Yay for Itineraries!

My brain is now on overload as I'm trying to process all the information! Here's the email in case you missed it:

Backstreet Boys 2011 Cruise Itinerary

  

BACKSTREET BOYS CRUISE
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES/ROSE TOURS INSTRUCTIONS     
    
Dear Cruise Guest,

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for participating in the 2nd Annual BACKSTREET BOYS CRUISE aboard CARNIVAL'S IMAGINATION.

Please review below information necessary to ensure a trouble free, relaxing vacation for all.

To View and print out your cruise documents please click on the link below.

https://secure.carnival.com/BookedGuest/

You can also find this information on www.carnival.com under the "Manage My Cruises" tab.

*Please note - you might need to use Internet Explorer as other browsers may not work properly.

Enter in your Booking Number as indicated above, your Last Name, Date of Birth, and Name of the Ship (Carnival Imagination) and the sailing date 12/02/2011 then click the Submit Box. From here you can access your cruise documents and complete your "Fun Pass" which serves as your Carnival boarding-pass.  Alternatively, you can access your "Fun Pass/Boarding Pass" directly from the link provided below. You should complete your Fun Pass/Boarding Pass prior to printing out your document information.

All guests in cabin must complete the Fun Pass/Boarding Pass in order to print it:
https://funpass.carnival.com/signin.aspx

Here is what you will need for everyone in your party:

Personal Information
(full name, home address, phone number, etc.)

Citizenship Information
(passport data, permanent resident card number, etc.)

Travel Plans
Guests with independent travel arrangements will need to provide details regarding pre and post transportation arrangements (arrival and departure flight information, hotel arrangements, etc.)

Onboard Expense Account Information (Sail & Sign)

Method of Payment to set up account

*Remember, all guests in your cabin must provide the required information in order to obtain a Fun Pass. Online registration is available until the day before sailing. Taking a few minutes now will let you start enjoying your long-awaited cruise that much sooner.

Enter in your Booking Number, your Last Name, Date of Birth, Name of the Ship, Carnival Imagination and the sailing date, 12/02/2011 then, click the Continue Box. Complete Guest Information then click Continue. Complete Citizenship Information and click Continue. If you are flying home on Monday, Dec. 5th, leave the Ground Transportation Box empty and check the flight box in Air Travel. Be prepared to provide your flight details then click continue (leave the fare basis box blank).

Make sure you click on Setup Onboard Expense Account. Click on I accept the terms and conditions (Step 2 of 4). If you are part of the match program or traveling with friends, you will be able to enter your individual credit card numbers. However, if you are the first passenger listed in the cabin, you will need to select "set up account at a later time" for the 2nd passenger. When the 2nd passenger logs in, they will have the opportunity to add their own credit card information please enter just the last 4 digits of your credit. You will need to present the same credit card that you registered with at the pier. If you are using cash, you will open your cash deposit onboard at the Pursers desk. You can now click View/Add Booking on the Cruise Ticket Contract Acceptance Information (Step 3 of 4). After reviewing the Cruise Ticket Contract, you will need to click on I accept and click on Continue. Then Click - Continue again. After you have reviewed the information and everything is correct, click Continue. All information for all passengers in your cabin must be completed. Under each name it must state Complete in order to print fun pass. If incomplete, click on incomplete to see what needs to be done.

After everyone is completed, click - Print Fun Pass. Make sure you Print out your Fun Pass and bring with you.

Everyone must check in at the pier. (IMPORTANT - Please remember to fill out your Fun Pass/Boarding Pass and Bring with you to the pier for Check In)

It is suggested that you put all medication in your carryon bag. Your luggage will not be delivered to your stateroom until a later time.

Once you arrive at the Pier, go to the Reception Area to check in.

**Please have your proper identification with your Fun Pass (valid Passport or Birth Certificate with seal and official photo ID) for cruise check-in.

You will receive your Sail & Sign /Cabin Key/ Wristband and Final Itinerary from Carnival at the pier.

You must wear the wristbands for the entire cruise. Each passenger will receive one wristband, which is non-transferable and will not be replaced.

BACKSTREET BOYS RULES & OTHER INFORMATION:

Effective December 1, 2011- Carnival has announced that smoking will be prohibited in all staterooms. Guests in Balcony staterooms may smoke on their balcony with the  exception of the Spa deck balcony cabins. Guests who smoke in their stateroom will be assessed a $250 fee.

AUTOGRAPHS:

Please note that due to the number of people attending the cruise, we are not able to provide an official autograph session for everyone. No autographs will be given at the photo sessions.

PHOTO SESSIONS:

We will have groups of 8 passengers pose for each picture with the Backstreet Boys. This way we will be able to see everyone, and no one will be left without a photo. We ask that you please respect this group policy. Photo session Group A will begin at 11:00AM on Sunday, December 4th. Group B will begin at 1:00 PM on Sunday, December 4th. These sessions will be in the Xanadu Lounge on Promenade Deck 9. While in line, you will be given a ticket with a number. You must be present to receive your ticket. We will go in numerical order for photos. If your number is called and you are not present, you will miss your photo opportunity. Please arrive at the Photo Session with your group of 8 passengers!

PERSONAL CAMERAS / VIDEO CAMERAS:

Please feel free to bring your personal camera to all events except for the official photo sessions. We are providing an official photographer for your convenience. They will be circulating at all official events and taking photos. All photos, including those taken
at the official photo sessions will be posted after the cruise. Photos will be available on a website and a link will be provided at a later time. If personal cameras are brought to the photo sessions, you will be asked to return the camera to your cabin.

Video cameras are allowed only for your own personal events. They are not allowed at official Backstreet Boys Cruise events. Please note no cameras are allowed in the Casino.

WRISTBANDS:

You will receive your wristband when you check-in. There are 6 wristband colors Red, Blue, Yellow, Purple, Green and Orange. These colors represent the zones in the Dynasty Lounge. Your wristband will have your exact seat assignment. Wristband color and seat assignment number was determined by time of booking. Please note that these wristbands are required for all events. DO NOT REMOVE these wristbands until the end of the cruise

PERSONAL GIFTS TO BACKSTREET BOYS:

Gifts will NOT be permitted at any Backstreet Boys scheduled events.

Gifts can be left at the hospitality desk during designated hours.

Your gifts will be delivered to The Backstreet Boys.

SEATING:

All seating in the Dynasty Lounge will be reserved. Your wristband determines which zone you are in and your Seat Number. Please look at the seating charts you received at check in to see where you will be seated. Please respect the seating policy and do not switch seats during the events. Please be respectful of others when entering the Dynasty Lounge and do not wait in the line prior to the show.

DRESS:

Dress during the day is casual (shorts, shirts, skirts, jeans, etc.)

Theme nights are as follows:

Friday, December 2nd - Sphynkter 80’s Night - Rock that big hair, neon colors, leg warmers, lace gloves, etc and look out because there may be a special appearance by none other than everyone's favorite band, Sphynkter!

Saturday, December 3rd - The Perfect Fan Prom Night - Was your prom BLAH? Well that's sure going to change! Join us for our first ever BSB Prom Night! Get ready to relive that magical night together aboard the Imagination. Each King, that's us, will be crowning our PERFECT FAN or Prom Queen. Come ready for some FUN and lots of memories!

Sunday, December 4th - PDA Pajama Jam (PDAPJJ) - Intimate scenes fresh from my dreams…us all running around a boat in our PJs! Let's get cozy and party it up sleepover style. Who wants to pillow fight with us?

DINING ROOMS:

Passengers will be eating in the Pride or Spirit Dining Room. You will receive dining room assignment at check in.  Please arrive at your assigned dining room with your party, the Maitre D’ will seat you.  Other options include 24 hour Room Service, Buffet on Lido Deck or the 24-hour Pizzeria.

Beach & Swim Wear, Tank Tops, Tennis Shoes, Flip-Flops, etc are Not Allowed in the Dining Room.

ITINERARY:

Please click here to view the Full Itinerary.

Thanks and See you on board!

Hal Roseman, President
Rose Tours & Travel
9 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046
1.215.663.8800
1.888.491.7673
jeannie@rosetours.com

My Thoughts

Overall really excited to finally get the itinerary. Lets start with the new information. This year I'm excited to see they included a sail away party, which I'm really looking forward to. New Kids cruisers raved about this event so it should be fun. They also have a new game show called 'In it To Win It'. I can't say I've ever seen it, so I had to look it up on Wikipedia. Not sure what to think but it appears pretty confusing. And since poor Nick didn't know how to play Family Feud last time, I don't think he stands a chance in hell with this one. Should be interesting to watch him navigate through this game.

On the flip side, I hate to be a debbie downer but I'm noting a few things lacking from the itinerary and email update. First thing that was a glaring omission to me is there is not a Q&A session this year, which I'm pretty bummed about. I've been brainstorming a lot of potential questions for that plus it was just a great event last year with a lot of laughs. I also noticed that there are no individual events that AJ had previously alluded to. I'm pretty upset about that as well because it got my hopes up a bit. Especially since the cruise is one day shorter, I was hoping to see more solo events to compensate for the shortness. I guess this should teach me to never believe AJ. I probably should've already known to not trust anything that comes out of AJs mouth so I blame myself for that one ;)

There is still no announcement of any official door decoration contest, which has me slightly concerned. Girls have called Rose Tours asking about this and the staff continue to assure us there will be one, so hopefully its on its way. I also noticed that the concert will only be an hour, which is another let down. Let's hope they make it count with a quality set. There is also a cocktail party with an open bar on the first night, which should be fun. But this year it seems like it will be folded into the theme night as opposed to a separate event as it was last year. Also no captain's dinner, unless its jut not noted on this itinerary.

There are other minor things that I see when looking at the itinerary. For example depending on which group your in, the schedule doesn't allow Group B much time at all to get ready for prom night and the same could be said of Group A for 80s night. They also say "other activities will be added, please check Carnival's Fun Times for times and locations." While a small part of me hopes for additional BSB events, I think its safe to assume they will be independent events run by Carnival.

Overall I think I just need to force myself to not compare this cruise to last year. No there aren't as many events, but I knew that was the case when i signed up for the cruise. It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. I just think we have to focus on the events that they ARE doing. I know we'll have a great time no matter what and its just 2 more weeks away!!