As we are writing this letter we have a few short months until the wedding. We hope that you are just as excited about the trip as we are, and want you to understand how much we appreciate you sharing this day with us! Here are a few important tips/reminders!
Important Dates
April 9, 2017 Booking for Radisson Resort at the Port
April 12, 2017 Final Payment Carnival Cruise Line (for those booked)
May 1, 2017 Last day for RSVP’s (unlike other weddings we need these for you to get onto the ship! You will not be able to board early without being on our guest list.)
Important Changes!!!
Our ship has changed to the Carnival Liberty. It is a sister ship to the Valor(our original ship). If you were already booked you don’t need to do anything, your room will change automatically. The order of our stops changed, as well. Currently it is June 11th wedding/boarding, June 12th Fun day at Sea, June 13th Nassau, The Bahamas, June 14th Freeport (Les’s birthday!), The Bahamas, and June 15th disembark.
All Guests
Transportation from Orlando Airport to Cape Canaveral:
Uber: around $94+ one way
Taxi: $115 one way
Hotel Shuttle Bus: $33 one person, $50 two people, one way. Call (321) 868-6576 at least 24 hours before travel to schedule
Airport Shuttle Bus: $35 one way - $70 round trip per person
Town car Service: around $100 one way - $200 round trip
Rental Car: price varies - free parking at the hotel with hotel booking.
Wedding Morning Breakfast: Sunday, June 11, 2017 - Coffee/juice, fresh fruit and breakfast buffet will be available from 7:30-9:00am in the Jamaica Room at the Radisson Resort at the Port. Make sure you eat and stay hydrated. You will not be eating again until the reception at approximately 1:15pm.
Wedding Attire: All guests and members of the wedding party will need to be dressed and ready by 9:30 the morning of the wedding. The bride and groom are the only people who can get dressed on the ship. Remember, your rooms will NOT be ready when we board (unless you booked a suite). Keep this in mind when planning your attire for the day. We suggest bringing swim/lounge attire in a carry on for after the wedding. We’re calling the attire for the wedding beach fancy.
Identification: You must have either: Valid Passport - or - Government issued photo ID & Certified Birth Certificate (the kind you order directly from your county of birth). This applies to adults and children, sailing or non-sailing. NO PHOTO COPIES
Ceremony and Reception: The ceremony will begin at approximately 12:45pm. The celebration will continue immediately afterwards with a reception featuring delicious food, cake, open bar, and dancing!
Sailing Guests
Online Cruise Check-in: With your personal information and booking number you will create an account at www.carnival.com under “Manage” then select “My Booking”. Here you will need to complete the following actions:
Online Check-In - Guest information, Onboard Expense Account, Ticket Contract
Print Cruise Documents - Boarding pass and luggage tags (you and your cabin-mates can print an “all in one” boarding pass so you can check in at the same time at the port)
Kids club sign up is online as well. There will be a short informative meeting the first day
Luggage: Fold your luggage tags and staple them around the handles of your luggage. You will leave these bags with the porters and they will be delivered to your room during the afternoon. (remember a few dollars in cash for tipping) Luggage locks are recommended. Make sure you keep all important items, especially medications, with you at all times in your purse or small carry-on.
We are wearing our wedding attire to dinner the first night (We’d recommend bringing something to change into after the wedding, and then change back into your nice clothes for dinner). Pack nice clothes for dinner on the 2nd night since this is the “cruise elegant” evening. There are a lot of photo set-ups available on this night if you’d like to have a nice picture taken. The 3rd and 4th night of the cruise is considered “cruise casual”.
Mandatory Lifeboat Drill (Muster Drill): After the reception you will locate your muster station (found on your sail and sign card) for the lifeboat drill. Crew members will be ready to assist you in finding your station. Sail-away party is located on the Lido Deck after the muster drill!
On Board Spending (Sail and Sign Card): When you check in at the port you will be given your sail and sign card. This card acts as your room key, charge card, and gets you on and off the ship while docked in Nassau. The only place cash is accepted on the ship is in the casino. You may want to bring cash for spending money in Nassau (US dollars are accepted everywhere). Keep cash and other important documents locked in the safe in your room while not in use.
Gratuities: If you didn’t opt to pay this in advance please note they will be billed to your account on board. Each guest (not cabin) will be charged per day. These tips are for your room steward and your dining wait staff. Gratuity for bar staff is included at time of purchase and is a standard 18%. If you experience an employee going above and beyond please feel free to tip an additional amount at your discretion.
Beverage Packages: If you plan to get a beverage package this can only be added on the first day of the cruise or pre cruise online (at a discount). These are sold at most bars and at a registration table on the Lido Deck. You do not have to get a beverage package. Drinks can be purchased individually. Check the prices and decide what is best for you!
Social Media: Please take photos of our event to share with our family and friends who could not be here. Roaming charges should not be incurred while in US port. Carnival has a social media package available so that you can access Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, etc for a flat fee of around $25 for the duration of the cruise.
Bringing beverages on board: Carnival permits each guest over the age of 21 to bring 1 bottle (750ml or less) of either wine or champagne (must be unopened with seal intact). This must be carried on. If you store it in your luggage it will be confiscated. You may also bring cases of soda/water/etc as long as they are in original packaging. Bringing beer and/or liquor on board in your luggage is strictly prohibited. We suggest purchasing water bottles through Carnival that are delivered to your room the first day or bringing a refillable water bottle. There is filtered water on the Lido deck you can refill your bottle with.
Dinner: All cruise guests have been linked to our reservation so we are all sitting at a series of large tables. Dinner is at 8:15, please be on time as it slows down the service if you are late for the hardworking dining staff.
Shore Excursions: Nassau and Freeport are beautiful with lots of fun things to do. Some choose to spend the day relaxing on the ship – it’s your call! You can check out shore excursions through Carnival or spend some time on TripAdvisor and plan something on your own. We are getting day passes to the Hilton British Colonial in Nassau through resortforaday.com, you can also book through the hotel. Freeport we are still researching what to do!
As always, if you need help or have questions about anything, feel free to call, text, or email us at 530-321-2913, erinelizabethlam@yahoo.com, and/or leskcourtemanche@gmail.com. We want everyone to enjoy their vacation, and we cannot wait to celebrate with all of you!
Love,
Erin and Les |