
cruise passengers booking intake form
UPDATED TRAVEL POLICY effective October 5, 2022.
Margaritaville at Sea is delighted to welcome all guests traveling to the Bahamas onboard regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. As of October 5, 2022, there is no vaccination or testing documentation required to join us aboard our floating island vacation. Additionally, the Bahamas COVID-19 restrictions and testing requirements have been lifted as of September 20, 2022.
Safety remains the top priority for Margaritaville at Sea, and all crew members will continue to maintain their fully vaccinated status as well as adhere to enhanced safety and hygiene protocols onboard. The current travel policy and cruise vaccination requirements may be adjusted in the future based on changes to public health advisories or other related recommendations.
THE BAHAMAS’ ENTRY Requirements
Required Travel Documents: Passport Books are required for all guests. Passports must be valid thru the day of return. US requires passports be valid for a minimum of 6-months from return date. In lieu of a passport, US citizens may travel on the 2-night cruise with an Original US Birth Certificate (that has a raised seal) and a valid US Driver’s License when passports are not available. An Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) from the states of Michigan, New York, Vermont, Minnesota, and Washington, (not Washington DC) is also acceptable. For the most updated information regarding Bahamas entry requirements please visit https://travel.gov.bs
Local Bahamian Regulations: When disembarked in Grand Bahama Island, all guests are required to observe all local laws, rules, and regulations; including but not limited all local mask and physical distancing regulations that may be in place. During onshore excursions, your local guide will let you know if/when or where a mask may be required.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What's Included In The Cruise Price?
Your fare includes shipboard accommodations, round-trip ocean transportation, all meals (excluding specialty dining options), select beverages, onboard live entertainment, unless otherwise noted in the specific cruise tour description.
Excursions in the Bahamas
Grand Bahama Island is a haven of gorgeous white-sand beaches, surrounded by crystal clear waters that stretch for miles. Our excursions let you enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences in this tropical paradise that you’ll treasure for years to come. If you would like to add an excursion to your cruise, please visit the excusion desk located on Deck 5.
Departure Location
We depart Lamers Bus Lines located at 1410 Industrial Dr. Wildwood, FL. 34785. 24 hour secured parking is available.
Departure Time: 8:00 am ( we will stop once half way down to Port of Palm Beach. It is about a 3 hour ride to port. Bus has restrooms and WiFi onboard.
Return Departure Time: 10:00 am ( the bus will be at port by 9:00 am for return departure. Please allow ample time for disembarkment and to clear US Customs. Unfortunately, we cannot hold the bus if you are not present.
Arrival at Port Procedures, Luggage Tagging, and Cruise Check-In
PLEASE REMAIN ON BUS UPON ARRIVAL. WE WILL BE MEETING YOU AND WE WILL LINE UP TOGETHER TO START CHECK-IN PROCESS AS A GROUP. FOR ANYONE WITH MOBILITY ISSUES OR TROUBLE STANDING FOR LONG PERIODS, WE WILL PUT YOU IN THE FRONT OF THE LINE FOR LUGGAGE CHECK IN. EVERYONE PLEASE REMAIN PATIENT AS IT GOES QUICK.
LUGGAGE: YOU DO NOT NEED TO PRINT BAG TAGS. THEY HANDLE THAT AT THE PORT FOR OUR GROUP.
STEPS UPON PORT ARRIVAL
- LINE UP FOR LUGGAGE TAGGING. GIVE PORTER YOUR NAME AND HE WILL TAG YOUR BAGS.
- YOU WILL THEN BRING YOUR LUGGAGE THROUGH SECURITY SCREENING.
- UPON SECURITY SCREENING CLEARANCE YOU WILL HAND YOUR LUGGAGE BACK TO BAGGAGE HANDLERS. ITS DIRECTLY TO THE LEFT OF SECURITY SCREENING.
- TAKE ESCALATOR OR ELEVATOR UP TO 2ND FLOOR TERMINAL
- THEY WILL DIRECT YOU TO CHECK-IN COUNTER. AT COUNTER YOU WILL GET PICTURE TAKEN, PROVIDE CREDIT CARD FOR EXTRA ROOM CHARGES YOU MAY INCUR, AND RECEIVE CABIN KEYS.
- PROCEED TOWARDS SHIP GATE. HERE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE DINING RESERVATIONS.
- YOU ARE NOW READY TO GET ONBOARD.
How Do I Handle Tipping?
For your convenience, gratuities are charged to your onboard account at $14.95 per person per night for interior and ocean view staterooms and $19.95 per person per night for suites. This covers all food and stateroom services provided to you by your Stateroom Steward, Waiter, Busboy and Maitre d’. Other staff members may be tipped as services are rendered. As a standard in the cruise industry, please note an 18% service charge will be included on all bar, drink packages, specialty dining, and Indulgence Spa & Salon tabs. All gratuities are included for resort stays under our Cruise & Stay programs.
What Is The Onboard Alcohol / Beverage Policy?
Guests are not permitted to bring any alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages on board during embarkation. Beverages found in a guest’s possession will be confiscated. Alcohol and soda packages are available for purchase, as well as bottled water. Beverages purchased on Grand Bahama Island will be held safely for the duration of the cruise and will be returned during debarkation. If guests have concerns regarding dietary needs, they may contact customer service prior to booking. The legal drinking age on ship is 21 in US waters and 18 while at sea and on Grand Bahama Island – valid photo ID is required. We have the right to refuse sale and/or service to anyone.
What Are The Drink Packages?
We offer a variety of drink packages, available for purchase on board, including:
- Unlimited Soda Package | $24.78* (includes souvenir cup)
- Boat Drinks Packages (10 drinks) | $99* (Retail value $120)
- No Feathers Non-Alcoholic Package | $89.67*
*Please note, an 18% service charge will be automatically applied.
All-Inclusive Drink Packages
Some of our cruise tours have an All-Inclusive drink package included in the price. ONCE ONBOARD, YOU WILL NEED TO PICK UP YOUR WRIST BANDS. TYPICALLY, THEY HAVE A TABLE SET UP IN THE EUPHORIA LOUNGE LOCATED ON DECK 8. EACH BAND IS PRE-LOADED WITH (10) DRINKS. THE BARTENDERS WILL ALWAYS TELL YOU HOW MANY DRINKS REMAIN. WHEN YOU GET LOW, RETURN TO EUPHORIA LOUNGE AND RE-LOAD WRIST BAND.
Can I Use My Cellphone On Board?
Enjoy the convenience of using your cell phone to keep in touch with friends and family while sailing with us. To use your cell phone on board, you might need to first activate the roaming service by calling your cellular provider. The network will activate when the ship is at sea, out of reach from land, or your regular cellular provider. When the service becomes available, your cellular phone will display either MCP or 901 12 or indicate digital roaming. This service is charged via your home cellular provider at international roaming rates. For exact pricing, please check with your provider.
Is Internet Access / Wifi Available From The Ship?
Yes, you will be able to stay connected throughout the ship as well as in our comfortable internet cafe. Wi-Fi access is available for $25 per device for the full 2-night cruise. Visit the Customer Service desk once on board for more information.
Will A Passport Or Visa Be Required?
If you are a US citizen, you can go on a cruise to the Bahamas without a passport. However, you will need to show proof of citizenship. While a passport is highly recommended, you can cruise to the Bahamas with an original birth certificate issued by a U.S. government agency (not from a hospital) and a valid government-issued photo ID, in place of a passport. Passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are also acceptable forms of documentation.
Children ages 15 and under only require a birth certificate as noted above to cruise to the Bahamas. Children ages 16 and over must carry a government-issued picture ID such as a state ID or provincial driver’s license and an original birth certificate issued by a U.S. government agency to cruise to the Bahamas.
Passengers from Puerto Rico must have a valid U.S. passport or a valid government-issued photo ID along with an original issued birth certificate. Birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010 are not accepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
U.S. Citizens born outside of the U.S.: Will require a valid U.S. passport for travel or an original naturalization certificate along with a valid government issued photo ID.
U.S. Permanent Residents: Will require a valid Permanent Resident card, also known as a Green Card, with a valid government-issued photo ID or a valid passport from their country of citizenship.
Please note some permanent residents (e.g. Haitian citizens) must carry a valid passport along with a valid Permanent Resident card. Please contact the Bahamian Consulate or U.S. immigration for more information.
Non-U.S. Citizens or Residents: A valid Passport, Multiple Entry Visa, or Resident Alien Card is required for re-entry to the United States. Please contact U.S. Customs or the Bahamian Consulate for any additional required documentation. Guests from other countries must possess a valid passport and should check with their travel agent or appropriate consulate to determine other necessary travel documentation.
Note: Boarding will be denied without proper travel documentation and ID
How Much Luggage Can I Bring On Board?
Each guest is permitted two pieces of complimentary luggage, not to exceed 50 pounds per piece. For excess and overweight luggage, a $25 fee per bag will be automatically charged to your onboard account. All luggage must be stored in the passenger’s stateroom.
What Should I Pack?
The dress code on board is generally casual. Dinner and evening attire is casual chic, with proper attire required for select restaurants, including collared shirts, blouses, pants, dresses and skirts. Tank tops and swimsuits are not permitted in the dining areas. You are going to want to capture the moment, don’t forget your cameras and chargers.
What About Personal Belongings?
Please ensure all baggage and personal belongings are properly insured and labeled with the owner’s name, address, and ship’s name, stateroom number, and sailing date. Suitcases should be securely locked. We are not responsible for theft or loss.
We recommend that you personally carry all medications, jewelry, fragile items, valuables and important documents on and off the ship. Any luggage left at the pier will be forwarded at the guest’s expense.
What is the 3-Day 2-Night Cruise Itinerary?
Day 1 – Embark at Port of Palm Beach
- Check-in begins 11:00 AM
- Boarding 12:00 – 4:00 PM
- Departure is at 5:00 PM
Day 2 – Grand Bahama Island
- Arrival at port 7:00 AM | Back on board by 4:30 PM
Day 3 – Disembark at Port of Palm Beach
- Arrival at port 7:00 AM | Disembark 8:00 – 10:30 AM
What is the Cruise and Stay Itinerary?
Day 1 – Embark at Port of Palm Beach
- Check-in begins 11:00 AM
- Boarding 12:00 – 4:00 PM
- Departure is at 5:00 PM
Day 2 – Grand Bahama Island
- Arrival at port 7:00 AM |
- DAY 2 RESORT TRANSFER : THE CRUISE STAFF WILL PLACE A PACKET OF FORMS OUTSIDE YOUR CABIN THE NIGHT BEFORE. PLEASE FILL THESE FORMS OUT PRIOR TO GETTING OFF THE SHIP. IT WILL INCLUDE CUSTOMS INFORMATION AS WELL AS YOUR BUS TRANSFER TICKET. PLEASE LISTEN FOR CRUISE AND STAY GUEST ANNOUNCEMENTS. WE WILL NEED TO BE OFF THE SHIP NO LATER THAN 9:30 A.M. AND START ENTRY PROCEDURES INTO THE BAHAMAS. UPON CLEARING CUSTOMS, YOU WILL BOARD BUS OR VAN FOR GRAND LUCAYAN. HOTEL MAIN NUMBER 242-373-1333. ONCE WE ARRIVE AT RESORT, PLEASE BE PREPARED TO ENJOY PARADISE WHILE THEY GET OUR ROOMS READY FOR CHECK-IN. YOU WILL RECEIVE A WRISTBAND FOR ALL-INCLUSIVE AT THIS TIME. THE WAVES BAR AND GRILL WILL BE YOUR SPOT FOR LUNCH AND DRINKS DAILY AND IS LOCATED ON THE POOL DECK. PORTOBELLOS WILL BE YOUR SPOT FOR BREAKFAST AND DINNER. SEE OPERATING HOURS BELOW:
DAY 3 RESORT: ENJOY MORE PARADISE. WANT TO VENTURE OUT? RESORT FRONT DESK CAN CALL YOU A CAB OR DIRECT YOU TO THINGS YOU MAY WANT TO DO.
DAY 4 CHECKOUT AND BACK TO SHIP: WE WILL CHECKOUT OF RESORT AND HEAD BACK TO SHIP AT 11:00 AM. TRANSFERS ARE INCLUDED. PLEASE INQUIRE ON SHIP OR AT RESORT ON TIMING OF TRANSFER. WE WILL KEEP YOU NOTIFIED OF ANY CHANGES IN TIMING. ONCE BACK AT PORT, YOU WILL CHECK BACK INTO SHIP AFTER COMING THRU CUSTOMS. THE SHIP WILL REISSUE YOU CABIN KEYS. ENJOY BEING BACK ON BOARD.
Day 5 – Disembark at Port of Palm Beach
- Arrival at port 7:00 AM | Disembark 8:00 – 10:00 AM
-
TIME TO GO HOME DAY 5: OUR LAMERS BUS WILL BE PARKED RIGHT WHERE THEY WERE WHEN THEY DROPPED YOU OFF TO BEGIN TOUR. YOU MUST BE ON BUS BETWEEN 9:00-10:00 AM. PLEASE ALLOW UP TO 45 MINUTES TO DISEMBARK SHIP AND GO THRU CUSTOMS.
BUS LEAVES PORT OF PALM BEACH AT 10:15 AM SHARP. WE WILL NOT WAIT FOR PASSENGERS. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY!
I have an issue on board, who do I talk to?
In the unlikely event you have an issue while on-board the ship, please visit Guest Services located on Deck 5.
