1 – MY FIRST CRUISE

Sailing for the first time onboard a large cruise ship has its peculiarities. A cruise ship is not a mere means of transport, but a complete floating attraction that also allows you to visit different places. It is a complex vacation that will take you from one place to another. 
We answer to those basic doubts that appear when you want to travel on a cruise ship without previous experience: what to bring, how is the day to day onboard, how to pay, how to get an excursion and more… Take note! With these tips you will make the most of your first experience onboard.

What cruise shall I book?
As soon as you star your research, you will discover that there is a wide variety of cruises: from large ocean liners to small river ones. The first thing you need to decide is where in the world do you want to travel, what is your budget and what dates interest you the most. Stating from this base, you reduce your options. 

Once you have your options, check what ports you will visit and what possible shore excursions you can take and what places you can visit on your own, taking into account the transportation from the ship to downtown, for example. 

Depending on the season, some cruise lines offers last-minute rates to complete their ships’ manifest. These offers have restrictions, such as choosing the dates for your trip, destinations (few itineraries), types of cabin, etcetera.

Cruising tips
Taking a cruise allows you to visit different cities/ports of call by sailing overnight from one place to another.
What documentation do I need to book a cruise?

As in any other trip, this is something you should take into account from the moment you start planning your holidays. Have your documents ready: ID and passport, visas (if necessary), international driver’s license (if you plan to rent a car at any of the ports of call) and travel permits for minors. Don’t forget to double check the expiration dates of each document and the valid dates required by the countries you visit. We recommend you to check your reservation: guests’ information, reservation numbers, the boarding tickets and luggage identification… and your key card! It is also worth purchasing a travel insurance with specific coverage for cruise ships.

How do I pay onboard?
On embarkation day, we recommend you to arrive as early as possible (between 11 am and noon), as you will have to complete all the paperwork before getting on the ship. You will first dispatch your luggage and then follow the line to the guest service’s counter, where crew will assign your cabin number, hand in your key card, and guide you to board the ship with your personal belongings (carry-on or back pack with the essentials).

The guest services crew members will explain you how your key card works. Once you board, your credit card will be associated with your key card and with it you will pay for all the extras onboard (shops, excursions, drinks, among others). Your key card is you ID for boarding and getting off the ship on every port, so it is very important to have it with you at all times. Cash is not accepted onboard (except for tipping your waiter/bartender). 

What to pack?
When packing, you should take into account where are you traveling to, and get clothes according to the area you are visiting. However, there are certain items you must not forget, such as a swimsuit. If you travel in a large cruise ship, you will find a pool and hot tubs, so it does not matter if you are sailing through the glaciers in Alaska, even there it will be useful if you wish to swim…and no! you don’t need to bring your own towels, as the ship will provide you with this service!.

On the other hand, you can’t forget to pack your formal/gala outfit for the formal attire nights (a special dinner where the captain and his officers welcome all the guests onboard. For the rest of the nights, you just need to wear the same clothes you do back home when you go out for dinner to a restaurant. 

We recommend you to pack the essentials on a carry on/back pack and take it with you on embarkation day: documents, medication, sun and reading glasses, a bathing suit, your phone and charger. Sometimes the checked luggage takes long to be dropped off in your cabin. 

Does the ship move a lot? Will I get dizzy or seasick?
All cruise ships are specially designed to sail calm waters, following and choosing routes and seasons in which both, the weather and the sea are at their best. Nevertheless, the ship will move sometimes due to the wind and currents that might change, and eventhough the cruise ships are modern and have stabilizers, is common to get a little seasick. If you tend to get seasick, we recommend you to book a cabin in the center of the ship (not in the front or aft) and in a lower deck, as you will not feel the motion as in the upper decks. It would not hurt to include some seasickness medication in your travel kit. 

What about my mobile phone, the plugs and the language onboard?
Take into account that you will not have coverage at sea, so you will be able to use your mobile phone once the ship is close enough to the land (and your plan with your company, you will have to activate the roaming and ask if you will have any fees in plus). The plugs onboard the European companies are often two round pins and those navigating American waters, are usually two flat pins. Just in case, it does not hurt to carry an universal adapter in your luggagre. You will be able to speak in English with the crew on any cruise ship, but depending on the company's official langugage, it may vary to Spanish, Italian, English, among others. 

2 - Reservations on Specialty Dining and Beverage Packages. 
Choose between a varity of dining options and beverage packages to create your perfect vacation. If you are looking for a refined meal, a cozy atmosphere or a night of fun and intrigue, you can make a reservation on our specialty restaurants. You can also purchase great wine and dinner packages, and select your desired beverage packages before boarding.  

3 - Authorization document for activities on board. 
Save time and sign the authorization documents for activities on board, online. If you want more time to enjoy the climbing wall, ice skating and much more, we recommend you to sign the authorization forms before boarding the ship, 
It is entirely the responsibility of the guests to obtain the proper and valid documents such as passports and visas. 
Guests will not be allowed to board the ship without proper documents and no refunds will be made for those guests missing the correct documentation.

Also, please bear in mind that for immigration and customs reasons, the officers of the Ship Reception (Guest Relations)  may keep your passport for the duration of the cruise. Your travel documents will be returned to you on the date of your disembarkation.
You must verify that the exact same name (including initials) appears on your passport. If there are any differences, you might be prevented from boarding your flight or your cruise. We regret that we cannot take any responsibility if you are banned from boarding any flight or ship, entering any country or if you experience other difficulties or have to pay some cost as a result of the lack of acceptable passport or any necessary visa. 

Vaccines and Health.
As indicated in our brochure, all guests must ensure that their physical and sanitary conditions are ideal to travel. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) offer guidelines on the vaccines required in each country. In many cases, vaccinations are recommended, but in other cases vaccines are mandatory. For more information, we recommend that you ask your doctor or you can also obtain more information on the World Health Organization's website at www.who.int/vaccines-diseases/

Family Legal Documents and Age Restrictions: 
Most of the cruise lines consider an older person to travel alone in a cabin at the age of 21. Guests under 21 years old are not allowed to travel alone in a cabin, unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian 21 years old or older. In the case of married couples and both under 21, but over 18 years old, a marriage certificate will be required once you book. Minors under 21 years of age who are NOT traveling accompanied by their parents or legal guardians, must present a legal notarized document of whoever exercises parental authority or guardianship at the time of the boarding. If the adult traveling with the minor is their legal guardian, they must present the official guardianship certificate. On board there are some facilities and lounges where entry is limited to guests 18 or 21 and over.

Note: We regret not being able to accept any responsibility in the event that your entry is denied to flight in any country, or even in the difficulties you may have or costs that you may incur as a result of not having the acceptable passport or the required visas. All damages that may arise due to lack of necessary documentation will be at your expense, including cancellation costs due to withdrawal and those produced by the interruption or non-start of the trip, and those derived from your eventual repatriation. 

All travel documents (passport, ID, NIE, visas, vaccination card, etc) must be valid and in force on the dates of the trip. Documents that have expired and are in the process of renewal or application, even with the official receipt are NOT considered valid and entail the denial of the boarding. If you have any questions, consult your travel agent or contact us from the Contact Us section of this website.