Cruise Vacations Guidebook
Cruise vacations are more affordable and more accessible today than ever before.
Airline Tickets
When your cruise fare includes air transportation, the cruise line decides the air carrier and flight times. The exact flight times, flight numbers and the airline carrier are generally not available until 15 days prior to your cruise. We do not have access to this information until the cruise line arranges your air itinerary and mails the cruise documents to our offices.
If you accept the airline tickets as issued, you are treated as a priority customer by the airlines, and your flight schedule is monitored by the ship; and if the flight is delayed, the ship may delay its departure. However, if you make any changes to the original airline tickets, you are on your own. The cruise line can't keep track of changes in your flight arrangements and the cruise line will not be responsible for delays, cancelled flights, etc..
Arrive Early
Plan to arrive at the port three to four hours before your ships' departure time. This will allow plenty of time for pier-side documentverification a chance to put your luggage away in your cabin, check out the ship, and participate in "Welcome Aboard Orientation and Activities".
Dining
Most ships have two dinner seatings. early 6:00 to 6:30 or late dining 8:00 to 8:30. Even though we have requested your dining preferences with the cruise line, it is recommended that you confirm your dining preferences with the Matre d' upon boarding. If you have any special seating requests, remember a nice gratuity goes a long way. Tipping: It is customary on the last day of your cruise to extend your gratuities to ship personnel providing personal services during your cruise.
What To Wear
Casual clothing for ship and shore is in order for daytime activities. Comfortable flat heeled shoes are a must. Be sure to pack a bathing suit and take protective type clothing to pool or beach and do bring along a good sun screen as the hot sun can give you a sunburn in a relatively short time.
Dinner Attire
Jacket and tie are requested on some ships for gentlemen and pant-suit, dress or skirt and blouse are suggested for ladies. For the Captains" "Welcome Aboard" cocktail party and "Formal Nights" gentlemen are usually requested to wear a dark suit and tie or dinner jacket, ladies may wear a long or short party or evening dress. If in doubt as to what is the required dress on your ship, check the brochure.
Shore Excursions and Land Tours
Shore excursions and land tours are available at most ports of call. Costs and details are available aboard ship either at the Pursers' office or the Shore Excursion office; or you can ask your Cruise Consultant prior to your cruise for details. Cancellation Policies: Every cruise line has a slightly different cancellation policy, but all have penalties for cancellation. Please be sure you understand the cancellation policies of the cruise line. Please call us if you questions.
Vacation and Travel Insurance
Most Travel Insurance Plans include - Trip Cancellation & Interruption, Missed Connections, Travel Delay, Medical, Baggage, Travel Accident, Travel Help, Medical Help & Medical Transportation. The protection plan is optional; however we strongly recommend you purchase it.
Most personal health insurance plans that you may currently have do not cover medical expenses incurred outside the United States, and almost none provide funds for medical evacuation back to a U.S. hospital where you can receive the proper care and treatment for your illness or injury.
Medical evacuation is extremely expensive ($5000 or more) to be air-lifted to a U.S. hospital; and many carriers will refuse to provide services without proof of insurance. You may be able to purchase a travel insurance plan up to and including your Trip Departure Date.
Contact our expert travel insurance planners for assistance and additional information.
Special Travel Requests
Any special dietary, medical requests or disability access must be made in writing at the time of booking. The cruise line will make every effort to accommodate such requests. If you have any questions regarding your ship, itinerary, shore excursions or booking additional passengers, please contact our expert travel planners immediately for assistance.
Ten Reasons a Cruise is the Best Vacation Value for You
Ten Reasons a Cruise Vacation is Superior to Other Vacations
How to Choose the Right Cruise Vacation
Choosing a cruise vacation for yourself, your family or group presents more options (or obstacles) than ever before.
Before Your Cruise
Prepare and protect your home while on vacation
Give it a chew toy and tell it you'll be home real soon. Just kidding. But there are some helpful - and important - things you can do in and around your home to make sure it stays happy while you're away.
1. Make sure someone is taking care of the pets. Get a friend or neighbor to feed the fish, walk the dog and water your plants. Then they'll be tip-top when you return.
2. Put your lights and/or radio on a timer. People shouldn't be able to tell you're away just by looking at your house. A simple timer can turn the lights and a radio or TV on after dark.
3. Make sure someone gets your mail/newspapers. Same reason as #2. Plus, there's only so much mail the carrier will jam into your mailbox. You could also have the post office hold your mail from 3 to 30 days.
4. Check your thermostat settings. If there's no one home to enjoy the heat or a/c, turn it off before you go or set your thermostat to its recommended temperatures.
5. Change the settings on your answering machine. A constantly ringing phone could annoy your neighbors and let strangers know you're away.
6. Make sure everything that needs to be off is off. Your vacation should be worry-free, and that includes thoughts like "did I leave the stove on?" Double-check before you go. You can even unplug non-essential appliances like your computer, TV and other electronics.
7. Get rid of perishable items and leftovers. No one wants to come home to fuzzy things in the fridge. If it's uneaten the night before you go, just toss it.
8. Turn the water off. Close the water valves for your sinks, dishwasher and clothes washer. That way nothing can leak and make a mess while you're not home.
9. Keep track of your house keys. When you don't use them for a week or more, it's easy to forget where you stuck them. Find a spot in your carry-on luggage where they'll be safe for the duration of your trip.
Onboard Your Cruise Ship
On Land (Excursions, Tours and more)
On Land (Excursions, Tours and more)
Cruising Health and Safety
Tips and advice on enjoying great health while on your cruise ship or excursion.
Tips for Great Health on Your Cruise Vacation
Each year millions of U.S. citizens enjoy cruise vacations. In 2005, approximately 10 million passengers embarked from North American ports for their cruise vacation and that number is steadily rising.
Traveling on cruise ships exposes people to new environments and high volumes of people, including other travelers. In all instances where there is close contact with others whether at work, at school or on a cruise vacation, it is important that proper health and hygiene procedures be followed in order to protect your health and that of your family.
Follow these simple tips to help prevent the spread of illness:
- Wash your hands!
- Before and after
- eating
- smoking
- social interactions involving physical contact with others
- use of common areas, pools etc.
- After
- touching your face,
- going to the bathroom
- When your hands are dirty.
- Before and after
- Leave the area if you see someone get sick. Report to cruise staff, if not already notified.
- Take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest, drink lots of water (preferably bottled).
- Resting helps rebuild your immune system. Drinking water helps prevents dehydration.
- Be considerate of other people’s health. If you’re ill before taking a cruise, call the cruise line to determine if there are alternative cruising options.
How to properly wash your hands:
- Wet your hands with warm water.
- Apply a generous amount of soap.
- Rub your hands together for 20 seconds.
- Rinse your hands.
- Dry your hands with a paper towel.
- Use the paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.
What about alcohol-based hand sanitizers?
- CDC recommends that cruise ship passengers use warm water and soap to wash their hands. Washing is always best.
- If water and soap are NOT available (perhaps on excursions), use an ethanol alcohol-based (a minimum 62%) hand sanitizer, preferably in a gel form.
If you're sick, report your illness.
Before your voyage:
- Ask your cruise line if there are alternative cruising options.
- Consult a doctor to find out whether it is safe for you to sail.
During your voyage:
visit the ship's medical facility and follow the medical staff's recommendations.
Avoid eating or drinking anything that you think will make you sick.
While cruise ships are renowned for their world class food, the situation may be different while on an excursion. Pay attention to food before eating and don't eat anything you think might make you sick.