Do I need a passport for Audiobooks at Sea?

A passport is strongly recommended, but the answer for US Citizens is no - with a big BUT... having a passport makes the boarding and debarkation process much easier. The State Department strongly recommends that all cruisers have a passport, and if you don’t have a passport there is a list of other government documents that you need original copies of.

If you don’t have a passport, the process to apply and get one is not difficult and the good news is there is plenty of time to make it happen! Information on US passports available at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

For non-US Citizens passports are required.

Can I bring my husband/wife/spouse/partner/best friend/pet to share the stateroom with me?

Yes! (not the pet though…) All staterooms are designed for two people. We do have single occupancy stateroom pricing, but we recommend you use this opportunity to bring a guest! Guests who are not registered for the workshop are welcome at all meals and evening social events, but not at the educational seminars or coaching sessions.

Can I share a stateroom with another narrator?

Absolutely! You can share a stateroom (and stateroom costs) with another narrator. We can even split out the payment for the stateroom between two people for processing. Just contact Rich to work out details. If you are looking for another narrator to share a room, join our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/audiobookatsea where we have a pinned post for narrators to share that they are looking for roommates!

Are all rooms king size beds?

All rooms are configurable as king size beds or as two twin beds. Just let Rich know if you prefer twin beds configuration instead of the king.

Can I book other staterooms for friends/family who aren’t attending the workshop?

Absolutely! Anyone can book with our discounted Audiobooks at Sea group booking rate. Stateroom bookings are not limited to just the conference attendees. Just contact Rich to work out details.

What’s included with my Audiobooks at Sea stateroom booking?

All Audiobooks at Sea stateroom bookings include the stateroom category of your choice, all meals (15+) at the four complimentary restaurants on board, shipboard entertainment, and all taxes and port fees.

Is there really a tax-deduction for this?

Yes! Obviously, you’ll want to check with your accountant, but you can write off the full workshop fee and some of your travel expenses to Tampa. (There are different rules for domestic US cruises, so don’t get confused!)

Is there a veteran or active military discount?

Yes! Celebrity offers an additional discount for our group if one of your stateroom guests is a veteran or active military member. Just let Rich know!

What if I want to book a Suite or Aquaclass Stateroom that you don’t have listed?

We can book any class of Stateroom with the Audiobooks at Sea group. The block of staterooms consists of the most popular categories, but if you contact Rich we can book whatever Stateroom category you would like with all of the Audiobooks at Sea group benefits.

How do meals work?

Meals at the four complimentary restaurants on the Celebrity Constellation are all included with the price of your stateroom booking. There are options for buffet or sit-down style service at almost all meals. As a group, we will be reserved for the 8:30 seating at San Marco for dinner, but you are free to also visit the buffet on your own for dinner. Our dinner reservations are “Round Robin” style, which means that we will have a section of the restaurant for our group, but we don’t have to sit at the same specific tables each night. We can move around and sit with different folks each night if we like.

What about entertainment?

The Constellation is full of various entertainment included with your cruise booking. Most nights have a production show in the large theater and a later presentation in the nightclub. Every day the ship’s lounges, bars, and lobby are peppered with live musicians and singers, DJs, and impromptu parties. Plus, the cruise activities crew constantly has activities going on, such as trivia, karaoke, scavenger hunts, and silent disco parties. All daily information is available in the onboard Celebrity cruise app.

What’s not included with the Audiobooks at Sea stateroom booking?

Not included with the Audiobooks at Sea stateroom booking: spa services, shore excursions, casino gambling money, shop purchases, smoothies, specialty coffees, fresh pressed juices, specialty dining experiences, onboard events/experiences that are advertised with a charge, shipboard gratuities, and the Audiobooks at Sea Workshop fee.

If you question if something is included, please feel free to ask! The Cruise is great at advertising if there is an extra charge for something.

Is there a dress code? I don’t have a tux!

There IS a dress code for the evening activities, but not to worry. No tux is required! Here is a detailed breakdown of attire suggestions aboard the cruise. If you have “Smart Casual” for the evening, then you are good to go! We will also have several dress-up theme nights as a group. More info on that closer to cruise time!

Can I book a Stateroom on my own, not with the Audiobooks at Sea group?

All rooms for Audiobooks at Sea must be booked through the group in order for us to be able to use the ship’s conference space as a group. If you are interested in a stateroom please contact Rich for a quote. We are able to match any pricing available on the official Celebrity Cruises website.

Workshop booking, Stateroom booking - what’s the difference?

The Audiobooks at Sea Workshop is taking place ON the Celebrity Constellation. Much like a conference takes place at a conference center or hotel. The Workshop booking covers one narrator attending the workshop. The Stateroom booking provides a place for the narrator and their other stateroom guest to stay, as well as the cruise meals and amenities - much like a hotel room for an on-land conference. Since a narrator needs to be on the Celebrity Constellation to attend the workshop, every attendee needs Stateroom arrangements as well as Workshop arrangements.

What is the cancellation policy?

Bookings for Audiobooks at Sea through us are fully refundable until December 31, 2024, unless otherwise indicated when booking. After December 31, 2024 cancellations begin to incur cancellation penalties as dictated by Celebrity Cruises. After December 31 the workshop fee is no longer refundable.

When is the latest that I can book?

Bookings for Audiobooks at Sea can be made as long as Staterooms are available for booking. We are not the only people on the ship, and though we have a block of rooms reserved, we cannot guarantee that once that block is filled that more rooms will be available.

What’s the payment schedule?

Payment for bookings can be made all at once, or with a flexible monthly payment schedule. (Service fees will apply for monthly payments for the workshop.) When using a payment plan all Stateroom costs must be fully paid by November 30, 2024. Workshop fees must be paid by April 1, 2025. Any Stateroom bookings after December 1, 2024 must be paid in full at the time of booking.

Contact Rich with specific questions and to work out payment schedules.

Is a travel protection plan available?

Celebrity CruiseCare and Allianz travel protection plans are available to purchase for most cruisers. Travel protection plans must be purchased on or before your final payment. Travel protection plans for cruisers in the group booking can be arranged via Rich. Contact Rich for more details

Are the listed ports of call guaranteed?

The listed ports of call are the planned ports of call for the cruising. Changes are highly unlikely, however possible should circumstances require.

Are the listed coaches for the workshop guaranteed?

All listed coaches are eager to take part in Audiobooks at Sea and have every intention of attending and doing their best. That being said, life happens. Changes are possible, but we will guarantee that the coaching staff will be of the highest caliber and provide excellent educational opportunities for all attendees. Additional coaches and publisher representatives will be added as enrollment grows with the goal of keeping the ratio of coaches to narrators at an optimal level for personal engagement.

What about one-on-one coaching?

There will be multiple opportunities for one-on-one coaching in an educational group setting for all workshop participants with our fantastic team of coaches and publisher representatives.

We are excited that our publisher representatives will also be working with people individually as one-on-one coaches.

I’ve never heard of Celebrity, how do I know they are legit?

Celebrity Cruises is one of the five cruise brands operated by The Royal Caribbean Company. Audiobooks at Sea 2024 was held aboard the Celebrity Summit. In order to ensure the quality of the experience for Audiobooks at Sea, Rich and Joel have been on multiple cruises with Celebrity. We know you will have a fantastic time!

I’m scared to come, what if I get seasick?!?

Here’s the thing - Rich spent every summer Sunday of his childhood deep sea fishing on his grandfather’s small boat. And… he used to get seasick. Rich even gets motion sick on most of the rides at Disney and Universal. That was the main reason it took Rich and Joel a long time before they decided to go on their first cruise five years ago. But the thing is, on cruise ships Rich doesn’t have ANY seasick problems. The main difference is that his grandfather’s boat was about 17 feet long, and the cruise ship is hundreds of feet long by twelve stories tall! Plus the technology improvements on large ships is amazing with large stabilizers that prevent the ship from rocking. Might it take you an evening to get your ‘sea legs’? Of course. But seasickness only actually affects a small percentage of modern cruise travelers.