General Information
We’ll sail out of sunny Ft. Lauderdale, FL on the wonderful ms Noordam! You’ll discover soaring spaces such as the multi-story atrium, her magnificent art and antiques collection, and the attention of her superb staff. The ship features an elegant, two-tiered dining room, the intimate reservations only Pinnacle Grill, two outdoor swimming pools, The Greenhouse Spa, library, shopping arcade and more. Holland America Line offers over fifty scheduled shipboard activities and many choices of shore excursions in each port. We hope that you join us on this sensational cruise!
CABIN
Your cabin will be modern and cheery whether you choose a more economical inside cabin or a room with a view. You can even have your own private balcony if you choose, or a penthouse suite. Each cabin has two lower beds (which can be arranged into a Queen or King bed), a TV, safe, refrigerator and bathroom with a shower and/or tub. Cabins which are designed for the physically challenged are also available.
COSTS
Your cruise price is a special rate for our Southern Caribbean Quilt Seminar at Sea. It includes your ship accommodation for the 10-day cruise, ocean transportation, all meals, services, activities and entertainment on board, as well as all quilting classes, group activities and parties!
PORT CHARGES ARE INCLUDED in the above prices, however government fees, fuel surcharges, and taxes estimated at $179 per person are additional. Rates are per person, cruise only. If you are a single and would like to share a cabin, we can assist you with finding a roommate. The rate for the third person in the cabin is $995 for any category chosen. Other cabin categories are also available, including the penthouse suite (call for pricing).
Other items not covered in the cruise cost are kit fees for each class, plus items of a personal nature such as photographs, laundry, massage, as well as shore excursions, alcoholic beverages, sodas, or tipping. Holland America applies a service charge for tipping to your account on board at the rate of $11 per guest per day. All service personnel on board receive gratuities from this service charge, so no additional tipping is necessary except for bar drinks and spa services which have “as-you-go” service charges added separately.
DRESS
Being casual and comfortable is a part of life on the ms Noordam. Weather in the Caribbean can be comfortable during the daytime, yet cool in the evening—the “layered look” is a must! You will need sweaters and a jacket for both cool weather and potential rain. (A sweater may also be desired for comfort in the air conditioned public areas.) The temperature in each cabin is individually controlled for your own comfort. Bring comfortable shoes to wear in port, streets are often uneven or rough. There are three formal nights (black tie not required, but suit and tie for gents), and other nights are smart casual nights (no jeans or T-shirts in the dining room). We will have early dining reserved for the group. If you don’t want to participate in the formal nights, you have the option of dining casually on the Lido deck.
TRAVEL TO AND FROM FT. LAUDERDALE
Air transportation is available through Holland America Line. The airfare is by city and will be quoted at the time of reservation. Transfers from the airport to the cruise ship and back are available at a minimal charge. Air schedules will not be available from the cruise line until December 2009. If you would like to request a specific airline or air itinerary, you may do so for an additional fee. Pre and post-cruise packages are available at an additional cost from Holland America Line for those who would like to arrive in Ft. Lauderdale a day or two early, or stay after the cruise. We will also offer custom hotel packages and touring both before and after the cruise; those details will be mailed to you at a later date. We can also arrange airline tickets and other personalized travel.
PAYMENTS
A deposit of $600 per person is needed to guarantee your reservation.($100 per person is non-refundable). Final payment will be due no later than October 20, 2009. Payments may be made by check (payable to AAA Washington Travel), or by major credit card.
CANCELLATIONS
The cancellation policy is as follows:
Before 76 days prior to the cruise: ~ $100 per person non-refundable
From 75 days to 46 days prior to the cruise: ~ 50% deposit per person
non-refundable
From 45 days to 16 days prior to the cruise: ~ 75% of the fare per person
non-refundable
There is no refund within 15 days of sailing.
THE PURCHASE OF TRIP CANCELLATION, TRAVEL ACCIDENT, AND BAGGAGE INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. There are many uncertainties and unforeseen circumstances involved in our world, we therefore strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. This provides coverage in the event prepaid payments are forfeited due to your trip having to be canceled because of unforeseeable sickness, injury or death to you, a family member, or a traveling companion. It also provides coverage if there were to be a default on the part of the cruise line. In addition, it will provide coverage for travel accidents, baggage loss or damage, and medical evacuation. This insurance coverage is available at a rate which varies by your age and the cost of your cruise. FOR SPECIFIC RATE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE THE Access America “Trip Assist Plus” flyer which is enclosed. You will be completely covered, waiving all pre-existing conditions, only if the insurance is purchased at the time of deposit. Please complete the section on the registration form regarding insurance. We cannot accept your registration unless this is completed and signed.
IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS
A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your return date is required for travel. Non-US citizens must have a valid passport and any necessary visas. Legal names must be correct on all documents. Lack of proper ID will result in denial of embarkation, therefore all passengers are responsible for necessary identification. If you have access to the internet, the following website offers excellent information regarding applying for and renewing passports: http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html. If you need to obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate: http://www.vitalchek.com is a helpful website.
CONDITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Subject to change and availability. AAA Washington
Travel is acting as an agent for suppliers of air and ground transportation,
hotel accommodations, cruises, etc. AAA Washington Travel attempts to
represent only those suppliers of travel that have shown an acceptable level
of stability, dependability and responsiveness to problems and complaints.
Nevertheless, AAA Washington Travel does not control the actions or
failure to act of the suppliers it represents. Therefore, AAA Washington
Travel shall not be responsible for any breach of contract, failure to comply
with any laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or any intentional
or negligent actions or omissions on the part of such suppliers, which result
in any loss, damage, delay, inconvenience or injury to travelers or travelers’ companions
or group members, including any losses resulting from any changes in suppliers’ rates,
unless marked on your invoice, tickets, or reservation itinerary as “Guaranteed,” or
any losses in connection with booking, reservation, connection, or scheduling
problems or in connection with the handling or loss of baggage or other personal
effects. AAA Travel shall not be responsible for any injuries, damages, or
losses caused to any traveler in connection with terrorist activities, social
or labor unrest, mechanical or construction failures or deficiencies, diseases,
local laws, climatic conditions, abnormal conditions or developments, or any
other actions, omissions, or conditions outside AAA Travel’s control.
By embarking upon his/her travel, the traveler voluntarily assumes all risks
involved in such travel, whether expected or unexpected. Traveler is hereby
warned of the above risks as well as possible travel industry bankruptcies,
climatic disruptions, natural disaster, civil unrest, terrorist activities,
and the possibility traveler may be unable to travel as scheduled because of
personal emergency or medical problems, etc. Traveler is advised to obtain
appropriate insurance coverage against these risks. Information is available
through AAA Travel regarding travel insurance. Traveler’s booking of
reservations or utilization of tickets after receipt of this information will
constitute a consent to the above and an agreement on his/her art to provide
copies hereof to his/her travel companions or group members together with an
explanation that if they embark, they do so subject to these Conditions and
Responsibilities. Restrictions and limitations apply. Agency #178-018-521.
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