FAQ

1. When and Where is the 2025 AKMG Cruise Convention Scheduled?
   June 30th - July 4th 2025 aboard Royal Caribbean's Cruise ship the UTOPIA of the Seas.
2. Where does the cruise start from and where does it go?
   The cruise starts from Cape Canaveral, Florida (Near Orlando) and goes to Bahamas Cocoa Cay and back.
3. What is the cost of registration?
   The cost is $199 per-person. For ages 12-21, fellows, residents, and medical students, the cost is $99. Kids under 12 do not have to pay a registration fee. The registration fee is non-refundable except in cases where your visa does not come through.
4. What is the cost of the cruise?
   See the "Cruise Pricing" tab above. Pricing is per-person and based on double occupancy (Two people in a room).
5. What is included and what is NOT included?
   Included: 4 Nights of accommodation, All meals during the entire cruise as well as the open buffet, Onboard entertainment on the ship, Some dishes prepared in North Indian and Kerala style, Coffee tea and juice.
   NOT included: Alcohol or other special beverages, Bahamas onshore excursions, Wi-Fi connection.
6. How do I book?
   You may click the "Register online" tab above and fill out the registration form. An agent at Continuing Education will contact you with further information to assist you.
7. When should I book?
   The earlier you book the better. The contract AKMG has with the cruise agency has a total of 198 rooms of various categories. Once those rooms are booked the current market rate at time of booking will apply. (This will likely be higher than the contracted rates!)
8. When is the latest I can book?
   While you could potentially book as soon as a week prior to sailing it is strongly recommended to book prior to April 10th 2025 since after that date the contracted group price for this cruise will expire and there may not be any available staterooms at all.
9. What is the required deposit to be paid at the time of booking?
   The deposit is $100 per-person (a minimum of $200 per booking). This is in addition to the Registration fee of $199 per-person.
10. When is the rest of the cruise payment due?
    The remainder of the payment is due no later than April 10th 2025.
11. What if I see a SALE price for this cruise that is lower than what I paid?
    You may contact the cruise agency while the sale is ongoing and they will work with the cruise operators to match that price. This only applies before final payment is due (April 10th 2025) and only as long as you are not booked with a special non-refundable fare (Which would be outside the AKMG group allotment). Note that this is a request to the cruise line and is not guaranteed in all cases.
12. What happens if I have to cancel?
    Groups/individuals may be cancelled prior to April 10th 2025 with no penalties (Unless you have booked with a special non-refundable fare which would be outside the AKMG group allotment) After April 17th you will incur a penalty of 50% of the total fare. (Meaning you get 50% of your money back) After May 1st the penalty increases to 75% of total fare. After May 31st you will not receive any refund except for the taxes and fees you paid.
13. Do I need to purchase cruise insurance?
    Travel insurance is not required but is recommended. Insurance for American citizens can be purchased through the travel agency. Insurance for Indian citizens will not be available to purchase until closer to the date of travel.
14. Should I have health insurance for the whole trip to the USA?
    Yes, Health insurance is highly recommended since medical costs in the USA are very high.
15. What time do I need to be at the port on sailing day?
    Boarding time is 12-3pm on June 30th 2025. You must be at the port by at least 12:00 Noon.
16. Do I need a passport?
    Yes, you must have a valid passport with an expiry date more than 6 months after the date of departure (July 4th 2025). So your passport must expire AFTER January 5th 2026!
17. When should I apply for a USA visit visa?
    You should apply for the visa ASAP. Your initial interview date may be further out initially but you may get an earlier interview date since the US embassies are in the process of providing faster service per a USA Government report. You may also expedite the Visa processing by applying in neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, etc. The various consulates in India have different wait times as well, so please research that before applying.
18. How do I get the letter of invitation for the Visa and can I get it without booking a cabin?
    We do require you hold a cabin before we issue letters of invitation but you can cancel your cabin prior to the penalty period if your visa is not approved for any reason.
19. Where can I stay when I arrive the day before sailing?
    The Cruise agency can recommend and book you a hotel. This will be booked separately and paid by each participant depending on his/her needs. When registering for this course, you will have the option of requesting hotel recommendations.
20. Which airport should I fly to?
    The closest international airport to the cruise terminal is Orlando, Florida (Airport Code MCO). It is 45 miles from the Cruise Terminal. The next closest international airport is Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). It is 65 miles from the cruise port. If you are coming from outside the USA/Canada, you will want to come in at least 1 or 2 days before the start of the cruise regardless of which airport you use. The agent can assist you with hotel transfers to hotel and transfers to the port (cost is additional).
21. How do I get from the hotel to the Cruise Terminal/Sea Port?
    Most hotels will have transport vehicles to the cruise terminal. If the hotel does not offer transit to the cruise terminal, the agency will arrange the transportation for you at an additional cost. You can also take a Taxi/Uber if you prefer.
22. Can I stay there after the cruise?
    Yes. The cruise agency can assist with this. Hotel and transport bookings will have to be separately booked and paid by each participant depending on his/her needs.
23. Do I need a visa for Bahamas and Cocoa Cay?
    Indian Nationals holding a valid MRV (Multi Re-Entry Visa for US, UK, or Canada) can now visit Bahamas without requiring any separate visa for Bahamas or visa waiver. The MRV for the UK, US, or Canada must be valid for 45 days after the end of your stay. Please keep in mind that while a visa is not required, your passport must be valid for six months after the day you exit the country and have one blank visa page. You should also keep proof of your return flights. More information can be found here.
24. Will we be the only passengers aboard the ship?
    No, the cruise ship can accommodate over 5500 passengers.
25. What to bring on the cruise?
    Pack like you would for any resort. Cruise vacations are casual by day whether you're on the ship or on shore. In the evening, the dress code can vary. Cruises usually have one "Formal night" though you can opt out of it by dining at the buffet if you wish. Attire is dictated by occasion.
26. What is NOT allowed to bring on the cruise?
    No hair dryers, No steamers or irons, No hot plates, No knives or scissors, No weapons, No hookahs, No extension cords, No perishable foods, No more than two bottles of wine or champagne per cabin, No beer, liquor, or boxed wine.
27. What type of cabin should I book?
    It depends on your needs and budget. Balcony staterooms are the most popular and are recommended by the cruise agency for their ability to get fresh air. Ocean View staterooms have a window but no balcony. These are cheaper than balcony staterooms (by a few hundred dollars) and are a good "sweet spot" for those looking to save some money but still have access to natural light. There are also inside staterooms which are the cheapest and have no window. For those looking for a more premium, luxurious experience, the cruise agency have contracted rates for a variety of Suites ranging from Junior Suite to Crown Loft Suite all with varying benefits and sizes.
28. How many people go in a cabin?
    Most cabins in the AKMG group allotment are for two passengers. While it is possible to have three or four people in a room, it can be quite cramped and it is strongly recommended to have only two people per room since that is what they are designed to accommodate and booking a triple/quad can increase the price substantially.
29. Is there a gymnasium on the ship?
    Yes. It is open from 6:00 AM to Midnight and offers guests a fully equipped fitness center with free weights, machines, treadmills, and ellipticals. In the locker room, there is also a sauna and steam room.
30. Is there a casino on the ship?
    Yes. Featuring around 300 slot machines and 20 gaming tables, it offers Video Poker, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and Caribbean Stud Poker. Guests using the casino can pay either with cash or using their Sea Pass card.
31. Does the ship have Wi-Fi?
    Yes, the typical fee is around $21 per-device per-day. Continuing Education is negotiating to get a bulk discounted rate which we will post when finalized.
32. Does the ship have aerobic, yoga, and other classes?
    Yes, classes are available. Some are complimentary and some charge a fee.
33. Will AKMG attendees have a dedicated area in the dining room for lunch and dinner?
    Yes, there will be a separate dedicated area for AKMG attendees only. Note that it is required to book your room through the cruise agency (Continuing Education Inc./University at Sea) in order to gain access to AKMG-only areas and events.
34. What can I do if I get seasick (motion sickness)?
    Modern cruises manage to avoid excessive motion by navigating around harsh weather using high-tech stabilizers and choosing itineraries with calm water. Plus, the large size of modern cruise ships minimizes the rocking effect. However, if you do get motion sickness, you will almost certainly be able to obtain a patch or pills onboard at the Guest Services desk, which will minimize the symptoms. If you are prone to motion sickness, it is recommended that you bring your own medications just in case.
35. Are there medical services on the ship?
    Yes, every cruise ship has a well-equipped medical facility and staff to handle most onboard health issues.
36. Can I get accommodations for a special diet?
    Most ships can accommodate salt-free, low-carb, Kosher, vegetarian, or other preferences. However, this request must be made in advance, so be sure to select your dietary restrictions when filling out the registration form. See Royal Caribbean Dietary Restrictions Info.
37. Will I be charged a fee for using my credit or debit card for booking?
    The agency or cruise line will not charge you any fees; however, we cannot guarantee that your bank will not impose its own fee depending on the type of card, the bank, etc. Please check with your bank before you book to be sure.
38. Why can't I do the booking through Royal Caribbean directly?
    Booking as a group allows the travel agency to get us our group amenities such as the conference rooms, theater, dedicated dining area, complimentary welcome party with free alcohol, and more. The agency also handles all the registration process for AKMG with dedicated staff. The rates on Continuing Education Inc.'s website will always be as good or better than a legitimate rate offered directly by the cruise line, though they may appear higher on the website due to the agency's rates including taxes and port fees which Royal Caribbean's website doesn't add until the end of the booking process.