Land Surveyors Workshops Continuing Education Cruise FAQs

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION CRUISE FAQs


March 1 - 8, 2009   



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  1. How does the Continuing Education while you cruise work?

  2. How do I sign up?

  3. When will I receive my credits?

  4. Are these programs accredited?

  5. Are Cruise Conferences tax deductible?

  6. Is cruising affordable and a good vacation value?

  7. How long is the cruise?

  8. Where will we go?

  9. Tell me about the ship.

  10. Do I need a passport?

  11. Will I get bored? Feel confined?

  12. What can I do in port?

  13. Do I have to participate in the activities?

  14. Do cruise lines welcome families with kids?

  15. What's there to do at night?

  16. Is there a charge for entertainment?

  17. What should I pack?

  18. Will I need a tuxedo?

  19. Can I use my hair dryer or shaver?

  20. Is cruise ship dining as good as I've been told?

  21. Can we stay in touch with the outside world?

  22. What about tipping?

  23. Are there medical services onboard?

  24. Is motion discomfort a problem?

  25. It sounds too good to be true! Is it?

  26. Will the sessions interfere with shore activities?

  27. Who should I see if I have questions that haven't been answered?

  28. What is the policy for cancellations and refunds?

  29. What does Carnival's Vacation Protection Plan cover? How much does it cost?  

  30. Are family rooms available so that I can bring my entire family?   


  1. How does the Continuing Education while you cruise work?
    Land Surveyors Workshops will be holding a variety of its top rated continuing education seminars during the course of a 7-day cruise through the Mexican Riviera on Carnival’s fabulous superliner, Pride.


  2. How do I sign up?
    You may call us at 1-800-533-4387 or sign up online at www.landsurveys.com. You can choose to pay in full or make a deposit and pay in installments. If you choose the second selection, a $500 deposit is required upfront with payments due on June 1, August 1 and October 1.


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  3. When will I receive my credits?
    Upon completion of the course, you will be required to fill out the appropriate course evaluation/test. Certificates of Completion will be handed out at the end of each class. Attendance will be monitored and certificates given only when a course is completed in its entirety.


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  4. Are these programs accredited? We are in the process of securing preapproval for each of the courses to be offered onboard. Many of the courses are already preapproved in many states. Land Surveyor’s Workshops is an established provider of continuing education and has had no difficulty securing approval for our courses. Our instructors are highly qualified and have well-prepared programs on highly relevant subjects.


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  5. Are Cruise Conferences tax deductible? We at Land Surveyors Workshops are not permitted by law to offer tax advice. We can only suggest that you speak with a licensed tax consultant.


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  6. Is cruising affordable and a good vacation value? Yes! Cruising is the best vacation value! Your cruise fare includes all meals, your stateroom, onboard activities and entertainment, plus transportation from port to port. You'll know what your vacation will end up costing you before you go. (Your only extra expenses will be transportation and accomodations before/after the cruise, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, optional shore excursions, and personal services such as massage.)


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  7. How long is the cruise? Seven extraordinary days. The itinerary is outlined on the main cruise page, Click here. Seven days will allow you to get the credits that you need AND enjoy the cruise.


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  8. Where will we go? We will leave from Port of Long Beach. We will visit Puerto Vallarta, Mazatian and Cabo San Lucas. We will also enjoy three full fun days at sea."


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  9. Tell me about the ship. The Carnival Pride is one of Carnival's fabulous superliners. It is 963 feet long with a guest capacity of 2,124 people at double occupancy. Beauty in Life is the theme for the Carnival Pride. Where can you find the artwork of Raphael, da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelangelo, and the architectural details of ancient Greece, Byzantine empires, Renaissance Italy, Beaux Arts France and Victorian England all under the same roof? Perhaps in the great museums of the world -- the Smithsonian, the Bilbao Guggenheim, the Metropolitan -- but also, most definitely, in the public spaces aboard Carnival Pride. Explore the acres of tiered decks featuring four pools, seven whirlpools and a 214-foot waterslide. Take a break for some delicious food in your choice of formal and casual eateries, including a reservations-only supper club. Enjoy the best nights of your life in the friendly casino and numerous nightspots. There’s no end to the exciting activities and experiences.


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  10. Do I need a passport? YES! U.S. Citizens must bring a passport. Proper travel documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise and is the responsibility of the guest. Any guest traveling without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued. Non U.S. citizens please contact us for details on your requirements. In addition to the above requirements, all guests age 16 years and older must provide an official photo ID. It is important that guest names on travel documents, (Passport, Alien Resident Card, birth certificates, etc.) be identical to those on the cruise and airlines tickets. Otherwise, proof of name change (i.e. marriage license) OR a valid driver's license or government issued photo ID must be presented.


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  11. Will I get bored? Feel confined? Hardly! Being at sea gives you a feeling of total freedom that no land-based resort can offer. There's plenty of room. And it will probably take you two or three days just to discover everything that's on board. Plus, you get the added adventure of exploring our ports of call. Cruise ships are like floating resorts with all the choices fine resorts have to offer. You can lie back in a lounge chair, breathe in the sea air, soak up the sun, read good books, or watch the ever-changing seascape. If you're more active, join in exercise or dance classes, and sports contests. Practice your tennis stroke or golf swing, or take some fresh air on the jogging deck. Swim, stretch out in the sauna or work out in the gym. You can also see a feature film, attend an enrichment lecture by renowned experts, play backgammon or bridge. And that's just when you're on board!


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  12. What can I do in port? So much you'll have a hard time choosing! You can explore on your own or take a guided tour (often referred to as shore excursions). A complete list of available shore excursions will be made available after November 1. You will be able to register for shore excursions through Carnival in advance or onboard.


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  13. Do I have to participate in the activities? On a cruise, you do what you want, when you want. You can do everything or do absolutely nothing. However, the continuing education courses offered on board are monitored for attendance. You will only get credit for those hours that you actually attend.


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  14. Do cruise lines welcome families with kids? Kids onboard the Glory can participate in the award-winning Camp Carnival children’s program for ages 2-15. The program includes specially designed programs for four age groups, evening babysitting (for a nominal fee), specially trained staff, youth playrooms including computers, children's menu, water slide and kids wading pool. Last year, several surveyors chose to bring along their entire familes. Carnival allows up to four people in a room.

    Please call early if you are interested in a triple or quadruple occupancy room. Prices will vary.


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  15. What's there to do at night? Carnival ships boast some of the largest showrooms and best entertainment at sea. If you want excitement, you'll find it everywhere. There are lounges, bars and clubs to suit every taste. During your cruise, no two shows are the same. So when the curtain goes up on one or our lavish Las Vegas-style extravaganzas, you'll want to be there. Later, stop in at the dance bar or meet new-found friends at the sing-a-long piano bar. Other options in entertainment include a wide variety of singers, comedians, bands and musicians performing either out on deck or in one of the many clubs and lounges.


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  16. Is there a charge for entertainment? Never. On a cruise vacation, the entertainment is on the house. There's no cover, minimum, or charge for an admission ticket. The shows are live, the films first-rate and all included in your cruise fare.


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  17. What should I pack? Pack as you would for any resort. Casual attire is in order during the day. For two nights, a dark suit or formal attire is suggested. (That is for the formal dining room. If you are opposed to formal wear. You can choose to dine in the casual dining rooms.) The dress code for other evenings ranges from sport coat and tie to casual resort wear. Shorts and T-shirts are not permitted in the dining room during dinner.


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  18. Will I need a tuxedo? On some cruises, formal dinners or parties are part of the fun. But don't buy a tuxedo just for the trip. Even on the most formal of ships, a dark suit and tie are fine for the dressiest occasions. If you do want to dress to the nines, many ships offer tuxedo rental services.


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  19. Can I use my hair dryer or shaver? All modern ships have 110 volt outlets in the staterooms. Staterooms in the Carnival Pride come with hairdryers.


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  20. Is cruise ship dining as good as I've been told? Everything you've heard about cruise ship dining is true. You'll find a varied selection of entrees (appetizers, salads, soups, vegetables, and desserts, too) every time you sit down. And there's virtually no limit on what or how much you can order. But, just because your cruise ship offers plenty of delicious food doesn't mean you'll come home out of shape. You can choose low-cal, spa, vegetarian or fitness menu selections that are just as tempting as the regular menu. Best of all, the one thing you'll never see on a cruise ship menu is a price. Because all your meals are included!


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  21. Can we stay in touch with the outside world? Quite easily. Most ships have a daily newsletter with news, headlines, selected stock quotes and sports scores. Staterooms on most ships are equipped with televisions. While most ships now have satellite telephones in passenger cabins, you can also call someone on shore through the ship's radio officer while at sea. And, you can make phone calls from most ports. In addition, most ships have fax capabilities.


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  22. What about tipping? Carnival charges $10 per person per day to your onboard account. You can adjust that amount at the end of the cruise based on the service your received. This amount will be charged to the credit card you registered with Carnival at the onset of the cruise. The $10 per person per day does not include a tip for your Maitre'D. So, you will want to plan to tip him personally. Also, if your cabin steward or waiter is particularly helpful, you can tip them directly with cash.


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  23. Are there medical services onboard? Should you require medical attention while onboard, the infirmary staff is available to assist you 24 hours a day. The medical staff is from the fields of Emergency Medicine or Family Practice and is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. All physicians are independent contractors and are entitled to render services at customary charge. PREGNANCY: Be advised that guests who are 27 weeks or more into their pregnancy at the time of their departure will not be permitted to sail because of the risk of premature labor.


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  24. Is motion discomfort a problem? Rarely. Popular cruise itineraries boast some of the calmest waters in the world. In addition, stabilizers on modern ships, advanced availability of accurate weather information, and development of effective preventative medications have, for the most part, eliminated the incidence of motion discomfort.


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  25. It sounds too good to be true! Is it? The one major complaint we hear over and over again is that cruises end far too soon! Beyond that, it's hard to find any negatives. All you have to worry about is relaxing and enjoying your vacation. Most importantly, every crew and staff member on board is dedicated to making your cruise the best vacation of your life (until you top it with your next cruise!)


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  26. Will the sessions interfere with shore activities? Courses are held while the ship is at sea between ports. You will not miss any shore excursions or other onshore activities.


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  27. Who should I see if I have questions that haven't been answered? If, after reviewing the FAQ sections you still can't find the answers you are looking for, please send us an email at landsurveyworkshops@yahoo.com.


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  28. What is the policy for cancellations and refunds? Please see the main cruise page for complete details on the cancellation policy.

Note: Name changes or additions may be allowed at LSW’s discretion and are subject to cancellation charges and rate increases. Reservations will be held until 30 minutes prior to departure without risk of automatic cancellation. No refunds will be made in the event of "no shows" or interruption or cancellation by the guest after the start of the cruise. We recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. See details below.


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  • What does Carnival's Vacation Protection Plan cover? How much does it cost? 

    Carnival highly recommends that all guests purchase the Vacation Protection Plan covering trip cancellation, baggage and contents, and accidents. Depending on the policy, you will be protected to the extent you choose to be covered. The cost of coverage for this cruise is $129 for adults and $59 for children under age 16.

    The following is not a complete description of plan benefits and limitations. A full Description of Coverage detailing the terms, conditions and exclusions is available on the Carnival website, click here to view the full policy. If you have any questions, you may contact our Carnival's Insurance Administrator, Berkely Care, at 1-800-331-2796.

    Trip Cancellation: Total Cruise Vacation Cost: If you have to cancel your vacation because of covered injury, illness or death affecting you, your immediate family or your traveling companions, the Plan will reimburse your non-refundable Carnival cruise and air cancellation charges up to the full amount.

    Trip Interruption: Total Cruise Vacation Cost: If you have to leave your vacation unexpectedly for the same reasons stated above, the Plan will reimburse you for the unused, non-refundable portion of your cruise vacation payment, plus the cost of returning home, up to the total amount.

    Trip Delay - $500: If you miss the departure of your cruise due to carrier-caused delays or other covered reasons, the Plan reimburses you up to $500 for additional accommodations, meals and "catch-up" transportation expenses.

    Baggage Protection - $1,500: If your baggage or personal property is lost or damaged, the Plan will cover up to $1,500. If your bags are delayed or misdirected by a common carrier for more than 24 hours, the Plan will reimburse you up to $500 for the purchase of necessary personal affects.

    Medical Expense Coverage - $10,000: Should you become injured or sick during your vacation, the Plan will reimburse you up to $10,000 for necessary medical expenses.

    AIG Assist: Included in your Cruise Vacation Protection Plan is 24-hour hotline help for medical and travel-related problems.

    Emergency Evacuation - $30,000: In the event that a serious illness or injury requires air or ground transportation to a specialized facility or to return home, the Plan provides up to $30,000 in covered medical services and supplies (AIG Assist will coordinate all aspects of the transportation and help ensure your safe return).


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  • Are family rooms available so that I can bring my entire family? How much does it cost? 

    Yes! A limited number of family rooms are available to accomodate up to two adults and two children. The rate for additional people is subject changes, so please call Land Surveyors Workshops 1-800-533-4387 if you would like to reserve your family cabin. Limited reservations available, call now to ensure your entire family can enjoy the cruise.
    Camp Carnival runs from 9 a.m until 10 p.m. daily. If you have a class that runs begins at 8 a.m. or if you would like to enjoy an evening activity (10 p.m. - 3 a.m.), babysitting is also available (outside Camp Carnivalhours) for approximately $6.00 per hour for the first child in the family and $4.00 per hour for each additional child in the same immediate family.

     

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