated cruise group, you are receiving a special negotiated group rate and your payments are 100% refundable up until the final due date. Lastly, you will receive my travel planning services completely free. This includes everything from assisting with booking flights, transfer, travel insurance, and exciting excursions.
4. I'm a past Carnival guest and receive special past guest rates. How would this work in a group?
All past guests can add their VIFP number to their reservation and receive credit for this sailing. Also, when I go to book your stateroom, I will see all rates available for return guests. If your return guest rate is lower than the group rate, I can apply the lower rate to your booking and you will still enjoy the additional group amenities once the group qualifies.
5. What documentation would I need for this cruise?
While TECHNICALLY you can cruise on a birth certificate card or passport card, Dazzling Getaways HIGHLY recommends that all cruisers have a passport book (NOT just a passport card). If god forbid something should happen and you needed to fly home, you would be required to have a passport book. If you are cruising on only a passport card or birth certificate you are stuck either contacting the US Embassy for an emergency passport (which can take several days) or waiting out the cruise until you return home. This is not something you want to be faced with if you needed to get home immediately.
6. How soon do I need to book?
Since the cruise is right around the corner, the specially contracted group cruise rate will expire on 12/23/18. After this date, if you would like to book into 40 is the New Fabulous cruise, you will be subject to current published rates at that time. Keep in mind, as the cruise departure date gets closer, the rates will tend to increase. To get the best rates, I would highly encourage you to get your deposit in before 12/23/18! And remember, all group rates are fully refundable up until 02/05/2019. The inventory on this cruise booking page will expire on 12/23/18. If you want to book after this date, contact Kasey at Dazzling Getaways at 309-306-1633 or at kasey@dazzlinggetaways.com to request a space within the group! Your rates may differ from those outlined above as the group rate will be expiring and you will be subject to current published rates.
7. You mentioned an outside room category, what if I want a different room category?
On this particular sailing, there are no balcony rooms currently available. There are interior rooms (no windows, which can cause the room to feel extremely cramped) however those are approximately $25 less expensive per person than the outside rooms with a window. If you would prefer to have the interior room, reach out to me and I will book this category for you instead.