English | Español

Home > FAQs

Hide All   Show All

FAQs

We are certain that you have many questions regarding your cruise. We've tried to be comprehensive, but please let us know right away if you are unable to find the answer you are looking for on this page.

To view an answer, please click on the question, or click on "show all" to view all questions and answers at once glance.

Tradución esta disponible en Español; haga Click en "Español".

BOOKING YOUR CRUISE

• May I book with my own agent?

  No.  This is a group event.  You must book through Tango at Sea.  Once on board you will be charged extra if booked outside Tango at Sea.  Your agent is encouraged to contact Tango at Sea personally to book on your behalf.  We pay your agent a large commission.  Many agents have previously contacted us.

• When should I book my Tango At Sea cruise?

  Book early for a good  cabin location.  Ships fill up from mid-ship out to forward and aft.

• Are flights included in my cruise fares?

  Airfares are not included.  Tango at Sea suggests researching and booking your flights early to secure lowest possible pricing.

• When should I book my flight?

  Early is always best to secure a good price; at least one month before Barcelona Tango Festival date or sail date.

• Why does Tango At Sea offer hotels?

  We recommend arriving at least one day prior to sailing when flying great distances to allow for jet lag or lost luggage during your flight.  If you are flying domestically it is recommended to secure a Non-Stop flight to help reduce lost luggage problems.

• Do I have any benefits as a previous Costa cruiser?

   

  To receive benefits on future Costa cruises you must join Costa Club while on board.  You should provide your Costa Club number to Tango at Sea when booking your cruise.  On board benefits increase with each sailing.

• When do I receive cruise documents?

  Generally 3-4 weeks before sailing cruise boarding documents are sent via email.

• When may I board the ship?

  Generally boarding begins at noon; in some cases 11am.  You must board one hour prior to sailing.  The cruise line needs one hour to prepare their manifest for the Port Authorities.

• What is the cost of transfers?

  Costa Cruise Lines changed their transfer policy beginning with 2012 sailings.  Transfers are only available when purchasing Costa’s flight/transfer package.  The Barcelona Airport and Port of Barcelona are close to the downtown area hotels.  Taxi costs would be the economical mode of transportation upon arrival in Barcelona.

• How do we get from the airport to the port and return to the airport?

  Upon arrival, guests should acquire a taxi to get to their hotel; or upon sail date arrival acquire a taxi to go directly to the Port of Barcelona to board the ship.  Tango at Sea will research bus transportation for disembarkation day to take guests directly to the Barcelona Airport.


HOTELS & PORT DATA

• Hotel data in Barcelona, Spain.

   

  On our Tango at Sea website we have listed available apartments and flats that would be good for groups who book our Barcelona Festival.  On tasf2013.com we have a great link to hotels in Barcelona.  The principal area of our Festival activities would be hotels located near the areas of “Ramblas”, “Barceloneta”, “Paseo de Gracia” or “Villa Olimpica”.

• Does Costa Cruise Lines offer transfers to the ship from the airport?

  Yes, for embarkation day and disembarkation day Costa offers transfers; cost is USD $49 per person each day.  Departure time from the airport on October 1, 2013 is only once at 2pm.  Departure time on October 8, 2013 from the ship to the airport is only at 10:30am.  You should make your decision before July 1, 2013.

• Is there other means of transportation from Barcelona Airport to the Port of Barcelona?

   

  Yes, a taxi from airport to port takes 40 minutes for about €35.  You can also use the excellent train and bus system in Barcelona.  In the “Airport’s Train Station” you board the train to “Sants Station” (€3).  In this station you board “Metro Line 3 (Green Line) in the direction of “Trinitat Nova”; go to “Drassanes Station” (€2).  From here take a local Shuttle Bus service to the Port of Barcelona called “Autobús Azul or PortBus" in the “Plaza de Colón Square (€2).  Total cost of airport to port is €7.


WORKSHOPS

• What is the typical workshop structure?

  We hold workshops when we are “At Sea”.  When we are in a Port of Call, we want our guests to enjoy those cities and/or the cruise line tours and/or the tours guests create upon arrival.  Guests sometimes go in small groups to enjoy the cities.

• How many workshops do you offer on a cruise?

  For the 8 night Barcelona 2013 cruise we will offer 7 Level I workshops and 7 Level II workshops held at the same 1.5 hour.  Dancers should take advantage of the class level that will benefit them and not interfer with the overall instruction provided by our very talented maestro professionals.  We will offer 3 Tango; 2 Vals and 2 Milonga workshops.  We also hold 1 or 2 seminars on this sailing; at least one gathering of all guests; plus a wonderful Cocktail Party.

• What are your workshop guidelines?

  Please be on time. Please allow our instructors to give instruction and be prepared to learn from their great experience and talent. Carry your Tango at Seas schedule with you; also the ship’s daily schedule. You want to be prepared with all the information you need for your day versus running to your cabin needlessly.

• How is workshop instruction organized?

  Each instructor couple has their own style of teaching a workshop. As a student, please remember they are teaching a group. Please note that instructors interacting and/or dancing with a student may be inappropriate. Please allow the instructor to make such choices. Instructors may only teach for 1.25 hour and allow you time to practice what you have just tried to learn.

• What topics are taught in the workshops?

  In the daily schedule the topic listed will be Tango, Vals or Milonga. If it is appropriate to have a Men’s/Woman’s Technique class they will be listed by title. This allows an instructor to teach the appropriate needs of that particular group of dancers.


GENERAL TOPICS

• What is included in the TAS cruise price package?

  All of the scheduled Tango at Sea events and of course your cabin, meals, port charges, taxes and fees, gratuities and all other activities on board the ship.  Tours and specialty drinks are extra.

• When should I book cruise line tours?

  It is possible to book tours prior to sailing directly on the cruise line's webpage. Generally cruise lines lock you out 14 days prior to sail date. Once on board you can book tours. Check out the Tour Desk hours as they are not always open for business.

• May I take private classes with the tango instructors?

  Yes, guests arrange times with the instructor(s) of their choice. Classes can be taught at any location on board where space is available. Some scheduled times are listed on the schedule. Once you board, seek out possible locations for a private class.

• What should I wear to the Captain's Party?

  The Captain’s Cocktail Party(ies) are formal. If male guests have and/or enjoy wearing tuxedos this would be the time to enjoy your tux!! Otherwise a suit coat/tie is appropriate. Please be advised that on an 11 night sailing there are three events; Welcome Gala; Captain’s or Chef's Gala, and Farewell Gala.

• May I ask an instructor to dance with me?

  Instructors are paid to instruct and perform in the show. If they desire to dance with a guest, they will ask you themselves. If a male guest wants to dance with a female instructor they should feel free to ask. Most of our instructors will on occasion ask our guests to dance.

• What are the special events held on TAS cruises?

  Initially, our opening event is a mandatory 1-2 hour Get Acquainted gathering and meeting to dispense information.  Tango at Seas events include Workshops, Milongas, one or two cocktail parties, a professional show in the ship’s theater; maybe a symposium; a discussion hour with all instructors to ask questions about their tango lives.  In 2005 cruise we held a wedding on the beach at Cozumel!!!  In 1999 we held a symposium for a dancer who was writing a tango book.  This book is now published.  We held a book signing in 2009.  Suggestions are most welcome.

• What is the Milonga schedule?

  We plan for a Milonga each evening. We request 10pm to 1 or 2am nightly. Start times vary between 10pm to 10:30pm. Other dance lounges on board the ship may be available until 2am.

• What are the average temperatures for the Spain, Baleares & Malta Western Mediterranean cruise?

  City Barcelona, Spain Mallorca, Spain La Valletta, Malta Catania, Sicily Naples, Italy Savona, Italy

  High/Low 79-63 F 84-78 F 71-78 F 80-66 F 71-62 F 68-63 F