What is included in my trip?
- 5-Night Western Caribbean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas
- Stateroom accommodation (double occupancy)
- All onboard meals, activities and entertainment
- Port taxes
- Government fees
- Pre-paid gratuities for ship staff
- (1-Hour) Welcome cocktail reception with hot and cold canapés
- $50 Shipboard credit per stateroom
Note: Air travel is not included. All other incidentals are at each participant's expense and a credit card must be presented upon check-in at pier prior to sailing.
What if I need to change the name or any other information of a registered trip participant?
When you register, please ensure that all information is accurate and reflects the exact information on your passport and/or travel documents. Once you have registered online, any subsequent changes may incur a cost to the participant. Please contact Cruise Dreams directly at 1.877.999.4533 if any changes to your reservation are required.
How do I register an additional trip participant to my room?
You can add an additional participant to your room by logging back into your online account:
1. Visit https://www.cruisedreamsgroups.com/coffeenewscruise2017
2. Log into your account by clicking the ‘Already Registered’ tab
3. Click on 'My Guests'
4. Click on ‘Add Additional Guest' button
5. Follow all the prompts to complete the guest registration
Note: A maximum of (4) guests will be permitted in each room.
What travel documents should I bring with me?
You should bring all appropriate travel documents and travel identification with you to the airport and cruise pier. All travel documents will be sent to you prior to your trip.
Note: Please review travel documents to ensure all booking details are accurate. Name(s) must appear exactly as shown on all of your travel identification documents. If you find any errors please contact us immediately so that we can rectify and eliminate any trip interruptions. In the event of a different name on the cruise/airline ticket and the guest’s travel identification as a result of a marriage, divorce or a legal name change, documentation supporting this change is required, such as a marriage certificate or legal name change court document. Failure to bring documentation bridging the name differences could result in denial of boarding.
What travel identification is required?
All participants are required to have a valid passport, and it must be presented upon check-in at the airport. Your passport must be valid at least six months beyond the completion date of the trip. Anyone traveling without a valid passport will be denied boarding at the airport by the airlines. Passport information must be submitted by the deadline in order to receive your final travel documents! Please remember that all travel documents must be under the same name as stated on your passport.
What is the luggage requirement?
Luggage restrictions are changing quite often. Once your air is ticketed our air department will have all rules noted on your e-ticket. We suggest going online 24 hours prior to travel to be sure no changes have been made to each airline's luggage restrictions. This will give you the latest most up to date requirements.
What time should I arrive at the airport?
Due to increased security procedures, typically international travel requires you to be at the airport approximately 2.5 hours in advance. Airline reserves the right to deny boarding and cancel seat if not checked in on international flights within 60 minutes of flight.
What if I am a frequent flyer with the airline?
Please bring your frequent flyer card to the airport and present it at check-in on the departure and return flights.
How long does it take to receive my baggage once onboard the ship?
For the first day of your cruise we suggest you pack a small carry-on bag with your travel documents, a change of clothes, bathing suit, workout clothes, and any medications you may need. Then you don't have to wait for your checked bags to arrive in your stateroom.
What is the dress code onboard the cruise ship?
Daytime Attire: Shorts, t-shirts, slacks, trousers, casual skirts, blouses and sundresses are all perfect during the day, whether indoors or out.
For lounging by the pool, pack two bathing suits (an extra suit in case the other is wet) and a pair of casual shoes (e.g., flip-flops, sandals, sneakers). You'll also need some casual shorts and a couple of t-shirts or a cover-up for getting to and from the pool areas.
If you're planning to visit our onboard fitness center, be sure to bring extra shorts, t-shirts and socks that you won't mind working out in - plus a pair of tennis or running shoes/sneakers.
Dinner Attire: The dress attire for evening is smart casual.
Smart casual for ladies: Sundress, skirt or pants (no holes, rips or tears) with a blouse.
Smart Casual for men: Pants (no holes, rips or tears) with a collared shirt.
There will also be (1) Formal night:
Formal Attire: Ladies: Cocktail dress or pantsuit. Gentlemen: Suit (black tie is optional)
What is the smoking policy onboard the cruise ship?
For the comfort and enjoyment of their guests, their ships are designated as non-smoking; however, they recognize that some of their guests do smoke. Therefore, to provide an onboard environment that also satisfies smokers, they have designated certain areas of the ship as smoking areas.
Cigarette, cigar, e-cigarette and pipe smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas of the starboard side of all ships; with the exception of Oasis-class ships that will allow smoking on the port side of the ships. To assist in locating areas where smoking is permitted, guests will find visible signage posted within all smoking areas and ashtrays that are provided for use. Outdoor areas near restricted areas, food venues, and kids play areas and pools will not allow smoking. On Oasis class, smoking is not permitted in Central Park or the Boardwalk neighborhoods.
Casino Royale allows smoking and has a designated area for non-smoking guests. There will be visible signage indicating the non-smoking area in the casino. There are select cruises departing from China that will not have a non-smoking area in the casino.
Onboard all interior public spaces are smoke free*. Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, theater, bar, lounge, hallway, elevator, and jogging track.
Smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom and any stateroom balcony. This applies to all stateroom categories onboard. If a guest is in violation of this stateroom policy, a cleaning fee of $250 USD will be applied to their SeaPass® account and may be subject to further action pursuant to the "Consequences Section" of the Guest Conduct Policy.
Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard. Cigar and pipe tobacco is limited to designated outdoor areas and Cigar Bars**. You must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess or use tobacco onboard.
Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are only permitted within the designated smoking areas.
Royal Caribbean International kindly asks all guests to please observe the smoking policy. These requests are made to provide a comfortable cruise for everyone. Guest may also inquire at Guest Services for the location of the designated smoking areas onboard.
Guests who violate this smoking policy may be subject to further action pursuant to the "Consequences Section" of this Guest Conduct Policy.
Royal Caribbean updated the smoking policy September 2013 and the above policy is in enforcement on all ships with cruises departing on or after January 1, 2014.
What items are not allowed onboard the cruise ship?
Weapons, illegal drugs, and other items that could interfere with the safe operation of the ship or the safe and secure environment of our guests and crew are prohibited. The following are examples of items that guests are not allowed to bring onboard. These and other similar items will be confiscated upon being found. Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, flammable liquids, explosives, and dangerous chemicals will not be returned.
Prohibited items:
- Firearms & ammunition, including realistic replicas.
- Sharp objects, including all knives and scissors. (Note: Personal grooming items such as safety razors are allowed. scissors with blade length less than 4 inches are allowed.)
- Candles, incense, coffee makers, clothes irons, travel seamers & hot plates. (Items that generate heat or produce an open flame. This includes heating pads, clothing irons, hotplates, candles, incense and any other item that may create a fire hazard. The only exception to this policy are curling irons and hair straighteners. Matches and normal lighters are allowed onboard. However "torch lighters" and novelty lighters that look like guns are not allowed onboard. Torch lighters emit a powerful concentrated flame, and therefore are prohibited.
- Baseball bats, hockey sticks, cricket bats, bows & arrows
- Illegal drugs
- Skateboards & surfboards
- Aerial drones
- Martial arts gear
- Self-defense gear, including handcuffs, pepper spray, night sticks.
- Flammable liquids and explosives, including lighter fluid and fireworks.
- Hookahs & water hookah pipes.
- HAM radios
- Electrical extension cords
- Dangerous chemicals, including bleach and paint.
- Alcoholic beverages (Note: Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports-of-call or from shops onboard will be stored by the ship and delivered to you on the last day of the sailing. Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will not be returned.)
Are there computers on the cruise that I can use?
Grab a latte and drop by the internet café to use their computer workstations – browse the web, check email and stocks, and chat with friends. Per minute rate applies.
Is Wi-Fi available on the cruise?
Check your email. Surf the web. Stay in touch. Bring your laptop onboard and enjoy 24/7 internet connectivity throughout the ship. Per minute rate applies.
Can I use my cell phone on the cruise?
Royal Caribbean has an advanced roaming network available on all ships, allowing you to place and receive calls, voice mail, text messages and GPRS data using your own cell phone. Per minute rate applies; carrier rates may apply. Check with your carrier prior to departure.
Is there a phone in my stateroom?
Yes, call land-based friends and have a chat in the privacy of your own room. Long distance charges apply.