CE at Sea

Frequently Asked Questions

Course Questions and Special Assistance
Please contact ONS Customer Service toll free at 866-257-4ONS (412-859-6100).

How should I pay for the cruise and CE registration/guest fee?
Fax or mail your registration form along with your payment to ONS. The CE course registration is $350 for ONS members and $450 for non-ONS members. The guest fee is $150 per guest. The Ocean View cabin rate is $2018.80 for two people and the Ocean View Deluxe cabin rate is $2118.80 for two people.

Deadline for registration is 4pm, ET, Friday, February 10, 2006 4 pm ET. The CE course fee includes attendance at the educational sessions and educational handouts. Please make all checks payable to the Oncology Nursing Society. Most major credit cards (e.g., AX, MC, VI, DS, DC) are also accepted.

How do I pay for the guest fee?
The guest fee is to be faxed or mailed with your registration along with your payment to ONS. Deadline for the guest fee is 4pm, ET, Friday, February 10, 2006 4 pm ET. The $150 guest fee does not cover participation in the CE course offering and is in addition to the per person cost of the cruise.

When will notification be sent that my reservation is received for the cruise?
ONS will send an email confirming your cabin registration and course attendance one business day after your registration form is received and payment is processed. Cabin space is on a first-come first-served basis. Cabin space will not be held for registration forms that cannot be processed because payment is delayed. An ONS Customer Service representative will contact you if your payment is delayed.

When will notification be sent confirming that I have a cabin on the cruise?
Confirmation that you have a cabin for the cruise and attendance at the course and/or attendance as a guest will be sent via email one business day after your registration form is received and payment is processed. Cabin space is on a first-come first-served basis. Cabin space will not be held for registration forms that cannot be processed because payment is delayed. An ONS Customer Service representative will contact you if your payment is delayed.

Can I invite my spouse, significant other, child, or friend to attend?
Guests of our CE course participants must pay a guest fee of $150 to ONS at time of registration for the cruise. The $150 guest fee does not cover participation in the CE course offering and is in addition to the per person cost of the cruise.

Each cabin accommodates two people. Please call Jennifer Merchant, Travel Consultant, TQ3 Navigant Company, 412-208-1927, to discuss your specific request for a cabin to accommodate more than two people.

May I bring a guest on the cruise?
Yes, each cruise participant attending the CE offering may bring a guest on the cruise. Each guest must pay a $150 guest fee at time of registration for the cruise (in addition to the per person cabin cost) and must be accompanied by a paid CE offering participant ($350/ONS members, $450/ONS non-member).

Why do I need to pay a guest fee for my cabin mate?
The $150 Guest fee is paid to be a guest of a registered CE participant. It is not included in the cruise price.

What does the cruise price include?
The price of your cruise vacation includes ship accommodation, ocean transportation, most meals, some beverages (only includes coffee, hot tea, cold tea), and most entertainment aboard the ship. All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars, on a per-person basis based on double occupancy of the stateroom.

What does the cruise price not include?
The registration fee ($350/ONS Member, $450/Non-ONS Member) for the CE offering is not included in the cruise price. The Guest fee ($150) is not included in the cruise price.

The cruise vacation price does not include air transportation, optional shore and land excursions, meals and accommodations ashore, certain beverages, casino gaming, photographs, gratuities, telephone calls, gourmet and specialty restaurants (Chops Grill and Portifino both require reservations, serve from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and require a $20.00 surcharge per person. Reservations are made only on board), purchases from the ship stores or items of personal nature, such as medical services, laundry, massages, spa treatments, hair styling, or manicures. Some of these items may be purchased separately.

Please call Jennifer Merchant, Travel Consultant, TQ3 Navigant Company, 412-208-1927, if you have any questions.

Are there any special activities planned for the ONS Cruise participants?
All CE at Sea registered cruise participants (includes CE attendees and registered guests of CE attendees) are invited to a cocktail party planned to welcome us aboard on our second night, Monday, October 16, 2006. This is our first formal night. A group photograph will be taken after the party. The opportunity to have individual photographs will be available as well.

Throughout the week, cruise goers will receive daily newsletters with ONS activities listed.

What beverages are included in the cruise package?
Coffee, hot tea, and cold tea are the beverages included in the cruise package.

Can I purchase a soda card during the cruise?
Yes, you can purchase a soda card for approximately $48 for the seven-day cruise. The soda card is purchased on board. The card includes orange, grapefruit, pineapple, and cranberry juice and soda (Coca Cola soda products are on board only). Bottle water is not included.

Are excursions at Ports of Call included?
No, you will need to book excursions at the Ports of Call.

Shore excursions can be booked in advance online with Royal Caribbean 30 days prior to sailing. Please visit www.royalcaribbean.com for shore excursion booking. Passengers need their booking number (assigned after names and deposit are paid), ship and sail date. Credit card information must provided and billing will not be processed until sailing. Guest must have same credit card with them on board. Excursions can be booked on board on a first come first serve basis.

What are the meal times for the cruise?
Breakfast is served from 6:30am to 11:00am in the main dining room or on deck.
Lunch is served from 11:30am to 3:00pm in the main dining room or on deck.
Dinner has two assigned seating times 6:00pm and 8:30pm. You select your assigned seating time for the length of the cruise.

Can we switch our assigned seating time from the 8:30pm (second seating) to the 6:00pm seating?
If you are booked on the second seating, you can request to switch. Medical reasons would receive first priority.

Are there formal dining nights assigned?
The ONS group's first formal night is the second night out. It, also, is the Captain's dinner. Our second formal night is the second to the last night (Friday). Men are required to wear jackets and ties for formal nights. Tuxedo rentals are available

What are the attire requirements for non-formal dining nights?
Casual elegance attire is suggested for the non-formal dining nights. No shorts and no jeans are allowed in the dining rooms after 6:00pm.

Are the cabins smoking and/or non-smoking?
Cabins are either smoking or non-smoking. Smoking is only permitted in staterooms or designated areas on board only. Must public spaces such as lounges are non-smoking.

Will the price change?
Cruise prices are subject to change until full deposit is paid. Once the full deposit is received, the cruise rate will not change. Cruise guest will remain liable for any applicable taxes, fees or surcharges increased by any governmental or quasi-governmental agencies. Taxes that may increase include port taxes and fees. There are no pricing guarantees outside of the ONS block of rooms.

Can I attend the cruise if my cabin mate is unable to attend?
In order to attend the cruise, you must pay your cabin mate's portion of the cruise if he/she is unable to attend.

What is the cruise cancellation policy?

Cruise Cancellations
When you request to cancel your cruise, the cruise cancellation is for the cabin. An individual cannot cancel her/his reservation.

If you must cancel, your cruise deposit is refundable prior to 4pm, ET, Friday, February 10, 2006 4 pm ET, less a $20/person processing fee. Cancellations must be received in writing and faxed to Customer Service, Oncology Nursing Society, 412-859-6162. You will receive a call from ONS to confirm your cancellation and verify penalties.

Cancellations received from Monday, February 13, 2006 to Wednesday, April 5, 2006, 4pm, ET will forfeit $200.00 per two-person cabin ($100.00 per person).

Cancellations received from Thursday, April 6, 2006 to Wednesday, June 7, 2006, 4pm, ET, will forfeit $400.00 per two-person cabin ($200 per person).

Cancellations received from Thursday June 8, 2006 to Wednesday, August 9, 2006, 4pm, ET, will forfeit $800 per two-person cabin ($400.00 per person).

Cancellations received from Thursday, August 10, 2006 to Wednesday, September 6, 2006, 4pm, ET, will forfeit 75% of the cruise payment per person.

Cruise cancellations received after Wednesday, September 6, 2006, 4pm, ET are non refundable.

CE Registration Refund
To apply for a 2006 CE at Sea course registration refund, fax your written request to Customer Service, Oncology Nursing Society, 412-859-6162. You will receive a call from ONS to confirm your refund request and verify penalties.

Refunds will be made in full less a $20 processing fee/person for requests received before Friday, February 10, 2006 4 pm ET. Seventy-five percent registration refunds will be made for requests received between Monday, February 13, 2006 and Wednesday, June 7, 2006, 4pm, ET. Fifty percent refunds will be made for requests received between Thursday, June 8, 2006 and Wednesday, August 9, 2006, 4pm, ET. No refunds will be made for requests received after Wednesday, August 9, 2006, 4pm, ET. Registration refunds will be processed 4-6 weeks after the 2006 CE at Sea Cruise is held.

Guest Fee Refund
To apply for a 2006 CE at Sea guest fee refund, fax your written request to Customer Service, Oncology Nursing Society, 412-859-6162. You will receive a call from ONS to confirm your refund request and verify penalties.

Refunds will be made in full less a $20 processing fee/person for requests received before Friday, February 10, 2006 4 pm ET. Seventy-five percent guest fee refunds will be made for requests received between Monday, February 13, 2006 and Wednesday, June 7, 2006, 4pm, ET. Fifty percent refunds will be made for requests received between Thursday, June 8, 2006 and Wednesday, August 9, 2006, 4pm, ET. No refunds will be made for requests received after Wednesday, August 9, 2006, 4pm, ET. Refunds will be processed 4-6 weeks after the 2006 CE at Sea Cruise is held.

Is trip cancellation insurance recommended?
Trip cancellation protection insurance is strongly recommended. If you cancel your rights to a refund are limited\by the rules and regulations of Royal Caribbean International.

Can I purchase trip cancellation insurance?
Insurance can be purchased through Travelex at 800-228-9792. Please designate location number 38-0146 and product number A02 05/02. Insurance cost is based on price of trip and age of passengers traveling. Purchasing insurance is the responsibility of each traveler. Please designate location number 38-0146 and product number A02 05/02.

Trip cancellation insurance covers you for cancellations made for covered reasons so you will be able to receive monies lost as outlined by any air carrier, hotel or cruise line penalties. Travelex insurance also has coverage for baggage and baggage delay, trip interruption, and travel assistance. For more information, please call Travelex 800-228-9792.

Embarkment Form
In order to make the boarding process as simple as possible, go online at www.royalcaribbean.com to fill out your embarkment form. If this is not possible, your embarkment form will be included automatically with your cruise documents. Please fill out this form before you leave home.

What is the weather for the cruise?
The average year-round temperature in the Caribbean and Bahamas is 80 degrees.

Will the CE at Sea cruise be affected by the weather?
Royal Caribbean International continues to closely monitor weather conditions to ensure guests enjoy safe and comfortable vacation cruises. When applicable, Royal Caribbean updates this information on the Royal Caribbean website. Please visit www.royalcaribbean.com for updates.

What should I pack for the cruise?
Don't forget to pack your passport, other cruise documents, valuables, and medications in your carry-on bag. You will need your passport and cruise documents to board the ship.

Can transportation to and from the airport be prescheduled?
Transfers are approximately $64 per person round trip. Transfers are only available to/from the ship upon day of sailing and day of debarkation and from Orlando International Airport. Please call Jennifer Merchant, Travel Consultant, TQ3 Navigant Company, 412-208-1927, to purchase transfers.

When should I arrive at the ship?
Be sure to allow plenty of time to board the ship prior to the scheduled sailing time.

Will my cell phone be accessible on the cruise?
Please check with your cell phone provider for your access on the cruise.

When will my cruise documents arrive?
Your documents will arrive approximately three weeks prior to your cruise.

In order to make the boarding process as simple as possible, go online at www.royalcaribbean.com to fill out your embarkment form. If this is not possible, your embarkment form will be included automatically with your cruise documents. Please fill out this form before you leave home.

How do I arrange air transportation for the cruise?
You can arrange your air transportation with your preferred carrier. If you would like assistance with air transportation, please call Jennifer Merchant, Travel Consultant, TQ3 Navigant Company, 412-208-1927.

Can transportation to and from the airport be prescheduled?
Transfers are approximately $64 per person round trip. This cost is subject to increase closer to the cruise sail date. Transfers are only available to/from the ship upon day of sailing and day of debarkation and from Orlando International Airport. Please call Jennifer Merchant, Travel Consultant, TQ3 Navigant Company, 412-208-1927, to purchase transfers.

What documents do I need for the cruise?
Make sure you have the proper forms of identification needed for your trip. Give yourself plenty of time to obtain the proper forms of identification or renew your passport.

Do I need a passport for the cruise? What are the requirements for travelers between the United States and the Western Hemisphere?
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.

Please visit the US Department of State, http://www.travel.state.gov, for updated requirements for traveling to and from the Caribbean.