Caribbean Cruising 101 Guide
What destinations are included in a Caribbean Cruise?
Caribbean cruises typically visit the Western, Eastern or Southern Caribbean, are available year-round and usually range from 4 to 14 nights in length. Itineraries vary, but generally Western Caribbean cruises may include ports in Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Jamaica or Grand Cayman; Eastern Caribbean itineraries may include ports in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico; and Southern Caribbean itineraries may include ports in Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao or Grenada. Cruises are also available to the Bahamas.
Tipping
So that you can thank those who have made your cruise vacation better than you could have imagined, we've developed these gratuity guidelines:
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How do I get to the ship?
You can pre-purchase transfers to the ship from your booking agent at the time of reservation or you can take the cab on your own.
How early do I need to leave?
You should plan to arrive at the pier at least two hours before the ship is scheduled to depart. Boarding times vary by itinerary. It is your responsibility to arrive on time. In preparation for prompt departure, cruise check-in will close 60 minutes prior to sailing. Guests arriving after this time will not be permitted to board.
Is my baggage protected?
If your baggage or personal property is lost, travel insurance typically will cover up to $1,500.
What happens if my itinerary is changed?
In the event of weather conditions, mechanical difficulties, or for any other reason, we have the right to cancel, advance, postpone, or deviate from any scheduled sailing or port of call without prior notice. In this situation we may substitute another ship or port of call. However we are not legally liable for any loss to guests by reason of the cancellation, advancement, postponement, deviation, or substitution. In addition, while we attempt to follow the published schedules as closely as possible, we are not responsible if we cannot adhere exactly to the published times at any of the ports of call. However, we will attempt to keep our passengers informed of any changes.
What if my flight is delayed?
If you miss the departure of your Caribbean cruise ship trip due to carrier-caused delays or other covered reasons, travel insurance reimburses you for additional accommodations, meals and "catch-up" transportation expenses. Otherwise, you are responsible for any expense incurred to meet the ship at its next port of call. For this reason, many guests find it is easiest to arrive a day prior to sailing and stay in a hotel the night before to avoid any possible delays.
Are hair-dryers provided in the staterooms?
For the benefit of guests, all ships provide hair-dryers in the staterooms.
Can I change my stateroom?
Guests desiring to transfer to higher-priced accommodations, which may be available during boarding or after sailing, may do so by paying, in cash, with travelers checks, or by credit card, the difference in the published, full cruise vacation price.
Can I store insulin in my stateroom?
You can store insulin in the mini bar, ice bucket, or kitchen of your stateroom. Please let your booking agent aware of any medical conditions.
Is room service available?
Complimentary room service is available onboard any time of the day or night. Simply order from the room-service menu.
Do the staterooms have soap, shampoo, and conditioner?
Like a fine hotel, all of our partner Caribbean Cruise Line staterooms provide soap, shampoo and conditioner.
Is the water on the ship safe to drink?
Yes. All drinking water is either distilled from seawater or loaded onboard while the ship is in port. Caribbean Cruise Lines adhere to Vessel Sanitation System standards published by the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS). USPHS conducts inspections of the ship both during its construction and throughout the year to ensure compliance.
Are ATM machines available onboard?
All ships in our partner Caribbean Cruise Lines have ATM machines. There is a transaction fee up to $5.50 plus any other fees the guests financial institution would charge.
Can I bring my own liquor onboard?
We apologize for any inconvenience but due to regulatory and licensing requirements guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages of any kind onboard for consumption or any other use.
Alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty-free from the shops on board or at ports of call will be stored by the cruise line and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of your voyage. A member of the staff will be at the gangway to assist with the storage of your purchases. This policy may not apply to every ship or itinerary depending on local laws, customs, or license requirements. Our partner Caribbean Cruise lines are not responsible for fines imposed or items confiscated by local authorities.
Are handicapped accessible facilities available onboard?
All ships have handicapped accessible facilities available onboard.
Is there a licensed medical staff onboard?
Each cruise line provides fully licensed professional medical staff onboard every ship.
What are the dress codes onboard?
There are three distinct types of evenings onboard: casual, smart casual and formal. Suggested guidelines for these nights are:
Casual: Sport shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women
Smart Casual: Jackets and ties for men, dresses or pantsuits for women
Formal: Suits and ties or tuxedos for men, cocktail dresses for women
3 to 4 - night cruises include one formal night and the remainder nights are casual.
5 - night cruises include one formal and the remainder nights casual.
6 - night cruises include two formal nights, one smart casual and the remainder nights casual. 7 to 9 - night cruises include two formal nights, one smart casual night and the remainder nights casual.
10 to 13-night cruises include two formal nights, two smart casual nights, and the remainder nights casual.
14+ - night cruises include three formal nights, four smart casual nights and the remainder nights casual.
We appreciate your usual parental guidance and cooperation in observing these easy guidelines with your children.
What does a Purser do?
The main objective of the Purser's division is to provide guests with a positive cruise experience. Guest satisfaction is their goal in everything they do, especially: Greeting and assisting guests with their individual needs; Responding to guest questions, requests, comments, or complaints; Taking responsibility for all money, transactions, lost or found articles, mail, and onboard printing; Obtaining proper clearance for the ship with Port Authorities.
What electrical voltage is offered onboard?
North American standard, 110 volts AC is used on all of ships. Outlet adapter is required for European standard. European standard (220 volts AC, round prongs).
Stateroom outlets can accommodate appliances up to 1500 watts.
What is security like onboard?
The Caribbean Cruise lines we partner with meet and exceed all International and U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations, including smoke detectors and sprinkler systems throughout the ships.
What is the smoking policy?
For the comfort and enjoyment of our guests, smoking is prohibited onboard most areas of our ships. However, to provide an onboard environment that also satisfies smokers, there have special designated smoking areas in many of lounges and on all open-air decks.
What safety features are provided onboard?
Each ship has enough lifeboats to accommodate 100 % of the maximum number of guests allowed to be carried onboard. Additionally, each ship has inflatable life rafts that provide extra capacity. Our partner Caribbean Cruise ships have modern, up-to-date navigation equipment that enable us to detect potential dangers and Navigation Officers receive specialized additional training on navigation safety.
