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For Reservation
(714) 895-2588
Insurance is recommend
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 KNOW
before you go
Prior to Cruising
When
can I expect to receive my final documents?
Cruise vouchers will be sent to you via mail or email 2-3 weeks prior to
departure.
When will
my airline itinerary be made available?
Air arrangements purchased through the cruise line are generally made
available about 3 weeks prior to departure. Please note that air schedules
are booked at the discretion of the cruise line and cannot be changed. Anyone
requiring special itineraries/air carriers must arrange for custom air prior
to final payment. The minimum charge for custom air itineraries is $35-$50
per person and additional charges may apply. Custom air should be booked as
early as possible to insure flight availability. It is the traveler's
responsibility to confirm seat assignments and other special services, such
as special meals or wheelchair assistance directly with the airline.
Do I
need travel insurance?
Travel insurance can be purchased through the cruise line or Travel Guard
prior to final payment with us. The price will vary depending on the cost and
length of your cruise. It is strongly suggested that you purchase travel
insurance. Once you are within the final payment period the cruise lines will
impose strict cancellation penalties as outlined in their brochures. These
penalties will not be waived even for medical reasons. Please contact us for
further details.
Do I
need a passport?
This depends on the type of cruise and your destination. United States and Canadian citizens traveling
on an Alaska, Caribbean, Hawaii or Eastern Canada & New England
cruise must have a photo identification and proof of citizenship. On cruises
to most other destinations a valid passport will be required. Valid forms of
proof of citizenship include either an original or certified copy of birth
certificate or a U.S.
naturalization certificate. Visas may be required for entry to certain
countries.
Non-U.S. citizens who have previously been admitted to the United States
for permanent residence must carry their passport and Alien Registration
Receipt Card.
All other non-U.S./non-Canadian citizens must have valid passports and any
necessary visas. Such guests should verify carefully the existing identification
requirements for their particular travel situation, as these requirements may
change.
IMPORTANT: Guests arriving for embarkation without proper documentation may
be denied boarding and will not be entitled to a refund.
What
should I pack?
First and foremost, dress for comfort. Daily life aboard ship and in ports of
call is laid-back and casual. You are encouraged to wear whatever makes you
feel most comfortable: sportswear, shorts, slacks, sundresses and so on.
Warmer temperatures call for clothing made of lightweight, breathable
fabrics. For cooler temperatures we suggest casual clothes that can be
layered easily. On some days you may need a raincoat and waterproof hat or
umbrella. Gloves are a good idea as well. Footwear should include comfortable
walking shoes for visits ashore and sandals or rubber-soled shoes for
strolling on deck.
In the evening, ships vary as to dress. There are three types of
"evenings" on board - casual, smart casual and formal. On casual
nights, sport shirts and slacks are suggested for men; sundresses or pants
for women. On smart casual nights, dresses and pantsuits for women; jackets
and ties for men. For formal nights, women should wear cocktail dresses; men
should wear suits and ties or tuxedos (optional). But don't buy a tuxedo just
for the trip. If you do want to dress to the nines, many ships offer tuxedo
rental services. Even on the most formal of ships, a dark suit and tie are
fine for the dressiest occasions. Generally, three and four-night cruises
consist of one formal night and two or three casual nights. Seven-night
cruises include two formal nights, one smart casual night and four casual
nights. Ten, 11 and 12-night cruises consist of two formal nights, three
smart casual; all other nights are casual. 14 & 15 night cruises usually
have three formal nights, four semi-formal nights and the remainder is
casual. Again, these are guidelines and your evening’s attire is left up to
your discretion. In addition, most cruise lines offer alternative casual
dining for anyone who may prefer not to dine in the main restaurant.
Embarkation Day
Should I reconfirm my airline
reservations?
Since arrival and departure times are subject to last-minute changes by the
airlines, we recommend that you call your airline(s) 24 hours before your
initial flight departure to verify all the flight numbers, departure and
arrival times shown on your ticket. (Reconfirm international flights 72 hours
prior to your departure from home.) Plan to be at the airline counter at
least 1-1/2 hours before flight time for domestic flights and 2-1/2 hours
before flight time for international flights.
Is
parking available at the pier?
Parking available at most of the piers, for a minimal fee (usually about
$10/day). At some piers only cash is accepted.
How
do transfers work?
Most cruise lines include transfers between the airport and the pier on
embarkation/disembarkation day if you have purchased an air/sea package
directly with them. Passengers providing their own air must get their own
transportation to/from the pier. Prepaid transfers can be purchased
separately from most cruise lines. Flight information must be provided to the
cruise line with final payment if separate transfers have been purchased.
What
are the boarding procedures?
Generally, you will be allowed to board two or three hours before the ship
sails. Keep in mind that you must be on the ship at least one hour before
departure, and the gangway will be pulled thirty minutes before sailing.
Upon completion of check-in, you will receive a guest identification card.
This card will serve as your identification on-board. It will also serve as
your identification for security procedures when embarking and disembarking
the ship and when making purchases on board.
As you walk up the gangway, a member of the cruise staff will welcome you
aboard. Your luggage will be delivered to your cabin shortly after it arrives
at the ship. You carry nothing but your hand luggage. Once you are on board
you are free to explore the ship. Refreshments are available during
embarkation and most cruise lines offer a nice buffet lunch (depending on the
departure time).
What
is the visitor policy?
For security reasons most cruise lines have implemented a "no
visitor" policy aboard their vessels.
During Your Cruise
Can I use my hair dryer or shaver?
Most ships have 110-volt outlets in the staterooms. Many ships even feature
hair-dryers in your cabin.
Can
we stay in touch with the outside?
Quite easily. Most ships have a daily newsletter with news, headlines,
selected stock quotes and sports scores. Staterooms on many ships are even
equipped with televisions. While most ships now have telephones in passenger
cabins, you can also call someone on shore through the ship's radio operator
while at sea. And, you can make phone calls from most ports. In addition,
many ships have fax capabilities and internet access.
What
about tipping?
Tipping is a matter of individual preference. A general rule of thumb is to
plan for about $2.50 to $3.00 per person per day each for your room steward
and dining room waiter, and about half that amount for your busboy. (A few
cruise lines include tipping in the price and will so inform you.) Gratuities
are customarily given on the last evening of your cruise. On many cruise
lines it is now possible to prepay the above gratuities.
Other personnel such as bar waiters, bellboys and deck stewards may be tipped
as service is rendered. On most cruise lines a 15% gratuity is automatically
added to your on board account for beverage purchases which you may adjust
according to services rendered.
Are
there laundry services aboard?
Almost all cruise ships have laundry facilities and a great many provide
dry-cleaning services. There is, however, an additional charge for
professional laundry and dry-cleaning services. Most ships also have
self-service launderettes.
Can
we celebrate a "special" day?
All cruise lines will make your "special" day special. Most will
even treat you to a complimentary cake and a chorus of Happy Whatever to
honor the occasion.
Are
there medical services onboard?
Virtually every cruise ship (except for some smaller vessels operating in
coastal waters) has a fully-equipped medical facility and staff to handle
almost any emergency.
Your prescription medication should be kept close at hand in your purse or
carry-on bag rather than in your checked luggage. Be sure to bring a
sufficient supply of medication and transport it in the original container.
It is also a good idea to carry a written list of your medications in case
they are lost. The list should include the name of the drug, dosage, and
times taken.
Will I have a shipboard account?
Most cruise lines have set up a “cashless” system designed to make your life
on board as simple as possible. You simply sign a receipt for each of your
on-board purchases and then settle your shipboard account at the end of the
cruise. Cash, VISA, American Express, MasterCard, Discover, and personal or
traveler's checks are accepted as payment on most cruise lines.
What
is the shipboard check cashing policy?
Most cruise lines will cash traveler's checks. Personal checks cannot be
cashed and cash cannot be drawn from your shipboard account.
Do
the cruise lines offer shore excursions?
All cruise lines offer extensive shore excursion programs designed to enhance
your cruise experience. Shore excursions will help you make the most of your
time in port and provide you with the best transportation and guide services
available. For certain destinations, such as Europe,
tours can be pre-requested by completing the form found in the shore
excursion brochure sent to you 4-6 weeks prior to departure. On other cruises
you can book your tours through the shore excursion office once you are
on-board.
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