FAQs

Travel Plans

What is the sailing itinerary?

Can I book shore excursions like I would on other cruises?

Yes! The Escape with Effy team will provide you with a booking number for use with the cruise line approximately 6 weeks prior to sailing. That number will allow you to complete your online check-in, as well as book other options, such as restaurant reservations, spa appointments, internet packages and more.

Please note that the reservation number that is printed on your email confirmation is for Effy’s travel agency, Corporate Travel Services, and will not work on Holland America Line’s website.

In addition, you will be able to book these activities through the Holland America Line’s Navigator App that can be downloaded directly to your smartphone.

For more information on the Navigator App, please click here.

Is internet service available and how much does it cost?

Holland America Line has various internet packages, and you can buy one directly from them once you have your cruise line booking number, which we will send to you about 6 weeks prior to sailing. Internet packages can also be purchased onboard. Please refer to the cruise line’s website for details.

Are children allowed to join the charter cruise?

Anyone over the age of 18 can join the charter, however anyone 18 – 20 years old must be accompanied by someone 21 years or older in their stateroom.

What hotel is recommended for the night before the cruise?

Escape with Effy does not have a preferred or recommended hotel. Guests are advised to arrive a day earlier than the cruise departs in case of weather-related travel delays. If that is not possible and you are planning on arriving on the day of embarkation, it is highly recommend that you arrive before noon to allow ample time prior to the ship sailing.

Does Escape with Effy offer any local transportation to the pier?

Escape with Effy does not have any local transportation services; however, ride share services and taxis are available in Seattle.

Can we bring alcohol, soda, and water onboard? And, if so, how much of each?

Escape with Effy abides by Holland America Line’s policies regarding these items. Please refer to their website for details.

What is the dress code in the dining room, around the pool, in the ship’s restaurants, etc.?

Escape with Effy follows Holland America Line’s policies regarding these items. Please refer to their website for details. For onboard theme nights, Escape with Effy will communicate more detailed information closer to the cruise so you can prepare accordingly.

Can I change my traveling companion?

You may change your traveling companion free of charge up until final payment has been made. After final payment is received, there is a $150 change fee until two weeks prior to sailing. No changes will be accommodated less than two weeks prior to sailing. Please send any change requests to reservations@escapewitheffy.com

Is long-term parking available at the pier?

Seattle offers on-site parking. Please refer to their website for the latest information.

PRICING

Are there payment plans available?

We offer an easy, monthly payment plan to pay for your stateroom on the Escape with Effy Charter Cruise. To learn about payment plan options, contact us at reservations@escapewitheffy.com or 888-998-3374.

*All payments are non-refundable

Can I pay on any day other than the 15th of the month?

The 15th of the month is the only day on which payments can be made.

What does the price of the Escape with Effy Charter Cruise include?

All onboard events produced by Escape with Effy are included. In addition, the standard items associated with a Holland America Line cruise are also included. Amenities include, but are not limited to, meals, 24-hour room service (except for meals at the specialty restaurants), non-carbonated beverages (i.e. coffee, juices, tea, etc.), use of the ship’s beautiful pools and the ship’s health & fitness center.

The price does NOT include airfare, ground transportation, onboard purchases (i.e. spa services, specialty restaurants, carbonated and bottled beverages, alcoholic beverages, gift shop, etc.), gambling, excursions, or travel protection.

Are the stateroom amenities and services on an Escape with Effy Charter Cruise the same as those advertised on Holland America Line’s website?

Standard stateroom amenities are included as part of the Escape with Effy Charter Cruise. These amenities and services are subject to change. If you have questions regarding the amenities and services included with a particular stateroom category, please contact the office prior to booking your stateroom for confirmation at reservations@escapewitheffy.com or 888-998-3374.

What is Escape with Effy’s cancellation policy?

All payments made are non-refundable. Escape with Effy strongly encourages the purchase of Travel Protection. Once you receive your booking confirmation, a link will be provided to purchase Travel Protection from Travel Insured. You may call Travel Insured at 800-243-3174 for more information.

Can I use my Mariner’s Society earned perks? Can I gain points for this sailing?

Yes, you can earn points for sailing on the Escape with Effy Charter Cruise. Unfortunately, you cannot redeem any earned perks through your cruise line membership. If you have questions regarding a specific perk or amenity, you are welcome to contact Holland America Line directly. If you speak with the cruise line, please make sure they understand that you are trying to redeem perks on this full-ship charter.

PAPERLESS DOCUMENTS AND ONLINE CHECK-IN

Is there an easy, online option for check-in?

Per Holland America Line, all guests must check-in online for the Escape with Effy Charter Cruise. You will be sent a unique booking number approximately 6 weeks before the cruise. Once you have this, log in to hollandamerica.com to check in. After you complete your online check-in, accept the Passage Contract and Risk Acknowledgment forms, and complete the online check-in at least 72 hours before embarkation. You also must complete the pre-cruise Health Questionnaire (available 72 – 24 hours before you embark the ship) as part of the online check-in process. You’ll be asked to reconfirm your answers when arriving at the port. This questionnaire, your boarding pass, and your check-in time will be available on the Holland America Line Navigator App.

How do I know if I have accepted the Terms and Conditions? If I have not yet accepted, how can I go ahead and do so?

If you have not yet accepted the Cruise Terms and Conditions, please make sure you do so as soon as possible to ensure that your reservation is not cancelled. If you are not sure whether you have accepted these, you can check your Terms and Conditions status by logging into your account.

Once you log in, look for an “Accept Terms” button under the reservation. If this button appears, you have not accepted the Terms and Conditions. Click this button and follow the instructions.

If you do not see this button, this means that you have already accepted the Terms and Conditions. You may also click on “View/Modify” under your reservation and you will be taken to the payment page, which will list all of your important information including stateroom number, dining time and Terms and Conditions status on the left-hand side of your screen.

IDENTIFICATION

What type of identification will I need to board the ship?

For United States Citizens: A valid passport book is required for all travel outside of the United States. Passports must not expire within six months after your date of travel to be considered valid. For further information and passport requirements, please visit www.state.gov.

Passport cards are not accepted for this charter.

For Non-United States Citizens: You must have a valid passport and any necessary visas for travel. Please carefully verify the existing identification requirements for your travel situation with your local consulate. In addition, non-U.S. citizens who have previously been admitted to the United States for permanent residence must carry their Permanent Residence Card (Form I-551), commonly known as a Green Card. Resident aliens not in possession of this must obtain one at the nearest office of the United States Immigration Service.

Visas: Visa requirements vary depending on the passport under which you are traveling, and the countries being visited. Guests traveling under non-U.S., non-Canadian and non-European passports must check with the Consulate of every country visited during the cruise for specific visa requirements. When contacting the Consulate for the country being visited, be sure to provide the complete itinerary of the cruise so the Consulate can provide the correct information on your visa requirements. Guests may also contact a visa service agency in their country for assistance.

TRAVEL PROTECTION

How do I purchase Travel Protection?

You can contact our partner provider, Travel Insured International, at 800-243-3174 or www.travelinsured.com. Be sure to mention your trip dates and that you are traveling on the Escape with Effy Charter Cruise.

What does Travel Protection include?

Travel Protection can help protect you and your travel investment and help provide coverage for unforeseen circumstances during your trip. Plans include coverages for Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Baggage & Personal Effects, Accident & Sickness Medical Expense, and more. We encourage you to contact our partner provider, Travel Insured International, at 800-243-3174 or www.travelinsured.com to find a plan that works for you.

How much does Travel Protection cost?

The cost for your Travel Protection plan is dependent upon several factors, which may include your per-person trip cost, your place of residence, and your age. We encourage you to contact our partner provider, Travel Insured International, at 800-243-3174 or www.travelinsured.com to review plan options and related costs.

If I have not purchased Travel Protection for my cruise, can I still do so?

Some plans are time sensitive. You can contact the partner provider, Travel Insured International, at 800-243-3174 or www.travelinsured.com to see what plans are still available for you (some plans are time sensitive based on your date of deposit and/or the date you pay in full). You can also log into your Corporate Travel account, go to My Reservations, and a button will appear with more information on how to get a Travel Protection quote.

ACCESSIBILITY

I have a walking disability or other special needs, what do I do?

Guests with any mobility needs, severe allergies, respiratory needs, or other accessibility requirements must complete the Special Assistance Form before June 1, 2024. Please contact reservations@escapewitheffy.com or 888-998-3374.

I require a handicap accessible room, are any available?

Guests who require a handicap accessible room should call the office to check availability and book directly with one of the helpful reservationists at 888-998-3374 or reservations@escapewitheffy.com. Please have appropriate documentation available to confirm your booking needs. Please note the ship has a limited amount of handicapped accessible rooms, so inquire early.

Is the ship handicap accessible?

Yes. Accessibility information can be found through Holland America Line.

MISCELLANEOUS

Is there a stateroom that can accommodate 4 people?

The occupancy limit varies by stateroom, some of which can accommodate 3 or 4 guests. Please note that the stateroom size will stay the same regardless of how many guests are booked. In most cases, a convertible sofa bed is provided for the 3rd guest, though it could be a trundle bed. A 4th occupant will be sleeping on a Pullman (trundle) bed that folds down from the ceiling. This guest must have the physical dexterity to climb up to the bunk bed.

What if I am traveling by myself? Are there single staterooms?

Guests traveling by themselves are certainly welcome! However, please note pricing is listed based on double occupancy, meaning a single traveler will pay the double-occupancy rate.

Can I get an upgrade?

Yes, depending on availability. Please reach out to inquire by contacting reservations@escapewitheffy.com or 888-998-3374.

Where can we smoke on the ship? Can I smoke on my verandah?

The Holland America Line smoking policy designates all interior space, including staterooms and the casino, as non-smoking areas. This includes cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. Electronic cigarettes cannot be used in public areas. Anyone who violates the ban on smoking in the staterooms will be charged a $250 cleaning fee. No smoking of any kind will be permitted on stateroom balconies.

For guests who wish to smoke, there will be a designated area available for smoking outside at the Sea View Bar and Pool. This will be clearly marked “Designated Smoking Area.” Cigar and pipe smoking is permitted in the Designated Smoking Area.

Holland America Line reserves the right to modify the smoking policy onboard or alter the locations where smoking is permissible at any time. Please refer to the Holland America Line website for any other information.