Wicca is a modern pagan witchcraft tradition that has roots in pre-Christian European beliefs and practices. While it draws inspiration from ancient pagan systems, Wicca as a distinct religious and spiritual practice only emerged in the mid-20th century. Despite its relatively recent origins, Wicca incorporates elements of ancient folklore, mythology, and witchcraft traditions. The tradition of Wicca officially began in the 1950s with the formation of covens by Gerald Gardner, a British civil servant and amateur anthropologist. Gardner drew upon various sources, including ancient pagan beliefs, ceremonial magic, folklore, and Aleister Crowley's teachings, to create a new religious system that incorporated witchcraft and nature worship. Gardner's teachings quickly gained popularity and inspired the formation of different Wiccan traditions, each with their own specific practices and beliefs.
All original Carnival luggage tags need to be removed. Each zone tag needs to be filled out and attached to every piece of luggage. The tear-off section needs to be kept as reference. Place your tagged, packed luggage outside of your stateroom the last night of the cruise between 9:00pm and 11:00pm. Your luggage will be collected by our staff and placed into a secure area on board for offloading upon arrival in the morning. Do not pack medicine or other important documents in your luggage. Ensure you keep out your Sail & Sign Card, your U.S. Customs Declaration form (if you have exceeded your allowable amount) and proof of citizenship. Also, make sure you leave out an outfit for the last day. In the morning, you will be called to the gangway by your zone number, which is the number that appears on your luggage tags. Your luggage will be waiting for you in the baggage claim area of the terminal building, separated by zone number. You must personally locate your luggage and either carry it out or seek the assistance of a porter. The customary tip is $1 USD per bag.
For cash accounts, any refundable overages greater than 10 USD will be refunded via check mailed within 7 days after the cruise to your home address on file. S homeports using this secure, streamlined technology, include Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville, New York, Baltimore, Mobile, Galveston and Long Beach.
Gardner's teachings quickly gained popularity and inspired the formation of different Wiccan traditions, each with their own specific practices and beliefs. Over time, Wicca spread beyond Britain and gained followers around the world, thanks in large part to the publication of books and the establishment of Wiccan organizations. Today, Wicca is a recognized and legally protected religion in various countries, including the United States.
Preparing for Debarkation Day
Debarkation Options
Guests may consider two options for debarkation day:
Option 1 - Carry Off Option: This allows you to carry your own luggage off the ship. If you choose the Carry Off option, you do not need to put your luggage outside of your cabin the last evening of your cruise. Keep all your belongings with you and on the last morning of the cruise we will begin to call Carry Off guests by muster station within the first hour after we clear customs. You will be getting off the ship first. Please know that in addition to carrying off your own bags, there may be escalators, stairs, and lines to contend with. If you have oversized luggage or multiple pieces of luggage, you will not qualify for this program. This option is a great for anyone with an early flight back home.
Option 2 - Checked Luggage Option: This is where we will be calling you to the gangway based on the zone number you have placed on your luggage. Zone tags will be available for pick up the last day of the cruise at a designated location listed on the Debarkation Flyer. You will need to select either early or late zone numbers according to your desired debarkation time (subject to availabitly). Guests with early flights home need to register with Guest Services in order to ensure they are assigned the proper zone number.
- Early zone numbers will be called (appoximately) between 8:30am and 9:15am
- Late zone numbers will be called (approximately) between 9:15am and 10:15am
For those guests who have signed up for a shore excursion in the home port, guests sailing on back-to-back cruises, Faster to the Fun guests, guests staying is suites and Diamond and Platinum guests, you will receive separate debarkation information delivered by letter to your stateroom the last evening of the cruise.
All original Carnival luggage tags need to be removed. Each zone tag needs to be filled out and attached to every piece of luggage. The tear-off section needs to be kept as reference. Place your tagged, packed luggage outside of your stateroom the last night of the cruise between 9:00pm and 11:00pm. Your luggage will be collected by our staff and placed into a secure area on board for offloading upon arrival in the morning. Do not pack medicine or other important documents in your luggage. Ensure you keep out your Sail & Sign Card, your U.S. Customs Declaration form (if you have exceeded your allowable amount) and proof of citizenship. Also, make sure you leave out an outfit for the last day. In the morning, you will be called to the gangway by your zone number, which is the number that appears on your luggage tags. Your luggage will be waiting for you in the baggage claim area of the terminal building, separated by zone number. You must personally locate your luggage and either carry it out or seek the assistance of a porter. The customary tip is $1 USD per bag.
Homework For the Last Day of Your Cruise
- Watch our debarkation talk by your Cruise Director. You can find it on channel 14 on your stateroom TV. A must see!
- Cash out any casino chips or slips as the Casino Cashier Desk is closed on debarkation morning.
- Complete your Customs Declaration form (one per household) only for households who have exceeded the allowable amount; instructions will be provided during the debarkation talk.
Debarkation Day - Morning of Departure
Taking Care of Business
- Sail & Sign Account: Your statement will be printed at midnight and delivered to your stateroom. Any purchases made after midnight will be added to your total owed. You may check your statement on our Sail & Sign Kiosks, on your TV or the HUB App.
- If you registered your Sail & Sign account with a credit/debit card, your account will still be active on the morning of debarkation. For credit card accounts, billing is submitted to the your credit card company.
- For cash accounts, any refundable overages greater than $10 USD will be refunded via check mailed within 7 days after the cruise to your home address on file. Overages less than $10 USD will be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (excluding Australia ships). If you wish to have the full overage in cash, you may retrieve it from one of the Sail & Sign Kiosks or Guest Services. If you have exceeded the amount of your cash deposit, you must pay the outstanding balance at Guest Services by the last evening of the cruise so you can disembark the ship without any delay.
Waiting for Departure
- We kindly ask that you vacate your stateroom before 8:30am. Please double check and make sure you have removed all valuables from your stateroom safe as well as personal items from closets and drawers.
- You may enjoy one last breakfast or relax with a cup of coffee.
- The main dining room serves breakfast 6:30am-8:00am (open seating)
- The lido restaurant serves breakfast 6:00am-9:00am
- Promenade Cafe is open 6:00am-9:00am
- Guests with early flights who have pre-registered with Guest Services will be assigned and called as one of the early zone numbers.
- Guests with disabilities and special needs requiring wheelchair assistance should proceed to the lobby area when their zone number is called. Wheelchair assistance is provided from the ship to the terminal area for those guests who are not traveling with an able bodied companion. Due to limited service, the approximate wait time may be 45 minutes.
- Guests who have pre-purchased a shore excursion that includes return transfers to the airport will meet in a designated area and guided to the gangway as a group.
Debarking the Ship
- Prior to leaving the ship, guests will need to have in hand:
- Sail & Sign card
- U.S Citizens will need Travel Documentation (passport, birth certificate and photo I.D, etc)
- Non-U.S Citizens will need Travel Documentation (passport) and required forms and documentation required by U.S Immigrations.
- In nine U.S homeports, guests debarking the ship at the end of a closed loop cruise will pause at a kiosk with a camera and take a photo. Within seconds, the image is biometrically compared to their passport or visa photo to verify the guest’s identity. U.S travelers and select foreign nationals who prefer to opt out of the facial biometric process can simply request a manual document check from a CBP Officer.
- The U.S homeports using this secure, streamlined technology, include Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville, New York, Baltimore, Mobile, Galveston and Long Beach.
- Guests who have purchased our optional transfers must proceed to the buses outside the cruise terminal with their luggage for transportation to the airport.
- Taxis and other alternative transportation services will be located outside the cruise terminal.
- Guests who purchased shore excursions must ensure their luggage is on the same bus on which they are traveling.
Damaged, Lost Luggage, or Luggage Left on the Ship or Cruise Terminal - check here
Lost & Found (Missing Items) - check here
Homework For the Last Day of Your CruiseWhile its origins are relatively recent, its practitioners often incorporate ancient beliefs and rituals, such as honoring the cycles of the moon, celebrating seasonal festivals (known as Sabbats), and connecting with the divine through magic and spellwork. In conclusion, the tradition of Wicca is a modern manifestation of ancient pagan beliefs and practices. Its roots can be traced back to the 1950s when Gerald Gardner developed its foundational principles and rituals. Despite its relatively young age, Wicca has grown into a diverse and globally recognized religious movement, attracting people who seek a spiritual path that emphasizes nature, magic, and personal connection with the divine..
Reviews for "Ancient Wisdom or Modern Invention? Determining the Age of Wiccan Practice"
- John - 1 star
I found "How old is the tradition of wicca" to be extremely disappointing. The author's arguments were weak and lacked substance. They failed to provide any substantial evidence or historical references to support their claims. Moreover, the writing style was poor and made the reading experience a chore. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-researched and informative exploration of the history of Wicca.
- Emily - 2 stars
As someone who has studied Wicca for several years, I was excited to read "How old is the tradition of wicca" and gain more insights into its origins. However, I was left feeling underwhelmed by the book. While the author attempted to delve into the topic, they seemed to rely more on speculation and personal opinions rather than presenting solid facts. Additionally, the lack of citations and references made it difficult to trust the validity of the information provided. Overall, I believe there are better resources available for those interested in the history of Wicca.
- Sarah - 1 star
I regret purchasing "How old is the tradition of wicca" as it was a complete waste of my time and money. The author's arguments were weak and seemed to be biased towards their own personal beliefs. There was no balance or critical analysis of alternative viewpoints, which made the book come across as one-sided and unconvincing. I was hoping for a more scholarly approach to the topic, but instead, I got a poorly researched and poorly written book. I would advise prospective readers to look elsewhere for a more comprehensive exploration of the origins of Wicca.
- Michael - 2 stars
"How old is the tradition of wicca" was a letdown for me. The author's writing style was difficult to follow, and their arguments were often vague and contradictory. It felt like the book lacked a clear structure or organization, making it hard to engage with the content. Additionally, there were numerous spelling and grammatical errors throughout, which further detracted from the overall reading experience. I was left feeling unsatisfied and unconvinced by the arguments presented in this book.
Ancient Roots or Modern Creation? Investigating the Age of Wicca