Frequently Asked Questions

Should I book my airfare through the cruise line or on my own?

There are advantages and disadvantages with each method, depending on your needs and requirements. The advantages of booking air through the cruise lines are that, 1. Transfers are included, 2. Cruise lines know your flight and take responsibility for late arrivals (even if the delay causes you to miss the ship), 3. Baggage handling may be easier, and 4. It’s easier to make reservations. The disadvantages are that 1. You cannot choose your flight schedule, 2. Some flight schedules may not be convenient, 3. Major carriers are used – however, you can’t choose the airline, 4. Frequent flyer points cannot be used for upgrades, and 5. We will not know your flight schedule and cannot assign seats until 30 days prior to your departure date. Requests for changes to air schedules are possible, but will charge a non-refundable air deviation fee of $65 to $95 per person. In addition, the change of date or time may result in an increase in airfare.

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What happens if I cancel my cruise?

All cruise lines have cancellation penalties, which are dependent on when you cancel - the closer to departure date the higher the penalty. Cancellation penalties are the amount not refunded if you cancel the cruise. Each cruise line has these penalties listed on your cruise application. Please read these carefully.

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Do I need cancellation and medical insurance?

We highly recommend the purchase of travel cancellation / medical insurance. With your booking statement, you will receive a specific quote to purchase this policy.

Cancellation insurance protects you if you are forced to cancel your cruise for unexpected medical reasons for your self or an immediate family member.

The medical insurance covers you should an illness or accident occur during your cruise. Note that most individual's medical insurance will not cover you while outside of the United States.

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Onboard Payments / Money?

Your ship accepts credit cards, cash and traveler’s checks for payment of on-board extras such as alcohol, shore excursions, gift shop and boutique purchases. The ship is "cashless" aboard, where an imprint of your credit card or a cash deposit is taken at the beginning of your cruise. The last night you will receive a bill outlining your charges. If you are using a credit card your charges will be automatically billed to the card. If you are paying in cash, you must clear your account at the end of the cruise. This can be time consuming, so if possible, use a credit card, as it is most convenient.

In your ports-of-call, it is NOT necessary to exchange money, as US currency is widely accepted.

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Tipping?

All tips for dining room personnel and room stewards is determined to be $12.00 per day per person this charge is not included in your cruise package.

Other personnel, such as bar waiters, bellboys and deck stewards may be tipped as service is rendered. Note that there is typically a 15% gratuity added to all bar tabs.

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What to wear?

With visions of seascapes, sunsets and days spent at the railing watching eagles soar and whales surfacing, not to mention dancing on a moonlit deck, you may wonder if you will need a new wardrobe for your cruise. Cruise clothes are simply resort clothes and you'll need the same basic outfits that you wear at home when casual by day and off to cocktails and dinner in the evening.

For this cruise, you will want very casual and comfortable wear during the day. This means slacks, shorts, t-shirts and sweatshirts as well as comfortable walking/hiking shoes. A few swimsuits and a cover-up along with a pair of slide-on shoes are fine for a weeklong cruise. In general you should dress moderately on shore and save the dressy clothes for the ship. In addition, you should plan on bringing a waterproof windbreaker, as weather can vary quickly. You may also wish to consider bringing along a small umbrella.

There are three types of attire required for evening functions aboard ship:

Formal night - there will be (1) one night, where a tux or dark suit for the gentlemen and a dressy gown/pantsuit or dress for the ladies.

Informal nights - there will be 3, where a blazer, but not tie, is required for the gentlemen and cocktail dress for the ladies is appropriate.

Casual nights - there will be 1, where khakis and polo shirt or island/resort wear will be appropriate.

Your clothing should be of the type that requires little care. The ship offers dry cleaning service and laundry facilities, however these can be somewhat expensive. No matter what part of the world you are sailing to, always pack a light sweater or wrap for the air conditioning on board, breezy evenings on deck or early arrivals in port. Light rain gear is also a good idea. Please consult the cruise agenda for specific dates on evening attire.

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Correspondence

All future correspondence will go to the address on your confirmation. Address changes must be received in writing. There is a booking number (99-xx) on your confirmation. Please write this number on all checks. It is helpful to include your ship and sail date on any correspondence. A good daytime phone number is important if we need to reach you about your booking. Any changes in your reservation including category, number of people in cabin, names in cabin, additions & deletions to cabin, etc. MUST be received in WRITING.

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Triple and Quad Cabins

Triple and quad cabins are subject to availability, and require a deposit for each person in the cabin. Triple and quad cabin rates are for third and fourth passengers in the cabin traveling with two full-fare paying passengers.

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Handicapped Cabins

Handicapped cabins are subject to availability, and are very limited in number. Those individuals who are confined to a wheelchair should only utilize these cabins.

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Dining - Free Style Dinning

Freestyle Cruising - The New Age of Cruise Vacations

Freestyle Cruising is exactly what it sounds like - you have the freedom of choice to cruise your way. It's a different kind of cruise for a different kind of cruiser.

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Cruise Documents

We will receive your cruise documents 2 to 3 weeks prior to sailing. Documents will be sent to the address indicated on your cruise application, via UPS, and require a street address (P.O. boxes are not acceptable). If you prefer to have your documents delivered elsewhere, or arranged to be picked up pier side, please contact Travel Agent, no less than 45 days prior to departure.

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Identification

You must have proper ID in order to board the cruise ship. If you cannot provide proper ID the cruise line will have no choice but to deny boarding. No refunds will be offered for passengers who are denied boarding due to insufficient identification.

For Alaska, Caribbean, Canada, Mexico or Hawaii cruises proper ID consists of a valid passport OR certified (raised state seal) birth certificate plus photo ID. If you do not have a certified birth certificate, you can apply to the State Dept. of Vital Statistics from the state you were born. Note that a county issued document, voter registration or driver's license is not sufficient form of ID.

For ALL other cruises, a current, valid passport will be required. Note that in order to apply for a passport, you will need a birth certificate. Allow at least 90 days to process a passport application.

Certain ports in Europe require a visa. In this event an application will be provided by the cruise line and will be forwarded to you approximately 90 days prior to departure.

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General Cruise Notes...

If you consider your cruise ship a floating resort, which transports you from one port to another as an added bonus, everything will be placed in proper perspective. If you feel naked without your diamonds and emeralds, or a lot of cash on hand, then bring them along. But place all valuables in the safe deposit box in your cabin or at the Purser's Desk when not using them. If you know you will need a box, see the Purser immediately upon embarkation, as the number of boxes is limited. The cruise line offers individual safes in each cabin.

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Cameras

The elements are no friend to your camera. Sea spray can damage lenses and sand can cause irreparable damage to other parts of the camera. Use caution - don't leave your camera sitting out in the sun on deck or on the beach. We recommend that you bring along enough film for the duration of your cruise, in addition to a spare set of batteries. These items are more expensive on board or in port than at home.

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Motion Sickness

This has become less of a problem over the last several years as all cruise ships are now equipped with stabilizers to lessen the roll of the ship. Once the ship is underway, these "wings" swing out into place and allow the ship to move smoothly through the ocean. The waters of the Caribbean are comparatively shallow and generally do not get very rough. If you normally do not get motion sickness in a car or airplane, chances are you won't have problems on a cruise ship.

If you do have problems, try one of the following:

Dramamine or Bonine - These medications tend to make you drowsy. It is not a good idea to combine them with alcohol. Consult a physician about these medications and about other potential side effects.

Shots - Available from the ship doctor. These are for extreme cases of motion sickness and take effect very quickly. There is typically a $15 charge.

TransDerm Scop Patches - See your doctor for a prescription for this product. Note that there are some side effects.

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Customs

You will be required to fill out a customs declaration on the morning of debarkation from the ship. This is not optional. This should be filled out completely (declaring whatever purchases you have made) and then given to the customs official as you debark the ship. Only one member per family will be required to fill out this form.

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Payment Plan

If you should need the option of a payment plan, we have a lay-a-way plan for you, after your initial deposit of $150.00 you can choose your payment amounts per person to be billed on your credit card. Which will be made in 30-day increments until paid in full or by May 1st whichever comes first. All details can be found on the Online Booking Form

Shipboard Facilities

Cruise ships have truly become floating resorts, as more and more facilities are added to keep passengers healthy and happy. Today there are workout facilities with the latest exercise equipment, glamorous spas at sea, aerobics and other dance classes, whirlpools, saunas and massage therapy. In addition to the traditional shuffleboard and skeet shooting, many ships offer table tennis, jogging tracks, basketball, paddle tennis, volleyball, golf ball driving and simulators.

Quiet areas abound. The library is a good place to start - you can browse through the latest best sellers, or check one out to keep for the duration of your cruise. Bridge and Backgammon fans will want to find the card and game room. One of the staff will be happy to arrange some good competition for you.

If you intend to do nothing on board but find a nice watering hole, you're in the right place. There are plenty of locations on board and you should find a favorite spot in no time. You might enjoy a poolside bar or a piano bar.

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Can Children Go On The Cruise?

Yes! Children can sail with us. Cruise line has a kid camp which provides daily activities for Toddles (ages 2 - 5), Juniors (ages 6 - 8), Intermediates (ages 9 - 11), Teens (ages 12 - 14) and Teens (ages 15 - 17) and provide babysitting service for when, you want a late evening out.

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Updated Passport Information

U.S. citizens taking “closed-loop” cruises are not required to have a passport, but will need proof of citizenship such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization, a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) as well as a government-issued photo ID. Children are also required to bring proof of citizenship, and if 16 and over, a photo ID is also required. Canadian and Bermudian citizens are required to have a passport for air, land and sea travel, including all cruise lines.

Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking “closed loop” cruises, we strongly recommend all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel). Having a passport will enable guests to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event they miss their scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if they need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.

Nautical Glossary

ABBREVIATIONS

MS - Motor Ship

MTS - Motor Turbine Ship

MV - Motor Vessel

TSS - Turbine Steamship

SS - Steamship

USS - United States Ship

HMS - Her Majesty's Ship (England)

RMS - Royal Mail Ship (England)

ABEAM - anything perpendicular to the structure of the ship; off the side.

AFT - toward the rear of the vessel or to the stern.

AMIDSHIPS - in the middle of the vessel.

BALLAST - weight placed in the ship to keep her on an even keel when empty.

BEAM - width of ship at the widest point.

BEARING - compass direction expressed in degrees.

BERTH - nautical term for bed in your cabin or where vessel docks in port.

BOW - the forward part of the ship.

BRIDGE - ship's command center located above and forward of the passenger areas. Passengers are sometimes admitted with special invitation.

BULKHEAD - wall-like construction inside a vessel for subdividing space.

DECK - each floor of a ship.

DISEMBARK or DEBARK - to get off a ship

DRILL - any exercise ordered by the captain, like the lifeboat drill on the first evening out.

EMBARK - to board a ship.

FATHOM - a measure of six feet; used in determining the depth of water by soundings.

FLAGS - ships talk to each other with flags in an international code of signals that all nations understand. While the flag hoisted on a private yacht might say "Come over for a drink," the signals on a large ship leaving port will show if a pilot is on board and what type of cargo is carried. Signal flags are never flown at sea, except when a vessel is in distress. The ship's country of registry is flown from the stern, and her country of destination appears from the yardarms of the foremast.

FREE PORT - a port not included in customs territory, or one that is free from import taxes. St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands is a free port.

GALLEY - the kitchen.

GANGWAY - the bridge between ship and shore. Also called the gangplank as historically it was nothing more than a plank of wood.

GROSS REGISTERED TON - a measure of the size of a ship in terms of displacement. One hundred cubic feet equals one gross registered ton.

HELM - the entire steering apparatus of the ship.

KNOT - a unit of speed. One knot equals one nautical mile (6080.2 feet), or approximately 1.15 land miles per hour. The speed of a vessel is measured in knots.

LEAGUE - a unit of distance. In English-speaking countries, a league is 3.45 nautical miles.

LEEWARD - the direction toward which the wind blows.

PILOT - a representative of the local port authority who comes aboard ship to aid in the final arrival.

PITCH - the rise and fall of the ship in the water.

PORT - the left side of the ship (when looking forward) also indicated by the red navigational light.

PORTHOLE - the round window on a ship.

REGISTRY - certificate of ownership.

ROLL - the sideways motion of the ship.

SHE - ships are always considered members of the female gender.

STABILIZER - a retractable fin extending into the water on either side of the vessel to ensure smooth sailing.

STARBOARD - the right side of the ship (while looking forward), also indicated by a green navigational light.

STERN - the rear section of the vessel