Information At Last!

Check your emails, cruisers, we finally have some more information from Rose Tours. In case you missed it....

BACKSTREET BOYS CRUISE
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES/ROSE TOURS INSTRUCTIONS


Dear _____,

We would like to take this opportunity to thank for participating in the
3RD Annual BSB Cruise aboard The CARNIVAL IMAGINATION.

Please review below information necessary to ensure a trouble free, relaxing vacation for all. Your booking number is six characters, three letters and three numbers.

All guests sailing on Carnival are required to complete an online check in no later 11:59 pm the night prior to sailing. Once the 4 Step Online Check In process is complete all guests can proceed to print their Boarding Pass and Luggage Tags. Taking a few minutes now will let you start enjoying your long-awaited cruise that much sooner.

 To begin the Online Check In process- Go online to Carnival.com and click on Manage My Cruises

 Or access web page – www.carnival.com/bookedguest

 Click on Login, Register or Access Your Booking Now and provide the following:

 Carnival Booking Number

 Guest Last Name

 Date of Birth

 Ship Name: Carnival Imagination

 Sail Date: 10/25/2013

  Step 1 Provide Guest Information: You will be required to provide personal information such address, an emergency contact, and your travel documentation information

 Step 2 Onboard Expenses: You will open your onboard expense account by providing credit card information or can select to provide cash upon embarkation.

 Step 3 Cruise Ticket Contract: You will need to accept Carnival Cruise Ticket Contract (Please note you will not be able to complete the online check in without accepting these terms)

 Step 4 Check In Summary: You will receive a message you have completed the Online Check In and can now proceed to print your boarding pass and luggage tags.

If you are having technical issues while checking in please call Carnival at 1-866 236-6670 for assistance. If any of the pre- populated information in your online check in is incorrect (example: date of birth) please contact Rose Tours.

 Please remember to bring your Boarding Pass and all Travel Documentation with you to the Pier. 

 Please note, your luggage tag located is on the last page of your documents.

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 Boarding pass (valid Passport or State Issued Birth Certificate and government issued 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.

BEACH PARTY - BALMORAL ISLAND, NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS
Take in the aqua-blue waters of the Bahamas during our Balmoral Beach Party with the BSB!
The luxurious island experience features a plunge pool, and a pristine white sand beach.

Highlights:

    Beautiful plunge pool
    Pristine white sand beach
    Dolphin encounters are available for an additional cost

Try a new luxury destination when your Carnival Cruise calls in Nassau, Bahamas. Transfer from the pier by boat to the private island.

    Transportation, a bottle of water and a boxed lunch are included. (Additional beverages/alcohol are available at an additional charge)
    Your shipboard Sail & Sign card may be used for purchases in Balmoral.
    Bring your own towel.
    Sunscreen and beach gear recommended.

ALL EVENTS ON BALMORAL WILL BE GENERAL ADMISSION

All guests must take their sail & sign card and a photo id  to depart the ship.  If you are going to sight see in Nassau, you must have cash or a valid credit card for purchases.

BSB CRUISE RULES & OTHER INFORMATION

AUTOGRAPHS:
No autographs will be given at the photo sessions. You are more than welcome to ask BSB for their autographs when you see them around the ship, however please respect their privacy if they request it.

PHOTO SESSIONS:
We will have groups of 8-10 passengers for each picture with the BSB. This way we will be able to see everyone, no one will be left without a photo. Please respect this group policy. Group A wristbands begin at11:00 AM and Group B wristbands begin at 1:00PM. These sessions will be in the Xanadu Lounge on Promenade Deck 5. Please arrive at the Photo Session with your group! NO CAMERAS, MOBILE PHONES, GIFTS OR BAGS WILL BE ADMITTED INTO THE PHOTO SESSION. If you do not have a group of 8-10, please go into the Disco to make up your group. Once you have your group of 8-10, please get in line. If you do not get a group of 8-10 you will be added to random passengers in order to get your photo.

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 who will be circulating at all official events. Photos will be available thru a website. The link will be provided at a later time. If personal cameras are brought to the photo sessions, you will have to return it to your cabin. Video cameras allowed only for personal events. They are not allowed at official BSB cruise events. NO PROFESSIONAL CAMERAS ALLOWED AT ANY TIME. (SLR, DSLR, HD VIDEO, ETC)

WRISTBANDS:
You will receive your wristband at check-in. There are 6 wristband colors , these colors represent the zones in the Dynasty Lounge. Your wristband will have your exact seat assignment and either an A or B, which will denote your dining and event time. 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 BSB:
Gifts will NOT be permitted at any BSB scheduled events.
Gifts can be left at the hospitality desk located in the Circle C Lounge on Atlantic Deck 8. Please consult your itinerary for Hospitality Hours. Your gifts will be delivered to BSB.

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 provided 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.

CONCERT:
The BSB Concerts will be reserved seating in the Dynasty Theatre. Each group gets ONE concert. NO ONE WILL BE ADMITTED INTO THE OTHER GROUPS CONCERT. Please respect your fellow guests during the concert. VIDEO IS NOT PERMITTED DURING THE CONCERT!

DRESS:
Dress during the day is casual (shorts, shirts, skirts, jeans, etc.) Theme nights are as follows:

Friday, Oct 25th  DON'T PUT OUT THE GLOW NEON PARTY.
"Stay here, don't put out the glow..."  Join the party in your favorite neon clothes and accessories. The brighter the better!  Don't forget your glow sticks!

Saturday, Oct 26th BACKSTREETS BACK HALLOWEEN PARTY
There ain't no party like a Backstreet Halloween Party!  In honor of Halloween, we're throwing a massive costume party.  BSB related or not, get creative! After all, what's Halloween without an epic costume?

Monday, Oct 27th BACKSTREET BACHELORETTE PARTY
It's ladies night and it's guaranteed to get wild. Think club attire. Sexy, chic and ready for a good time.  You be the bachelorette and we'll be your eye candy!  P.S. Fellas are still invited too!

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

DINING ROOMS:
Guests with Early Dining are in Group A. (Spirit Dining Room or Pride Dining Room)
Guests with Late Dining are in Group B. (Spirit Dining Room or Pride Dining Room)You will receive dining room assignment at check in. Seating in the dining rooms is open.
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.

SPA CARNIVAL:
'Everybody' the spa onboard invites you to pamper yourself while sailing on this special cruise.

'Larger Than Life' Relaxation

Choose any combination of three treatments (60 minutes total) - Only $129 - Save $100! 'As Long As You Love Us'

    Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage
    Full Body Brush Exfoliation
    Pressure Point Foot and Ankle Massage
    Scalp Massage
    Hand and Arm Massage
    Hydrating Spa Facial

There's 'More than That…. '
Upgrade your Back, Neck and Shoulder massage to a Bamboo Massage or Aroma Stone Massage for only $25.
Offer may not be combined with other discounts or promotions.

Full itineraries to follow!

Thanks and See you on board!

My Take
Wow, a lot of information to digest! Here are my thoughts

• "We will have groups of 8-10 passengers for each picture with the BSB"
  I honestly have to step back and laugh at this with everyone working so diligently on getting groups of 10. I figured as much they'd throw us a curve ball, but alas, this is a better curveball then them saying 12 people per picture. I think we would've had a mutiny on our hands.
• Beach party sounds AWESOME!!!! The island looks gorgeous! Anyone else want to sabotage the boats back to the ship with me so we can be stuck here with BSB??? Just teasing....kind of ;P But seriously, I'm really happy they're doing the beach party on a private island this year. THIS is what its all about!
  
  
   
• All of the policies are nothing new, at least as a repeat cruiser. But I want to call out for first time cruisers that its very important to check-in and print off your fun pass.
• Spa treatments are always tempting. They're clearly just trying to sell more by throwing a backstreet lyric in front of the existing package, and gosh darnit, I think its gonna work on me!
• Unrelated to this email, but rumors of a Kev solo concert are floating around.... @TheRobGonzales tweeted the following @MikeyBoyCanada @cdubyah76 yes I am!!! Opening for Kevin's solo set and then jamming on the piano with him while he sings! Can't wait!
  That would be super exciting!!! Obviously never seen Kevin really do any solo stuff so this will definitely be a treat. And now we have a Brian & likely Kev solo event....so I'm hoping we'll go 5 for 5 on the solo stuff!
  
• I was looking for the itinerary but caught it said "Full itineraries to follow!" Guess they're trying to finalize a few more items. Rose Tours apparently also runs on Backstreet time....

Top 5 Nassau Shore Excursions

Hey Cruisers! We will be spending 2 full days in Nassau this upcoming cruise. Here are some great excursion ideas that sound like a ton of fun. Courtesy of www.lovecruise.co.uk

Here are our top 5 shore excursions you should definitely consider when taking a Caribbean cruise to Nassau, Bahamas.

Kayaking in the Lucayan National Park

Explore this spectacular 42-acre eden with an amazing kayaking tour through the Lucayan National Park. Explore the park’s pristine beauty by kayak as you paddle underneath the mangrove canopy and take in the stunning array of Animal and plant life and go on to explore the mysterious caves and Lucayan Relics.

City and country tour

If water sports or beaches aren’t really your thing, then why not partake in a sightseeing tour of Nassau and its rich history. Tours will typically take you to some of the most historically important and monumental spots on the island. You will get a chance to see the historic downtown area as well as the beauty of the Nassau country side.  The Tours include the ancient forts where pirates used to attack and hide out in, Fort Fincastle and Fort Charlotte.

Scuba diving in Stuart Cove

Just a short ride from Nassau and Paradise Island, Stuart cove is a stunning dive site teeming with Tropical fish and sunken wrecks to explore. Wrecks include a mammoth 100-foot freighter, 50 feet below the surface and the acclaimed James Bond wreck in 40 feet of water in the form of a former tugboat known as the Tears of Allah, which starred in Never Say Never Again. Another James Bond wreck is the Cessna used in the film, "Jaws."

Glass Bottom Boat

Want to see the fabulous marine life without getting wet? Then a trip on the glass bottom boat is perfect. With a completely see through glass floor, you can view the vast array of fish all from the comfort of the boat.

Biking tours of Nassau

Another great way to explore what Nassau has to offer is via a guided bike tour. This is perfect for families and can cater for all fitness levels, giving you the chance to view the island and stop off for a spot of shopping or relax by the beach.

Ellis Green writing on behalf of www.lovecruise.co.uk

What to do First on the Ship

It can be quite overwhelming to step onto a cruise ship, particularly if it’s your first time. Meanwhile, you won’t be able to go to your cabin right away. The cabin stewards are still getting your room turned over from the prior cruise that just left a few hours before. Definitely keep this in mind when deciding whether or not you want to check your luggage or carry it on with you. So you can either lug your bags around for a few hours, or risk not getting them until several hours later. But seeing as you can’t go to your room, here are a few things that I like to do when I first get on board until they let us to the cabins:

1. Breathe a sigh of relief. All of the planning and traveling is done so start the festivities by grabbing a pretty drink with an umbrella and let the vacation begin!
   
   
2. If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably be hungry if you’ve been waiting in the terminal for a while. Why not grab either a quick bite to eat at the buffet or make your way to the main dining room and enjoy your first meal. Just remember that you will not be the only one with this mindset, thus I can guarantee the buffet will be crowded. Make sure you scope out a table with your friends BEFORE you go get your food. Otherwise it can get quite chaotic. This first meal will be the most crowded, but it should only get better after that.
   
   
3. Make your way to the concierge desk in the main lobby or a lounge and grab your copy of the Fun Times, Carnival’s itinerary of activities for the day. You can figure out what you want to do for the rest of the day and ensure you don’t miss out on any fun activities!
   
   
4. While you’re still in the main lobby, you may want to check out the excursion desk and book any excursions if you haven’t already done so. Depending on what you had in mind, your chosen excursion may fill up quickly, so it’s best to book early. However if you still haven’t decided, you may want to hold off as they will likely have an excursion talk which you can attend and ask questions.
   
   
5. Ok, so you had lunch and figured out what you want to do for the rest of the day, but since you still can’t get to your cabin- why not take a tour of the ship? You can either go exploring on your own, or participate in an organized tour. Carnival will typically offer tours of the ship, which is a good opportunity to see all of the ships highlights.
   
   
6. While you’re making your way around the ship, be sure to check out the spa/gym and see if there are any treatments/classes you may be interested in. The popular time spots (ie before dinner on formal night) and popular classes will fill up. So if you wanted to get your hair done for masquerade night, I’d recommend you book early.
   
   
7. When you hit the main dining room, check out that night’s dinner menu. Maybe it’s because all I can think of is food…but I actually like to do this every day. Knowing that I’m having prime rib for dinner will keep me in check the rest of the day. Now I’m not sure if we will have assigned seats for the BSB cruise or if its open seating. From what I understand, I just know we all have late seating. If we do have assigned seats, you may want to scope out your table so you know where to go later that evening. Otherwise it can be chaotic having 1,200 people not knowing where they’re going. I also like to check out my table in the rare event that the location or table size isn’t what I wanted. You can always speak to the maitre’ d and put in a request for a seat change. This is also a good opportunity to speak to the maitre’ d if you have any dietary restrictions.
   
   
8. While the shops and casinos are typically closed until later that evening, you may want to take advantage of the fact that all of the children’s areas are open to adults those first few hours. If you are bringing children or are considering taking them on a future cruise- swing by Circle "C", Club02, or Camp Carnival depending on your child’s age. You can get a sense of all the activities that are available and more specifics on the programs. Or you could not have kids, like myself, and just like exploring. Word of caution- luckily the ships designers are aware that not everyone wants to be around children on the cruise so these areas are typically tucked away in more remote parts of the ship and can be tricky to get to.
   
   
9. Get in those last few phone calls before we set sail. Your phone should still be fine when we’re at port, though don’t quote me on this. I just know my brother will always call me from Miami on the ship. And since I get those phone bills, I can be pretty sure there are no roaming fees, just bad reception when he is on the lower decks.

Hopefully by you the time you get through all of this, the cabins will be open. If not…you can always try sneaking in ;)

12 Tips for Savings Money on the Cruise

Every time you turn around on a cruise, they are trying to charge you for something. I’m the first to admit that I’m pretty careful with my money… But I look at it this way, All those extra little savings add up to another trip that I could take! So I’ve compiled a list of a few ways to save some extra money. Feel free to add any of your own:

1. If you do drink soda, purchase a soda card at the beginning of the trip. It will pay for itself very quickly, and it is not worth charging each individual drink. Not to mention it will save you time because you don’t have to sign for the drink every time, you just show them your card. Now if you want to go that extra mile...you could probably get away with sharing a soda card with your friend. I'm just throwing the idea out there, not necessarily advocating it. I've never done it, but I know people who have.
   
   
2. Even better, enjoy the free drinks that Carnival will offer. They provide free lemonade, water, iced tea, coffee, hot chocolate and tea all day long. They will also have juice and milk at breakfast. Not only will this save you money, but calories if you’re watching your weight.
   
   
3. Alcohol can obviously be a major expense for those who drink. Take advantage of the fact that Carnival allows you to bring 1 bottle of wine on board. Just don’t forget to bring a corkscrew, or they will charge you a corkage fee in the dining room. I’d also recommend to take advantage of events on board that offer free alcohol. Ex- repeat cruisers party or the final farewell reception. Still not enough? You can always try sneaking some hard alcohol on as long as you put it in a plastic bottle. My dad recommends a Snapple bottle for just such an occasion. But do this at your own risk.
   
   
4. Oh the spa…it can be so tempting when you smell the eucalyptus and see the soothing treatments they have to offer. If you do decide to indulge, I would advise to book your appointment on a day where we are in port. Since the ship will be empty, the spa generally has better deals/discounts in order to get you in the door.
   
   
5. It can be tough going without internet and being disconnected from the world for several days. You can visit the internet café on board, but it will cost you an arm and a leg. Not to mention, the connection will likely be slower than what you're used to. I would recommend you either observe or ask a crew member what they do for internet. You have to remember that crew members are away from home and a good internet connection for 6 months on end and I can guarantee that they do not pay $.75 a minute to check facebook, nor should you. Crew members will have the best insight into where you can access free and/or cheap internet.
   
   
6. Personally I’m not a big gambler. They have a casino on board and will also offer bingo at a price. If you’re in it for the big pay off, good luck to you! If you just like playing the games like myself, Carnival offers many other free games activities. If you’re lucky, you may even win your very own ship on a stick!
   
   
7. There are specialty restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops on board that will charge you extra. I would recommend you skip the fancy stuff, and enjoy all the complimentary food and drinks they have to offer. I’ve found that they will try to charge you for specialty ice cream, but they usually have a free ice cream bar hidden somewhere on the lido deck in the late afternoon. Trust me, you won’t be going hungry, so you may as well save the extra few bucks in the process.
   
   
8. Kind of an obvious one, but take your own digital camera. Carnival has lots of professional photographers on board to try and sell you pictures at an outrageously high cost. So while you may not get the same backdrop and fancy lighting, your wallet will thank you later.
   
   
9. Set limits for yourself and be cognizant of what you’re spending. Since everything gets charged to your room key, it’s easy to lose track of what you’re spending and you can easily go over budget. Check your account balance either in your stateroom or with the concierge so that you are careful not to overspend.
   
   
10. Excursions are another big moneymaker for the cruise line. For me personally, I skip on the excursions. Not only do I save the money, but I enjoy exploring the ports on my own and at my own pace. Plus I can get back to the ship early and enjoy the fact that it is a lot less crowded so you have everything to yourself.
    
    
11. Take advantage of the free classes Carnival offers. They will offer certain select exercise classes at a premium, but they also offer plenty of free ones. No need to spend the extra money in my opinion. Or even better, you can run around the promenade or jogging decks, and get some fresh sea air. Nothing like a jog and watching the sunrise over the water.
    
    
12. Be very careful with your cell phone. If you plan on using your phone at all, contact your carrier before you leave and understand the costs associated with traveling in the Caribbean. You always hear horror stories of unsuspecting travelers who receive these outrageous bills. To make it easy, I just turn my phone off for the whole trip. Truthfully, I find it quite a relief!

While you may not want to follow every one of these tips, I think it’s helpful before you leave to establish what you want to splurge on. I know on the BSB cruise, I’ll probably splurge on any Backstreet souvenirs if they have any. What can I say…its my one weakness.