Q:  How do I purchase a cabin for the 2025 Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage cruise?

A: Please call (214) 495-1963 to speak to one of our Customer Service Representatives or book online www.FantasticVoyage2025.com.

Q: What is included in the Cruise price?

A: The price includes your stateroom, entertainment, meals (except in specialty restaurants), beverages (except soda and alcohol), gratuities, government taxes, fees, and port charges Port charges include but are not limited to (i) taxes/fees assessed by governmental and other agencies; (ii) cost incidental to entering/leaving ports such as pilotage; (iii) costs incurred while in port. The cruise vacation price does not include air transportation, transfer fees between the airport and the pier, shore excursions, telephone calls, Internet service, photographs, soda or alcoholic beverages, gratuities on drinks and in specialty restaurants, medical services, gift shop or souvenir purchases, beauty/barber/massage services, and gambling/casino fees.

Q: What types of payments will be accepted to purchase a cabin?

A: Credit cards (MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover), personal checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders. Additionally, financing is available through Uplift/FlexPay after qualification.

Q: What are the travel dates, ports, and the name of the Cruise Ship?

A: The travel dates for the 2025 cruise are Sunday, October 19 through Sunday, October 26, 2025.

Q: How much of my cabin is tax deductible?

A: Your cabin purchase benefits The Tom Joyner Foundation, and a portion of your cabin purchase may qualify as a charitable contribution. Please consult with your tax advisor for details.

Q: Is airfare included in the cost of the cruise?

A: No, airline tickets are purchased separately and are not included in the price of the cruise.

Q: Do I need Travel Insurance? How do I buy Travel Insurance?

A: This is a great question as we strongly recommend travel insurance because you never know what can happen! You can purchase travel insurance from Travel Guard (Foundation receives a nominal fee) at (www.TravelGuard.com) or type “cruise travel insurance” into any Internet search engine. You would normally just need your FV reservation number and not the booking number. If you have any problems with your number being accepted, please contact your CSR rep. or call 214_–263_–6324. 

Q: Into which airport should I fly?

A: The closet airport to the Port of New Orleans is Louis Armstrong New Orleans Internation Airport and the airport code for booking is MSY.

Q: Is transportation available from the airport to the pier? Do you need my flight itinerary?

A:  Carnival Cruise Line offers airport transfers from MSY airport to NOLA Port – the cost is currently *$27.99 USD One Way / *$55.98 USD Roundtrip and can be purchased up to 2-days in advance of departure online via their Cruise Manager.(*prices subject to change)

Q: When should I plan to arrive and depart for the cruise?

A: When booking your flights, it is suggested that you allow two – three hours of travel time from the airport, to allow for travel time, baggage retrieval, loading, and unloading.

Arrival in New Orleans before boarding – All guests should be on-board by 4pm local New Orleans time.

Departure from New Orleans – All guests are recommended that you make flight reservations for AFTER 12 Noon on the day of departure.

Q: What travel documents are required to board?

A: Please carefully read the Carnival Cruise Line document requirements by clicking the link below. https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/category/~/travel-documentation-and-online-check-in/~/travel-documents/c/406

Q: Can I use my driver’s license?

A: Effective May 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will require every state and territory resident to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport or enhanced driver’s license, to go through airport security and board a flight within the United States. Visit http://www.tsa.gov/real-id more information. This requirement applies to air travelers 18 years of age and older. Real ID-compliant cards will have a star on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have this marking, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won’t be accepted as proof of identity for air travel within the United States.

Q: If I plan to travel with a Birth Certificate and not a passport what are the Carnival Cruise Line’s accepted forms of a birth certificate?

A: United States Customs & Border Patrol requires travelling with a certified Birth Certificate.

Must be an original or Government issued copy.

If U.S. Citizens aged 16 and older traveling on a closed loop U.S sailing are planning to use their Birth Certificate, Naturalization Paper, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad as their proof of citizenship, they will still need to bring a state issued photo ID if they plan to travel on a closed loop U.S. sailing without a passport book.

• Birth Certificate: A “birth certificate” is issued by a government agency (federal, state, county, city, etc.). This document is legal proof of citizenship that can be used by U.S. citizens for certain international travel. For states that have a “short form” and “long form”, whichever document is government issued with the guest’s full name, birth date and US birthplace (city and state), is acceptable.
• Birth Notice/Certificate of Live Birth: A “birth notice” or “Certificate of Live Birth” is issued by a hospital or other type of medical facility, but it is not an approved travel document. It is a courtesy document that merely indicates where a birth occurred. It has no legal status and cannot be used to prove citizenship for travel purposes. Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable. If certificate says, “This certificate does not proof of US Citizenship,” even with raised seal, it is not acceptable. If the guest arrives with only a birth notice, they will be denied boarding.

Hint: If the birth “certificate” has the baby’s footprints stamped on it, or has a place for the baby’s footprints, the certificate was issued by the hospital and is NOT acceptable for proof of citizenship.

• Birth Letters: A letter stating that a government agency has the guest’s birth certificate on file is not an acceptable travel document. If the guest arrives with only a birth letter, they WILL be denied boarding.

Q: What happens if I am not able to make the cruise once I have paid?

A: Troubles can occur when you least anticipate them forcing you to cancel or interrupt your trip, lose your vacation investment, and incur unplanned expenses. We strongly encourage you to consider the purchase of travel insurance from a national insurer such as Travel Guard (800-826-4919, reference number 98362) (or type “travel insurance” into a search engine). We earn a nominal commission from Travel Guard sales. Insurers usually require the purchase of coverage to occur near the date of booking. Please be aware that travel insurance purchased through your travel vendors (for example, your airline), may not cover your entire travel investment. We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance from an insurance carrier that specializes in travel insurance to receive your best benefit.

Q: What if I need to cancel my trip?

A:  Cancellation requests must be received in writing. We make a great commitment to bringing such a luxurious cruise to our guests and, therefore, the deposit of $500 per person is non-refundable regardless of circumstances. However, the balance of your cruise commitment is refundable at declining percentages closer to the sailing date (refer to the Fantastic Voyage website for specific percentages). In fairness to our passengers that purchase travel insurance, we strictly abide by the Transfer, Cancellation, and Refund Policy regardless of personal circumstances or circumstances beyond your control that prevent or delay your participation.

Q: Can I get Internet access aboard the ship?

A: There is Internet aboard the ship. Internet access is billed at rates established by the cruise line. You can visit the Carnival Cruise Line website for the correct rate information.

Q: Why didn’t I get the same drink at a special price as my roommate?

A: The Cruise Line offers specials to passengers daily, so you never know what is in the box of chocolates on that day. But once you book, you should be offered the special for that day.

Q: How do I submit a proposal to host an activity/fitness/seminar on the Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage cruise?

A: Thank you but we are not accepting submissions or presenters currently.

*All itineraries, dates and times, cruise ports, artists, performers, appearances, locations, etc. are subject to change without notice.  

Last Updates 10/2/2024