Paradise Tours and Travel - Gospel Cruises

FAQs

WELCOME TO THE PARADISE TOURS AND TRAVEL MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTONS:

Why are your prices higher than I found online at Carnival.com and other sites? There are several reasons. First of all you're comparing a regular individual cruise to a specialty group cruise. The price you saw for an individual cruise doesn't include government fees and taxes; our price does. Some of the prices you'll find are non-cancellable and non-refundable. You can make changes on our cruises up until the final payment date. Our cruises are 'specialty' cruises. You will get to participate in special VIP events that are not open to the rest of the ship. And there are additional expenses for rooms, sound equipment and staff we have to hire to make sure all our special events go smoothly. There are also promotional expenses that aren't included in the basic price of a cruise. It's much like renting a convention room at a hotel. You rent the room, however everything else cost extra. One big advantage of booking a group cruise is that your price is locked in. The price of an individual cruise can increase at any time. Another advantage of our group cruises is that we offer several different payment options not available on individual cruises.

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

How old do you have to be to travel alone? Guests are required to be 21 years old (on departure day) to travel. Guest under the age of 21 must be accompanied in the same stateroom by a parent or guardian 25 years of age or older. The one exception Carnival will make for this policy is: married minor couples. The booking must be documented that the couple is married. The couple must have proof of marriage before boarding or they will be denied access to the cruise without benefit of a refund.

What if I have to cancel? Cancelling before the final payment date is not a problem. You are entitled to a full refund of any money that you paid. However, if you cancel your cruise after the final payment day, please contact our office immediately. There is a $50 cancellation fee. Additional fees may be charged by Carnival Cruise Lines.

Is Travel Insurance required and what does it cover? No, Carnival's Cruise Protection Plan is not required, however, we highly recommend purchasing it. The cost for Carnival's travel protection is nominal (usually about $49) and it covers a variety of situations. In the event you or an immediate family member becomes ill or injured and has to cancel your cruise, you'll receive a full refund from Carnival. The plan covers minor inconveniences like lost or delayed baggage. If you become ill at sea and require emergency medical evacuation to your home, you're covered. If you miss your cruise because your flight was delayed you'll be reimbursed for the cost of the cruise. The price of the plan includes access to a 24 hour traveler's emergency assistance hotline for help with emergency cash assistance, legal assistance or lost travel documents assistance. The Cruise Protection Plan will give you peace of mind because unfortunately, the unexpected sometimes does occur.

Is there a specific hotel you would suggest if we wanted to arrive the night before departure? Everyone has different tastes when it comes to hotels. However, we have access to hotels with a guaranteed lowest internet rate. You'll find a link to this site on the cruise page for your specific cruise. We also provide a link with very competitive rates for flights, if you're flying to the departure port.

If we're flying to the departure port what time do we need to arrive? Make sure your flight does not arrive later than noon on the day your cruise departs. The cruise departs at 4:00 pm and you need to allow enough time to board. Conversely, make sure your flight does not leave before noon on the day you arrive back into port. The ships arrive back into port at 8:00 am and you will need time to disembark, arrive at the airport and get checked in.

Where do we park? Parking is available at the port. Parking for cruise passengers is adjacent to the terminal. Cost for parking is normally $15 per day. Cash or credit cards are accepted. RV parking is also available. The cost for this is normally $30 per day. If you're staying at a hotel the night before, you might check with them about leaving your car at the hotel and taking a taxi or shuttle to the port. For information call 1-888-744-7662.

How do I get to the port? We would recommend either using your GPS or Mapquest for directions to the port. Simply go to www.mapquest.com, input your address, city and state and click directions to port.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS:

Do I need a passport? No. It is not mandatory to have a passport, however, we strongly recommend having one. Citizens of the U.S. travelling on cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port must show proof of citizenship (ie. an original or certified copy of a birth certificate) and a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license). For a complete list of accepted documents, go to www.travel.state.gov.

What documents must I have with me to board the ship? All guests must show proof of citizenship (such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, passport or passcard) and a government-issued photo ID (ie. a driver's license) to board a Carnival ship.

What if I do not have my birth certificate? You may purchase a certified copy of your birth certificate at www.vitalchek.com.

Will my child need a photo ID? No. Children under the age of 16 are not required to have a photo ID. However, Paradise Tours and Travel recommend obtaining a photo ID if at all possible.

What is a FunPass? Carnival's FunPass is your online boarding pass. This is the only documentation needed to board a Carnival ship. We will print this for you and mail it with your travel documentation.

When will I receive my Cruise and Travel documents? Paradise Tours and Travel will send you all your travel documentation by certified mail within 30 days of your cruise departure. The charge for processing and certified mailing is $14.95 per passenger.

MONEY:

What is Sail & Sign? Sail & Sign is Carnival's cashless on board credit program which allows guests to charge purchases directly to a personal account for convenience throughout the cruise. All charges will automatically be billed to the guest's account at the end of the voyage. The account can be set up using a credit card, debit card or cash.

What is the tipping policy on board? Carnival automatically charges the gratuities for dining and stateroom staff to your on board Sail & Sign account. The total amount of this gratuity is $10 per guest per day. However, you may increase the amount if you so desire. And you do have the option of pre-paying your gratuities before the cruise.

Is there an ATM on board? Yes, there are ATM's aboard every ship. Guests are able to withdraw funds and make balance inquiries on their checking and savings accounts while the sea is in port or at sea. Fees may apply.

How much money will I need? Every person and cruise is different. As a rule of thumb, two people may want to budget a minimum of $100 between them for every day that theyare not on the cruise ship just to cover possible incidental charges.

What is included in the cruise price? Included in your cruise price are your accommodations, all of your food (more than 1500 menu items) for the length of your cruise (which by the way, is available 24/7), endless entertainment and activites, complimentary 24 hour room service and use of the gym and spa facilities. Your 'specialty' cruise fare also covers access to all VIP events not available to the general public and other perks. For a real feel of what to expect on a Carnival cruise, take a few minutes and click on www.funshipisland.com and take a virtual tour of a ship.

MEDICAL:

Will I get seasick? Seasickness is uncommon because Carnival Cruise Lines uses stabilizers for passenger comfort. If you are concerned about this possible discomfort, just ask your physician for suggestions on preventative medications. Also, there are wrist bracelets available at most pharmacies that seem to be effective in preventing seasickness.

Are there medical services and facilities available on the ship? All Carnival ships have well-equipped medical facilities and staff to handle every emergency. These facilities are designed to handle small issues (like seasickness) as well as emergencies. Nurses and doctors are available 24 hour a day. One of the reasons we recommend Travel Insurance, is that this will cover any trip to the medical center since you are considered 'out of network' with most hospitalization plans.

LUGGAGE AND PACKING:

What should I pack? You're on vacation! Casual attire is totally in order. We suggest sundresses, shorts, tank tops etc. for the ladies and shorts, polo shirts, tropical 'Hawaiian' shirts etc. for the men. We also suggest that you wear rubber-soled, low heeled or flat shoes for extra traction while on the ship. The use of any footwear with wheels (including but not limited to 'Heelys') is prohibited on the ship. For dining you may want to dress up a bit and bring along a light sports coat, cardigan or 'after-five' dress.

How much luggage can I bring on the cruise? The cruise line itself has no limitation on the amount of luggage you can bring. However, if you're flying to the departure city, the airline may have restrictions. Check with your airlines to review their policies and see what their fee(s) for extra baggage are.

Where do I get luggage tags? We will send your luggage tags with your cruise and travel documents. Luggage tags will also be available at the port.

Are hair dryers provided in our rooms? Hair dryers are not provided in Carnival staterooms.

Can I bring my curling iron or flat iron on board ship? Yes, curling irons and flat irons are permitted in your staterooms.

Do I need to bring an electrical adapter? No. All staterooms are equipped with 110 volts AC.

Can I wash my clothes on board? Each ship has at least two self-service launderettes 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.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Can I access the internet while on board the ship? Carnival offers access to the internet with their on board Internet Cafe and wireless networks using the ship's own satellite connection. The Internet Cafe is open 24 hours a day and features private terminals with the latest flat-panel computer monitors. A fee will apply.

Can I receive phone calls on board the ship? Friends and family may call guests on board the ship via the Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN) Shore-To-Ship telephone service. The rate is $9.50 per minute from the United States. Additional long distance charges may apply from outside the United States. The caller needs to have the ship name and the guest's name available. The charges will be applied to the caller's credit card. MasterCard, Visa, American Express, The Discover Card and Diner's Club are accepted.
The number is: 1-877-CCL-SHIP/1-877-225-7447.

Can I use my cell phone on the ship? Yes. Carnival Cruise Lines has completed the fleetwide implementation of cell phone service aboard all 22 of the ships in its fleet. Please note that international roaming charges will apply.

SPECIAL NEEDS:

What if I require a special diet? Be sure to let Tara know if you have special dietary needs so we can make arrangements for you in advance. You may email her at: tara@paradisetoursandtravel.com. As we are hosting more than one cruise at this time, please reference the cruise you are on. However, even if Carnival was not notified in advance, they will prepare meals around your special dietary needs.

Is Carnival Cruise Lines handicap accessible? Yes. All Carnival ships are handicap accessible. They provide a variety of accessible features to make your cruise a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Are the shore excursions handicap accessible? Some excursions are handicap accessible and some aren't. Once on board, the shore excursion staff will be available to answer any questions you may have.