Browse the sections below to find answers to some common questions regarding our trips.
Trip providers will require a deposit upon booking. The amount may vary based upon special promotions and the date you make your reservation. Final payment will be due 90 days prior to trip departure. Refund dates may vary per trip so please be sure to contact us. The balance due on any trip will be automatically charged to the primary payment method 90 days before departure, unless we are notified in advance to use a different form of payment. Check payments should be made payable to Cruise Designs.
Fort Lauderdale is the closest airport to the pier. Fort Lauderdale airport is about 15 minutes away, as is the pre-cruise hotel, the Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale by Hilton.
Each person must have a valid passport. Non-U.S. citizens will need to check with their consulates for visa or other requirements to enter the U.S. and our ports of call.
The first night of every cruise we host a welcome cocktail party exclusively for our guests. This is the first time the entire group will have a chance to meet and mingle. We will make many useful announcements. Other private events are also planned for the week. Full details of our daily itinerary will be made available to you upon check in on the ship.
On most trips. you may choose to pay for a solo room or find your own traveling partner. You may also elect to have us match you up with a cabinmate or roommate on specific trips. Each trip has a deadline to pick your roommate or cabinmate so please be aware of this deadline. After the deadline, if you have not paid to travel solo, cabinmates or roommates will be assigned. Unfortunately you will not have a chance to interview prospective cabinmates. Assignments are made right before final payment is due.
Trip cancellations may incur penalties if made after 180+ days prior to your trip. Estimated penalties are itemized below. You must check the website and confirm with us regarding penalties.
- 180+ days prior to trip –> No charge
- 179 to 120 days prior to trip –> $200 per guest
- 119 to 60 days –> $400 per guest
- 59 to 30 days –> 50% of the total price
- 29 to 0 days –> NO refund, 100% of the total price
When checking in at the pier you will need to leave a credit card imprint. Anything you purchase on the ship will be charged to your cabin account. Cash is not accepted anywhere except the casino. Should you not have a credit card, you will need to leave cash deposit from which you may draw.
We have confirmed a block of tables together each evening for dinner. Since the tables are ours, you may feel free to move from table to table each evening. We encourage this so that you get the chance to get to know as many people as possible. Evenings are casual such as slacks and shirt or polo type shirt. Meals in the buffet are always casual. You may request other dining times if you wish but you will not be with the rest of the group. We find it a great bonding experience when the entire group dines together.
Start your vacation off right by adding a few nights prior, or after, the trip. We will arrange for a special group rate.
Check out the pre-cruise hotel for our upcoming HIV Cruise Retreat #19
In each port, we will offer our own group excursion. The ship also offers many others from which you can choose.
For those opting out of Celebrity’s Perks package (Includes drinks, Wi-Fi and Gratuities), the cost of the gratuities is $17.50 a day per person and will automatically be added to your cabin bill.