GALVESTONCRUISES.COM: FAQ's

What is the address of the Cruise Ship Terminal?
2502 Harborside Dr.
Galveston, TX. 77550

Why are prices different when I shop around?
Some travel agents simply book a single cabin reservation as it is requested. Other travel agents book groups of cabins, which allow them to negotiate better prices and lock in the price even if the cruise line raises the price. GalvestonCruises.com uses both methods. By focusing exclusively on cruises from Galveston, we are able to offer some of the best prices you will find. In many cases, we secure cabins and lock in our rate more than a year before the sail date.

Will I get sea sick?
Of course, there is a chance that the motion may affect you. However, the ships sailing from Galveston are considered relatively new by cruise line standards and they all have sophisticated stabilization controls to reduce motion. If you are concerned, consult your pharmacist or physician before the cruise, as many options for treatment are available. Medical care is also available onboard.

Is There a Doctor on board?
Should a guest require medical attention while aboard one of our vessels, the Infirmary staff is available to assist 24 hours a day. The Infirmary is equipped to treat minor non-emergency matters. Physicians are available to render services at a customary fee. While at sea or in port, the availability of medical care may be limited.

What is the Fountain Fun Card?
We will offer to all guests the option to purchase a "Fountain Fun Card" which will allow them unlimited soft drinks for the duration of the cruise at a one time purchase price (including gratuities). The "Fountain Fun Card" can be purchased at any bar on board the ship. In all locations where beverage service is offered, guests may receive a glass of the soft drink of their choice - one glass will be served at a time and only to the guest whose name appears on the card. The card cannot be used through room service. NOTE: A 15% gratuity will automatically be added on at the time of purchase of the Fountain Fun Card.

Can I Bring Liquor On Board?
A liquor and beverage consumption policy was created in order for Carnival to be able to control the liquor consumption of minors and the quantities consumed that lead to the disruptive behavior of others on board. Liquor and Beverage Policy Bringing Alcohol On Board - Embarkation Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board. Guests may bring a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages. Excessive quantities, to be determined at the discretion of security and/or embarkation personnel, will be confiscated and discarded without compensation. However, if celebrating a special occasion while on board, one bottle of fine wine or champagne may be brought on board only during embarkation at the beginning of the cruise. A $10 corkage fee per bottle will be charged should you wish to consume this wine in the dining room. Guests may purchase a variety of beverages onboard the ship. Alcoholic beverages will not be sold or served to anyone under the age of 21. We reserve the right to refuse the sale of alcoholic beverages to anyone. Alcoholic beverages purchased in the ship's gift shops or in ports of call will be retained by Carnival until the end of the voyage. Ports-of-Call Alcoholic beverages of any kind purchased in any Port-of-Call will be confiscated at the gangway, stored on board and retained by Carnival until the end of the voyage. Ship Gift Shops Alcoholic beverages of any kind purchased in the ship's gift shop will be stored on board and be retained by Carnival until the end of the voyage. Drinking Alcohol On Board - The minimum age for the purchase and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in the bars, lounges and gift shops is 21 years of age. Carnival reserves the right to refuse the sale of alcoholic beverages to anyone. In the event that Bar/Restaurant/Gift Shop Staff are in question that a guest is less than 21 years old, they shall request picture identification, prior to serving the drink or selling the bottle of liquor.

What should I pack?
The first thing to remember is that you're on vacation and you are aboard one of our "Fun Ships" to have a good time. The second thing to remember is to travel light. If you keep those two things in mind, you should do just fine. Casual attire and resort wear is the order of the day both on board and in port. Shorts, slacks, sundresses, blouses, etc., are in line for women. Clothing for men is just as casual. You should bring a pair of rubber-soled sandals or sneakers to wear on deck and a pair of good walking shoes. You might also want to consider bringing along a sweater or jacket for cool evenings and inexpensive rain gear in case of a sudden shower. Women may want to bring along a hat or scarf. You'll have a chance to dress up on two nights during 7 day or longer cruises (one night on shorter cruises) for the Captain's Cocktail Party and the Gala Farewell Dinner. On the other evenings you can dress casually for dinner. For those not wanting to dress up, the Lido Restaurants are open nightly (with the exception of the last evening of the cruise), and have a casual dress code. Formal Wear: tuxedo; suit and tie; sport coat, tie and slacks; evening gown; cocktail dress; pantsuit Casual Resort Wear: sport shirts and slacks; dresses; skirts; pantsuit; Capri pants NOTE: Shorts, t-shirts, tank tops and bathing attire are not permitted in the Dining Room during dinner.

Do you have luggage restrictions?
There is no limit set by Carnival Cruise Lines to the amount of luggage brought on board as long as it fits in the guest's stateroom. The airlines do have restrictions and it is up to the guest to check with the airline he/she is flying on.

How Do I Report Damaged or Lost Luggage?
If a guest determines that their bags have been damaged or lost during the distribution process, they must complete a claim form with one of the embarkation representatives. If a guest discovers the problem on board, they must complete a claim form at the Purser's Office. If the guest discovers after returning home that they have mistakenly claimed someone else's luggage or that their luggage is damaged, they must contact Carnival's Guest Relations Department which is open seven days a week at (800) 929-6400 or (305) 599-2600.

Medical Service Fees
A charge for medical services will be billed to the guest's Sail and Sign Account and a receipt will be provided for the guest to submit to their insurance company upon return for possible reimbursement. The physicians on board are independent contractors and are entitled to render services at a customary fee which may vary from ship to ship based on the time of day. The basic fee does NOT include medication, tests or treatment.

Medical Staffing and Equipment
In order to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for our guests, our infirmaries meet or exceed the standards established by the International Council of Cruise Lines and the American College of Emergency Physicians. Our infirmaries are staffed by qualified physicians and nurses who are committed to providing the highest quality of shipboard medical care. Each ship in the fleet carries one doctor and three nurses; the Destiny, Triumph and Victory each carry two doctors and four nurses. Doctors on our ships are required to have a current and valid medical license from the USA, one of its territories, or Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa, or have full registration with the British General Medical Counsel of the United Kingdom or current full registration with the British General Medical Council of the United Kingdom, or current full registration with the medical council of a member country of the European Union. In addition, doctors must demonstrate competent skill levels and hold current certification in basic and advanced cardiac life support and cardiac care, have experience in general medicine or general practice including emergency or critical care, and have one to three years clinical experience and minor surgical skills, and board or similar international certification is preferred. The doctors on board are independent contractors. Shipboard medical facilities are set up to provide reasonable emergency medical care for guests and crew. In cases of extreme emergency where more comprehensive facilities are required, patients are referred to shoreside facilities. In addition to standard lifesaving equipment such as defibrillators and external pacemakers, our infirmaries carry some of the latest in medical technology including thrombolytic therapy, electrocardiograph machines, lab equipment, pulse oxymeters and x-ray machines on many of our ships.

Is There Security on board?
Carnival puts the highest priority on the safety and security of our guests. In order to maintain that environment, we employ a high-profile, onboard uniformed security force. These personnel are onboard to make sure everyone enjoys a safe and happy "Fun Ship" cruise vacation. Carnival Cruise Lines is operating at heightened security levels throughout its fleet and is working closely with law enforcement and federal agencies to ensure the safety of our ships and ports. While we are not permitted to discuss specific elements of our security program so as not to undermine those efforts, we can assure our guests and travel partners that we are at a heightened security status and safety of our guests and crew is of paramount importance.

Can I check-in for my cruise vacation in advance?
Yes. Online Check-In may be completed at www.royalcaribbean.com. Completing the Online Check-In process for all the guests in your reservation will save you from having to fill out forms at the pier, which means your cruise vacation adventure can start immediately. Online Check-In must be completed at least 48 hours prior to sailing. Our pier staff will validate all information prior to boarding. Any discrepancies may result in a delay or denial of boarding.

What is an Onboard Expense Account? How does it work?
An Onboard Expense Account is the cashless system used for all onboard pruchases and services. The account may be set-up with either a credt card or as a cash account. You may establish a master account and add guests from your stateroom or another stateroom as authorized purchasers on your account. For each purchase made onboard the ship you will receive a receipt at the point of sale. A final statement will be delivered to your stateroom on the last nght of your cruise vacation for your review. Guests that set up an account with a credit card should verify the statement. If all purchases are correct, they will automatically be billed to the credit card. Guests on a cash account will need to settle their statement onboard prior to disembarking. The ship will provide you with specific details.

Do I have to book a shore excursion now, or can I do it onboard?
Prebooking your shore excursions online is a good way to make sure you don't miss out on your preferred tour. However, we do reserve a percentage of all tours for onboard guests to be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis. If you decide not to prebook, forms will be available in your stateroom or at the shore excursion desk onboard. Some of our ships also offer an interactive system that allows guests to book tours from the convenience of their stateroom, using the TV. Any tickets you purchase onboard will be delivered directly to your stateroom.