All about the experience in cruise

1. THE CRUISE EXPERIENCE

2. BEFORE YOU BUY
 If you’re typical, you almost surely found out about cruising from ads,
commercials, or a friend. Your interest ignited, you perhaps did some
preliminary research on the internet and probably then contacted a travel
agent.
 You may even have approached the travel agent with only vague ideas of your
travel plans and the agent brought up the idea of a cruise.
 The travel agent asks you a series of questions to discover your needs. The
agent understands that many types of cruises are available, and, to be
satisfied, it’s critical that you travel on the ship, itinerary and line that’s right
for you.
 You give your deposit, with the balance due later.

3.  A few weeks before departure, your travel agent calls. Your cruise documents
have arrived.
Following documents are:
 An Invoice, confirmation, ticket, or voucher that verifies you’re on the trip,
probably also listing such information as embarkation date and hours, pier
location, cabin number, which dining room seating you have, your booking ID
number, and the terms and conditions of your voyage.
 A booklet summarizing important information on such topics as dress
requirements, onboard credit policies, and what clothes to bring

4.  A list of the documents you’ll need(e.g., passport)
 An identification button
 A document on tuxedo rentals
 A gift order form (e.g., for champagne available in your cabin upon arrival)
 Color-coded luggage tags (usually two for each person)
 Immigration and customs form for travel insurance (not necessary if you’ve already purchased
insurance from your travel agent)
 An itinerary
 Air tickets and hotel information (if arranged through the cruise line)
 Embarkation port information (the cruise line or your travel agent may also have given you a
map of your embarkation port)
 A leaflet on how ship-to-shore communication works, which may also list important telephone
and fax numbers (make a copy of this document for friends or family in case there’s an
emergency back home)
 A list of shore excursions and how to sign up for them
 A card that will serve as your identification throughout the trip in order to charge things, to get
on the ship, etc. (you might not get this card until you get to the things, to get on the ship)

5. ON THE WAY TO YOUR CRUISE
 If ever your flight was booked through the cruise line, a company
representative meets you at the airline terminal, along with others bound for
the same ship.
 With your fellow passengers, you board a motorcoach for transfer to the port.
Your luggage is placed in the bus, too, or on another vehicle. You probably
won’t see it again until you get your stateroom. The cruise line will take care
of everything . It’s the first of many hassle-saving benefits of a cruise.
 When embarkation began, check in with a cruise representative, who reviews
your documents, takes your credit card imprint to cover onboard charges, and
gives you any materials you need.

6.  You usually pass through some sort of security procedure and carry-on luggage
screening, similar to those at airports.
 You make your way up the gangway-the walkway that connects the ship with
the dock. Perhaps the ship’s photographer takes your picture.
 As you enter the ship, you pass through another security screening checkpoint
 As you enter, several smiling ship’s staff members greet you.
 A trio of musicians may be playing too.
 You’re finally finding out what others have told you: Once you’re on a cruise
ship, boredom is left behind on the dock.

7. ONBOARD THE SHIP
 You now find your way to your stateroom escorted by a crew member. The
stateroom door is open.
 You settle in and review any in-room literature, such as the daily activities
log, to find out what happens next.
 You’re eager to explore the ship, too, maybe stopping by the dining room to
confirm you seating.
 You also may go to the purser’s desk to register your credit card, since you
didn’t do so at the port. Most ships today operates on a “cashless” basis.
 Upon return to your stateroom, you find that your luggage has arrived. At this
time you cabin steward-the person who maintains your stateroom-introduces
themselves to you. You sense already that the level of service on a ship
exceeds what hotels provide.

8. DEPARTURE
 A ship’s departure is one of the most energetic moments on a cruise.
 You can head for the pool deck, where a Caribbean steel drum band performs,
staffs members serve you tropical beverages and everyone watches as the
ship dramatically glides from its dock. The sky is blue, the breeze is warm and
wonderful, and the sense of fun and excitement is everywhere.
 After enjoying some activities, you return to your stateroom. A cocktail
reception is next. But the big-departure day is your first dinner at sea.

9. A DAY AT SEA
 Breakfast may be on the Lido deck or in the main dining room. It’s your
choice. Seating this time is open.
 You’ll have a free will on what you want to do on cruise. You can attend and
orientation lecture that explains all you need to know about this cruise. You
then can decide that you want to read a book and work on a tan. So you
change and head for pool. Before you know it, it’s time for lunch!
 You opt again for the Lido café and its seemingly endless buffet.
 If you feel guilty, you can have your workout at the health club.

10.  Down now to your stateroom. You go shower and change afterwards. Then
attend a “port talk” that will prepare you for tomorrow’s stop, the shore
excursions.

11. A DAY IN PORT
 You’re up early. The ship docks for shore excursion.
 You can spend your time strolling in the place to do shopping or sight-seeing.

12. THE LAST NIGHT AND THE FOLLOWING
DAY
 After several more ports, countless events, and some genuinely memorable
meals, it’s time for your great vacation to draw to a close.
 Dinner, a pleasant show, and back to the stateroom to do some packing. As
per directions, you keep a few overnight things with you and pull all the rest
in your luggage. You place the suitcase outside your stateroom door. A staff of
member will pick it up and store it for the night.
 You’ve left a gratuity for your cabin steward and presented your table staff
with tips too.
 You fill out a customs form and comment card. You then settle your
outstanding bills at the purser’s office.

13.  The next day there’s an early breakfast. You head with your overnight things
to a public area, where you await the announcement of your turn to
disembark.
 As with most events on a ship, disembarkation runs like clockwork. Luggage
tags are color coded. Each color is called sequentially.
 You leave the ship, claim your luggage, go through immigration and customs,
and board your motorcoach to International Aiport.