FAQ - Cruisin for a Bluesin

How are cabin mates assigned if I’m traveling alone?

Cabins are double occupancy with the ability to add 1-2 more people. Please use our FB Group to find room mates.

We can assign you a room mate as people start to sign up if you wish.

You can always put enough money down ($200 for Doubles or $400 for Quads) to hold the entire cabin and find room mates later. As long there is one original name on the cabin, you can change the names up until Final Payment (12/17) without a Name Change Fee of $75.

Is there a difference between the rooms on the main deck, upper deck, etc in terms of quality or desirability?

Well the Inside Cabins has a lovely view of a wall (you will not see daylight AT ALL!) The Ocean View you can see out. But to answer your real question, I believe the only difference in the cabins is how high above sea level each deck is. Which is reflected in the price increases. I guess it’s a better view? Closer to all the activities?

How does the payment plan work?

PAYMENT PLAN

(Paypal or Checks Only) Initial Deposit is $100 due immediately upon registration.
2nd payment of $150 is due no later than Oct 20, 2019.
Remaining balance is due December 18th, 2019.
(Any late payments may be considered forfeiture of your spot in the cabin.)

If you would like to lock in your cabin choice you can pay a down payment to reserve it. ($200 for Doubles, $400 for Quads) Then you can fill your cabin later on before 2nd Payment on Oct 20th. If you don’t find roomies before that, you will be required to cover their 2nd payment of $150 each person.

Those using Credit Cards must Pay In Full for Cabins and Use Paypal or Check for Dance Fee

Anyone Paying in Full will automatically have their cabin reserved (based on Carnival availability) If you register, pay in full during Early Registration you get a FREE T-SHIRT (expires July 14th, 2019)

Are passports required?

It is recommended that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This will enable guests to fly from the U.S. to meet their ship at the first port should they miss their scheduled embarkation and allow guests that must disembark the ship before their cruise ends due to an emergency to fly back to the U.S without significant delays and complications. It is also recommended that all guests travel with a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond completion of travel.

I think you can also use your birth certificate or a passport card.

How Old Must I Be to Travel Without A Guardian?

Guests are required to be 21 years of age (on embarkation day) to travel on their own. Guest ages will be verified at embarkation. Guests not conforming to this policy will result in denied boarding…

Infant Policy

For all cruises (except Transatlantic, Hawaii, TransPacific and South America cruises), Infant guests are required to be at least six (6) months of age on embarkation day to be eligible to travel…

I have Special Dietary Needs…

Carnival Cruise Line provides a well rounded menu that includes vegetarian and non-gluten options. If you have a stricter diet, please inform our dining team so you can discuss your meal options. Additionally, we also request you advise Carnival dining team of any food allergies you have. Any special dietary and food requests can be accommodated in our main dining rooms only.

Click Here for more details:
http://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/special-needs/dietary-needs.aspx

I already registered for the Cruise, what is a FUN PASS?

You are required to register for your FUN PASS (aka Boarding Pass) on the Carnival website. Don’t forget to print it and bring it with you at Embarkation. You will be able to Register for your FUN PASS once C4aB sends you your Boarding Number and Room Assignment closer to sail time.

Which Carnival Cruise boat is this?

We will be partying on the Fun Ship “Imagination” March 15-18, 2018 leaving the port of Long Beach.

Click Here For Deck Plans

How can I promote the cruise in my city?

Share the FB invite on your Wall! Mark that you are “Attending”
Join our FB Group!

If you want to distribute flyers at your local events please let us know and we will mail them out to you!! Anything to make the party bigger!!! Let us know at Cruisinforabluesin@gmail.com

Who else is going?

Best to check on our Facebook Group Page “Cruisin’ for a Bluesin″ or the FB invite to see who’s “Attending” or “Maybe Attending” Then talk everyone you know into going with us!!

Last year we had 115 Dancers on the Boat!!

Whatever shall I wear?

There’s pools and hot tubs, a gym and Formal Dinner on Saturday night. Guys have dressed in tuxes, suits and an occasional kilt! Ladies have been in evening gowns and cocktail dresses….surprise us with how well you can clean up!

Also we will be dancing under the stars at night and although it’s warmer here than most parts in March, bring warm clothes (at least until you warm up dancing.) LAYERS PEOPLE!!!

Is housing being offered if I get in early?

As of now we don’t have a formal housing registration set up. Please use Facebook or email us and we will see what we can do for you. If the demand is great enough, yes, we will provide housing for those coming in from out of town.

Most importantly: How much alcohol can I bring on board?!

Beverage and Alcohol Policy – Effective July 9, 2015

For safety reasons, guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board with the following exception: At the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day, guests (21 years of age and older) may carry on in their hand luggage, one 750 ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne per person. A $15 corkage fee (a charge exacted at a restaurant for every bottle of wine served that was not bought on the premises), per 750 ml bottle, will be charged should guests wish to consume their wine or champagne in a main dining room, steakhouse or bar.

Guests are also prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages on board that are packaged in bottles. A small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, juice, milk) packaged in cans or cartons may be brought on board on embarkation day, only if carried on in guests’ hand luggage (not in checked luggage). A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces each or less per person. Any hard liquor, beer, other forms of alcoholic beverage, and non-alcoholic beverages, outside of the exceptions referenced above, are strictly prohibited (in both carry-on and checked luggage) and such items will be confiscated and discarded and no compensation will be provided.

Do you have luggage restrictions?

Guests are encouraged to limit their checked luggage to two suitcases per person, with each suitcase not to weigh more than 50 pounds and not exceed 16″H x 24″W x 30″L. Please attach your Carnival Cruise Lines luggage tags PRIOR to leaving home and make sure that they are still on your bags when checking in with us. In many ports, guests have the option of carrying luggage on board at embarkation and off the ship at the end of the cruise as long as it does not exceed 24″W x 16″H x 30″L. This is an advantage you may want to consider as it will allow for quicker easier access to your bags.

Please note that Carnival assumes no responsibility for carry-on luggage.

I’d like to take private blues dance lessons while on the boat?

If you are not on our mailing list, please email us at cruisinforabluesin@gmail.com.

Can I use my cell phone on the boat?

Once we leave the port of Long Beach it’s best to turn your phones off! ‘

Prices for roaming texts, voice messages and calling can get pretty steep! You can always check your provider about international charges once we’re in Mexico on Saturday.

How Ever Will I Live Without Internet??

You really don’t have to…but it can be SOOO NICE!!

To keep you connected while at sea, every one of our ships provides satellite Internet access facilitated through the HUBInternet Café and through the bow-to-stern ship-wide Wi-Fi network.

What plans are offered? (new plans)

Plans that may be bought include: (prices are subject to change)

Social ($5 USD per day) – best value, great for staying connected to your favorite social networks. Does not include access to the whole internet
Value ($16 USD per day) – perfect for casual internet usage. Includes access to the whole internet, except bandwidth intensive services like Skype and music streaming
Premium ($25 USD per day) – best for heavy internet users, like Skype. Offers our fastest possible speeds
Users may easily upgrade from one plan to another. Users may use one device at a time on each plan, including either their personal devices or one of our on-board computers. Printing is offered at no charge.

What’s the closest airport to fly into?

You can fly into Long Beach Airport if you can, otherwise LAX works well and there are super shuttles to the pier from both airports.

How do I get to the Long Beach Pier from LAX?

Travel south on the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405), then south on the Harbor Freeway (Interstate 110). Take the off ramp for Vincent Thomas Bridge (47)/Harbor Boulevard. Exit at Harbor Boulevard and proceed straight through the Harbor Boulevard intersection. Turn right to enter the World Cruise Center.

There are also Super Shuttles that are available.

Some dancers have used the Carnival Transportation but it was expensive and unreliable.

Does Carnival Cruise Lines Offer Transportation Service Between the Airport and Pier?

Most of our dancers take the Super Shuttle from the airport to the pier. click here

Carnival also offers transportation services at most ports, click here (But there have been complaints about the pick up service and it’s more expensive.)

Is there parking at the dock?

Yes there’s a parking lot. Last cruise it was $19 per day and they take credit cards.

What’s the earliest I can embark?

Now Carnival asks you to call out your check-in time for the cabin. You may NOT BE ALLOWED ON EARLIER than your check-in time if it’s crowded. But you can check-in anytime AFTER your check-in time. You do not have to wait for your cabin mates to check-in.

We suggest you choose the earliest check in time in order to avoid the rush.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR YOUR ROOM MATE TO GET ON BOARD!

But we meet and eat lunch on the boat (meeting on Lido Deck at the Horizon Bar and Grill in the back by the Pizza Bar)

We have a Meet & Greet at 2:30-4:00pm on THURSDAY on the PROMENADE DECK (9) – CONFERENCE ROOM (behind the Illusions Dance Club) before we set sail.

When’s the latest I can embark?

We have a Meet & Greet at 3:00-4:30pm on THURSDAY on the PROMENADE DECK (9) – CONFERENCE ROOM (behind the Illusions Dance Club) before we set sail. We will be handing out T-Shirts, schedules and other fun stuffs! But in general, best to get there at least 1 1/2 hours before the boat sails at 5pm, Thursday March 15, 2018. (Ask Shaheed about that ? Give yourself enough time to wait in line to go through the embarkation process.

What time does the boat return on Sunday?

The boat docks at 8am Sunday morning. If you’re in a hurry don’t put your bags outside your cabin the night before. Just carry your bags off at that time so you don’t have to wait for baggage claim.

Otherwise we usually hang out and eat breakfast as they call us to debark by decks.

What Dance Shoes Should I Wear?

Very good question!

We are on the Lido Deck which is wood but could get slippery if it’s humid outside.
We are also in the lounges and hallways dancing. Those floor tend to be stickier.
During the Meet and Greet we sometimes have carpet.

Does that answer your question?

To cover all your bases, bring several pairs and try them out on all the different surfaces to be safe.

You may also want to bring powder (but use it discreetly as we share the space with a lot of non-dancers)

How does tipping on board work?

For your convenience, Carnival automatically charge the gratuities for dining and stateroom staff to your onboard Sail & Sign account. The total amount is $50 per guest. But feel free to take care of your servers if they’ve gone above and beyond! Prices are subject to change from year to year. (It is Carnival after all)

I need to sell my ticket, how do I do that?

To sell your ticket after Dec 17th, at least one original name in the cabin must remain in order to keep the cabin.
Otherwise, Carnival will release it and it will have to be re-booked with 2 new names. (Original Price not guaranteed)
Any name changes made after final payment (Dec 17th) will incur a $75 fee from Carnival.
In the circumstance that a cabin-mate cancels before final payment, it is understood that someone else must fill the spot and the remaining individual must pay the full cost of the cabin or release the cabin entirely.

What is the Cancellation Policy?

C4aB CANCELLATION BEFORE DECEMBER 18, 2019 (Final Payment)
- 100% Refund of Cabin and Dance Fee
- This DOES NOT INCLUDE Travel Insurance Fee ($49)
- In the circumstance that a cabin-mate cancels before final payment, it is understood that someone else must fill the spot(s) or the remaining individual must pay the full cost of the cabin or release the cabin entirely.
C4aB CANCELLATION AFTER DECEMBER 18, 2019 (Final Payment)
- No Refunds for Cabin or Dance Fee through C4aB.
- If you purchased Travel Insurance you will get your money back (except the Insurance and Dance Fee)
- If you did not purchase Travel Insurance, to recoup your monies you will have to sell your ticket.
- Ticket Sales Requirements:
  - At least one original name in the cabin must remain in order to keep the cabin.
  - Otherwise, Carnival releases it to be re-booked as a new cabin.
  - (Original Price and Availability Not Guaranteed)
  - NAME CHANGE FEE of $75 Fee paid to Carnival.
To cancel, please write to Jenn Wong (cruisinforabluesin@gmail.com)

What is the WiFi Plans On Board?

New Upgraded Plans
We have upgraded our communications technology to the latest, state of the art systems and guests now have access to much faster speeds at an affordable price! Want to share that awesome photo? Need to Skype home? Our ships now feature our awesome new internet plans. No other cruise line offers these speeds at these great prices!

We offer three different types of plans that can be purchased for either a 24 hour period or for the entire length of the cruise at a discount – price for voyage plans vary by length of cruise:

Social ($5 USD per day) – Access the most popular websites and applications. Includes: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. Does not include access to other websites or apps.
Value ($16 USD per day) – Surf all your favorite sites, including e-mail, news, sports, weather, banking and finance. Note: Does not support Skype calling or music streaming (such as Spotify).
Premium ($25 USD per day) – From e-mail to Skype, our Premium plan promises the fastest possible connection, at speeds up to 3 times faster than our Value Plan. Supports Skype video calling, where coverage allows.

Users may easily upgrade from one plan to another. Users may use one device at a time on each plan, including either their personal devices or one of our on-board computers. All plans exclude video streaming (such as Netflix or Hulu) and Snapchat. Cellular-network-dependent WiFi Calling and Facetime services are also not supported at this time. Printing is offered at no charge.

To access Wi-Fi, simply turn on your device’s Wi-Fi feature and you will receive the information needed. You can do this anywhere onboard the ship.

How Can I Communicate With Others on the Boat?

Carnival HUB App

What does the Carnival HUB App do?
The following features are available at the touch of your fingertips, for your entire cruise while on board your Carnival ship.

What’s Happening: A day-by-day schedule of hundreds of on-board events, available for the full cruise as soon as you embark!Includes a “favorites” feature that also allows guests to see which events their sailing companions will attend.

Food & Drinks: A comprehensive list of delicious dining options and dining-related events, enticing refreshment venues and beverage-related events. Purchase from the app CHEERS! and Bottomless Bubbles beverage programs once on board.

Deck Plans: Searchable deck plans with key areas highlighted, providing a comprehensive layout of the ship’s various on-board offerings.

Account Balance: Real-time information on guests’ current Sail & Sign shipboard account balance.

Pixels Photos: On the Carnival Horizon and Carnival Vista, you will be able to view your photos on the app and order digital or print copies.

Onboard Chat Access: The opportunity to chat with family & friends on board all cruise long from the comfort of your deck chair (this feature currently limited to ages 13+).

What is the App name ? How can I download it?
The name of the App is Carnival HUB app. Look for the app on Google Play and iTunes to download. You can also download from Carnival’s website by clicking here.

Is the Carnival HUB app free?
The App is free to download and use on board. For a small additional fee ($5 USD for the voyage) the HUB App offers chat.

Do I need internet access to use the App? Do I have to pay roaming?
No internet purchase is required. The App works on Airplane Mode, which means guests do not incur roaming fees.
The App works with the ship’s free Wi-Fi.

How do I login to the Carnival Hub App? Where can I find my folio?
You may log in as soon as you arrive on board your Carnival ship! You’ll need your folio number (found on your sail and sign card) and DOB.

Can minors use chat?
For safety reason, parents and guardians must give consent within the app for a guests 12 years and under to activate onboard chat.

Where do the features of the App work?
On board the Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Elation, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Magic, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Pride, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Valor, Carnival Victory and Carnival Vista.

When will the Carnival Hub App be available on the other ships?
The App is scheduled to be available on these two remaining ships as follows (subject to change): Carnival Dream on March 19 and Carnival Fascination on March 26.

What devices does the App work on?

IOS/Apple iPhone versions supported: IOS 8.0 and up – this includes iPods
Android/Google versions supported: 4.1 (aka Ice cream sandwich) and up
Can I use my tablet to run the Carnival Hub App?
Although the App is not optimized for tablets, it will function on both Android and Apple tablets.

Can I make dining reservations using the App? Can I see the dining menus?
Coming soon!

Are there cabins with one bed for a couple?

Almost all the cabins with 2 twin beds have wheels so they can be moved together to make one larger bed. Double check when you are doing your Boarding Pass Registration. If the beds are apart when you embark, just ask the cabin crew working your hallway to rearrange the beds for you.

Can I get a cabin with a balcony?

Sure! We don’t advertise them because there more expensive. But when you register for the cruise under the Cabin Option click “other” and fill in your preference. You should email us at cruisinforabluesin@gmail.com and we can get the group pricing for you. (The dance fee would be a separate cost.)

Can I Purchase A Ticket On The Carnival Website Instead of This One?

If you purchase directly from Carnival you will not be eligible for our group rates, upgrades or amenities. (Dining with the group, Group Cabin Credit or Gifts, Private Cocktail Party with Food and Choice of Booze)

Plus the Carnival Price does not include the DANCE FEE paid directly to Cruisin’ for a Bluesin’ which go towards supporting our wonderful talent, volunteers and administrative costs.

Also your Registration on our site allows our C4aB Group to qualify for the Private Cocktail Party with the Good Alcohol, Reserve the Lounges and Dance Space and the services that go along with that.

We appreciate your consideration when choosing how to sail with us!

If you would like to be in our group and pay directly with your credit card and book with our Travel Agent, Shannon, please email us for her contact information and register on our website so you will be accounted for and receive all the important information about scheduling and other news.