Web Services at Sea FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of clothing should I pack? Is there a dress code aboard ship?

We encourage you to wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable — shorts, slacks, sundresses, sport shirts, and so on. Because the weather in the tropics is typically very warm, clothing made of lightweight, breathable fabrics is ideal. You also may wish to bring two or three outfits for the water, since you'll be spending so much time in and around it. Footwear should include comfortable walking shoes for visits ashore and sandals or rubber-soled shoes for strolling on deck. Lastly, if you'd like to jog on deck or work out in the gymnasium, bring warm-up and workout gear.

Aboard ship the program for the day, delivered each evening to your room, will announce the suggested dinner dress for the following evening. Definitions are as follows:

• Elegantly Casual: comfortable, but T-shirts, jeans, and shorts are verboten in the dining room;

• Informal: Women, dresses and pantsuits are suggested. Men, jacket requested (but not required);

• Wizards Night: For the old sea tradition of one magical dress-to-the-nines dinner party, the cruise line requests suits for the men and cocktail attire for the women. Geek Cruises' interpretation is Wizards Night. Gentlemen, we suggest you mine your existing wardrobe for a suit (a dinner jacket is fine; a tuxedo would be extremely wizardly). Ladies, we look forward to your presence in an evening gown or colorful dress.

We respectfully ask that Geek Cruisers complement their fellow guests by observing the dress code throughout the evening.

Can the dining room accommodate special diets?
We will do all we can to accommodate any special dietary needs but we need advance notification. Any special requests, including vegetarian, fat-free, sugar-free, or salt-free, MUST be indicated on your booking form. Kosher*, gluten-free, or special medical diets must be pre-ordered a minimum of 30 days prior to sailing.

(*Kosher meals are prepared off the ship in a kosher kitchen, frozen and brought to the table sealed in their original containers. There is no Kosher kitchen on board.)

Is smoking restricted?
To satisfy the majority of the guests on board, there are designated smoking areas in the dining rooms for cigarette smoking only. Cigar and pipe smoking is allowed only in specific areas. Our ships do not have "nonsmoking" staterooms; however, all rooms are thoroughly cleaned after each cruise to assure your comfort.

What's the tipping protocol?
The cruise line charges $78 per person; this fee covers the Dining Room Waiter, Assistant Waiter, Head Waiter, Maitre D', and Cabin Steward.

How do I pay for shipboard purchases?
Forget about carrying cash; this is a "cashless society." At the beginning of your voyage simply provide the purser with your credit card number or other evidence of how you are going to settle your account. Simply sign a receipt for each of your purchases as you go along, then settle your account with one convenient transaction at the end of the cruise -- using American Express, VISA, MasterCard, Discover Card, cash, Traveler's Checque, or personal check.

Are shore excursions available?
Yes, and there are many choices in each port. To get an idea of what excursions are available (and how much they'll cost) hit the name of the port stop on the ITINERARY page — this will take you to the Holland America page listing all of their excursions for this particular port.

You will also receive a detailed booklet with your cruise ticket describing each shore excursion. Finally, several port lectures will be held during the course of your cruise to help you plan your activities ashore. Shore excursions are sold aboard ship and may not be booked in advance. Due to their popularity, we suggest you contact the Shore Excursion Office early in the cruise.

Do I need to carry a passport?
No, but you must prove citizenship — so, a birth certificate (with photo ID) is necessary if you don't have a passport. However, it's a good idea when traveling abroad to carry a passport and we suggest you have one. There are several companies that can assist you in getting a passport within a week (since the normal channels can take up to six weeks); let us know if you need help here.

How will we know what is going on?
Each evening, your room steward will deliver to your stateroom the ship's program of on-board activities available the next day. You will also receive a daily Geek Cruises program of events. Chances are you'll have a hard time choosing since so many different activities are offered each hour.

On board, what Net connections will be available?
Carnival has equipped its ships for Internet connectivity. Called the "Internet Cafe," this room (which is open 24 hours a day) has six to 12 PCs with realtime browser access to the Internet.

Plus, if you bring your laptop, and it's equipped with a wireless card, you should have no problem logging into the internet from your own laptop!

What if I forget my toothbrush?
Carnival's Tradition of Excellence means providing guests with every convenience, evident in the wonderful gift and luxury items in their duty-free shops. And if you forget to pack something, their on-board shops are well-stocked with all the essentials — from suntan lotion and toiletries to books, magazines, and film. All purchases on board are assessed in U.S. dollars.

What if I need to call home?
You will have access to both outgoing and incoming calls through the on-board satellite communication telephones. Your documentation packet will contain detailed information, including the phone number for your ship at each specific location.

Will I get seasick?
Probably not. All Carnival ships are equipped with stabilizing "fins" that counteract more than 80 percent of the roll of a ship, so motion sickness, which used to be a problem on the high seas, is now relatively uncommon. However, the cruise line also dispenses motion sickness pills, at the front desk, for free, to anyone in need.

Will my PC work aboard ship?
Each stateroom is equipped with 110-volt, 60-cycle alternating current. So most hair dryers, electric shavers, portable computers, and other small appliances not exceeding 500 watts (110 volts) may be used in the stateroom outlets. Having said that, many staterooms have only one outlet, so we suggest you bring a power strip!

My significant other is doubtful about cruising with a ship full of geeks, but I want him/her to come along with me.

First of all, request our new Great Vacation brochure — this brochure should convince any significant other.

The ship holds about 2,000 people and only about 300 of that number will be Geek Cruisers, including their non-geek spouses, friends, and family members. So, actually, it's the geeks who will be in the minority. Your spouse will have plenty of company.

Is there separate pricing for non-geek spouses?
Yes. Anyone who is not planning to attend our seminars will not have to pay the conference fee. Cruise rates, however, are the same for all passengers based on double occupancy. Cruise rates are available on our CABIN CONFIGURATIONS page, which shows per-person pricing by cabin category.

Are there activities scheduled for non-geek participants while we geeks are in classes?
Geek Cruises does offer an occasional activity for non-geeks. In addition, Carnival Cruise Lines provides constant activities on board the ship. During our seminars, non-geeks can swim, lounge, play in the game room, indulge themselves at the spa, watch movies, go shopping, work out, play shuffle board, and much, much more. Carnival also offers children's programs for kids 2-17, so there's plenty for everyone to do.

Are there any special accomodations made for children? Oh yes! Tons of accommodations!

For wee little ones, Carnival can provide diapers, formula, baby food, and crib. Other things you think you'll need can be provided by Carnival, too (it's for this reason they charge $499 per child under 2 years of age).

And, for about $7/hr., one can get babysitters — just about anytime (as the off-duty staff does the sitting).

For kids 2 and up, Carnival has an entire program for children.

How much time do I need to allow for embarking and disembarking? For arrivals and departures in all ports of (dis)embarkation, it is recommended that if you haven't purchased Carnival's Fly-Cruise and Tour Plan you need to allow three (3) hours for transfer between the local airport and the pier.

When may I embark the ship? Carnival cruise ships depart at 4:00 pm. Embarkation commences at 3:00 pm. Guests are requested to be on board at least one hour prior to sailing time.