If you are an individual who plans to attend a BCT-BrainVitality cruise retreat and you have questions about cruising or about the conferences themselves, please review the list below. If you cannot find the answers to your questions please feel free to email us at cruise@brainvitality.org or call us at 1-918-734-4335 for Retreat questions or 1-877-881-5511 for cruise specific questions.


1. How does the Mindfulness Meditation Cruise work? The Cruise training is a series of classes while on board relaxing cruise ships.

2.  Will there be room for me in the retreat? We will always accomodate one more person wanting to learn Mindfulness! As long as we can secure accommodations on the cruising vessel, we will be able to welcome you in the retreats. 

3. Can I extend my cruise vacation? Cruise lines feature special pre- or post-cruise hotel packages that allow you to extend your vacation in either your port of embarkation or debarkation. Also, tours can be arranged in such ways as to blend seamlessly with your cruise vacation. Just ask our Agents for details!

4. Are there meeting rooms onboard? Just about every full-size ship has public rooms or a conference center to offer as meeting space for our group.You can rest assured that any cruise ship hosting one of our programs will have the latest and greatest in the way of conference rooms and meeting services!

5. Is cruising affordable and a good vacation value? Yes! Cruising is the best vacation value! There are cruise vacations to suit every budget. Your cruise fare includes all meals and 24 hour complentary room service, your stateroom, on-board activities and entertainment.You'll know what your vacation will end up costing you before you go. (Your only extra expenses will be carbonated and alcoholic drinks, optional shore excursions, and personal services such as massage or hairstyling.) We can even arrange for your hotel and transfers from the airport to the cruise port.

6. How long is the cruise?   Our Mindfulness Meditation cruises are 7 nights in length. This allows for the attendee to have a chance to enjoy the cruise and the course equally without either affecting the other. 

7. Where can I go? We currently cruise the Caribbean, Alaska and soon Europe.

8. How do I book a cruise? Just call our staff at 918-734-4335 or 1-877-901-4335 or click "Sign Me Up". We can make all the arrangements to get you from your doorstep to your ship and back. Planning a vacation has never been easier!

9. Are there any special educational programs on board? Well, it's good that you asked because that's our specialty. The Mindfulness Meditation cruise is an educational program, retreat, and life changing fun experience all rolled into one. 

10. Do I need a passport? Generally it is best to have a Valid Passport. Some ports may also require a Visa. Our staff will assist you in getting the correct documentation.

11. Are there different classes of service? Today's cruise ships are "one-class". Everyone onboard can use all of the ship's facilities. The price of a cabin is based primarily on its size and location. Regardless of the category you book, you'll enjoy the same courteous service, menus, activities, and entertainment as everyone else on board.

12. Will I get bored? Feel confined? Hardly! Being at sea gives you a feeling of total freedom that no land-based resort can offer. There's plenty of room. And it will probably take you two or three days just to discover everything that's on board. Plus, you get the added adventure of exploring many exciting ports of call. Cruise ships are like floating resorts with all the choices fine resorts have to offer. You can lie back in a lounge chair, breathe in the sea air, soak up the sun, read good books, or watch the ever-changing seascape. If you're more active, join in exercise or dance classes, and sports contests. Practice your tennis stroke or golf swing, or take some fresh air on the jogging deck. Swim, stretch out in the sauna or work out in the gym. You can also see a feature film, attend an enrichment lecture by renowned experts, play backgammon or bridge. And that's just when you're on board!
The ships even have a Cloud 9 Spa.

13. What can I do in port? So much you'll have a hard time choosing! You can explore on your own or take a guided tour (often referred to as shore excursions). Search ancient ruins or hunt for shopping bargains. Ride a raft over river rapids, a bicycle down the side of a 10,000 foot volcano, or a horse across miles of hills and beaches. Climb a waterfall or pyramid. Follow the footsteps of history or the wake of a water-skiing boat. If there's still time, play golf or tennis. Learn how to windsurf. Sun and swim at some of the world's best beaches. Catch a record marlin. Sail, snorkel, or scuba dive. Take a cable car to the top of a mountain. Explore dark catacombs. In short, cruising is the perfect way to sample a number of new destinations and try all the things you've ever dreamed of doing, while never having to pack and unpack!

14. Do I have to participate in the activities? On a cruise, you do what you want, when you want. You can do everything or do absolutely nothing. It's your vacation! However, if you don't attend the Mindfulness Meditation classes you will lose out on a lot of life improvement.

15. Do cruise lines welcome families with kids? More and more cruise vacations are booked by families with children. Most cruise lines provide plenty of supervised activities for youngsters.  The Dream's Camp Carnival where kids ages 2-11 have their own space, games, paints, crayons, pool area and everything else that young cruisers love. They make sure they have so much fun, they don't even notice they're being supervised. They think our counselors are just big kids.And, it is included in the price of the cruise.  Another plus, from 10 p.m. - 3 a.m. every night they offer great babysitting services (for a fee)!

ACTIVITIES
Sample activities:
»Board Games
»Outdoor Fun
»Reading & Story Time
»Finger Painting 
»Kids' Dance Parties
»Kids' Talent Shows 
»Music & Movement Activities
»Latest Game Consoles

16. What's there to do at night? At night, life aboard a cruise ship really turns on. There's dancing, live entertainment, nightclubs and lounges, feature films, and parties with all your new friends. Most ships also have casinos. What's more, there are many special events like the Captain's Cocktail Party, Passenger Talent Night, and the Masquerade Parade.

17. Is there a charge for entertainment? Never. On a cruise vacation, the entertainment is on the house. There's no cover, minimum, or charge for an admission ticket. The Vegas style shows are live, films first-rate and all included in your cruise fare.

18. Will there be people like me? No matter what you've heard to the contrary, there's no such thing as a typical cruise passenger! All kinds of people take cruises now... all ages... from all walks of life... singles, couples and families. And, if you are in the Mindfulness Meditation classes there will be others with which you share interests.  It is a great way to make new friends.

19. What should I pack? Pack like you would for any resort. Cruise vacations are casual by day, whether you're on the ship or ashore. In the evening, you can choose the way to dress. As on shore, attire is dictated by occasion. At the formal nights, for example, you'll probably want to wear something more formal, such as a dark suit, or cocktail dress; perhaps even a dinner jacket or gown. Or, if you don't want to dress up for dinner - eat at the gourmet buffet or one of the speciality bistros or don't want to get dressed - order room service.

20. Will I need a tuxedo? On this cruise, formal dinners or parties are part of the fun. But don't buy a tuxedo just for the trip. Even on the most formal of ships, a dark suit and tie are fine for the dressiest occasions. If you do want to dress to the nines, the ships offer tuxedo rental services.

21. Can singles have fun on a cruise? Cruising is ideal for people traveling alone, because it's so easy to meet other people. In fact, most ships have parties just for singles early on, so you can get to know people right away. Many ships even offer gentlemen hosts who can be dance partners, dinner companions or a fourth at cards. Ships have single cabins as well as single rates for double staterooms. If you ask us we will even find you a roommate to share a cabin so you can obtain the per person/double occupancy rate, saving you even more on a great vacation.

22. Can I use my hair dryer or shaver? All modern ships have 110 volt outlets in the staterooms. The staterooms even come with hairdryers.

23. What are different meal seatings? On these Mindfulness training cruises we will have "Your Time" dining. You can dine from 5:45  to 9:30 PM.  This gives us a little flexibility. No reservations required. Your Time dining allows you to dine in the main dining room, at your leisure, anytime between 5:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Guests are seated first-come, first-serve, depending on party size. In most cases, guests are accommodated within 20 minutes. However, pagers are provided if all tables are occupied so guests can relax elsewhere on the ship until their table is ready. Due to the limited number of large table availability, parties with greater than 10 guests may need to be accommodated at different tables.
Rremember that one of the best ways to make new friends is to ask for a large table. In addition, some ships offer alternative dining rooms, such as Italian, Chinese, Japanese or Southwestern themed restaurants, separate from the main dining room.

24. Is cruise ship dining as good as I've been told? Everything you've heard about cruise ship dining is true. You'll find a varied selection of entrees (appetizers, salads, soups, vegetables, and desserts, too) every time you sit down. And there's virtually no limit on what or how much you can order. But, just because your cruise ship offers plenty of delicious food doesn't mean you'll come home out of shape. You can choose low-cal, spa, vegetarian or fitness menu selections that are just as tempting as the regular menu. Best of all, the one thing you'll never see on a cruise ship menu is a price. Because all your meals are included!

25. Can I get a special diet? Most ships can accommodate salt-free, low-carbohydrate, Kosher, or other diet preferences. However, this request must be made in advance, so be sure to advise your Travel Agent when you book your cruise.

26. What if I don't like my tablemates? Rarely is this a problem. However, if you wish to change tables, speak with the maitre d'. He'll make every effort to seat you with more compatible dining companions... discretely and politely.

27. Are there smoking areas? Today, virtually all ships have designated smoking lounges or on deck smoking areas. In fact, the cruise ship dining rooms are now totally smoke-free, reflecting passenger requests.

28. Can we celebrate a special occasion? Absolutely! Most cruise lines will even treat you to a complimentary cake and a chorus of "Happy Whatever" to honor the occasion. Your birthday or anniversary can be more festive with champagne, flowers, or canapés. You can even arrange for a special private party. All you have to do is advise your reservations agent in advance.

29. Is cruising right for honeymooners? Without a doubt. Cruising offers an atmosphere that's just right for romance... cozy dinners for two, strolling on deck at sunset, dancing the night away (even under the stars). Most lines provide special services–from Sunday or Monday departures to champagne and breakfast in bed. Also, some ships offer special programs for performing a marriage ceremony or renewing your marriage vows.

30. Can we stay in touch with the outside world? Quite easily. The ships have a daily newsletter with news, headlines, selected stock quotes and sports scores. Staterooms on most ships are equipped with televisions. While most ships now have satellite telephones in passenger cabins, you can also call someone on shore through the ship's radio officer while at sea. And, you can make phone calls from most ports. In addition, most ships have fax capabilities. And, there is an internet cafe and wireless (for a charge) through the ship.

31. What about tipping? Tipping is a matter of individual preference. A general rule of thumb is to plan for about $10.00 per day which includes your room steward, dining room waiter, your busboy and all food service staff. Other shipboard personnel can be tipped for special services at your discretion.

32. Are there medical services onboard? Virtually every cruise ship has a fully-equipped medical facility and staff to handle almost any emergency.

33. Are there laundry services aboard ship? Almost all cruise ships have laundry facilities and many provide dry-cleaning services. There is, however, an additional charge for professional laundry and dry-cleaning services. Many ships also have self-service launderettes.

34. Is motion discomfort a problem? Rarely. Popular cruise itineraries boast some of the calmest waters in the world. In addition, stabilizers on modern ships, advanced availability of accurate weather information, and development of effective preventative medications have, for the most part, eliminated the incidence of motion discomfort.  We highly recommend Ginger as a seasickness prevention, either in tea, capsules or candied should it ever become necessary.

35. It sounds too good to be true! Is it? The one major complaint we hear over and over again is that cruises end far too soon! Beyond that, it's hard to find any negatives. All you have to worry about is relaxing and enjoying your vacation. Most importantly, every crew and staff member on board is dedicated to making your cruise the best vacation of your life (until you top it with your next cruise!)

36. Will the training interfere with shore activities? Courses are held while the ship is at sea between ports. You will not miss any shore excursions or other onshore activities. Remember this is for your health and wellness too.

37. Who should I see if I have questions that haven't been answered? If, after reviewing the FAQ sections you still can't find the answers you are looking for, please send us an email at cruise@brainvitality.org. or call Debbie at 877-901-4335 for training or cruise questions and Tonda at 1-877-881-5511 for cruise questions


FAQs