Cruise Line Information

Accounts:

A credit system is widely used on the majority of Cruise Liners, and is operated for all onboard services with the exception for foreign currency exchange and 'games of chance'. Your account will be open from the time you embark the ship to disembarkation. At first, a swipe card will be issued at check-in and this will act as your onboard account card. You will then be requested to present your credit card at reception early in the cruise so that a swipe can be taken. This is necessary to avoid any queues to settle your account at the end of your cruise, and your account will be automatically debited after disembarkation.

You can check the balance of your account at any stage in the cruise; this is done by taking your swipe card to the reception desk.
The following credit cards are widely accepted among all cruise lines: American Express, Diners Club, Euro card, MasterCard and Visa. Visa Debit cards are also accepted. Unfortunately, the following cards are not always accepted: Maestro, Solo, Electron or travel agents ‘foreign exchange' debit cards / Traveller's cheque cards.

Depending on which Cruise Line you are travelling with, the currency onboard will either be Sterling, Euros or Dollars. This will have to be used if you are settling your onboard account in cash.

Cabins

From the moment you embark the ship staff will be waiting to welcome you and show you to your cabin. To open your cabin door you will be given either a swipe card or a key, and this is to be used for the duration of your cruise.

All cabins are provided with a welcome pack, which will contain all the necessary information including a ship guide.

Your cabin stewardess will replace any towels or linens when required and also keep your cabin in immaculate condition. The majority of vessels will offer complimentary cabin service for breakfast, lunch, dinner and also light snacks.

Children's Facilities:

Some ships are more dedicated to offering children's facilities than others please ask your cruise consultant for advice. Examples of family friendly cruise lines :
MSC

• All ships are family friendly - Kids cruise free all year round
• Age specific clubs - Mini (3-6yrs), Junior (7-12yrs), Teens (13-18yrs)
• New ships Fantasia/Splendida feature Aqua pool, 4D cinema & F1 Racing simulator
• Children's menu

P&O

• Full access to their age specific children's club's
• Wide range of activities & entertainment offered day & night.
• Night nursery for the under 5's
• Contemporary circus school (Ventura only)
• Five family friendly ships Azura, Aurora, Oceana, Oriana & Ventura.

NCL
OCEAN VILLAGE
ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Dining:

Dining differs from ship to ship. Some ships require you to request a dining time, if this is so then your cruise specialist will advise you of this when booking. However some ships offer a more flexible dining service, which may include buffets or a choice of specialty restaurants.

All Cruise lines will meet the majority of dining requirements such as fat-free, vegetarian or gluten-free. When booking your cruise, your cruise specialist will ask if you require any dietary requirements, this will enable the cruise line to prepare any special requests you may have.

Disembarkation:

Prior to the end of your cruise you will be issued a colour-coded disembarkation card. This card needs to be placed with your luggage on your last night of your cruise. You will then place your luggage outside your cabin door before midnight to allow the staff to prepare the luggage for disembarkation. This ensures that disembarkation is as easy and effective as possible. Don't forget to pack an overnight bag with clothes for disembarkation day!

In general, please allow two hours for disembarkation and plan your forward journey accordingly.

Once leaving the vessel please collect your luggage from the reclaim area in the terminal.

Assistance will be given to those passengers in wheelchairs.

Disabled Passenger Assistance

All cruise lines welcome any passengers with limited mobility, however all cruise lines request that an able-bodied companion is present. The number of wheel chairs on each ship may be limited; therefore most cruise lines respectfully require wheelchair users to bring onboard their own wheelchair. Regarding fly cruises, it is important for the wheelchair user to advise their cruise advisor immediately if they need assistance with aircraft steps so we can ensure suitable airport assistance is available.

Dress Code

Dress code differs from ship to ship, however common practice is as follows-

During the day
Casual dress, which may include short sleeved shirts, shorts and beachwear. However in the dining areas it is not appropriate to wear beachwear. Please note that the sun is much stronger at sea, therefore it is essential to bring sun cream, hat and sunglasses.
We also recommend that you take a lightweight jacket or fleece, depending on the itinerary.

Formal nights
For gentlemen it is appropriate to wear a tuxedo or dinner jacket, alternatively a dark suit and tie is also acceptable. For ladies, it is acceptable to wear a cocktail or evening dress.

Informal nights/Themed nights
Informal is more relaxed and casual, however beachwear and shorts may not be appropriate for dining. Some cruises have special themed evenings like British Night and make suggestions to wear items such as red, white & blue clothes.

Duty Free:

On the majority of cruise ships it is not permitted to bring aboard alcohol purchased ashore. Any alcohol brought from ashore will be placed in safe keeping by the ships security officers and returned at the end of your cruise. However you may purchase alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco onboard which may be consumed in your cabin.

All duty free must be personally carried and be for your own use - which includes gifts. When returning from EU countries there is no limit to the amount of goods you can bring back to the UK, however if you bring back large quantities of alcohol or tobacco a customs officer may ask you about the purposes for which you hold the goods.

The customs allowance for landing in the UK from non EU countries is:
200 cigarettes, or 250 grams of tobacco or 50 cigars plus one litre bottle of spirits and two bottles of still table wine, 60ml of perfume, 250ml of eau de toilette when purchased at tax free rates.

Please note on fly/cruises it is airport policy which applies.

Embarkation:

If you are booking your own flights to connect with the ship, please allow 4 to 5 hours connecting time between flights. This is to allow for any delays. Passengers on fly/cruises will receive full embarkation instructions with your ticket packet.

Embarkation generally commences 2-3 hours prior sailing. It is required that you check in no later than 1 hour prior to sailing. Exact details of embarkation will be included in your ticket pack.

On arrival to the cruise terminal you will be directed to the baggage drop off area. Porters will be on hand to take your luggage and they will ensure your luggage will be taken directly to your cabin, after security checks.

You will be required to provide your passports and tickets at check-in and this is when you will be issued with your ship pass and boarding card. Your ship pass will act as your security pass and onboard account card. Each time you embark or disembark you will need this pass as it will record whether you are on board or ashore. For security reasons it is strictly prohibited that no visitors are allowed onboard.

When embarking the ship your hand luggage may be scanned for security reasons. The Merchant Shipping Act prohibits the carrying of certain items on board ship which include:

• All firearms and ammunition, sporting weapons, replica firearms, and explosives of any kind.
• Knives and other sharp bladed weapons.
• Flammable substances (petrol, methylated spirit, paint thinners etc)
• Items containing incapacitating substances that could be used to maim or disable, such as gas cylinders, unless they form part of a ladies hairdressing kit.
• Any other item made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon.

Please note on fly/cruises airport policy applies. Exact details will be detailed with your flight tickets.

Family Cruising:

Today families are realising the ease and enjoyment of family cruising which offers the perfect setting for a reunion. With a Family Cruise you can be confident that a cruise ship is a safe and well cared for environment for your children. Nowadays only a small amount of cruise ships do not cater for families you can be sure there will be a variety of ships to choose from which will have ample facilities for children and families. Many of the cruise ships today include kids' menus, family friendly accommodation, child prices and kids zones with experienced children hosts to ensure your children are entertained, such as face painting, scavenger hunts, magic shows and discos for all ages. There will also be activities for teenagers to hang out and play games.

Many ships also have night nurseries and an in-cabin listening service ensure your peace of mind so you can enjoy your evenings to the full. The accommodation onboard many ships presents a range of choices for the family, from inter-connecting cabins to cabins with extra beds or sofa beds.
With excellent children’s facilities onboard many ships, a family cruise holiday caters for passengers of all ages. A Family Cruise will take all the stress out of family holidays because cruise lines really have thought of everything for you.

First Cruise

Now more than ever, people are discovering the all-inclusive pleasures of a cruise holiday. Cruising is the best holiday value and offers a cruise to suit every taste and every budget. Your cruise fare includes your meals, cabin, on-board activities, entertainment and transportation from port to port. Families, friends, couples, singles and honeymooners alike are sailing away for the holiday of their dreams and eliminating the hassles of planning a holiday. You’ll find that a cruise ship is a floating resort offering every comfort, convenience and amenity that one could imagine. You can lie back and be completely pampered. Or you can go non-stop enjoying one great show after another -- dine like never before -- try your luck in the lively casino -- or dance the night away to the pulsating beat in the disco.

It’s no wonder that more people are taking a cruise holiday than ever before. And once you get a taste of cruising, you’ll want to come back for more.

Gratuities:

Gratuities are not always included in the price of your cruise and may differ from ship to ship. For example, when cruising with Fred. Olsen, gratuities are entirely at your discretion, however it is recommended as a general rule, £2.00 per passenger, per day for your cabin stewardess and the same amount for your restaurant waiter. Your cruise specialist will advise you when booking.

Immigration:

When checking in you will have provided us with your passport details therefore there is no need to pass through immigration at every port of call you visit during your cruise. Onboard the ship there will be immigration officers which will carry out relevant checks on the manifest before the ship is 'cleared'. When travelling on fly/cruises it is necessary to pass through immigration at the airport.

Insurance:

All passengers must hold full and valid travel insurance. You must take your insurance documents with you on your cruise. Any costs incurred owing to repatriation that are un-insured will be at the individual's expense.

An EHIC (European Health Identity Card) is acceptable in lieu of health insurance on UK only or cruises of a maximum 4 night duration.

Luggage Allowance:

Luggage allowance differs from cruise line to cruise line and also where you are departing from. If sailing from a UK port 90kgs (200lbs) of luggage is allowed. If travelling on a fly/cruise your allowance is subject to the airlines regulations. This may also differ from airline to airline. However, normally the baggage allowance for economy class is 20kg with one piece of hand luggage which is 5kg.

Once onboard the ship, the empty suitcases may be stored under the bed, in the cabins or lockers.

Nautical Terms:

Nautical terms may be used often in the captain's daily brief. If you are not familiar with these, examples may be found below.

• Aft - Behind or near the back of the ship
• Ahead - Something in front of the ship's bow
• Astern - Something behind the ship
• Berth - A ship's place to dock; or, a passenger's bed
• Bow - The front end of the ship
• Bulkhead - A wall or upright partition separating the ship's compartments
• Chart - A nautical map used for navigating the ship
• Course - Measured in degrees, the direction in which the ship is headed
• Debark - To leave the ship
• Draught - The depth of water needed to float a ship; the measurement from a ship's waterline to the lowest point of its keel
• Embark - To go on board a ship
• Flagstaff - The pole at the stern of the ship from which the flag of the ship's country registry is flown
• Forward - Towards or at the front of the ship
• Galley - The ship's kitchen
• Hull - The framework of the ship
• Keel - The main structural member of a vessel extending along the centre of the bottom; the lateral area beneath the hull
• Knot - A unit of ship's speed, one nautical mile (approx. 1.15 land miles) per hour
• Latitude - Distance north or south of the equator
• Leeward - Toward the side of the ship that is sheltered from the wind
• Longitude - Distance east or west of the Meridian of Greenwich
• Manifest - List of ship's passenger and crew
• Midship - The middle of the ship
• Muster - To assemble passengers and/or crew on the ship
• Pilot - Person licensed to navigate ships into or out of harbours, or difficult weathers
• Port - The left hand side of the ship (when facing forward), signified by a red light on the side of the ship
• Stabilisers - Operated by a gyroscope, retractable finlike devices below the waterline that extends from the ship's hull to reduce roll and provide stability
• Starboard - The right side of the ship (when facing forward), signified by a green light on the side of the ship
• Stern - The rear of the ship
• Tender - A vessel attending a larger one; used to ferry passengers to and from shore at ports of call
• Waterline - The line along which surface of water touches a ship's hull
• Windward - On the side of the ship, from which the wind is blowing

Loyalty Clubs:

A number of cruise lines have special loyalty clubs which passengers automatically get enrolled on, free of charge upon completing their first cruise. You then become entitled to certain privileges and special discounts, subject to the cruise lines criteria.

Passports and Visas

It is compulsory that all passengers must hold a full and valid passport. Some ports of call will require at least 6 months validity after your return to the UK. It is your responsibility to ensure you hold a valid passport.

For UK and Eire only cruises a valid photo ID driving license is accepted in lieu of a passport.
UK passport holders will need visas for certain destinations. This will be advised to you by your cruise consultant when booking. For entry to the USA you are now required to complete an online visa ESTA at least 72 hours. This is currently a FREE online service the correct bona fide website address is https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ there are several companies online which offer to do this service for you at a fee, we strongly advise you do not use these. We offer a service for customers without internet access to carry this out, before we do this we require written authorization from the applicant and can only be carried out whilst on the phone so any questions can be answered (calls may be recorded) an appointment will be made with our admin dept to call you.

It is the responsibility of all non-British passport holders to ensure that they are in possession of a valid passport and where necessary entry visas or permits for their chosen cruise. Failure to comply with this may result in refusal of carriage or the imposition of individual fines by the local immigration authorities.

Going Ashore

The ship will berth in the port's harbour and a gangway will be positioned so you may come and go from the ship as you please, however in smaller ports, a tender will be used to take you ashore. These tenders will run frequently to and from the ship and there is no charge for this service. Unfortunately, it is not possible to tender passengers ashore if confined to a wheelchair. This is due to health and safety reasons.

Single Travellers

Are you single and dreaming of taking a cruise, but unsure what to expect? Cruising is an ideal getaway for solo cruisers; it offers the breathing space of a resort getaway, pampering service, opportunities to meet new friends and the chance to visit a new place almost every day.

Many cruise lines welcome singles onboard with receptions where they can meet other solo passengers and meet people with similar hobbies. With lots of organised activities and social events, you will never be bored! But if you fancy some time on your own, there are also quiet places onboard where you can seek tranquility.

Some cruise lines offer “gentlemen” dance hosts onboard and are selected on the basis of their dancing ability. And there is no need to worry about your dining arrangements either because the majority of dining rooms have seating for groups of 4, 6 or 8 people or can be an easy way to meet new friends. If you want to be seated with other solo cruisers, make sure you ask the Maitre‘d and they will accommodate your needs. Generally passengers are grouped together with others of a similar age and background, so you will never feel left out.

Disclaimer: The cruise information above is supplied for guidance only and can be subject to change without prior notice our cruise consultants can confirm any details at time of enquiry/booking.