G.O.T. Balloons
G.O.T. Cruise 2009
Click here to download the G.O.T. Cruise 09 Flyer in pdf format.
Welcome to the G.O.T. Balloons Cruise tips and hints page. Here you will find information that will hopefully answer may of your questions about cruising. As we learn more I’ll add more to make it easier for G.O.T. Cruisers and potential cruisers to make plans. If you have any hints or questions that are not answered here let me know and I add any information that I think will be helpful.
Cap’n Stretch the Twisted,
a.k.a.
Stretch the Balloon Dude
Important Notice Other than the cost of the cruise, the only other cost that you will be required to pay is transportation to and from where you live to the port in Miami.
You must have a Passport to travel on an airplane, and you will be required to have one to travel on a cruise ship in 2009. Current increase in demand for Passports has caused there to be a long delay in getting one. Check with your local Post Office or other Passport processing office (local city halls often handle Passports) to find out what the current estimates for processing times are.
If you fly in, you will have to fly into either Miami International Airport or Fort Lauderdale International Airport. You can arrange your flight through Carnival by talking to the Groups Representative when you call. If you book your flight through Carnival directly transfers, or ground transportation to and from the pier on embarkation and debarkation days, are included. If you arrange your own flight you may purchase one-way or round trip transfers (airport - pier - airport) up to 15 business days prior to sailing. You can can also check with the airport to see if a shuttle service is available, or pay for a taxi to and from the port. I have no idea what this will cost. If you fly in early and spend the night, check with your hotel to see if they have a shuttle service that can take you to and from the airport and the port.
If you live close enough to drive to Miami, you will have to pay to park your car. There are paid lots that offer a shuttle to and from the port. Please contact Carnival to inquire about the rates. These parking lots are fenced in and pretty secure, so you won’t spend the entire cruise worrying about your car. You will have to pay when you drop off your car, but you won’t have to have cash because they also take credit cards. The nice thing about pre-paying is that when you get back from your cruise and are ready to go home, you just take the shuttle to the lot, pick up your car and drive out of the lot. Of course, you do still have to drive back to the port to pick up your luggage and the rest of your group that is probably still waiting there for you.
While you don’t have to spend any extra money after you pay your fare and shipboard gratuity, there are some optional expenses that you may want to make allowances for. Obviously, if you want to buy souvenirs, those will be at your own expense. On the ship there are several restaurants that are free, 24 hour room service is free and there is a 23 hour (they have to clean) pizzeria that is also free. Tea, water and juice are free, but you have to pay for sodas and alcoholic beverages. Your main evening dinner is included and is absolutely wonderful. There are also some restaurants that are not included in your fare and you will have to pay if you dine in these. Most onboard expenses can be charged to your Sail & Sign Card, but the casino and game room both require cash.
Excursions are also extra and can be prepaid through the Carnival web site, paid for on the ship and put on your Sail & Sign Card or paid for when you get to port. The price varies with the excursion. You can read about some of them on the Carnival web site at http://www.carnival.com. You may also want to bring some cash because many of the shops and small restaurants on shore don’t accept credit cards. It is better to bring smaller bills to make things easier at the time of purchase. Many of the excursion hosts also accept tips and have photos of your excursion available that you can buy with cash or using a credit card.
You are probably wondering what the Sail & Sign Card is that I keep referrring to. When you board the ship and are processed, you will be issued your Sail & Sign Card. Your picture will taken and will put on your card and it will serve as a picture ID while on the cruise. You will either give the processor a credit card to link to the Sail & Sign Card, or you can put a cash deposit to load the card. Any expenses that you incur while onboard the ship will be put on your Sail & Sign Card. If you have it linked to a credit card, the card will be billed at the end of the cruise. If you use cash, you will have credit for however much you put as a deposit. If you use it all, you will have to put more on it, and if you have any left over at the end of the cruise it will be refunded to you. The Sail & Sign Card will serve as your ID for boarding the ship, exiting the ship at port and reboarding the ship when returning from port. You will show this card to be seated for dinner every evening and it will have your table assignment and dinner time on it. You will not have to carry anything on you while onboard the ship but your Sail & Sign Card and your room key. You can even get cash for the casino and game room by using your Sail & Sign Card. You will love the simplicity and ease of use that you will enjoy with your Sail & Sign Card.
