Keep aware of public announcements and travel warnings

Their Country ,Their Laws know them

Do yourself a favor. Make two copies of your passport before leaving home.
Leave one at home with family or friends  keep the other with you but separate from the original. (in case of loss or theft)

Leave a copy of your ternary with someone for emergencies

Never ever leave your luggage unattended at the airport or seaport

Never travel with expensive jewelry and please do not carry large sums of cash

Duty free shopping is now $800 although some Caribbean countries have a duty free exemption of $600 and others it is $1200 check before departing on your trip

Keep all receipts handy (carry-on bag) in case you need to provide them to a customs inspector.

Upon re-entering the U.S. you will be asked to fill out a form of declaration (a list ) of what you purchased and  where it was purchased from

Inspectors will board a cruise ship before disembarkation to meet with passengers who have exceeded their exemption limit

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Basic Shipboard Tips

• Hallways on cruise ships can be narrow and getting around is usually single file

• Ship elevators Don’t stop on all floors, so if you are in a wheelchair make this known before booking so that the ship can accommodate your needs.

• Public areas ARE kept clean, so don’t believe every negative thing you read and also do your part to keep areas clean too by not littering.

Cruise Dining Tips

• If you’re traveling with your kids, keep in mind about the seating times, if you have Assigned seating keep in mind that someone else does also.

• Food may not always be as Hot as you like it, but all – in- all you will undoubtedly have a great time.

Shore Excursions & Souvenirs

• When leaving the ship for Shore Excursions be sure to keep your travel documents with you, NEVER LEAVE THEM ON BOARD you may need them to re-board the ship.

• Fresh Fruits and Vegetables will not be allowed to be brought back into the country, so check with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to see what is allowed and of course no Cuban Cigars

Cruise Brochures

One of the best informative marketing devices around is the brochure. How can one small booklet be the best planning tools one could ever imagine? Easy.

• They are filled with photographs of exotic tropical destinations such as Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Mexico. And scenic, more traditional and mystical places like Alaska, Europe and the Orient and just about anywhere you would want to go to escape.

• Cruise brochures are organized in a manner that is easy to understand and tell you just about everything you want to know. What will you departure time be, what time should you arrive, your amenities, your ports, what’s included, what’s not included, available shore excursions, costs deck plans, and even info about the staterooms. In other words, “The Works” so to speak.

• For specific information, it even has a Table of Contents at the front enabling you to find just what you’re looking for and go to the page. It offers information about the ports on your itinerary, on board services, what nights are casual, informal and formal seating times buffets, and restaurants and the casino.

• One last word one cruise brochures is to be sure and read the Fine Print in the back. The information there is very important as it will tell of the cancellation policy, Things to Know and Terms and Conditions.

Luggage Tips

When planning your cruise if new luggage is in order keep these guidelines in mind. With new airline restrictions that are constantly changing size and weight has changed a lot in the last few years.

• You are now only allowed to check two pieces of luggage for each ticketed passenger and these have weight limits which does not included your carry-on or your personal item.

• There is an excess baggage charge which starts at a cost of $40.00 and then there is the overweight charge which begins at $80.00 or the oversized charge which begins at $100.00 and if you an extra bag that is overweight and over sized you will pay 3x’s the cost and the fees must be paid at check-in.

• To avoid paying through the nose keep this in mind, since many suitcases 29×30 exceed the maximum size two smaller ones 24″x26″ work even better. Your carry- on must be able to fit either overhead or under your seat and not exceed 40lbs and be 22″x14″x9″.

When purchasing your luggage hard sided or soft sided fabric is your choice and try and buy luggage with wheels for ease moving through busy airports especially if you are traveling alone. Also try stackable luggage for ease on a pull along luggage cart.

• When buying, make sure that you include the wheels in the length of the suitcase so you’re not a couple of inches over. Remember, you’ll pay extra if you are!

• Contrary to popular belief, hard-sided brand name luggage with a warranty is not always the best, there are lesser known brands just as good or better.

With newer more durable materials available hard sided luggage has become lighter in weight, water tight, have combination locks w/ keys, stronger metal hinges with retractable handles and roll along on wheels and still a good choice.

• Soft-Sided luggage is now the more popular because of space age fabrics that are more tightly woven and can endure just about anything. Just make sure that they have industrial strength zippers ,Teflon coating on the fabric, strong wheels and handles, and rubber corners.

Never pack more suitcases than you can handle yourself if the need should arise and Remember these allowances:

• Only 2 bags for each ticketed passenger (domestic and international)

• 1 carry – on and 1 personal item such as a laptop ( must carry- on ) men’s or ladies purse,

• Brief case, camera or something to read or items that are smaller or similar in size, wheelchair, or crutches (must need) a coat, umbrella and you can bring something to eat if it is to be consumed right away.

Now that you have new luggage Let’s Pack.

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When Arriving

• If you booked through your cruise line or Travel Agency/Agent you will probably have transportation provided and waiting to take you directly to your ship.

• These representatives are usually waiting at the Baggage Claims Area. Please be patient, as basic checklist procedures and other things tend to go fairly quickly and smoothly.

• Remember to keep your wits about you and your Carry-On luggage with you. Transportation is generally provide by local Charter Companies who are well experienced in the tour business.

• Please no pushing, shoving or butting in line, because not only is it ill-mannered no one is leaving until everyone is boarded. There is always some idiot who wants, needs and has to be first so don’t let them upset you.

• After all, you’re on vacation too and who needs the aggravation of having their trip ruined by one person. Relax, mind your own manners and enjoy yourself.

Etiquette for Early or Late Seated Meals

• If you are a person whose regular routine is to be an early riser, goes to bed early/likes early meals, has small children traveling with you,

• or, if you know that you would prefer catch the early entertainment shows, make an early pit-stop to the casino early and perhaps enjoy a Midnight Buffet, by all means opt for the early meal seatings.

• If, on the other hand you like to sleep late, eat breakfast later in the morning, or if you plan to take extended shore excursions or catch regular afternoon naps and eat dinner late,

• Or if you don’t get your drink and party groove on until after 10p.m. then please, take a late seating.

• Now how hard was that to figure out?? Of course not. Believe it or not though, some cruise passengers never give a second thought to their own daily habits when planning their cruise vacation.

• Consequently, these same people end up being upset and disappointed that they’re stuck being scheduled to eat breakfast when they really wanted to be out on that exciting shore excursion

• Or, take the poor luck of the early eater and sleeper who is tied down to a late-seating meal with night-owl party goers who are just getting revved up when, they’re ready to wind down.

When Dining:

• If you have elected for the early seating during mealtime be considerate of the next seating schedule. Don’t linger over your coffee and dessert, the dining area has to be readied for the next seating.

• With more and more families of various age generations traveling as groups (many with small children) ships now have a more casual alternative dining area with dinner menus and buffets which leans more towards people who eat early and prefer the early seating.

Tipping:

• Try tipping on the last night at sea or before departure the next day. Remember these people have pampered and waited on you hand and foot.

• Suggested tipping is so many $ per day simply multiply that by the number of days.

Upon Returning to Port:

• Follow the same rules for departing as you did for when you arrived.

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If you’re planning on vacationing in Florida, sailing over on a one day cruise to the islands is an awesome idea. The Islands are only a couple of hours away by ship and . However cruising over to the Bahamas is the way to travel. If you plan to fly over many hotels offer vacation packages many that have family vacation packages with activities which include children’s programs, game rooms, playgrounds and swimming pools.

Some however, do not have the activities or amenities that cater to kids but kids are always welcomed. Check with the hotel to see what they offer, make the vacation a vacation that everyone will enjoy.

Some hotels and Resorts even have all – inclusive packages, where as, if you want to be wined and dined, all inclusive is the course to take. Keep in mind that spa treatments, tennis and golf facilities are pre-planned. There are no certain times for meals but they are included which limits trying the local restaurants. After all why pay twice when you’ve paid once in your Hotel/Resort package. Again check with your hotel or travel agent.

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Watch for upcoming articles offering tips on how and what to pack, documents that will be needed and other informative information for the first time cruiser.

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