TIPS FOR FIRST TIME CRUISERS

Because of 9/11/2001 things have changed in the Travel Industry. It is for your and my protection so don't get upset it takes longer to go through lines at the Airport or Cruise Terminals.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a new ruling that goes into effect on February 18, 2008, which mandates that all guests embarking on a cruise from a U.S. port be checked-in and onboard their ship at least one hour prior to ship's departure. To comply with this mandate and ensure that there is ample time for check-in, Most Cruise Lines now require that all guests be checked in 90 minutes prior to the ship's scheduled departure. Guests arriving later than the 90 minutes check-in time will be denied boarding.

In addition to your cruise documents, DON’T FORGET 2 PROOFS OF CITIZENSHIP FOR EVERYONE IN YOUR PARTY, children must have a birth certificate. These would include a certified copy of your birth certificate with a raised seal AND a picture ID such as a drivers license or a STATE ID card. A current or recently expired passport supersedes all other identification and may be accepted alone without other types of ID. A DRIVERS LICENSE alone is not sufficient proof of citizenship, nor is a voters registration card accepted anymore. Non US citizens must consult with the department of immigration for proper identification requirements.

Many cruise lines will let you "run a tab" onboard the ship for bar purchases, soft drinks, souvenirs, to pay for shore excursions, etc, which you can settle by credit card , travelers check or cash. The purser’s office will also cash travelers checks for you. In addition, most of the duty-free shops onboard and most shops in port will also cash travelers checks. In addition, most of the duty-free shops onboard and most shops in port will accept major credit cards as well as American dollars or travelers checks. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CASH PERSONAL CHECKS ONBOARD THE SHIP.

You will receive information onboard the ship about this, but it is generally suggested that you tip $2.50-3.00 per day* to your cabin steward and waiter, and $1.50-$2.00 per day* (*per person in your party) to your busboy. If you use the services of the wine steward or ask the maitre’d to assist in planning a birthday or special occasion cake in the dining room, it is appropriate to tip him whatever you think appropriate. When you see what excellent service you get and how friendly and helpful your waiter, steward and busboy are, I’m sure you will agree that they deserve this gratuity. If for some reason you are not satisfied with the service you are receiving, please bring it to the attention of the chief cabin steward, maitre’d or pursers desk. We want you to enjoy your cruise and this should not detract from it. On cruises of 10 days or less, it is customary to tip on the last evening and envelopes will be provided for you.

On 90% of the ships, absolutely not! Only on the very upscale ships will you see the majority of the passengers in formal wear on "formal" nights. If you have a tux, by all means take it and if you’re dying to wear the dress you bought for that black tie affair, take it along, but "formal" is real a misnomer. A dark suit and tie for the men and a "dressy" Sunday dress or pant suit are entirely appropriate for the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party and Farewell Dinner. On other evenings a sport shirt and casual dress or pants outfit is entirely appropriate, but please no shorts.

Ships today are so well stabilized that most of the time you won’t notice you are even moving! It’s a good idea though to take along some Dramamine (follow the directions on the box) or Bonine, which I prefer, as well as aspirin and sunscreen. If you do have a problem onboard, all ships have a doctor and a nurse aboard. And be sure not to forget any prescription drugs you are taking. These should be put in your carry-on-luggage.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY LUGGAGE AFTER I LEAVE IT AT THE AIRPORT (OR PORT, IF YOU ARE DRIVING)?

If you are using the cruise line’s airfare program, you will affix the luggage tags sent with your cruise documents and check your luggage at the airport. The next time you see it will be in your cabin! There are a few ports where you will need to claim your luggage at the airport--this will be indicated in your cruise documents and, again, call me if you have any questions. If you are flying but NOT using the cruise line’s airfare program you still need to affix your cruise line tag but you will need to claim your own luggage at the airport baggage area when you arrive in your port city and take it with you to the port. If you are driving to the port, you will check your luggage when you arrive at the port, and they will take your bags to your cabin. It’s a good idea to check your cabin about 1/2 hour before sailing to be sure your luggage has arrived and to check with your steward or the purser’s office if it is not there. They have thousands of bags to deliver to cabins and it does take a while. The most important thing is your luggage tag -- without it, how will they know where to find you?

On the last night of your cruise you will be asked to put your luggage (except your carry-on bags) outside your cabin so that it can be taken to the holding area, and off loaded early the next morning. You will claim your bags in the customs area, don’t worry all this will be explained on the ship.

You can be reached through the High Seas Operator at 1-800-SEA-CALL while the ship is at sea, but remember to leave the name of the ship you are sailing on with your family or whoever you need to. Some cruise lines have several ships sailing each week and they will need to have the ships name. You will also be able to make calls through the radio room (while at sea, for a charge) or you can call direct from the ports of call.

HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON ONBOARD THE SHIP, OR FIND OUT ABOUT SHORE EXCURSIONS?

There will be all kinds of "goodies" about this in your cabin when you arrive ,depending on the Cruise Line and prior to sailing is a good time to explore and get your bearings as to where the dining room, gym, lounges, ect. are located. There will be a daily program of activities put in your cabin each night for the next day. For first timers I suggest you attend the "shore excursion talk" or at least part of it, and the debarkation talk, both of which will be listed on the daily program, These are very informative and all the cruise directors do a pretty good job of making the fun, also!!

A lot of that is really up to you! Most ships include a program of their shore excursions with your cruise documents but if not, you will have one in your cabin when you board the ship. Lots of the sailing and snorkeling excursions are lots of fun and much easier that trying to arrange them yourself. Some of the islands/ports that are easy to explore on your own (by cab, or even on foot in some places) are: St. Thomas, Grand Cayman, Key West, Freeport, Cozumel, San Juan, Bermuda, Canadian ports especially Quebec City, Greneda and St. Barts. If you’re not the real adventurous type, consider a shore excursion in at least one port. We have lots of information on all the Caribbean islands, Cozumel/Cancun, Bermuda, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada, so if you’d like to get a little more information before you go, just E- Mail us at: The Travel Tailor .

If your cruise documents have not arrived ten days before your departure date please let me know. When they arrive, please check them IMMEDIATELY to be sure they show your correct name, ship, sailing date and cabin number (if you have been assigned a cabin at booking). Also be sure your airline tickets if applicable, are accurate and reflect the correct name transport to the correct port. If you are using the cruise line air program you should also have vouchers for transportation from the airport to the port and back. All document packages should contain luggage tags and many will also include form to fill out for boarding passes, on board credit programs. All of these should be filled out before you leave. If you think you are missing anything or would like me to go over them with you, E- Mail us at: The Travel Tailor .

If I don’t talk to you before you leave, BON VOYAGE!! Please contact us when you get back and let us know what a great time you had. It’s feedback from our clients that helps us assist all of you in making good choices for your cruise vacations!

P.S. If you are using the cruise line’s airfare program, be sure to check your cruise documents for voucher for transportation from the airport to the pier. When you disembark the plane, look for a representative from the cruise line you are sailing on near the gate or at the end of the concourse. They will direct you to the bus or van. If you don’t happen to see them right away(and this rarely occurs) just ask a rep from one of the other cruise lines to "point the way"!! Sometimes one person has to meet two planes at once and all the cruise people help each other out at the airport.

	* 8 Fabulous Meals a day	* Las Vegas-Style Shows
	* Exciting Casino Action	* Fantastic Destinations
	* 24-Hour Room Service	* Onboard Activities