Bahamas Party Cruise FAQ & Answers

• Roundtrip Cruise: Fort Lauderdale-Freeport, Bahamas
• Bypass Cruise-Flight options
• Hotel Accommodations: 5 Days - 4 Nights (4 Night Trips)
• Taxi Transfers, Hotel & Port Taxes
• 24 hour onsite staff and emergency assistance
• Welcome Orientation to tell you everything you need to know about safety, your location, and most importantly, where the party’s at!
• Discounts on Exclusive Party Packages
• StudentCity wristband

*Available weeks of March 3rd, March 10th, & March 17th only

Yes. All U.S. Citizens traveling to international destinations, including Freeport, whether by plane, ship or car, are required to have a valid U.S. Passport with them to both exit and re-enter the United States. This is a U.S. Government regulation requirement. Any citizens of countries other than of the U.S.A. may be required to have additional documents, and should check with their consulate for the necessary information.

For more U.S. Passport information, please visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

If you do happen to lose your passport, whether you lost your luggage or just misplaced it while you were down at your destination you will need to go to the American Consulate or the Embassy to get a new one. You will be able to find a StudentCity staff member while you are at your destination that will be able to help you.

*Travel tip: make a copy of your IDs, passports or birth certificates and leave it with a family member for emergencies. They can always fax you a copy if you lose something.

Fort Lauderdale (Fort Lauderdale, FL). The port is very easy to find! Directions will be included with your tickets. You can also find directions on mapquest.com and type in Fort Lauderdale.

The cruise ship leaves the dock at 9AM on the day of your departure. The departure day is determined by the hotel that you select and the week of your Spring Break.

Usually 9PM. Do NOT try to fly home on the same night that you are scheduled to return to Fort Lauderdale. You’ll miss your flight if you are delayed at customs or if the ship arrives late. You’re better off getting a hotel room for a night.

Yes! We have a number of different hotels to recommend in Fort Lauderdale that will offer special rates, but you are responsible for booking them yourself. Call our office at 1.888.777.4642 for details and prices.

StudentCity does not provide airfare to Fort Lauderdale, but we can suggest checking out student fares through StudentUniverse (code with http://www.studentuniverse.com/travel/studentcity)

20 minutes from Miami Int'l Airport and 40 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale airport.

While on Spring Break in The Bahamas, you can park your car at Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has a secured parking lot. It costs approximately $20/day (just like an airport parking lot).

On your Bahamas trip, you check it at the port and claim it in The Bahamas. Each passenger is allowed to check 2 bags.

Sure, a lot of people bring a carry on bag with a bathing suit, towel, sun tan lotion, Ipod, etc... Do not put any food in your carry on bag! It will be confiscated at the port. While on Spring Break in The Bahamas, you can purchase all of the food items you'll need at local grocery stores.

This is a large cruise ship with a casino, restaurants, bars, duty free shopping, etc.... There is plenty to do!

Most of the passengers on board will be college students going on Spring Break in The Bahamas!

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7:00 AM. Yes, it's early but your trip will be worth it!

No, you’ll be responsible for purchasing your own drinks.

The drinking age is 21 while in local waters and 18 when the cruise ship reaches 3 miles out into International Waters. It is 18 in The Bahamas.

Upon arrival to Freeport, you'll need to clear Customs and Immigration. You will have already filled out all of the appropriate entry documents at Fort Lauderdale When you get off the ship, you'll be channeled through to inspectors who will check your papers, ask the purpose of your visit, and sign off on your documentation. Once you have exited the terminal a StudentCity staff member will be waiting for you with a transfer. You may be transferred by either bus or taxi. If you do not see the StudentCity staff member please be patient! Please do not take another form of transportation including another transfer company or taxi. You will NOT be reimbursed for these extra costs.

Once picked up from the airport, it will take about 15-20 minutes to reach your hotel.

All StudentCity travelers receive a Welcome Orientation. Orientation will be held on board the ship or immediately upon arrival in Freeport. StudentCity staff will give you everything you need to know about safety, your location, and most importantly, where the party’s at! They will address the ins and outs of the program, tell you what and what not to do, where and where not to go, as well as provide you with all of the essential party information! If you have pre-purchased the StudentCity Pass you will be given your coupons immediately following the orientation. It is important to attend so you are given the specific dates and times of each StudentCity sponsored event, a StudentCity wristband, important medical and emergency contact information, and if you did not purchase the StudentCity Pass ahead of time, you can do so before you head to your hotel.

All customer service issues are handled on-site. If you have customer service issues please use the number on your StudentCity wristband and a staff member will assist you. You will also find StudentCity staff at ALL StudentCity hosted events, and hotels. DO NOT CALL OUR CORPORATE OFFICE IN THE UNITED STATES!

During orientation you will receive a destination guide which will help you know what’s going on, when it’s happening and where. It will provide you with a list of the do's and don’ts of Spring Break, and emergency numbers. In addition, all of the StudnetCity hotels will have a bulletin board posted in the lobby to help update you on emergency numbers, daily and weekly events, flight departure times, transfer pick-ups and any other pertinent information we feel you may find useful during your stay. Check these boards daily for important updates!

Yes! Sorry about the tan lines, but it is very important that you keep your StudentCity wristband on from the moment you receive it until you depart. The wristband helps identify you as a StudentCity traveler so that our on-site staff may assist you and help answer any questions that you may have. The wristband also entitles you to discounts at various clubs, bars, restaurants and retail stores around Freeport. You may also be given a hotel wristband to help them determine who their customers are as well. Again it is important to keep both of these wristbands on for identification purposes.

If your StudentCity wristband were to come off you can get a replacement by finding a Staff member or going to StudentCity’s office. Times and location will be given to you at orientation.

If you are to lose your hotel bracelet you will need to ask them if it is possible to get a replacement as there may be a cost associated with it due to hotel specific policies.

Grand Bahama Island.

Based off of averages from Weather.com during the month of March and the height of Spring Break Freeport typically has highs in the upper 80’s and lows in the upper 60’s

Make sure to pack sunscreen!!! The sun is extremely strong in the Bahamas so bring sun-block and use it! Tan gradually or you will spend the remainder of your vacation in your hotel room, in a doctor’s office with sun poisoning, or extremely red and looking ridiculous.

That national language in The Bahamas is English.

The nightlife in The Bahamas tends to follow a “come as you are” dress code though some bars may have a few regulations with hats and such. The CityPass may provide some theme parties in Freeport in which you may want to wear a certain color or follow a certain theme. Before packing please check the CityPass schedule for the updated themes.

Yes, Electrical outlets at our provided hotels have 110V connections which means you can use your hairdryer, etc., however, you may want to bring adaptors just in case.

The Bahamas are located in the Eastern Standard Time Zone.

StudentCity suggests that you DO NOT USE YOUR HOTEL PHONE to make any calls (other than room to room). The rates are the highest from the hotel and add up quick! Also, phone cards purchased in the U.S. will NOT work when used from The Bahamas. Your cell phone may work in The Bahamas with additional international roaming charges. Please check your cellular service provider and they will be able to fill you in.

To dial home from The Bahamas or dial into The Bahamas the process is the same as if you were calling someone long distance in the United States; dial 1 and then the area code. The area code for the Bahamas is (242).

The amount of money each person needs onsite is specific to the amount of money you traditionally spend, though The Bahamas tends to be more expensive due the need to import many of their goods. As an example a traditional meal consisting of a cheeseburger, fries and drink will cost about $10-12. Alcohol prices also differ in The Bahamas. A typical case of beer can cost between $40-$60 (no lie!), but a bottle of liquor tends to be cheaper than what you would pay for it in the United States. If you have purchased an All Inclusive Option Room, you most likely won’t be spending much money on food and drinks. Taxi are about $5 per trip. In general, our experience has been that on average, most students use about an additional $250 for food and activities for a full week.

StudentCity recommends that you bring a combination of both. You will need some cash during travel and upon arrival, however for security reasons we recommend that you keep the bulk of your spending money in the form of travelers' checks. If travelers’ checks are lost or stolen you will be able to get your money back.

The exact exchange rate in The Bahamas is 1 to 1. They will accept American money, but be aware that you may receive Bahamian change.

** There are also ATMs located in Freeport that your Debit cards will work in. As well, most establishments also accept most major Credit Cards for purchases.

StudentCity Gold party pass is $79 and includes a daytime snorkel cruise & an evening booze cruise.

*Prices are subject to change

Available weeks of March 3rd, March 10th, & March 17th only

You can add the CityPass to your account up to the day before you leave for The Bahamas Party Cruise by accessing your account on our website, or by simply calling 1-888-777-4642 to speak with any one of StudentCity’s representatives. If you miss out on the pre-purchase option, you will be given the opportunity to buy it onsite at your Welcome Orientation, or by speaking with any of the Onsite Staff members throughout your Spring Break week.

Available weeks of March 3rd, March 10th, & March 17th only

Unfortunately, to avoid duplication/sharing of tickets, lost or stolen meal coupons and party passes must be re-purchased at the original price. These tickets are as good as cash, so DON’T LOSE THEM! We recommend that you put your name on all coupons and keep them in your hotel safe.

We recommend booking tours and trips with Superior Watersports. See a StudentCity staff member for assistance.

You will be required to provide an ID upon checking into your hotel, but in terms of the local bars or clubs, they will not require you provide an ID.

Yes, but in The Bahamas we recommend that you drink bottled water just to be safe.

The most common form of transportation in Freeport is by taxi. The taxis can charge anywhere from $2-$5 per person per ride based on a full vehicle. The taxis are vans and can typically hold up to 12 people. To identify the proper taxi please use taxis with yellow license plates with black writing.

In Freeport there is also a public bus that runs during the day and stops service around 6pm. The cost is $1 each way.

This will vary by hotel. During the day most hotels will allow you to be on their grounds; however, at night they may have a policy that requires you to be a registered hotel guest to be on the property. Most all-inclusive hotels allow only their customers to enter at anytime.

The answer to this question can vary among hotels and can be combined with the question of whether you can bring outside food into their hotel as well. Most of the time you can bring food/alcohol in, but in the end it is up to the hotel. Alcohol requirements may also include the ability to bring plastic or cans in, but not glass.

If you or any of the people you are traveling with get sick or need medical attention please contact the StudentCity staff right away! You will be able to find them at all StudentCity hosted events, during lobby hours or 24 hours a day by calling the emergency number provided to you on your StudentCity wristband. The staff will assist you in accordance to the level of medical attention you may need. ALL medical costs will need to be covered by the traveler and paid up front. If you have purchased the Travel Protection insurance you will be covered up to a certain amount, but you still need to pay the costs up front and keep the receipts to file a claim with the insurance company upon your arrival home.

You will be responsible for any change fees incurred. Please contact the StudentCity staff onsite for help with changing your flight/cruise itinerary.

StudentCity will post on the hotel bulletin boards the time you need to check out of your hotel as well as when and where your transfer will pick you up on your specific day of departure.