FACQ's
(Frequently Asked Cruise Questions)

What should I pack?

An old saying is, "Pack half as much clothes and twice as much money!" Packing smart will save you from carrying too much luggage and forgetting to bring the important items. Anything from your bathing suit to your suit for formal night could be left at home in the rush to pack. Consider making a list early. Visualize what you will be doing on this cruise and what you will be wearing during this activity. Add to your list 2 bathing suits, while one is drying you can wear the other one. Aqua shoes are very useful for walking on deck, along the beach or on shore excursions such as Dunns River Falls in Jamaica. You do not need to bring beach towels as these are provided for you as you leave the ship.

Disposable panoramic and under water cameras are wonderful items to take along!

Do I need a passport?

Yes! Starting January 1, 2007 everyone will need a passport to leave the country.

Early or Late Dining

If you are a Honeymoon couple or adults traveling with no children, you may prefer late dining. If you are a family traveling with children or seniors, you may wish early dining. Most of the children on board will be at the early dining. Since you have a number of options for breakfast and lunch, dinner is the only one you really need to consider. Look over your itinerary. Check when you leave the ports. Will you lose some valuable time in port by rushing back for early dining. Are you a night owl, or do you prefer to have an early dinner, followed by an early show, then off to bed for an early start in the morning? Consider every option before making you decision.

Helpful Hints!

Some cruisers love meeting new people and making what can be lifelong friendships. Others (like some honeymooners), may prefer to spend most of their time just enjoying each other. One good way to meet others is to ask your agent to have you seated at the largest (usually 8) possible table for dining.

You'll receive a shore excursion booklet with your documents. Read it before you leave home. Mark the tours you are interested in. Then talk to your travel agent to see if it's advisable to do a comparable tour on your own, at your leisure...possibly saving some money.

Bring your binoculars. You'll be glad you did when you cruise the Panama Canal, Alaska or many other wonderful itineraries.

Carry all valuables in hand luggage - money, travelers checks, medications, tickets, passports, jewelry, cameras - and keep that hand luggage with you until you can place the valuables in a safe.

Carry a change of clothing and some toiletries in your hand luggage. When you board the ship you can freshen up and change into "cruise wear without having to wait for your luggage to be delivered to your cabin.

Use the ships safe (or room safe if there is one) to store your valuables, and double check to be sure you've re-locked the safe after each use.

No matter where you are sailing, ships public areas can be chilly. Pack warm cover-ups to wear when returning wet from poolside to cabin, and plan properly for evening wear in the casino, lounge, showroom etc. Wear that pretty gown, but bring a shawl just in case.

ALWAYS use sunscreen when sailing warm weather ports. I've never been on a cruise where SOMEONE hasn't thought this necessary, and ruined his/her own vacation with a terrible sunburn.

Allow yourself plenty of time to return to the ship from port visits, and return well before sailing time. "Missing the Boat" is an expensive and unpleasant experience.

DON'T carry a purse in port. Use a fanny pack, and carry a minimum of cash. Use travelers checks and "plastic" for your purchases. Besides minimizing the risk of loss, having both hands free lets you buy more goodies! You can handle twice the packages!

If something displeases you let the purser (or person responsible) know right away so he can try to fix it then and there. Waiting till after your cruise won't fix the problem. Most lines on-board personnel will be more than willing to bend over backwards to make passengers happy.

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