Cruise FAQs
★ Do I need a passport?
All guests must have valid passports plus a photo ID and necessary visas at time of embarkation. Travel documents required throughout the vacation are the responsibility of the guest. Any guest traveling without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of cruise fare will be issued. For all non-U.S. citizens, U.S. authorities require that all travel documents (passports, visas, etc.) be collected upon check-in at port by an official cruise line representative and a document receipt will be issued. Before the end of the cruise, non-U.S. citizens please check with the Purser's Office aboard the ship to get back your travel documents, upon presentation of your receipt. ★ Do I have to worry about seasickness? Nearly all modern ships have stabilizers, so the side-to-side roll is nearly eliminated. Dramamine is dispensed by the ship’s doctor or purser, and is usually a reliable cure for seasickness. If you are prone to seasickness, see your doctor before the cruise for other recommendations. ★ How do I choose a cabin? Money is an issue when choosing a cabin. An inside cabin on the lowest deck is the least expensive and in some cases the most stable, particularly if it is in the center of the ship. However, some people feel claustrophobic if they don’t have windows or portholes. In that case, an outside cabin is worth the extra money. ★ Which cruise is best for me? As a first-time cruiser you may want to start out with a 3 or 4 day cruise. By the second time around, you’ll want to move up to a 7 day cruise, and after that, the only limitations are personal time restrictions and your pocketbook.
★ Should I bring cash? Credit cards? Foreign currency? Transactions aboard the ship are in U.S. dollars. In The Bahamas and the Caribbean, U.S. dollars and major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. But you won't need to bring much cash (except for shore side purchases), because cruise lines have a convenient "cash-free" system on board the ship. When you arrive at port, your signature will be requested for check-in. At this time you may also present a credit card (American Express®, Diners Club®, Discover® Card, MasterCard® or VISA®), which will give you charging privileges aboard the ship. Any purchases on the ship, including beverage services, spa, salon services, photography, medical and laundry services, onboard gift shops, and any item or service of a personal nature can then be charged to your room. All charges must be settled before debarkation from the ship by cash, personal checks, travelers’ checks, or credit cards. ★ What should I pack? Aboard the 7Night or more Cruises there are two evenings which require more formal -- or 'black-tie-optional' attire. Tuxedo rentals are available in advance for special dinners. Remember to bring an adequate supply of any prescription drugs (in their original containers) you require, and keep them in your carry-on luggage. Also, be sure to bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses and films for your camera. Of course, if you do forget to bring something, you can probably buy it on board. Please note that strollers and wheelchairs are available for rental onboard some ships. ★ Can I call home from the ship? You can direct dial anywhere in the world right from your stateroom. Ship-to-shore rates apply and will be charged to your stateroom. ★ What's an assembly drill and do I have to go? Everyone onboard the ship must participate in a compulsory safety drill before departure to comply with U.S. Coast Guard and international safety regulations. All passengers are required to attend. ★ There's so much to do on the ship! How will I know what's going on and when? On your cruise, a complete listing of all activities, adventures and entertainment will be available in your stateroom every day. Most cruise ships have multilingual guest services crew and programming counselors, they will be happy to assist you with your itinerary. ★ What time is dinner? For traditional dinner, dinner seatings are assigned around 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm. Please inform your travel agent of your seating time and table size preference when you book your vacation. No requests are guaranteed. Many cruise lines now offer alternatives dining to the dining room or room service. For example, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) has the Bistro on all of their ships. It is a separate a la carte restaurant open between 6:30 and 11:00 pm where you can go to dinner anytime you'd like. Carnival, Princess, and NCL are using their upper deck breakfast and lunch facilities to offer a buffet version of their dinner menus. These restaurants generally have cover charges and are more casual allowing you to be more flexible with your meal time and dress. ★ Is there a laundry service? Laundry and dry-cleaning services (with stateroom pick-up) are available for a charge. Some ships also provides self-service Guest Laundry Rooms with coin-operated washers, dryers, detergent, and ironing equipment. For safety reasons, irons or steamers may be used in the laundry rooms only. ★ Is there a doctor in the house? A physician and nurse onboard are on call 24-hours a day on every cruise to provide basic medical services. Standard fees will be charged for these services. |
Photo from Fire At Will [Photography]
