| Teacher Educational Cruises |
713-305-8232 (anytime)
Q: I read something that says a card is used for purchases on board ship. How does that work? Is it paid for before leaving the ship? Are travelers checks needed when going into Cozumel? What type of clothing is required at some of the meals? I read one itinerary that has formal dining one night. Do the men have to have tuxedos or will suit and tie suffice? Also, (I may need to ask someone else this one) our youngest son (6 year old) has not had all of his vaccinations. What ones would be specifically required for Mexico? If we are ready to book our cruise, do we call you or go directly to Carnival? Thanks for your time.
board ship we do not use cash. Anything you may decide to purchase (and it's not really necessary to purchase anything!) is charged to your cabin. Hence, the Sail and Sign Card. On some ships that card also functions as your room key. It's a card, like a credit card, that is used if you want to buy alcoholic beverages, or a t-shirt in the gift shop, or chips in the casino, etc. No cash is involved. (When you check-in at embarkation day they take an imprint of one of your credit cards, just like they do at a hotel, and that establishes your onboard account. That's why they give you a Sail and Sign card to go crazy with!). That card is also used to check you in and out of the ship at ports. So, it's very important to hang onto. Of course, on a cruise ship all our meals are included and juices, and tea, hot cocoa, pizza, ice cream, and Room Service are all FREE for 24-hours of endless snacking. So, the use of a Sail and Sign card is strictly up to you. And no, travelers checks are not needed in port. They take US currency gladly and they speak English. The ships do cling to an old tradition of formal attire, but these days it's reduced to one night, called the Formal night (longer cruises have more than one night). Now, here's the reality. Today's world is more casual. You don't have to dress up on Formal night unless you wish entry into the "Captain's Cocktail Party". The only real rule for dining today is simply: "no shorts, no tank tops" at dinner. Lunch and breakfast are come as you are. So, dinner is really just long pants and shoes...slacks are fine, even on formal night, because the captain's party is over in the theatre. (I saw one guy skip into the Captain's party with a suit jacket over a polo shirt and jeans... but who cares!!..it's a cruise and it's fun, and tropical, and well....the young can just get away with these sorts of things and make us laugh...). So, why tote formal attire along on a cruise? I used to wonder this! Well, here's what I believe most people are doing. This is one of those chances to create a family moment, ... one of those mantle-piece memories captured in a picture where everyone is all dressed up against a romantic or exotic backdrop on that "cruise" they all took. Formal night is mostly about pictures. Pictures that will probably last for generations. When I realized this I began to enjoy watching all the goings on. It's not about tradition, ...it's not about commerce (selling all those photos), ...it's really about families. I've not encountereed any discussions about needing vaccinations, but I encourage you to call Carnival's customer service at 1-800-Carnival and ask them. They are the experts, not me. And please let me know what they say. And, when you're ready to book you call me. If you try to book directly with Carnival it will be an individual booking and you won't get our group rate, nor the free $100 (that's only for groups). When you call me I relay your booking info over to Carnival Cruise Lines and have them charge your credit card. The charge will show up on your credit card statement from Carnival. They book you as part of our group but assign you an individual booking number which I pass along to you. With that number you can go to the Carnival.com website and register for a log-in, and enter your booking number and they will recognize you and give you access to certain features at the site. And everytime you log in they will say Hi and tell you how many days until your cruise. It's also where you fill out pre-board information as we get nearer to departure so that your check-in at Galveston goes smoother. Q: I noticed in your new form, that the tax stayed the same for each fare..... despite a $90.00 difference. Is there a reason for that? Typically, it's a % on the actual dollar. A: You ask good questions. No, that "tax" amount is not a state sales tax. It's federal. And it's really under the heading of "taxes and fees" on my Carnival Confirmations. They show me this breakdown: Customs Fee $1.75 Government Fee $12.50 Immigration Tax: $3.00 Internat'l departure tax: $3.00 So, there ya go. A look into the mysteries of government at our ports. Oh, by the way, you are also paying $119 per passenger in port charges, so your fare is really only $220. That's $44 per day. I'm going to eat more than that in food! Q. I am interested in an interior room for our family but the cruise is 7 months away. Do I need to hurry? A: It's only advisable to hurry when needing adjacent cabins. They can be in short supply at any moment.
We are already running low on 6A oceanview. When they are gone rates will rise to 6B. In cruise travel where passengers begin to make reservations over a year in advance, seven months is really beginning to get short. Don't wait. Remember, your deposit is refundable, so lock it in now. Q: We have never been on a cruise before. Is booking two adjacent doubles the same price as booking a quad and is that what you would recommend for a family of four? A: Families of four can take one cabin (quad), or take two (doubles) if they're kids are older. The cabins are the same size in both cases: two twins which convert into a queen, plus two pull-down beds in the quad arrangement, or sometimes a roll-away. Prices for the Nov 27 trip work like this: - $339 per person double occupancy per 4A stateroom. - $249 per person for any 3rd, 4th or 5th occupant. So, a quad is cheaper than two doubles. But remember, you get $100 back PER CABIN, so really you're getting a second cabin for not a lot of money! Add $20.25 tax to every fare. Q: We have 2 adults, an 8 y.o and a 1 y.o at the time of the cruise. Do we all need passports? A: Passports are the advised travel document. Passports will only be needed after Dec 31st of this year. Passengers can travel with a certified birth certificate and a photo ID, such as drivers license. Kids under 16 don't need photo ID. Every child must have both parents accompanying them, or a notarized letter of permission from the "missing" parent. Good passport info can be found here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html and http://cruisediva.com/passport.htm Q: Are gratuities extra from the price you quoted? Don't they add a flat percentage on (like 20%) at the end of the cruise, or how does it work? A: No, I do not have gratuities included. It is a discretionary thing. True, Carnival adds $10 per day per person to your stateroom account. But, they freely admit it is discretionary. You adjust your tally up or down as you feel is fair. http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Gratuities_Tips.aspx Of course, tiny children shouldn't be tipping. Q: Are there childcare options for the one year old? A: Carnival staff has daily activities planned for toddlers 2yrs and up. http://www. carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Camp_Carnival_Program.aspx Read about Camp Carnival on this site at the Homeschool page. They do have babysitting services. http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Camp_Carnival_Babysitting.aspx Q: We will drive in and would like to park at the port of Galveston, if that is possible. Is it? I didn't know if those lots there where they dock the ship allow you to park long- term. If they do, what is the cost, do you know? A: Sure. There is plenty of longterm parking. Port of Galveston lots are secure and charge $10 per day. A free shuttle runs you to and from the terminal. Here's the map to the Port http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=%5b2300%2d2399% 5d%20Harborside%20Dr&city=Galveston&state=TX&zipcode=77550&country=US&geodiff=1 Here are written directions: http://www.portofgalveston.com/cruiseinformation/directions. shtml Driving down Harborside you'll see the HUGE ship sitting at the dock, long before you get to it. That's when you start watching for parking lots on the right. I suggest driving on into the ship terminal first (just like at the airport) where you can drop off passengers and baggage. Then one person can go park the car and take the shuttle back while everyone else gets in line.
the beach which provide FREE cruise parking (for the duration of the cruise). So, you could actually come down a day early, enjoy a place at the beach, and take a free shuttle to and from the ship terminal all for one-night's stay, and for not much more than you'll pay just to go park at the port anyway! I email my groups this info as we form up.
a small window? A: You got it. ....Well, let me amend that. Someone called and thought the window just a little porthole. No, our cabins have a real window, about 3 feet square. Q: How do you know if you are getting stuck with a room next to the engine or noisy stairwell? A: Good question. The answer is: you don't know what room you'll get (just like booking in a hotel), unless you pick it yourself and ask to have it assigned to you. It's easy enough. You just pay the full deposit and they will assign it to you. The deposit is still fully refundable and you'll have to make that same deposit anyway by July 30 (for the Nov 27 cruise). You can pick your stateroom by looking at the deck plan here: http://www.carnival.com//Deck_Plan.aspx?shipCode=EC&deckCode=R
A: For admission into Mexico it is suggested that minors under the age of 18 who are not traveling with both parents have a written, notarized letter of consent to travel signed by the absentee parent or both parents if neither is accompanying the minor. Q: Do we have to pay separate for the food on the ship? I realize we will have credit cards ready for any tours off the ship. As you can tell, this will be our very first time going on a cruise of any sort. A: You won't actually be using your credit cards. You'll register with one at the check-in counter, so they can an establish your onboard account for your room (this is where you'll find that free $100 our group is getting). Anyway, when you check in they issue everyone in your family a "Sail and Sign Card", which is both your room key (in most cases) and an onboard credit card for your onboard account. (No cash is used onboard). As you know, it's not required that you buy anything on board, but if you choose to...souvineers, special foods, art auction, special drinks, casinos, sundries, etc.... you will use your Sail and Sign Card to charge it to your room. The kids won't have any money in their onboard accounts, unless you put it there during check-in. They must carry those cards with them everywhere (making them subject to being lost), since they're your room keys. Some kids have then attached to lanyards that they wear around their necks or on wrists. You might procure such a lanyard or wrist bracelet yourself before leaving, then punch a hole in the card once on board, and attach it. That's a common sight aboard these ships.) Q: Just heard that “oceanview” is basically a port hole... A: Actually oceanview cabins on the Ecsatsy have a big window, about three feet wide. You can see it on my website. I just traveled in July in one. It's nice to let the light in, and I kept the curtains open all the time. But I kinda didn't like seeing the water race by if I walked up and looked out. The ship travels so fast and so smoothly you don't realize your moving unless you look out. But I did love watching the ocean speed by from up on deck. Go figure! Q: I’m very interested in your January cruise, but am trying to get a grasp on what ages the agenda appeals to? I have a 2nd grader and a preschooler. A: I pitched this question to a 30-year veteran grade-school teacher. The answer is: The trip should definitely benefit a 2nd-grader. Your child will likely remember this trip, always. A pre-schooler is probably too young for the educational benefit. However, children under age 3 or 4 can come along on the Maya ruins trip in Progreso for free if they sit on a lap on the bus (about a 30-minute ride). This is Carnival policy for their Dzibilchaltun Ruins shore excursions. But when we put together our special MEC tours using our own chartered buses then kids under 6 can come along for free. Q: Are there other cabins available or just the interior and oceanview options? A: Yes. You can choose any cabin. I can add whatever class you wish to our group allotment and you can get it at group rate, plus you'll still get the free onboard credits whenever our cruises have them. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| F A Q |
Teacher Educational Cruises
2323 Clear Lake City Blvd., Suite #180-124,
Houston, TX 77062
Tel (713)305-8232
Contact: james@teachereducationalcruises.com
Member C.L.I.A.
Tademarks and copyrights apply.
Of course, you don't have to be an educator to book one of our cruises!