What does
my cruise price include?
Your cruise includes shipboard accommodations, meals, activities,
and entertainment aboard the vessel. In addition to the cruise
fare, your total cruise will include port charges, and Federal
Departure Taxes. If you are purchasing an Air/Sea Package, your
fare will also include the air fare, and Federal Security Tax.
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What does my cruise price not include?
Your cruise price does not include organized shore excursions,
alcoholic beverages or carbonated soft drinks, photographs, gratuities,
spa and beauty treatments, medical services, casino expenditures
or other miscellaneous items of personal nature. Cruiselines have
enhanced the dining experience with various specialty dining venues
ranging from coffee & ice cream shops to restaurants, and
some of these specialty venues charge extra.
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What is the difference between the types
of accommodations?
There are four basic types of accommodations on today's ships:
Suites range from
a junior suite to the 'master' suite. Suites are larger than the
other types of accommodations, have balconies, private bathrooms,
and some have grand pianos, private whirlpools, dining room tables,
entertainment centers, bars, butler service, and other special
amenities, depending on the cruiseline, and ship.
Balcony Staterooms
are ocean-view staterooms with private balconies/vedrandas that
enable you to have more privacy. Due to customer demands/trends,
new cruise ships are built with Balcony Staterooms occupying a
larger proportion of the ship's total staterooms.
Oceanview (Outside)
Staterooms have either a window or porthole. Regardless of the
deck, these staterooms tend to be the same size (square feet),
and design. Their prices vary based on the type of stateroom (Oceanview,
Oceanview with obstructed view, porthole), and the location (the
lower the deck, the more economical).
Interior/Inside
Staterooms are designed without a view. These staterooms occupy
the same square fotage and design as the Oceanview Staterooms,
but will have artwork or draperies in place of the window. Picture
a walk-in closet.
Regardless of the
type of accommodations selected, every passenger experiences the
same dining. activities, entertainment, and onboard facilities.
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Should I buy travel insurance?
ITW recommends the purchase of travel insurance, as some things
cannot be anticipated. Trip insurance will cover you if you have
to cancel due to injury, sickness, or death to you, a traveling
companion, or family member. It does not cover unstable, preexisting
medical conditions. It will cover you should a medical emergency
occur on your trip. If you cancel your vacation for a covered
reason, or incur medical expenses while on your trip, you would
need to pay these fees in advance and then file a claim for reimbursement.
ITW highly recommends the purchase of travel insurance:
for active vacationers, when traveling to historical areas where
there are "ruins" (slippery when wet) such as in Europe,
and the Mayan Ruins in Mexico.
All ITW's Suppliers
(cruiselines, tour operators, etc.) offer travel insurance.
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Are cruise itineraries subject to change?
Yes, all cruise itineraries are subject to change. Guest safety
is the number one priority for the cruise lines. On rare occasions,
weather conditions, adverse political situations, and other unforeseen
circumstances require a change in itinerary. In these situations,
the cruise line staff will do everything in their power to visit
an alternate port of call.
For example, a ship originally scheduled to cruise the Eastern
Caribbean may choose to cruise the Western Caribbean upon a hurricane
occurring in the Eastern Caribbean.
Example: Ships
replace a port of call in Haiti with a port of call in the Bahamas
due to political instability in Haiti.
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Will I get bored or feel confined? What
type of Activities?
Not likely. Cruise ships are like floating resorts and offer just
as many options as a fine resort. It usually takes a couple of
days to fully explore all the onboard possibilities. In addition,
you have the opportunity to explore new and exciting ports of
call. You can take time to yourself lying poolside on a deck chair
or you can join a dance class or sports activity. Later, catch
a movie or play backgammon. View the 100
Onboard Activities
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How do I hear about organized activities?
Children's Activities?
A Daily Activities Sheet will be placed in your stateroom describing
the following day's activities, dining times, evening entertainment,
the casino, nightclub, and port information. Daily Activities
Sheets per Age Categories are also available for Children's Activites
Most cruise lines
have supervised activities for the kids. Choose from swimming,
sports, movies, and games. The cruise staff will keep them busy
so you don't have to worry. Some children may be considered too
young to participate in these programs.
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When can I board the ship?
Embarkation normally begins approximately 4 hours prior to departure.
Passengers must be aboard no later than 30 minutes prior to sailing.
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What about my medication?
Please carry any medication in its original bottle. It is recommended
that medication be carried in your pocket or purse so that it
will be available when needed. Checked luggage may not be accessible
at all times. If you're using any prescription drugs, vitamins
or other medication on a regular basis, you should bring an adequate
supply with you. Many types of medication may not be readily available
either aboard ship or in ports of call. Commonly used medication
may be purchased at the office of the ship's doctor.
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What about electrical appliances?
Electric razors and hair dryers can be brought with you. Staterooms
for most cruise lines are equipped with 110 volts AC and are capable
of handling all normal appliances. Some appliances may require
the use of an adapter.
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How do I get to the ship & Can
I park at the pier?
If you have air through the cruise line, you will be met by a
representative from the cruise line. The representative will meet
you by the baggage claim and escort you to the transfer shuttle
that travels from the airport to the pier and back again after
the cruise. Most cruise lines offer these shuttles for an additional
cost to passengers providing their own air.
If you are driving to the pier, see Driving
Directions & Parking
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Can I bring visitors on the ship?
For safety and security reasons, no visitors are allowed on board.
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Will I get seasick?
Seasickness is rare on larger cruise ships because they are equipped
with stabilizers which are designed to minimize the feeling of
movement. If you should feel queasy, medicine is available from
your stateroom steward or the ship doctor. If you are prone to
motion sickness, you may want to consult your physician prior
to travel.
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How do I pay for onboard purchases?
For your convenience, you may charge most of your purchases on
board. A personal account will be set up when you board and purchases
will be billed automatically to your major credit card. If you
do not have a credit card, you may use a cash deposit. The amount
of this deposit varies from cruise line to cruise line, usually
ranging from $100 for the week to $100 per day. Traveler's checks
may be cashed at the purser's desk to pay off your onboard account
if you don't want the charges to be applied to your credit card.
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What are the tipping guidelines?
Gratuities may be prepaid prior to your cruise. Otherwise, cruiselines
automatically charge the daily gratuities to your onboard account.
Should you elect to pay gratuities in the traditional manner,
the following guidelines are suggestions only. Please remember
to recognize outstanding service. Waiters and stateroom stewards
$3.00-3.50 per passenger per day, Assistant Waiters $1.50-2.00
per passenger per day. Head Waiters $2.50 per passenger per day
as your discretion. A 15% gratuity is added to all bar and wine
checks.
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What are my dining options? Alternative
dining options?
Most cruise lines offer two seatings for the main dining room:
Main Seating (starts 6:00 pm or 6:30 pm) and Late Seating (starts
8:00 pm or 8:30 pm). Dining preferences may be requested at the
time of the booking. No requests are guaranteed. Your seating
and table assignment will be confirmed at embarkation. Either
seating will allow you to see all the shows and experience everything
your cruise has to offer. For your convenience, in addition to
breakfast, lunch, dinner, and midnight buffets, many ships also
offer complimentary room service. Low-fat and vegetarian entrees
are often offered at lunch and dinner. In addition to the traditional
seatings, cruise lines offer alternative dining options which
provides you with the flexibility to dine when they wish, to choose
your dinner companions and request specific table sites rather
than being assigned to a particular time and table for the duration
of the cruise.
Due to the popularity
of alternative dining, ITW recommends that you make your dining
reservations for "alternative dining only" as soon as
you board the ship.
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I'm on a special diet. Can I get special
meals on board?
Low-sodium meals, kosher meals, and certain other diet-restricted
meals will be available. Dietary requests should be made at the
time of booking.
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What if I am celebrating my birthday/anniversary?
If you'd like to celebrate an anniversary or birthday on the ship,
we can add that to your reservation in advance or you can let
the maitre d' know. The cruise lines love to celebrate with you.
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What is a Muster Drill, and do I have
to go?
These are commonly referred to as lifeboat drills. Everyone on
board the ship is required to be in attendance for a compulsory
safety drill before departure to comply with Coast Guard and international
safety regulations.
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Can we stay in touch with the outside?
Internet? Business Services?
Most ships have televisions in the rooms plus a daily newsletter
with headlines. There are either phones in the rooms or you can
have the ship's radio operator contact the mainland for you. Also
many ships offer fax capabilities, internet lounges, or business
centers. There are charges to contact the mainland in any form.
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Are the casinos and shops open all day?
Shops and the casino are open while you are at sea; however, they
will be closed while the ship is in port.
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How do I pay for purchases in port?
Most shops accept major credit cards and traveler's checks. Some
ships and ports of call have ATMs; however, they may not always
be in service and fees are involved. It is not necessary to convert
your money in advance. Refer to U.S. Customs (see Travel Resources
above) to determine what products/$product purchases may enter
the United States.
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What can I do in port?
There's lots to do depending on your preference. Each port of
call offers a unique experience. You can explore on your own,
take the cruise line's organized shore excursions, browse the
many shops, relax at the beach, or take in some historical sites.
View the 100 Destination Activities.
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Do I have to get off of the ship at
each port of call?
Absolutely not! You can relax at the pool or participate in one
of the cruise line's organized activities. You can do anything
you wish.
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