Salsa Cruise FAQs                                Page 1 of 2

Booking the Cruise

I have a local travel agent I'd like to use - is that OK?

To be part of our group and attend the classes and dances, you must book through DanceFun.  DanceFun has setup the group with the Cruise line, arranged all the activities, and is handling all concerns in booking the group.  You can have your travel agent contact john@dancefun.com for questions. 
Or call DanceFun at 1-866-DANCEFUN (1-866-326-2338)

Can other passengers join our group?

Carnival has set all our groups activities as "Private Parties"
ONLY passengers with our group, booked through DanceFun will be permitted into the dances or workshops.  There will be special badges issued to our group at the first cocktail party.  These will be needed to enter the classes and dances during the cruise.

I would like to save money and share a cabin – Can you help me find a roommate?

Yes!  Call DanceFun, book your cruise “double occupancy”, and give us you roommate preferences.  We cannot “assign” roommates, but we can help you find someone. 

What is Travel Insurance?

Travel Insurance is an insurance policy that protects your trip's cash investment in 2 ways: 1. Cancellation Insurance and 2. Emergency Medical Insurance.
1. Should you need to cancel your trip due to: S.A.D. - Sickness, Accident or Death.  
S – Sickness – you become ill (or medical reason) and cannot travel or become ill (or medical reason)  and cannot complete your travel
A – Accident – you have an Accident and cannot travel, or you have an accident on the trip and cannot complete you travel.
D – Death – If a death in your immediate family and you cannot go or a death occurs during your trip and you cannot complete your travel.
This covers any portion of the trip purchased from Carnival.
2. In addition to Cancellation Insurance, the policy also offers emergency medical coverage aboard ship or on shore.  Even emergency airlift home if necessary.  See your policy for details.

Do you recommend Travel Insurance?

Always!  Life happens…  
We always like our guests to be “Safe, not Sorry”

Boarding / Disembarking – Port of San Juan, Puerto Rico

When should we board?

First, you should know that the ship is leaving port Sunday Night at 10:00 pm.  Please be on board by 9:00 pm. You may come to the pier as early as late morning the day of departure and check in -- drop off your luggage, get your boarding pass and cabin keys. The afternoon will then be yours to have lunch on board, explore the ship, or go back into San Juan and start your vacation fun!  
Please try to be at the pier no later 8:00 pm.
Those with flights the day of departure -- We suggest your flight arrives by 6:00 pm

What I.D. do I need to board?

U.S. Customs Requirements to board One of the following:

• Passport – Valid or Expired in past 10 years
• Original Birth Certificate
• State Issued copy of Birth Certificate
• U.S. Military I.D.
• U.S. Naturalization Papers
• Green Card with Photo I.D. – The Green Card, I.D. information and Name & Address on your cruise documents should all match.

When do we Disembark?

This ship arrives into Port by 7:00 am.  But due to the ship’s passengers and cargo needing to clear Customs, we usually start disembarking around 9:30 am.  Depending on your Muster Station – most guests are to the pier by 10:00 am, barring any snags with customs.  See "Airline Connections"

Airline Connections – Port of San Juan, Puerto Rico

How do we get a shuttle to and from the Airport to the Pier?

The ship leaves port Sunday night at 10:00 pm. You may board as early as noon.  We suggest your flight arrives before 6:00 pm Sunday, January 18th. We suggest that you book your shuttle service with Carnival.  We can do this for you.  It is $30.00 / person roundtrip and a Carnival Rep will meet you at the Airport and even help with Luggage at baggage claim.  The same is true for the return to the Airport.  But to use their service your flight MUST be scheduled to Arrive no later than 8:00 pm Sunday Night and Return no earlier than 12:00 noon the following Sunday.  To book with Carnival - this MUST be booked at least 14 prior to departure.

Dances and Workshops

Could you tell me about the Workshops?

All classes are on the days at sea.  We are planning 12 to 14 workshops.  There will be classes for all levels.  We are less than 10% of the total number of passengers cruising.  So we have REQUESTED all the space necessary for classes and dances.  BUT Carnival must consider the needs of other groups and passengers on board cannot confirm all of our requests till just prior to sailing.  As soon as we can confirm space, we’ll publish a schedule!!

hat workshops are being taught?

Salsa Cruise – Salsa, Merengue, Cha-Cha – All Levels

Will the workshops be inside or outside?

Both.  We use both to get the largest floors available.

What the dance floors like?

On the Destiny the larger stage and outside deck are wood floors.  Inside lounges may be marble floors.  Please bring shoes suitable for both. Something with a “soft sole” like dance sneakers are nice.

How are the dances being organized?

We are dancing every day.  Most days “our group” will have a dance 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.  We chose this time to get the best availability of dance floors.  We will have dinner at 8:00 pm.  Then the evening is yours for shows at 10:00 pm, dancing in lounges, casinos, etc till the wee hours of the morning.

Clothing

A couple of things to consider

What clothes do I need to bring?

The Caribbean is great this time of year.  It can go into the 80s.  Usually shirt sleeves outside are fine.  You’ll want to bring your shorts and your swimsuit!  There is a pool and 2 large outdoor Jacuzzis on board.  Many of the guests spend time sunbathing as well.
The Caribbean may be cool at night on the ocean this time of year, but usually it is into the upper 70s and low 80s during the day.  A Light Jacket is suggested "just in case". 

Also, especially for the ladies – the dining rooms can be cool.  We suggest a shawl for light wrap for your arms for the evening meals. 
 

Are Dance Shoes needed?

On the Destiny the larger stage and outside deck are wood floors. 
Inside lounges are marble floors.  Please bring shoes suitable for both. Something with a “soft sole” like dance sneakers are nice.

To get the best dance floors for our dances, it necessary to hold them when the lounges and spaces are available.  So, we block time with ship to dance 5:00 to 7:00 or 7:30pm for our dances each evening, during early seating of dinner.  After dinner, the shows, lounges and discos are full, and during the day we use these spaces for classes on the days at sea. 

The good news is that meals or snacks are available in the afternoon and after dancing with the group, you’ve got a great dinner, then shows, and then the Lounges, Disco, Casino and Midnight Comedians are available to you!  Sorry for any inconvenience.  

1^st – Your Cabin Steward (takes care of your cabin – cleans cabin, makes beds, etc) and your Waiters (serve meals in main dining room) make their living entirely from tips.  Carnival's policy is to collect about $10.00/day ($68,25) from each guest either when you purchase your cruise, or charge it to your sail and sign card once on board.  Either way you way adjust the amount up or down by visiting the pursers desk.
2^nd – Any drinks that you purchase aboard ship with you sail and sign card, Carnival will add the gratuity to the each sale for you at 15%.

Smoking IS allowed in public areas of the ship and in staterooms.
But note: we have never noticed staterooms smelling smoky as in hotels, nor have any of our 100s of guests ever complained of this problem.  

I’m sensitive to motion sickness – Will I get Sea-Sick ?

Today’s Cruise Ships have Vertical Stabilizers.  These stabilizers greatly reduce the pitch & roll of the ship.  Some passengers may still experience motion sickness or feel "sea-sick".  The symptoms are generally mild nausea and dizziness (or vertigo). There are a number of over-the-counter as well as prescription medications and non-pharmaceuticals available to help curb the symptoms of sea-sickness. If you think you may be affected, check with your doctor.

Trip Cancellation

If I need to – what is the cancellation policy?

• No Cancellation Fee within 5 Calendar Days of Booking.

• $100.00 Cancellation Fee after 5 Calendar Days of Booking.

• $350.00 fee after Final Payment Date

• 50% of Total Fare within 30 days of cruise

• No Refund 7 days out or No Show

Remember - Always buy Travel Insurance to protect your travel investment !

What is the Cancellation Procedure?

To protect you, we require that you cancel in writing.
Please include the following:

• The name of the event you are canceling
• Your Address
• Your Date of Birth
• Your confirmation number.

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