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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?
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?
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?
General Passport Information.
Do You Need a Passport or Visa?
How to Apply For a Passport?
How to Renew a Passport?
What You’ll Need to Apply and/or Renew a Passport?
Customs Information.
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
DanceFun Cruises are usually 7 Days. A few up to 12 Days. [top]
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]
A Day at Sea is a full day spent sailing between two ports. Most cruises include one or more Days at Sea. [top]
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]
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]
Smoking is permitted in designated areas only. Dining rooms and main Show lounge are smoke free. Smoking is not permitted at our dances. [top]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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
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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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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.
1-866-DANCEFUN (1-866-326-2338) or 405-282-8989. Monday-Friday 9am to 6pm, CST [top]
General Passport Information?
For the additional and the most current information please visit the passport section of the U.S. State Department’s website: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport_services.html
As soon as you receive your passport, please sign it as indicated. The passport is not valid until signed. Your passport is a highly important and valuable document. Record the number and date of issue to facilitate replacement in case of loss, and keep this information in a separate place from your passport. Carry your passport with you at all times while abroad and never pack it in your suitcase. For all travel requiring a passport or visa, please make a copy of the page containing your photo on your passport, and make a copy of both your drivers license and your visa. This copy should be carried with you at all times in a location apart from your passport. [top]
U.S. CITIZENS
No visa is currently required for travel to and from Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala or Canada. For 2007 a passport valid for a further 6 months upon entry is required for travel to Costa Rica, Guatemala and for air travel in and out of Mexico and Canada. According to US Customs & Immigration, passports will not be required for land travel to and from Canada and Mexico until 2008. However, we strongly recommend clients travel with a valid passport and are not responsible for any travel problems arising from improper travel documentation or border crossing issues. If you passport is valid for less than 6 months, please call the nearest Consulate of the country to which you plan to travel. This time requirement may change and your passport may still be valid for travel.
NON-U.S. CITIZENS
Travel to All Countries: Non-U.S. Citizens: You may need a passport or visa to visit one or more of the countries on your Caravan Tour. If visas are required, they must be obtained before departure. Non-U.S. citizens traveling from the United States may need a multiple entry visa for return to the United States. If you have any questions, please check with your Travel Agent or the consulate of the countries concerned.
Resident Aliens: An Alien Registration card is needed for re-entry to the United States and, for purposes of income tax clearance, a "Certificate of Compliance" (Form 1040-D) commonly known as a “sailing permit,” must be obtained in person from the Internal Revenue Office nearest your home before you leave the U.S. [top]
Obtaining a passport is a simple procedure, if you arrange it in advance. Ordinarily it takes less than six weeks from the time you apply until you receive your passport, but delays do occur, so we strongly recommend that you apply as soon as possible. Right now is the best time! It is not necessary for travel arrangements to be finalized before a passport will be issued, so even if you’re not certain of your travel plans, you should go ahead and apply for your passport now.
Each individual citizen must have his/her own individual passport, and must apply in person at a passport facility for a passport. Many post offices and courthouses serve as passport facilities. Passport facilities are located throughout the country. The passport fee is currently $60 plus $10 service fee. Your passport will be valid for 10 years from the date of issue. If you need to expedite the issuance of your passport within 2 weeks, the extra charge is $35 plus delivery.[top]
You can renew your passport by mail, provided that you already hold a U.S. passport issued after your 16th birthday and less than fifteen years ago. Please visit the U.S. State Department’s website: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport_services.html
for more information.[top]
PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP: For native born citizens, a previously issued passport, a birth certificate, or, if these are not available, a baptismal certificate or certified copy of the record of baptism. Naturalized citizens should present their naturalization certificate.
IDENTIFICATION: The following documents are acceptable, provided they contain the signature and either a photograph or physical description of the applicant: a previous passport, a naturalization certificate, a driver’s license or a government (federal, state, municipal), industrial or business identification card or pass. If none of the above is available, an identifying witness is required who is 21 or over, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and who has known the applicant for at least two years. Husbands and wives may testify for each other.
PHOTOGRAPHS: Please note the following carefully: Photo print size must be exactly 2” × 2.” Also, the head size, from bottom of the chin to top of the hair, must be at least 1,” but no more than 1 3/8.” The two duplicate photos must be clear, front view, full face, and taken in normal street attire. Vending machine pictures, Polaroid snapshots, etc., are not acceptable. Please go to a photo-shop that specializes in taking passport photos. [top]
UNITED STATES CUSTOMS (as of July 17, 2006)
As a U.S. citizen or resident alien, you are now granted a $800 duty-free allowance. As of July 17, 2006, the following requirements must be met: (1) You must have been abroad for at least 48 hours and have not used this duty-free allowance, or any part of it, within the preceding 30-day period. (2) You bring the articles with you, at the time of your return to the U.S. (3) The articles are for your personal use or for use as gifts and are not for sale. (4) The articles are properly declared to Customs. (5) The articles are not prohibited or restricted.
There is no limit to the amount of merchandise you may bring back, but duty will be levied on all amounts in excess of the $800 duty-free allowance. For further information please refer to Know Before You Go at the US Customs and Border Patrol website at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/ .
Cigars and Cigarettes
The number of cigarettes you may import for your own use is now limited to 200. Cigars are limited to 100 (no Cuban products are allowed). The value of these items is considered as part of your $800 customs exemption.
Liquor
If you are 21 years of age or older, one liter of alcoholic beverages may be included in your duty-free allowance.
Family Declaration
The head of a family traveling together can make a joint declaration, with each member of the family allowed $800.
Thus, a family of four has a joint allowance of $2400, even if all the purchases are made by one member only. Infants and children are entitled to the same allowance (except for alcoholic beverages).
Gifts
Friends and relatives in the U.S. may receive–free of duty and tax–gifts shipped from abroad provided that no one addressee receives more than $100 worth on a single day. Write “Unsolicited Gift–Value under $100” in large letters and the retail value on the face of the package. Personal belongings such as worn clothing can be mailed home without payment of duty as long as they have not been altered or repaired whilst abroad- write “American Goods Returned” in large letters on the outside face of the package
Foreign-Made Articles Taken Abroad
If you have a foreign-made item of value (watch, camera, jewelry, etc.), be sure to register it with U.S. Customs before you leave, thus ensuring duty-free re-entry on your return.
To expedite your re-entry through U.S. Customs, list all your purchases, have all your sales receipts ready and, if possible, pack all your purchases together, ready for inspection. Keep in mind that, under customs regulations, if you understate the value of an article on your declaration form, you may have to pay a severe penalty in addition to payment of duty.
Foreign Customs officers are invariably liberal with pleasure travelers. They are mainly concerned with drugs, tobacco and liquor.
As far as film and cameras are concerned, the customs officials allow a reasonable amount of film for personal use.
Once you have joined your Caravan tour, you’ll find that your Tour Director handles all formalities at entry points (always have your passport ready at this time), often making your customs inspection a swift and easy process.
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