Rum Cruise Fequently Asked Questions

Is this a big rum party on the ocean?

No, the Rum Renaissance Caribbean Cruise is an opportunity for rum enthusiasts and collectors to experience VIP tours of distilleries with rum experts. There simply is no way for the average traveler to get these inside tours with special access. Rum Cruisers visit some of the most interesting places where rum is produced.

It’s a unique opportunity to collect rums that are not easily found in the American market and a chance to immerse in the culture of the Eastern Caribbean and better understand its long tradition of making sugar cane spirits. Along the way, the ship provides comfortable accommodations and allows passengers to collect much more rum than if we traveled via small flights between islands. We’ll be tasting plenty of outstanding rum along the way, but if you’re really looking for an opportunity to drink your way through the Eastern Caribbean, you might be disappointed.

Our focus is on visiting distilleries and rum shops to acquire interesting bottles of rum for our collections in the most efficient and expeditious manner.

What’s the charge for land tours?

The land tour charge covers the cost of your ground transportation on each island as well as the VIP-level tours of the rum producing facilities: $795 (five days of rum tours, eight distilleries) based on the cost of local transportation fees, subject to change within the last 60 days. The distillery tour package is paid directly to the tour guides, not the ship, 60 days prior to departure.

The land fee does not include food, gifts, bottles of rum or tips for services on land. Each person on the Rum Renaissance Caribbean Cruise pays the fee regardless of whether they take the tours offered on each island each day. There are no refunds for unused portions of the land tours.

The price of the tours is separate from the cost of your cabin, port taxes, gratuities onboard the ship and other fees associated with the cruise ship.

Please note: we do our very best to budget for transportation fees in advance, but it is always possible that these fees might change due to unforeseen circumstances.

How large is our group of rum enthusiasts?

We limit the number of people invited on the rum cruise land tours to about sixteen, in order to ensure the best experience. Distillery tours with larger groups are not efficient, not desirable and not easily accommodated. On board the ship, our group usually dines together at two or three large tables each evening, offering plenty of opportunity for friendship and camaraderie. It’s an option to meet for breakfast before departing the ship at the first opportunity each morning to optimize our travel plans and our well-planned schedule on each island.

Do we go through customs at each port?

No. The beauty of cruise ship travel is that the ship clears everyone through customs automatically. You leave the ship and return to the ship at will, without ever going through customs and immigration at each port. This freedom of entry and exit means we’re not wasting time at airports going through customs, being searched, experiencing limits on what we can put in our luggage. Upon our return to our home port, we pass through American Customs and Immigration along with many thousands of other passengers, easily, quickly and without delay before going back to the airport.

How much rum can we bring back to the ship?

At each port along the way, we’re collecting rum from distilleries, tasting rooms and rum shops. Upon arrival back at the ship late each day, we hand over our rum to the ship’s staff for secure storage. After many years of collecting rum on the annual rum cruise, we’re never lost a bottle. All rum is delivered back to you the evening before departure so you can pack it in your luggage. Unlike air travel, there is effectively no limit on how many bottles you can purchase on each island and bring back to the ship. The only real limit is how much rum you can fit in your luggage.

Do you offer group discounts on airfare or hotel rooms in Fort Lauderdale?

No. Arranging airfare is up to each passenger. We recommend arriving a day early or staying in Fort Lauderdale a day or two after the cruise to enjoy the best of local culture. Many fine hotels and resorts are located near the airport and cruise port.

What do I need for proof of citizenship?

A valid passport is preferred, but American Citizens can also choose to bring a certified copy of their birth certificate and a valid driver’s license. Citizens of other countries need to bring their valid passport.

How much are gratuities and port charges?

Port charges are included in the price you pay to the cruise ship company. Our cruise director will present details regarding Gratuities to those that have booked a trip.

The $900 deposit secures my space on the ship, but when is the final balance due?

Deposit is refundable until October 4, 2023 — the day when final payment is due.

If someone in our group can’t make it, can we bring a substitute?

You can change the name of a guest up until the week before sailing.