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Should I book
my airfare through the cruise line or on my own? |
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There are
advantages and disadvantages with each method, depending on your needs and requirements.
The advantages of booking air through the cruise lines are that, 1. transfers are
included, 2. cruise lines know your flight and take responsibility for late arrivals (even
if the delay causes you to miss the ship), 3. baggage handling may be easier, and 4. it is
easier to make reservations. The disadvantages are that 1. you cannot choose your flight
schedule, 2. some flight schedules may not be convenient, 3. major carriers are used -
however you can not choose the airline, 4. frequent flyer points cannot be used for
upgrades, and 5. we will not know your flight schedule and cannot assign seats until 30
days prior to your departure date. Requests for changes to air schedules are possible, but
will charge a non-refundable air deviation fee of $35 to $55 per person. In addition, the
change of date or time may result in an increase in airfare. |
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What
happens if I cancel my cruise? |
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All cruise lines
have cancellation penalties which are dependent on when you cancel - the closer to
departure date the higher the penalty. Cancellation penalties are the amount not refunded
if you cancel the cruise. Each cruise line has these penalties listed on your cruise
application. Please read these carefully. |
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Do I
need cancellation and medical insurance? |
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We highly
recommend the purchase of travel cancellation/medical insurance. With your booking
statement, you will receive a specific quote to purchase this policy. Cancellation insurance protects you if you are
forced to cancel your cruise for unexpected medical reasons for your self or an immediate
family member.
The medical insurance covers you should an
illness or accident occur during your cruise. Note that most individual's medical
insurance will not cover you while outside of the United States. |
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Onboard
Payments/Money |
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Your ship accepts
credit cards, cash and travelers checks for payment of on-board extras such as alcohol,
shore excursions, gift shop and boutique purchases. The ship is "cashless"
aboard, where an imprint of your credit card or a cash deposit is taken at the beginning
of your cruise. The last night you will receive a bill outlining your charges. If you are
using a credit card your charges will be automatically billed to the card. If you are
paying in cash, you must clear your account at the end of the cruise. This can be time
consuming, so if possible, use a credit card as it is most convenient. In your ports-of-call, it is not necessary to
exchange money as US currency is widely accepted. |
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Tipping |
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All tips for
dining room personnel and room stewards have been included in your cruise package. Other personnel, such as bar waiters, bellboys and
deck stewards may be tipped as service is rendered. Note that there is typically a 15%
gratuity added to all bar tabs. |
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What to
wear |
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With visions of seascapes,
sunsets and days spent at the railing watching eagles soar and whales surfacing, not to
mention dancing on a moonlit deck, you may wonder if you will need a new wardrobe for your
cruise. Cruise clothes are simply resort clothes and you'll need the same basic outfits
that you wear at home when casual by day and off to cocktails and dinner in the evening. For this cruise, you will want very casual and
comfortable wear during the day. This means slacks, shorts, t-shirts and sweatshirts as
well as comfortable walking/hiking shoes. A few swimsuits and a cover-up along with a pair
of slide-on shoes are fine for a week-long cruise. In general you should dress moderately
on shore and save the dressy clothes for the ship. In addition, you should plan on
bringing a water proof windbreaker, as weather can vary quickly. You may also wish to
consider bringing along a small umbrella.
There are three types of attire required for evening functions aboard ship:
- Formal nights - there will be two,
where a tux or dark suit for the gentlemen and a dressy gown/pantsuit or dress for the
ladies is in order.
- Casual nights - there will
be five, where khakis and polo shirt or island/resort wear will be appropriate.
Your clothing should be of the type that
requires little care. The ship offers dry cleaning service and laundry facilities, however
these can be somewhat expensive. No matter what part of the world you are sailing to,
always pack a light sweater or wrap for the air conditioning on board, breezy evenings on
deck or early arrivals in port. Light rain gear is also a good idea. Please consult the
cruise agenda for specific dates on evening atttire. |
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Correspondence |
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All future correspondence will
go to the address on your confirmation. Address changes must be received in writing. There
is a booking number (99-xx) on your confirmation. Please write this number on all checks.
It is helpful to include your ship and sail date on any correspondence. A good daytime
phone number is important if we need to reach you about your booking. Any changes in your
reservation including category, number of people in cabin, names in cabin, additions &
deletions to cabin, etc. MUST be received in WRITING. |
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Triple and Quad Cabins |
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Triple and quad
cabins are subject to availability, and require a deposit for each person in the cabin.
Triple and quad cabin rates are for third and fourth passengers in the cabin travelling
with two full-fare paying passengers. |
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Handicapped Cabins |
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Handicapped cabins
are subject to availability, and are very limited in number. These cabins should only be
utilized by those individuals who are confined to a wheelchair. |
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Dining |
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Our entire group
will be booked in late dining - which is dinner at approximately 8:15pm. You may request
early dining (approximately 6:15pm), however this seating will conflict with many social
events planned for the group. Everyone from the group will sit together in the dining
room. On a typical 5-7 night cruise,
there will be up to 3 changes of table assignment. This is so that everyone has the
opportunity to dine with other members from the group as well as featured speakers. |
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Cruise Documents |
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We will receive
your cruise documents 2 to 3 weeks prior to sailing. Documents will be sent to the address
indicated on your cruise application, via UPS, and require a street address (P.O. boxes
are not acceptable). If you prefer to have your documents delivered elsewhere, or arranged
to be picked up pierside, please contact The Cruise Authority, no less than 45 days prior
to departure. |
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Identification |
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You must have proper ID in
order to board the cruise ship. If you cannot provide proper ID the cruise line will have
no choice but to deny boarding. No refunds will be offered for passengers who are denied
boarding due to insufficient identification. For Alaska, Caribbean, Canada, Mexico or Hawaii cruises proper ID consists of
a valid passport OR certified (raised state seal) birth certificate plus photo ID. If you
do not have a certified birth certificate, you can apply to the State Dept. of Vital
Statistics from the state you were born. Note that a county issued document, voter
registration or driver's license is not sufficient form of ID.
For ALL other cruises, a current, valid
passport will be required. Note that in order to apply for a passport, you will need a
birth certificate. Allow at least 90 days to process a passport application.
Certain ports in Europe require a visa. In
this event an application will be provided by the cruise line and will be forwarded to you
approximately 90 days prior to departure. |
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General
Cruise Notes... |
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If you consider
your cruise ship a floating resort which transports you from one port to another as an
added bonus, everything will be placed in proper perspective. If you feel naked without
your diamonds and emeralds, or a lot of cash on hand, then bring them along. But place all
valuables in the safe deposit box in your cabin or at the Purser's Desk when not using
them. If you know you will need a box, see the Purser immediately upon embarkation, as the
number of boxes is limited. The Norwegian Star offers individual safes in each cabin. |
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Cameras |
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The elements are
no friend to your camera. Sea spray can damage lenses and sand can cause irreparable
damage to other parts of the camera. Use caution - don't leave your camera sitting out in
the sun on deck or on the beach. We recommend that you bring along enough film for the
duration of your cruise, in addition to a spare set of batteries. These items are more
expensive on board or in port than at home. |
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Motion Sickness |
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This has become
less of a problem over the last several years as all cruise ships are now equipped with
stabilizers to lessen the roll of the ship. Once the ship is underway, these
"wings" swing out into place and allow the ship to move smoothly through the
ocean. The waters of the Caribbean are comparatively shallow and generally do not get very
rough. If you normally do not get motion sickness in a car or airplane, chances are you
won't have problems on a cruise ship. If
you do have problems, try one of the following:
- Dramamine or Bonine - These
medications tend to make you drowsy. It is not a good idea to combine them with alcohol.
Consult a physician about these medications and about other potential side effects.
- Shots - Available from the
ship doctor. These are for extreme cases of motion sickness and take effect very quickly.
There is typically a $15 charge.
- TransDerm Scop Patches -
See your doctor for a prescription for this product. Note that there are some side
effects.
- SeaBands - A non-medicated
method to alleviate motion sickness. The bands work under the principle of accupressure.
Available on board the ship from The Cruise Authority @ $15pp.
- Relief Bands - Brand new
technology, which relieves all forms of nausea. A unit which resembles a watch, sends a
slight electrical charge through your system. Available on board ship from The Cruise
Authority @ $70 for the 144-hour battery unit, or $130 for the reusable battery unit.
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Customs |
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You will be
required to fill out a customs declaration on the morning of debarkation from the ship.
This is not optional. This should be filled out completely (declaring whatever purchases
you have made) and then given to the customs official as you debark the ship. Only one
member per family will be required to fill out this form. |
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Shipboard
Facilities |
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Cruise ships have truly become
floating resorts, as more and more facilities are added to keep passengers healthy and
happy. Today there are workout facilities with the latest exercise equipment, glamorous
spas at sea, aerobics and other dance classes, whirlpools, saunas and massage therapy. In
addition to the traditional shuffleboard and skeet shooting, many ships offer table
tennis, jogging tracks, basketball, paddle tennis, volleyball, golf ball driving and
simulators.
Quiet areas abound. The library is a good place to start - you can browse through the
latest best sellers, or check one out to keep for the duration of your cruise. Bridge and
Backgammon fans will want to find the card and game room. One of the staff will be happy
to arrange some good competition for you.
If you intend to do nothing on board but find a nice watering hole, you're in the right
place. There are plenty of locations on board and you should find a favorite spot in no
time. You might enjoy a poolside bar or a piano bar. |
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Nautical Glossary |
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ABBREVIATIONS
MS - Motor Ship
MTS - Motor Turbine Ship
MV - Motor Vessel
TSS - Turbine Steamship
SS - Steamship
USS - United States Ship
HMS - Her Majesty's Ship (England)
RMS - Royal Mail Ship (England)
ABEAM - anything perpendicular to the structure of the ship; off the side.
AFT - toward the rear of the vessel or to the stern.
AMIDSHIPS - in the middle of the vessel.
BALLAST - weight placed in the ship to keep her on an even keel when empty.
BEAM - width of ship at the widest point.
BEARING - compass direction expressed in degrees.
BERTH - nautical term for bed in your cabin or where vessel docks in port.
BOW - the forward part of the ship.
BRIDGE - ship's command center located above and forward of the passenger areas.
Passengers are sometimes admitted with special invitation.
BULKHEAD - wall-like construction inside a vessel for subdividing space.
DECK - each floor of a ship.
DISEMBARK or DEBARK - to get off a ship
DRILL - any exercise ordered by the captain, like the lifeboat drill on the first
evening out.
EMBARK - to board a ship.
FATHOM - a measure of six feet; used in determining the depth of water by
soundings.
FLAGS - ships talk to each other with flags in an international code of signals
that all nations understand. While the flag hoisted on a private yacht might say
"Come over for a drink," the signals on a large ship leaving port will show if a
pilot is on board and what type of cargo is carried. Signal flags are never flown at sea,
except when a vessel is in distress. The ship's country of registry is flown from the
stern, and her country of destination appears from the yardarms of the foremast.
FREE PORT - a port not included in customs territory, or one that is free from
import taxes. St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands is a free port.
GALLEY - the kitchen.
GANGWAY - the bridge between ship and shore. Also called the gangplank as
historically it was nothing more than a plank of wood.
GROSS REGISTERED TON - a measure of the size of a ship in terms of displacement.
One hundred cubic feet equals one gross registered ton.
HELM - the entire steering apparatus of the ship.
KNOT - a unit of speed. One knot equals one nautical mile (6080.2 feet), or
approximately 1.15 land miles per hour. The speed of a vessel is measured in knots.
LEAGUE - a unit of distance. In English-speaking countries, a league is 3.45
nautical miles.
LEEWARD - the direction toward which the wind blows.
PILOT - a representative of the local port authority who comes aboard ship to aid
in the final arrival.
PITCH - the rise and fall of the ship in the water.
PORT - the left side of the ship (when looking forward) also indicated by the red
navigational light.
PORTHOLE - the round window on a ship.
REGISTRY - certificate of ownership.
ROLL - the sideways motion of the ship.
SHE - ships are always considered members of the female gender.
STABILIZER - a retractable fin extending into the water on either side of the
vessel to ensure smooth sailing.
STARBOARD - the right side of the ship (while looking forward), also indicated by a
green navigational light.
STERN - the rear section of the vessel
TENDER - a small vessel, sometimes a lifeboat, use to carry passengers from ship to
shore and vice versa.
THRUSTERS - many new vessels have propellers mounted in the hull sideways so that
the ship can pull away from the dock under its own power.
WAKE - the trail a ship leaves in the water.
WEIGH ANCHOR - to raise anchor and prepare to get underway |
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