Big Cruise Ship
Cliff Crittenden

TOP CRUISE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 1-800-955-9942 or 703-827-0414

Guests often ask what to bring for "the perfect cruise." With ten years cruising experience, Travel Coordinator Cynthia Neu recommends bringing one suitcase, one carry-on, a valid passport, all your smiles and a hat. "Traveling with one suitcase, one carry-on and your valid passport, means you go quickly through all the lines. When you smile you're invited to join in all the fun activities and with a hat you're always protected," she says. These items contribute most to smooth sailing, whether on land or sea. Here are Cynthia's answers to more of your questions.

1.) Are all meals included? Yes. Each cruise you purchase includes all dining on board ship, as well as 24 hour FREE room service. Whether you want to taste everything, or follow a special diet, you can have it all when you cruise.

2.) What about alcohol and other beverages on board ship? All alcohol consumed on a ship must be purchased on the ship. No one may board ship with liquor bottles packed in their luggage. Such bottles will be removed when passing through security. Even when buying liquor on shore, you must check your bottles upon returning to the ship. Liquor purchases are returned to you at the end of the cruise for you to pack, or you may want to ship them home via mail. Remember you are no longer allowed to carry liquids onto an airplane. Don't let U.S. Customs take your liquor at the airport. Be careful. It is important to know too that because soda cans cause an environmental issue guests must pay extra for sodas on a cruise. Coke, 7-UP, Pepsi, etc., will be charged to you...sometimes as much as $3 per can. However, a few soda cans packed in your luggage can be brought on the ship. Just don't overdo it. Also be aware that bottles of water placed in your cabin are not free. They often cost as much as $3 each. Instead, bring your own water bottle and each day ask room service to bring you a pitcher of cold water to replenish your water bottle. The water delivered to you room is bottled water too! Do not bring a bottle for refilling to any public eating place on the ship. For hygienic reasons this is forbidden. There are also specialty coffee bars on board ship, but they do cost extra. All other beverages such as iced tea, hot tea, juices, coffee and milk are free and abundant throughout the ship 24 hours a day.

3.) What about gratuities? You pay them only in US cash dollars during the last 24 hours of the cruise. Envelopes will appear on your bed with the crew's titles: cabin steward, head waiter, assistant head waiter, etc. If you budget $10 (ten) US cash dollars per day for the cruise you will be giving the customary total amount of tips to pay all crew members who make your voyage special. Yes, $70 for 7 days is enough to tip all attendants collectively for a whole week. A suggested tip sheet is also at the Guest Relations Desk on board ship. The $10 daily rate is quoted per person, per cabin,  regardless of the age or number of guests in a cabin. Bring small bills ($1 and $5) to pay tips, especially on shore to cab drivers. A good idea is to bring at least fifty (50) $1 bills. Why take home foreign currency you cannot use when you return? It's very difficult to find US dollars in small denominations, either on the ship or on shore. A safe is usually in each cabin for you to store cash. Guest Relations can also provide you with a safety box. Today many cruise ships allow guests to charge gratuities to their cabins. When guests do this, they are provided vouchers to give the waiters, etc. , who then collect the tips from Guest Relations later. There are two exceptions to these tipping rules:1) It is customary to give a $1 cash tip to a waiter who delivers your Free Room Service and 2) No need to tip waiters who serve you alcoholic drinks. A 15% gratuity is automatically included on your tab when you sign for any specialty drink. Small bills also allow you to barter better on shore because shop keepers need small U.S. dollar denominations. You can buy something at a better price, if you are paying for it with $1 and $5 dollar U.S. bills.

4.) How do I pay my expenses on board ship? Upon arriving to the pier you will be asked for a credit card or a debit card. An imprint of it will be made. You will then be issued a cabin key, which looks like a credit card. All purchases on the ship are charged to your cabin key, then charged to your credit card the last day of the cruise. There are no cash transactions allowed on board ship during the cruise, other than paying cash tips for room service or to pay the wait staff tips on the last day of the cruise. You could also deposit a minimum of $300 cash or Travelers Checks when initially boarding ship to open a cash account. Then all charges you make on the ship could be drawn against your $300 cash deposit. The Guest Relations Desk notifies passengers when their cash deposits are running low and/or when their credit cards have reached their limits. Be prepared with a back-up plan to replenish money sources, if needed. Should you fall short of cash to use on shore trips your cabin key usually allows you to take cash out of the casino. There is a limit of $200 cash per person per day to be taken out of the casino. No extra penalty is imposed on your credit card for obtaining cash from the casino. And while there is usually an ATM machine on the ship, it often runs out of money. Because the ships' ATM machines are contracted out for service crew members have no way to assist you if an ATM machine is not working. On the eve of disembarking, an itemized statement of all your cruise expenses will appear in your cabin. Any questionable charges must be settled at the Guest Relations Desk before leaving the ship. No charge can be contested after you've left the ship. Be sure to obtain a receipt from Guest Relations for any refund the cruise lines agrees to give you because often times those refunds don't reach your credit card company in a timely manner. Always get a receipt for any transaction you do on a ship! Be smart. Be careful. Be sure.

5.) Are medical staff and facilities on board ship? Yes. Excellent clinics, doctors and nurses are on board ship. Doctors and clinical staff work under a foreign flag. They do not accept any form of U.S. Medicare or Medicaid for payment. And most insurance companies in the United States do not offer health coverage on cruise ships. Check with your own health insurance carrier before traveling to learn what coverage you may have, if any, when you cruise. Full payment is required for medical treatment when you receive it on a ship, at the time it is administered. It is charged to your cabin. The insurance offered byFun&FitnessTravelClub reimburses you for most such costs. To view and study Royal Caribbean's insurance policy, click here. For a link to Celebrity's insurance policy, click here. Note: There is no charge for Dramamine. Nor usually is there a charge for speaking to a nurse. There is a charge for speaking to a doctor. If you're diabetic, have MS, sleep apnea, or carry oxygen when traveling, make it known at the time you book your cruise. If you need a refrigerator in your cabin to keep medications cool be sure to book the category of cabin that has this benefit or place a request for one because mini refrigerators on ships are limited. They are distributed on a first come first served basis. Also your cabin steward can keep your med's in a large refrigerator he has access to on your deck. Medications could then be delivered to you at a pre-arranged time each day. Passengers must notify Travel Coordinator Cynthia Neu at 1-800-955-9942 well in advance of the ship's departure to say what special medical equipment, medications or hardware they want to carry onto the vessel. Guests may not be allowed to board until all concerns about such items are clarified. Persons who are diabetic, or have MS, and require daily shots must carry a doctor's note in their travel kits verifying the use of needles. Insurance offered by either Royal Caribbean or Celebrity includes trip cancellation and medical coverage, but does not cover pre-existing medical conditions...nor does it provide coverage for elective surgery prior to your cruise's departure. Having elective surgery prior to the cruise's departure falls into the category of being a pre-existing condition, which is not insurable. The policy does, however, include coverage for shore excursion accidents as described below. It has also become necessary to require each guest who books a handicap cabin to fill out the cruise lines' medical forms verifying need for such a cabin, combined with presenting a letter from a doctor asking for the special cabin. Detailed paperwork is sent to a guest immediately after his/her booking is made to complete and return right away. Always keep your hands washed and clean, especially after using stair railings, pushing elevator buttons and opening cabin doors. Clean hands contribute most to having a healthy trip. Carry a small bottle of Purell. Be safe. Always wash your hands before eating.

lady6.) What do I wear? Fun&FitnessTravelClub members dress fashionably for every cruise event. Generally speaking, your favorite seasonal outfits are fine. There are no changing rooms near your ship’s pool. Guests usually wear shorts over their swim suits when walking to the pool from their cabins. Sandals and tennis shoes are fine for this too. However, one dresses nicely for dinner each evening. There are 2 formal nights on a 7 day cruise: the Captain’s Welcome Dinner the second night at sea and  the Captain’s Farewell Dinner the next to last night at sea. These 2 events are highlights of the cruise. Longer cruises have 3 formal nights. The minimum formal dress for a lady is a cocktail dress. And while gentlemen are encouraged to wear tuxes, a dark dressy suit with a tie is acceptable, but only as a minimum. Men may not have open collars at these formal events. Guests not dressed appropriately will be turned away from the dining hall by the dining room staff. It is the policy of this club to follow the dress code requirements of the cruise lines for all ship activities. Boarding documents will have details on how to rent a tux in advance on the ship. There are no public laundry rooms on the ship. However, room service does provide dry cleaning and laundry care. Such services can be expensive. "During my years of cruising," says Cynthia Neu, the club's Travel Coordinator, "I've learned a trick to save space in my luggage. I bring one formal outfit with two different sets of jewelry. When it's the second formal night I wear the same outfit with different jewelry. Then I sit at a different table with different friends! You can do this too. No one will ever know." :)

A HIGHLIGHT OF CRUISING is dining together on formal nights at sea. The Captain of Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas is Nikolaos Antalis. He invited members of the Fun & Fitness Travel Club to dine with him on a recent cruise in recognition of the club's popularity at Royal Caribbean. Travel Coordinator Cynthia Neu is shown (R) of the Captain; Fitness Host Coordinator Barb Batson is (R) of Cynthia. Standing behind Cynthia is club web master Cliff Crittenden. Standing behind the Captain is Patrick McCluskey, creator of ExerciseFriends.com, a top ten fitness site on the Internet, as determined by Amazon.com. Patrick is also Cynthia's son.

Evening Dinner Wear: Each evening the main dining room features a different menu and a different dress code. This list will help you plan your evening dining attire. A guest may not dine in the dining room in jeans, nor with shirts having no sleeves or collars, regardless of whether it is for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Why do guests need to dress up? Because a dress code brings out everyone's best behavior. Guests who dress up will also behave well. This is important when thousands of people are sailing out on the sea in a confined space, often while drinking alcohol. You will find the ship's officers and crew to be the very best dressed persons on your ship...and the most courteous.

Daily dress code:

3, 4 and 5-night cruises:
One formal, all other casual nights.

6, 7, 8 and 9 night cruises:
Two formal, one smart casual, all other casual nights.

10, 11 and 12-night cruises:
Two formal, three smart casual, all other casual nights.

13, 14 and 15, 16, 17-night cruises:
Three formal, four smart casual, all other casual nights.

Dress code styles for men:

Casual: Sport shirt, trousers and a shirt with collar.

Smart Casual: Slacks, shirt and jacket.

Informal: See Smart Casual, but more dressy.

Formal: Tux or a dark suit with a tie.

(At no time may shorts, jeans or T-shirts be worn in the formal dining hall.)

WHEN DINING AT A FORMAL SETTING: Throughout the cruise courteous wait staff will attend to your every request. They have been trained extensively on both how to set a table and serve it. Here they share some of that knowledge: "The bread plate is to your far left with its own butter knife. Your salad fork is the first one on your left (outside), followed by an appetizer fork (middle). The meal fork lays next to the plate. At right is a knife (outside) for simple salads, a spoon is for soup and a sharper knife beside the plate for is select cuts of meat. Your wine glass stands left of your water glass. An after dinner spoon for coffee is placed above the dessert spoon and fork atop your dinner plate. Dessert may be pudding, ice cream or a choice of gourmet pastries. Notice there is a utensil set for each of them. Dining on a luxury liner is an elegant event. After you return home you too can set an elegant table. Simply remember: A fork (with 4 letters) is set to your left (also with 4 letters). A spoon and knife (each with 5 letters) is set to your right (also with 5 letters).Special seminars on board ship offer instructions on how to prepare exquisite meals, how to serve the best wine and how to set an elegant table.

 

7.) What about passports? Do we need one to cruise?

Fun&FitnessTravelClub guests must have a valid passport to board ship. This policy applies even if sailing only to nearby Mexico, Canada or other U.S. states like Alaska and Hawaii. Whenever a ship sails 3 miles off shore it is considered to be in International waters, thus a passport is required to get back into the United States. Additionally, during any national emergency, or more likely during a personal emergency, guests traveling abroad would not be allowed to board a plane to fly home without a valid passport. To be sure all guests are protected we insist each guest carry a valid passport when traveling with our club. The easiest way to obtain a passport, or to have it renewed, is to visit your local Post Office for assistance. Anyone who travels with an INS Green Card must produce it before boarding ship and again upon returning stateside. No one may board a cruise ship departing the United States without being cleared by U.S. Homeland Security. Please cooperate to the fullest with all United States' Customs and Immigration requirements.

AMERCIAN PASSPORT INFORMATION: http://travel.state.gov Ask at your local post office how to obtain a new, or renewed, U.S. passport. You can also call or e-mail these government agencies and private sector companies for help:

National Passport Center toll-free number is 24/7 at 1-877-487-2778. Its E-mail site is NPIC@state.gov Customer Service is M-F 8 AM-8 PM EST. A Passport Fee is $55 with a $12 Security Surcharge and $30 Preparation Fee = $97 per passport. It's important to know when returning to the United States that U.S. Customs will scrutinize any passport having less than six months validation on it. Why? Because such passports are often stolen. A U.S. passport number is good only for the life of the passport. When a U.S. passport expires so does its number. Any new passport issued always has a new number. Aliens can easily enter the country illegally with a tampered American passport that's about to expire. Be sure to travel on a passport having more than 6 months validation on it. This precaution saves you a huge amount of time at any U.S. border when trying to re-enter the country, not to mention it reduces the chances that your passport will be stolen. Remember that no one is exempt from questioning by U.S. Customs and Immigration. The most innocent looking grandmothers can be questioned sternly to prove the U.S. government is not racial profiling travelers. Also, when trying to re-enter the States always keep on your person all receipts for items you bought abroad, especially jewelry.  Customs has been known to ask for such receipts when Americans are re-entering the States. In fact, foreign jewelry stores often notify U.S. authorities which Americans are returning home with very expensive jewelry. This is to protect those travelers who actually purchased the expensive jewelry to ensure they are the same persons taking the jewelry out of the country. Cooperate with U.S. Customs to the fullest. U.S. Customs is at the pier to help us. Not hurt us. Passport123.comPassportsAndVisas.comPassportExpress.comPassportNation.comGetAPassportNow.com are web sites to help you with passports.

 

8.) How do we sign up for shore excursions? When you receive your cruise boarding documents they will contain a booklet with many pages describing shore excursions, their times and prices. You can book shore excursions on board ship. More experienced cruisers may want to wait until the ship docks at its various ports of call to book outings with local vendors on the shore. Either way is fine. Prices are about the same. But cruisers should book the more exotic excursions like helicopter rides and fishing tours on the cruise lines’ web site early because of their limited spaces. Visit either ROYALCARIBBEAN.COM or CELEBRITYCRUISES.COM You'll need your booking ID number to book on the Internet. Call 1-800-955-9942 for your booking ID. The huge benefit of waiting to book shore excursions on the ship is that if you change your mind, if you become sick at the last minute and can't go, or if an excursion is canceled, you will be refunded your money on the spot. This is not true when booking on the Internet. It is impossible to get any refund if you book on the Internet and later have to cancel. Yet another way to enjoy shore excursions is for a group of at least 4 or 5 guests to go together out on shore and rent a van and driver for the day. Be sure to ask for an English speaking driver. There will be English speaking drivers wherever you dock. Go in groups of at least 4 and 5 to be safe. Remember, however, that if you book a shore excursion on your own the insurance you bought through the cruise lines will not apply.

There is ample opportunity to select shore excursions on the ship after you board. Your ship will have more excursions to offer than does the Internet. This is to protect the ship's passengers. But do not wait too long after boarding ship to book excursions. Book them at the Shore Excursion Desk when it opens, usually after dinner the first night. You can also book them from your TV set in your cabin on the Shore Excursion Channel. It is very important that when you buy shore excursions you buy them only for yourself. Do not put friends' choices on your credit card because if they cannot go it will be impossible for "the computer" to give you a refund. Don't mix up friends' charges with your purchases on your credit card. Avoid this absolutely! If you are computer savvy and still prefer to book shore trips on the Internet go to ROYALCARIBBEAN.COM and look for a section called BEFORE YOU BOARD. Scroll down to SHORE & LAND EXCURSIONS. Keep moving through the process until it asks for your Booking ID number, ship and sailing date. Shore trips are laid out by either CALENDER, PORT or EXCURSION. You can call 1-800-327-6700 and ask for the Shore Excursion Desk, but only for computer help. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and our offices are not allowed to book shore excursions for you. You must book your own excursions either on the Internet, on board ship or on shore by yourselves. This policy is firm.

 

9.) What should I pack? Bring as little as possible. Pack smart and light.  Packing clothes with dry cleaning plastic bags reduces wrinkling. Cabin closets are very small. Store your carry-on inside your suitcase. Both must stay in your cabin. Do not bring anything heavier than you personally can carry. Always put your cruise luggage tags on before leaving home. Hotel and airport personnel know what they are. Luggage tags come with your boarding documents. Luggage on rollers is best. Bell caps are expensive. Take your carry-on with a pool outfit, sweater, make-up, curlers, medications, sun glasses, walking shoes, camera, good jewelry, your valid passport and your boarding ticket in it. Don't forget your hat! Choose a color scheme to mix and match your cruise outfits. Bring one formal outfit with two sets of jewelry or accessories. Wear any jacket you will need in route there. Pack two swim suits and two pairs of shoes: one casual and one dressy. Wear your casual shoes in route. Keep your camera and spare batteries in your carry-on. Batteries may not be packed in checked luggage. When flying domestic your one checked bag cannot weigh over 50 lbs. and your carry-on limit is 40 lbs. When flying over seas you may check two bags at 50 lbs each. Any carry-on flying over seas is also limited to 40 lbs. Ladies may bring purses in addition to their carry-on's. Any fluid container in any purse or carry-on is limited to 3 oz's or less. Men may bring their satchels in addition to bringing a briefcase on an airplane. Men are also limited to only 3 oz. liquid containers. (See below.)

10.) Is there long-term car parking at all piers? Yes. The fee is usually near $15 per day. Shuttle buses drive through the lots taking guests and their luggage to the ship. You are not allowed to carry luggage onto the ship. Crew members will deliver it to your cabin. It’s important to keep your carry-on with you because your suitcases may not appear at your cabin until after dinner. The first night’s dinner on the cruise is casual. What you have on when you board ship will be fine for dinner, except that shorts and T-shirts are never allowed in the main dining room. Be prepared to dress for both cool and warm weather on any cruise day. Layers are best. On the last night of your cruise you must leave your packed luggage outside your cabin door ready for the ship's crew to pick it up by midnight. Colored tags will have been given to you earlier in the day to tag your luggage. Colored tags allows you to easily identify your luggage at the pier in the morning. No one is allowed to carry his/her luggage off the ship. This policy is firm.

11.) What do I do about the airport and flights? When booking flights to and from your cruise departure city remember: You may board ship by 12 noon, but do not book any flights home before 12 noon. You must check your own luggage at your airport of departure, then pick it up yourself at the airport where you arrive. It is your responsibility to get your luggage to the correct bus going to your ship. Look for a cruise lines’ rep near the airport's baggage claim area. He will direct you to your bus. If you bought the cruise lines' air/sea package your bus transfers will be included with your boarding documents. If you purchased air outside the cruise lines you can buy a bus transfer by showing your boarding documents to the cruise representative who is there. He will charge the transfer to your cabin. The exception to this policy is when traveling over seas. Then, bus transfers must be bought in advance. (Call our office for details.) Whenever your bus arrives to the pier, you must identify your luggage to the ship's crew as it is being taken off the bus. This is a security measure. Be sure all luggage tags show clearly on each suitcase to ensure delivery to your cabin. If you and your cabin mate arrive to the pier together please check-in with the same crew person at the same computer. This avoids technical delays. If you and your cabin mate arrive to the ship at different times it is not necessary to wait to board together....simply board whenever you arrive at the pier. (See below for suitcase requirements when flying.) When it is time to return from a cruise the ships sometimes cannot dock early in the morning because of fog or other port authority issues. It always takes at least two hours for everyone to disembark after the ship is finally docked. You also need to be to the airport at least two hours before your plane flies home. To be sure you have no flight problems going home book your return flights only after 12 noon.....not before. It can even be 12:15 PM. Just be sure it is after 12 NOON. This is the best way to assure a stress free return home.

Keep a photograph of your suitcases when you travel. If lost, you can show the baggage agent exactly what they look like. Carry your jewelry on your person only. Do not pack jewelry in checked luggage.....ever.
       

Airlines General Luggage Polices:

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS: Your first checked suitcase is usually free while a second checked bag may cost you as much as $25 or more. Phone your carrier before departure to learn its latest luggage policy. Usually a purse or briefcase may be taken onto a plane, in addition to one carry-on. Persons flying First Class may be able to check two bags without any extra charge. Checked bags usually cannot exceed 50 lbs. each. A carry-on should not exceed 40 lbs. A carry-on must fit under your airplane seat or overhead bin. Checked bags must also meet linear dimensions requirements. *(see below)

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS: It is best to phone your carrier to learn what its latest luggage restrictions are. Usually a carry-on and a purse or briefcase may be brought onto the plane at no extra charge. A checked bag usually can not exceed 50 lbs., while a carry-on flying international may not exceed 40 lbs. It also must fit under your airplane seat or in your overhead bin. All luggage must meet linear dimensions requirements too. *

Checked Bag going anywhere cannot exceed 62" linear dimensions. *

Carry-On Bag going anywhere cannot exceed 51" linear dimensions.*

*(Width + Length + Depth = Linear dimensions)

Any liquid in checked bags should be double wrapped in plastic and sealed. Any liquid in a carry-on cannot exceed a 3 oz. container and must be wrapped with all other such containers together in a clear, sealed bag. (See below.)

For a list of airlines flying in the USA click here. Follow cues to your airline for its luggage rules. Such policies can vary widely. However one consistent rule among all airlines is that no batteries of any size may be packed in checked luggage. Take all batteries on a plane in your carry-on for inspection. No liquid container more than 3 oz. may be taken in your carry-on. This policy is firm. Obeying the packing rules will make your airport experience easier.

             GoodHousekeeping Jan 2007

      
May I use Frequent Flyer miles to buy air from the cruise lines? No. Cruise lines' air tickets are already sold at severe discounts. But do ask the airlines when departing on your cruise lines issued air ticket for its air mileage credit.  Miles rarely can be claimed after you return from your cruise. Not Fun&FitnessTravelClub, nor Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruise Lines or MSC can help you with air mileage issues. But you could use your own air mileage to make your own flight arrangements to a cruise. This would be fine too.

                          Click to Enlarge.

 

snacksmart

12.) Should I take my good jewelry? Whatever you do, don't pack jewelry in your checked bags at the airport. Always carry jewelry on your person when flying anywhere. If you don't want to lose it, don't pack it. As for the ship, passengers often wear lots of gold and nice jewelry, especially on the cruise formal nights. Each cabin usually has a safe where one can store jewelry. Take your favorite fine pieces to wear on the ship, but do not wear them in port. Don’t be afraid to over-dress during the cruise. Colorful costume jewelry is always fashionable. When you purchase jewelry abroad be sure to keep it and its receipts with you to declare when returning to the United States. Customs often asks for information about any new jewelry you're bringing home. They can do this because jewelry stores abroad sometimes tell U.S. Customs which cruisers bought expensive jewelry. The jewelry stores and U.S. Customs work together to ensure the persons who bought expensive jewelry abroad are the same persons taking the jewelry off the ship. Doing this helps prevent travel theft and insurance fraud.

13.) Is there gambling on board ship? Yes! And since casinos have been named healthy places that can bring about good health,Fun&Fitness is pleased to sail on cruise ships with slot machines and gaming tables that include Roulette, Poker, Black Jack, Texas Hold’em and Craps. All are available every night when a ship sails to its next port of call. When Ann Wynn (white sweater) of Avon, IN, cruised with Fun&Fitness last February she won $3,600 after inserting a second quarter into the slot machine behind her. "Thumbs up for gambling on cruise ships!," she says. Guests may charge up to $2,000 per day for gaming chips. And most ship casinos also permit guests to withdraw up to $200 personal cash per day. Guests can do this with no interest penalty applied to their credit cards. Vera Pohedra of Annandale, VA won $4,000 on each of her two past cruises playing slots. She says, "Trust me! It pays to cruise."

 

 

14.) Will there be other things to do on the ship besides Fun & Fitness events?

Yes. Throughout the day your ship will hold social events ranging from expert speakers on ports of call to “how-to” classes on such subjects as napkin folding, wine tasting and card games for bridge. There are fun sports events too and champion Bingo games to play with big prize money. One club member won $7,000 in a Bingo game when he cruised with us to Alaska! Cruise guests sometimes have their own talent show too on the ship! It is a hugely popular event for everyone. Fun & Fitness Travel Club members frequently participate in the talent show and have even been known to win it!

And in your cabin each evening will appear the ship’s daily newsletter listing all the next day’s activities and dress code. You will also have easy access to shore excursion information at the Shore Excursion Desk or the Shore Trip Channel on the television set in your cabin. No question will go unanswered on your cruise.

15.) Why is it necessary to book a cruise so far in advance? Booking a low fare cruise ticket is like booking a low fare airline ticket. When an airline first announces its new flights it has low fares to promote sales. There are not many low fare air tickets available for each flight, so it is important to book quickly. It is the same concept when booking a low cost cruise.

  • Airlines announce new flights every 3 or 4 months. But cruise lines announce their new itineraries a year ahead of departure. And just as you can reserve the best price and seat on an airplane by booking early, so too can you reserve the best price and cabin when you book your cruise early. Cruise passengers with mid-ship cabins near elevators booked their cruises way ahead of departure. They paid a fully refundable deposit knowing that if they had to cancel anytime up to 90 days before departure they would still get all their deposit money back. When booking a Fun&Fitness cruise early it means you can book the best cabin, in its best location, at its lowest price on the day you call-in. As your cruise draws nearer the cabin you prefer will only go up in price and/or not be available at all. But if you book it early with your name and a full deposit your cabin choice and price will be protected. If you do not yet have a roommate that's OK too. Merely pay the full deposit now and add whomever you want to your cabin as a roommate later in the year. You can even change the name of your cabin mate within one week of departure without penalty.

  • When you see cheap cruise prices posted on the Internet please ask the invisable Internet the following questions: Are port charges included? Are taxes included? Where exactly is my cabin located? Is the mandatory fuel supplement charge included? Does the price include travel insurance? Is travel insurance even offered? Is my deposit refundable? Will a Travel Escort be with me? Does this cruise have a schedule of exercise classes led by certified fitness experts who I know and trust? Will I receive a Priority Mail package 120 days prior to departure containing full color brochures describing my ship and ports of call? Will someone provide me with packing tips and explain to me the ship's dress code? Can I have dinner each evening with my friends at our own dining table? Can I have early security clearance? Early boarding? Early disembarkation? Do you offer escorted pre-cruise tours? If I have a problem preparing for the cruise may I call you at your Internet office? If I become sick on the ship will you be there to make sure I get home safely? What is your phone number? Is your business office located in the United States paying local taxes and employing American citizens? What if at the last minute my roommate can't go? Could I make a name change without penalty? Fun&FitnessTravelClub can answer all these questions with, "Yes. You can do all of this." The Internet can not.

  • There are no surprises or disappointments when purchasing a Fun&FitnessTravelClub cruise. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines named Fun&FitnessTravelClub its Number #1 Business Partner for the Mid-Atlantic states of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware in 2007. We hope you will give us the opportunity show you why we received this top honor. Welcome Aboard!

 

The Wall Street Journal

Fun&Fitness mails out a confirmation post card the same day a booking is made giving the guest his/her cabin number, deck number and verifying the cruise cost. The price of each club cruise is firm upon booking it. The Internet cannot and will not make such price promises. (Click on the story above to learn what happens too often when guests make their vacation plans via the Internet.)

16.) When and where are club exercise classes held? The first night at dinner on your exciting cruise you will be given a schedule of classes for the whole trip. Fitness Hosts escorting their own students are given different times to teach each day. This ensures no one teacher and her students are assigned all the early bird classes. Morning exercise classes are completed before 10 AM allowing guests time to shower, enjoy breakfast and meet for their shore excursions. Club members who return to the ship in early afternoon, or even those who choose not to leave the ship at all, can enjoy privately held exercise classes in mid-afternoon at various locations throughout the luxury liner. (Click on sample schedule at left.)

Good things to bring and share,


Saving very valuable space

  • Hair dryers in cabins are attached to bathroom walls. Good to bring a spare dryer.
    Travel irons are not available. Bring extra hangers to steam clothes in shower.
    Ships usually have a Wake-Up Call Service, but bring a travel alarm to be sure.
    Wooden clothes pins are best to hang swim suits in shower. Plastic ones cannot hold up
    heavy, wet dripping suits. To prevent stretching, do not hang your suits by their straps.
    Shower has a clothes line inside, but not always a shower cap. Bring a cap to be sure.
    Bring extra hangers and a small pool bag, but no towels. Ship will provide towels.
    The cruise ship will provide towels for your bath, pool and even your beach visits.
    Disposable cameras? Pack them in your carry-on luggage only. Do not pack in checked luggage.
    This ensures they're not radiated or destroyed at luggage check points. Gift shops on board ship
    carry a wide selection of films, flash cards and batteries for various camera shapes and sizes.
  • General stores on board ship have sun tan lotions, toothpaste and most other toiletries too.

 

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Fun&FitnessTravelClub often has a group photographer on its cruises to teach members how to take well lighted and composed photos. Marge Wade of Spokane, WA (R) was on the top deck of Celebrity's Summit out on its helicopter landing pad viewing the Pacific when suddenly the Captain of the ship came up to introduce himself to her. Perfect photo opportunity! And Marge didn't miss it. She knew how to pose for her photo!

Female Pirate in Key WestCliff Crittenden

Fun&FitnessTravelClub guest Marge Wade of Spokane, WA met Celebrity Summit Captain Panagiotis Skylogiannis on top his ship when cruising to Hawaii last year. A few minutes chat with him looking out over the Pacific was a memorable event for her. It was captured forever in a well lighted and composed photo. "We learn so much on our cruises," says Marge. "I love to go whenever I can. This year will be Alaska!"

  • Take a fifty U.S. $1 bills for tips and purchases during your trip. Otherwise you'll come home
    with change in foreign currency you cannot use. Rarely do vendors have small change. Be prepared.
    It is also customary to give the ship's attendant delivering your Room Service a $1 tip. It is the
    only cash tip you're permitted to give on the ship during a cruise and it is much appreciated.
    A safe is usually in your cabin. Your Cabin Steward will show you how to use it.
    Small over-door hooks to hang items outside closets can provide much needed extra space.
    Bring more than one swim suit. They rarely will dry out overnight when you're at sea.
    Cabins have TV sets with constant weather reports showing conditions out on the deck.
    Cruise ships have one USA standard electric plug per cabin. Bring a multiple plug outlet 
    to ensure having enough plugs to use your curling iron and phone battery simultaneously.
    When traveling abroad plan ahead on how to use all your electric appliances.
    You will need both a converter and an adaptor when you travel on a land trip anywhere abroad.
    Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Bring both. Then you will always be safe and prepared.
    Powdered soap is a must bring to wash out personal items during your vacation.
    Drug stores today have all toiletries needed for a trip pre-packaged in 3 oz containers.

    July 6, 2004 - www.womansday.com

     



    July 17, 2007 - www.womansday.com
    July 6, 2004 - www.womansday.com

     


    Wear Your Hat ....Don't Get Burned!

    GOOD - Wear a wide-brimmed hat that covers your face, neck and ears .BETTER - Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher on all exposed body parts, and reapply after swimming.BEST - Limit sun exposure between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. (when rays are most hazardous).

                                                                   womansday.com 5/30/06

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    July 20, 2004 - Woman's World

     

    August 10, 2004 - Woman's World

     

sarong
Finally......

If you forget a toothbrush, or any other personal item, don't worry. Most are available in your ship's general store. Cabin stewards will do their best to help you find whatever you need. But remember that your cabin steward may not always be available. Be safe, bring whatever you think you will need for yourself. There is no limit to how much luggage you can bring on board your ship. The trick is to get past the air lines which now require you to travel with one only suitcase (not to exceed 50 lbs) and one carry-on (not to exceed 40 lbs), along with your purse or briefcase.

A security tip for travelers is to keep two rubber bands wrapped around your wallet. This makes it very difficult for someone to slip your wallet out of your purse or pocket. And don't forget that you can no longer pack batteries in your checked bags. If you bring spare batteries you must bring them in your carry on for inspection.

"Do Cell Phones Work?"
Because there are no transmitting towers at sea it is rare that your cell phone will work on board ship. In Alaska and Hawaii cell phones usually work on shore because you are still in the United States. But rarely do cell phones work elsewhere, unless you have a cell phone especially designed for International calling. Check with your mobile phone provider to learn what could be made available to you on your trip. Be careful. It can be very high priced. The easiest way to call home is to buy phone cards at pier stores wherever your ship docks. Crew members will call home from pier phones. You can too. Calling from the telephone in your cabin is also possible, but expensive. With your cruise boarding documents