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.
As a charter guest, you have two important numbers tied to your sailing:
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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 45-60 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!
Review Booking
If you have questions about your current reservation, you can review your existing booking by clicking on the “Review Booking” button below. From there, sign into your account to access your existing reservation, update your contact information, payment information, and more. If you would like to speak with a reservationist, please call us at (855) 923-7222 during our hours of operation (M-F 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EST).
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
What type of identification will I need to board the ship?
For United States Citizens: StarVista LIVE requires a passport book 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.
We understand that some “closed-loop” cruises, as well as Customs and Border Patrol, may not require a U.S. passport to sail, but we require all guests bring theirs in case of an extremely uncommon emergency. Therefore, passport cards are not acceptable for this charter.
For Non-United States Citizens: You must have a valid passport and any necessary visas for travel. Please carefully verify the existing identification requirements for your particular travel situation with your local consulate. In addition, non-U.S. citizens who have previously been admitted to the United States for permanent residence must carry their Permanent Residence Card (Form I-551), commonly known as a Green Card. Resident aliens not in possession of this must obtain one at the nearest office of the United States Immigration Service.
Visas: Visa requirements vary depending on the passport under which you are traveling and the countries being visited. Guests traveling under non-U.S., non-Canadian and non-European passports must check with the Consulate of every country visited during the cruise for specific Visa requirements. When contacting the Consulate for the country being visited, be sure to provide the complete itinerary of the cruise so the Consulate can provide the correct information as your Schengen Visa requirements. Guests may also contact a Visa service agency in their country for assistance.
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.
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.
In addition, you will be able to book these activities through the Holland America Navigator App that can be downloaded directly to your smartphone. For more information on the Navigator App, please click here.
StarVista LIVE does not sell these products, so they must be purchased directly from the cruise line.
Can we bring alcohol, soda, and water onboard? And, if so, how much of each? StarVista LIVE abides by HAL’s policies listed below.
Alcohol: StarVista LIVE abides by the applicable cruise line’s alcohol policy. Please refer to the Holland America Line’s website for the details.
Soda & Water: StarVista LIVE abides by the applicable cruise line’s soda and water policy. Please refer to the Holland America Line’s website for the details.
These policies are subject to change at any time without notification. For more information please contact Holland America Line directly.
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 45-60 days prior to sailing. They will also be sent via email at that time.
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.
What hotel is recommended for the night before the cruise?
We recommend that guests arrive a day earlier than the cruise departs, if at all possible, as there may be weather-related travel delays. We typically secure a limited number of rooms as a special group rate for guests on the nights leading up to the cruise. More info on our pre-cruise hotel available here.
What transportation is available from the airport to hotel, hotel to pier, and pier to airport and how do I book it?
StarVista LIVE does not provide transportation from the airport to the hotel or directly to the Pier, nor from the pier to the airport after the cruise. Suggested ground transportation options to get you to/from Port Everglades and the airport:
- Holland America Line Transfers (on day of embarkation and debarkation only). Please call Holland America Line at 800-426-0327 to make these reservations.
- Taxi from Ft. Lauderdale/Miami airport
- Rideshares like Uber or Lyft (check your apps for details and pricing).
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.
StarVista LIVE offers luggage service and motor coach transportation on the day of the cruise from the pre-cruise hotel to the seaport for a minimal fee. Simply bring your luggage down to the lobby and transportation helpers will assist you loading your luggage into our ground transportation and deliver it to the terminal. That’s it! Your luggage will be delivered to your stateroom on the ship. More information and pricing coming soon.
Is there long-term parking available at the pier?
Port Everglades offers on-site covered parking for $20 per day. Please follow the signs to the midport garage.
Handicap parking is complimentary only if there are ADA modifications done to the vehicle such as: hand controls, extended pedals, wheelchair ramp, etc. Also, 100% Disabled Veterans with ADA license placard will receive complimentary parking.
For more information, visit
https://www.porteverglades.net/cruise/parking/
Check back for special discount parking information, coming soon!