You will soon receive the confirmation for your upcoming
cruise. Please read it carefully and make sure that everything is
correct, including names as they appear on your citizenship identification,
sailing date and ship, and gateway air city if applicable. Please
contact your booking agent if anything is incorrect.
In an effort to prepare you for your upcoming cruise, we have compiled
a list of frequently asked questions to help
you. These cover all of the basic aspects of cruising from packing
to embarkation. We hope this information helps you to prepare for
your cruise. However, should you have any additional questions please
feel free to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
We look forward to assisting you and helping to make your cruise experience
a pleasant one.
Boarding Procedures
Embarkation times are printed on the cruise ticket that you
receive with final documents. Generally, you will be allowed to board
two or three hours before the ship sails. Keep in mind that you must
be on the ship at least one hour before departure, and the gangway
will be pulled thirty minutes before sailing.
Prior to boarding, you will pass through a security checkpoint. Next,
you will be required to complete ship check-in formalities. For this
procedure, you will need to present your travel documents, including
your cruise ticket, all completed immigration forms provided with
your final documents and the required identification as noted above.
Upon completion of check-in, you will receive a guest identification
card. This card will serve as your identification on-board. It will
also serve as your identification for security procedures when embarking
and disembarking the ship and when making purchases on board.
As you walk up the gangway, a member of the cruise staff will welcome
you aboard. Your luggage will be delivered to your cabin shortly after
it arrives at the ship. You carry nothing but your hand luggage. Once
you are on board you are free to explore the ship. Refreshments are
available during embarkation and most cruise lines offer a nice buffet
lunch (depending on the departure time).
Transfers
Most cruise lines include transfers between the airport and the pier
on embarkation/disembarkation day if you have purchased an air/sea
package directly with them. Passengers providing their own air must
get their own transportation to/from the pier. Prepaid transfers can
be purchased separately from most cruise lines. Flight information
must be provided to the cruise line with final payment if separate
transfers have been purchased.
Visitor Policy
For security reasons most cruise lines have implemented a "no
visitor" policy aboard their vessels.
Medication
Your prescription medication should be kept close at hand in your
purse or carry-on bag rather than in your checked luggage. Be sure
to bring a sufficient supply of medication and transport it in the
original container. It is also a good idea to carry a written list
of your medications in case they are lost. The list should include
the name of the drug, dosage, and times taken.
Shipboard
Account
Most cruise lines have set up a "cashless" system designed
to make your life on board as simple as possible. You simply sign
a receipt for each of your on-board purchases and then settle your
shipboard account at the end of the cruise. Cash, VISA, American Express,
MasterCard, Discover, and traveler's checks are accepted as payment
on most cruise lines.
Shipboard
Check Cashing Policy
Most cruise lines will cash traveler's checks. Personal checks cannot
be cashed and cash cannot be drawn from your shipboard account.
Shore Excursions
All cruise lines offer extensive shore excursion programs designed
to enhance your cruise experience. Shore excursions will help you
make the most of your time in port and provide you with the best transportation
and guide services available. For certain destinations, such as Europe,
tours can be pre-requested by completing the form found in the shore
excursion brochure sent to you 4-6 weeks prior to departure. On other
cruises you can book your tours through the shore excursion office
once you are on-board.
Important
Don't forget to pay your cruise in full prior to the final payment
date noted on your invoice. Failure to pay by that date may result
in your reservation being canceled and your deposit being forfeited.
No personal checks accepted.
If you have booked your cruise vacation
and need service assistance, call:
800-217-1807
Mon - Fri 8am - 12am
Sat & Sun 9am - 7pm
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