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.