Second night of Cruise class

1. A Cruising We Shall Go

2. This is the 2nd half of the A Cruising We Shall Go class

3. Your cruise guide is Roger Thomas

4. And his lovely assistant Marilyn Thomas

5. Review of last week: None Bridge and Engine Tour DVD . Advantages of Cruising . Disadvantages of Cruising. Recreation Relaxation Renewal . Safety Bridge Activities .

6. Review of last week: Where can you take a cruise?. Passports . Kinds of cruises. Mainstream Premium / luxury Adventure / education Get one . Everywhere . (almost)

7. Review of last week (continued): When to go. Booking Options. Which Cruise Line. Direct Net Agent . Service ? When ? Where ? Year round.

8. Review of last week (continued): Which cabin? . Price Size Location

9. Review of last week (continued): . . . . Dining Options.

10. Review of last week (continued): Travel Insurance . Strongly recommended !

11. After further research: There were questions about the “best time” to take a cruise.

12. When To Go: Cruises are available year round. However, the best money deals are usually found:

13. 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

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

15. 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.

16. Questions?

17. Money Matters

18. 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

19. Money Matters Cash or Traveler’s Checks . Excursions . Cabs, Shuttles, and other tips . Traveler’s Checks are replaceable

20. Money Matters the companies. Let them know you will charging away from

21. Questions?

22. Selecting Excursions

23. 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

24. Selecting Excursions If NOT Booked w/Cruise Line . Port Changes Do Not Cancel Excursions . If You Get Back Late – Miss Ship .

25. Questions?

26. Between booking and the cruise

27. 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)

28. Between booking and the cruise 2 – 4 weeks in advance Pre-pack Medicines Medical and other documents Airports transfers

29. Between booking and the cruise 7 – 6 days out Communicate plans Keys, stop mail, etc. Finalize packing Video, film, digital media

30. Between booking and the cruise Departure day Secure house Check Check Check Allow plenty of time to get to airport etc. Leave

31. Questions?

32. Pre Cruise checklist You need one. Everybody and their brother or sister has one to share.

33. Questions?

34. Packing Carry-on Check-in Quantity limits Weight limits

35. Questions?

36. 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

37. Questions?

38. Getting to the port Tickets Parking arrangements Shuttle arrangements Cash: small bills, coins

39. Questions?

40. Airport Security Takes time . . 4 oz container limit in carry on

41. More Airport Security details Book “ I Might As Well Be Naked ” by Natalia Ippolito

42. 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.

43. Review Questions? Break time?

44. Embarkation Day

45. 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

46. Questions?

47. Photo courtesy of Wikipeda Shipboard activities You can do many or none. Well publicized. Only one required activity -- life boat drill .

48. Questions?

49. Ship to Shore Communications May be expensive, but people can call you (sat phone) Beware of “local” on cell phone Internet

50. Questions?

51. Security Luggage tag Only passengers allowed aboard (few exceptions) 300’ security zone around ship Fire / flood risk minimized Personal safety

52. Questions?

53. 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

54. Health Issues Shot record Onboard medical May/may not exist If there is, it will be expensive Travel insurance will cover? Hands sanitizers Norwalk viruses http://cruises.about.com/od/cruisehealthandsafety/a/norwalk_virus.htm

55. Questions?

56. Last night of the Cruise

57. Last night of the Cruise Pack Leave out clothes for debarking Leave out documents, medicines, etc Check final bill Last minute tipping

58. 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

59. Questions?

60. 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

61. 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

62. 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)

63. 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

64. Gratuities Tour Guide / Bus Driver (Day Trips Only) $10-15% of the tour cost

65. 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 each ship has their own suggestions

66. 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 each ship has their own suggestions

67. Questions?

68. 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”

69. 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.

70. 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) .

71. 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.

72. 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

73. Questions?

75. Hawaii

76. CaribbeanAlaska Marine Highway

77. Alaska

78. 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

79. Alaska’s major cruise routes Gulf of Alaska Inland passage Repositioning

80. HAL’s Alaska Port & Destination Excursions

81. Alaska, cruises always changing – always more information Icy Strait: small cruise ship port

82. Bon Voyage

83. Review of the course. Final Questions? Please complete survey.

84. Bonus Material !

85. Kid’s Activities Most options Large ship “Mainstream” cruise lines 60 cruise lines Nearly 300 ships

86. 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

87. 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

88. Sample Planner Worksheet

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

90. 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