A1. Cruise fares include the selected accommodations for 5 nights, applicable taxes & fees as of the date of booking (subject to change), standard shipboard service gratuities as of the date of booking (subject to change), breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main dining areas, some beverages (coffee, tea, lemonade iced tea throughout the ship), and most onboard entertainment and activities. Also included will be all planned wedding events, including receptions, parties, and the wedding dinner.

A2. Air transportation, transfers to and from the ship, optional travel insurance, parking, shore excursions (tours), specialty dining, spa/salon services, photographs, gift shop, some beverages (e.g., sodas, bottled water, alcohol – except for wedding events), medical services and items a personal nature (e.g., laundry, telephone calls, Internet access, etc.) are not included in the cruise fare.

A3. Proper travel documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise and is the responsibility of the guest. Any guest traveling without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued. Royal Caribbean strongly recommends all travelers have a government issued passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the cruise in case an emergency requires you to leave the cruise before the end. For further information regarding passports, see the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s website at http://www.cbp.gov.

For additional information visit:
U.S. Immigration - Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services
Phone: 1-800-375-5283
http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/greencard_renewal.html

Indian Passport: Please note those with Indian passports who are permanent residents of the US can travel using their green card with their Indian Passport. And those with Indian passports only must have an entry visa for Bermuda.

A4. There are no baggage limitations for the ship. For those flying in the airlines generally limit either the number of bags or total baggage weight you can bring aboard the plane. The airlines also impose a limit on the number of items you carry-on the plane with you (generally two items such as a laptop computer or carry-on bag plus one personal item such as a purse or small briefcase). You should check with the applicable airline for any limitations or fees for excess baggage.

A5. Your credit card information is sent directly to Royal Caribbean in a secured format via their Cruising Power web platform. Once final payment is made, Landry & Kling destroys the information and neither Royal Caribbean nor Landry & Kling keep your information on file.

A6. You will receive your cruise e-documents and stateroom details approximately 3 to 4 weeks prior to sailing after final payment has been received. You will receive specific instructions on how to log on to the cruise website to sign up for shore excursions, spa appointments and specialty restaurant reservations at that time.

A7. Guests are responsible to ensure that they are eligible to sail according to Royal Caribbean’s requirements, including but not limited to the following:  Infants must be at least 6 months old on the day of departure.  Women must be less than 24 weeks into their pregnancy on the day of departure and for the duration of the cruise. This policy is due to the risk of premature labor. Pregnant women must have a letter signed by their doctor (on the physician’s letterhead) stating how far along in weeks their pregnancy will be at the beginning of the cruise, that mother and baby are in good health and fit to travel, and that the pregnancy is not considered high-risk.
Adults must be 21 or older unless the guest is traveling in the same stateroom with an individual 25 years or older; or traveling in the same stateroom with a spouse (proof of age and/or proof of marriage are required)
Guests not meeting the cruise line’s requirements will be denied boarding, and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued. These policies are set by the cruise line, and no exceptions are allowed.

A8. Detailed instructions about clearing customs will be provided onboard ship near the end of your cruise. Below are some general guidelines to keep in mind as you shop in foreign ports.
Keep receipts for gifts and purchases. U.S. residents visiting foreign ports have a duty-free allowance of $400 and those 21 years or older may include one liter of liquor.

A9. Shipboard attire ranges from casual to formal. Casual (resort-style attire) is appropriate for daytime onboard or ashore. Shorts, jeans, t-shirts, slacks, trousers, casual skirts, blouses and sundresses are all perfect during the day, whether indoors or out. Low heeled comfortable shoes (such as sandals or sneakers) are recommended for walking around the ship and shore excursions. Guests are asked not to wear bathing suites in the restaurants and lounges at any time. You will need some casual shorts and a couple of t-shirts or a cover-up for getting to and from the pool areas. Shorts and t-shirts are not appropriate after 6:00pm in any of the restaurants onboard (except the Windjammer Café).

A10. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the ship’s main dining rooms located on decks 3, 4 & 5 as well as in the more casual Windjammer Marketplace Café on Deck 11. Food is also served throughout the day in the Promenade Café on Deck 5, Johnny Rockets on Deck 12 (minimal surcharge applies) and in the ship’s Specialty Dining Restaurant Portofino on Deck 11 (reservations required; surcharge applies). Please note, the wedding party and guests have been confirmed for late dining at 8:30pm in the Main Dining Room for the duration of the cruise. However you are free to dine at any of the other venues the ship offers except on Sunday, May 18th and Monday, May 19th which are part of the wedding festivities. Dining options and serving times are reflected in the ship’s onboard daily program.

A11. All double occupancy staterooms have two twin beds, which can be converted to one queen bed. Please note your preference when you register for the cruise.

A12. There are a limited number of staterooms that accommodate up to 4 adults in a room. There is a reduced cost for the 3rd or 4th guest sharing a room with 2 full fare paying adults. That cost can be found on the registration page.

A13. We strongly recommend that you register any valuables you will be bringing with you on your trip with Customs before leaving home. If you cannot prove that you owned an item prior to departure, Customs Officials may charge you duty upon your return to the United States. This should be done well in advance of travel at a Customs office near your home. Items that should be registered generally include expensive cameras (including special lenses and video equipment), binoculars, laptop computers, etc.). Customs officials will not be available at the ship during check in to register any valuables.

A14. Royal Caribbean can accommodate special diets onboard. In general, Royal Caribbean includes vegetarian options in their menus and on their buffets, but if you have other dietary needs, like vegan, diabetic, low fat, low sodium, low cholesterol, kosher meals, gluten free, lactose free, it’s best to note you special dietary needs in the Notes section of your reservation. All special diets have been created in consultation with a dietary specialist, and are generally offered in the main dining room only.

A15. A select room service menu is available to all guests on a complimentary basis. Please note a nominal fee applies between midnight and 5:00 am.

A16. You can purchase shore and land excursions on the RCI website once you receive your booking number for the cruise (approximately 3 to 5 weeks prior to the sailing date).

A17. Yes. Spa treatments can be booked in advanced on-line as well as onboard the ship. If you plan to book on-line prior to boarding the ship, you will be required to pay in advance with a major credit card.

A18. Yes, you can access the Internet for a fee in the Internet Café onboard the ship or by using your own laptop and registering for a wireless account. Please visit the Internet Café once onboard for a comprehensive list of fees associated with Internet access while onboard.

A19. You should contact your cell phone provider regarding roaming rates for Bermuda. While sailing, Cellular at Sea is available to make and receive calls if you have international roaming capabilities on your cell phone – this can be very expensive to use. Once onboard, inquire about rates for Cellular at Sea service.

A20. You can rest easy knowing your family and friends can reach you 24 hours a day via Satellite Service. Before departing for your cruise, leave the following information with anyone needing to reach you: Guests can be contacted on board the Explorer of the Seas by calling (with a credit card):
From the United States: 1-888-724-7447;
from outside the United States dial: 1-732-335-3285.
Callers should have the ship name and the name of the party they are contacting before calling. To specify the ship, please press the first 5 letters of the ship name which is EXPLO for the Explorer of the Seas. Callers using one of the above numbers will be transferred directly to the guest's stateroom. If the guest they are trying to reach is not in the stateroom, they can leave a voice mail message.
Please note that rates apply and are billed at $7.95 per minute. Maritime Tele-Communication Network accepts Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Discover, and Diners Club. Calls are limited to 10 minutes per call.
Ship to Shore Rates You can also make calls from the ship using the Ship-to-Shore telephone service, which range in cost starting from $7.95 per minute (subject to change). Telephones are available in all staterooms for outside calls.

A21. Yes, there is laundry, dry cleaning and pressing service available for a fee.

A22. Yes!

A23. Cabins do not have irons or ironing boards, however there is a full laundry and dry-cleaning service available onboard for a reasonable rate. Please also note that irons are strictly prohibited onboard the ship for fire safety. If you choose to bring one with you, it will be confiscated from your luggage before sailing.

A24. Yes.

A25. Onboard the Explorer of the Seas, current is 110/220 AC, and all staterooms can accommodate electric razors and hair dryers. *Note: hair dryers are a standard feature in the staterooms - so you do not necessarily need to bring one.

A26. Yes. There is a medical facility onboard staffed by a Doctor and a registered nurse. The medical staff is there to take care of minor medical situations that may arise during the cruise. If you have any pre-existing conditions that may require medical attention during the cruise, please note the condition on the registration form. Please be advised, there is a nominal fee for doctor visits onboard. This will be charged to your individual onboard account.

A27. All passengers must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel, and that such traveling will not endanger themselves or others. Any condition requiring medical treatment/attention must be reported in writing to Landry & Kling at least six (6) weeks prior to cruise departure for submission to the cruise line.

A28. Any special needs must be indicated in the Special Requests section of the online registration and will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. While there is no guaranty that all special needs/requests can be accommodated, we will make best efforts to accommodate the need or provide an alternative if possible.

A29. Gratuities are included with the price of the cruise fare (which includes cabin steward, dining room waiter, assistant waiter and head waiter). If an employee has gone above and beyond to assist you, you are more than welcome to provide an additional gratuity to the employee.

A30. The cruise ship operates on a cashless system. Guests can validate their SeaPass card with their Visa, MasterCard, Novus, or American Express card, or sign for payment by cash or traveler's check. Guests can then sign all on-board services and purchases to their account. At the end of the cruise, guests will receive a completely itemized statement.
Royal Caribbean does not accept personal checks, and only U.S. currency is accepted aboard the ships. There is an ATM located onboard the ship.

A31. Yes, there is a fitness center, which is open 24 hours a day and complimentary to all guests.

A32. While subject to change at any time prior to sailing, following is Royal Caribbean’s current policy regarding personal beverages. Guests are not allowed to bring beer, hard liquor or non-alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Guests over the age of 21 may bring personal wine onboard only on boarding day and are limited to two (2) 750 ml bottles per stateroom. When consumed in any public area, each bottle shall be subject to a corkage fee of $25.00. Additional bottles of wine beyond the two (2) bottles that are brought onboard or any alcoholic beverages purchased in ports of call or from Shops On Board will be stored by the ship and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the sailing. Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will not be returned.
Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage, etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Guests who violate any alcohol policies (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and/or luggage check points or any other time) may be removed from the ship or not allowed to board, at their own expense, in accordance with the cruise line’s Guest Conduct Policy. Guests who are under the permitted drinking age will not have alcohol returned to them.

A33. Most areas on Royal Caribbean ships are non-smoking; however, there are designated public and private areas on the ship where smoking is allowed.

A34.Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is the closest airport 7.5 miles (approximately 15 minutes) from Cape Liberty.

A35.From the North Take the New Jersey Turnpike/I-95 South to Exit 14A - Bayonne. From Exit 14A Follow the signs for Route 440 South. Proceed 1 1/2 miles and make a left into the Bayonne Ocean Terminal. The cruise terminal is two miles straight ahead. From the South Take the New Jersey Turnpike/I-95 North to Exit 14A - Bayonne. Follow directions above from Exit 14A. From the West, via I-80 Take I-80 East to I-95 South to the New Jersey Turnpike. Take the turnpike south to Exit 14A- Bayonne. Follow directions above from Exit 14A. From the West, via I-78 Take I-78 East directly to the New Jersey Turnpike. Take the turnpike east to Exit 14A- Bayonne. Follow directions above from Exit 14A. From the East/Staten Island/Long Island Take the Verrazano Narrows Bridge into Staten Island. Take I-278 West to Route 440 North to and over the Bayonne Bridge. Continue on Route 440 North approximately 3 miles. Make a right into the Bayonne Ocean Terminal. The cruise terminal is 2 miles straight ahead. From NYC, via The Lincoln Tunnel Take the Lincoln Tunnel to New Jersey. Follow I-495 West to the New Jersey Turnpike/I-95. Take the turnpike south to Exit 14A - Bayonne. Follow directions above from Exit 14A. From NYC, via The Holland Tunnel Take the Holland Tunnel to New Jersey. Take the New Jersey Turnpike west to Exit 14A - Bayonne. Follow directions above from Exit 14A. From The Bronx/Connecticut/New England Proceed to and across the George Washington Bridge. Follow signs for the New Jersey Turnpike/I-95 South. Take the turnpike south to Exit 14A - Bayonne. Follow directions above from Exit 14A. From Westchester County Take I-684 South to I-287 West to I-87 South. Follow signs to and over the George Washington Bridge. Follow signs for the New Jersey Turnpike/I-95 South. Take the turnpike south to Exit 14A - Bayonne. Follow directions above from Exit 14A. From Rockland County Take the Palisades Parkway South to I-80 West. Follow signs for the New JerseyTurnpike/I-95 South. Continue to Exit 14A (Bayonne). Take the turnpike south to Exit 14A - Bayonne. Follow directions above from Exit 14A.

A36. A safe, secured parking facility, operated by Central Parking, is conveniently located adjacent to the cruise terminal. Parking fees are $19 per day including state and local sales tax. Cash, travelers cheques and major credit cards are accepted. No reservations are necessary.

A37. Guests should arrive at the pier at least two hours prior to their departure time. If you do not complete the cruise line’s online registration in advance as requested, you will need to allow additional time (more than two hours) to complete the registration process at the pier.

A38. The ship has to be cleared by the US Customs and Border Protection Agency before guests can begin boarding, which can be as early as 11:30am. Please note, however, that staterooms will not be available until approximately 2:00pm.

A39. Customs allowance for U.S. Citizens and Residents: Regulations allow $800 worth of merchandise per person duty-free to be brought into the United States, based on the fair retail value of the merchandise. One carton of cigarettes (18 years of age and over) and one liter of alcohol per person (21 years of age and over)may be included in the $800 exemption. Guests should keep their receipts as proof of purchase and for filling out their Customs Declaration Form upon re-entering the United States. Cuban cigars and items made from goat skin, tortoise shell, or made from endangered species are not allowed into the United States. Guests who exceed their exemptions in merchandise, liquor or cigarettes or are carrying monies in excess of US $10,000.00 must present themselves to a U.S. Customs Inspector upon arrival into the United States to pay appropriate taxes.