FAQ’s

All On-board Entertainment, Artist Showcases, Autograph Parties, Industry Panels, ocean transportation, port/ship fees, and most on-board meals are included. Additional charges will include transportation to/from ship, On-board gratuities, specialty restaurants, spa services, health and fitness classes, beverages, excursions, gambling, souvenirs, etc.

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS:
(Please note: Information is subject to change)

Each country has its own entry requirements, and guests assume personal responsibility for having the necessary documents when boarding. Holland America Line highly recommends that all guests carry a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the completion date of your travel. Having a passport will enable you to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event you miss your scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if you need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.

Your name on your travel documents (passport, Alien Resident card, birth certificate, etc.) must be identical to those on your cruise documents. Otherwise, proof of name change (e.g. a marriage license) with a valid driver’s license (or other government issued photo ID) must be presented. Any discrepancies may prevent travel.

PLEASE NOTE: In addition, visas or other documents may be required, depending on your citizenship or residency and the itinerary. It is your sole responsibility to obtain all necessary documents for all ports of call on your itinerary. Requirements for your voyage may be found on Holland America Line’s website, by calling Holland America or a professional visa service. Boarding may be denied or fines may be levied against those guests without proper documentation. Payment of any fines levied is the responsibility of the individual guest.

For U.S. and Canadian Citizens:
Travel by Land or Sea: Travel document requirements vary based on cruise itinerary and whether international flights are required. Passports or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant documents are required for cruises to Alaska, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and the Panama Canal. U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 16 and above may present one of the following valid WHTI-compliant documents:

• Passport (recommended travel document) (valid for travel by air, land and sea)
• Passport Card (valid for land and sea border crossings only)
• U.S. or Canadian Issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) – (valid for land and sea border crossings only, not valid on Yukon Land+Sea Journeys due to air travel included in the journey)*
• Other documents approved by the Department of Homeland Security

For a list of approved documents visit: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative.

*The EDL driver’s license, or non-driver photo identification, is offered in the U.S. states of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington and in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, to applicants that can prove identity and citizenship.

Please note the EDL is not the same as an Enhanced (or Endorsed) Commercial Driver’s License.

U.S. citizens on U.S. roundtrip or “closed-loop” cruises: U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present a valid US passport, U.S. Passport Card, Enhanced Driver’s License or Trusted Traveler Program Card such as Nexus, Sentri or Fast Cards.

However, in the absence of any of the documentation listed above, U.S. citizens can present a government issued photo ID, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her government issued birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). A passport is still the preferred document.

PLEASE NOTE: WHTI-compliant documents are only acceptable for entry or re-entry into the United States. You may be required to present additional or different travel documents, such as a passport when entering foreign countries, including some countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Birth certificates from Puerto Rico issued prior to July 1, 2010 are not valid forms of proof of citizenship that is accepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Guests from Puerto Rico either need to present a WHTI-compliant document or a government-issued photo identification with a validated birth certificate issued after July 1, 2010.

Children: U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 traveling on a closed-loop cruise (a cruise in the Western Hemisphere which originates and ends in the same U.S. port) will be able to present their government issued birth certificate or other proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card to sail. Birth certificates can be an original, photocopy or certified original.

Passport requirement when minors travel with one adult on voyages governed by U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) (includes travel within Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, United States): When minors are traveling with only one adult 21 years of age or older, Holland America Line requires that all guests must be in possession of a valid passport. Holland America Line has implemented this requirement so that you all remain together should an emergency arise that requires one or more in your party to be disembarked in a non-U.S. port. Holland America Line cannot guarantee that all members of your party will be allowed to disembark with only a WHTI-compliant document or birth certificate.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with you, you must present an original letter signed by at least one of the child’s parents. The letter from the child’s parent must provide contact information and authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise.

For more information regarding passports and WHTI-compliant documents, please visit https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative or call the National Passport Information Center toll free at 1-877-487-2778 or TDD/TYY at 1-888-874-7793.

Travel by Air: Passports are required for all international air travel to and from the United States, regardless of age or citizenship. This includes air travel to and from Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Mexico.

FOR NON-U.S./NON-CANADIAN CITIZENS: Holland America highly recommends that all guests carry a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the completion date of your travel. Please carefully verify the existing identification requirements for your particular travel situation.

In addition, non-U.S. citizens who have previously been admitted to the United States for permanent residence must carry their Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), commonly known as a Green Card. Resident aliens not in possession of this must obtain one at the nearest office of the U.S. Immigration Service.

Carrying a passport valid for 6 months after the duration of the cruise will enable guests to fly from the U.S. to meet their ship at the first port should they miss their scheduled embarkation and allow guests that must disembark the ship before their cruise ends (due to an emergency) to fly back to the U.S without significant delays and complications. Guests are responsible for all costs associated with their travel including but not limited to costs related to arrangements to obtain entry to countries they visit and re-entry to their destination country.

VERIFYING THAT YOU HOLD THE proper DOCUMENTATION NECESSARY TO TRAVEL WILL BE THE SOLE RESPONSIBLE OF THE TRAVELING PASSENGER. LEGENDARY WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR passengers who do not proper documentation and are unable to board the vessel. no refund will be given whatsoever to passengers not carrying proper documentation.

For a copy of our terms and conditions which will explain the cancellation policies in detail, please email bluesin@bluescruise.com

If you are unable to travel for whatever reason, you may change one or all passengers for a $250 per person fee. Legendary does not allow the sale of a booked reservations for any reason whatsoever.

Travel insurance is highly recommended and may be purchased directly by selecting “Travel Insurance” at the top of this page. Policies may provide additional coverage if purchased within 14 days of booking your stateroom. Please feel free to contact Travel Guard directly at 1-800-826-4919 with any questions. you will need to provide our agent id which is: 00489263.

Ft. Lauderdale sailings: We will set sail at 5:00 pm and return to port at 7:00 am. If you are flying in the day of embarkation, we suggest that you arrive no later than 2:00 pm as all passengers need to be on-board no later than 3:00 pm or you may risk being unable to sail. When flying out the day of disembarkation we suggest that you schedule your departing flight at 12:00pm or after for Ft. Lauderdale departures and 1:00pm for Miami departures. (These times are only valid for domestic flights. Please allow more time for international flights.)

San Diego sailings: We will set sail at 5:00 pm and return to port at 7:00 am. If you are flying in the day of embarkation, we suggest that you arrive no later than 2:00 pm as all passengers need to be on-board no later than 3:00 pm or you may risk being unable to sail. When flying out the day of disembarkation we suggest that you schedule your departing flight at 11:00am or after. (These times are only valid for domestic flights. Please allow more time for international flights.)

Boarding times will be assigned about a week prior to the cruise and will be listed on your boarding pass once assigned. We kindly ask that you arrive at your specified boarding time and no earlier. 

Ft. Lauderdale sailings will sail out of Port Everglades: For the specific cruise terminal information, as well as parking details, please refer to the email containing your booking number, which will arrive approximately 4-5 weeks prior to sailing. All passengers must be on-board no later than 3:00 pm or you may be denied boarding even if your online immigration questionnaire has been completed. Visit this link for information regarding port location, parking information and directions.

San Diego sailings will sail out of the Port of San Diego at the B Street Pier & Cruise Ship Terminal, located at 1140 N Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA. 92101. Visit this link for cruise parking information. All passengers must be on-board no later than 3:00 pm or you may be denied boarding even if your online immigration questionnaire has been completed.

Merchandise will be available on-board in the Bluesin’ Bazaar. The Bluesin’ Bazaar will not be open while we are in port, but will be open for your convenience all days at sea and various hours before and after scheduled port visits. A printed schedule with store hours and location will be in the daily on-board sheets.

There is a casino on-board all ships. Hours of operation will be posted in the Daily Sheets that will be delivered to your stateroom.

Holland America sailings: There are no ATM’s on-board, although you may take a cash advance from your on-board account by visiting the Casino Cashier during operation hours. Holland America will apply a 3% commission fee for all on-board cash advances. Traveler’s checks may be cashed at the front office. Personal checks are not accepted. Accounts may be settled in US or Canadian currencies only.

Absolutely! Pro and passenger Jamarama’s will be hosted daily and listed in the daily programs. Backline will be provided so you’ll just need to supply your own cords and accessories.

There are 95+ shows scheduled on-board which means each band will perform a minimum of 3 shows, with most bands scheduled for 4 performances. In addition, we will have some special invited guests and also a few unannounced surprise guests. They are onboard to enjoy the music as well as add to our Artist Showcases and Jam Sessions. Most musicians will also take advantage of performing in our legendary jam sessions known to last until 5:00 or 6:00am. After the jam, head to the Piano Bar for a late night/early morning jam session. You never know who’s going to be there!

A schedule will be posted on our web site and sent via email approximately 2 weeks prior to sailing. a printed version will also be provided for you once you are on-board. You will receive one schedule per person that will be delivered to your stateroom prior to embarkation. we’ll also have a day by day schedule printed in the daily sheets which will be delivered to your stateroom.

In addition to the scheduled performances, we will also have on-board workshops, scheduled autograph sessions, an awards ceremony, a performing artist led Culinary Demonstration, acoustic and passenger jams, dress-up theme nights and much more.

There will be in-cabin stage simulcast performances from 2 of our lounges, a blues video channel, blues radio and a photo slideshow. Holland America will continue their spa/fitness services, as well as casino services, art auctions, etc.

You should expect to receive an email containing your booking/reservation number approximately four to five weeks prior to sailing. This email will include detailed instructions on how to complete your online check-in, print your boarding pass and bag tags, and much more general information regarding your Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise.

Holland America sailings: Detailed information on how your family can contact you in the event of an emergency can be found at HollandAmerica.com

You may book shore excursions once you have completed your online check in after you receive your booking number. Excursions may be booked on-line up to 5 days prior to departure. (It is recommended that shore excursions be booked online before sailing as space may be limited.) Excursions may also be booked once on-board through the shore excursion office located by the front office (subject to availability).

Formal wear is not required for your Blues Cruise experience. Bring your shorts for the day and a light jacket for the evening. You can even wear your shorts in the dining room on our cruise! We will host on-board theme nights which will be announced approximately 60 days prior to sailing, via e-mail. Dressing for themes is voluntary, but we will have a costume parade and prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.

• Guests 21 years and older may bring Wine and Champagne onboard, however a corkage fee of USD $20.00 (which is subject to change without notice) will be applied to each bottle (max 750 ml in volume or less). Limitations apply. Wine brought in quantities deemed to be excessive by the vessel or security will be refused.

• Guests are also prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages on board that are packaged in any form including, but not limited to, paper, plastic, glass, or aluminum bottles, cans, and/or cartons. However, an allowance of six (6) liters of water [twelve (12) cans or cartons (500 mL in volume or less) or six (6) cans or cartons (1 liter in volume or less)] are allowed per stateroom. Any amount in excess of this allowance will be not be allowed on board.

• Guests will be asked to discard open beverages in plastic containers prior to boarding. Beverages contained in plastic bottles will not be allowed on board in any quantity, including beverages obtained while in ports of call.

Each ship does have a medical facility on-board with licensed physicians and nursing staff. Please keep in mind that many health care policies will not cover medical expenses while on-board. Medical services and dispensed medications will become the monetary responsibility of each individual guest and will be charged to your onboard account.

Internet Access Guests can purchase and connect to satellite internet 24 hours a day on each ship in the Holland America Line fleet, either by accessing our wireless network or utilizing the onboard workstations. Internet Plans vary in price to accommodate individual needs and are interchangeable between the workstations and your wireless device. Note that satellite connections may be adversely impacted by physical obstacles and inclement weather and the speed is notably slower than shoreside connections.

Children 2 or under at the time of sailing will be charged a rate of $175 + applicable port/ship fees. Children 3-12 at time of booking will be charged $375 + applicable port/ship fees. Gratuities will be dependent on class of stateroom booked and will be charged onboard directly from the cruise line.

All Passengers will be assigned open dining so that you can choose what works best for your schedule. You may enter the Main Dining Room as early as 5:30pm or as late as 8:00pm. Seating in the Main Dining Room is not assigned, so you are welcome to sit with friends.

Holland America does offer several dining options in addition to the Main Dining Room (available for dinner and lunch on days at sea). Detailed information is available by visiting Holland America’s website directly at https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/dining.html