Getting married in Cancun – the Heart of the Mexican Caribbean

You are planning the wedding of your dreams to happen in the heart of the Mexican Caribbean – Cancun.  You will need to be prepared to make decisions on which beautiful setting you want to tie the knot. Will it be a sea shore, gazebo, an ocean-view ballroom, beach-front garden, with dolphins, on board a Catamaran or Spanish style Galleon ceremony? Where will you begin your love story?

Cancun Meixco Wedding

Legal requirements for a Cancun Wedding: 

• Tourist card (received upon entry to Mexico)
• Birth certificate with an apostille (Certificate of Authentication by Secretary of State where you are born) attached in English as well as translated in Spanish
• Valid U.S. passport that is good 6 months after travel
• Blood tests in Cancun, at least three working days prior to the ceremony
• Couple and four witnesses must arrive at least three working days prior to ceremony (to be recognized a civil/legal marriage)
• You must be 18 or older without the consent of a legal guardians or parents
• Additional requirements are needed if you are divorced or widowed
• Additional requirements and documents are needed if planning a Roman Catholic ceremony

You will receive your marriage certificate approximately six weeks after your ceremony. 

While in Cancun, you and your guests will have the opportunity to explore many attractions. To name a few: 

Map of Cancun Mexico

• Beaches
• Islands – Isla Mujeres
• Lagoons – El Rey
• Jungle tours
• Mayan sites – Puerto Morelos, Xcaret
• Museums – La Casa del Arte Popular Mexicano
• Archeological sites – El Rey, Pok-Ta-Pok, Yamil Lu’um, Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza
• Bullfights
• Parasailing
• Horseback Riding – along the isolated beaches or in the exotic jungles
• Swim with the dolphins
• World class diving & snorkeling
• Zipline (canopy tour) – Selvatica (outdoor adventure park)

Therefore you want to be sure you plan your wedding with knowledgeable planners, such as wedding and travel planners.

To plan your wedding today:
All About Travel
6104 Northwest 63
Oklahoma City, OK 73132
415.384.3880

 

 

Carnival Cruise Line’s New Smoking Policy

To My Valued Partners,

Based on feedback from our travel partners and our guests, we have now changed our on board smoking policies. Please read important details below and refer to the attached letter…

ON BOARD POLICY CHANGE: SMOKING
As part of our ongoing commitment to keep in line with the personal preferences of our guests, we will be changing the smoking policy across our 23-ship fleet. The feedback received from recent surveys indicated the overwhelming majority of our guests prefer a smoke-free environment. In fact, nearly 90 percent of our guests are non-smokers, with only less than five percent opting to smoke in their staterooms.

Our new smoking policy will align our ships with most other contemporary cruise operators. Two of our sister lines, Holland America and Princess, have recently announced new smoking policies very similar to Carnival’s.

Decisions like these are never easy and we realize this change may impact some of our guests. However, we sincerely hope this won’t affect their ability to have a fun and memorable cruise vacation. In fact, we are hopeful guests will see this as an enhancement to their on board experience and have an even better time sailing with us. Carnival is committed to providing a clean and healthy environment for all our guests.

Booking confirmations, edocs, booked guest emails and our web sites will also be updated to reflect this policy change.

The new smoking policy will be rolled out in two stages:

• Effective June 15, 2011, cigarette smoking in public venues will only be permitted in Carnival’s dance clubs as well as in designated areas within the casino and casino bar.

Smoking (including cigars) will be permitted in designated exterior open deck areas (port side) of all our ships. Additionally, smoking will also be allowed in the jazz clubs of the following ships: Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Victory, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Splendor.

• Effective December 1, 2011, smoking will be prohibited in all guest staterooms. Guests in balcony staterooms may smoke (including cigars) outside on their balcony. However, Spa suites and staterooms, inclusive of the balconies, will remain an entirely smoke-free environment.

Guests who smoke in their staterooms will be assessed a $250 cleaning and refreshing fee on their Sail & Sign account. Information on this fee is included in Carnival’s ticket contract.

Please make sure you share with your Carnival guests.

Thank you!

Marci Neu
Business Development Director
Carnival Cruise Lines

10 Tips for All Travelers

couple under the eiffel tower

1.   Make sure you have a signed, valid passport (and visas, if required).  Also, before you go, fill in the emergency information page of your passport!

2.   Read the Consular Information Sheets (and Public Announcements or Travel Warnings, if applicable) for the countries you plan to visit. (See “Consular Information Program” section for more details.)

3.   Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, the U.S. Constitution does not follow you!  While in a foreign country, you are subject to laws of that country.

4.   Make 2 copies of your passport identification page.  This will facilitate replacement if your passport is lost or stolen. Leave one copy at home with friends or relatives.  Carry the other with you in a separate place from your passport.

5.   Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

CCL Waterworks

6.   Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas.  Do not accept packages from strangers.

7.   If you plan to stay abroad for more than two weeks, upon arrival you should notify by phone or register in person with the U.S. embassy in the country you are visiting.  This will facilitate communication in case someone contacts the embassy looking for you.

8.   To avoid being a target of crime, try not to wear conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money or unnecessary credit cards.

9.   In order to avoid violating local laws, deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money or purchase art or antiques.

10.  If you get into trouble, contact the nearest U.S. embassy.

view from the Pest side of the Danube River

Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad

If an American citizen becomes seriously ill or injured abroad, a U. S. consular officer can assist in locating appropriate medical services and informing family or friends.  If necessary, a consular officer can also assist in the transfer of funds from the United States.  However, payment of hospital and other expenses is the responsibility of the traveler.

Before going abroad, learn what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas.  If your health insurance policy provides coverage outside the United States, REMEMBER to carry both your insurance policy identity card as proof of such insurance and a claim form.  Although, many health insurance companies will pay “customary and reasonable” hospital costs abroad, very few will pay for your medical evacuation back to the United States.  Medical evacuation can easily cost $10,000 and up, depending on your location and medical condition.

THE SOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE PROGRAM DOES NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL COSTS OUTSIDE THE U.S.A.

Travelers should always inquire about travel insurance.

Travel Tips for Newlyweds

1.      Book the honeymoon using the bride’s maiden name (or the name on drivers’ license and passport).  If the honeymoon is taken shortly after the wedding, there will not be enough time to obtain new identification documents with the bride’s new married name.

2.      If the couple is staying at a hotel offering some special amenities or upgrades for honeymooners, they may ask to see proof of the wedding such as a marriage license, take a copy.

3.      If the couple had decided on a cruise for their honeymoon, and either or both are under 25 years of age, they should take a copy of the marriage license.  Most cruise lines require that at least one person in the cabin be over the age of 25 unless they are married.

NEW INFO – Thanks Maryann

Maryann V. Huff You may want to add that if they just purchased a new passport for their honeymoon, they can get the brides name changed on hers for free, when they return. If they get it done in the allowed time frame.