What are the benefits of cruising over other types of travel?
Sure, there are pros and cons to all types of travel, but cruising has become a popular option for a number of reasons:
***With so much included in the price - like meals, onboard performances and more - cruising offers tons of bang for your buck. ***A variety of onboard and onshore activities make cruising fun for everyone from spa-lovers to adventure-seekers to sun worshipers. ***Traveling from port to port is a snap, no need to worry about directions or unpacking. You'll wake up in an amazing new place, refreshed and ready to explore.
2.
What does the price of my cruise include?
The price of your cruise vacation includes:
***Ship accommodations ***
Ocean transportation ***
Most meals onboard ***
Some beverages onboard ***
Most entertainment onboard
The following services are not included in the cruise price:
***Dining in Specialty Restaurants such as Portofino ***
Dining in Johnny Rockets (Where applicable) ***
Spa and Salon services ***
ShipShape Fitness Classes (i.e. kickboxing, pilates, yoga and spinning) ***
Golf Simulator ***
Gambling (Including Bingo) ***
Art Auction ***
Any purchases made in the gift shops onboard ***
Shore excursions ***
Photographs ***
Video Arcade ***
Medical Services ***
Internet Access ***
Transfers (Unless guest has purchased our air/sea package) ***
Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services ***
Ship to Shore Telephone calls ***
Gratuities ***
Alcoholic Beverages ***
Non-Alcoholic Beverages (excluding water, lemonade and iced tea)
3.
During the cruise, what will I need with me to get back on the ship?
At the pier, you will receive a SeaPass card once you're all checked in. The SeaPass card is one of the most important things you'll have onboard - besides your camera and sunscreen. Your SeaPass works as:
***Your room key ***
Your boarding pass at all ports of call ***
Our Specialty Restaurants - like Chops Grille or Portofino - offer amazing food in a restaurant atmosphere.
Be sure to keep it with you at all times!
4.
How do I pay for onboard purchases?
All of International cruise ships operate on a "cashless" system, meaning your boarding card, (also known as your SeaPass card), will be used as a charge card to make all onboard purchases. Normally to activate this SeaPass account, most guests provide a credit card, (American Express, Optima, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and Diner's Club), to have these purchases charged to at the end of their cruise. Additionally, the SeaPass system may be activated with traveler's checks, debit cards or cash.
A running tab of all your purchases will be kept under separate folio numbers for each guest and an itemized statement left in your stateroom the night before disembarkation. If you provided a credit card and there are no discrepancies, the amount will be charged to your account on the morning of disembarkation. If you have used traveler's checks or cash to activate the account, you will need to settle the account at the Guest Relations desk, (to either receive a reimbursement of the unused amount you originally left or to pay the balance of what you have charged over the amount of what you originally left).
5.
What are the different types of staterooms/suites?
We group our onboard accommodations into four categories:
All of our accommodations are designed to be comfortable places you can kick back and relax in after a day of adventure. Our staterooms and suites vary by ship, but every room offers a television, telephone, private bath, shower, vanity and a hair-dryer. And depending on your stateroom/suite category, you're accommodations many include other amenities such as bathrobes, sitting areas, even a whirlpool tub!
6.
What are the dress codes onboard?
There are three distinct types of evenings onboard: casual, smart casual and formal. Suggested guidelines for these nights are:
***Casual: Sport shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women ***
Smart Casual: Jackets and ties for men, dresses or pantsuits for women ***
Formal: Suits and ties or tuxedos for men, cocktail dresses for women
7.
What safety features do you have onboard?
Each ship has enough lifeboats to accommodate 100 % of the maximum number of guests allowed to be carried onboard. Additionally, each ship has inflatable life rafts that provide extra capacity.
Our ships have modern, up-to-date navigation equipment that enable us to detect potential dangers and our Navigation Officers receive specialized additional training on navigation safety.
8.
What is the Smoking Policy onboard?
Effective January 2008, smoking is only permitted in designated areas and outdoors on the Starboard side of the ship (contact the Guest Relations Desk for details). Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, theater, hallway or corridor. Smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom, however, it is permitted on private outdoor balconies of balcony staterooms. A $250 penalty will be applied to the SeaPass for guests found smoking in staterooms. Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard. A guest must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess or use tobacco onboard.
9.
Is there a licensed medical staff onboard?
We have fully licensed doctors, and nurses onboard every ship.
10.
What happens if I get sick onboard ?
Should you get sick onboard, you will need to go to the medical facilities. The doctor will diagnose the illness and advise accordingly.
11.
When and how can I disembark?
Once the ship has received proper clearance from the port, disembarkation can begin. Specific disembarkation details will be delivered to you on the ship.
12.
What do I do with my luggage?
Your luggage - with the exception of your carry on - will need to be set outside of your stateroom the night before departure. Generally, by 12:00 midnight. Please consult your daily "Cruise Compass" guide for the exact time. On departure day, you will claim your luggage in the baggage claim area of the pier terminal.
13.
Can I take my pets onboard?
For safety reasons, it is absolutely forbidden to take pets and/or any other animal onboard cruise ships.
14.
What should I wear on a cruise?
Light, casual clothing for everyday wear. Make sure you dress comfortably. Take a costume along, as all our ships have swimming pools. As regards footwear, you should wear comfortable shoes for our land excursions and sandals or rubber-soled shoes for walking on deck. If you like keeping fit and taking part in sports activities, take the sportswear and gym shoes you might need. We recommend a hat or visor against the sun.
15.
What documents do I need?
Every passenger must make sure he has the identity document, valid for travel, required for the selected cruise.
Otherwise the passenger will not be allowed to embark ship. In this case, a refund for the cruise ticket will not be authorised.
16.
Can I go on a cruise if I am pregnant?
Women who are at the most 28 weeks pregnant at the end of the cruise may travel on our ships, submitting a medical certificate confirming her fitness to travel at the time of booking.
17.
Baggage disembarkation procedure
Certain disembarkation formalities and procedures are envisaged for the end of the cruise. The day before disembarking, all necessary information will be printed on the Program for the Day. The Cruise Director and his staff will thoroughly explain how to accomplish these tasks simply and rapidly. We have planned a specific order of disembarkation to facilitate those passengers who have other connections to make. At the end of the cruise, the Customs and Immigration officials will come onboard to authorise disembarkation. In compliance with customs regulations, all baggage must be removed from the ship before disembarkation. This is done as quickly as possible, and the baggage may be collected in the port's customs hall. The day before disembarking we will leave coloured labels, to be affixed to your luggage, in your room. These labels must be filled in with your data (name and address) and affixed to your luggage, which must be left outside your cabin the night before disembarkation. The luggage will be collected, stored safely and taken off the ship on arrival. It will be put through regular customs checks, where the relevant authorities may ask you to open it. We suggest you place all documents and valuables in your hand luggage.
18.
Tips
It is an international custom to tip restaurant and cabin staff at the end of a cruise, as a sign of appreciation for services rendered.
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