While we've designed this page to aid every step of your vacation planning, we've also created this section to further assist you based on questions that we regularly hear. Below are the most common questions and provided answers. Feel free to email our travel coordinators with questions that you don't see answered here.
Does everyone need a passport to travel? How do I obtain? What are the requirements? Will a passport card work?
Yes. A valid passport book is required for anyone, of any age, traveling by air to the Bahamas, including infants. The passport is proof of your U.S. citizenship and identity. Please note the passport card will not be sufficient - you will need a passport to travel internationally. The passport book is the only document approved for international air travel. To obtain, you can complete the passport application online, using the online passport application wizard and submit to a local post-office that accepts the passport applications OR complete the manual passport application form provided by the CBC travel coordinators and submit to your nearby post-office that accepts the passport applications. Note: An appointment maybe required at some offices. Cost: $145 - applicants 16 and older $115 - applicants under 16 $110 - renewals by mail You may select 1-2 day delivery for an additional $15.89, but this is not necessary if you apply in advance for your passport. Validity: 10 years - 16 and older 5 years - under 16 For additional information regarding passports or for most current travel requirements, we encourage you to visit www.travel.state.gov (U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs) for instructions to avoid delays in processing. Will I need any other government issued documents when traveling to the Bahamas?Travelers from countries other than the U.S. or Canada may be required to obtain a visa to travel to the Bahamas. Any traveler under the age of 18 traveling without their legal guardian must have a signed, notarized letter of consent from their legal guardian to travel outside the U.S. For more detailed information, visit the United States Travel Information website at www.travel.state.gov I was recently married but my passport still has my maiden name. How will this affect my travel plans?Your travel package, including air travel, cruise travel and hotel accommodations, should be booked in the name on your valid passport. If you book your travel package in your previous name, take a copy of your marriage certificate or other legal document to show the reason for the change. If I make my payments on the trip and decide later not to go, can I get my money back or can you apply the fees to someone else? All deposits and payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. Can I make payments electronically? Yes, we now have made the CashApp option available for the trip. Please note, there is a $5 convenience fee to process any payments using CashApp. Use the hashtag $CBCGive and indicate in the memo line Bahamas Trip and who you are paying for. What items can I NOT take my carry-on? Since 2006, the Transportation Security Administration has limited “wet” substances to 3.4 ounces in one quart-size plastic zip-top bag. The restriction covers liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes, with an exception for travelers needing larger quantities of medications, baby formula/food and breast milk for the flight. However, many items, such as nail polish pens and coconut cream pie, fall into a blurry area. For these objects, plus thousands more, the agency has designed an app and online tool called “Can I Bring My . . . ?” Also, remember that TSA restricts objects that look or behave like weapons, such as baseball bats and water guns. The best advice: If you have any doubt, pack it in your checked bag or leave it at home. What is the local currency in the Bahamas? The US dollar is of equal value with the Bahamian dollar and is accepted for all transactions and can be used with Bahamian currency. There is no need to exchange US dollars to local currency prior to or upon arrival. Both are interchangeable. Be sure to spend or exchange whatever Bahamian bills you have before departure, as it's tough to exchange outside the Bahamas. Remember, the BahaMar resort is completely Cashless. Cash is NOT accepted in BahaMar's Casinos. Does cell phones work in the Bahamas? Many US and Canadian carriers have roaming agreements with Batelco, the GSMcellular operator in the Bahamas. Therefore, while most phones will work, the rates are approximately extremely high ($4.00 per minute plus tax) for all in and out going calls. Calling Cards typically do not work in the Bahamas. However, Lady J recommends downloading on your mobile devices a app called "WhatsApp"(see icon below) which is free calling anywhere in the world as long as you are connected to Wi-Fi. Upon arrival, you can connect to the local Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi at the hotel and chat at no cost - phone clarity is good. And that's what's up! 
How do you get around in the Bahamas? Ground transportation to all pre-arranged group events are covered in the package travel cost. Travel outside of the group is an expense you will need to prepare for. The local jitney (public transportation) charges $1.00 per person, per boarding. Taxis are also available 24 hours a day, along with scooter, ATV or car rental services. We are currently negotiating rental rates, which we will publish to the site as made available. Can I use my credit card or debit card in the Bahamas? Major credit cards, like American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa, are widely accepted throughout most of the Bahamas, especially in the tourist areas, but in some areas, like the "Straw Market", cash is the only option to pay for purchases. Please note, the resort is cashless. You must pay for purchases at BahaMar with a credit or debit card. Things to remember: 1. Be sure to notify all of your issuing banks (ATM and Credit Card) you'll be traveling to the Bahamas and the dates you'll be traveling on before you leave to ensure access to your funds readily. 2. Check with your issuing banks to see whether your ATM or Credit card is subject to daily spending or withdrawal restrictions while abroad. 3. Be sure you know your PIN for your debt or credit cards so you can get local currency from ATMs worldwide. Can I pay for a souvenir in cash at the hotel? No. The Grand Hyatt BahaMar is a cashless resort. No cash is accepted. You must pay for purchases at BahaMar with a credit or debit card. If you don't have a major credit card and won't need one after the trip - consider talking to your local bank about a Secured credit card that will be linked to a checking or savings account. Is Grand Hyatt BahaMar an all-inclusive resort? No. BahaMar is not an all-inclusive Resort. They are a full service Resort. Meals are NOT included with your room reservation; however as a guest of the resort you will have full access at any of the restaurants or lounges. What should we expect the weather to be like in the Bahamas when we travel? Although we can not forecast the weather for travel, note that the climate in the Bahamas is sub-tropical. In the islands there are basically two seasons: Wet and Dry. Average temperatures range between 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The Wet Season is from June through November which is also the hurricane season. The Dry Season, much cooler and less humid, is between December and May. Bright colored loose airy clothing is the recommended daytime wear. Brief heavy showers are common throughout the year. We call that Liquid Sunshine. Is there a ATM on the property? Yes. Is there a grocery store nearby? Yes. We are organizing at least one trip to the local store after check-in for you to make food purchases to take back with you to your room. However, please note - it is always cheaper for you to purchase your snacks (or anything not manufactured in the Bahamas) in Tennessee and travel with them rather than to purchase them in the Bahamas. Let's be wise in our spending, so plan ahead - especially those with small kids. What is the room capacity? Maximum number of guest per room is 4. Can I upgrade my room view? Absolutely! Speak with a travel coordinator for pricing. You can upgrade from as low as $30 / day to as high as the presidential suite, for an an additional $3,150 / day. Is there internet service in the room? Yes, the hotel offers free Wi-Fi service throughout the resort. Can I pre-arrange to have flowers or a special gift in my room upon arrival? Yes. Speak with a travel coordinator or a logistics director to do so and pre-pay. If I am making my own airline reservations, which airport should I select? When traveling to Nassau, confirm your flights into Nassau International Airport. The airport code is NAS. Most major airlines offer international service with either non-stop or connecting service into NAS. Our group will be travelling on Southwest Airlines. Is it better in the Bahamas? Yes, Yes, Yes!! Click here to find out why.. https://www.bohemiantrails.com/heres-why-its-better-in-the-bahamas/ How to pack Prescription Medicines for Air Travel? Can I bring all prescription medicine on board? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows unlimited amounts of pills or other solid medication in either your carry-on or checked bags, as long as it goes through their screening process. You don't need to declare pills or other solids at the security checkpoint. Liquids are also allowed in reasonable quantities, and they're not subject to the 3.4-ounce limit imposed by the TSA's liquids rule. The Transportation Security Administration doesn't require you to have medications in the original prescription bottle, but warns that you should follow each individual state's rules for labeling prescription medication. It's simplest – and safest – to abide by U.S. Customs and Border Protection's requirement to keep prescription medications in their original containers with the prescription labels on them. If this isn't possible – for example, if your prescription containers are too bulky or you've already thrown them away – bring a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor explaining what the medication is and why you need it. If you're traveling abroad, you'll need that prescription and/or doctor's note to bring your medicine back across the U.S. border with you. What are some Prohibited liquids for the Air Travel? Flammable items such as lighter fluid, pool chlorine and bleach aren't allowed in carry-on or checked bags. Aerosols with flammable ingredients also may not make it through the checkpoint, so leave these at home. Check the bottle for warnings about flammability. Small unopened bottles of alcohol, such as the size in hotel mini bars, will make it through security checkpoints, but you won't be allowed to open them on the plane. What is the 3-1-1 Rule in travelling? The 3-1-1 liquids rule limits the quantity of certain items allowed through airport TSA security checkpoints. Any liquid, gel, cream, aerosol or paste brought through the checkpoint must be in a container that holds 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. All of the containers must also fit within a one-quart zippered plastic bag. In other words, leave those large bottles of shampoo and tubes of toothpaste at home, opting instead for travel-sized containers. Remember to take the bag containing these liquids out of your carry-on luggage and place it in a separate bin at the security checkpoint; otherwise, a TSA agent may pull you aside for additional screening. The TSA allows one zippered bag of liquids per traveler. Does the guestroom have a microwave and refrigerator? Each standard guest room does have a small mini fridge with the mini bar inside however if items are removed or lifted like normal hotels it charges you for the item. Should there be a medical reason needed for an EXTRA empty mini fridge we will accommodate this as requested upon availability. What is the additional cost for ocean views and what does it look like? Partial Ocean Kings or Queen Queen rooms are $60 on top of the group rate and picture of view is attached. Full Ocean view King or Queen Queen rooms are $100 on top above the group rate and have similar view attached The last category are the Full Ocean View Balcony rooms that are $175 on top of the group rate, which have a walk out balcony with patio furniture.
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Got questions that are not addressed? Simply eMail our travel coordinators below.
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