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- Is
cruising affordable and a good vacation value ... ?
- How
long are cruises ... ?
- Where
can I go ... ?
- Are
all ships and cruises fairly similar ... ?
- Do I
need a passport ... ?
- Will
I get bored? Feel confined ... ?
- What
can I do in port ... ?
- Do I
have to participate in activities ... ?
- Do
cruise lines welcome families with kids ... ?
- What's
there to do at night ... ?
- Is
there a charge for entertainment ... ?
- Is it
easy to meet people ... ?
- Will
there be people like me ... ?
- What
should I pack ... ?
- Will
I need a tuxedo ... ?
- Can I
use my hair dryer or shaver ... ?
- What
are different meal seatings ... ?
- Is
cruise ship dining as good as I've been told ... ?
- Can I
get a special diet ... ?
- What
if I don't like my tablemates ... ?
- Are
there non-smoking areas ... ?
- Can we
celebrate a special occasion ... ?
- Is
cruising right for honeymooners ... ?
- Can
we stay in touch with the outside world ... ?
- What
about tipping ... ?
- Are
there medical services onboard ... ?
- Are
there laundry services aboard ship ... ?
- Is
motion discomfort a problem ... ?
- It
sounds too good to be true! Is it ... ?
Cruising is the best vacation value! There are cruise vacations to suit every
budget.
Your cruise fare includes all meals, your cabin, onboard daytime activities, night time
parties and entertainment. You'll know how much your vacation will end up costing
you before you go. (your only extra expenses will be your drinks, optional shore-
excursions, and special services such as massage or hairstyling.) Comparing the
value of a cruise to the total cost of other vacation options will amaze you!
As long as you want. Certain cruise lines offer itineraries from three days to
three months or longer.
You can go wherever you want. Cruises visit over 1,800 port worldwide and
practically
every destination accessible by water.
Far from it. Ships range from under 200 feet to over 1,000 feet long.
You can sail with fewer than 100 fellow passengers to over 2,600.
Experience atmospheres ranging from casual to formal, classically simple
to ultra-deluxe. Available amenities also vary by ship.
This depends on the type of cruise and your destination. You will need some proof
of citizenship
as the cruise lines will deny boarding if proper documentation is not available.
Depending on your
nationality the ports of call you will visit may have specific requirements. North
American passengers
may take an original birth certificate or a certified copy (with raised seal) accompanied
with a
picture ID to the Caribbean. Always consult one of our cruise representatives in
regards to proper
documentation as this is one of the most important elements to bring on your voyage.
Hardly! Being at sea gives you a feeling of total freedom that no land based resort can
offer.
There's plenty of room, and it will probably take you a few days just to discover
everything
that's onboard. Plus, you get the added adventure of exploring many exciting ports
of call.
Cruise ships are like floating resorts with all the choices fine resorts have to offer.
You can lie
back on a lounge chair, breath in the sea air, soak up the sun, read good books and watch
the ever changing view. Or, if you're more active, join in exercise classes, dance
in the disco,
practice your golf swing or shoot some baskets. Swim, work out in the gym or stretch
out in
the sauna. You can choose to see a feature film or attend a lecture by renowned
experts. Play
backgammon, bridge or a board game. Impress your friends and fellow guests during
Kareoke.
Play a game of shuffleboard or ping-pong. Enjoy a video game or skeet shooting.
Now-a-days
you can find ships where you can rock climb, rollerblade and even ice skate. All this and
much
more, and that's just while onboard. (Facilities vary by ship)
So much you'll have a hard time choosing! You can explore on your own or take a guided
tour.
Search ancient ruins or hunt for shopping bargains. Ride a raft over river rapids, a
bicycle down
the side of a 10,000 foot volcano, or a horse across miles of hills and beaches.
Climb a water-
fall or pyramid. Follow the footsteps of history or the wake of a water-skiing boat. If
there is still
time, play golf or tennis. Learn how to windsurf. Sun and swim at some of the world's most
beautiful beaches. Snorkel or scuba dive. Take a cable car to the top of a mountain.
Explore dark
catacombs. In short, cruising is the perfect way to sample a number or new destinations
and try the
different highlights from all the different ports you'll be visiting, while never having
to pack and unpack!
On a cruise you can do as you please, when you please. You can do everything or
absolutely
nothing. It's your vacation!
Kids love cruises! Setting out on an adventure together is a great way for a family to
have
fun. But in case your kids want to spend time with their own age group, most cruise lines
have developed extensive children's and teens programs conducted by a professionally
certified staff. These well supervised activities can range from scavenger hunts,
video games
arts & crafts, play facilities, movies, teen discos and much, much more. Children's
programs
are designed by age groups and are complimentary. One of the best things about the kids
program is when the parents are returned to the children refreshed and relaxed after a
full
and glorious day ashore or at sea. After hour baby-sitting services may be arranged
on
some cruises for an extra charge.
At night, life aboard a cruise ship really turns on. There's dancing, live
entertainment, nightclubs
and lounges, feature films, and parties with all your new friends. Most ships have
casinos.
Never. On a cruise vacation, the entertainment is on the house. There is no cover,
minimum,
or charge for an admission ticket. The shows are live and all included in your cruise
fare.
A cruise ship is a great place to make new friends. The atmosphere is cordial and
relaxed.
And, you'll have all kinds of things in common to talk about at dinner, cocktails, around
the
pool, or along the promenade rail. Don't be surprise if you find yourself making
arrangements
to meet them aboard another cruise again next year.
No matter what you've heard to the contrary, there is no such thing as a typical cruise
passenger!
All kinds of people take cruises now... all ages...all walks of life...singles, couples
and families.
Just ask your Holidays In Motion cruise coordinator for advice on the best ship for you,
based
on your taste and lifestyle.
Pack like you would for any resort. Cruise vacations are casual by day, whether
you're on the
ship or ashore. In the evening, ships vary as to dress. As on shore, attire is
dictated by occasion.
At the captain's gala, for example, you'll probably want to wear something more formal,
such as
a dark suit, or cocktail dress; perhaps even a dinner jacket or gown. Most
three and four night
cruises have one formal night; seven to ten night cruises usually have two formal
evenings; longer
cruises may have three or more depending on the length of the voyage. Since formal
wear varies
by the individual, we suggest you dress as you normally would to a nice wedding.
On some cruises, formal dinners or parties are part of the fun. But don't' buy a
tuxedo just
for the trip. Even on the most formal of ships, a dark suit and tie are fine for the
dressiest
occasion. If you do want to dress to the nines, many ships offer tuxedo rental
services.
Most ships have a 110-volt outlets in the staterooms. Most ships even feature
hair dryer in your cabin.
Some ships' dining rooms can accommodate all passengers in one seating. But most
ships have two
seatings, which differ only by time. To choose, just decide whether you prefer to
dine early or late,
then have your Holiday In Motion cruise coordinator request your preference when you book
your
cruise. The earlier seating is usually around 6:30 p.m. and the late seating is
around 8:30 p.m.
Times vary slightly by ship. Whichever seating you choose, remember that one of the
best ways to
make new friends is to ask for a large table. In addition, some ships offer
alternate dining options
separate from the main dining room.
Everything you've heard about cruise ship dining is true. You'll find a varied
selection of entrees
(appetizers, salads, soups, vegetables, and desserts too) every time you sit down.
And, there is
virtually no limit on what or how much you can order. But, just because your cruise
ship offers
plenty of delicious food, doesn't mean you'll come home out of shape. You can choose
low cal,
spa, or fitness menu selections that are just as tempting as the regular menu. Best
of all, the one
thing you'll never see in a cruise menu is a price!
Most ships can accommodate salt free, low carbohydrate, kosher, or other diet
preferences.
However, this request must be made in advance, so be sure to advise your Holidays In
Motion
cruise coordinator of this requirement when you book your cruise.
Rarely is this a problem. However, if you wish to move to another table, speak
with the maitre
d'. He'll make every effort to seat you with more compatible dining
companions...discretely and
politely.
Today, virtually all ships have smoking and non-smoking tables and/or selections in the
dining
rooms and lounges. In fact, many cruise ship dining rooms, and even some entire
ships are
now totally smoke free, reflecting passenger requests. If you want your dining table
in a
non-smoking area, just tell your Holidays In Motion cruise coordinator. On board, in
"open
seating situations," you can advise your waiter or the maitre d'.
Absolutely! Most cruise lines will even treat you to a complimentary cake and the
chorus of
"Happy Whatever" to honor the occasion. Your birthday or anniversary can
be more festive
with champagne, flowers, or canapés. You can even arrange for a special private
party.
Without a doubt. Cruising offers an atmosphere that's just right for
romance...cozy dinner for
two, strolling on deck at sunset, dancing the night away (even under the stars).
Quite easily. Most ships have a daily newspaper with news, headlines, selected
stock quotes
and sports scores. Staterooms on most ships are equipped with television.
While most ships
now have telephones in passenger cabins, you can also call someone on shore through the
ship's radio operator while at sea. And, you can make phone calls from most ports.
In
addition, most ships have fax and e-mail capabilities.
Tipping is a matter of individual preference. A general rule of thumb is to plan
for about $2.50
to $3.00 per person, per day, for your room steward and dining room waiter, and about half
that amount for your busboy. Other shipboard personnel can be tipped for special
services
at your discretion
Virtually every cruise ship has a fully equipped medical facility and staff to handle
almost any
emergency.
Almost all cruise ships have laundry facilities and a great many provide dry-cleaning
services.
There is, however, an additional charge for professional laundry and dry-cleaning
services.
Rarely. Popular cruise itineraries boast some of the calmest waters in the world.
In
addition, stabilizers on modern ships, advance availability of accurate weather
information.
and development of effective, preventative medication have, for the most part, eliminated
the incidents of motion discomfort.
The one major complaint we hear over and over again is that cruises end far too soon!
Beyond that, is hard to find any negatives. All you have to worry about is relaxing
and
enjoying your vacation. Most importantly, every crew and staff member on board is
dedicated to making our cruise the best vacation of your life (until you top it with
your next cruise)
Revised: September 10, 2006.
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