We’re All in This Boat Together
June 25-28, 2010
The chapter is setting sail from Long Beach to Ensenada on Carnival Cruise Line! Join us with your family for a three-day getaway to Ensenada aboard the Carnival Paradise. This retreat is exclusively for people with MS and their loved ones. This weekend is designed to enjoy much-needed family time and to meet other families living with MS. Along with the ship’s plentiful opportunities, the chapter will organize social gatherings and host workshops throughout the weekend for you and your family. Get ready for an unforgettable and fun-filled weekend at sea!
This program will fill up very quickly - ADA cabins are already full! Book early to secure the best cabin at the best price. Get your reservation and deposit in today. An ADA wait list is being started - you can be added to the ADA wait list by calling the cruise hotline at (760) 448-8445.
Important requirements:
- You or your family member with MS must be a member of the National MS Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter.
- Guest must be 21 years old by June 25th to travel. Guests under age 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian age 25 or older in the same stateroom.
- You must be able to access the ship and all of its activities independently. If you require personal care or assistance, you must bring a friend, family member or hire help to accompany you.
- Due to limited availability, ADA cabins are exclusively held for Society members residing in Orange, San Diego and Imperial County.
All rates are listed in detail on the Reservation Request Form. The advertised rates include a $25 contribution per guest compliments of the chapter. Cruise cost includes room, all meals, some non-alcoholic beverages, entertainment as well as Society-sponsored talks and activities.
Limited family scholarships are available upon request. Scholarships are based on income and limited to two tickets per family.
For additional details about this event, please review Frequently Asked Questions below or visit www.Carnival.com and click on Frequently Asked Questions. Also feel free to call 1-800-344-4867 and press “1” or email msinfo@mspacific.org
If you anticipate needing special accommodations on the cruise, please complete the Special Requirements form.
Are you ready to book now?
Fax the completed Reservation Request form to our event partner MVP Meetings at (303) 474-3034 or email it to kgentzler@mvpmeetings.com. Or call the MS 2010 Cruise Hotline at (760) 448-8445 to complete your form by phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the CARNIVAL PARADISE BAJA MEXICO ITINERARY?
- What are the requirements for TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION?
- What is Carnival’s Cancellation policy?
- Is there security on board?
- What if I am traveling with injection medication that needs to be stored?
- Is there access onboard for guests with special requirements?
- What about those who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters?
- What if I have special dietary needs?
- What if I require a service animal?
- What if I require use of dialysis or oxygen?
- What if I am Deaf /Hard of Hearing or Blind/Low Vision?
- Is there a doctor on board?
- What type of medication is available onboard?
- What type of medical staffing and equipment is available onboard?
- Can I sail with my infant?
- How old do you have to be to travel alone?
What is the CARNIVAL PARADISE BAJA MEXICO ITINERARY?
| PORT | ARRIVE | DEPART |
| Long Beach | 5:30 pm | |
| Ensenada | 9:00 am | 6:00 pm |
| "Fun Day" at Sea | ||
| Long Beach | 8:00 am |
What are the requirements for TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION?
Proper travel documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise. Even though a guest has completed registration using FUNPASS, it is still the responsibility of the guest to bring all required travel documents. Any guest without proper documents will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued. Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of immigration requirements.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Passport Requirements became effective June 1, 2009, for land and sea borders. While the WHTI requires a valid passport for land and sea travel, a final ruling was issued allowing leniency for “closed-loop” cruises, i.e., sailings that both originate and terminate in the same U.S. port. U.S. citizens taking “closed-loop” cruises are not required to have a passport, but will need proof of citizenship such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization, a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) as well as a government-issued photo ID. Children are also required to bring proof of citizenship, and if 16 and over, a photo ID is also required. Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking “closed loop” cruises, we strongly recommend all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel). Having a passport will enable guests to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event they miss their scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if they need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency. For more information, a complete list of WHTI-compliant documents or to obtain a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov. U.S. Alien Residents need a valid Alien Resident Card. Non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport and a valid, unexpired U.S. Multiple Re-entry Visa, if applicable.
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What is Carnival’s Cancellation policy?
For this 3-day cruise, you can cancel or change a guest name up to 61 days prior to departure or April 25, 2010 with no penalty. If you cancel between April 25 and May 25, 2010, the penalty is $100 per person. If you cancel within 8-29 days of departure, the cancellation cost is 50% of the total fare. Within 7 days of departure and for all “no shows” there are no refunds.
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Is there security on board?
Carnival puts the highest priority on the safety and security of our guests. In order to maintain that environment, we employ a high-profile, onboard uniformed security force. These personnel are onboard to make sure everyone enjoys a safe and happy cruise vacation.
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What if I am traveling with injection medication that needs to be stored?
If you are traveling with injection medication (s) and need a container for disposal, please note this under Special Needs on your Reservation Request Form. Should you need to store medicine that needs proper refrigeration, please visit Guest Services onboard where access to a refrigerator is available 24 hours a day.
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Is there access onboard for guests with special requirements?
Carnival is dedicated to offering the finest cruising experience to our guests with special requirements. Our ships provide a quality of service and a variety of accessible features to make your voyage a relaxing and enjoyable experience. A "Fun Ship" cruise vacation is perfect for people who have a special need for fun! Carnival has made substantial modifications to enhance your ability to move about our ships. Our ships feature accessible elevators at each elevator bank with tactile controls within reach of guests who use wheelchairs and auditable signals for guest who are blind or with low vision. Accessible routes are available through most areas of the ship and signs are posted to assist you in locating these pathways.
A diagram of accessible routes and emergency exit routes for your ship, as well as a diagram which indicates the location of accessible seating within your ship’s restaurants and lounges is available at the Guest Services desk onboard, or by contacting our Guest Access Services Department and will be provided to you before departure. The pools onboard are not equipped with pool lifts and the sun deck is not accessible for wheelchairs.
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What about those who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters?
Passenger scooters must be stored and batteries recharged in your cabin. Due to safety considerations, wheelchairs and scooters cannot be stored in the corridors. Your personal scooter should be able to fit in a standard cabin: a 21" entry doorway. If your scooter needs to be larger than 21", you must purchase a modified cabin by marking ADA Cabin on the special needs section of your Reservation Request Form or rent a smaller scooter. Segways and other similar vehicles are not permitted on board carnival vessels.
Facilities in ports of call vary significantly; wheelchair accessibility may not be available for shore tours or in certain ports of call. Carnival is not responsible for accessibility in its ports of call, which are not under Carnival's control. Our cruise port, Ensenada, is a dock port. Tenders are not required for this port of call. The Society will host onboard activities during the port of call day as well to enable all participants to have many activity options while at the retreat.
Furthermore, the wheelchairs onboard are used for emergencies and time-to-time usage, therefore, Carnival Cruise Lines is unable to confirm the exclusivity of a wheelchair for the entire duration of the cruise. Additionally, wheelchairs from the ships cannot be taken off shore in ports-of-call. If you require the regular use of a wheelchair, Carnival Cruise Lines respectfully asks that you bring your own or rent one from a service provider. The National MS Society has a Medical Equipment Loan Program and will make needed equipment available onboard free of charge during the cruise weekend. YOU MUST REQUEST THIS EQUIPMENT FROM THE SOCIETY 4 WEEKS IN ADVANCE and request forms will be provided to attendees. The Society will have additional batteries and lightweight equipment on board in case of an emergency. It is highly recommended that you bring an additional extension cord for your equipment that requires charging.
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What if I have special dietary needs?
Carnival Cruise Lines can provide meals for those with food allergies and the following special dietary needs: vegetarian, low-cholesterol, low-fat, low-sugar, low-carbohydrates and gluten-free. Please advise the dining staff or contact a Guest Access Services Representative once on board so we can prepare the appropriate meal for you. However, those requesting Kosher meals -- due to the limited selections and quantities -- should call Reservations at least two weeks prior to sailing to accommodate your needs. Baby food and formula is not available on board.
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What if I require a service animal?
Carnival Cruise Lines does permit guests to travel on board with specially trained service animals (e.g., dog guides, hearing-ear dogs, working dogs). Since many of our exciting ports of call have established strict entry requirements for animals, guests with service animals who wish to disembark in ports of call should contact the Department of Agriculture to determine the policy of each destination regarding service animals. Non-Service pets are not permitted onboard.
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What if I require use of dialysis or oxygen?
Carnival does not supervise dialysis machines for those guests who require Hemo-Dialysis. We do allow guests who require Peritoneal (self dialysis). Guests must travel with all medical supplies and medications and self-administer in their stateroom.
Guests using oxygen and other breathing apparatuses are responsible for traveling with their own supply of oxygen and medications. Guests need to bring enough oxygen to last the duration of the cruise. Oxygen supplies on board the vessels are for emergency use only.
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What if I am Deaf /Hard of Hearing or Blind/Low Vision?
In cabin alert systems are available upon request, these kits included: bed shaker, smoke alarm, and door. Our in-cabin telephones are equipped with an amplifier. Infrared systems are available in the main show lounges onboard some ships. Braille Signage is available onboard some ships. Braille and Large Print format is available with advance notice for the following documents: In-Cabin Directories, Cruise Ticket Contract, and Welcome Aboard Booklets. We also provide audio format for our Carnival Capers®.
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Is there a doctor on board?
Should a guest require medical attention while aboard one of our vessels, the Medical Center staff is available to assist 24 hours a day. The Medical Center is equipped to treat minor non-emergency matters. Physicians are available to render services at a customary fee. While at sea or in port, the availability of medical care may be limited. The Medical Center on board has daily office hours which are listed in the Carnival Capers. The medical staff is on call 24 hours a day for emergencies. The hours may vary from ship to ship and whether the ship is in port or at sea: Medical Center Hours: 8:00am - 8:00pm, Doctor's Hours: 9 - 11am and 3- 6pm
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What type of medication is available onboard?
Motion Sickness: complimentary Meclizine (Bonine) is available from the Medical Center, Room Service or the Information Desk, free of charge. A motion sickness shot can be administered to those who are actively vomiting, but not as preventive medicine; there is a fee for the shot. The Medical Center does not have motion sickness patches or wristbands. Over-the-Counter medications for cold, cough, upset stomach or other minor illnesses can be purchased at the Medical Center from 8:00am-8:00pm. In addition, the shops on board may carry some of these items. Prescription drugs and vitamins may not be readily available either on board the ship or in the ports-of-call.
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What type of medical staffing and equipment is available onboard?
In order to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for our guests, our medical centers meet or exceed the standards established by the International Council of Cruise Lines and the American College of Emergency Physicians. Our medical centers are staffed by qualified physicians and nurses who are committed to providing the highest quality of shipboard medical care. Each ship in the fleet carries one doctor and three nurses. Shipboard medical facilities are set up to provide reasonable emergency medical care for guests and crew. In cases of extreme emergency where more comprehensive facilities are required, patients are referred to shore side facilities. In addition to standard lifesaving equipment such as defibrillators and external pacemakers, our medical centers carry some of the latest in medical technology including thrombolytic therapy, electrocardiograph machines, lab equipment, pulse oxymeters and x-ray machines on many of our ships.
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Can I sail with my infant?
Minimum age for sailing is 6 months. This is a company policy which takes into consideration the safety and comfort of the infant as well as the other guests. Carnival has fully researched the legality of the policy and it is not discriminatory and does not violate any applicable law. Carnival will not make exceptions and do not allow for the signing of waivers or releases to make an exception to the policy.
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How old do you have to be to travel alone?
Guests are required to be 21 years old (on embarkation day) to travel. Guests under the age of 21 must be accompanied in the same stateroom by a parent or guardian 25 or older. Guest ages will be verified at embarkation. Guests not conforming to this policy will be denied boarding and assessed a 100% cancellation penalty at boarding. NO exceptions.
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