October 12th – 19th, 2027
New York to San Juan on Crystal Serenity
Q. What are the benefits of booking a group cruise with BDM Travel?
A. Booking your stateroom with BDM Travel offers you benefits you may not be able to get on your own. As a travel agency specializing in group travel, we can often secure exclusive perks and amenities that are not available when booking directly with the cruise line. These benefits may include:
Q. What cruise line will we be sailing?
A. Crystal Cruises — aboard the Crystal Serenity.
Q. When will this cruise take place?
A. October 12th – 21st, 2027.
Q. Where will this cruise be sailing?
A. This is a 9-night sailing aboard Crystal Serenity, roundtrip between New York City and San Juan:
That’s 5 countries and 6 ports of call, including a rare overnight stay in Bermuda, giving us extra time to explore before continuing on to the Caribbean.
Itinerary subject to change as per the cruise contract.
Q. How early should I book my stateroom?
A. We highly recommend booking your stateroom as soon as possible. Booking early offers a number of key benefits:
Q. How do I know which stateroom to choose?
A. Choosing the right stateroom can feel overwhelming, but Monica is here to help you find the perfect one for your cruise. Monica will work with you one-on-one to understand which room would work best for you.
Q. What if I don’t have a roommate?
A. There are two simple answers to this. One, you can book your stateroom and we can add your roommate later. Or two, you can have a room all to yourself and just pay the single supplement rate. If you’re interested in sharing a room with someone you’ll be meeting on the cruise, contact Monica to discuss — she may be able to match you up with someone else looking for a roommate.
Q. How much is the deposit for this cruise?
A. The deposit is 25% per person and is fully refundable up until the final payment due date. This provides a great deal of flexibility and peace of mind, allowing you to secure your spot on the cruise and the stateroom of your choice without a full financial commitment until closer to the sailing date.
Q. Can I make payments on my cruise?
A. Yes, absolutely! After you put down your initial deposit to reserve your stateroom, you have the flexibility to make payments on your cruise. You are not required to pay the full balance until the final payment due date at the beginning of June 2027.
There are several ways to make payments, and we can discuss which option works best for you and your travel party. We can help you set up a payment schedule that fits your budget, allowing you to pay in installments over time rather than all at once. This approach makes it easier to manage your vacation expenses and gives you peace of mind as you plan your trip.
Q. Will I need a passport for this cruise?
A. Yes. Even though it starts and ends in the U.S., you will need a passport because it does not start and end at the same
port — New York to San Juan.
Q. Do I need any special vaccines to take this cruise?
A. No
Q. Will only women be on this cruise?
A. No. The ship holds up to 740 passengers, and not all of those passengers will be part of our group — some will be men. However, to sail with our group, you must be female, and only those who have booked their stateroom with our group will be able to participate in any special events we’re planning that cater to our group only — so only women will be involved in those.
Q. Will a land tour be offered?
A. Yes. We are planning to arrive at least one day pre-cruise to explore New York City. Monica will take care of all of the details, from your flights to your hotel, to suggesting and arranging activities, including transportation. We don’t plan on any post-cruise land portion. However, if you’d like to stay in San Juan for a day, two, or even seven, Monica is happy to help arrange all of the details.
Q. Do I have to dine and do all activities with the entire group?
A. Not at all! While the benefit of a group cruise is having others to share the experience with, your vacation is entirely your own. Monica’s travel style is simple: if you want to do something, you do it; if you don’t want to do something, you don’t. You have complete flexibility to plan your own days on the ship and in port. Feel free to join the group for dinner or a specific activity, or go off on your own. It’s your vacation to experience however you wish, and you are welcome to participate as much or as little as you like in group events. We are also planning some special activities alongside the Crystal Wellness program already planned for this sailing. More information to come on that..
Q. What is included in the cost of the cruise?
A. Crystal Serenity is an all-inclusive experience, so your fare covers a lot more than just your stateroom. Here’s what’s
included:
Your stateroom or suite
Q. Is Crystal Serenity accessible for guests with mobility needs?
A. Crystal Serenity offers a number of accessible guest rooms designed for guests with mobility disabilities, featuring ramped bathroom thresholds, grab bars, fold-down shower seats, handheld showerheads, raised toilet seats, and lowered closet bars. Public areas of the ship include wheelchair-accessible restrooms, and elevators can accommodate most wheelchairs and mobility scooters up to 22″ wide.
Guests with hearing needs have access to Assistive Listening Systems in the main theater, closed captioning on stateroom TVs, and in-suite Communication Kits with door and phone alerts, a bed shaker, and a strobe smoke detector. Sign language interpretation is available for live performances on select sailings.
Crystal does not provide wheelchairs onboard (other than for emergency use) or personal care assistance, so guests who use a wheelchair or need daily personal care should bring their own equipment (a collapsible chair is recommended) and, if needed, travel with a companion who can assist.
If you or anyone in your party has a mobility need, medical equipment, or other accommodation request, let Monica know as soon as possible so she can notify Crystal’s Onboard Guest Services and make sure everything is set up
ahead of your sailing.
Q. What extra expenses should I plan for?
A. Additional expenses may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Monica will help you sort out all additional portions of the trip, including any and all of the extra expenses listed above. She can arrange your flights, book your pre- or post-cruise hotels, and help you select the best shore excursions for your travel style and budget. Her goal is to take the stress out of your cruise planning so all you have to do is show up and enjoy your vacation.
Q. Who do I contact with questions before or during the trip?
A. Reach out to Monica anytime at monica@bdmtravel.com. She’ll also share onboard contact details before departure in case you need anything while we’re sailing.