Q) Do I need a passport?

A) It's highly recommended that all passengers obtain a passport before embarking on a cruise. The "law" does not take affect until June 1, 2009, but if you should need to return to the United States by plane from a foreign country, you cannot board the plane without a valid passport. Best bet: GET A PASSPORT! WE WILL NOT NEED A PASSPORT since we will be departing and returning from the same port.

Q) Why would I need Vacation Insurance?

A) Insurance is great for the following reasons - First, if you, or your cabin mate, should have to cancel for medical reasons, you get a full refund of amount paid, minus the cost of the insurance policy.
Secondly, the insurance also covers 'lost' or 'delayed' baggage. And, third, possibly the most important, is the 'medical' coverage. Medicare does not pay outside the United States. Some other insurance policies may not be valid in other countries either, so check with your insurance agent or company. To see complete details of a 'Vacation Insurance' policy, go directly to the site of your cruise line or ask us for a copy.

Q) Are all meals and drinks covered in the price of the cruise?

A) Yes, all meals are provided as part of your cruise fare. What is NOT covered are sodas, drinks containing alcohol (or specialty drinks without alcohol added), and bottled water. You may purchase a “Fountain Drink card”. Of course, while in port, if you stay off the ship for an extended period, you may want to dine at one of the local restaurants or eateries.

Q) What do I wear on Formal Night in the dining room?

A) Depending on the length of the cruise, either formal dress or casual resort wear is required for the dining room. The dress requirement for children is the same. For those not wanting to dress up, other dining options are available with casual dress code.

Cruise casual dining dress code: Gentlemen - Sport slacks, Khakis, jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long), collared sports shirts. Ladies - Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses, capri pants, dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs). Not permitted in dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen - gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, and sleeveless shirts for men.

Cruise elegant dining dress code: Gentlemen - Dress slacks, dress shirts. Also recommended a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means you are invited to do so. Ladies - Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses. If you'd like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too! Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant Dinner for ladies and gentlemen - T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.

Q) What about Hurricanes?

A) Hurricane season encompasses the months of June thru October. Due to the unpredictable nature of hurricanes, it may not be possible to give information about itinerary changes in advance of the sailing. The safety of the crew and guests is always the cruise line's priority. It is rare for a cancellation to occur due to an impending hurricane. In some instances, an itinerary deviation is implemented to avoid a storm. Hurricanes have been known to change their course drastically at the last minute. Guests that have any questions should contact the cruise line's reservations department the day prior to sailing, as that is when definitive information will be available.

Q) Will my cell phone work while onboard?

A) Yes, your cell phone will work, but check with your carrier as to the rates. You may also dial direct from your stateroom via satellite. This service is available 24 hours a day regardless of the ship's location. This service closes at 4 a.m. the final day of the cruise. The rate is $6.99 per minute to the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, and $9.99 per minute for all International calls. All charges are billed to your 'sign and sail' account. No calling cards, credit cards, 800 numbers, or collect calls.

Q) Do you have luggage restrictions?

A) Guests are asked to limit their checked luggage to three suitcases per person, with each suitcase not to weigh more than 50 pounds and not to exceed 16"h x 24"w x 30" length. Your luggage tags should be attached prior to leaving home and make sure they are still on your bags when checking in at the terminal.

Large cooler restrictions: No large coolers allowed. Small, personal-sized coolers no larger than 12" x 12" x 12" for the purpose of housing small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages and/or medications are permitted as carry-on luggage.

Q) What is the tipping policy onboard?

A) For your convenience, gratuities for stateroom and dining room staff are automatically charged to your Sign and Sail account. The total amount is $10.00 per day per guest. (Recommended guidelines are as follows: $3.50 per day for Stateroom Services, $5.50 per day for Dining Room Services, and $1.00 per day Alternative Services, which is distributed to other kitchen and hotel service staff.) These gratuities may be "pre-paid" when you sign up for the cruise, or paid at the end, via your 'Sign and Sail' card. Gratuities may also be adjusted at the end of the cruise, depending on your satisfaction with service. For beverage service, fifteen percent of the bill is automatically added to the Sign and Sail charge.

Q) Can I bring Liquor onboard?

A) Gusts are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages onboard. However, guests 21 years of age and older may bring one bottle (750ml) of wine or champagne, per person, onboard only during embarkation at the beginning of the cruise. Alcoholic beverages of any kind in any port-of -call will be confiscated at the gangway, stored onboard, and retained by the cruise ship until the end of the voyage.

Q) Can I wash my clothes while onboard? What about ironing?

A) Two self-service Launderettes are located on all stateroom decks. They have washing machines and dryers, as well as iron and ironing board available. Minimum fees are charged for usage. Vending machines dispense detergent and water softener.

Q) What is Sail & Sign?

A) The Sail & Sign card is used onboard to charge all your purchases to your personal account. Personalized Sail & Sign cards will be provided to all guests and are valid for use immediately upon boarding the ship. All charges will automatically be billed to the guest's credit card at the end of the voyage. On the final morning of the cruise, a statement detailing all purchases made with the Sail & Sign card will be delivered to the guest's stateroom. The total amount will be applied to the credit card presented during registration. For those guests who put down a cash deposit, if there is an overpayment at the end of the cruise, the guest will receive the overpayment in the form of a check attached to their detailed statement on the final morning of the cruise.

Q) When will my luggage be delivered to my stateroom?

A) Luggage is loaded onboard throughout embarkation day, and due to the quantity of luggage, it may take a couple hours after sailing before all luggage is delivered to the staterooms. Luggage is delivered by piece and not by stateroom, so some bags may be delivered before others. Please note the Dress Code in the dining room for embarkation day is "come as you are-casual".

Q) Can I have a stateroom upgrade?

A) Opportunities to purchase an upgrade in your accommodations are available prior to the sailing date, subject to availability. Regrettably, we cannot accommodate requests for upgrades on the day of sailing because we sail full.

Q) Do we need to pack a hairdryer?

A) Some ships do have hairdryers in every cabin but NOT all. If your cabin doesn’t have a hairdryer your stateroom attendance can supply one. The Carnival Spirit does have one in every cabin – NO need to pack one.

Q) When will I get my documents?

A) Your documents will be available online two months before the cruise. Once they are available you will need to go to www.carnival.com and print your “Sail and Sign card and your documents (and luggage tags). More information send to you as time gets closer.

Q) TRAVEL HOTLINE

A) If you are experiencing a travel delay en route to the ship or returning home after your voyage, call our travel hotline at 1-877-TVL-HTLN (1-877-885-4856) or 1-305-406-4779. Our representatives are on call to assist you with any question or travel emergency, 24 hours a day.