YOU WILL NEED A PASSPORT
FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

INCLUDING  CANADA
AND MEXICO

CLICK ON THE PASSPORT
FOR MORE INFORMATION
NEWS -  TIPS -  QUESTIONS
     1.    We are now restricted to one check in bag and it
             cannot weigh more than 50lbs. Pack light!

     2.    Do not pack your medication into your check in bag.
            Pack it into your carry on bag or turn it over to your
            tour staff.  Remember to bring your written
            prescription.

     3.    Bring Number 50 or higher sun block.  Anything less
            will not work very well down in the Caribbean or the
            Mexican Riviera

     4.    Beach  towels are provided by the cruise line.  They
            can be used on board and off the ship.   You do NOT
            have to bring one.
More Questions?  Please email neil@setravelclub.com

    Some of the ports we stop at are tender ports.  
    This means you cannot walk or roll off the ship.  
    You have to get in a small boat (tender) and get
    shuttled over to the pier.  We have not felt
    comfortable taking a wheelchair on any of the
    tenders and Carnival does not recommend it
    either.  The ports that we have been to that are
    inaccessible to wheelchairs are Avalon, Catalina
    Island and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  There is no
    American Disabilities Act in Mexico and as a
    result there are few sidewalk ramps.  There are
    also lots of cobblestone streets.  The cobblestones
    can yank the rubber off the wheels of regular
    wheelchairs.   It happened to us in Puerto Vallarta.
    St. Maarten in the Eastern Caribbean can be a
    problem because all the beaches except one are
    accessible only by shuttle vans with no wheel chair
    lift.   Phillipsburg where we dock is accessible by a
    long walk or by rolling and there is a nice beach in
    town.

    There are no wheelchair lifts on any of the buses or
    shuttle vans that we need to use in Mazatlan or
    Puerto Vallarta.   Ensenada is accessible without
    the use of a shuttle van.  You can roll off the ship
    and roll into town without much of a problem.  We
    do recommend an off road or all terrain wheel
    chair.   We also require that anyone in a
    wheelchair bring a personal attendant.   We will
    have to adjust the price of the tour accordingly but
    will give you the best (cheapest) price we can.  We
    want to custom design a tour that will take into
    consideration some of the limitations that cruising
    would impose on our wheelchair members.   
    Because you are in a wheelchair does not mean
    you should not go on a cruise.  Carnival has a
    special needs department and Isabel Bernal has
    been wonderful in getting us wheelchair accessible
    cabins.  You have access to everything on board
    the ship including the great shows, the food,
    shopping etc.  We want everyone to have a great
    time including our wheelchair members.


         1.    How do you prevent someone from falling off the balcony of one of those
        balcony cabins?
        
       We do not book balcony cabins.  1st choice is an ocean view
       (window) cabin.   When members are on the outside decks using
       the pool or hot tubs there is always an escort there too.
       Everyone has a 2 way radio issued to them for the trip if they are
       capable of using it.   All of our staff carry one.                         
       
         2.   What about medical insurance.  What works and what does not work?

       Medicare works everywhere in the United States.  That includes Puerto
       Rico and the United States Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.
       Medi-cal  which is issued by the State of California is useless outside the
       state.  Kaiser and other HMO's can be questionable outside their   
       designated  territories.  Since we are outside the United States for a
       portion of every cruise we cover everyone in the group including the
       tour escorts with a travel insurance policy from Travel Guard which
       includes medical insurance to a certain limit and medical evacuation.
       Check them out at www.travelguard.com.  They also have policies for our
       members traveling from Canada.

         3.   What size of suitcase should I bring?  

       A duffel bag with wheels and an extending handle  measuring 15" X
       30" approximately is just fine.   Anything bigger is not necessary.
       You can get one for around $30 - $40 at COSTCO or WalMart Etc.  
       Remember you are going on vacation, you are not moving, so pack
       light.  It is warm down in the Caribbean even during December so you
       can leave your heavy sweaters and jeans at home.  Everyone will
       receive a packing list and it is a great idea to go by that.  Do not
       pack anything sharp into your carry on bag.  Also leave your pocket
       knives at home.  TSA security will find them and it will delay all of us
       while you try and explain to them why you have one.  The weight of
       the bag when packed cannot be any more than 50 lbs.

         4.   I have to bring medication.  Any problems with that?   

       No problem.  It is fantastic if you get your meds blister packed for the
       trip.  Your pharmacy knows what that is.  We cannot give you your
       medication.  We can remind you to take it, but you have to be able to
       self medicate.  We do have a medication chart which your tour staff
       will help you with and it can be returned to your care provider, Q, or your
       parents.  You prescription has to be printed on your bottles or on the
       blister pack.  DO NOT PACK YOUR MEDICATION INTO YOUR CHECK
       IN BAG.  Keep it on you or give it to your tour staff.

         5.   Will I get seasick on the cruise?

       The ships we travel on are so big that you can hardly feel them moving.
       There is a doctor and a medical station on board and if anyone does
       get queasy they can provide us with some medication to make you feel
       better.  

         6.   Can we get in touch with you while you are on a cruise?

       Yes.  You can get to us through the operator at the cruise line.  You need
       the name of the ship and the passengers name.  It is not cheap.  $9.50
       per minute!  Our cell phones now work while we are on most ships but
       they will be roaming.  Check with your carrier to see what the roaming
       charges will be!  When we are on a road trip you can get a hold of us
       at any time.  Most of our members and all of our staff have cell phones.

         7.   How come your prices are so much higher than the listed prices we see  
       on the cruise line web sites?
                  
               We include just about everything  the listed price does not.  Included
               are hotel charges, port taxes, fuel surcharges, air fare, gratuities, shore      
       excursions, food, sale taxes, insurance and supervision 24 hours a day.  
       Also included is ground transportation between the airport, seaport and
       hotel.                      
                  
         8.   Why are your prices so much cheaper than some of the other organizations that
               are doing this?

               We are pricing our trips from a major transportation center (Los Angeles)
               while other organizations have to price their trips from wherever they are
               based. Organizations on the east coast would have cheaper Caribbean        
               cruises than us because they are obviously closer to Miami / Ft Lauderdale.
               Our trips to the Mexican Riviera would be cheaper than theirs.  Other
               organizations on the west coast may not be based in a major transportation
               hub and would have to include transportation from where they are located.
               We can take advantage of being close to BUR / LAX / LGB and the Port
               of Long Beach.  We also avoid traveling during the major holidays.

         9.   Can we get a passport card instead of a regular passport book?

               NO.  In case of an emergency and we have to fly someone back to the USA
               you will need a regular passport book in order to board an aircraft.  
               PLEASE get the Passport Book.

       10.   How do you prevent someone who cannot drink alcohol from getting
               a drink from one of the several bars on board a ship?

               With a Sharpie Pen.  In order to get a drink on board a ship you have to
               show your Sign and Sail Card.  We write NO ALCOHOL with a water
               proof Sharpie on the card.  We also talk to the bartenders to back up
               what is on the card.  Most of our members take meds that cannot be mixed
               with alcohol.
TIPS FOR THE TRIP
PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS
Wheelchairs
Questions
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