The following information will help you book your MacMania cruise effectively and efficiently. Please read all the information carefully before completing the reservation form. At approximately four to five weeks prior to sailing you will receive your tickets. Only passengers booked through InSight Cruises will be admitted to the MacMania cruise.
HOW TO BOOK:
Select Plan I, II, III, IV, or V
Cabin prices vary by the category and type of accommodation you select. You can choose Inside cabins (without a window), Outside cabins (with a window, porthole, or verandah), Mini-Suites, and Suites. All cabins have a private bathroom with shower (outside cabins also have bathtubs), color TV, telephone, and two beds which can convert to a queen-size bed. Some cabins can accommodate a third and/or fourth person. A limited number of cabins for the Physically Challenged (PC) are available upon request. You have five (5) options when choosing how to sail with us:
(I) TWO PERSONS SHARING THE SAME CABIN: Double occupancy means that two passengers will be sharing the same cabin. All cabins have either two lower beds, or beds that may convert to a double or queen-size or king-size bed.
(II) TRIPLE AND QUAD OCCUPANCY: If three or four family members or friends wish to share the same cabin, they may do so. The third and fourth passenger rates are listed in the pricing information (see next column).
(III) GUARANTEED SHARE (GS) FARES: This plan is for passengers who are coming on the MacMania cruise by themselves and wish to share a cabin with another passenger in our group in an inside, outside, or outside w/ verandah cabin only. The prices are the same as the per person double occupancy rates. Be sure to select the option on the online booking form that says "Do you want to share a room with another InSight Cruiser? (This is called our Guaranteed Share program." NOTE: GS cabin assignments are generally done at time of ticket issuance — and are subject to change if assigned earlier. You will be matched with members of the same gender, and we factor in age and geography where possible. Insight Cruises provides free earplugs to GS passengers on request. Guaranteed Shares are not always available if you book within 120 days of our sailing. Guaranteed Shares are not always available in cabins with verandahs. Share Passengers who smoke are not to do so in the cabin, unless their roommate(s) specifically consents. Shares are not available for physically-challenged passengers.
(IV) SINGLE OCCUPANCY: If you would like to be the sole occupant of a cabin, there is a single-occupancy upcharge of 100% for all cabins.
(V) PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED (PC): The ship has a very limited number of specially equipped cabins for the Physically Challenged. Please let us know your specific needs. PC Guaranteed Shares are not available.
CRUISE PRICING INFORMATION: Government taxes (above in column 2) are in addition to the per person cruise rates listed below. The cruise pricing (just below) is subject to change. InSight Cruises will generally match the cruise pricing offered at the Costa Cruiselines website at the time of booking. If at the time of booking the cruise line notifies us that the price of cruise fare has increased, you will notified of the new pricing before your reservation is booked.
In order for you to be a confirmed attendee we must have a fully completed Booking Form along with your per-person deposit. A link to the Booking Form can be found at the bottom of this page. (Alternatively, you may call us to complete this Form.)
Please allow 48 to 72 hours for processing of payments. All prices are subject to change. We will notify you, however, before your booking is considered "accepted," of any price changes. Either party may cancel the booking within two weeks of initial booking, with no penalty, should a quoted price change OR a price be printed in error but subsequently disclosed to the other party within two weeks of a booking. (Errors not caught are considered binding after two weeks of the booking date.) We'll send you an email confirmation with 24 hours of booking and an itemized invoice (via mail or post) shortly thereafter. Passengers will receive cabin assignments upon booking but these cabin assignments are subject to change. You must returned a signed copy of your itemized invoice in order to be issued tickets by the cruiseline. If you do not return a signed invoice your cruise reservation is subject to cancellation.
Deposit: $600 per person, due at time of booking
ALUMNI DISCOUNTS: $25 discount given for each previous Geek/InSight Cruise attended. Minimum discount is $50 per person for previous Geek/InSight Cruisers. Maximum discount (including any Early-Bird or other discounts) is 10% of the cruise fare.
PORT CHARGES, TAXES, and GRATUITIES: Port charges are $199 per person and included in the cruise rates; taxes and government fees are $23.78 per person and are additional to the cruise pricing (these fees are subject to minor change). Costa also charges, onboard, $10 per person per day for gratuities.
FUEL SUPPLEMENT: Because of the continuing escalation of fuel prices, the No. American brands of Carnival Corporation, including Costa Cruise Lines, have implemented a fuel supplement for all cruises departing on or after February 1, 2008. This fuel supplement is $70 per person. This supplement applies to the first and second guests in the stateroom only and will be automatically added to your booking. This fuel supplement is necessitated by significant rises in fuel prices, which previously have been absorbed by the various Carnival Corporation brands.
FULL and FINAL PAYMENT is due on August 1, 2008 (or, if you book after August 1, at the time of booking). The signed Confirmation of Final Payment and Insurance Waiver, mailed to you shortly after you book, is due in the InSight Cruises office upon issuance and no later than the Final Payment Date. Passengers are not confirmed on the manifest and cruise tickets are not issued until this signed confirmation is returned and your account is paid in full.
FOREIGN SHIPPING FEES and ADDITIONAL PAYMENT INFORMATION: There is a foreign shipping charge of $60 (to cover the shipping of your cruise tickets) per foreign residence ($35 per Canadian residence).
Payments may be made by check, money order or major credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover, Diners Club, or American Express). Checks are to be made payable to Int'l Technology Conferences, in U.S. dollars only, and drawn on a U.S. bank. There is a $25 charge for returned checks.
PRE-CRUISE HOTEL STAYS: Sightsee Genoa from our home bases, the Starhotel President, and Jolly Hotel Plaza and/or meet and greet your fellow InSight Cruise guests at our pre-cruise Cocktail Party (see below). A transfer from hotel to the ship, and all taxes, are included in the prices below.
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1 NIGHT |
2ND NIGHT |
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SHARED DOUBLE |
$119 |
$119 |
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SINGLE OCCUPANCY |
$169 |
$169 |
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3RD PERSON |
$89 |
$89 |
(All prices are PER PERSON. These prices include all taxes as well as a shuttle from the hotel to the pier.)
PRE-CRUISE COCKTAIL PARTY: $69. Shift mental gears and start your road trip by joining us at the MacMania cruise Pre-cruise Cocktail Party! Take this opportunity to meet your fellow MacMania cruise travelers. The reception will be held in the PRE-CRUISE HOTEL (Starhotel President or Jolly Hotel Plaza) the night before departure. Premium beer, wines, mixed drinks, and hot and cold hors d'oeuvres will be served.
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A Passport (valid through May 1, 2009) is required. Non-U.S. citizens residing in the United States will need valid Alien Registration (green) cards as well. All others must have valid passports and any required visas when boarding the vessel. All travel documents such as passports, visas, proof of citizenship, etc., that are required for embarkation, disembarkation at the ports of call, and re-entry into the United States are the responsibility of the passenger. Non-U.S. citizens are asked to please check with government agencies, embassies or consulates to determine documentary requirements. You may be denied boarding without proper proof of citizenship.
Along with many thousands of American travelers, we rely on
Zierer Visa Service for our visas (we are not affiliated with Zierer, we are simply happy customers).
PROGRAM CANCELLATIONS and REFUNDS: The MacMania Cruise Conference fee is subject to the following cancellation fees: $95 if canceling before January 1, 2008; $195 if canceling from January 1, 2008 to June 1, 2008; $395 if canceling after June 1. These cancellation fees, however, are applied to any future InSight/Geek Cruise!
CRUISE CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS, INSURANCE and CHANGES: Any cancellation or any change of status (or request for a change in status) which relates to your booking must be transmitted, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, to InSight Cruises in writing. After booking, a Cancellation Processing Fee of $95 per person will be assessed (but will be applied towards any future InSight Cruise); between 90 and 66 days before commencement of travel, the $600 per person deposit will be assessed; from 65–45 days before commencement of travel, 50% of the gross fare will be assessed; from 44–24 days before commencement of travel, 80% of the gross fare will be assessed; 23 days or less before commencement of travel, 100% of gross fare is assessed. After full or final payment date, all invoices will be subject to a minimum charge of $50 for any changes. To protect against cancellation penalties, Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance is available and strongly recommended. 
InSight Cruises provides access to this insurance; a Trip Insurance brochure (from TripInsurance.com) and brochure (from Access America) are included with
your initial invoice. Costa also offers Trip Cancellation Protection as well from Berkeley (an excellent provider). TripInsurance.com is only available for U.S. and Canadian residents. Trip Cancellation payments are not refundable. Costa's insurance is only available for U.S. and Canadian residents. (InSight Cruises prefers Access America [TripCare Deluxe product] or TripInsurance.com [Enhanced product] over Costa's coverage because their coverage is better. We prefer Access America for those over 65 as Access America is "first payor"; TripInsurance.com is, by and large, less expensive and offers, for $30 extra, trip cancellation or interruption due to unforseen business reasons.) The signed Confirmation of Final Payment and Insurance Waiver is due in the InSight Cruises office upon issuance and no later than the final payment date. Travel documents will not be released and your booking is subject to cancellation unless we receive this paperwork.
Need help? Have questions?
Want to book voice-to-voice?
Please give us a call: 650-787-5665
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CABIN TYPE |
CRUISE RATES ARE PER PERSON, |
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Sold Out |
[ GUARANTEED SHARE (GS) |
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$1,499 |
[ GUARANTEED SHARE (GS) |
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$1,599 |
[ GS AVAILABLE ] |
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$1,699 |
[ GS AVAILABLE ] |
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$1,999 |
[ GS & PHYSICALLY |
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$2,499 |
[ PC AVAILABLE ] |
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MINI SUITE |
$2,899 |
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BETTER |
$3,299 |
[ PC AVAILABLE ] |
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SOLD OUT |
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3rd AND/OR 4th PERSON RATE: ages 2 and older: $899; under 2 years old: $799.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE CRUISE PRICE: All your food, including 24-hour room service and a 24-hour pizza station; tea, coffee, a half-dozen juices, and milk; use of the gym; and, every evening, Costa provides excellent Las Vegas-style entertainment in their large show lounge.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM: Over a dozen lectures and two cocktail parties. The Conference fee is $795. Traveling companions who do not want to participate in our Conference can simply enjoy their cruise during our lectures (they are welcome to attend the party and all events that start at 6pm) and need not pay this additional fee.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED: Government taxes and port charges ($179), gratuities ($10 per person per day), your personal bar bill, soda, the spa, casino action, Costa shore excursions, and any expenses of a personal nature are extra.
AIR ADD-ONS: Airfare from most major North American cities is available through Costa. Please call or email us for an exact quote. In most cases, however, you will find better rates on your own. The advantage of booking flights through the cruiseline is that they take responsibility for getting you on the ship. For mid-winter cruises, when flights are occasionally cancelled, this is an added measure of comfort!
InSight Cruises (CST# 2065380-40)
561 Windsor Drive
Menlo Park, CA 94025
TEL: (650) 787-5665
Email: neil@InSightcruises.com
561 Windsor Dr., Menlo Park, CA 94025 • 650-787-5665 • Copyright 2008 © InSight Cruises
