A Cruising We Shall Go

This is the 2nd half of the

A Cruising We Shall Go

class

Your cruise guide is

Roger Thomas

And his lovely assistant

Marilyn Thomas

Review of last week:

• Bridge and Engine Tour DVD .

• Advantages of Cruising .

• Disadvantages of Cruising .

• Recreation

• Relaxation

• Renewal .

• Safety

• Bridge

• Activities .

• None

Review of last week:

• Where can you take a cruise? .

• Passports .

• Kinds of cruises .

• Everywhere .

(almost)

• Get one .• Mainstream

• Premium / luxury

• Adventure / education

Review of last week (continued):

• When to go .

• Booking Options .

• Which Cruise Line .

• Year round .• Direct

• Net

• Agent .

• Service ?

• When ?

• Where ?

Review of last week (continued):

• Which cabin? .

• Price

• Size

• Location

Review of last week (continued):

..

.

.

• Dining Options .

Review of last week (continued):

• Travel Insurance .

• Strongly recommended !

After further research:

• There were questions about the “best time” to take a cruise.

When To Go:

Cruises are available year round. However, the best money deals are usually found:

Best money deals:

– Alaska: April, May, September

– Bermuda: May, Sep

– Caribbean: Sep, right before Christmas, 1st and 2nd weeks of Jan, Apr to Jun

– Europe: Apr, May, Sep, Oct

– Generally: fall, Sep – mid Dec, except Thanksgiving week

When To Go:

Cruises are available year round. However, the off (slow) seasons typically are:

Off Seasons:

– Alaska: April, May, September

– Bermuda: May, September

– Caribbean: September to right before Christmas, the 1st and 2nd weeks of January, April to June

– Europe: April, May, September, October

– Typically: September to mid-December (except Thanksgiving week) are cruise line’s slowest months.

Questions?

Money Matters

• No Cash Needed on Ship .

– Room Key - Your Credit Card on Ship .

• Gambling

• Spa

• Store Purchases

• Pop or Alcoholic Drinks

• Required to get on/off ship !

– Safe in Room for Cash & Documents

Money Matters

• Cash or Traveler’s Checks .

– Excursions .

– Cabs, Shuttles, and other tips .

– Traveler’s Checks are replaceable

Money Matters

the companies.

Let them know you will charging away from

Questions?

Selecting Excursions

Selecting Excursions

• You might book them online w/Cruise Line .

– Book Early

• Excursions Sell Out .

– Will Be Charged to Tab On-Ship .

– Excursion Choices for Each Port .

– Tickets In Cabin

Selecting Excursions

• If NOT Booked w/Cruise Line .

– Port Changes Do Not Cancel Excursions .

– If You Get Back Late – Miss Ship .

Questions?

Between booking and the cruise

Between booking and the cruise

• ASAP– Passport

– Shore and pre/post excursions

– Spa and Salon appointments

– Embarkation gifts

– Transportation tickets

– Credit Card Planning

– Arrange for a house sitter

– Loved ones care (child/adult/pet)

Between booking and the cruise

• 2 – 4 weeks in advance

– Pre-pack

– Medicines

– Medical and other documents

– Airports transfers

Between booking and the cruise

• 7 – 6 days out

– Communicate plans

– Keys, stop mail, etc.

– Finalize packing

– Video, film, digital media

Between booking and the cruise

• Departure day

– Secure house

– Check

– Check

– Check

– Allow plenty of time to get to airport etc.

– Leave

Questions?

Pre Cruise checklist

You need one.

Everybody and their brother or sister has one to share.

Questions?

Packing

• Carry-on

• Check-in

• Quantity limits

• Weight limits

Questions?

What to wear

• Where are you going?

• When are you going?

• Which dining options?

• Check weather on net.

• ALWAYS pack some sort of jacket (etc) and raingear

Questions?

Getting to the port

• Tickets

• Parking arrangements

• Shuttle arrangements

• Cash: small bills, coins

Questions?

Airport Security

• Takes time .

.

• 4 oz container limit in carry on

More Airport Security details

• Book “ I Might As Well Be Naked ”by Natalia Ippolito

More Airport Security details

• If you must use lock luggage,

use only TSA Accepted & Recognized Locks.

• Web site: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/locks.shtm

• Good web site, includes a wait time calculator.

Review

Questions?

Break time?

Embarkation Day

Embarkation Day (finally!)

• Get to ship on time

• Documents, etc in carry on?

• Procedure much like airport

• Non-allowable items?

• Check-in

• Find cabin

• Lifeboat drill

Questions?

Shipboard activities

• You can do many or none.

• Well publicized.

• Only one required activity -- life boat drill .

Photo courtesy of Wikipeda

Questions?

Ship to Shore Communications

• May be expensive,

but people can call you (sat phone)

• Beware of “local” on cell phone

• Internet

Questions?

Security

• Luggage tag

• Only passengers allowed aboard (few exceptions)

• 300’ security zone around ship

• Fire / flood risk minimized

• Personal safety

Questions?

Health Issues

• Immunizations– US government web site:

•http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx

• Sea sickness

• General health– Be careful on tours, don’t over do the physical

Health Issues

• Shot record

• Onboard medical– May/may not exist

– If there is, it will be expensive

– Travel insurance will cover?

• Hands sanitizers– Norwalk viruseshttp://cruises.about.com/od/cruisehealthandsafety/a/norwalk_virus.htm

Questions?

Last night of the Cruise

Last night of the Cruise

• Pack

– Leave out clothes for debarking

– Leave out documents, medicines, etc

• Check final bill

• Last minute tipping

Last night of the Cruise

• Leave luggage outside your door -- or not .

– Leave necessities out .

• Early breakfast .

• Depart by groups .

• EVERYBODY passes through U.S.A. customs

Questions?

• Everybody and their bother/sister has his/her thoughts.

• Always optional

– may have to take off the final bill

Following tipping source: http://www.tipping.org/tips/us.html

Gratuities

Gratuities

Airport

• skycaps: $1 or more per bag

• in-flight personnel: none

• Wheelchair: $3 to $5 unless the person goes out of their way or the trip is unusually long; in that case be more generous

Gratuities

Cab / Taxi / Taxicab

• driver: 15% of fare, no less than 25 cents

help with luggage:

– $1 per bag - up to 5 bags

– $2 per bag 5 bags or more or if bags are very heavy (over 50lbs. each)

Gratuities

Hotel • chambermaid: $5 a night minimum.

More if long stays (over a week) Consider $7 to $9 a night• room service waiter: 15% of bill• bellhop: $10 for bringing you to your room with luggage;

$5 dollars for opening and showing the room• lobby attendant: none for opening door or calling taxi

from stand; $1 dollar or more for help with luggage or finding a taxi on the street

• desk clerk: none unless special service is given during long stay then, $5

• concierge: $5-$10 Average. More for special services or favors

Gratuities

Tour Guide / Bus Driver (Day Trips Only)

• $10-15% of the tour cost

Gratuities

Cruise Ship .• cabin steward: $3.00 to $3.50 per day

per person .• waiter: $3.00 per day per person .• bus boy: $1.50 per day per person .• maitre d„: your choice, extra for special

occasions like birthdays

Gratuities

Cruise Ship .

• cabin boy, bath steward: 5% to 7 1/2% - % of total fare divided among them, paid at the end of each week .

• bar steward, wine steward: 15% tip added to bill automatically .

• massage therapist: typically, for a one hour massage ($50 range) a tip of 10% is acceptable. A 20% tip for a good massage is not uncommon. MAY BE INCLUDED IN CHARGE

Questions?

Customs

• Suggested you read the gov’ts pamphlet Know Before You Go (and other travel tips) at– http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/

• Define “duty free”

Customs allowances:

GENERALLY !!!!!

Each U.S. citizen:• $800 worth of duty-free merchandise• An additional $1,000 being taxed at a

reduced flat rate.• Maximum of 40 ounces of wine or liquor• Maximum of 200 cigarettes.

Customs

Customs agents will want to see: .• proof of citizenship (depending on the sailing, a valid

passport, or a government-issued photo ID and birth certificate with raised seal) .

• a travel visa (if visas are required at any ports of call) .

• a customs declaration form (which will be delivered to your cabin on the last night of the cruise) .

Customs

Tips for Cruise Passengers Re-entering the U.S.

• Know what items "will clear Customs“, obtain information directly from the U.S. Customs Service.

• Declare " duty-free goods". • Don‟t bring in unauthorized fruits, meats, and dairy

products. • Know the difference between goods for personal use

vs. commercial use. • Know the difference between prohibited merchandise

and restricted merchandise. • Many foreign manufactured medications are not FDA-

approved and cannot be brought into the U.S. Also, when traveling abroad, bring only the amount of medication you'll need during the trip.

Customs

Tips for Cruise Passengers Re-entering the U.S. (con‟t)

• Do not attempt to return with Cuban cigars, unless they were purchased in Cuba while on authorized travel.

• Know the rules governing the $800 exemption. • By law, Customs officers have the authority to conduct

enforcement examinations without a warrant, ranging from a single luggage examination up to and possibly including a personal search.

• Be sure and read U.S. Customs Know Before You Go brochure. You may request a print copy of the brochure by writing to USCS, P.O. Box 7407, Washington, D.C. 20044.

Source: U.S. Customs Service

Questions?

Alaska

Major Cruises (and a minor one)

• Gulf of Alaska

• Inland passage

• Repositioning

• Asia

• Hawaii

• Caribbean

• Alaska Marine Highway

Alaska

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.html

• The mission of the Alaska Marine Highway System is to provide safe, reliable, and efficient transportation of people, goods, and vehicles among Alaska communities, Canada, and the "Lower 48“.

• The Alaska Marine Highway System has been operating year-round since 1963, with regularly scheduled passenger and vehicle service to 32 communities in Alaska, plus Bellingham, Washington, and Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

Alaska Marine Highway

Alaska’s major cruise routes

• Gulf of Alaska

• Inland passage

• Repositioning

HAL‟s AlaskaPort & Destination Excursions

College Fjord Cruising Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising

Haines, Alaska Hubbard Glacier Cruising

Juneau, Alaska Ketchikan, Alaska

San Diego, California San Francisco, California

Seattle, Washington Seward (Anchorage) Alaska

Sitka, Alaska Skagway, Alaska

Tracy Arm, Alaska Vancouver, B.C.

Victoria, B.C.

Alaska,cruises always changing – always more information

• Icy Strait: small cruise ship port

Bon Voyage

Review of the course.

Final Questions?

Please complete

survey.

Bonus Material !

Kid’s Activities

• Most options

– Large ship

– “Mainstream” cruise lines

– 60 cruise lines

– Nearly 300 ships

Kid’s Activities, ages 2 -17

check with cruise line for details!

• Examples:

In-room babysitting group babysitting

Shore excursions treasure hunts

Talents shows costume making

Slumber parties games

Teen center science

Dancing wildlife

Conservation Nintendo

Movies Karaoke

Great screen TV rock climbing walls

Kid’s Activities, Some of the cruise lines recommended:

-- Carnival Cruise Lines -- shore excursions

– Costa Cruise Lines -- many nations

– Crystal Cruises -- luxury line

– Cunard Line -- QM2 and QE2, British flare

– Disney Cruise Line -- what more can be said?

– Holland America Line -- Half Moon cay excursion

– Norwegian Cruise Line -- includes art and crafts

– Princess Cruises -- includes learning activities

– Royal Caribbean International -- ice skating rinks– Source: http://cruises.about.com/od/cruisingwithkids/tp/top10family.htm

Sample Planner WorksheetRound trip

Bel - Sgy

Ferry start date

from Bel

Ferry return

date to Bel

Ferry

Round trip

$

cabin

Passenger

fare

Air fare

SeaTac Round trip $, no taxes etc

about 7 days on ferry round trip $780 about $1400

est 10 days 10/19/2007, 1800 Oct 26, 0800 limited cabins on return Oct 18 - Oct 27 214 each times 2

10/26/2007, 1800 Nov 2, 0800 limited cabins on return $ 272, no facilities Oct 25 - Nov 3 210

11/9/2007, 1800 Nov 16, 0800 cabins open roomette $85 Nov 8 - Nov 17 254

ferry schedule stopped?11/16/2007, 1800 Nov 23, 0800 cabins open Nov 15 - Nov 24 248

near Thanksgiving

Round trip

Bel - Yrp

Air Fare

SeaTac Round trip

about 2 days on ferry round trip about $600

est 5 days Oct 5, 1800 Oct 7, 1700 $460 Oct 4 - Oct 8 216

Oct 19, 1800 Oct 21, 1800 probably could get a cheaper cabin Oct 18 - Oct 22 214 would have to refigure air dates

Nov 9, 1800 Nov 11, 1800 $230 vs 202 Nov 8 - Nov 12 214 may have to refigure air dates, school; break?

Nov 16, 1800 Nov 18, 1700 Nov 15 - Nov 19 219

schedule stopped

One way

Bel - Juneau Depart Bel Arrive Juneau about $600

Air Fare

SeaTac - Jnu

about 2 1/2 days on ferry $341

est 6 days Oct 5, 1800 Oct 8, 0800 probably could get a cheaper cabin Oct 4 - Oct 9 410 / 309

Oct 26, 1800 Oct 29, 0330 Oct 25 - Oct 30 347 / 309

Nov 9, 1800 Nov 12, 0515 Nov 8 - Nov 13 347 / 309

Nov 16, 1800 Nov 19, 0345 Nov 15 - Nov 18 307 / 311

One way

Jun - Bel about $600

Air Fare

Jnu - SeaTac

3+ days on ferry $341

est 6 days Oct 2, 0145 Oct 5, 0800 probably could get a cheaper cabin Oct 1 - Oct 6 411 / 109

Oct 23, 0130 Oct 26, 0800 $ 272, no facilities Oct 22 - Oct 27 350 / 109

Oct 30, 0045 Nov 2, 0800 roomette $85 Oct 29 - Nov 3 354 / 105 refigure dates

Nov 6, 0045 Nov 9, 0800 Nov 5 - Nov 10 313 / 109

Nov 13, 0445 Nov 16, 0800 Nov 12 - Nov 17 311 / 109

Nov 20, 0515 Nov 23, 0800 Nov 19 - Nov 24 358 / 163

Food:

Travel insurance:

black out dates:

Oct 20 and Nov 3 Sat Webster class

Oct 10 and 17, Cruise class

Oct 18, law final

you'll have Thursday classes

Current Cruise Line Web Siteswww.carnival.comwww.costacruises.com www.disneycruise.comwww.hollandamerica.com www.msccruises.comwww.ncl.com www.oceaniacruises.comwww.princess.com www.royalcaribbean.comwww.crystalcruises.com www.cunard.comwww.rssc.com www.seabourn.comwww.seadreamyachtclub.com www.silversea.comwww.accl-smallships.com www.amsafari.comwww.americanweststeamboat.com www.clippercruise.comwww.cruisewest.com www.easycruise.comwww.expeditions.com www.sailmainecoast.comwww.starclippers.com www.windjammer.comwww.windstarcruises.com

Lessons Learned 2006

• Lessons learned 2006:• Get small bills, people “may not” have change for larger bills• Quarters for tolls, laundry, airport carts, etc• Review documents, our parking pass was one day short• Stop mail, newspaper, etc a day or 2 before u leave, gives time to complain if they don’t• stop it• Hav somebody to ck ur house• Pk Eyeglass screwdriver• $1 bills for various tips• Airline currently: 50# free, 51#-75# ($25), 75#-100# ($65) – b wise to ck w/ airline• Keep journal 4 future reference• Stay together• Call credit card co & let them know there may be charges from abnormal places• Not jeans & t-shirt @ evening dining room• Pk luggage ½ & ½• May/may not b able to store under bed• Air security: no more than 3 oz container, doesn’t matter if it’s a 4 oz container ½ full• Place tubes, aerosol, pills, etc in see through qt size zip lock bag• On ship easier to keep balance if you spread ur legs (port n stbd), bent at knees• Take stuff out of pockets at security, therefore min stuff u hav in pocket, carry coat,• purse, etc• lighters banned beyond security ckpoint• remove shoes at security• pk raingear, at least a jacket• chew gum to pop ears, yawn, etc (equalize air pressure on both sides of ear drum is goal)• hotel.com• ck 2 c if ship has self-service laundry, take ur own fabric sheets• totel bag useful• www.cruisejunkie.com• inside stateroom, think of camping or small trailer• room appox 16’ to closet/bathroom area, 8 ½ feet wide• closet/bathroom (outside) another 6’ long• bathroom, 5 feet sq (inside)• passage between closet & bathroom – 2’• closet appox 1 ½” wide• call rental car co about special deals, example: driving from Orlando to KC for $2/ day