Swing & Country 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?

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.

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 the cash investment in your trip in case of: 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.

Do you recommend Travel Insurance?

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

Boarding / Disembarking – Port of New Orleans

When should we board?

Check-in will start Sunday Morning about 10:00 am.  But boarding will not commence until after 12:00 Noon.  Once a ship docks at a US Port, it is under the control of the US Customs service.  When they feel the ship is "cleared", they will allow boarding to commence - not before.  You will then be the first to board as soon as the ship clears customs – usually between 12:00 Noon and 12:30 pm.  If you arrive after 1:00, be prepared for long lines (2000 guests).  The afternoon will then be yours to have lunch on board, explore the ship, and start your vacation!
Please try to be at the pier no later 4:00 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 8:00 am.  But due to the ship’s passengers and cargo needing to clear Customs, we usually start disembarking around 10:00 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 New Orleans

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

We suggest that you book your shuttle through 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.  The same is true for the return to the Airport.  But to use their service your flight MUST be scheduled to Arrive by 1:30 pm and Return no earlier than 1:00 pm the following Sunday.  To book with Carnival - this MUST be booked at least 14 prior to departure.


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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 Elation 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.

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?

New Orleans can be cool at night (in the 50s) this time of year, but usually it get’s into the upper 60s and low 70s during the day.  A Light Jacket is suggested.  This may also be needed outside aboard ship the early first day out (Monday) and late the last day back (Saturday).  It may also be rainy.  Best to check www.weather.com.  Just put in the city and you'll get a 5 day forecast !

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. 

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.
 

Are Dance Shoes needed?

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

Late Dinner  

Are we at Early or Late Dining?

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.

Aboard Ship  
Are all Meals & Drinks included? All Meals are included. About 8 Meals a day including (but not limited to): 3 meals a day in the main dining room (includes a 4 course dinner), 3 meals a day in the informal dining area (cafeteria style). There's a Midnight Buffet each evening.  And a 24 hour pizzeria and ice cream bar.  Oh yeah, and if you are too tired to go get anymore -- there's always 24 hour room service in your cabin !
Drinks with your meals are included.  Alcohol is an additional charge.
How Much Cash do I need? At Embarkation you will be given a sail and sign card.  Charges to this card are put on a credit card of your choice or a cash deposit is required.  Once you are aboard this is to purchase anything you might need aboard ship – drinks in lounges or alcohol at dinner, gift shop purchases, etc. 
What about tipping?

1st – 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.  You’ll be given envelopes you last day before dinner to tip these people and a suggested tip chart is posted in that day’s “Capers”.  You’ll need about $70.00 in small bills for this.  You may want to plan for this, because the ONE ATM machine aboard which runs out of cash AND after a usually long line at the purser’s desk to cash a check, you find the ship charges more for money than the ATM.  A great solution is to “Pre-Pay” your gratuities ($68.25) and receive coupons with your final documents that you may put in the envelopes instead of cash.
2nd – Any drinks that you purchase with you sail and sign card add the gratuity to the each sale for you.

What is the Smoking Policy aboard ship?

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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