
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What travel documentation do I need?
UNITED STATES CITIZENS & PERMANENT RESIDENTS
Accepted Cruise Identification for U.S. Citizens:
It is strongly recommended that all United States citizens have a government-issued passport valid for at least six months beyond the return date of your cruise. Your passport must have at least one blank page per stamp. An official U.S. state-issued birth certificate is also accepted; however, a government-issued passport is strongly recommended. Guests age 16 and older who present an official U.S. state-issued birth certificate will also need to provide a valid driver’s license or picture ID issued by the government. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notarized, or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a consular report of birth abroad issued by the Department of State, or certificate of naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Note: Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable. Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship.
Accepted Cruise Identification for U.S. Permanent Residents:
United States Permanent Residents must have a United States Permanent Resident Card. Additionally, a passport from your home country is strongly recommended.
NON-UNITED STATES CITIZENS
If you are NOT a United States citizen (are traveling on a non-United States passport), please verify your specific documentation requirements with your country's consulate before departing. Please note that non-United States citizens may require a visa. Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return and may require blank passport pages for entry and exit stamps.
Accepted Cruise Identification for International Guests (non-U.S. Citizens)
Non-U.S. citizens will require a passport valid at least six months after their cruise ends and any necessary visas.
ALL ATTENDEES
It is the sole responsibility of the attendee to verify, obtain, and be aware of all necessary travel documentation when traveling. Many countries have different requirements for entry and exit; please check your country's specific requirements as well as the requirements of the airline you are traveling on. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond your return date and may require consecutive blank passport pages for entry and/or exit stamps. It is also the guests' responsibility to identify and to obtain all necessary visas. Guests of all Nationalities should contact the Embassy (Consular Services) of each country for specific visa requirements, information, forms and fees for your nationality.
It’s important that the name on your reservation appears exactly as it does on the government issued identification document(s) that you use to board the ship. If your name has changed since your document was issued, you will either need to update the name on that document, or bring an additional, official supporting document to help explain why the name is different. This can include one of the following: State, county or province-issued marriage license, divorce decree, government-issued name change document, official adoption papers. If a child does not share the same last name as their parent/legal guardian, the parent/legal guardian needs to provide a legal document that the child is in their primary care. This can be a birth, marriage, divorce, or adoption certificate. Guests who do not bring required documents may be denied boarding.
Should the last names of the parent and minor child traveling with them differ, the parent is required to present the child's valid passport and visa (if required) and the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy, or a certified copy). The name of the parent(s) and the child must be linked through legal documentation.
We also recommend packing a photocopy of the picture and signature pages of your passport. If your passport should get lost, the photocopies will make it much easier to get an emergency replacement.
4LIFE TRIP GUIDELINES
4Life advises travelers to read and understand the guidelines required for entering and exiting other countries. The additional travel requirements related to travel documentation and vaccination will be the sole responsibility of the traveler. Please schedule, pay for, and successfully execute proper testing/documentation prior to departure. 4Life will assist with communication in the changing guidelines and requirements, but the responsibility to follow travel protocols will be up to each traveler.
Redemption: Once 4Life has purchased airfare, 4Life considers the trip redeemed. There will be no cancellation or deferment of the trip after this timeframe. If you are unable to attend for any reason, the trip will be considered forfeited. The trips are non-transferrable.
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If you are a U.S. citizen, you must follow travel protocols in place by the governing body at your own expense and risk.
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If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must adhere to the travel protocols in place by the governing body at your own expense and risk.
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If you redeem a Great Escape program and for any reason are unable to travel last minute, your trip will be forfeited.
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You will be responsible for travel expenses such as travel documentation and vaccinations.
Q. May I board a Royal Caribbean ship if I am pregnant?
A: Royal Caribbean International cannot accept guests who will be more than 23 weeks pregnant at any time during the cruise. All guests are required to fill out a public health questionnaire prior to arrival or at the pier attesting that they are not more than 23 weeks pregnant.
Q. What is Royal Caribbean's age policy for infants?
A: Infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise. Please be aware that guests traveling with a young infant who does not meet the infant policy will be denied boarding.
Q. What airport will I arrive at and return from?
A: Flights will be arriving and departing from the Miami International Airport (MIA).
We will be arriving in Miami on April 5, 2025. We will be staying overnight at a hotel before boarding the cruise ship as a group the next day.
We will be departing Miami on April 13, 2025. We will ensure you have enough time to depart the ship and transfer to the airport.
CRUISE SHIP REGULATIONS
All guests must be checked-in and onboard the ship no later than 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time or you will not be permitted to sail. Due to government regulations requiring cruise lines to submit final departure manifests at least 60 minutes prior to sailing, guests are requested to complete their online check-in no later than 3 days prior to their cruise. If you do not complete your online check-in 3 days prior, you will be required to complete this process at the pier at least two hours prior to the published sailing time.
Q. How do I get a passport? (United States Citizens)
A: Click HERE to learn everything you need to know about how to obtain or renew a United States passport.
Q. When should I leave for the airport?
A: The recommended airport check-in time for international flights is three hours prior to departure.
Please check with your airline for schedule changes or flight delays and confirm the recommended check-in time prior to leaving for the airport. Please remember to allow extra time if you are unfamiliar with the airport, are leaving during heavy traffic times, or have excess baggage.
For general travel information issued by the State Department, please visit the U.S. Department of State website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html.
Q. How much luggage can I take?
Airlines
Most airlines permit each passenger to take one carry-on bag and one additional personal carry-on item, such as a purse or briefcase/laptop case. All carry-on items must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment. Most airlines will allow you to check bags as well. Please check with your airline to confirm current luggage limitations and any applicable fees* for carry-on and checked baggage. Please note that many airlines charge significant fees for overweight or oversized luggage. Luggage may be locked only with a TSA approved lock.
*Please note that all baggage fees are at your own expense.
Cruise Ship
Each guest is permitted to carry a reasonable amount of luggage aboard the vessel; however, for your comfort and convenience, it is recommended that you limit the number of pieces you take. Each guest has the option to carry their luggage on board or check in luggage prior to boarding. Luggage may include suitcases, trunks, valises, satchels, bags, hangers containing clothing, toiletries, and similar items. Luggage may be locked only with a TSA approved lock.
Carry On Luggage: Carry-on luggage must be able to fit through the x-ray screening machines. These machines vary in size from port to port, however, they are generally similar to those found at airport security check points. Guests wishing to carry their luggage with them during boarding should note that their stateroom may not be immediately available to store their luggage. It is a good idea to pack a small carry-on bag with a change of clothes and bathing suit. That way you don't have to wait for your checked bags to arrive in your stateroom.
Check In Luggage: Due to the high volume of check in luggage on embarkation day, check in luggage may not arrive to your stateroom right away.
We recommend that guests personally carry any boarding documentation such as passports, visas, citizenship documents, and family legal documents and all medications.
To minimize the potential for diversion or loss of medications, we advise that all medications remain in their original, labeled prescription containers. It is also advisable to pack at least three days of extra medication in the event of an unexpected change in the itinerary of the voyage.
Additional Information
Be sure that all baggage and personal belongings are properly insured. Items such as medication, jewelry or other valuables, breakable or perishable items, and important documents should be hand-carried. Responsibility will not be assumed by the airline or cruise ship for loss of or damage to these items.
Q. What items can I carry on?
A: Due to potential security issues on flights, the Transportation Security Administration has updated its aviation security measures. For the latest information regarding what to bring, what to leave at home, and what to generally expect while traveling, please visit the Transportation Security Administration website at http://www.tsa.gov/.
Q. Can I travel with my medication?
One of the more popular questions we get from travelers is: “Can I travel with my medication?” The answer is yes, with some qualifiers. Here are a few tips that you might find helpful.
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It is not necessary to present your medication to, or notify an officer about any medication you are traveling with unless it is in liquid form (See next bullet).
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Medication in liquid form is allowed in carry-on bags in excess of 3.4 ounces in reasonable quantities for the flight. It is not necessary to place medically required liquids in a zip-top bag. However, you must tell the officer that you have medically necessary liquids at the start of the screening checkpoint process. Medically required liquids will be subject to additional screening that could include being asked to open the container.
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You can bring your medication in pill or solid form in unlimited amounts as long as it is screened.
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You can travel with your medication in both carry-on and checked baggage. It’s highly recommended you place these items in your carry-on in the event that you need immediate access.
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TSA does not require passengers to have medications in prescription bottles, but states have individual laws regarding the labeling of prescription medication with which passengers need to comply.
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Medication is usually screened by X-ray; however, if a passenger does not want a medication X-rayed, he or she may ask for a visual inspection instead. This request must be made before any items are sent through the X-ray tunnel.
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Nitroglycerin tablets and spray (used to treat episodes of angina in people who have coronary artery disease) are permitted and have never been prohibited.
Q. What's not included in my Travel Package?
A: The following personal travel expenses are not included in your travel package:
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Mileage
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Airport parking
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Baggage and flight change fees
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Meals outside of what is outlined on the agenda
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Activities/tours you book on your own
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Dry Cleaning
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Laundry Services
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In-room Movies
Q. Who should I tip?
A: Customary gratuities have been taken care of on your behalf for all staff, including staff involved in our functions. Gratuities for services you book yourself (tours, spa, or salon services) are not included and are at your own discretion.
Q. Is there a fee to change my flights?
A: With the exception of basic economy fares, most airlines permit changes to be made to your ticket any time prior to departure, and most airlines require change fees in addition to the difference in fare. All airlines charge difference in fare for flight changes, even if they do not charge a fee for changes. Please contact your coordinator or your office about any flight changes.
Q. What if the name on my flight ticket does not match my identification?
A: In order to be in compliance with the TSA Secure Flight Program, both the TSA and the airlines require that the name on your reservation matches the name on the government-issued photo identification you present at the airport. This requirement supersedes any requirement for airline frequent flyer accounts to match the name on your ticket, and you may need to submit a request to have the name on your airline frequent flyer account changed to match your ID.
Q. When will I receive my travel documents?
A: We will email your personalized travel summary a few weeks prior to travel.
Q. Will someone be there to greet me at the airport when I arrive?
A: Transportation will be provided for all guests who arrive on designated travel dates. After departing the aircraft, collect your luggage, and look for staff holding a 4Life sign and identify yourself. If you are arriving early or staying later than the designated travel dates above, you will be responsible for your own transportation.
Q. What should I pack?
Clothing:
When you’re on board, the right look will vary by venue. But here are a few types of suggested attire you’ll see, grouped by occasion. Shoes should be low-heeled for deck activities. Bring a few swimsuits (so you will always have a dry one). Ashore, you’ll need comfortable walking shoes. If cruising during warm weather, bring a hat and sunscreen for protection from the sun.
Casual: You're on vacation – relax! Jeans, shorts, tees, tank tops, polos, sundresses and blouses are all the right amount of laid back. Please keep swimwear to the Pool Deck. Shorts are welcome for breakfast and lunch.
Smart Casual: Think of this as a step up from your typical dinner wear. Dress to impress with jackets, sports coats, blazers, collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits. Jackets, sports coats and blazers are snazzy and welcome.
Formal: Make it a night out in your best black-tie look – suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns are all acceptable options. The Chef’s Table dining experience also enforces a formal dress code policy. There are usually 1-2 formal nights during a 5-night sailing. The number of formal nights is at the ship's discretion and can vary by itinerary.
Last Night of Cruise: Bring an overnight bag for your last night at sea. Staff will collect your luggage the night before disembarkation and you will need an overnight bag to carry your nightclothes and toiletries.
Main Dining Room/Specialty Dining Venues: Bare feet are not allowed at any time in any venue and tank tops are not permitted in the Main Dining Room or Specialty Dining venues for dinner.
Casino Dress Code: Shirt and shoes are always required. Cover-ups should be worn over bathing attire.
Ports of Call: Some visitor sites may require modest dress to enter, such as churches, temples, and cathedrals. We encourage you look into clothing standards for the communities and sites you plan to visit.
Personal Items:
We suggest that guests transport all their medications in their carry-on luggage to minimize the potential for diversion or loss of medications and advise that all medications remain in their original, labeled prescription containers. It is also advisable to pack at least three days of extra medication in the event of an unexpected change in the itinerary of the voyage.
Q. What electrical plug sockets are there on the cruise ship?
A: All Royal Caribbean ships are equipped with North American standard, 110 volts AC and standard European 220/230 volts AC plug outlets.
Q. What is a muster drill (safety briefing) on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
A: A muster drill is a mandatory safety exercise with the objective to familiarize all guests and crew with the location (muster station) where they are to assemble in the unlikely event of an emergency. During this drill, additional safety information is presented. The pre-departure assembly muster drill is a coast guard regulatory requirement and all guests must attend even if they have sailed previously. If you have a medical condition that impacts your ability to stand please let crew members know and they will arrange for you to participate in the most comfortable possible way. The muster drill for guests on all ships across our fleet is to be held 30 to 60 minutes prior to departure on the day of embarkation.
Q. What if I have a special health concern?
A: If you have any health concerns that may require special attention, please contact us prior to departure. Passengers requiring prescription medications are advised to keep them in their carry-on luggage. While we don't require information about the extent of your health concern or disability, the more information you can share with us about your