Cruising 102

THE SHIP

While onboard a ship of any kind, it's important to familiarize yourself with the layout and how to navigate it. There is a standard set of terms or "ship lingo" you should familiarize yourself with.

While standing onboard and facing the front of the ship you find that your right side is the STARBOARD and your Left side is PORT.

(*Helpful hint: there are 4 letters in Left and Port)

The ship is divided into 3 sections starting from the Forward moving back to the mid-ship and then back towards the aft.

You will find the odd numbered cabins on the Starboard and the even numbered cabins on the Port side.

EXAMPLE: Room # 17256
Deck 17
Mid ship 2

Room 56

Cruise cabins each operate on their own grid and in order to maintain and eco-friendly environment, the cabin lights and a/c a your card must be in the switch by the door in order to work.

NO FLUSH! When it comes to keeping the ships' eco-systems healthy, every little bit counts. That why you are kindly asked to refrain from flushing anything other than toilet paper down the toilets. Items like feminine hygiene products and flushable wipes can cause clogs and backups or total shutdowns, leading to unpleasant odors and other issues. Respect the ship and help keep her running smoothly and smelling fresh.

YOUR CABIN

ONBOARD HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES

Cruise ship tap water is safe to drink unless you are told otherwise by the ship's authorities. The water throughout the ship has been treated, filtered, and frequently tested to meet the standards of the World Health Organization and the U.S. Public Health Service on ships sailing into and out of U.S. ports of call.

Give your room a good wipe down with a disinfectant wipe. Your room has been cleaned by your cabin attendant but they have lots of rooms to care for and sometimes previous guests have left unseen messes behind. For your own health and safety:

Wipe down all door knobs/handles, table and counter tops and any other high-touchpoint areas with disinfectant wipes.
Check for bed-bugs BEFORE opening your luggage.
Report any issues, ex. lights, A/C, immediately to your cabin attendant.
Check the comfort of your mattress. If you need additional padding you may request a mattress topper from your cabin attendant. Do this right away, supplies may be limited.

NEVER enter another guests stateroom without invitation or enter areas restricted to you, inluding crew passages and quarters.

ALWAYS bring your ID with you when you disembark the ship, including your room key/ship card. You must swipe your key

card at the kiosk before exiting the ship and upon re-entry.

Remember, it's crucial not to be late when returning to the ship while in port. If you're not punctual, you risk being left behind! Make sure to confirm your return time and set a reminder to ensure you have ample time to get back. Here's a pro tip: take a

photo of the posted return time as you disembark at

the port to avoid forgetting. Keep your phone on

SHIP TIME or carry a small digital clock or watch always

set to SHIP TIME. Don’t be YouTube famous, avoid

being a pier runner!

If your shore excursion is running late returning to the ship, reach out to the port agent and explain the delay. Share your updated estimated time of arrival back to port; if there is enough extra time in the schedule, the ship may wait for you. Ultimately, the decision lies with the Captain! Remember to carry a copy of the ship's newsletter/port guide with you onshore. You can find the Port Agent's contact number inside for easy access.

While off-ship DO NOT consume any water that is not bottled. Keep in mind that ordering beverages with ice or freshly washed salads contain tap water that can and most likely will make you ill. DON'T DRINK THE WATER!

It is NOT advisable to wear valuables or carry large amounts of cash while on shore. Carry a small cross body bag and keep it close to your person. Carry small bills and place small

amounts in various places (wallet, pockets).

NEVER allow anyone to place any items (jewelry, clothing) on your body, particularly if/when they tell you it's free. It is generally never free and is a scam tactic. Politely say no and keep your hands and arms to yourself.

While you are shopping, whenever possible pay with cash. Pull out your money after you have agreed on a price and always pull out your money out of view of others. Using cash also helps avoid scams involving the use of your debit/credit card and currency conversions.

PORT OF CALL HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES

BALCONY TIPS & ETIQUETTE

NEVER open your balcony door and the stateroom door at the same time. It creates a vacuum or wind tunnel effect and causes quite a mess or can cause your personal effects to be swept out and overboard.

DO NOT hang your wet swim suit or towels on the balcony or leave any belongings out or loose. The weather and wind on ships is unpredictable and loose items can blow away.

DO NOT throw anything overboard EVER!

Respect your neighbors and keep to your own balcony. Do not lean around or over privacy screens to view into another balcony.

DO NOT prop your balcony door open. Leaving the door open causes mechanical issues with the cabins heating and a/c system resulting in overheating or a/c shutdown.

When planning your shore excursions, it’s important to book through reputable companies or suppliers that are covered by your travel insurance. This ensures that you’re protected in case of any unexpected changes or cancellations.

Your Travel Advisor can find the best options for your adventures and provide guidance on the safest and most reliable choices.

Booking your shore excursions in advance is essential for securing the best pricing and availability. If there’s something you’ve always dreamed of experiencing, now is the perfect time to make it happen! A Travel Advisor can help you curate a tailored list of activities that align with your interests, ensuring that your port time accommodates the excursion schedule. This way, you can relax and enjoy your travels without the worry of missing out on your ideal adventures!

At some cruise ports, you may need to use a tender to reach the shore, as ships often dock offshore in deeper waters. This means you’ll board a smaller boat that takes you to the port. It’s important to plan ahead and leave early to allow ample time for the tender ride, ensuring you arrive at your excursions on time. Be prepared for possible wait times, and enjoy the scenic views as you make your way to land!

When planning your excursions, it’s crucial to check the excursion time set to "local time" rather than the ship's time. This difference can affect your schedule, so double-checking ensures you don’t miss your adventures. Being mindful of this detail will help you enjoy a smooth and stress-free experience ashore!

Leave your beach towels at home! Cruise lines provide beach towels for your use at the pools and can be taken ashore for excursions or beach activities. Just remember to bring it back! There is generally a fee for lost towels..

photo of the posted return time as you disembark at

the port to avoid forgetting. Keep your phone on

SHIP TIME or carry a small digital clock or watch always

set to SHIP TIME. Don’t be YouTube famous, avoid

being a pier runner!

SHORE EXCURSIONS -ACTIVITES

PRO TIPS FOR:

EMBARKATION

Be sure to have your valid Passports or ID’s with official birth certificate (with seal - no copies) in your backpack or carry-on.

Have the Cruise Line app installed on your phone and be sure you are logged in to access your digital boarding pass. YOU MUST HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR BOARDING PASS (unless you have a printed copy).

Before you leave home or on the ride there, remember to take your motion-sickness meds (if necessary). Things can be very hectic and fast paced once you arrive at port. Don’t let sea sickness catch you off guard, Most brands are effective for 24 hours.

Porters will take your bags once you arrive at the terminal. A small tip is customary ($1-2/bag). Take your carry-on bags with you. Your luggage will be delivered to your cabin.

If you bring any wine or champagne (750mL) or a 12-pack of soda on board, be sure these items are with your carry-on luggage. DO NOT pack in your checked bags.

Marijuana, even in its medicinal form or for medicinal purposes, shall be prohibited. This includes all CBD products. NO EXCEPTIONS!

ONBOARD

Once on board, it is recommended to go straight to your muster stations and complete your check-in before you begin enjoying your cruise. The ship cannot leave port until all guests have completed this required emergency briefing.

Take a picture! Embarkation day is the only day your stateroom will be as perfect and clean as it is now. Once the staterooms are ready for guests you can take your carryon bags, snap that photo and get settled in! You should find your checked-bags by your door unless they have not been delivered yet.

Clean the high touch points! Yes, your room has been cleaned by your cabin attendant but they have lots of rooms to care for and sometimes previous guests have left unseen messes behind. For your own health and safety:

Wipe down all door knobs/handles, table and counter tops and any other high-touchpoint areas with disinfectant wipes.
Check for bed-bugs BEFORE opening your luggage.
Report any issues, ex. lights, A/C, immediately to your cabin attendant.

Check the comfort of your mattress. If you need additional padding you may request a mattress topper from your cabin attendant. Do this right away, supplies may be limited.

Setup your room! Completely unpack your suitcases utilizing all the drawer and closet space available. Stow your empty suitcases under the bed.

Utilize magnetic hooks to hang items and keep your room tidy and organized. Ship cabin walls and ceilings are magnetic so you can hang a variety of items by placing hooks around your cabin.

Room keys
Hats, swimsuits, etc.
Newsletters/tickets/papers

Introduce yourself to your Cabin Attendant, they will come by to say hello at some point. If you need anything (including bed padding) now is the time to ask them. They will service your stateroom 1-2x daily making beds and changing out towels as needed.

Please keep your room tidy and personal items put away while you’re out so they can quickly service your room.

Check the safe! Set your passcode and test it before you place any valuable inside.

If you need to secure additional items that do not fit in the safe (or additional cash), consider bringing a portable travel safe and store it inside your luggage under the bed.

DISEMBARKATION

Pack your bags.. Keep a change of clothing for disembarkation, toiletries, ship card, ID’s and other essentials in your carry-on. All remaining items should be packed, tagged with the provided luggage tags and placed in the hallway the night prior to disembarkation by the required time, If you have opted for self-assist disembarkation you may keep your bags with you and carry them off.

If necessary, complete Customs Declaration form for any purchases requiring this documentation..

Gratuities are included in your cruise fare and are dispersed amongst the entire cruise ship staff. If you plan on tipping your Stateroom Attendant, Dining Room Server or Bartenders an additional cash tip, be sure to do this by Dinner on your last night. These crew members have other duties on Disembarkation day and you most likely will not see them again.(Suggested Tip: $10/day - 5-Night cruise=$50)

Settle Up! If you have made any onboard purchases, please review your billing summary in the cruise app and be sure to have your credit card on file. Any questions or disputes? Please take care of them at Guest Services while onboard!

Have you made any alcohol purchases? Be sure to pickup your purchases before you disembark at the assigned location.