Gothic Cruise Frequently asked Questions:

What and Who is the Gothic Cruise?
The official name is “The Annual Gothic Cruise and Masquerade Ball”.  However, it’s a mouthful.  Most people call it the gothcruise, the gothic cruise, or goth cruise.  It was founded in 1989 by Zaida Browne, under the original travel agency name of Travelwaves LLC.  The gothic cruise is a group of people booked on a cruise ship, as a group.  Literaly, they are booked through the Group Department at Carnival.    All Genre Travel structures over 15 private events with the cruise lines for an enjoyable experience for people that would have never considered cruising.

Do I have to be Gothic to book?
No.  Though the gothic cruise caters to goths, there are quite a few industrialists that book into the group.  

EBM Concerts and Fetish Events??!
No.  We do not have a fetish event onboard this ship.   However,club attire is allowed during the 1am to 4am Club Goth at Sea private parties.

Not all concerts are EBM obviously.  VNV Nation is most obviously not goth or gothic – however, they have a huge gothic following and was most requested by our passengers.  Therefore they were booked on the 2007 gothic cruise.  Our 2008 Gothic Cruise had Combichrist, Red Flag,  Asmodeus X, and Phase Theory.  2009 has Cruxshadows, Modulate, Cruciform Injection, and State of the Union.

Bands are selected based on previous Gothic Cruise Passenger votes.  Polls are run and the winning band is hired.  

Do I need a passport or Visa?
If you are resident of the USA, you do NOT need a passport.  You will need at least a certified coyp of your state issued birth certificiate with valid photo i.d. such as a drivers license.

All nonresidents of the USA  need a passport.  Residents of Canada do not need a Visa.  If you are unsure if you need a Visa, please give us a call.  For those that do need a Visa, such as residents of Asia or Russia, you must have a Multiple Re-Entry US Visa.

How do the "norms" feel about us?
It's pretty surprising how accepting the norms are.  MANY will come up and ask you when our next open deck party is happening.  Its the only time they get to hear our DJ and really interact with us.  And many do.  There are also a couple of outside normal groups that like to follow our group throughout the years from ship to ship.  Remember that alot of Carnival's guests are past passengers (60%) of them, and many of them are already familiar with us.  There are always the curious of course.. however because our events are private (Even half the dining room is blocked off just for us!)..  many dont even realize were there until the middle of the cruise.   

We invite you to check out youtube.com and search for "gothic cruise deck party".  There you will see a good view of the "norms" interacting with us.

Thats not to say there isnt always a jerk amongst the norms.  There is always at least one.   Take pictures of him for fond memories and enjoy the rest of the gothic cruise!

Is this the same GothCruise as “Goth Cruise – The Movie”?
No.  That is the "GothCruise", we are the "Gothic Cruise".  You can find them at: www.gothcruise.com.   When Jeanie Finlay first approached us to film our gothic cruise as a documentary, we declined and referred her to the other “gothcruise” – as their events onboard are far fewer and less complex.  Because our onboard events can get so risqué – we do not allow commercial filming of our events.    

It should be noted that Carnival Cruise Line Corporate Offices (Including the Vice President of Group Sales) were not the only persons to document and verify the last 15 years of the running of this orginal gothic cruise.  VNV Nation's booking agent also required this documention as did the Business Developement Manager (BDM) of Carnival.  Further, our BDM's of Costa Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines have futher verified our history of gothcruises.  We invite ANYONE to check out and verify our history by calling Carnival and asking for "Large Groups and Incentives".

Why is the pricing so high?
Although cruise lines like to say they are just like All Inclusive Vacations – they are not, as any bonafide travel agent will tell you.  Alcohol, soft drinks, energy drinks, and bottled water is not included.  However, due to our standing with Carnival, our gothic cruise features a full open bar for your entire cruise.  All of your alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, energy drinks and bottled water are included.  It also includes all of your drink tips.  On previous cruises the average bar bill was well over $500 a person on the ship.  By adding the open bar feature, it brings it to half that amount.  However, there is no limit as to how much you can drink – provided you can keep standing!   Further, we add just enough to the cost of the price to cover the bands, advertising and promotional offers.

We spend 2 years planning each gothic cruise to make sure you are not bored, and that you have a unique experience.    16 Private Events plus Private Shore Excursions?  You wont be bored and you will have an experience that just cannot be duplicated by anyone else.

What about Dress Code and Gothic Clothing?
Club wear should be kept to the Club Goth at Sea parties which take place every night except our last night from 1am to 4am in a private lounge.  For formal nights – many go to dinner in Victorian Garb though we advise against hoop skirts due to the close proximity of the tables.  

Vampire, industrial, or gothic wear is ALLOWED throughout the cruise.  Though the mobster look has really taken off for the goth cruise!    Deck party attire should not be more revealing then a bikini.  Nudity at anytime outside of your cabin is a no-no.

Why Carnival?
The Gothic Cruise has sailed on 4 different cruise lines since 1989, some so long ago they have closed their doors.  With Carnival, you get much larger cabins for less of the cost then Royal Caribbean whose cabins are by far smaller.  Where Carnival has a friendlier party atmosphere,  Royal Caribbean is far more conservative.  And to be honest, Carnival has better food. 

Because of my 15 years of verified experience of personally running the goth cruise, Carnival gives us huge concessions and special privileges not given to other travel agency groups or by other cruise lines.  Carnival’s amenities are the best in the industry so you get far more for your dollar then other lines.

Like all the other cruise lines out there, Carnival also has alternative dining options for those that would like a detour during their cruise or perhaps just a fine dining experience.  Though as with all cruise lines, there is a small service fee to use the alternative dining options such as the Emerald Supper Club.  As with all cruise lines, there is no service fee for room service.

I personally have sailed on 37 cruises.   Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Princess, Premier (Big Red Boat),  Celebrity, Dolphin, Regal and Holland.   Our agency has a personal liason with each of the big lines including Royal Caribbean. By far, Carnival has been the most accepting to the Gothic Community.  Of all the cruise lines, they are the most accepting, accommodating, and opened minded.  

Whats not included?
  Airfare or ground transfers to the ship.  Though Transfers are included when booking the precruise party.
 Optional travel insurance – though recommended.
 Cruise tips of about $70.  However you can prepay these as well.
 Gourmet coffee onboard the ship – though regular coffee is included.
 Optional Shore Excursion
 Internet Time on the ship – available for nominal charges
 Beauty shop and spa services – however you can use the spa facilities and gym at no charge.
 Photography services – However we give you free shipboard credit to get your group photo for free

 

Wait – What are shore excursions?
Shore excursions are optional side trips at each port of call.   We do offer private shore excursions for our group only which is an additional charge.  You do not have to book shore excursions.   You can view those shore excursions at: http://www.shoretrips.com/common/groups3.asp?grpcod=G081120001

You do not have to pay any type of service fee or money to get on or off the ship at each port of call and do your own thing.  Many in our group get off in smaller groups of their own and just go sight-seeing.

Is there a booking deadline?
Yes and No.   Although you can book right up to the day before departure, prices are subject to change until you are booked.  We show the deadline for current pricing on the page.  The closer we get to the sailing date, the higher the prices go.

So, where do I go to book?
You can call our office at (813) 325 – 7435
You can fill out our online booking form at:  http://www.gothiccruise.com./booking.html
You can also email us at: info@allgenretravel.com

 

What about Alcohol and Age Stuff?
You cannot bring alcohol aboard the ship on your first day of arrival.  Alcohol you purchase at the ports of call, will be taken by the cruise line into their secured marshaling area, and returned to you on the last night of the cruise.

You must be 18 to enter ANY gothic cruise event except the deck parties and the pre/post cruise parties. 

If you are under the age of 21, then at least one person in your cabin on the ship must be over the age of 25.   The exception is legaly married couples or active duty military.

The drinking age onboard the ship is 21 – however at many ports of call it is 18.  You must be 21 to bring alcohol back onbard the ship.


What about smoking?
The Starboard side of outside of the ship is smoking.  A few of the upper outside decks are also smoking.   Smoking is allowed in all cabins as well.   The disco and Casino have smoking areas, Satchmo's lounge is also smoking, and they also have a cigar bar for smoking.   The Sports bar also has a smoking section.

Are the Organizers Gothic?
Zaida is what our office now dubs as a gothic-rivet head. – Agency Owner and stompy boot addict.
She has near 20 years of experience in the travel industry and has logged 37 cruises.  She has worked for Triple AAA, Cendant and American Airlines.  She is also a certified travel agent trainer for Sabre.    She is the event organizer and owner.  Hires the bands, schedules all the activities and works with the sponsors.

Crystal is more elegant gothic… and very perky!
She is new to the travel industry.  Crystal was hired on the spot on the 2007 Gothic Cruise!  She is Zaida’s assistant and right hand commando… Crystal assists everywhere in the office when I don’t have enough arms.  On the gothic cruise, she is instrumental in event overseeing.  She coordinates between the cruise line and the group and insures all activities are well staffed and equipped.    And she is an on-call roadie to the bands as needed!  She is also a certified Caribbean Destination Specialist.

Jon is more Goth then Gothic.  He is big into metal and industrial though he does have a few favorites in the gothic scene.
Jon runs behind Zaida and Crystal and insures neither has a nervous breakdown as deadlines approach!  Jon is now responsible for event security for would be party crashers outside of our group.  He assists with band equipment inventories.   He coordinates the pre/post party transfers between the ship and the hotels.. and insures no one gets left behind!    Jon has 6 years travel agency experience and is a certified Caribbean Specialist andTrafalgar Specialist.  He also holds destination certifications for Grand Cayman, Coppenhagen,  Belize, Cozumel and Germany.

We all tend to be a bit active in the scene – though our recent move has slowed us down some.

All Genre Travel requires all agents are certified travel agents and are required to hold current and updated certifications by:  Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, Cunard and Celebrity.

Zaida has further certifications by another 12 cruise lines and 17 tour companies.

 

You can find answers to other questions, and learn about the organizers at a few of our forums:

Vampire Freaks:  http://vampirefreaks.com/cult/Gothic_Cruise_Official
My Space:     www.myspace.com/allgenretravel