Explore our comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions
Frequendly Asked Questions
Below you can find FAQs for the GIN Leadership Cruise. If your question is not answered here, please check the NCL FAQ website here.
GIN Leadership Cruise 2026
Will a roommate be assigned?
All cabins on board our ship are for double occupancy. If you are a solo traveler a roommate of the same gender will automatically be assigned.
Can I book a single cabin?
Yes, this is possible. Please select 'double occupancy'. Double charges will apply.
Can I change roommates?
Roommate changes can ONLY be made onboard the Norwegian Pearl at the Guest Services area on Deck 7. The GIN Events Office will not have access to change any roommate names once assigned. Roommate changes are based on cabin availability and cannot be guaranteed.
What is the cruise attire?
General Sessions: Business Attire | Around the Ship: Resort Wear/Comfortable | Banquet: Formal Attire
Where do I go if I have questions once I am on the ship?
For all issues relating to cabin roommate changes, stateroom, key cards, identification, medical emergencies, or Norwegian Cruise Line controlled functions, please see the Norwegian Cruise Line Guest Services on Deck 7.
Is there any other important information I should be aware of?
Yes! Be sure to check your stateroom television for special updates and notifications.
Children and Accessibility
Are childrean allowed onboard?
The GIN Leadership cruise and its onboard program are specifically tailored for adults. All attending the GIN Leadership cruise must be a Member, the minimum age to be a GIN Member is 18. Please see our policy on the GIN website.
Is there a doctor on board?
A physician and nurse are on each ship to provide medical care and services at customary charges. Commonly used medications are kept on board and may be prescribed by the ship's doctor.
What do I need to know, if I'm pregnant?
Norwegian Cruise Line will make every effort to accommodate you. However, to ensure your medical safety you must complete all travel before the 24th week of pregnancy. A medical certificate establishing your due date and fitness to travel is required prior to the cruise. Please be aware that Norwegian Cruise Line will not be liable if you are denied boarding at the port nor will we be responsible or liable for any complications of pregnancy that occur during the cruise.
What about accessible cruising?
Norwegian believes that the fun and excitement of Freestyle cruising should be able to be enjoyed by everyone. That's why we are committed to providing all of our guests the freedom of choice to cruise your way. In order to assist you with any special requirements you may have, Norwegian has a seasoned group of cruise professionals who are specifically trained to meet your needs through our dedicated toll-free number for accessible travel 0611 3607 0).
Norwegian's team of Access Coordinators at the Access Desk have experience in furthering Norwegian's mission to provide a safe and accessible cruise experience for all guests with special requirements to the extent that is feasible. The Access Desk Coordinators will discuss with you your needs and expectations for your cruising experience. You or your travel agent will be contacted so that we can try to meet your needs prior to your cruise as soon as we receive your Special Accommodation Requirements Information form available from our Access Desk. In order to make your cruise experience as enjoyable as possible and so that we can try to meet your specific needs, call 0611 3607 0 (voice), fax (305) 468-2171, send an email to accessdesk@ncl.com or have your travel agent contact us. For details click here.
Liquor and Beverage Policy
All guests are prohibited from bringing alcohol on board our ships with the exception of champagne and wine. If you purchase any alcohol at one of our ports of call or in our onboard shops, we will safely store your purchase(s) and on the final night of the cruise it will be available for pickup in a designated area. Please note that for wine and champagne brought on board by you, a corkage fee will apply if consumed onboard.
NCL encourages the responsible use of alcohol and accordingly reserves the right to permanently or temporarily revoke the drinking privileges of any guest who violates NCL's Guest Code of Conduct or who is deemed a danger to himself, herself or others by vessel management. Continued abuse of alcohol whilst sailing and/or violation of NCL's alcohol policy may result in immediate disembarkation.
Can I bring water or soda on board?
Effective for sailings July 15, 2016 and beyond, guests are prohibited from bringing any beverages -- including liquor, beer and non-alcoholic drinks such as water, soda and juices -- on board.
Is the water onboard safe to drink?
All of our ships produce water in accordance with the guidelines and requirements as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Public Health Service, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Centre for Environmental Health.
Can I still bring wine on board?
Yes, guests may bring sealed bottles of wine on board for personal consumption. They will be checked prior to embarkation and a corkage fee applied at that time of $15.00 USD for a 750 ml Bottle or $30.00 USD for a 1,500 ml Magnum bottle. Box wines are not allowed on board.
Money Matters
We are confident that you will enjoy your GIN Leadership Cruise and that our entire crew will provide you with the high standard of service for which we are known. A discretionary service charge has already been taken care of by GIN and this will be shared amongst those staff members, including the restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and other behind-the scenes staff who provide services that enhance your overall cruise experience.
Certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth program staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities.
Additionally, there is a 20% gratuity and spa service charge added for all spa and salon services, as well as a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge added for all beverage purchases and a 20% gratuity and specialty service charge added to all specialty restaurant dining and entertainment-based dining (does not apply to Free at Sea dining and drinks packages).
The currency used on board our ships is the U.S. $. We've made paying for on-board expenses very easy. When you check in you open a shipboard account by registering a major credit card such as VISA®, MasterCard® or American Express. If you prefer to pay by cash or traveller's cheques, a suggested deposit is US $ 150 per person at check-in (subject to change). Then, you simply sign for your personal expenses as you go and they will be charged to your account.
Important: When your credit card is entered to activate your on-board account, an initial approval is obtained from the bank. Please be advised that some banks may hold the pre-authorization for up to 30 days. Throughout the voyage incremental holds will be obtained based on your on-board expenditure. This will reduce the amount of available credit on the credit card or restrict the availability of cash in your bank account.
How do I pay for onboard expenses?
For your convenience, all shipboard expenses are charged to your Onboard account. Sign up when you check in, establishing your method of payment with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB Card, Diner's Club. You may also use your debit card however please be advised that we obtain pre-authorisation, as we do for all Credit Cards, and some banks hold these funds for up to 30 days. The maximum initial pre-authorization amount for all credit and debit cards is $300. Cash can also be used as a method of payment to settle your account with an initial deposit paid in advance.
Using your debit or ATM card
- Norwegian does not recommend the use of a debit card as payment for your onboard expenses
- Please be advised that multiple holds will be placed on your debit card account based on your onboard purchases.
- After settling your onboard folio, these debit card holds may remain on your account up to 30 days after the cruise ends.
- To avoid overdraft charges from your bank, please make sure that you have enough available funds in your account during this hold period.
- Norwegian will not be responsible for overdraft charges resulting from holds placed on Debit Card accounts.
Traveler's Check / Cash Procedures
A cash deposit may be placed on your onboard account for the amount of $150 USD per person.
Once you have exceeded the deposited amount, your account will be closed to further charges. You can deposit as much money as often as you'd like throughout the cruise, however, refunds cannot be made until the day of disembarkation for any excess.
*Personal checks will not be accepted, nor can they be cashed on board.
Other
The local power onboard currently is 110 volts & 220V AC. However, some high-voltage hair dryers, electric rollers and electric razors may require a converter.
Onboard Cellular and Internet
Staying connected at sea has never been so easy. We have partnered with Starlink — the fastest Internet at sea — to help you stay connected through your entire voyage. For cellular plan options, simply contact your provider to choose the plan that's right for you before you embark on your holiday. Click here for more information.
When will I be required to vacate our suite/stateroom on the morning of debarkation?
Normally, suites and staterooms are to be vacated by 8:00 AM on the morning of disembarkation.
Should I bring on a carry-on bag?
Yes. Guests should bring an extra bag for your overnight and necessary items because all suitcases are collected the night before we return to homeport.
Travel Tips:
• Luggage that is being hand-carried must be able to fit thru the x-ray machines, similar to airplanes if larger than that it must be checked.
• We recommend that guests hand-carry medication, jewelry, breakables, or other valuables, an extra set of clothes for the first evening on board, and important documents (i.e. Passports and Travel Documents)
What about special dietary needs?
If you have any food allergies or special dietary requirements that requires Kosher meals or gluten-free food products, please make sure to announce this at the time of booking in the online registration. Obtaining the product for many of these requests requires 30-days’ notice prior to sailing, and we want to ensure that we are able to fulfil your request. We cannot guarantee Kosher Meal requests made within 30 days of setting sail. For the protection of all our guests, it is not permissible to bring aboard any food items that would require preparation by the ship's staff, or food items that would require cold storage in our kitchen facilities.
Whilst you cruise
When the ship has been cleared, you will proceed through customs and immigration and continue with your independent travel arrangements. Please ensure that you have arranged an adequate flight time considering customs and immigration procedures (approx. 2 hours) and the transfer time to the airport. In some ports you can take advantage of our "Easy Walk-Off". This means you can leave the ship as soon as it is cleared by local authorities, carrying all your luggage off the vessel.
How about safety and security?
Norwegian Cruise Line adheres to the highest standard of ship building in the world. All our ships meet the most current SOLAS specifications. Our ships also pass annual government safety and sanitation inspections. On the first day of your cruise, you will be asked to take part in an obligatory lifeboat drill, where you will learn what to do in case of an emergency. In such an event, you will be asked to go to your assigned lifeboat (detailed directions to the so-called 'assembly station' can be found on the back of your stateroom door). We recommend that you always set your stateroom TV to standby mode to obtain all necessary information through a special channel designated for emergencies. Guests who miss the obligatory lifeboat drill due to joining the ship late, should contact the Guest Services Desk on Deck 7 onboard.
All Norwegian Cruise Line ships are fully stabilized for smoothest possible cruising.
How to stay in touch?
All our ships are equipped with 24-hour Internet Cafés. In addition, in most areas throughout the ship you can connect to our Wi-Fi network on your own devices (charges apply).
The central telephone number for our ships is 001 732 335 3280 (from the US $ 7.95 per minute; please have the ship name and your credit card number at hand).
You can also stay connected on the high seas using your own compatible mobile phone. International roaming charges may apply. Final rates are determined by your service provider.
As the health and well-being of our guests and crew is of the utmost importance, indoor public areas, with the exception of the cigar lounge, throughout all our ships are smoke-free. Dedicated outdoor areas are assigned to smoking.
Indoor Areas
Cigar Lounge: Cigar smoking is permitted in the designated cigar lounge. Cigarettes, pipe, electronic cigarettes, and vapor smoking devices are not permitted in the cigar lounge.
Staterooms: Guests are not permitted to smoke in their staterooms or on their balconies. Smoking inside your stateroom or on your balcony will result in a $250 USD cleaning charge added to your onboard account. If cigarette burns on furniture, linens, towels or carpeting are detected; guests will be advised and charged for the damages.
Outdoor Areas
Smoking, including cigars, pipe, electronic cigarettes and vapor smoking devices, is not permitted in or near venues serving food, the jogging track, outdoor sporting venues, children's pool areas, Vibe Beach Club, Posh Beach Club or The Waterfront.
The Haven: On ships with The Haven complex, smoking is not permitted in The Haven courtyard area, but is permitted in The Haven Sun Deck area (forward).