Q. When is the cruise and where does it go?
A. Grappler’s Escape IX is a seven-night, Western Caribbean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. It will depart from Galveston, Texas on Sunday, June 16, 2024, and return on Sunday, June 23, 2024.
Q. What does the cruise cost?
A. The price for the cruise varies per stateroom category, please visit our Prices & Inclusions page for a complete list of available stateroom categories and costs.
Prices are per person based on double occupancy; guests who book a single occupancy stateroom will be charged 200% of the applicable double occupancy per person cruise fare.
Taxes and fees are a flat rate per passenger, regardless of room type or occupancy of the stateroom booked. Shipboard gratuities include your room steward and the ship’s main dining room venue staff. Both must be pre-paid with your reservation and are subject to change until the day of sailing.
Casino dealers and spa personnel are not included since not all guests will utilize those services. A gratuity for bar services and servers will automatically be added to the price of your drinks on your bar check.
Q. What’s included / What’s not included?
A. YOUR CRUISE FARE INCLUDES:
ALL EXCLUSIVE Jiu-Jitsu events as outlined on the event’s website: www.grapplersescape.com
Welcome and Farewell receptions held for the group with specialty cocktails, unlimited wine and beer, and hot & cold canapés
Shipboard accommodations for seven (7) nights in your choice of stateroom type
Ocean transportation aboard the Harmony of the Seas, round-trip Galveston, Texas
All meals in the ship’s main dining venues (there’s gourmet fare in the formal dining rooms and casual restaurants for meals throughout the day), with reserved group dinner seating in the ship’s main dining room. Please note dining at specialty restaurants requires an additional fee.
24-hour room service is available (a service fee applies to all room service orders)
Variety of shipboard entertainment and activities
Please note the following are NOT included in the package prices:
Air transportation
Transfers (to or from airport/hotel and ship)
Shore excursions
Photographs
Cost of medical services, if required
Specialty restaurant dining
Bottled water, sodas and alcoholic beverages
Goods purchased onboard (gift shops, art auctions, etc.)
Spa and salon services
Items of a personal nature including but not limited to laundry, and telephone
Gratuities for casino dealers, spa personnel, or bar services
Q. What is the payment schedule for the cruise?
A. There are three payment plan options available for this event:
Ä Pay In Full - attendees will pay in full at time of booking
Ä Four Payment Plan - attendees who choose this payment option will be required to pay a $500 per person initial deposit ($1,000 deposit for single occupants) at the time of booking, a second deposit equal to 33% of the remaining reservation balance is due by October 15, 2023; another 33% is due by February 15, 2024, and the final payment is due by March 15, 2024. Note: deposits are retroactive, bookings made on or after October 15, 2023, or February 15, 2024, will be required to pay all the previous deposits combined, etc.
Ä Monthly Payment Plan - attendees who choose this payment option will be required to pay a $500 per person initial deposit ($1,000 deposit for single occupants) at the time of booking. The remaining reservation balance due will be equally divided by the number of months between the booking date and March 15, 2024. These payments will be due on the 1st of each month with the final payment being due no later than March 15, 2024.
Please note:
Ø All payments are in U.S. dollars. Accepted forms of payment are American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. The charge on your credit card statement will appear as LKCRUISE.
Ø Payments will be automatically charged to the credit card on file for the guest’s selected payment plan from the options outlined above. It is your sole responsibility to know your applicable payment due dates and to verify payment has been successfully processed by the scheduled due date. Payment reminders will not be sent.
Ø Reservations not deposited at the time of booking or with scheduled payments not kept up to date are subject to cancellation.
Ø Full payment is required at the time of booking for any reservations made on March 15, 2024, or later.
Q. What are RCI’s COVID-19 Requirements and Protocols?
A. Currently RCI does not have any COVID-19 testing or proof of vaccination requirements. Note: this is subject to change based on the status of the pandemic and/or the requirements of the local governments at the ports of call at the time the cruise sails. Please visit RCI’s Healthy Sail Center for the most up-to-date information.
It is the responsibility of each guest to be informed and comply with RCI’s COVID-19 requirements and protocols at the time the cruise sails. Passengers not meeting the cruise line’s requirements will be denied boarding, and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued. These policies are set by the cruise line (not Grappler’s Escape), and no exceptions are allowed.
Q. Who do I contact if I have questions about the cruise?
A. For questions about the ship or the registration process, email us at grapplersescapecruise@landrykling.com.
Q. Who do I contact if I have questions about the event?
A. For questions about the Grappler’s Escape cruise inclusions and events, email us at grapplersescape@gmail.com.
Q. May I bring other family members and/or friends? Can our rooms be near each other on the ship?
A. Yes, we welcome family and friends! There is plenty of fun to be had on board the Harmony of the Seas and the cruise ports for guests not attending the Grappler’s Escape sessions and activities. A discount on the per person price is offered for non-BJJ participants.
Passengers who wish to book staterooms near other passengers may make their request in the Notes field on their reservation or send an email to grapplersescapecruise@landrykling.com. We’ll do our very best to accommodate the request; however, it depends on whether the passengers have booked within the same stateroom category and the availability of rooms at the time of request.
Q. What if I have to cancel after registering?
A. Due to the unique nature of this event, all reservations will be subject to the following cancellation policy related to the cruise portion of your booking:
Between the date of booking and February 15, 2024: the initial deposit is non-refundable
Between February 16 and March 15, 2024: 50% of the total reservation cost
Between March 16 and April 30, 2024: 75% of the total reservation cost
On or after May 1, 2024: no refunds will be issued
Please note:
Ø Cancellation dates are based on Eastern Standard Time.
Ø Notice of cancellation must be submitted via email to grapplersescapecruise@landrykling.com.
Ø No refunds will be made in the event of interruption or cancellation by any passenger after the commencement of the cruise. No refunds will be given for cruise no-shows.
Ø Any adjustment to the above policy is at the sole discretion of Grappler’s Escape, LLC.
Ø Cancellation fees for airline tickets and/or other reservations made by attendees are subject to the cancellation policy of the specific airline/supplier.
Q. May I purchase insurance for my cruise through the website?
A. You will have the option to obtain a quote and purchase trip insurance on the reservation site after payment is made (deposit or full payment) on your reservation. This travel insurance is offered by Travel Guard.
Q. When registering, do I need to use my legal name and gender?
A. Yes, your legal name as shown on your proof of citizenship and gender as shown on your identification is required.
Q. What documentation is required to cruise?
A. Proper travel documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise for all passengers. Even though a passenger has completed the cruise line’s online reservation, it is still the passenger’s responsibility to present the required travel documents at the time of embarkation. Any passenger without proper documents will not be allowed to board the vessel, and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued. RCI, Grappler’s Escape, and its agents/affiliates assume no responsibility for advising passengers of proper travel documentation.
A valid passport is required for travel. For your protection, RCI highly recommends that all guests travel with a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of their cruise. In addition, it is recommended that guests bring a second official form of identification such as a laminated driver’s license or identification card issued by a federal, state, provincial, country, territory or municipal authority.
The ship may collect your passport to speed up the clearance formalities in each port of call, so it is suggested that you bring a few photocopies of your passport’s personal page which includes the picture as well as carry one of these photocopies with you each time you leave the ship.
Requirements are subject to change, and it is each guest’s responsibility to ensure that he/she has the appropriate documentation.
For more information on the documentation requirements, please see the cruise line’s website at https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/topics/travel-documents.
Q. I don’t have a passport. How do I obtain one?
A. Please visit the U.S. Department of State website for all passport information. It can take six weeks to process a new passport or passport renewal, please be sure to allow enough time to receive your passport before embarking on the cruise.
Q. Who May Sail?
A. Passengers are responsible to ensure that they are eligible to sail according to RCI’s requirements, including but not limited to the following:
Ä Guests who meet RCI’s COVID-19 protocols and requirements at the time of sailing as posted on RCI’s Healthy Sail Center
Ä Infants must be at least 6 months old on the day of departure.
Ä Women must be less than 24 weeks into their pregnancy on the day of departure and for the duration of the cruise. This policy is due to the risk of premature labor. Pregnant women must have a letter signed by their doctor (on the physician’s letterhead) stating how far along in weeks their pregnancy will be at the beginning of the cruise, that mother and baby are in good health and fit to travel, and that the pregnancy is not considered high-risk.
Ä Adults must be 21 or older unless the passenger is:
Ø traveling in the same stateroom with an individual 25 years or older; or
Ø traveling in the same stateroom with a spouse (proof of age and/or proof of marriage are required)
Passengers not meeting the cruise line’s requirements will be denied boarding, and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued. These policies are set by the cruise line (not Grappler’s Escape), and no exceptions are allowed.
Q. How do I make changes to my existing reservation?
A. Any changes in registrations must be made via the online registration system. Until approximately 45 days prior to sailing, most changes to existing registrations can be made by logging into the cruise registration system. Within 45 days of sailing, any change requests will need to be submitted via email to grapplersescapecruise@landrykling.com.
Q. Can I make a name change on my reservation?
A. Name changes are permitted, but at least one of the original and/or primary financially responsible guest’s names must remain on the reservation. If all original guests cancel, this is considered a full cancellation without refund, and name changes will not be allowed. Note: event badges are not refundable and non-transferable as noted on the cancellation schedule above.
In all cases of name changes, the “new” guest must make the full payment amount due as of the date of the name replacement in order for the guest being replaced to receive a refund of payment amounts previously made.
Q. Can I change the number of guests in my room reservation?
A. Yes, you can - subject to availability. Rates are based on the number of guests in your reserved stateroom. Changes in occupancy will result in a rate increase or decrease, depending on the type of change. No refunds will be issued for any decrease of rate change until the stateroom has been paid for in full.
While many staterooms can accommodate more than two people with a sofa bed or upper berths stored in thestateroom ceiling, etc., not all rooms can; and such accommodations are subject to availability at the time ofreservation. Due to Coast Guard safety regulations, there cannot be more guests accommodated in astateroom than the designated occupancy for that room. Also, please be advised that each guest must be registered and paid for in full in order to be allowed to board the ship.
Q. Can I change my stateroom after I make my reservation?
A. Stateroom changes to another room within the same room category or higher can be made up to 45 days prior to sailing and require authorization by all parties named on the reservation. Stateroom changes to a room category lower than the room category of the original reservation would be considered a room cancellation and rebooking, and cancellation fees would be applied.
Q. I am traveling solo. Will you find me a traveling partner/roommate?
A. When you book your cruise, simply click on the reservation button for one passenger then click the option that reads “I wish to be matched with another single traveler and pay the double occupancy price.” Best efforts will be made to pair you with a roommate of the same gender and within the same stateroom category, however roommate requests are not guaranteed. Please refer to the Single Share Terms & Conditions for additional information.
Q. How do I check-in for my cruise and receive my cruise documents?
A. Approximately 3 to 4 weeks prior to the sailing date, guests who have booked and paid in full will receive an email with their cruise line booking number for the cruise. The email will also contain instructions on how to check-in online via RCI’s website - where guests can sign up for shore excursions, make specialty dining reservations and pre-register a credit card for onboard purchases. All guests are required to complete the online check-in at least four days prior to cruising. Cruise documents will be available for printing through the cruise line’s online check-in approximately 3 weeks prior to sailing.
Q. What is the Customs procedure upon arriving at the Port of Galveston?
A. Detailed instructions for clearing Customs will be provided onboard the ship near the end of your cruise. Some general guidelines/suggestions to keep in mind as you shop in foreign ports include keeping receipts for gifts and purchases. U.S. residents visiting foreign ports have a duty-free allowance of $400 and those 21 years or older may include one liter of liquor.
Q. What should I pack?
A. Daytime: Casual attire is always appropriate day wear on the ship and in port, and includes jeans, shorts, tees, tank tops, polos, sundresses, and blouses. (Please keep swimwear for the pool deck only.). Also, be sure to bring low-heeled, comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen for deck activities and shore tours.
Evening: For most evenings, casual attire (excluding tank tops and shorts) is fine; or you may wish to take it up a notch with collared shirts, slacks, skirts, etc. Two evenings of your cruise will have a “Wear Your Best” attire designation, which is your chance to get glamorous, be chic and shine your way.
Note: T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurant at any time. Shorts and flip flops are not allowed during evening hours. The dress code will be enforced at all restaurants, and guests are asked to follow the Smart Casual or Evening Chic dress code for all evening performances.
The ship’s daily program, which is delivered to guest staterooms each evening, will be your guide to the correct attire each evening.
Reminder: travel documents, valuables and medications should be packed in carry-on luggage.
Q. How many Gi should I pack?
A. If you are participating in the Jiu-Jitsu training, we recommend bringing 4 Gi and 2 no-Gi outfits. There will be laundry service available for an added fee with a 24-hour turnaround for Gi.
Q. Can the ship accommodate special dietary needs?
A. RCI can accommodate special diets that have been created in consultation with a dietary specialist. Selections offered are for lunch and dinner in the main dining room only. Sample diets include vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, low fat, low sodium, low cholesterol, kosher meals, gluten free and lactose free. Please note any special dietary needs in the Notes section of your reservation.
Q. Is room service available on board?
A. Room service is available any time of the day or night - simply order from the room service menu located in your stateroom (a service fee applies for all room service orders).
Q. What types of accessibility options are available in staterooms?
A. There are a limited number of wheelchair accessible staterooms available onboard the ship. For people that do not use a wheelchair but still need minimal assistance, bars and raised toilet seats can be accommodated in most staterooms. In addition, disposal units for needles, refrigerators for medication, and oxygen tanks can be put into most staterooms upon request. All these items are available on a limited basis and should be requested in the Notes section of your reservation. If you have an accessibility need, please send an email to grapplersescapecrusie@landrykling.com.
Q. How do I book shore excursions?
A. You can pre-purchase shore excursions on RCI’s website once you receive your booking number and online check-in instructions for the cruise (approximately 3 to 4 weeks prior to the sailing date) or once you are onboard the ship. We will also have private tours for our group, which most of our guests participate in, which will be available for purchase closer to sailing.
Q: Can I take pictures and video onboard?
A: Yes, you can take personal photos and videos of yourself and family/friends on board. However, video will not be allowed during seminar instruction. There will be plenty of time to take photos with each other and the instructors after the classes.
Please be courteous and do not include other ship guests or crew members in your photos or videos without their permission.
Q: Can I be contacted while onboard?
A: Guests can be contacted onboard the Harmony of the Seas by calling 1-888-724-7447 (from the U.S.) or 1-321-953-9003 (from outside the U.S.) Please note that rates apply and are billed at $7.95 per minute (subject to change). Forms of payment accepted are Visa and MasterCard only and calls are limited to 10 minutes per call. Callers should have the ship name and the stateroom number or name of the party they are contacting before calling. Callers using the above numbers will be transferred directly to the guest’s stateroom. If the guest is not in the stateroom at the time of the call, the caller may leave a voicemail message.
You can also make calls from the ship using the Ship-to-Shore telephone service. Rates for this service also apply and will be billed to your shipboard account starting at $7.95 per minute. Telephones are available in all staterooms.
Q. Is there Internet access onboard?
A. Yes, to keep you connected while at sea, all RCI ships provide VOOM Internet access facilitated through the Internet Café and through the ship-wide Wi-Fi network. There are various plans available for purchase. Further details regarding availability and cost will be available on the cruise line’s website after you complete your online check-in and onboard ship.
Q. Will my cell phone work while at sea or in ports of call during the cruise?
A. RCI offers an advanced roaming network on board all ships, allowing you to make and receive calls while at sea using compatible mobile phones that are set to roaming. International roaming charges will be conveniently billed to you by your home mobile carrier. Mobile phone service will be available for use while the ship is at sea.
Rates for usage of your cellular phone are determined by your home mobile carrier. Please note that calls to 800, 888, 866 and 877 numbers are not toll free while onboard or in foreign ports. You will be billed by your home mobile carrier for your international roaming usage on your regular mobile phone bill. It can take up to 60 days for charges acquired while using your cellular phone at these times to appear on your phone bill. For more information, please contact your home mobile carrier customer service.
Q. Are there hairdryers available in the staterooms?
A. Yes.
Q. Are there irons and ironing boards available in the staterooms?
A. Staterooms do not have irons or ironing boards; however, the ship offers washing, pressing, and dry-cleaning services for a reasonable rate. Please also note that irons and clothes steamers are strictly prohibited onboard the ship for safety reasons. If you choose to bring one with you, it will be confiscated from your luggage before sailing.
Q. Do staterooms have safes?
A. Yes.
Q. What if I have special medical needs?
A. Any special needs, including allergies, must be indicated in the Special Requests/Notes section of the online reservation, and will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. While there is no guarantee that all special needs/requests can be accommodated, we will make our best efforts to accommodate the need or provide an alternative if possible.
Q. Is there a doctor on the ship?
A. The ship has a minimum of one fully licensed doctor and 2 licensed nurses onboard, who are available in the ship’s medical facility during scheduled hours or on call 24 hours a day through the Guest Services desk.
Q. Are wheelchairs available onboard?
A. The Harmony of the Seas does NOT provide wheelchairs for onboard use. Guests can, however, rent a wheelchair, motorized wheelchair, or scooter from one of RCI’s recommended providers:
· Scootaround - 1-888-441-7575 or 1-204-982-0657
· Special Needs At Sea - 1-800-513-4515 or 1-954-585-0575
Q. I’m bringing my own wheelchair, is the entire ship wheelchair accessible?
A. Not every area of the ship is wheelchair accessible; however, RCI has made substantial modifications to enhance your ability to move about the ship. The Harmony of the Seas features accessible elevators at each elevator bank with tactile controls within reach of passengers who use wheelchairs.
Accessible routes are available throughout most areas of the ship, and signs are posted to assist you in locating these pathways. There is also accessible seating within your ship's restaurants and lounges, and in designated accessible public restrooms.
Q. How do I make purchases onboard?
A. The cruise ship operates on a cashless system. Passengers can validate their onboard account with a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express card, or by making payment by cash or traveler's check. Passengers can then sign all on-board services and purchases to their shipboard account. At the end of the cruise, passengers will receive a completely itemized statement of charges.
RCI does not accept personal checks, and only U.S. currency is accepted aboard the ships. There is an ATM located onboard the ship, though a transaction fee will apply.
Q. Does the ship have a fitness center?
A. Yes, there is a fitness center (see ship’s daily newsletter for scheduled hours) and a jogging track, which is open 24 hours a day and complimentary to all passengers.
Q. Can I bring my own beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) on the cruise ship?
A. Guests are not allowed to bring water, sodas, and other non-alcoholic beverages onboard that are packaged in glass or plastic bottles. A small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk) packaged in cans or cartons may be brought onboard on embarkation day and must be in the guest’s carry-on luggage. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces or less per person.
Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages of any kind onboard for consumption, except two bottles of wine or champagne per guests who are adults of drinking age (21-years of age or older). Guests who consume their personal wine or champagne in the dining room will incur a corkage fee per bottle. Personal wine or champagne may not be consumed in any other public area of the ship.
Please remember that luggage will be scanned and alcohol outside of the cruise line’s policy will be removed and discarded. Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. RCI is not responsible for any alcoholic beverages removed and discarded by shore-side security staff. Such items are not eligible for a monetary refund or replacement.
Alcoholic beverages purchased duty free from the ship’s gift shop, or at ports of call, will be collected for safekeeping and delivered to the passenger’s stateroom on the last day of the cruise. A member of the ship’s staff will be at the gangway to assist passengers with the storage of their shore-side alcoholic purchases, while the ship’s gift shop staff will assist passengers with shipboard alcoholic purchases.
Guests who are under the permitted drinking age will not have alcohol returned to them. Please note: all guests must comply with TSA guidelines for transporting liquids.
Q. What is the Smoking Policy onboard?
A. All interior public spaces (except as otherwise noted below) and staterooms/suite accommodations are entirely smoke free, including outside stateroom balconies. This policy includes all forms of smoking, including but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, and personal vaporizers.
Cigarette, E-cigarette, and personal vaporizer smoking is only permitted in designated exterior open deck areas, and in certain areas within the casino. Cigar and pipe smoking are allowed in designated exterior open deck areas.
Outdoor areas near restricted areas, food venues, and kids play areas and pools will not allow smoking. To assist in locating areas where smoking is permitted, guests will find visible signage posted within all smoking areas and ashtrays that are provided for use.
Cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco must be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard. You must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess or use tobacco onboard.
Note: Passengers who smoke in their staterooms or on their balconies will be assessed a $250 cleaning and refreshing fee on their onboard account and may be subject to further action. Information on this fee is included in RCI’s cruise ticket contract. Passengers agree to strictly comply with RCI’s non-smoking policy.
Q. I am a Crown & Anchor member. Will RCI recognize this cruise under that program?
A: Yes, this cruise will count towards your Crown & Anchor membership, and your program amenities will be available onboard the ship.
Q. What is the closest airport to the Port of Galveston?
A. Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is approximately 42 miles from the Port of Galveston, approximately a 45 - 55 minutes’ drive depending on traffic.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is approximately 70 miles from the Port of Galveston, approximately a 1-hour and 15 minutes’ drive depending on traffic.
Q. When should I book my flights?
A. If you are flying on the day the cruise departs, it is recommended that your flight arrive into Houston William P. Hobby Airport before 12:00pm on June 16th to be sure you have time to disembark the plane, collect your luggage and make your way to the cruise terminal. All guests must be checked in and onboard the ship at least one hour prior to sailing.
If you are flying on the day the cruise returns, it is recommended that your flight departs Houston William P. Hobby Airport after 12:00pm on June 23rd. The ship is scheduled to return to the Port of Galveston (which is approximately a 45-to-55-minute drive from the HOU airport) at 7:00am, but the ship must be cleared by local authorities before the disembarkation process begins. Guests must then claim their luggage, go through the Customs and Immigration process, and then make their way to Houston William P. Hobby Airport.
Q. What is the address for the Port of Galveston?
A. The address for the port is:
Cruise Terminal 10
2502 Harborside Drive
Galveston, TX 77550
Q. Is there parking in the Port of Galveston?
A. Parking is available at the port and rates are based on availability. Parking facilities are patrolled by local security, but neither the port nor Royal Caribbean is responsible for any damage or losses caused by the use of the facilities.
For more information regarding parking at the port, go to: https://www.portofgalveston.com/91/Cruise-Parking--General-Information
Q. What time should I arrive at the pier?
A. Guests are required to check-in at least one hour prior to departure. Guest will be asked to choose an Arrival Time Slot during the online check-in prior to sailing. It is important that you arrive during your designated time slot. If you arrive earlier, you will NOT be able to begin boarding process until your designated time and will have to wait. Those who arrive late will have to wait until they can be placed in another arrival group.
Q. How early can I board the ship?
A. The ship must be cleared by local customs authorities before guests can begin boarding, which can be as early as 11:30am or noon but varies. Please note, however, that staterooms will not be available until approximately 1:00pm and guests will be asked to adhere to their chosen Arrival Time Slot.