Frequently Asked Questions

Please see NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO for more information.

Q: When the heck am I supposed to arrive and when should I leave so I don't miss any of the fun?
A: It's your vacation. The boat leaves Saturday May 22 at 5pm and you gotta be aboard by 4pm. You can board as early as 1:00 , relax while they load your luggage, have a bite to eat. The boat gets back to Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday May 29 at 8 am, but you won't be through customs and such until at least 11am or noon. If that is all the time you can carve out for fun - so be it! You can come and go based on the ship.

BUT... if you have a bit more time and a few extra dollars, plan to arrive Friday May 21 for a pre-cruise party. That's going to be held around the pool at the Best Western Oceanside Inn in Ft. Lauderdale (see below). We have lots of rooms blocked and are hoping YOU will join us. Yeah, there will probably be a nominal charge to cover the buffet but what the heck - it's a party!

Can you stay after? Many Americans are off through Monday, May 31 - it's Memorial Day weekend. Knowing that AND that there are lots of folks who want to continue the party AND lots of folks who want to help Frankie blow out 90 birthday candles on his sweet potato pie... there will be a BIG party in Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday, May 29. Sunday Swing Affair of South Beach Florida will be hosting an afternoon dance party at a beach-side location.

Q: Should I book my own hotel or is there a group hotel?
A: Pre-cruise digs:
Best Western Oceanside Inn
1180 Seabreeze Blvd. (A1A)
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: 954-525-8115
Fax: 954-527-0957
Make reservation under Frankie Cruise group.
Rates: $78.81, includes 11% tax, Continental Breakfast
A: Post-cruise digs:
Ft. Lauderdale Marina Mariott
1881 SE 17th Street
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: 954-525-8115
Fax: 954-527-0957
Make reservation under Frankie Cruise group.
Single/Double: $89, Triple: $99, Quad: $109
Room rates are subject to state and local taxes of 11% plus a $4 portage fee for luggage storage, etc. (so, for a Single/Double you will be quoted $89 + $4 for portage equalling $93 total for your room.)

Q: What's up with workshops? Do I or don't I pre-register and what is
the schedule going to look like?
A: Did you sign up for workshops when you made your arrangements through You & Leisure Travel? Did you register yourself on this website? Did you fill in the bit about "level"? If your answer is YES? Then, you can relax. You ARE registered.

We have designed the workshop schedule very similar to last year's -- with both core classes with your level, and optional classes ala smorgesbord!!! After our last email about workshops, you asked for more classes that are "tracked" according to your level. You talked, we listened...

Based on the level you chose when you registered in the database (beginner, intermediate, etc), you will be placed into a group for "core" classes, a number of classes each day with the various instructors in which you dance with folks who indicated they were at the same level.
PLUS, you get to choose additional "elective" classes to round out your
workshop schedule. Want to dance 'til you drop? You can. Want to
chill and sip 'ritas round the pool? Do it.

You do NOT have to pre-register for the elective classes. You will receive your schedule when you board the ship complete with your core classes AND all of the elective options -- including shag, balboa, styling, jazz, tap into jazz, hip hop, swing rueda, blues etc..

Q: Do I need a passport?
A: YES. Valid proof of US citizenship or applicable visa is required to board the ship AND to re-board the ship in ports like St. Thomas. Remember, the ship sails outside U.S. waters, so don't mess with immigrations - have your paperwork in order BEFORE you sail and keep it handy when visiting ports and returning to the ship.

Please see NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO for more information.

Q: I have heard that some of Frankie's friends will be on board - is it true?
A: YOU BET! Norma Miller and Dawn Hampton are coming, as are Frankie's dear friends, Scotty and Delores Smith. AND Frankie's family will be on board to help us celebrate!!!!!!

Q: I have a local travel agent I'd like to use - is that OK?
A: Sorry, NO. For this event, you MUST book through YOU & LEISURE TOURS & TRAVEL, INC. 800-258-8880. They have negotiated great rates for us and are helping with all aspects of registration. But, you can have your travel agent book your air and have 'em contact kkafre@youandleisure.com for questions.

Q: Can I register directly with Princess?
A: DO NOT BOOK via Princess, or any other agency or we won't know you are aboard. The Frankie Cruise is a special group - the rates include all of our special functions, including our live band, DJ's and, of course, Frankie's Big Birthday Bash! Only booking through this site, frankiecruise.com, will get you into the Frankie Cruise events.

Q: When is the balance due?
A: Princess requires balance due paid in full 90 days before sailing (February 22, 2004). Passengers not paid in full within 7 days are subject to cancellation with penalties. Final payments may be made by credit card, cash, cashier's check/money order or wire transfer.

Q: What if I need to cancel?
A: You will lose at least $100 for canceling. You & Leisure will charge passengers a cancellation/administration fee of $50 per person for cancellations once deposit has been placed. This fee may be used with You & Leisure Tours and Travel Inc. toward any tour or cruise within 12 months. In addition, once final payment has been received the earned commission is non refundable. Frankie Cruise organizers will charge you a fee of $50 per person for cancellations once deposit has been placed. In addition, no workshop fees will be refunded after May 15, 2004. Remember that cruise lines charge hefty penalties for cancellation and changes to your reservation. Deposit of $250 is required to hold your reservation and Princess requires balance due paid in full 90 days before sailing (February 22, 2004). Princess' penalties will be charged as follows:

• 74-43 days prior to sailing Deposit Amount will be forfeited
• 42-22 days prior to sailing 50% of total
• 21-8 days prior to sailing 75% of total
• 7 or less days prior to sailing 100%

Q: What numbers are you expecting to attend this event, workshops, etc?
A: Our guess is that we have about 200 dancers who will be celebrating Frankie's Birthday, sign up NOW.

Q: Will there be other workshops besides Lindy Hop? Balboa? Shag? Musicality? Lead/Follow Technique?
A: We plan to offer a variety of classes in addition to Lindy Hop.

Q: Will the workshops be held inside or outside?
A: We've asked Princess for daytime indoor workshop space.

Q: Will there be wooden dance floors for the workshops? Decking could be sticky.
A: Dance spaces aboard the Caribbean Princess are very good - for a ship. Be prepared. We have some decent acrylic "disco" floors as well as some wooden dance floors. We expect the floors to be better than last year - by a long shot - plus we will have indoor spaces available for all events in case of inclement weather. As usual, with any unfamiliar floor - be sure to pack shoes that are good for a slippery surface as well as a sticky one, even a perfect floor can change!

Q: Will other non-Frankie Cruise passengers be allowed to attend our evening dances or do we have our own private room?
A: ONLY Frankie Cruise passengers will be allowed to attend our special events and evening dances. We will have special Frankie Cruise identification and check ID upon entry to both our events and our workshops.

Q: I am going to sign up for the cruise and want to take advantage of the great double occupancy rates, but I don't have a roommate. Can you help me?
A: You bet! Just contact Joan, our registrar, at frankiecruise@yahoo.com. PLEASE NOTE: Roomate assignments get tougher as we get closer to sailing. If you register late and without a roomate you may have to prepay for a single and wait until another single registers to get the double-occupancy rates.

Q: I love Frankie and would love to join the cruise, but I have 2 children, aged 6 and 10. What can I do with the kids?
A: KIDS? Bring them along! Caribbean Princess has a program of supervised activities, Princess Kids, for kids 3 through 17. There are activities all day long just for the kids - so you can enjoy the workshops on our days at sea. Some kids regroup with parents for meals while others will prefer to eat with their new friends. Like most cruise lines, Princess does charge for children but they are treated just like older guests - like royalty!

Q: What would a typical day in port be?
A: The ship will put in to the harbor and the day is yours! Depending upon your interests and budget, you can do a self-guided walking tour of the island or join friends for a cab-guided tour, perhaps a swim in a secluded lagoon or climb a waterfall. The cruise ship will offer excursions (day trips) at each port. These are special tours and cost extra $$. If you think you might be interested in one of the excursions, review the materials included in your "welcome aboard" information when you board the ships. Seasoned sailors will tell you to sign up at the concierge or guest services desk soon after boarding. How you spend the time in port is up to you... you can even stay aboard and just relax...swim, workout in the gym - or sleep and rest up for more dancing!

Q: What would a typical day at sea be?
A: For our event, most of you will be in the workshops. From morning until dinner, the workshops will be a dance camp at sea! Dance all day then dance all night. If you will be traveling with non-dancers, or simply choose to have some time away from dancing, activities like movies, shopping, lounging by the pool or trying your luck in the casino are other options.

Q: What should I pack?
A: Only what you and the porters can carry! It will be summer weather in the tropics so warm weather gear: shorts, swim suits, etc.for time in port. Evenings tend to be dressy with an option for formal wear but really - dress in whatever makes you comfortable. If you will be in the workshops, please be kind to your fellow dancers and avoid clothing that exposes large areas of sweaty skin on your upper body (no tank tops, please).

Please see NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO for more information.

Q: Are rates all-inclusive?
A: Taxes, port charges, and security fees are included in your cabin rate this year. Gratuities (tipping to you!) are up to you - most people plan about $10/day for gratuities ($70 per person for the whole week), for those who make your stay so pleasant (waiters, room attendants, etc.). If you have never been on a cruise, you have no idea how pampered you will be! The good people who bring you room service at 3am, make your bed and serve you dinner often rely on the kindness of strangers to send a living wage home to their families. Remember that onboard all your food is included as well as beverages like iced tea, milk and lemonade. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are extra. The workshops are not included - these are optional - but VERY popular. Transfers from ship to airport/airport to ship/hotel to ship or ship to hotel are NOT included.

Q: I've never been on a cruise before... will I get sea sick?
A: Today's cruise ships are very stable, much more so than the ships of yesteryear. Some passengers may still experience motion sickness or feel "sea sick." The symptoms are generally mild nausea and dizziness (or vertigo). There are over-the-counter as well as prescription medications and non-pharmaceuticals available to help curb any seasickness. If you think you may be affected, check with your doctor.

Q: Does the jogging track permit in-line skating?
A: The jogging track is composite and not sturdy enough for skating. You also may be at risk of going overboard if you skate on the decks. Our ship, the Caribbean Princess, has a sports court, Golf Simulator and a 9-hole green not to mention an ocean-view gymnasium.

Q: Will you be selling Frankie T-shirts this year?
A: Absolutely!! We will be selling Frankie souviners on ship board!

Q: Will there be a chance to perform on the cruise?
A: Of course!! We will have several opportunities: most importantly - on Frankie's birthday bash we will have performances on each band break. We will also be doing a Frankie Cruise cabaret - a talent show, if you will, showcasing all of our talent.

WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION?
Send your questions to frankiecruise@yahoo.com and we will post your question with a reply.