DANCEFUN - Frequently Asked
Questions
Dance Cruise uestions
Is the entire ship made up of dancers? What makes a dance cruise different from a regular
cruise? What is the average age on your dance
cruises? What do I get for my money? Is a Dance Cruise suitable if we have
kids?? Are there any age restrictions? Can I book with my local travel agent or directly with
the cruise line and still join your dance group
activities?
General Cruise uestions
Can I afford a cruise? What can I do on a ship? Will I feel bored or confined on board? How long do cruises last? Are all cruise ships the same? What is a Day at Sea? What's a shore excursion? What type of clothing should I pack? Is smoking permitted on the ship? What are the tipping guidelines? When can I board the ship? Will I need a passport? Are cruises really that popular? What are in the
Cabins? Are there laundry facilities on board?
Pricing/Booking
Procedure uestions
How much is my deposit and when is final payment
due? Can cabins hold more than two
passengers? Is there any way to avoid the Single
Supplement? When should I reserve my cruise to get the best
rate? Can DanceFun make my airline
reservations? When will I get my air schedule if I book the air as a
package? Is there transportation to the ship from the
airport? Can I cancel my cruise? Should I purchase Travel Insurance? What is Travel
Insurance?
Dance Cruise Questions
Is the entire ship
made up of dancers? No, the entire ship will not be
dancers. DanceFun hosts a number of dance groups each year to a variety of
destinations around the world. Each group varies in destination and dance
theme – Ballroom, Country, Swing, Salsa, Lindy Hop or a combination. The
cruise line treats our group’s activities as private parties, open only to
those sailing with our group [top]
What makes a Dance
Cruise different from a regular cruise? On DanceFun
Cruises you will find lots of activities geared for the active
dancer. DanceFun cruises offer:
- Dances most nights hosted by our instructors
- Our own DJ for the best dance music
- A good number of dance workshops on the days at sea
with our top instructors
- Private parties for just us, as well as some shore
excursions together
- Nightly dining together
- And more ! [top]
What is the average age on your dance cruises?
Typically we have a wide spread on ages within our
groups. Although we have guests older and younger, we do find larger
numbers from 30’s to 60’s as a general trend. [top]
What is included in the
price? Included: Welcome Aboard Party,
Workshops with top Instructors, Private Dances hosted by our Instructors,
Stateroom Accommodations, Meals and Beverages, All the Ship’s
Entertainment & Activities, Exotic Ports of Call ! There are
also other possible items included that vary each sailing: like games,
parties, special excursions, gifts, etc. Items not included:
Meals at "Reservations Only" Dining, bar beverages (alcohol and soft
drinks), shore excursions gratuities, transportation to and from the ship.
[top]
Is a dance cruise suitable if we have
kids? Children are not only welcome, but on most ships
there are programs geared to each age group form 3 through teens.
Cruise ships have state-of-art kids-only facilities, counselors,
daytime activities and nighttime baby-sitting. Children of all ages are
welcome on most ships. [top]
Are there any age
restrictions? Babies under 6 months of age
and women in their last trimester of pregnancy are not permitted to
sail. This is in consideration the safety and
comfort of the infant as well as the other guests. Additionally the
ships are not equipped to handle the potential specialized emergency
needs. Older children and young
adults: If you are bringing older children (under
21 they must be in a cabin with someone over 25, or in some cases can be
in a cabin adjoining or adjacent to yours. Please book this in
advance. The closer to final payment we get, the more difficult it
is to find adjacent cabins. [top]
Can I book with my local travel agent or
directly with the cruise line and still join your group
activities? Sorry, but No. To be part of our dance group,
you must book the cruise through DanceFun. No exceptions. Any
dancer onboard who does not book through DanceFun will be denied access to
our nightly dances, workshops, private parties, shore excursions, and
nightly dining together. [top]
General Cruise Questions
Can I afford a cruise? If you
can afford to take a hotel-based vacation, you can afford to take a cruise
vacation. There are cruises available at all price ranges - from budget to
luxury - and all represent perhaps the best value for your vacation
dollar. [top]
What can I do on a ship? That
depends on the ship, but generally the larger ships will have the most
activities. You may wish to lounge on deck by the pool or enjoy any of the
activities provided by the ship including the pool, the spa, the casino,
trying your luck at bingo, or any of the almost nightly Broadway-style
floor shows. And on a dance cruise is the added value of Dance –
workshops, dances parties, mixers with other dancers and more! Our
clients tell us that on every cruise they meet new friends. [top]
Will I feel bored or confined on
board? Never! Think of a cruise ship as a floating resort
on par with any Las Vegas megahotel. On-board activities begin at dawn and
go into the wee hours of the night. The scenery is constantly changing,
and every port is filled with new and exciting opportunities for
exploration and fun! [top]
How long do cruises
last? DanceFun Cruises are usually 7 Days. A few up
to 12 Days. [top]
Are all cruise ships the
same? Absolutely not. They range from yacht-like vessels
with 100 passengers to towering megaships with huge atriums and a maximum
capacity of more than 3,000 people. We have picked those best for fun and
dancing! [top]
What is a Day at Sea? A Day at
Sea is a full day spent sailing between two ports. Most cruises include
one or more Days at Sea. [top]
What's a shore
excursion? That's a term that refers to anything you do
off the ship, in port. At every stop, you'll have the option of exploring
the area on your own or as part of a group with a planned itinerary.
The cruise lines offer a plethora of options at each port.
Note, it is best to book your excursion once on board. There will be
information available at the shore excursion desk and in an excursion book
in your room, as well as a talk by the Cruise Director on the first day of
the cruise that you can attend in person, or it will be repeated on your
in-cabin TV. Booking onboard allows you to cancel within 24
hours – booking before the cruise guarantees your excursion, but if you
cancel aboard ship there are usually cancellation fees. (around 10%)
[top]
What type of clothing should I
pack? Packing for a cruise is like packing for any
resort-based vacation. You'll want to bring comfortable, casual clothing
for daytime on board and in port, and swimsuits and workout clothes for
pools, Jacuzzis, saunas and health clubs. Tank tops, shorts or sandals
are not allowed in the dining room. They encourage jackets for men,
but are happy with collared shirts and slacks. And for the ladies
they encourage dresses but are happy with slacks and blouse. 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. For
Formal Nights – They encourage formal wear. Men will be dressed in
at least a jacket and tie, and many in formal wear (tux)! Ladies
are fine in anywhere from Cocktail dresses and pant suits to evening
gowns. You’ll want to dress to impress! There are many photo
Opportunities on formal night. [top]
Is smoking permitted on the
ship? Smoking is permitted in designated areas only.
Dining rooms and main Show lounge are smoke free. Smoking is not permitted
at our dances. [top]
What are the tipping
guidelines? Most cruise lines charge tips to your onboard
account automatically. These tips can be adjusted to the level of service
by speaking with the purser's desk. Generally speaking, $10 per person,
per day (example: $70.00 for a 7 day cruise. [top]
When can I board the ship? Most
cruises start embarkation 3-4 hours before sailing. We recommend that you
arrive at least a minimum of 1 hour before the cruise is scheduled to set
sail. [top]
Will I need a passport? All
cruises now require proof of citizenship. On some itineraries, a certified
copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or government-issued
photo I.D. are sufficient, on others a passport is required. Visas may
also be required on the more exotic itineraries. We will advise you on
documents you will need depending on your itinerary. All non-US and
non-Canadian citizens must verify proof of citizenship and visa
requirements with the embassy, consulate or immigration office of the
countries in their cruise itinerary. [top]
Are cruises really that
popular? You better believe it! More than ten million
people will cruise in the next year, and cruising routinely earns the
highest ratings in customer satisfaction among all vacation categories.
Once you try it, you'll be hooked. The number of cruise ships
doubles about every 10 years. [top]
What are in the cabins?
In your Cabin:
2 Twin Beds that can form a King
Bed Television Phone Vanity Heating/Cooling Thermostat A/C
110 volt and European 220 volt power outlets Some Ocean & Balcony
Cabins have a Couch Balcony Cabins have Mini-Bars / Refrigerator
In your Bathrooms:
Hairdryer (in
vanity) Bodywash Shampoo Towels A/C 110 volt and European 220
volt power outlets
[top]
Are there Laundry Facilities on
board? Yes, most decks have a
coin operated laundry room and the ship offers laundry & dry cleaning
service for a fee. Coins may be obtained at the information desk. See
you cabin steward for laundry & dry cleaning service details.
[top]
Pricing/Booking Procedure
Questions
How much is my deposit and when is final payment
due? Deposit amounts depend on the specific cruise you
are reserving. Most deposits range from $375-$580 per person
depending on the specific cruise. With a larger deposit amount, we
sometimes split it into a first and second deposit. Final payments
are generally due about 90 days before the sail date. [top]
Can cabins hold more than two
passengers? On most ships, a number of cabins can
accommodate up to 4 people. Generally, there is a reduction in price
for the 3rd & 4th passengers in a cabin. The cabins
accommodating more than two guests may have upper bunks. These are
limited on the ship so ask early to secure this type of
accommodation. We cannot hold these cabins without passenger names
and full deposits. Ask your DanceFun representative for rates and
availability when you call. [top]
Is there any way to avoid the Single
Supplement? All cruise lines impose a single supplement
to those traveling single, usually close to 200% of the base fare.
For those wishing to avoid the single supplement DanceFun helps by
introducing potential roommates to each other, but we do not assign a
roommate. In our experience, we find that the earlier one registers
for the cruise, you position yourself for greater success in finding a
roommate. If by final payment you do not have a roommate, the
cruise line will require you book as a single to secure your
reservation. If you book as a single and get a roommate after final
payment your costs will be adjusted for the double occupancy rate.
For those who prefer a private cabin, single supplement rates will
apply. [top]
When should I reserve my cruise to get the best
rate? Prices are not guaranteed until a deposit is paid.
In most cases, our special rates will be withdrawn by the cruise line
after final payment, and rates will increase. Remember that if you need
special accommodations, such as specific area of the ship or a triple or
quad cabin, the earlier these are booked the better your chances are for
getting your requests met. [top]
Can DanceFun also make my airline
reservations? The prices shown on our site are
cruise-only. On some cruises we offer group air rates from specific
locations. These will be listed on our website under the Air and
Hotel link. We can also get quotes for you from the Cruise line for
air from a gateway city near you. [top]
When will I get my air schedule if I book the
air as a package? Air schedules are released by the
cruise line about 30 days prior to sailing. The choice of airline, routing
and flight times are at the discretion of the cruise line. The cruise
lines will only book you on flights that will allow you to get to the pier
in plenty of time for departure. If you want to request a specific airline
with a specific routing and/or times, most cruise lines offer special "air
deviation" programs. There will be an airfare deviation minimum charge of
$50 per person for this service. [top]
Is there transportation to the ship from the
airport? If you purchase the cruise line's airfare
through DanceFun, in most cases, the transfers are included. If you
choose to arrange your own airfare, you can still purchase round trip
ground transportation between the airport and the ship from the Cruise
line through DanceFun. Ground transfers are non-refundable. As an
alternative, local taxi cabs or airport shared ride vans are available at
most airports. They can be found right outside the baggage claim
area. [top]
Can I cancel my cruise? You may
cancel your cruise. The best way to do this is to call to verify
penalty rates and/or check on how to file insurance claim (if
applicable). This must be followed up by request to cancel in
writing – Email if fine. Be sure to refer to the Cancellation fees
specific to your cruise. These can be found on your Cruise
confirmation from DanceFun and are also listed on the website. [top]
Should I purchase Travel
Insurance? We highly recommend travel insurance to
protect your travel investment. An illness, an accident or an
unexpected situation can arise before or during any type of vacation. Such
an event might cause you to cut short your cruise or cause your trip to be
cancelled altogether. The closer to your cruise date you cancel, the
greater your loss of monies due cancellation fees or no refund available
at all. Remember to not just insure your cruise, but your airfare
too. [top]
What is Travel
Insurance? Travel Insurance is an insurance policy that
protects the cash investment in your trip, unforeseen medical expenses,
lost luggage, and much more. One of the main reasons for travel
insurance is for "Trip Cancellation" -- to refund the cost of your trip in
case of: S.A.D. – “Sickness, Accident or Death”. S – Sickness – you or
your travel companion become ill (for a medical reason) and cannot travel
or become ill and cannot complete your travel A – Accident – you or
your travel companion have an Accident and cannot travel, or have an
accident on the trip and cannot complete your travel D – Death – If a
death occurs in your immediate family prior to your trip and you cannot go
or a death occurs during your trip and you cannot complete your
travel. The cost of Travel Insurance is based on your age and the value
of your trip. Call us for more info or see: www.travelguard.com our recommend
Insurance Carrier for more details. [top] |