FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why go on a cruise?
Cruising is a fun and affordable way to travel. A cruise vacation automatically includes a stateroom for 7 nights including steward service, turndown service, and free room service menu; daily meals at several restaurants including a formal dinner every evening and a 24/7 buffet; daily entertainment including daytime trivia and pool games, night time Broadway style productions, deck parties, and night clubs; usage of the pools and hot tubs, library/card room, and access to exotic ports of call. All of these things are included in your base cruise fare!!
Why chub cruises?
Chub Cruises reaches out and brings together the chub, chaser community to create memorable cruise vacations. Our cruises are designed with the chub/chaser community in mind, from carefully chosen cruise line partners, to special shore excursions and onboard exclusive get-togethers. Chub Cruises enhances the already awesome cruise experience by adding a fun welcoming environment where our community, friendship, and passion is enjoyed and celebrated.
What unique experiences does chub cruises offer?
Chub Cruises gives you the opportunity to travel with others in the chub/chaser community and spend lots of quality time together including group seating every evening for dinner. In addition to all of the “regular” entertainment offered onboard, Chub Cruises provides exclusive onboard experiences such as private cocktail receptions and other surprises. We also organize optional group shore excursions.
Is the entire ship chubs and chasers?
No, Chub Cruises travels as a group aboard a “regular” Celebrity sailing. We get to enjoy mixing the classic cruise experience with fun times together with our community.
I’m a big chub, will I have any issues?
Cruises attract a lot of larger travelers. Therefore, the ships and their amenities are designed with that in mind. Chub Cruises has chosen Celebrity Cruises as their preferred line due to their welcoming environment both for the LGBT community and persons of size. A few minor areas to be aware of as a chub are that the stateroom bathing facilities are somewhat compact, and that the pools/hot tubs, have stairs or ladders.
Is the ship disability and CPAP friendly?
Yes, cruise ships are well known for being very accommodating to people with disabilities. If you use a CPAP/BIPAP there is an electrical outlet in every stateroom and Celebrity will provide you with distilled water (if needed) at no charge. We recommend bringing along an electrical outlet multiplier and an extension cord in case the outlet is far away from the bed. Here’s some more detailed information from Celebrity about accessibility on the Celebrity Silhouette.
Can you help me find a cabin mate?
Yes, Chub Cruises can help match you up with another solo traveler so that you can avoid the single occupancy penalties. If you need assistance with finding a cabin mate, begin the booking process by completing a booking form and submitting a deposit. Once you do that, we will add you to our cruise mate search list and do our best to match you up with another cruiser. In addition, you may wish to visit our event page on Bigger City and look for a match among those traveling with us. Remember, your deposit is fully refundable until October 1, 2017.
Can I book directly with Celebrity?
In order to be considered part of the Chub Cruises group, be seated with us at meals, and have access to Chub Cruises exclusive onboard events and surprises, both Celebrity and Chub Cruises require that you book and pay for the cruise through Chub Cruises.
What’s included in my Chub Cruise rate?
Your Chub Cruise rate includes the base cruise fare, port charges for each port of call, and all taxes and fees. In addition, it includes any other promotional amenities (drink packages, on-board spend, etc.) that are offered by Celebrity at the time of your booking. It also includes all Chub Cruise exclusive on-board activities.
Are there any additional expenses beyond the Chub Cruise rate?
There are some optional add-ons that you can purchase to enhance your cruise including beverage packages, specialty dining packages, spa treatments, and shore excursions. There are also boutique shops and art galleries if you enjoy shopping. Additionally, the ship has a casino and offers bingo.
What is the Chub Cruises booking process?
Complete our Booking Form and we will reserve your stateroom at the current rate and Celebrity promotions with just a $100 deposit per person. You will then receive a confirmation from Chub Cruises and Celebrity and it will be time to start planning and packing. You'll be able to log on to Celebrity's site and check in and see your cruise documents.
Can I pay for my cruise in installments?
Yes. Chub Cruises needs a $100 deposit per passenger to reserve your stateroom and lock in your rate. After that, you can pay your balance all at once or in installments, but final payment is required by September 30, 2017. Please note: All of your payments have to be processed by Chub Cruises. Celebrity will not accept payment directly from a group member. Your credit card transaction will show Celebrity Cruises.
What is the Chub Cruises cancellation policy?
Things happen and if you need to cancel your cruise, Celebrity has cancellations policies that we want you to be aware of. Also, Travel Insurance is available and covers certain situations such as illness. We will review these options with you during the booking process. All cruise payments, including deposits, are FULLY REFUNDABLE until October 1, 2017.
Cancellation Schedule:
Days Prior to Sailing Cancellation Schedule Date
89 to 57 $250.oo per Guest October 10, 2017
56 to 29 50% per Guest November 12, 2017
28 to 15 75% per Guest December 10, 2017
14 to 0 100% per Guest December 24, 2017
Cancellation Schedule:
Days Prior to Sailing Cancellation Schedule Date
89 to 57 $250.oo per Guest October 10, 2017
56 to 29 50% per Guest November 12, 2017
28 to 15 75% per Guest December 10, 2017
14 to 0 100% per Guest December 24, 2017
Is Cruise/Vacation Cancellation Insurance available?
Yes, insurance is available and we will review this option with you during the booking process. With the CruiseCare® Cancellation Penalty Waiver (provided by Celebrity Cruises), if you need to cancel or your cruise is interrupted, Celebrity Cruises will waive the non-refundable cancellation provision of your cruise ticket contract and pay in cash the value of the unused portion of your prepaid cruise vacation in the event you or your travel companion need to cancel your cruise vacation (for specified reasons). Also, if you or your travel companion need to cancel for "any other reason," you may be eligible for Cruise Credits (up to 75% of the non-refundable, prepaid cruise vacation cost).
Can I bring alcoholic beverages onboard the ship?
Per Celebrity Cruises policy, no beer or hard liquor may be brought onboard for consumption. If you wish to bring personal wine onboard with you on the day you board your cruise, you may do so, limited to two (2) 750ml bottles per stateroom. When enjoyed in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, each bottle shall be subject to a corkage fee of $25.
Can I smoke onboard?
Cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas of the ship. Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, casino, theater, lounge, hallway, elevator, or corridor. Also, smoking is not permitted in staterooms or verandas.
Is there Wi-Fi onboard the ship?
The Celebrity Silhouette offers Xcelerate, a newly enhanced high-speed Internet service. Xcelerate allows you to browse web sites faster, stay in touch with video calling, and stream your favorite TV shows and movies. Use your own smartphone, tablet, or laptop to connect, or use one of our workstations in the Celebrity iLoungeSM which is open 24 hours a day. Choose from a variety of Internet packages to suit your needs, or book early and choose free unlimited Wi-Fi as your perk.
What is the onboard dress code?
Some folks enjoy dressing up when cruising and other enjoy dressing down, so you will see a mix. There are some minimum expectations: Poolside/outdoors-bathing suit (no skinny dipping); Indoors- a minimum of a shirt (tank tops are ok) and shorts are needed; Formal Dining Room-pants or jeans with a sport shirt that has sleeves, or on “Evening Chic” nights pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt or sweater. Beyond these minimums, you can wear as much or as little as you want. Note: “Evening Chic” night is an opportunity to don your tuxedo or suit and take a memorable picture with the captain of the Celebrity Silhouette.
Will I get seasickness?
Most people aren’t bothered by the motion of the boat, because they have advanced stabilizers. Sometimes you can’t even tell that you are on a boat. However, if you get motion sickness easily, we would recommend that you bring along Dramamine or other motion sickness medications. Additionally, Celebrity provides complimentary seasickness medication at their Guest Relations Desk onboard.
What kind of identification do I need for cruising?
A valid passport is a requirement for air travel to/from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Valid passport (unless otherwise noted below) or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document will be accepted for entry or re-entry into the United States.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a valid passport or other approved document that establishes the bearer's identity and citizenship in order to enter or reenter the United States.
For a list of all approved documents look here.
U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a government-issued birth certificate and laminated government issued picture ID, denoting photo, name and date of birth. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original or notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by DOS, or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Note: Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable. Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a valid passport or other approved document that establishes the bearer's identity and citizenship in order to enter or reenter the United States.
For a list of all approved documents look here.
U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a government-issued birth certificate and laminated government issued picture ID, denoting photo, name and date of birth. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original or notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by DOS, or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Note: Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable. Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship.
