Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Updates

Hello everybody! :) I have a few updates for everybody:

@laura1247's sister received an email from Jeannie re waitlist. She confirmed the waitlist starts at approx 2400 (Yay!).

Somebody also asked about cameras at the Backstreet Boys events, and this is what Jeannie at Rose Tours had to say:

Yes, you can take cameras for still, NO video.
It doesn't matter what time of camera you bring on board.


Sofia also emailed me some info for first timers from Kim who went on the nKoTb cruise:

I'll try to help anyway I can :)

Your trip is in December & ours are in May so I don't know what the weather will be like for you. I'd imagine beautiful lol For us it was warm but not hot hot. Night time was a little cooler-one night I had a sweater on.


What to pack is the million $ question lol I'm assuming you're also going to have "theme" nights. What stinks is Rose Tours only releases what they are 1 month prior to the cruise :( Last year we had PJ night-Dress to Impress- & Wear All White Night You can participate if you choose to-you don't have to do anything you don't want. As you can imagine it got interesting lol PJ went from PG to XXR in seconds! Some woman pretty much wore nothing! Dress to impress was nice-I just wore a nice skirt and top-some girls had gowns on! White Night was hard, try finding a white dress lol

Most of the time girls wore bathing suits and cover ups during the day. And your hair will be all over the place haha There's a breeze the whole time.

The Sail and Sign card is very easy and dangerous lol When you check in you will give your credit card. Then they give you your room key which is your lifeline. You use this to buy anything and everything. If you want a drink-you give them the card-candy give the card and so on.

Soda/pop is not free. They have a special price where you can get so much for a certain price-me? I put it in my suitcase lol

You are on a different ship but I was told that they are kinda the same.
There's only 1 outlet in the room-so bring a power strip

There's no blow dryers in the room
[This is actually different for us--we do have hair dryers in the room!]
The rooms are small!

The bathroom is smaller lol

There's a very small safe

The phone in your room only calls other rooms

Cell phone won't work & if yours does it will cost! No lie-$20 a minute


The meet & greet! What everyone waits for!! Well it's very strict. You will not be able to bring anything with you..no phone..purse..camera..nothing. You will be in groups of 10--it'll last 3 seconds and you move on :( With 2000+ ppl they have to keep moving

You will be split up in group A or B..so when group A is attending a BSB event-group B will have free time The whole boat doesn't go to the same event at one time There will be 2 of everything [This is actually different for us--as confirmed by @ThatsWhatLiSaid in a email from Jeannie:

The detailed itinerary has not yet been confirmed.
The Backstreet Boys events in the showroom will not be split into groups.
The NKOTB had to perform everything 2 times in the showroom because it was a
full ship charter.
The Backstreet Boys is a partial ship charter.]

I suggest you don't try to "follow" the guys..you'll drive yourself nuts and you'll miss out on what the ship offers. We all did that last year-we watched for the NKOTB the whole time..this year I'm enjoying myself.

We all decorated our cabin doors! Made them like how our lockers looked in high school.

Have a great time :) You will love it!

I.M. over at the fan club forum suggested having a map like Frappr for everyone to sign in and place yourself on. I couldn't get Frappr to work, but I did find a similar map. It's located here. So, go place yourself on the map, and I'll figure out how to get it posted on the blog! :)

Oh, and if you hadn't already noticed, there is a countdown timer on the right side now, as suggested by @ThatsWhatLiSaid. :) Enjoy!

EDIT: I also received an email from Jeannie about Rose's question, "When we all booked, it mentioned everyone who booked before the 31st (which since it sold out, is all of us LOL) got entered into a drawing to get front row seats to a BSB event. When will we find out who won that?". Jeannie said, "Probably not until it gets closer but it has not yet been determined."

Hope this is helpful! :) Let me know if you have any more suggestions or questions!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Hair Dryers

I noticed on Carnival's website that we won't need to pack hair dryers:

A hair dryer is provided in the bathroom (Destiny, Triumph, Victory) or at the desk/vanity in the stateroom (Spirit, Pride, Legend, Conquest, Glory, Miracle, Valor, Liberty, Freedom, Splendor and Dream). Hair dryers are not provided in the staterooms of all other ships.

Since we are on the Destiny, and the nKoTb cruise was on the Imagination, the FAQ question for this is different. :)

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Luggage

Yesterday on Twitter, @Dutch_Yvi asked me how much luggage we could take on the cruise. This is what I found on Carnival's website about luggage:

X-Ray Security Machines for security purposes, carnival limits the size of hand-carry luggage to 24"X 16", which is the dimension of the opening of the X-ray security machine (similarto those used at the airport); there is no measurement for length as the hand-carry luggage will lay flat on the conveyer belt. Luggage larger than 24"X 16" will not be permitted through the security machine and must be checked-in with a curbside porter.

Safety Precautions due to "Safety Precautions", the following items are not permitted onboard:
Irons
Heating Pads
Candles

No Weapons Policy: Due to our "No Weapons Policy" and heightened security, guests are not permitted to bring on board:
Firearms or weapons of any kind
Pepper spray and mace

Safety Concerns: Due to "Safety Concerns", the following items cannot be utilized on board nor are permitted on board:
Bicycles
Surfboards
Scooters (unless medically necessary)
Boats/Canoes
Scuba Tanks (empty or full)

Due to "Safety Concerns", the following items cannot be utilized on board but may be brought on board for use in port, only:
Roller Blades/Skates
Snorkel Gear
Skateboards
Golf Clubs
Fishing Rods (packed)
Tennis Rackets
Kites (packed)

Miscellaneous Concerns

Scuba Gear Diving Knives: Diving knives are permitted on board. Due to security reasons, the knife will be confiscated by Shoreside Security at embarkation and turned over to the ship's Chief Security Officer. The guest will sign for the knife for diving excursions and return it to the Chief Security Officer upon returning to the ship. At the end of the cruise, the knife is returned to the guest in the cruise ship terminal.

Household Goods or Tools of Trade - These items cannot be brought on board.

Ham Radios: Due to security reasons and the possible interference with the ship's communications, ham radios are not permitted on board.

Live Animals: No guest is permitted to bring on board live animals other than qualified service animals. Permission to bring a service animal must be approved by Guest Access Services at time of booking.

Musical Instruments:For the comfort of all our guests, musical instruments can only be brought on board if the guest is performing and this performance has been pre-approved by the Group Department.

Radios/Boom Boxes: For the comfort of all our guests, radios and boom boxes can be used with headphones or ear pieces when used in public areas.

Floatation Devices: For the comfort of all our guests, rafts, tubes and floatation devices other than those used as life-preservers (water wings) cannot be used in the swimming pools on board.

Metal Detectors: Guests are not permitted to use metal detectors on board because anything found on board would "belong" to Carnival Cruise Lines. We would then try to return the item to the guest.

Wrapped Gifts: Guests may bring wrapped gifts on board; however, due to heightened security, the gift may have to be unwrapped, upon request.

VCRs/Nintendo/Play Units: These items cannot be utilized on board because of the incompatibility of the units with the stateroom televisions.

Fish Caught on Fishing Expeditions: The fish cannot be brought on board; it must be shipped home.


EDIT: I just found on Carnival's website about how much luggage we can bring. :)

Guests are encouraged to limit their checked luggage to two suitcases per person, with each suitcase not to weigh more than 50 pounds and not exceed 16"H x 24"W x 30"L. Please attach your Carnival Cruise Lines luggage tags PRIOR to leaving home and make sure that they are still on your bags when checking in with us. In many ports, guests have the option of carrying luggage on board at embarkation and off the ship at the end of the cruise as long as it does not exceed 24"W x 16"H x 30"L. This is an advantage you may want to consider as it will allow for quicker easier access to your bags. Please note that Carnival assumes no responsibility for carry-on luggage.

Alternatively, curbside porters are available at the pier to take luggage to the vessel for delivery to your stateroom by shipboard personnel. Customary tip is $1 per bag. Please be sure each piece of luggage is unlocked and has a tag listing your name and stateroom number. Curbside porters are not employees of Carnival; therefore, if you experience any problems, please report them to porter management on site. Any luggage left at the pier will be forwarded at your expense. Claims for luggage loss or damage must be made in writing to the debarkation personnel prior to leaving the pier area.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Cruise FAQ

This is taken directly from the nKoTb Cruise blog , so anything different for us will be noted in red.

Hope this is helpful. If you have a question that's not listed here, please post it in the comments and I'll add it. Past cruisers, if you see any answers that are just not right, please correct me!
  • What time should I get to the dock?
  • How do I get from the airport to the dock and back?
  • Do I need a passport?
  • Will I get seasick?
  • Can I bring drinks onboard?
  • Is there a safe in the room?
  • Is there a hair dryer in the room?
  • How do you pay for things onboard?
  • Do I have to make a photo group in advance?
  • How does the photo op work?
  • Do cell phones work?
  • How much is internet?
  • How much are drinks?
  • How does the seating work?
  • What did you spend total?
  • What excursions should I do?
  • When are roommates matched?
  • When do you find out the themes?
  • When do you get the full itinerary?
  • How much sleep did you get?
  • Should I bring my laptop?
  • Can I pack an iron?
  • Will there be a pre-party?
  • What time do you get off the boat? How early can I book my return flight?
  • When should I arrive in Miami?
  • What should I tip?
  • What about the door decorating?
  • What should I wear?
  • What are some odd things I should pack?
  • What else should I pack?

What time should I arrive at the dock?
Last year, boarding was from 12-4 p.m. However, people were lined up that morning. You'll be fine if you arrive by 2:30 or 3.

This may be different for us.

How do I get from the airport to the dock and back?
There are a few options for this. The easiest but not necessarily the cheapest way is to hop in a taxi. From Miami airport, this will set you back about $25 each way. From Ft. Lauderdale, I believe the rate is more like $70. However, if you are fitting 3-4 people in one cab, this could be the most cost effective. When you disembark at the end of the cruise, there will be a line of taxis waiting, so it doesn't require planning on either end of the trip.

Option two is to arrange a shuttle service. Last year, many BHs used SAS Transport. They charged $15 per person each way from Ft. Lauderdale. You must make reservations in advance either on their site or by calling 954-600-0240.

Option three is to book some sort of excursion (more on the Monday end) that will drop you at the airport. And there are other choices like driving or renting a car, but most people will probably choose taxi or shuttle.

Do I need a passport?
If you're not a US citizen, yes absolutely.

If you are a US citizen, not technically, but everyone (Carnival, Rose Tours, NKOTB) recommends it. If there was an emergency while you were in the Bahamas, you would not be able to fly home without a passport. If you really really don't want to get a passport, you need a certified copy of your birth certificate and your driver's license. If your name is different from your birth certificate, you may also need your marriage license (not sure).

Will I get seasick?
Maybe. I thought the boat was quite rocky, especially Sunday morning. Many people got behind the ear seasickness patches.

Anonymous tip: MythBusters tried out motion sickness remedies, including the pressure point wrist band and prescription pills. What worked hands down was the ginger capsules. No drowsy side effects, and might help with the stomachaches if you overindulge on the eating.

Can I bring drinks onboard?
Officially, when you board, you can bring one bottle (750ml) of wine or champagne, per person, only in carry-on luggage. You're also permitted a "small quantity" of non-alcoholic beverages. Unofficially, people got creative.

Is there a safe in the room?
Yes, a small one. It opens with a room key. But only one room key. That means one roommate can get in and the other can't (unless you borrow the key).

Is there a hair dryer in the room?
No, unless you are in one of the swankiest suites.

This would be different for us.

How do you pay for things onboard?
Everything is on your Sign and Sail card. You either attach it to a credit card when you board, or you pay some cash onto it and use it like a debit card. If you go over, they'll bill you and you can pay on the ship.

MDGirls: We used cash last year for the Sign and Sail Card and they not only bill you if you overspend, but if you put more on the card than you use they provide you with a check the last morning and you can cash it on the boat if need be :)

Do I have to make a photo group in advance?
No. It's tough to find each other without cell phones, so even if you do make one you may find yourself looking for replacements that morning.

How does the photo op work?
Don't think of it as a meet and greet. It is a photo op. You will file in with your group of 10, pose, snap the photo, and file out. You get a free download of the photo or you can pay $10 for a really nice hi-res version.

Do cell phones work?
They WORK but they are outrageously expensive. I heard several stories of roaming charges in the triple digits on the next statement, and that's just to have service, not for any calls. Check with your carrier. Text messages can be $0.50/each and calls can be $4.50/minute and up. (There is a phone in your stateroom that costs something like $9.99/minute.) I kept my cell phone in the safe with the battery out just to be sure I wasn't roaming.

How much is internet?
Depends on if you buy a 15-minute, 30-minute, or one-hour package. The one hour was $24. Each use was charged a minimum of 2 minutes.

How much are drinks?
$4 or $5 for a well drink or a beer. Up to $10 for a speciality drink. $2.50 for water or soda. There is an unlimited soda card you can buy for around $25.

MDGirls: They also have an alcoholic drink card similar to the soda card. I think it was $23, it was for 5 drinks. The only catch is you can only get whatever their daily specials are with it.

How does the seating work?
We don't know yet! We're hoping for some sort of assigned seating that is more particular than the eight zones for the concert last year. (The other two events were entirely GA.)

What did you spend total?
In addition to the cost of my room, I spent at least $1500 last year. That's a conservative estimate.

What excursions should I do?
My personal recommendation is not to book anything in advance. Would you really want to be hiking if Donnie suddenly decided to have a hot tub party? Play it by ear and see what you feel like doing when you get there.

nessa188: If you are flying out on Monday after 3pm, you may want to look into a Miami excursion. Hubby and I did this last year and it was a great way to pass the time. Plus, they drop you off at the airport, either MIA or FLL. We paid approx. $45 each for a guided architecture tour of South Beach. We booked the excursion on the ship.

When are roommates matched?
Rose Tours said they will match roommates after the final payments clear in mid-April.

When do you find out the themes?
Last year we got themes about a month in advance. That's also when we found out about the door decorating contest. I'm hoping we find out much earlier this year (hint).

When do you get the full itinerary?
Two weeks before sailing.

How much sleep did you get?
Very little. Of course it's up to you, but I think most people went on ~4 hours a night.

Should I bring my laptop?
Some people do to transfer photos. I did to tweet. Just keep in mind that it won't fit into the safe.

Can I pack an iron?
Iron, no. Travel steamer, yes. There are laundry facilities on board with at least a few irons/ironing boards.

Will there be a pre-party?
We don't know yet! Last year I don't think we found out till April.
@krisfitz7: Danny said in a recent video chat that he would know in the next couple weeks.

What time do you get off the boat? How early can I book my return flight?
What time you disembark depends on what deck you're on and how much you've packed. It can be as early as 8:30 a.m. Rose Tours says not to book return flights before noon (Miami) or 1 p.m. (Ft. Lauderdale).

When should I arrive in Miami?
You can arrive Friday and be fine. If you can arrive Thursday, even better. Since you don't get much sleep on the cruise, it's nice to have a lie in and relax Friday morning.

This would be different for us.

What should I tip?
You prepaid through Rose Tours for tips for dining and cabin staff. We also left a tip for our steward at the end of the trip.

This might be different for us.

What about the door decorating?
I haven't heard if this is happening again but my guess is that it will. We found out a month in advance last year. There was a theme, but it was very vague, and people did their own thing. Bring tape for the decorations, not magnets. The doors are 6'8" by 22".

What should I wear?
During the day, bathing suits/cover ups, shorts and tees, sundresses. It's very casual. For meals, as long as you're covered, you're fine. For dinner in the dining room, you can't wear bathing suits or be too disheveled. At night, dress for whatever the themes are!

What are some odd things I should pack?
Make sure to bring a power strip (there's only one outlet), a nightlight (or stub your toes at night), and a travel alarm (there's no clock). Since the bathrooms are tiny, an over the door shoe organizer is a good way to hold toiletries.

[Taken from nKoTb Cruise Blog]

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Answers to Questions!

So, I just received an email from Jeannie over at Rose Tours. :) Here are the questions asked with her answers:

1. Are any more events going to be added to the cruise? We've heard about a beach party and possible soundcheck. What about gift bags and such like the other cruises Rose Tours has done as well?

ALL Backstreet Boys Cruise Passengers will receive:

* Welcome Cocktail Party
* Concert with Backstreet Boys
* Photo Session with Backstreet Boys in small groups
* Question & Answer Session with Backstreet Boys
* Backstreet Boys Experience with all band members
* Deck Party
* Other onboard drawings for Backstreet Boys Events!
* Full Access to all of Carnival's activities and facilities!
* VIP Concierge at your service!
If any additional events are added they will be posted on the website.

2. Is a shuttle going to be provided for those staying at the Marriot w/ the special code?

No.

3. Please ask if they are SURE they have the right terminal. Talked with someone at the Port of Miami, and he was almost 99% sure that it was Terminal E for our cruise. He said Carnival does not use B or C.

Yes, at the new cruise terminal the Destiny will be docked at terminal E

4. Will a seating chart be released for the reserved seating events? Maybe if you could ask about disabled seating?

Seating information will be given to all passengers at check in.
Disabled passengers should contact christi@rosetours.com to fill out proper
documentation.

5. Finally, I have heard conflicting reports on when we can board from the Port of Miami and Rose Tours. We will most likely be driving in so I need to know when we can board.

Boarding times vary based upon when customs has cleared the vessel. It
usually is around 11:30ish.

6. Will we be receiving email updates like NKOTB cruise?

Any additional information will be posted and/or emailed as it becomes
available.

7. Can the $400 due on July 1st be made in payments or does it have to be a lump sum ON July 1st? Same question for the remaining balance due October 1st. And if we are able to make payments--would it be through Carnival or directly to Rose Tours?

Payments can be made prior to payment dates, please email
jeannie@rosetours.com the day you want your payment charged along with the
amount.

Hope all of that is helpful! :)

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Hotel Info

Amy suggested posting the hotel info for everyone, so directly from Rose Tours website:

Rose Tours has negotiated a special rate at the Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel and Marina. We recommend arriving a day prior to avoid any possible flight delays which could cause you to be delayed for your cruise.
The rate is only $119 per room per night plus 13% tax. You could also extend your stay if you desire. The rooms can accommodate up to 4 guest with 2 double beds. Rooms are limited so book now!

Amy also mentioned that you don't have to pay until you arrive, so if money is an issue right now, keep that in mind! :)

SOLD OUT!!!!!

So, the Backstreet Boys Cruise 2010 is officially SOLD OUT!! :)

As someone over at Live Daily suggested, I started a blog for us to stay updated. :) Any suggestions of what all should be included on here would be greatly appreciated! I think it would be helpful for it to contain information and such like the nKoTb Cruise blog.

I also created a Twitter account (@bsbcruise) to keep everyone in the loop.

Wait List

If you're on the wait list, please post about yourself here. As people cancel, cruisers can use this thread to find compatible roommates.

Don't forget to leave your contact information (twitter name, wait list number, etc)!

[Taken from nKoTb Cruise Blog]