TICKETS AND PRE CRUISE DOCUMENTATION:
Instead of mailing paper tickets, cruise lines now do online
check-in. You’ll receive information on how to access the online
check in website area for your particular cruise line. You’ll be
required to enter information like; passport numbers, legal name,
date of birth, emergency contact information, credit card you wish
to use for onboard charges, etc. Once this information is complete
and around 45 days before sailing, you’ll be able to print your
actual tickets and luggage tags online. More information will be
given to you regarding the cruise line’s procedures for printing
these, but it is the passenger’s responsibility to furnish this
information. Passenger information is shared with Homeland Security
and pre cruise screening is done so this is most important.
PAYING FOR ITEMS ONBOARD AND IN PORT:
As mentioned above, the cruise line will request a credit card which
will be used for your onboard purchases: bar drinks, sodas, gift
shop purchases, shore excursions, spa treatments, gratuities and
other personal purchases. Cash is not accepted except at the end of
your cruise if you choose to pay your onboard account in that
manner. The last evening of the cruise you’ll be given an itemized
list of your charges. If you question any of these, see the purser’s
desk to clear these up before you get off the ship. It is much
easier to settle any questions before you leave the ship than after
arriving home. Almost all ships have safes in the cabins so you can
be sure your valuables are secure. When going ashore, take a credit
card for any large purchases and some small bills for smaller
transactions. If you have two different credit or debit cards, I
suggest taking both with you just in case you have a problem using
one of your cards. This does not occur often, but it’s a good idea
just in case. Travel’s Checks used to be the "gold standard" for
travelers but not as many businesses accept them as previously. If
you’re traveling to more exotic locations like Europe or Asia and
don’t want to carry large amounts of cash, bank ATM’s are available
in most large cities. Also, many cruise lines have a "bank" onboard
that will change USD into local currency in small amounts.
TIPPING/GRATUITIES: Almost all
cruise lines now add a daily Service Fee to your onboard account.
This covers gratuities for your wait staff in the dining rooms, your
room steward, etc. A general guide is approximately $10.00 per
person per day, but this will vary depending on the cruise line. If
you’d like to reward a particular staff member, you can always give
them an individual cash gratuity. For beverage purchases, the
gratuity is automatically added to the check.
ONBOARD DRESS: Comfortable clothing
is suggested for daytime onboard ship. As it can get chilly in the
evenings, bring a sweater or jacket . Although most 7 day cruises
still have 2 formal evenings, tuxedos and evening gowns are not
required. You sill still people dressed in formal wear so feel free
to bring your dress up clothes, but a dark suit and party dress or
pants suit are also appropriate. On other evenings casual resort
wear is appropriate, but shorts are not appropriate for the dining
room at night.
LUGGAGE AND PIER CHECK-IN:
Regardless of how you arrive at the pier, either private car, bus,
taxi, airport bus, limo, etc. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE SURE
THAT YOUR LUGGAGE HAS A NAME TAG WITH YOUR NAME, CABIN NUMBER AND
ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED. YOU MUST ALSO BE SURE THAT YOU
LUGGAGE HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ONE OF THE CURBSIDE PORTERS WHO WILL SEE
THAT IT GETS ON THE SHIP. You will not have access to your luggage
again until it’s delivered to your cabin so be sure to keep all
passports, credit cards, tickets, medications and valuables in your
purse or carry on when you check in at the pier and not packed in
your luggage. Before the end of the cruise you’ll be given luggage
tags to attach to your luggage (except your carry –on bag). You’ll
leave this luggage outside your door on the last night of the ship
and will not see it again until you claim it at the pier the next
morning. Again, keep all valuables with you in a carry-on bag and be
sure to keep clothes and toilet articles out that you’ll need for
the next morning. Procedures for disembarkation will be explained on
the ship.
SHIPBOARD LIFE: Each night you’ll
receive a daily program of activities for the next day. This is
usually delivered to your cabin while you’re at dinner. Read this
daily program so you’ll know what’s planned for the next day, what
time the ship docks and leave port, evening dress and entertainment
plus other important information. For first time cruisers
especially, I encourage you to attend the Welcome Aboard Talk by the
cruise director. These are usually fun as well as informative.
You’ll also be able to access this information on your cabin TV.
SHORE EXCURSIONS: In the same area
of the website where you do your online check-in, you’ll be able to
pre book tours at the various ports sponsored by the cruise line.
Depending on the cruise line, these are either paid by credit card
at the time you book them or charged to your onboard account when
you actually take the tour. Even if you pre pay for a tour, you can
always go online and make changes up until about two weeks before
sailing. You will also be able to book tours once onboard the ship,
but some of the more popular tours do sell out so if there is a
particular tour that you know you want, it’s a good idea to pre-book
it. You do not have to take tours sponsored by the cruise line. You
may want to explore on your own, hire a tour once you’re ashore or
pre book through another tour vendor. Please know that if you book a
tour not sponsored through the ship, it is your responsibility to be
back onboard before sailing time. The ship will not wait for you
unless you’ve booked a tour through them. Missing the ship’s sailing
is very costly as it’s then your responsibility to meet the ship at
the next port. For many islands in the Caribbean, it’s easy to
explore on your own, but for more exotic itineraries like Europe,
South America, Australia and Asia, I suggest doing tours through the
cruise line, especially for first time cruisers. There will be
"shore talks" before each port that you can attend or view on your
cabin TV and if you haven’t been to these ports before, please take
the time to learn what is offered in each.
TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM YOUR SHIP:
Unless you live within driving distance of the port, your cruise
will involve air travel. You will be given suggested arrival and
departure times for flights to your port city as well as general
boarding times for your cruise. If you’re cruising during winter
months when weather can cause flight delays or during busy holiday
travel times; it’s a good idea to arrive a day before your cruise.
Cruise lines offer hotel packages near the port that usually include
transportation to the pier the next day or you can book a hotel on
your own and arrange your own transportation. Taxis are readily
available at airports to take you to the cruise ports in the US.
Although cruise lines will book air as part of your package, most
people find that they can book air more economically on their own as
well as have more control over their flight times. Transportation to
and from the ship may still be purchased by the cruise line provided
you arrive the day of sailing and depart the day the ship returns.
For cruises that originate outside the US, you may want to take
advantage of the cruise line transportation as some ports are a good
distance from major airports.
Please know that these are general
guidelines and suggestions. Because policies with individual cruise
lines change periodically, please contact me for specific questions
regarding your cruise. You may also find information at the cruise
line’s website.