Who do I contact for additional information about the Nail Those Profits (NTP) Cruise Conference?
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For more information regarding the NTP Cruise Conferences, contact the travel professionals at SHIP
TO SHORE, INC. Travel & Events at 800-809-6623.
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What is included in the cost of my cruise? Do I pay separately for my shipboard seminar?
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All of your meals (including 24-hour room service and midnight buffets), accommodations, shipboard entertainment, taxes, and shipboard gratuities are included in the cost of your cruise.
As an NTP participant, you are also entitled to a private cocktail party, customized gifts, unlimited networking/career-building opportunities, lively shipboard sessions, and over
$250 of salon products when you book through SHIP
TO SHORE and pay a nominal NTP seminar fee. Guests of NTP participants, who will not be attending the shipboard sessions, are not required to pay the seminar fee.
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Should I book my airfare through SHIP
TO SHORE or on my own?
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The advantages of booking air through the cruise lines are that (1) transfers to/from the airport and the pier are included, (2) cruise lines know your flight and take responsibility for late arrivals (even if the delay causes you to miss the ship), (3) baggage may be easier, and (4) it is easier make reservations. The disadvantages to booking air through the cruise line are that (1) you cannot choose your flight schedules and some schedules may not be convenient, (2) major carriers are used, however you can not choose the airline, (3) frequent flyer points cannot be used for upgrades, (4) seats cannot be assigned until 30 days prior to your departure date. Requests for air schedule changes are possible, but will result in a non-refundable air deviation fee of $35-$55 per person. In addition, the change of date or time may result in an airfare increase.
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What happens if I cancel my cruise?
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All cruise lines have cancellation penalties estimated on when you cancel; the closer to your departure date the higher your penalty. Cancellation penalties are the amount not refunded if you cancel your cruise. Each cruise line has these penalties listed on your cruise registration form. Please read these carefully.
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Do I need cancellation and medical insurance? Are medical services available on the ship?
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We highly recommend the purchase of travel cancellation/medical insurance. With your confirmation/invoice from SHIP
TO SHORE, you will receive a specific quote for this coverage. For your information, cancellation insurance protects you if you are forced to cancel your cruise for unexpected medical reasons (for yourself, an immediate family member, or your traveling companion). The medical insurance covers you should an illness or accident occur during your cruise (since most individual medical insurance policies do not cover you while outside of the United States). Trip delay and baggage damage provisions are also included.
The ships for our cruise conferences have a staffed medical facility to handle most emergencies. Please inform SHIP
TO SHORE if you suffer from a medical condition so we can confirm that the ship can meet your needs.
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How do I pay for shipboard expenses? Do I need to bring foreign money?
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Your ship accepts credit cards, cash and travelers checks for additional expenses such as alcohol, shore excursions, gift shop purchases and spa services. The ship is "cashless". An imprint of your credit card (or a cash deposit) is taken at the beginning of your cruise. The last night of your cruise, you will receive a bill detailing any incremental charges. If you are using a credit card your charges will be automatically billed to your card. If you are paying in cash, you must clear your account at the end of the cruise.
Your Caribbean ports-of-call almost always accept US dollars (credit cards are usually accepted as well. Gratuities for your dining room staff (waiter, bus boy, head waiter, maitre'd) and room steward have been included in your cruise package. Other personnel, such as bar waiters, bellboys and deck stewards, may be tipped as service is rendered; although there is a 15% gratuity automatically added to all bar tabs.
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What clothing will I need for the cruise?
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Cruise clothes are simply resort clothes. You'll need the same basic clothes that you wear at home when casual during the day, and enjoying cocktails/dinner in the evening. A detailed packing list will be included with your SHIP
TO SHORE confirmation/invoice. The ship offers dry cleaning services and self-serve laundry facilities (and even tuxedo
rentals for men & women).
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What about three or four people in a room? What about handicapped rooms?
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Triple and quad occupancy cabins are subject to availability, and require a deposit for each person in the cabin. Triple and quad cabin rates are for third and fourth passengers in the cabin traveling with two full-fare paying passengers.
Handicapped cabins are also subject to availability, and are very limited in number. These cabins are usually reserved by individuals who are confined to a wheelchair.
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When do I receive my cruise documents?
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You will receive your cruise documents approximately two weeks prior to your sail date. At this time, you will also receive literature on your ports-of-call, detailed cruise agenda, and rules/regulations for any shipboard competitions. Your final cruise documents will be sent by UPS to the street address on your confirmation/invoice (P.O. boxes are not acceptable). Upon receipt of your deposit, SHIP
TO SHORE will also send you a confirmation/invoice which will detail your reservation and specify your balance due.
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What do I need for identification? Do I need a
passport?
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You must have proper identification in order to board the ship.
U.S. and Canadian Citizens
U.S. and Canadian Citizens need a current passport or an original/or certified (raised state seal) copy of your birth certificate; plus photo identification (like a driver's license). If you do not have a certified copy of your birth certificate, you can apply to the State Department of Vital Statistics from the state you were born.
Non-U.S. Citizens
Non-U.S. Citizens who are residing in the United States are required to travel with their Alien Registration Card (Green Card) and valid passports.
Non-U.S. Citizens who do not reside in the United States must have valid passports and necessary visas upon arriving at the ship.
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What if I am afraid of motion sickness?
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This has become less of a problem over the last several years as cruise ships are now equipped with stabilizers to minimize the roll of the ship. Once the ship is underway, these "wings" swing out into place and allow the ship to move more smoothly through the ocean. The waters of the Caribbean are comparatively shallow and generally do not get very rough. If you normally do not get motion sickness in a car or airplane, chances are you won't have problems on a cruise ship. If you still have concerns, you may try one of the following:
Dramamine or Bonine
Although limited in duration, these over-the-counter remedies are now available in non-drowsy strengths. It is not a good idea to combine them with alcohol, and as with all of these suggestions, please consult with your physician about these remedies and about other potential side effects.
Patches
These small Transderm scop patches (often worn behind the ear) are again available to cruise passengers. They are by prescription only, and do have some side effects, so please consult with your physician.
SeaBands
A non-medicated method to alleviate motion sickness, these bands work through acupressure. A set of two, one worn on each wrist, will work immediately and can be reused as needed. We prefer this alternative, as it requires no drugs which could reduce the enjoyment of your cruise conference. You can purchase SeaBands in advance, or through SHIP
TO SHORE shipboard for approximately $15 per pair.
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Am I in sessions the entire cruise conference? What else is there to do on the ship?
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Shipboard seminars are often scheduled during days at sea, with ample time for breaks and lunch. Afternoons during days at sea are often unscheduled (or have optional sessions) so that you can enjoy shipboard activities like dance lessons, casino tournaments, wine tastings, talent contests, poolside games, fitness classes, bingo, and more. Of course, you can always seek solitude in the spa, soak-up the sun on the outdoor jogging track, or battle it out in the card and game room with fellow Bridge and Backgammon fans.
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Will I have enough time to sightsee when in port?
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Your ship will typically arrive in port early in the morning, and not leave until late afternoon/early evening. This gives you more than enough time to enjoy one of the cruise lines' shore excursions (or to do your own shopping, sightseeing, swimming, scuba diving, etc.
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Can I make phone calls and/or send emails from the ship?
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While your ship does have phone service, it is quite expensive. Depending on the age of your ship, email service
is available through Internet Café once you have established service with an account onboard.
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Do I get Continuing Education Units
(CEUs) for the cruise conferences?
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Depending on the state in which you do business, you may be able to receive CEUs for the time you spend in classes during the cruise conference. Please confirm your eligibility with SHIP
TO SHORE.
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Can I
bring my family, or a friend? What about activities for children?
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Friends and family are an important part of your support system. Please invite them to join you on your NTP cruise conference. You may book your friends or family at the same time you make your booking with SHIP
TO SHORE. The ships usually offer special sponsored daytime programs for children, with designated activity areas and video arcades. Specially scheduled teen and pre-teen events are also popular.
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