Cruise Line Vacations Specials

Are cruises safe onboard?
In general, cruises are quite safe onboard. Each ship has a staff of security personnel that is always on duty. However, guests should treat a cruise ship like any public place, and be on their guard against theft or personal harm. Leave valuables at home or store them in a stateroom safe or at the purser’s office. Passengers should always be aware of their surroundings and in control of their faculties. If you plan on drinking a lot, it’s wise to designate one person to remain sober to ensure the safety of inebriated friends.

Where should I keep my valuables?
You can store your valuables in safes that are often provided in each stateroom. If not, there is a ship’s safe located at the purser’s desk. In general, it’s best to leave most valuables at home.

Will I become seasick on my cruise?
All modern ships are equipped with stabilizers to minimize side-to-side rolling. In most cases, you will feel no motion at all. However, if you are prone to motion sickness, it is recommended that you bring medication along with you. Otherwise, medication is available through the doctor onboard.

What if I get sick or need medical attention?
Most cruise ships have a fully equipped medical facility and staff (with doctors and nurses) onboard that can handle almost any emergency. In the event that you may need to seek treatment on land or receive a medical evacuation from the ship, it’s always recommended to carry medical insurance as part of your travel insurance policy.

Can I get off the ship if I don’t like the cruise?
If you are unhappy while onboard and want to leave the ship, you can get off at the next port-of-call. Arrangements to get home and refunds vary by cruise line.

What about passengers with special needs?
Cruise lines welcome passengers with special needs and will work hard to assist them throughout their cruise. Most modern cruise ships have a number of cabins that are specially designed to accommodate passengers in need of wheelchairs or TTY communications. Service animals are permitted onboard if prior arrangements have been made. Professional medical services are also available on all cruise ships. At least one qualified physician and two registered nurses are normally in attendance on every cruise.

Although the cruise line will do all it can to accommodate passengers with special needs, there are some limitations. Passengers requiring oxygen must meet certain requirements before boarding the ship. Passengers who are entering their third trimester of pregnancy by the beginning of their cruise will not be accepted. In ports-of-call that require tenders to go ashore, wheelchair access may be limited, or may be unavailable if sea conditions are unfavorable. Furthermore, it is highly recommended that passengers with special needs travel with a companion who can provide required assistance.

All passengers must insure that they are medically and physically fit for travel, and that such travel will not endanger themselves or others. It is essential that the cruise line know well in advance if you have any special medical, physical, or other requirements. To receive appropriate assistance, you must inform your travel agent or the cruise line of any special requirements (or other relevant information) in writing at the time of booking. If special needs arise after booking, they must be reported prior to the embarkation date.

 Is smoking allowed?
Virtually all ships have smoking and nonsmoking sections in lounges and public areas, but most onboard restaurants are now smoke-free. Guests can generally smoke in outdoor areas and on balconies, but some cruise lines restrict smoking in staterooms.

What is the legal drinking age?
The legal drinking age onboard is either 18 or 21, depending on the cruise line and the port of embarkation.

 Can others contact me, and can I contact others, while onboard?
Every ship has a phone number that can be used to contact you while the ship is at sea. This information will be included in your cruise documents. If you need to call home, ship-to-shore calling is available, but is very expensive as it’s charged at satellite rates. Most ships now offer cell phone service, but your provider will charge you international roaming rates. Email is available onboard through the ship’s Internet cafe or your own Internet-enabled computer. Not surprisingly, shipboard connectivity prices tend to be high.

Are visitors permitted onboard?
For security reasons, most cruise lines have a “no visitor” policy. The only exceptions to this policy are wedding guests attending an onboard ceremony that has been arranged well in advance.

Source: http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/faq/onboard.html