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Many travelers have questions about
their trip, their planning, and even about their travel agent.
Below are some of the more frequently asked questions.
Please browse through them or feel free to give me a call
anytime!
Please click on the question to
reveal & hide the answer.
[
Do I Need A Passport?
]
[
How Should I Dress for the Cruise?
]
You should dress for
cruising the same way you would dress for any smart land based resort.
Casual sportswear for the day, including shorts, jogging suits, etc. is
appropriate. Bathing suit cover-ups should be worn in the ships public
areas. Bathing suits are not allowed in dining rooms. In Alaska, jeans and
sweatshirts are typical during the day, remember to dress in layers.
For semiformal evenings,
passengers dress as they would for a fine restaurant at home, ladies in
skirts/dresses/pantsuits, and men wearing a sports coat or suit.
On formal nights, ladies
wear evening gowns or cocktail dresses and men wear dark suit, dinner
jackets, or tuxedos.
On casual nights, slacks,
sweaters, blouses, open-neck shirts, etc. are worn. Shorts, cut-off T
shirts, torn jeans and bare feet are not permitted in the dining room.
Typically, 3 to 5 night
cruises have one formal night; 6 to 12 night cruises have 2 formal nights;
and 13 to 15 night cruises have 3 formal nights.
[
Do I Need to Carry Cash with me on the Ship?
]
No need
to carry cash! You simply sign for all your expenses, excluding tips to your
stateroom attendant and dining room staff. Cash is also required to obtain
casino chips and bingo cards.
You can
settle you shipboard account on the day of disembarkation after reviewing
the itemized statement that is delivered to your stateroom. You can bring
your credit card to the Purser's desk at any time at the start of the cruise
to set up your account and they will automatically put your shipboard
purchases on the account or you can settle by cash.
Travelers
Checks can be cashed at the Purser's Desk. Normally the cruise lines will
not give cash advances on credit cards.
A 15% gratuity is
automatically included on all beverage tabs for your convenience.
Most cruise lines now add a
$10.00 per person per night service fee on to your onboard account to cover
tipping. This frees you from having to tip the last night of the cruise.
Some ships have it as a mandatory fee, others make it somewhat discretionary
– meaning you can have the fee removed from your account, lowered, or
increased.
Royal Caribbean and
Celebrity ships have a form in your stateroom and you can sign up to have
your tips put on your onboard account if you wish. If not, you will still
tip the traditional way – on the last night of the cruise. Envelopes are
provided at the Purser’s desk.
Some cruise lines allow
groups to pay their tips along with their cruise payments eliminating the
worry of tipping at the end of the cruise.
Traditionally the head
waiter and room steward are tipped $3.50 per person per night, the busboy
$2.50 per person per night, and the head water is tipped for seating
arrangements a token $.50 per person per night. (Hence the $10.00 automatic
service fee now charged!)
[
What is Proper
Shipboard Etiquette?
]
Smoking is not allowed
in the dining rooms, as well as show lounges and theaters. Should you wish
to videotape onboard during your cruise, be advised that videotaping the
entertainment performances on board is not allowed for copyright reasons.
videotaping the bridge during bridge visits is not allowed for security
reasons.
[
Can I be Reached at Sea?
]
You can leave friends
and relatives information on how to telephone you. Satellite calls, radio
grams, etc. can be sent. Information will come with your documents.
[
Can I celebrate a Special Occasion?
]
Let me know if you are
celebrating a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary, etc.
[ Where
Do We Check In?
]
If
you are arriving on the day the ship departs and you have purchased your
airline tickets through the cruise line, or if you purchased your air
separately and purchased transfers through the cruise line, you will be
met by a cruise line representative in the baggage claim area. they will
inform you of baggage procedures and direct you to your transportation
to the cruise terminal.
If
you have not purchased transfers taxi cabs are readily available to take
you to the pier. Taxi rates are very similar to the purchase price of
the transfers with the cruise line. Taxis are also readily available at
the end of the cruise to transport you back to the airport.
When
you arrive at the cruise terminal you must present you documents.
Sometimes boarding is a little slow, and of course there are many
people. Relax...they won't leave without you. Once you get onboard you
are escorted to your room and then you are free to explore the ship.
Buffet is normally served poolside.
In order to prevent
unauthorized persons from boarding the ship, you are requested to carry your
cruise card with you at all times. You will receive your card at check in or
in your stateroom. You must present this card as you get off and on the ship
in port. You may also be asked to open any parcels or handbags you are
carrying.
[ What
About Shore Excursions?
]
Shore excursion
information can be obtained online and will also be provided with your
cruise documents. Shore excursions can be pre-booked up to 10 days prior to
cruise departure or you can book onboard at the tour office where excursion
representatives can assist you in making your choices. If there is something
you really have to do (swim with the dolphins is very popular), please pre
book. Ships are very large and hold many people. Some excursions are very
popular and due to limited space will fill quickly. Don't be disappointed -
pre book!
[ What
Else is Available on the Ship?
]
Laundry, dry cleaning, pressing, etc. can be arranged through your room
steward.
Medical facilities are available. Charges are paid directly to the
physician.
Party
planning-if you want to throw a party at sea. Contact the Food and
Beverage Director through the Purser's Desk.
Photo
Gallery - souvenir photos are available for purchase. formal photographs
will be taken on formal evenings. These purchases can be charged to your
onboard account.
Library. If you forgot your book there are plenty on board!
Postal Service is at the Purser's Desk.
Beauty Salon and Spa - make your appointments early in the cruise for
massages.
Exercise classes, ping pong, shuffleboard, aquacise - some ships have
basketball courts, putt putt courses, driving ranges, ice skating rinks,
rock climbing walls, etc.
[
How will I know what, when, where, how?
]
A
daily activity sheet is delivered to your stateroom. All information on
times, dress attire for evening, port information, movie and theater
times, etc. is on this activity sheet. If you prefer to have an activity
sheet for each of you in the stateroom, feel free to ask your room
steward for additional copies, or they can be obtained at the Purser's
Desk.
Do it
all - or nothing at all!! there are many things happening all the time
on the ship!
[
When will my luggage get to my stateroom?
]
Your luggage will be
delivered to your stateroom sometime the first day of the cruise. I suggest
you pack a bathing suit, shorts, etc., in your carry-on so you can begin to
enjoy the sun and ship right away. MAKE SURE YOUR LUGGAGE IS TAGGED WITH
THE TAGS PROVIDED BY THE CRUISELINE. Also have your luggage tag securely
fastened to your suitcase!
[
How Much Luggage Can I Take?
]
Luggage limits are set
by the airlines. This is 2 checked bags and 1 carry on per person. Each
airline has size and weight limits per checked bag. Check with the
individual carrier's web site. Most airlines size limit is: Length + Width +
Height cannot exceed 62 inches. Weight cannot exceed 50 lbs per piece.
[
How will my luggage get off the ship after
the cruise?
]
The
last evening of your cruise you must be packed and have your luggage in
the hallway, outside of your door, - usually be 2 am. Please make sure
you have clothes to wear off the ship. Once your luggage is taken you
will not see it until after you have cleared customs off the ship the
next morning. Do not pack your tickets home or your proof of citizenship
as these items will be needed to pass through customs.
A
disembarkation meeting will take place onboard the ship Go to the
meeting or watch it in your stateroom for disembarkation procedures.
The
final morning of the cruise is hectic. Don't forget that the cruise
staff needs to get you off the ship for the next set of cruisers to get
on at 1pm. Please relax, listen for directions, and don't get stressed!!
If
you flight is before noon please confirm at the Purser's desk that you
will be in the first set of passengers to disembark the ship.
[
What about insurance?
]
Insurance can be
purchased through the cruise line up to final payment. Or you can purchase
Cruise, Tour, and Travel insurance through Travel Guard Insurance at least
24 hours prior to departure. Travel insurance is always strongly suggested,
however, make sure you know what is and is not covered.
-
Take plenty of one dollar bills for tips
at the airports and cruise dock. It is customary to tip $1.00 per
bag handled.
-
Don't take more than you can carry. Pack
lightly.
-
Put toiletries in zip lock bags and take
extra bags with you for wet bathing suits, etc.
-
Carry your camera with you on the ship. You
never know when that special moment will come about!
-
Go to the nightly shows - they're very good!
-
Don't
be afraid to ask - the cruise staff is there to please you!!
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