Cruise with Kristi 2025
This cruise is SOLD OUT!
This page is for all who have booked the 2025 Cruise with Kristi. If you would like more information on cruising with us, please call (956) 687-5115. We’d love to have you join us!
Cruise with Kristi 2025 FAQs
General Information
January 31 – February 10, 2025. Friday, January 31 is a travel day. The ship sets sail Saturday, February 1, 2025, returning Monday, February 10, 2025.
Final Payment is due: October 15, 2024.
Please note that you will have two (2) different transactions on your credit card when the final payment is processed. One will be with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, which will pay for the cruise portion of the trip, and one will be Welcome Home RGV, for the bus and hotel portion. If you would like to make payments, please call us at 956-687-5115.
If you prefer to send a check, please make it payable to: Travel by Welcome Home RGV and mail to: Cruise with Kristi, 219 W. Nolana, McAllen, TX, 78504.
Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas out of Galveston, Texas.
Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica; Yucatan, Mexico.
The total package includes a 9-night cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas; round-trip bus transportation from the Rio Grande Valley to Galveston; one (1) pre-night hotel stay at the Marriot Town Square in Sugar Land plus breakfast; Cruise Care Insurance; and port charges, taxes, fees, and gratuities and ll meals – breakfast, lunch, and dinner – are included aboard the ship. Drinks included are: regular coffee, iced tea, lemonade, juices in the morning with breakfast, and water.
U.S. citizens require a Passport (preferred) or a Pass card. Canadian citizens require a Passport.
Your friends and family can contact the ship by calling (888) 724-7447. Outside the U.S., they can call (321) 953-9003. The cost starts at $7.95 USD per minute and can be charged to their MasterCard or Visa. Outside the U.S., additional long-distance charges also apply.
Luggage, Packing & Money
Two (2) pieces per person, plus an overnight bag. There is very limited space in the overhead compartments on the bus. We will do our best to separate the overnight bags and the luggage under the buses. Please consider bringing bags with wheels for the initial overnight stay; they are much easier to carry and maneuver.
The overnight bag is for the first night of the trip at the Marriott Town Square in Sugar Land. Pack what you will need at the hotel and your first day on the ship. Luggage will be delivered to the cabins in the late afternoon or early evening. Keep all medication in your overnight bag.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you will be bringing any of the items listed. Space is limited. You can also rent via Scoot Around, call: 1-888-441-7575; website: scootaround.com.
Luggage will be locked on the bus.
Resort or casual wear, swimsuit. There are two (2) “Wear Your Best” nights during the cruise that have replaced the “Formal” nights, but you are welcome to bring your tuxedos and sequins if you like. For a more detailed list see our Packing Lists section below.
We will provide them for you. You must fold and securely fasten the tags to your luggage handles before getting to the bus Friday morning.
No. The cruise ship provides them. Towels can be checked out (like a library book) on the pool deck. There is a charge per towel if they are not returned.
This is a personal decision. If you plan on buying a lot of souvenirs, you may want to bring extra spending money. Keep in mind, whatever you purchase must fit in your luggage to bring home.
It isn’t necessary. Most vendors and stores accept US currency and welcome it.
An Onboard Expense Account, also known as a Sea Pass, which is the cashless system used for all on-board purchases and services. The Sea Pass is linked to your credit or debit card provided during the check-in process. Your Sea Pass card will be available on your stateroom door cabin number in a sealed envelope.
Bus Transportation & Hotel Stay
There will be several buses leaving from different parts of the Valley, departing Friday, January 31, 2025 between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m., depending on the bus.
No, please plan to be dropped off and picked up. Parking is extremely limited and will be in use during the week.
We are staying at the Marriott Town Square in Sugar Land, Texas.
Approximately 5 ½ to 6 hours, depending on weather and traffic.
Yes! We promise you will not go hungry. There are plenty of options in all price ranges.
Approximately 1 ½ hours.
It takes approximately 7 – 8 hours, depending on weather and traffic.
Yes, we will make several stops during the round trip. The cost of meals and snacks are on your own. Make sure you eat breakfast before we leave, both going and returning. We will stop at Buc’ees and have a “pit stop” when returning home. We will all be eager to return home, we will eat on the bus.
Yes. We will need to clean and pick-up after ourselves.
Yes! And, we will make pit stops along the route. We recommend you take advantage of those stops.
It is not necessary, but tipping is very welcome!
Insurance, Gratuities & Cancellation Policy
Cruise Care Insurance is included in your fare. We can help you get started with a travel claim, but HIPPA rules apply to us, and it would be up to you to gather all the information you need to process your claim. It is also up to the insurance company AON to approve all cancellation refund requests.
Gratuities are included in your cruise fare. Gratuities cover almost everyone from your stateroom/cabin attendant to all the wait staff in the dining venues.
The final payment is due October 15, 2024.
The $250.00 per person deposit is non-refundable.
You must cancel 31 days prior to the sailing date to get a bus and hotel refund.
Prior to the Final Payment Due Date, no charge
89 to 75 Days Prior to Sailing 25% per Passenger Cancellation Amount 04 Nov to 18 Nov 2024
74 to 61 Days Prior to Sailing. 50% per Passenger Cancellation Amount 19 Nov to 02 Dec 2024
60 to 31 Days Prior to Sailing 75% per Passenger Cancellation Amount 03 Dec to 01 Jan 2025
30 to 0 Days Prior to Sailing 100% per Passenger Cancellation Amount 02 Jan to 01 Feb 2025
30 days prior to sailing 100% of the cruise, bus and hotel are non-refundable.
Cruise Care Insurance is highly recommended and is included in the package unless you specifically request not to include it.
Special Needs
You can rent through Scoot Around. Contact info: 1-888-441-7575, scootaround.com. Please let us know if you plan to rent – we have to relay this information to the cruise line.
Let us know as soon as possible so we can make the arrangements with Royal Caribbean. There are a limited number, so there may be a wait. Please be patient.
Let us know if you plan to bring one so we can notify Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean will provide the distilled water and an extension cord for your CPAP machine. Royal Caribbean will also provide a medical refrigerator.
Managing Your Cruise
Visit royalcaribbean.com click ‘Manage My Cruise’. You will be prompted to create an account if you don’t already have one. After creating an account, you can find shore excursions, drink packages, internet packages and spa packages in the ‘Cruise Planner’.
Yes, download the Royal Caribbean app on your smartphone. The app is available Apple App Store for Apple devices and in the Google Play Store for Android devices. You will need the app to check-in for your cruise, and upload your passport and other documents that may be needed for sailing. It is recommended you download the app ahead of the cruise.
Yes. It is called VOOM and can be pre-purchased before sailing via ‘Cruise Planner’ at royalcaribbean.com or purchased directly on the ship.
Roaming charges will add up, and there are no cellphone towers at sea.
There are a variety of packages including: Deluxe Beverage Package, Refreshment Package, Coffee Package, Classic Soda Package, and the Water Package. These can be pre-purchased prior to sailing via ‘Cruise Planner’ on the website: royalcaribbean.com.
Yes. There are water, iced tea, lemonade, and coffee stations at the various dining locations aboard the ship. You can ask for a glass of water at any bar. You can also purchase alcoholic beverages, virgin drinks, premium coffee and bottled water a’la carte.
Alcohol, Smoking & Tobacco
You are allowed to bring one (1) 750 ml bottle of unopened wine per person on board. It must be carried on with your carry-on items.
Yes, there are smoking areas on the ship. The smoking areas are usually on the port side, the pool decks and in the casino. You cannot smoke on your balcony or in your room; Royal Caribbean will enforce a fine if you do.
If you purchase alcohol or tobacco on or off the ship, it will be delivered to your cabin on the last night of the cruise. If you purchase alcohol or tobacco in one of the port stops, you will need to turn it in to a ship officer upon returning to the ship. It will be kept until the last night of the cruise, and then delivered to your stateroom. You will need to claim it, and it is subject to taxation.
Covid-19 Information
At this time, no vaccine or Covid test are required* for guests. (*Subject to change.)
Masks are not required*. However, if you prefer to wear one that is your choice. (*Subject to change.)
Packing Lists
Important Essentials
- Passport/Pass Card and Personal ID
- Cash and Credit Card(s)
- Set Sail Pass (Boarding Pass)
- Luggage Tags
- Emergency Contact Information (paper copy)
- Photo copies of Passport/Pass Card and Personal ID
Personal Items
- Swimwear & cover-up
- Undergarments & socks
- Belt
- Casual attire
- Accessories (jewelry, etc.)
- Formal attire (If you would like to dress-up.)
- Jeans
- Hat/cap/sun visor
- Jacket/umbrella/rain poncho
- Shoes: casual/beach/dress
- Cell phone and charger
- Camera and charger/batteries
- Tablet/laptop and chargers
- Medications and List of Medications
- Glasses and sunglasses
- Toiletries
- Sunblock & Aloe
- Insect spray
- First aid kit
- Cosmetics/Hair products
- Curling iron/hair straightener
Other Items to Consider
- Laundry bag/collapsible hamper
- Travel clock
- Small flashlight
- 3-outlet electrical plug
- Magnet or magnetic hooks/clips
- Plastic zipper bags for wet clothing
- Binoculars
- Reading material
- Refillable water bottle
- Dry erase board and marker for your cabin door
Prohibited Items
- Firearms and Ammunition, including realistic replicas.
- Sharp Objects, including all knives and scissors. (Note: Personal grooming items such as safety razors are allowed. Scissors with blade lengths less than 4 inches are allowed.)
- Illegal Drugs & Substances
- CBD Oil / CBD Products
- Items that generate heat or produce an open flame. Including: heating pads, clothing irons, hotplates, candles, incense, hot plates, travel steamers, coffee makers and other items that may create a fire hazard. NOTE: The only exception to this policy is curling irons and hair straighteners. Matches and normal lighters are allowed onboard. However, “torch lighters” and novelty lighters that look like guns are not allowed onboard. Torch lighters emit a powerful, concentrated flame and, therefore, are prohibited.
- Hoverboards
- Martial Arts, Self Defense, and Sports Gear, including handcuffs, pepper spray, and nightsticks.
- Flammable Liquids and Explosives, including lighter fluid and fireworks.
- Hookahs & Water Hookah Pipes
- HAM Radios
- Electrical Extension Cords
- Dangerous Chemicals, including bleach and paint.
- Perishable Food & Meat Products
- Alcoholic Beverages (beer, seltzer, or hard liquor) seized on embarkation day will not be returned.
