Frequently Asked Questions
How many formal nights should I prepare for? There are 2 formal nights plus the formal wedding. Most men wear a suit and tie and most ladies wear a cocktail dress or evening gown. Professional photographers are available to take pictures.
What do I wear for dinner when it’s not formal night? Celebrity calls it “smart casual.” and define it as: Ladies: Skirt or pants (no holes, rips or tears) with a sweater or blouse. Gentlemen: Pants (no holes, rips or tears) with a sports shirt or sweater. Shirts must have sleeves.
Why the 8PM dinner seating? It’s just better. If you eat at the early seating you’ll have to cut short your day on the island, especially for formal nights. If you think you’ll be hungry before 8PM, grab a snack or a piece of pizza in one of the restaurants. By the way, one of the best parts of the cruise is eating dinner all together—make sure you don’t miss it.
Who am I sitting with at dinner? The cruise line will assign each person a table within our group at the 8pm seating time. After the first night, you may sit at whichever table you choose as long as it is within our group of tables. Sit at the same table or a different table every night, it's up to you.
Can I bring an iron? Nope. And they will catch you if you try. Try bringing a steamer—we use one from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. It gets used daily in our house! Click here for more info on our steamer to open in a new window.
What about cell phones? Most plans include US territories in your plan coverage. Puerto Rico, St. Croix and St Thomas all fit this category. I recommend putting your phone in airplane mode when the ship is at sea – roaming charges can be a fortune. Most ports have wifi near the dock. Also, check with your carrier about international data and text messaging plans for Dominica, Grenada, and St Kitts.
When and where should I book excursions? It’s often cheaper to book the day you arrive and NEGOTIATE a deal with a local operator. The cruise ship often charges a significant premium. On the other hand, if you want to not worry about haggling and would rather have it scheduled ahead of time, the cruise company makes it an easy experience.
Is there any room credit that will be applied to my room? Yes. As part of our group reservation, you can anticipate approximately $75 of room credit per room. That can be used for excursions, ship purchases, or tips.
Where can I rent a car in San Juan? Charlie’s has a location at the airport AND at the cruise terminal. You can pick up at one and drop off at the other for no extra charge. Click here for the Charlie Rental Car website to open in a new window.
Are there specialty restaurants? Yes, you can book in advance if you like. However, the day you arrive they often offer a 2 for 1 deal on specialty restaurants. There is an extra charge for specialty restaurants.
What’s included in the booze package? Your standard beer and booze. Upgrade to premium for an additional charge.
Any tips for first time cruisers? Bring a backpack on the islands to carry your things. Celebrity provides all the towels you could ever need, no need to bring your own. Buy your own snorkel and mask, there is lots of good off-shore snorkeling opportunities on these islands. Consider an underwater camera, and bring some zip-lock bags if you want to pack yourself some lunch on the islands. Also, carry on your electronics and bottles of wine to avoid having to go the second deck and pick up your luggage.
What do I do for lunch? Eat on the island, come back to the ship to eat for free, or bring some food from the ship. We often will pack a zip-lock bag with some meats and cheeses for a mid-day snack. Just get some extra goodies from breakfast, bring it back to your room, and pack it in your zip-lock baggies.
How much do I tip? You tip at the end of the cruise for the people who have served you. I do not recommend pre-paying your gratuities. Instead, use discretion on what you think is appropriate, and use the ship information as a general guide.
Should I book a cruise transfer? Don't purchase cruise ship transfers unless you need the peace of mind. A taxi will cost $20 and can fit 4-5 people versus the cruise transfers that cost $35 per person. There will be tons of taxis waiting outside the cruise ship terminal ready to take you to the airport.
Can I bring booze back on the ship? You are allowed 2 bottles of wine per stateroom on the first day. If you want to bring booze back from any of the islands, you will have to check it in before getting back on the ship. They will put it outside your stateroom late on the last night of the cruise. If you're planning on drinking it while on the boat, better try to smuggle it in your pants :)
How do I get my luggage off the ship? I recommend taking your own luggage off the ship. This allows you flexibility when you get off the ship, prevents you from having to wait in lines, and prevents you from having to search for your luggage on shore. If you have trouble carrying your own luggage, then follow the ship’s procedure of having your bag out the night before. Remember to pack a separate small bag with your toiletries for the next morning.
Do I need a passport? Click here for more information.