~ FAQs – Top Questions ~

Will I be reminded before my card is charged?

Yes, we send an email out about one week before we start processing payments for the group. And it can take up to two weeks to process all the payments for the group. Once your payment has been confirmed we’ll email you an updated invoice for your records.

How many automatic payments will I have?

It varies, but you’ll see your exact payment plan while you enroll. The number of payments is determined by when you book your cruise. Your initial deposit is due at the time of booking and you’ll usually get from 2 to 5 additional payments all in accordance with the Payment Schedule. Call with any questions.

What dining options are available onboard?

There is no shortage of food onboard; enjoy a quick snack out by the pool, hit the buffet or enjoy 24-hour room service all included in your cabin price! Certain specialty restaurants are available with either nominal cover charges or fixed price menus and à la carte pricing in addition to the standard dining program.

Additionally, the formal dining rooms offer a nicer, sit-down meal for the times you’re more interested in being waited on. These meals are also included in your cabin price.

Can special diets be accommodated?

There are special menus for youngsters and special entrées from Cooking Light®. Special meals are available including low-calorie, vegetarian, no MSG, low/no sodium and low/no cholesterol meals, as well as sugar-free and fat-free desserts.

If you have any food allergy or a dietary requirement that requires Kosher meals or gluten-free food product, please advise us when making your reservation. If booking online please list your requirements in the “comments” box on the passenger information page of the booking process. If booking by phone we usually ask if there are any dietary restrictions but please let us know. Obtaining the product for many of these requests requires 30-days notice prior to sailing, and we want to ensure that we are able to fulfill your request. We cannot guarantee Kosher Meal requests made within 30 days of sail date. For the protection of all of our guests, it is not permissible to bring aboard any food items that would require preparation by the ship’s staff, or food items that would require cold storage in our kitchen facilities.

How do I pay for onboard expenses?

For your convenience, all shipboard expenses are charged to your Onboard account. Sign up when you check in, establishing your method of payment with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB Card, Diner’s Club. You may also use your debit card however please be advised that we obtain pre-authorization, as we do for all Credit Cards, and some banks hold these funds for up to 30 days. Traveler’s checks or cash can also be used as a method of payment to settle your account with an initial deposit paid in advance.

Using your debit or ATM card

· Norwegian does not recommend the use of a debit card as payment for your onboard folio.
· Please be advised that multiple holds will be placed on your debit card account based on your onboard purchases.
· After settling your onboard folio, these debit card holds may remain on your account up to 30 days after the cruise ends.
· To avoid overdraft charges from your bank, please make sure that you have enough available funds in your account during this hold period.
· Norwegian will not be responsible for overdraft charges resulting from holds placed on Debit Card accounts.

Cash/Traveler’s Checks Procedures
You can deposit cash or US Traveler’s Checks into your onboard account.

A cash deposit may be placed on your account in the following amounts:

7 day cruises – $300/person
Less than 7 days – $150/person
More than 7 days – $450/person

Once you have exceeded the deposited amount, your account will be closed to further charges. You can deposit as much money as often as you’d like throughout the cruise, however, refunds cannot be made until the day of disembarkation for any excess. US Traveler’s Checks can be cashed onboard and are the same as cash.

**Personal checks will not be accepted, nor can they be cashed onboard.

What types of ship to shore communication are available?

All of NCL’s ships have computer terminals you can rent by the hour at the Internet Café. You can also telephone, telex, radiogram or fax to anywhere in the world and be billed* at applicable ship-to-shore rates.

NCL guests can also be contacted onboard by calling 1.888.NCSHIPS (1.888.627.4477) from the USA. For the rest of the world please dial 1.732.335.3280. Guests may be reached in their staterooms directly from shore via the ship’s satellite. Messages about missed incoming calls also will be delivered to guest staterooms where guests may call back* the shore via satellite.

NCL Ship Telephone & Fax Numbers

When calling from the United States: Dial (888) 627-4477, select the ship, and enter your credit card information.
When calling from outside the United States: Dial (732) 335-3280, select the ship, and enter your credit card information.

*Please use American Express, MasterCard and Discover Card, only.

Special Dietary Requests

If you have any food allergy or a dietary requirement that requires Kosher meals or gluten-free food products, please advise us at the time of booking or after booking by calling or by emailing (please include your reservation # in all correspondence). Obtaining the product for many of these requests requires 60-days notice prior to sailing, and we want to ensure that we are able to fulfill your request. We cannot guarantee Kosher Meal requests made within 30 days of sail date. For the protection of all of our guests, it is not permissible to bring aboard any food items that would require preparation by the ship’s staff, or food items that would require cold storage in our kitchen facilities.

We have many passengers enquire about special dietary needs that they have and everyone who has come onboard has been very happy with the array of selections made available to them by NCL. 
On board Norwegian ships, they offer breakfast, lunch and dinner menus that feature low-calorie, haute cuisine dishes. Their top-rated chefs also prepare vegetarian entrees (nutrition information provided) and sugar-free and fat-free desserts. Gluten-free, lactose-free, sodium-free, Kosher and dairy-free diets can also be catered for and must be requested at least two months before your cruise. On board, there is a smorgasbord of fresh fruits, vegetables and salads at all meal times. At lunch and dinner, there is a pasta station where you choose what to add and at breakfast there is an omelet station, oatmeal and fresh breads available too!

Can YOU book my hotel, airfare, rental car or shuttles?

We will have pre-cruise hotel options available soon. Please check with our Elite Cruisers Travel Advisor, Trisha Cook for when options will be available to book.

However, we usually recommend booking your airfare and car rental independently. We recommend arriving in at least one day before the cruise. And if you plan on flying out the same day the cruise ends, we recommend departing flights 12:00pm or later.

Can each roommate make their own payments?

We will automatically bill the credit card or credit cards used at the time of reservation in accordance with the Payment Schedule.

If two (or more) credit cards were used to make the initial reservation, we will bill them equally for all additional payments.

Should you want to add a credit card or change a credit card after the initial reservation, you will need to notify our office prior to the next scheduled billing.

Can I make changes to my reservation?

Only Lead Passengers or guests who are authorized to make changes can request to change or remove existing guests, or to upgrade to a higher-priced category. Downgrading your cabin to a cabin of lesser value is not allowed. The Lead Passenger must request these changes by phone or email.

Because the Lead Passenger “owns” the reservation, any changes to this passenger are subject to a Lead Passenger change fee of $250, and will require a signed RESERVATION CHANGE FORM.

ALL changes must be received by a specific deadline. Please call for details. Each reservation is allowed one free name change prior to the deadline. Additional changes prior to that date are subject to a $50 administrative fee per change.

Any changes, including adding unnamed guests made after the deadline, but more than one week before the cruise are $75 per change. Any changes, including adding unnamed guests made within a week of the cruise are $100 per change.

Changes or additions made within the week prior to sailing must be done in person at check-in, and may incur a fee up to $250 per change.

How do I add a guest to my reservation?

You can add an additional guest to your cabin based on availability with the cruise line.  The prices for 3rd and 4th guests added at the time of the initial reservation is stated in the Pricing section. Additional guests added to a cabin after the initial reservation will be charged at the prevailing rate of the cruise line.

The cruise line will only allocate a certain number of cabins which can vary by sailing to accommodate more than two persons.

We will always do our best to accommodate additional passengers.

What if I miss a payment?

Because we automatically bill your credit card according to the Payment Schedule, you should never miss a payment! Our staff will e-mail you a reminder a few days prior to the charge.

In the event the credit card is declined or has expired, we will contact you immediately for an alternative credit card. A $35 dollar penalty will be assessed. Therefore, PLEASE contact us PRIOR to the payment due date should you need to change credit cards.

In the event we cannot reach you or payment does not go through, your reservation will cancel and you will be responsible for all cancellation penalties that apply.

What if my payment balance changes?

If your reservation balance changes (for instance, if you add a guest or upgrade your cabin), we’ll adjust the payment amounts on your payment plan and notify all guests via email. Your payment dates won’t change.

What is the Joanie Madden Cruise?

Your host Joanie Madden, world-renowned flute player, and raconteur invites you to join her and an astonishing array of world-class talent on board the incredible Norwegian Epic.

What if a credit card is declined at the time of processing?

We will directly reach out to the guest by phone and e-mail if a credit card is declined to obtain alternative credit card information.

In the unlikely event we cannot reach you after trying for a minimum of two weeks, your reservation will cancel and you will be subject to any cancellation penalties incurred.

How does travel insurance work?

We recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance. The cost is based on age and the cost of your cruise. You may also call us to extend travel insurance coverage to your airline tickets or other travel accommodations you have made.
The purpose of travel insurance is to help provide protection for travelers against the unique risks associated with travel, before trip departure and during the trip itself. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans.
While travel insurance can be purchased any time prior to departure, to be eligible for benefits such as a waiver of the pre-existing medical condition exclusion, most insurance companies require the plan to be purchased within 7-15 days of your initial trip payment.
Please contact Trisha at Elite Cruisers for a quote.

As soon as you book air travel, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, or any other service as part of your planned trip, you are required to contact Elite Cruisers to update your insurance policy. We must change the coverage dates and increase the value of your coverage to maintain all benefits. Additional premium will apply. If you fail to contact us within 14 days to update your policy, and later file a claim, you may no longer be eligible for all benefits under the plan.
Full terms and details of a travel insurance plan, including limitations and exclusions can be found in the travel insurance plan policy or description of coverage.

Updated Nov 2022

What are the age requirements for Joanie Madden Cruise?

Guests are required to be at least 21 years of age at by cruise embarkation day to travel in their own cabin. Guests under the age of 21 must be accompanied in the same stateroom by an individual 21 years or older. The exceptions to this policy are:

• Guests under the age of 21 traveling with a parent or guardian in an accompanying stateroom.

• Married minor couple – The booking must be documented that the couple is married. The couple must have proof of marriage at embarkation or they will be denied boarding without the benefit of a refund.

• Domestic Partners/Same-Sex Union minor couple – The booking must be documented that the couple are legal Domestic Partners/Same-Sex Union. The couple must have legal proof of partnership/union at embarkation or they will be denied boarding without the benefit of a refund.

Guest ages will be verified at embarkation. Guests not conforming to this policy will be denied boarding and assessed a 100% cancellation penalty. NO exceptions will be made at embarkation.

How do I purchase cruise or travel insurance?

It is recommended that you purchase Travel Insurance by phone when making your initial deposit to ensure full coverage of the policy. But you can add it to your reservation anytime prior to your final payment date. You may also call us to request additional coverage for other non-cruise travel, such as airfare and deposits on ground or hotel.

What is the bed configuration in each cabin?

All double occupancy cabins (except suites) have two single beds that can be converted to a queen. All triple or quad occupancy cabins have two singles/queen and one upper bunk bed, and a sofa bed, or trundle bed. Suites have either a queen or king bed.

Can I attend if I am pregnant or just had a baby?

Norwegian will make every effort to accommodate you, providing you have not entered the 24th week of pregnancy when the cruise ends. Please include your cruise details in an email or call with a medical certificate establishing your due date prior to the cruise.

Infants under six months of age are not eligible for travel on Norwegian ships.

Are there any cruise discounts available?

Unfortunately no; the Folk*N Irish Cruise entertainment package is a special program from NCL and Joanie’s group is not combinable with ANY of Norwegian Cruise Line’s promotions.

Will the artists be onboard the whole time?

Our artists are excited to join you on board for the whole event. However, there may be some cases where they must join us during the trip or depart early due to schedule or family commitments.

What information will I need to book my cabin?

Cabin Selection: During booking just select your desired cabin category and occupancy and we’ll select the best location from our list of available cabins for you. If you have a cabin location request please let is know during the booking process.

Naming Guests: You can add your guests later but fees may apply. See the FAQ “Can I make changes to my reservation?” for more details.

You are obligated for the full cruise fare of the occupancy level you select during the reservation process even if you do not add guests to fill your entire cabin. If you wish to add guests beyond the capacity of the occupancy level you select during the reservation process you may do so based on availability for the additional cruise fare associated with the transaction.

Multiple Credit Card Payments: If you wish to make your initial deposit using multiple credit card please call.

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