What should I pack?

If this is your first cruise, of course you must be wondering what cruising attire is all about! Days onboard or in port are casual and you'll be most comfortable in sport clothes and resort wear And don't forget to pack your swim suit! For evening dining, count on three basic types of attire. "Casual" includes dresses or slacks and blouses for women; sport shirts and trousers for men. "Smart Casual" will require dresses or pantsuits for women, jackets for men. "Formal" includes cocktail dresses or pantsuits for women, suits and ties or tuxedos for men.

Hair-dryers are provided in every stateroom. Irons are not provided. For your own small appliances such as electric razors, curling irons, etc., 110 volt electrical outlets are in each stateroom.

Be sure to pack all your medications in your carry-on bag. Also be sure to have your cruise documents and identification with you and not in your checked luggage!

All towels are provided.

There will be a cabin safe in every stateroom for the protection of your valuables.

How much money should I bring?

Provided for in the cost of your cruise is your on-board food, coffee, tea, juice and water. Soft drinks cost extra. Your stateroom key-card will serve as your on-board credit card to use for all purchases you make on the ship. At the end of your vacation, the balance will be billed to your credit card of choice, or you can pay in cash. Tipping will be expected at the end of the cruise for the service provided you on-board. You can charge your gratuities to your credit card, pay cash, or on some of our sailings you will have "pre-paid" those gratuities in the cost of your cruise. We'll make sure you're aware of the conditions for your particular cruise.

All major credit cards are accepted in the ports we'll be visiting; and in MOST cases, American money is accepted.

What about dining?

Breakfast and lunch are served daily in the dining room and also at the beautiful buffets. Snacks are available in several locations and through room-service. Complimentary room-service is available for means and snacks 24 hours a day! But the evening meal is always a highlight of the day! Our group will be seated together in the same area of the elegant dining room and will come together to share their day's experiences and enjoy the many new friendships that are being made.

Each of the days we are in port, there will be a variety of things to do if you get off the ship and you may choose to enjoy lunch ashore. But lunch is served on-board ship everyday, so it's your choice!

What is a Shore Excursion?

Shore excursions are organized by the cruise line and offer you a fool-proof way to enjoy every port. Depending on our destinations, shore excursions will offer everything from a sight-seeing tour to scuba diving; hike through a rain forest, snorkel or swim off a beautiful beach, go deep-sea fishing or kayaking. There's something for everyone. These excursions are totally optional and are priced separately.

Will I get seasick?

We try to choose the most sea-worthy sailing dates for our cruises. But in the unlikely event that you experience motion sickness, there are a variety of medications available. If you feel sensitive to motion, you may want to bring something from your local pharmacy, so you're prepared, just in case. But rest assured that medications will be available for purchase on board, as well.

Will my friends and family be able to contact the ship?

You will be provided with the telephone numbers for the ship. Calls will cost +/- $7.95 per minute and can be charged to a credit card. You can make ship-shore calls from your stateroom 24-hours a day. There will also be an internet cafe on-board making it easy to stay in touch via email.

What about medical services?

There is a staffed medical facility on-board the ship to handle any emergencies.

How about travel insurance?

We strongly recommend travel insurance. We provide you with insurance information for your cruise and ask that you familiarize yourself with the coverage, then make an informed decision regarding it's purchase. For those of you with a medical condition, young children or elderly family members….the peace of mind this insurance offers is well worth considering.

Will there be activities for kids?

There will be supervised programs for kids offered by the cruiseline. Young children and teens will experience everything from arts & crafts to video games, movies, splash pools and more! From dissecting squid and building ships to learning about endangered species, kids will have fun and learn too with age-appropriate, planned activities.

Also, there is usually baby-sitting services provided for an hourly fee.

How do I get to the ship?

Most cruisers choose to fly into our departure city the day before sailing. You can begin boarding the ship around 1:00 p.m. If you fly in the day of the cruise be sure to arrange your flight to arrive before noon. You'll need plenty of time to allow for any delays. Weather can always be a factor! We suggest taking a taxi to the port. After the cruise you can return to the airport by taxi or purchase a return transfer from the cruiseline after boarding the ship. Cost for transfers are +/- $10.00 per person.

Shore Excursions

Shore excursions are available to book online up until 10 days before sailing. Visit Holland America's website: www.hollandamerica.com. You can easily book your desired tours, make your payment, and receive your reservation status to see whether you are confirmed or waitlisted 24 hours a day.