About Our Destination

Currency

All ports of call accept $USD.

Languages

Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico. However, English is widely used and spoken in all ports of call.

Being Gay in the Caribbean

The islands of the Caribbean are home to many gay- and lesbian-friendly countries. Puerto Rico has many gay-friendly resorts as well as a great nightlife scene, and it has the benefit of being protected by U.S. anti-discriminations laws. In addition, the U.S. Virgin Islands have become a mecca for gay and lesbian travelers and you will find the locals are very respectful throughout the islands.

Climate

The climate in the Caribbean will range between 73°F-84°F (23°C-29°C) during the day and 66°F-75°F (19°C-24°C) at night. February is generally considered the dry season. At night it can get breezy, but mostly you’ll be fine in shorts and a t-shirt.

Destinations

• Saturday, February 1 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida – depart 4 pm
• Sunday, February 2 – At Sea
• Monday, February 3 – Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands – 8 am to 3 pm
• Tuesday, February 4 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – 1 pm to 8 pm
• Wednesday, February 5 – St. Thomas/St. John, U.S.V.I. – 8 am to 5 pm
• Thursday, February 6 – At Sea
• Friday, February 7 – Half Moon Cay, Bahamas – 8 am to 3 pm
• Saturday, February 8 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida – arrive 7 am

Before Your Trip

What’s Included and What’s Not

What is included?

• Accommodations for 8 days/7 nights on board Holland America’s ms Westerdam
• All meals on board, including room service
• Coffee, tea, juices during all meals
• Gratuities to ship’s staff
• Olivia’s signature entertainment and programming
• Olivia staff assistance throughout

What’s not included?

• Boutique, casino and spa services
• Soft drinks, bottled water, alcohol such as wine, beer and cocktails
• Internet access, phone, fax and other incidentals
• A wide menu of optional excursions, cabana rentals and specialty restaurants
• Ship’s photos, bingo and casino activities
• Airfare
• Fuel surcharge
• Medical attention

Travel documentation and identification

Passport

You will need a passport that is valid for six months past the date of the trip. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with your country’s consulate to make sure you do not need an entry visa or other additional documentation.

Visa

If you are a U.S. Citizen, you DO NOT need to get a visa ahead of time. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with both your country’s consulate and the consulates of the countries we will be visiting to make sure you do not need an entry visa or other additional documentation.

Vaccinations

Though none are required, please check with your local Public Health Department or personal physician regarding immunization requirements. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at: www.cdc.gov. Just click on “Traveler’s Health” followed by “Vaccinations.”

Travel insurance

We encourage all guests to purchase travel insurance. Olivia has partnered with Travel Guard to make things easier for you; you can now add your travel insurance when you book your trip, all in one call. In order to receive the most comprehensive coverage, please purchase your insurance within 14 days of your initial invoice. If you have questions about Olivia’s travel insurance, call (800) 631-6277 option 1 to talk to one of our travel consultants.

Joining the Olivia.com trip group

If you’d like to chat with people who are going on the trip, sign up for the official Olivia trip group on our connect page. You can also join Olivia’s Eastern Caribbean Cruise 2014 Official group page on Facebook.

Travel and arrival

Air travel

Where to fly into/out of

You will need to fly into and out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FLL) which is located approximately 10 – 15 minutes from the port terminal. We encourage all passengers to arrive a day early to avoid the stress of unexpected delays.

Suggested arrival/departure times

If you plan to arrive on embarkation day (February 1, 2014), we suggest you arrive in Fort Lauderdale no later than 12 pm. Return flights from Fort Lauderdale on the day of disembarkation (February 8, 2014) should be booked after 12 pm.

Airfare

We are proud to partner with American Airlines. The AA discount code A1314AA is good for 7% off and applies to flights into and out of Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL). Dates of travel are January 29 – February 11, 2014. Airfare can be booked no earlier than 11 months before the trip. This reservation can be booked by calling (800) 433-1790 ($25 booking fee applies) or visiting AA.com/rainbow (no booking fee, and please remove the preceding “A” when booking online).

Olivia’s preferred travel agency

We are happy to partner with Panorama Travel, which provides excellent service and competitive airfares. For a small fee, they can also assist you with using your frequent flyer miles for free tickets and upgrades. You can reach them at 800-523-0093 or 503-682-6800.

Luggage allowances

While there is no luggage limit on the cruise itself, airlines often restrict (or charge) for excess baggage. Because each airline is different, and the regulations change over time, please check with your airline for baggage allowances.

Transfers and Meeting up with Olivia

Getting to / from your ship

You will be able to take a taxi from the airport to the port for approximately $15 dollars.

Check-in

Ship check-in begins at 11:30 am. Embarkation and check-in will be available until 3:30 pm and all aboard is at 4 pm. Please provide your identification and a credit card for onboard purchases.

During your trip

Accommodations

Holland America’s ms Westerdam Ship Amenities

The Holland America’s ms Westerdam is a luxurious 1900-passenger ship with the following amenities:

• Vista Lounge
• Casino
• Queen’s Lounge & Culinary Arts Center
• Casino, bars, restaurants, cafés and more
• Pinnacle Grill & Bar (extra charge)
• Canaletto Restaurant (extra charge)
• Two swimming pools & jacuzzis
• Greenhouse Spa & Salon
• Fitness Center
• Signature Shops
• Photo Gallery
• Explorations Café & Internet center powered by The New York Times

Room Amenities

• Television with DVD players
• 24-hour room service
• Salon-quality hair dryer
• Vanity with lighted magnifying mirrors
• 24-hour front desk
• Egyptian cotton towels
• Massage showerheads
• Deluxe bathrobes
• Individual thermostats
• Equipped with one standard U.S. 110 and European 220 volt outlet
• Personal safe
• Complimentary fresh fruit
• Complimentary shoeshine service
• International direct dial phones (extra charge)
• Wireless internet (extra charge)
• Laundry, pressing and dry cleaning (extra charge)
• Cell phone service (extra charge)
• Private bathrooms with massage showerheads
• Elemis Aromapure “Time to Spa” bath amenities

Dining

Solos Seating

We will have a special solos dining area for those traveling alone.

Seating & Dining Times

You will be assigned a dining time when you book your reservation which will either be first seating or second seating dinner. Restaurant hours will be listed in your daily program.

Vista Dining Room

The Vista Dining Room features five-course menus offering classic preparations, regionally-inspired cuisine and vegetarian options.

The Pinnacle Grill

The Pinnacle Grill offers delicious Sterling Silver Beef and fresh seafood options (extra charge).

Canaletto Restaurant

The Canaletto Restaurant serves dinner and features authentic regional Italian cuisine (extra charge).

The Lido Restaurant

The Lido Restaurant is a full-service buffet featuring cuisine from around the world.

The Terrace Grill

The Terrace Grill offers pizza, nachos, grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and gourmet sausages.

Electricity

Cabins are equipped with one standard U.S. 110 and European 220 volt outlet.

Excursions

Excursions may be booked up to 30 days in advance. Your booking number and detailed instructions on how to book shore excursions will be emailed to you.

Gratuities

Gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise. Gratuities are provided for your cabin steward, dining room steward, bus person, maître d’ and other behind-the-scenes crew members.

Internet / e-mail / fax

There is an Internet center on board; minute plans are available. Pricing will be posted on board. Guests may also bring their own laptops and purchase an Internet wireless plan on board.

Laundry and dry cleaning

Laundry, pressing and dry cleaning service is available on board. Check on board for pricing.

Medical services

There is an onboard infirmary. Medical services entail an additional fee.

Money: Paying for things on board

On board, the currency is $USD. All purchases made on the ship will be charged to your onboard account, which you create when you first check in. Please check with the front office on board for further details.

Sisters at Sea & Friends

Olivia’s Sisters at Sea & Friends program is dedicated to promoting and celebrating diversity on our trips. Meet your Sisters at Sea coordinators on board so that you can find out about the special events we have planned for you during the week. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun.

Phone

Each cabin has a phone. There is an additional fee to use this phone; cost is available on board.

Smoking policy

Smoking is not permitted in any of the staterooms or public spaces, including all restaurants and corridors. Smoking is permitted on the outside decks in designated smoking areas only which include on the starboard (right) side of outside decks and on your verandah.

Solo travelers

Traveling solo? Look for the Olivia solos desk in the port terminal on embarkation day. Here you will meet Olivia’s Solos Coordinators who will have your Solos Week At-A-Glance program. We plan dozens of activities for our solo travelers, including special designated solos excursions. In addition, we organize a special solos dining area for all meals and reserve a section of the theater so you can enjoy the evening entertainment with other solo travelers.

Spa services

There is a spa on board. Massages and other services are available for an additional fee.

After Your Trip

Didn’t find what you are looking for? Check out our Olivia travel FAQ. Or call us at 800.631.6277