Basic Pre-Cruise Details
Thank you for booking The Big Easy Cruise, we look forward to seeing you as we Let the Good Times Roll at Sea! Here are a few important details and dates to keep in mind as you plan your vacation.
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A Reservation Number from StarVista LIVE (SVL) was assigned once your booking was confirmed either via phone or online. Access your SVL account any time by clicking here to manage your guest information, payments, insurance and SVL add-ons for this and future cruises.
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A Booking Number from Holland America Line (HAL). SVL will email your Booking Number approximately 60 days prior to sailing and it will be posted in your SVL account for your convenience. With your HAL booking number, you will need to go to hollandamerica.com to complete the check-in online process no later than 72 hours prior to the cruise and download the Navigator App on your phone or tablet. Not only will your mobile boarding pass be available there, but you can also manage premium dining, spa and shore excursions reservations, review deck plans and read more information regarding your account with Holland America.
Remember, as guests on Holland America Line, not everything we do to make this cruise so special and unique for you will appear in the Holland America Line Navigator App. So, take a moment to familiarize yourself with our website, and don’t forget, there’s a handy search bar at the top of the page to help you find additional information available!
You will also find our onboard schedule of events approximately 30 days prior to sailing under “Performance Schedule.”
Below we’ve compiled the 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions to help with your travel plans. If you have additional questions, visit our FAQs page here or email us at info@bigeasycruise.com
Why do I need a passport book?
A valid passport book is required for all travel outside of the United States. Passports must not expire within six months after your date of travel in order to be considered valid. For further information and passport requirements, please visit www.state.gov.
Passport cards will not be accepted to meet this requirement.
How do I purchase a drink package and/or excursions? Why can’t I purchase them from SVL website?
You will be issued a Holland America Line (HAL) Booking Number approximately 60 days prior to sailing. Once you have checked in on the Holland America Line website, you may purchase drink packages, excursions, specialty dining and many more amenities offered by HAL. For beverage package details and current pricing, refer to Holland America Line’s website here.
StarVista LIVE does not sell these products, so they must be purchased directly from the cruise line.
What are this year’s theme nights?
Our programming team carefully chooses costume parties and theme nights considering the cruise’s schedule, artists, and customer surveys from previous years. They will be chosen and posted in the Booked Guests section approximately 60 days prior to sailing. They will also be sent via email at that time.
Can we bring alcohol, soda, and water onboard? And, if so, how much of each? StarVista LIVE abides by HAL’s policies listed below.
StarVista LIVE abides by HAL’s policies listed below.
Please note that Holland America has revised their policy on alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages brought onboard. See below.
Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages on board except as follows: Guests may bring wine and champagne onboard, however a corkage fee of USD $20.00 (which is subject to change) will be applied to each bottle (max 750 ml in volume or less).
Items such as sodas, energy drinks or other non-alcoholic items are not allowed on board in any form. Plastic water bottles are not allowed. However, an allowance of six liters, twelve (12) cans or cartons (500 ml in volume or less) or six (6) cans or cartons (1 liter in volume or less) of water are allowed per stateroom. Any amount in excess of this allowance will not be allowed onboard. Guests will be asked to discard open beverages in plastic containers prior to boarding.
These policies are subject to change at any time without notification. For more information please contact Holland America Line directly.
Should I have my passport book on me at all times the day of embarkation and disembarkation?
You should always have your passport book on your person at all times for embarkation and disembarkation.
What time should I book my flight before and after the cruise?
We highly recommend coming in a night prior to the cruise and staying in a hotel in the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area. If you cannot make it in the day prior to the cruise, we suggest you arrive to the ship by 2:00 PM. Please select a flight that allows plenty of time to de-plane, gather luggage, drive to the ship terminal and check-in at the ship terminal. At the conclusion of the cruise, we suggest you select a flight that leaves no earlier than 11:30 am from Ft. Lauderdale International Airport and 12:00 pm from Miami International Airport.
It is your responsibility to arrive at the ship in time for the departure and to secure your transportation at the end of your cruise.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel? How do I get from the airport to the terminal?
Suggested ground transportation options to get you to Port Everglades from the airport:
- Holland America Line shuttle service. ($19/person from Ft. Lauderdale airport and $29/person from Miami airport, each way). Please call Holland America Line at 866-929-2332 to make these reservations.
- Taxi from Ft. Lauderdale airport (approximately $25).
- Taxi from Miami airport (approximately $85).
- Rideshares like Uber or Lyft are also available (check your apps for details).
StarVista LIVE does not offer a shuttle from the airport to any hotel prior to our cruise departure. We suggest taking a taxi, rideshare like Uber or Lyft or booking travel through your airline and/or hotel.
It is your responsibility to arrive at the ship in time for the departure and to secure your transportation at the end of your cruise.
How do I get from my hotel to the terminal?
For guests who book their stay the night before the cruise in our designated pre-cruise hotel, we provide luggage service and motor coach transportation on the day of the cruise from the hotel right to the ship at additional cost per person.
As we get closer to our 2023 sailing, check back for details and information on transportation.
How do I get from the terminal to the airport?
Suggested ground transportation options to get you from Port Everglades terminal:
- Taxi from Ft. Lauderdale airport (approximately $25).
- Taxi from Miami airport (approximately $85).
- Rideshares like Uber or Lyft are also available (check your apps for details).
StarVista LIVE does not offer transportation at the conclusion of the cruise, it is your responsibility to secure your transportation at the end of the cruise.