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

Guests often ask, "What do I pack for a perfect cruise?" With more than 14 years experience in cruising, Travel Coordinator Cynthia Neu McCluskey recommends bringing one suitcase, one carry-on, your valid passport, a hat and your smile. "Traveling with one suitcase, one carry-on and a valid passport means you go quickly through all the lines. And when you smile you're invited to all the parties! Follow these tips," she says, "and you will have great fun at sea." Cynthia's suggestions are updated regularly, but are subject to change at any time by Celebrity and Royal Caribbean.

1.) Are all meals included? Each cruise you take includes all dining on board ship, as well as 24 hour room service. Order whatever you want at no extra charge. Whether you want to taste everything, or follow a special diet, you can have it all when you cruise. Room Service is FREE, except between 12 midnight and 5 AM when there is a $3.95 delivery charge for room service on Royal Caribbean ships, but not on Celebrity. It is customary on both cruise lines to give a $1 cash tip for any delivery made to your cabin. It is the only time during a cruise you would give out cash. If you are vegetarian, or want a glutton free diet, or if you are diabetic, indicate this when you book so your reservation can be marked accordingly.

2.) What about alcohol and other beverages on board ship? Distilled water, alcohol and beer consumed on a cruise ship must be purchased on the ship. This is to assure that no one is bringing on board any liquids that could compromise the the health or safety of passengers. No one may board ship with distilled water bottles, liquor bottles or beer cans packed in either their suitcases or carry-on's. Such liquids will be confiscated when passing through pier security. However, passengers may board Celebrity ships with a single bottle of unopened wine packed in their checked luggage. Guests may not bring on board multiple bottles of wine, but a single bottle is permitted. Royal Caribbean does not permit boarding ship with any wine packed in any suitcases. In fact, guests may not board ship with any liquor of any kind in their carry-on's on either Royal or Celebrity ships . Guests who bring their own bottles of wine into the formal dining rooms of Celebrity will be charged a significant corkage fee to open/serve the bottles of wine. Personal wine bottles are best enjoyed in the privacy of your cabin. When buying liquor on shore (including wine) you must check (leave) such bottles with the ship's security officers when returning to the ship from shore. Liquor purchases will be given back to you at the end of the cruise. You may not take onto any airplane in your carry-on a liquid weighing more than 3 oz's. Do not let U.S. Customs take your wine and liquor bottles at the airport. Pack them in your airport checked suitcases to take home. Because soda cans cause an environmental problem, both cruise lines charge extra for every Coke, 7-UP, Pepsi, etc., that you drink on any ship. Each can costs at least $3 (three dollars). Do not open up sodas, water bottles, or anything else in your cabin's mini bar or on your cabin's dresser, unless you agree to pay for it. You may pack a few soda cans into your checked luggage to take onto the ship. Just don't overdo it. Each ship does offer you for purchase a choice of water, soda and/or wine packages for your cruise. To pre-purchase such liquid packages call Celebrity at 800-722-5941 or Royal Caribbean at 800-398-9819. You will need your booking ID to make pre-cruise purchases. Call at 800-955-9942 to acquire your booking ID. Specialty coffee bars on board ship also sell for extra cost. However, tea, lemonade, juices, coffee and milk are free throughout each cruise 24 hours a day.

3.) What about gratuities? Celebrity automatically charges all tips for your personal cruise attendants and waiters to your Sea Pass when you initially board ship. It is $12 (twelve dollars) per day total for all Celebrity tips. Royal Caribbean DOES NOT automatically charge your Sea Pass for tips when you board. However, you should also budget $12 per day to cover all tips on Royal Caribbean ships. You could pay cash to your attendants at the end of your Royal Caribbean cruise, or you may prefer to pre-pay your tips at the ship's Guest Relations desk. It is up to you. On both cruise lines, the next to the last night of your cruise, on your bed, will appear white envelopes asking for tips. You may give cash in those envelopes. Or, if you pre-pay your tips at the Guest Relations desk you will be given ticket vouchers to insert into your envelopes. Each ticket equals pay for your waiters, cabin stewards, etc. They will submit those tickets to Guest Relations later for their value. You never pay cash for anything on the ship; it is not permitted. There is one exception: It is customary to give a $1 cash tip to an attendant or waiter who delivers any item to your cabin. On Royal Caribbean, from 12 Midnight to 5 AM, if you order Room Service, there is an automatic $3.95 service charge to your cabin for that delivery. There is no need to tip waiters who serve you alcoholic or specialty drinks on either cruise lines. A 15% gratuity is automatically added to your tab when you are served any specialty or alcoholic drink. It includes any soda or gourmet coffee too. During a Royal Caribbean or Celebrity cruise you may visit Guest Relations to adjust tip amounts as you choose, either up or down. And it is also customary to leave extra cash tips in envelopes for the cruise staff members who were particularly helpful to you. The option to pre-pay tips was created to be convenient for guests who often run out of cash before the end of their cruise. It was not meant to limit what you tip your cruise wait staff who work primarily for tips. In fact,, many guests in our travel club leave behind what foreign monies they have left over as tips too because the ships' crew will have many more opportunities to use foreign money than our cruisers who are returning home. The following suggested rates are to be paid per guest in any stateroom, regardless of how many guests are staying in one stateroom, and regardless of whether it is an Inside, Ocean View or Balcony. $US Dollars is the proper currency to pay. The breakdown for recommended minimum daily tips is: Cabin Steward $5, Head waiter $ .75, Table waiter $3.75, assistant Table waiter, $2.50 = $12 per day.

4.) How do I pay my expenses on board ship? Before boarding ship you are asked for a credit card, or a debit card, or a pre-paid credit card or a minimum of $300 cash. An imprint of that card is taken. Or your cash is taken. You are then issued a Sea Pass card, which looks like a credit card. All your purchases on the ship are charged to your Sea Pass card. There are no cash transactions allowed on board ship, other than paying cash tips for room service or your tips at the end of the cruise. Charges you make on the ship are deducted from your credit card or drawn from your $300 cash deposit. Guest Relations notifies passengers during the cruise 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 your money sources, if needed. Should you need extra cash you could take cash out of the ship's casino. There is a daily limit of $100 cash per person to take out of the casino. Casinos also charge a 3% fee for that cash. While there usually is an ATM on every ship, it is often out of money. The '

on ships are serviced by contractors on shore. Crew members cannot assist you if an ATM is not working. On the very last morning of the trip an itemized statement of your cruise expenses will appear in your cabin. Any questionable charges must be settled at Guest Relations before leaving the ship. No charge can be contested after you've left the ship. The better plan is this. A couple days before disembarking, go to Guest Relations and ask for a print out of you entire cruise account. Be sure to obtain a receipt from Guest Relations for any refund or canceled expense they agree to give you. You may need that paperwork to show your credit card company at a later date. Refunds from a ship rarely reach your credit card company in a timely manner. Always get a receipt for EVERY transaction you make on a ship! Be smart. Be careful. Be sure. Get a receipt! You may very well need it for documentation after you return home.

5.) What do I wear? Club members dress fashionably for every cruise. Your favorite seasonal outfits will be fine. There are no changing rooms on a ship near the swimming pools. Guests usually wear shorts over their swim suits when walking to the pools. Guests dress nicely for dinner each evening. There are 2 formal nights on a 7 night cruise: the Captain’s Welcome Dinner the second night at sea and  the Captain’s Farewell Dinner the next to last night at sea. Both events are highlights of a cruise. Longer cruises have 3 formal nights. The minimum formal attire for a lady is a cocktail dress. While gentlemen are encouraged to wear tuxes, dark dressy suits with ties are acceptable. It is the minimum attire required for men. Gentlemen may not have open

Mercedes Neddle of Milwaukee, WI, (L-R) Cynthia Neu of McLean, VA and Dr. Loretta Chung of Kalamazoo, MI enjoyed formal events when cruising to Egypt.

collars at any formal events. To rent a tux on board ship call 800-590-6193. Do so at least two weeks before departure to assure availability. Cost is very reasonable. There are no public laundries on any Royal Caribbean or Celebrity ship. However, room service does offer dry cleaning, ironing and/or laundry care for a small fee. Each evening the formal dining hall will have a different dress code. The list below can help you plan your cruise wardrobe. A guest may not dine in the formal dining room in jeans. Shirts must have stitched sleeves and collars, regardless of whether the meal is breakfast, lunch or dinner in the formal dining hall. Why must guests dress up? Because dressing nicely encourages nice behavior. Guests who dress well have better manners. This is important when thousands of people are traveling in a confined space, often while drinking alcohol. The ship's officers and crew will be the best dressed persons on the ship and the most courteous. It shows respect for your traveling companions, and to the countries you are visiting, if you present yourself attractively on your vacation. agrees to follow the dress code of each cruise ship our members board.

A HIGHLIGHT WHEN 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 to dine with him in recognition of the club's popularity at Royal Caribbean. Travel Coordinator Cynthia Neu is seated (L) of the Captain; Fitness Host Coordinator Barb Batson is (L) of Cynthia. Standing behind Cynthia is Photographer Cliff Crittenden. Standing behind the Captain is Patrick McCluskey, creator of ExerciseFriends.com, a top ten fitness site on the Internet, as reported by Amazon.com. Patrick is also Cynthia's son.

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. You can call 1-800-590-6193 to rent a tux.

(No shorts, jeans, T-shirts allowed in formal dining hall.)

WHEN DINING IN A FORMAL SETTING: Throughout the cruise courteous wait staff attends to your every request. They are trained to set and serve formal tables: The bread plate is to your far left with its own butter knife. Your salad fork is first on your left (outside), followed by an appetizer fork (middle). The meal fork lays next to the dinner plate. At right is a knife (outside) for simple salads, a spoon (middle) is for soup and a sharper knife beside the dinner plate for is for select cuts of meat. Wine and water glasses are placed slightly to the upper right for easy reach and return. A spoon to stir an after dinner coffee is placed above the dessert spoon and fork sitting atop the dinner plate. Desserts may be pudding, ice cream or a choice of gourmet pastries. There is a utensil for each possible dessert. Formal dining during a cruise is an elegant event. After you return home you can still enjoy elegant dining. Simply remember: A fork (with 4 letters) is at your left (also with 4 letters). A spoon and knife (each with 5 letters) is placed to your right (also with 5 letters). During the cruise there are 'culture seminars' to teach guests how to prepare exquisite meals, how to serve the finest wines and how to set elegant tables. They are always very well attended.

6.) Are there medical staff and facilities? Why do you require insurance? Yes. Excellent clinics, doctors and nurses are on board every ship. Doctors and their clinical staff work under a foreign flag. Because they do not accept U.S. Medicare or Medicaid on a ship, and because insurance companies in the United States rarely offer medical coverage on cruise ships, we require guests to carry the cruise lines' Berkely Care travel insurance. Check with your personal health care insurance company before traveling to learn what coverage you may have when you cruise. Full payment is required for medical care on a ship at the time it is administered. It is charged to your Sea Pass account. Insurance offered by reimburses you for most medical care costs up to $10,000 (ten thousand dollars). It also protects you from a price increase if at the last minute your roommate must cancel. To read 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 when you book that you have special needs. If you require a refrigerator in your cabin to keep medications cool be sure to book the category of cabin that has this accessory: balconies or higher grades. Notify Coordinator Cynthia Neu at 1-800-955-9942 at least 30 days before departure of what special medical equipment or medications you want to carry onto the ship. Guests are not allowed to board until all such items are cleared. Persons who are diabetic, have MS, or require daily shots must carry a doctor's note in their travel kits verifying their use of needles. Insurance offered by either Royal Caribbean or Celebrity includes trip cancellation, trip interruption and medical coverage up to $10,000, but does not cover pre-existing medical conditions......nor does it provide coverage for elective surgery prior to a cruise departure. It is required for each guest who books a handicap cabin to fill out medical forms verifying the need for such a cabin, along with presenting a letter from his/her doctor requesting the special needs cabin. Paperwork to book a handicap cabin is sent to a guest when s/he initially reserves it. Always keep your hands washed, especially after using stair railings, pushing elevator buttons or opening cabin doors. Clean hands contribute most to a healthy cruise. Be safe. Wash your hands before eating. The diagram below shows the best way to wash your hands.

7.) What about passports? guests must have a valid passport to board ship. No exceptions. This policy applies even if sailing only to Mexico, Canada or other U.S. states like Alaska and Hawaii. Whenever any ship is 12 miles off shore from the United States it is considered to be in International waters. Thus, a valid passport is required by U.S. Customs for anyone to re-enter the United States. During a national emergency, or more likely during a family emergency, guests who are out of the country would not be allowed to board an airplane to fly home without showing a valid passport. We require everyone who travels with us to carry a valid passport. This assures that if an emergency happened at home, and a guest needed to return home quickly, s/he could. Without a valid passport, s/he could not. 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. Anyone requiring a visa, or any other comparable travel document, for international travel, has the sole, personal responsibility to know this and to obtain said visa or travel document for him/herself. is not responsible for either advising or obtaining visas for any members of the group who are traveling together or singularly. No one may board a cruise ship departing the United States without being cleared by U.S. Homeland Security. Our office submits all passport requirements in advance to Homeland Security. does not have any responsibility whatsoever to advise, assist or obtain visas for any guests. To learn if you will need a visa to travel click here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

AMERCIAN PASSPORT INFORMATION: http://travel.state.gov Ask your local post office how to obtain a new, or renewed, U.S. passport. These links can help: Passport123.com•PassportsAndVisas.com•PassportExpress.com •PassportNation.com

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 preparation fee is charged 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 abroad. A U.S. passport number is good only for the 10 year 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. This precaution reduces the likelihood your passport will be stolen. No one is exempt from being questioned by U.S. Customs and Immigration. The most innocent looking grandmothers can be questioned to prove the U.S. government is not racial profiling travelers. And when re-entering the States always keep on your person any receipts for expensive jewelry you bought while abroad.   Customs is known to ask for such receipts when Americans are re-entering the States. Foreign jewelry stores often notify U.S. authorities which Americans are returning home with very expensive jewelry to ensure they have it on them when they re-enter the United States. This prevents travelers from filing false insurance claims after they return home that their jewelry was stolen from them while traveling.

8.) How do we sign up for shore excursions? You can book shore excursions on the Internet in advance of your cruise by going to your cruise lines' web site and using your personal booking ID number to obtain access. Call 1-800-955-9942 for your booking ID. Have a credit card ready to pay on line too. You may also book shore excursions on the ship after boarding, or more experienced cruisers may prefer to wait until the ship actually docks at its various ports of call to take tours with local vendors selling excursions from the piers. Prices are all about the same. Guests should book exotic excursions, like helicopter rides and fishing tours, on the cruise lines’ web site early because of limited spaces. Visit either ROYALCARIBBEAN.COM or CELEBRITYCRUISES.COM to book. However, there is significant benefit to booking excursions on the ship. If you change your mind, if you become sick and can't go, or if the excursion is canceled, you will be refunded your money immediately on the ship. This is not true when booking on the Internet. It is impossible to get a refund if you book on line. Shore excursions offered on the ship are managed by the cruise lines. Excursions sold on the Internet are sold by independent vendors. Ship personnel cannot help you with Internet bookings. They cannot even change the times or dates of your excursions. And be very careful not to charge friends' excursions on your credit card on the Internet either because if they do not go on the excursion it will be futile to try to get that money refunded to your credit card. It is best to conduct all shore excursion business on the ship, even if it takes a little longer. The selection will be better too. Another easy way to enjoy shore excursions is for a group of at least 4 or 5 guests to rent a van and driver for the day on their own. Ask for an English speaking driver. There will be English speaking drivers wherever you dock. Your small group can go out faster and see more. But remember, if you take a shore excursion on your own the insurance you bought through the cruise lines will not cover you if something goes wrong. To be safe, always travel in groups of at least four when you are off ship.

If you are computer savvy and prefer to book shore trips on the Internet go to ROYALCARIBBEAN.COM or CELEBRITYCRUISES.COM. Look on their home pages for the segment called BEFORE YOU BOARD. Then scroll down to SHORE & LAND EXCURSIONS. Keep moving through the process until it asks for your Booking ID number, ship and sailing date. Call 800-955-9942 for your booking ID. Shore trips are laid out by CALENDAR, PORT or EXCURSION. Not Royal Caribbean, not Celebrity, nor is allowed to book shore excursions for you. RCCL and Celebrity's shore side staff can explain over the phone how to book shore trips on the Internet, but they cannot do it for you. You must book your own excursions on the Internet. If you need help booking on line call Celebrity at 1-800-722-5941......or Royal Caribbean at 1-800-398-9819.

9.) What should I pack? Bring as little as possible. Packing clothes with dry cleaning plastic bags reduces wrinkling. Cabin closets are very small. Store your carry-on inside your suitcase. Do not bring anything that you personally cannot carry. Always put your ship's luggage tags on before leaving home. Hotel and airport personnel know what they are. Luggage tags will arrive to your home before your boarding documents. Luggage on rollers is best. Bell caps are expensive. Take your carry-on with a pool outfit, sweater, make-up, medications, sun glasses, walking shoes, camera, good jewelry, your valid passport and your ship boarding ticket in it. Be prepared, in case your luggage shows up late to your stateroom. And don't forget your hat! Choose a color scheme to mix and match your cruise outfits. Bring one formal with two sets of jewelry and accessories. Wear a 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...your checked bag cannot weigh over 50 lbs. Your carry-on limit is 40 lbs. When flying over seas you may usually check two bags at 50 lbs each. Any carry-on when 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 3 oz. liquid containers. (See below.) Each airlines has its own luggage weight requirements and fees. Please call your air carrier for its latest luggage requirements before packing.

10.) Is there long-term car parking at all piers? Yes. The fee is usually near $15 to $18 per day, or more. You must pay the parking fee before taking the cruise. Shuttle buses drive through the lots taking guests and their luggage to the ship. You are not allowed to carry your luggage onto the ship. Crew members will deliver it to your cabin. However, it 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 any cruise is casual. What you have on when you board ship is 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. If the destination warrants it, be prepared for rain too. 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 be given to you to tag your luggage. Colored tags allow you to easily identify your luggage on the pier in the morning when you dock. No one is permitted to carry his/her luggage off the ship.

11.) What about the airport and flights? When booking domestic flights to and from your cruise departure city remember: You may begin boarding ship by 12 noon on the day of departure because you are in the . Pick up your luggage yourself at your airport of arrival. Look for a cruise lines’ rep near your baggage claim area. He will direct you to a bus going to your ship. Show your boarding documents to the cruise representative on the bus. He will charge the bus ride fare to your cabin. The exception to this policy is when traveling over seas. Bus transfers, then, must be bought in advance. (Call us for details.) When your bus arrives to the pier, identify it to the ship's crew. This is a security measure. Be sure all luggage tags show clearly to ensure delivery of all suitcases to your cabin. If you and your cabin mate arrive to the pier together check-in with the same crew staff at the counter. This prevents technical delays. If you and your cabin mate arrive to the pier at different times it is not necessary to wait to board together....simply board ship whenever you arrive. When you come back from your cruise your ship may not be able to dock in early morning because of fog or passengers' immigration problems. It takes at least two hours to disembark after a ship docks. And you need to be at the airport at least two hours before your plane departs. TO HAVE NO SCHEDULING PROBLEMS WHEN FLYING HOME AFTER A CRUISE....... BOOK ALL YOUR RETURN FLIGHTS AFTER 12 NOON. Do not book flights home earlier. There will be no time to make them.

	Keep a photograph of your suitcases when traveling. If lost, you can show the baggage agent exactly what they look like. Carry all your jewelry on your person always. Do not pack jewelry in checked luggage...ever. Put your cruise luggage tags on your suitcases BEFORE leaving home. This gives you the best chance for their safe delivery to the ship. Airlines and hotels know what they are.         Airlines General Luggage Polices: DOMESTIC FLIGHTS: Phone your carrier before departure to learn its latest luggage policy. Usually a purse or briefcase may be taken onto a plane free, in addition to one carry-on. Persons flying First Class should be able to check two bags without having to pay any extra charge. Checked bags usually cannot exceed 50 lbs. each. There is no charge for a carry-on, which must fit under your airplane seat or overhead bin. Checked bags must meet certain linear dimensions requirements. *(see below) INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS: It is best to phone your carrier to learn its latest luggage restrictions. Usually a carry-on and your purse or briefcase may be brought onto the plane at no extra charge. A checked bag usually can not exceed 50 lbs. A carry-on flying international must fit under the airplane seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. All luggage must meet linear dimensions requirements.*(see below) 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 container cannot exceed a 3 oz. and must be wrapped with all other such containers in a clear, sealed bag. (See below.)

Can I use Frequent Flyer miles to buy air for a cruise? Not , nor Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises accepts 'Frequent Flyer' miles when buying air from these travel companies. However, guests are invited to contact the airlines directly to use such benefits.

Click on article to Enlarge.

12.) Should I take my good jewelry? Whatever you do, do NOT pack jewelry in the checked bags you will release to the airlines. Always take your jewelry in your carry on when flying anywhere. If you'd be destroyed because you lost any piece jewelry, do not bring it. As for the ship, passengers wear lots of gold and nice jewelry, especially on formal nights. All cabins have a safe where you can store jewelry, money, passports, etc. 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 on your person to declare when returning home the United States. U.S. Customs often asks to see the receipts of any expensive jewelry you're bringing home. They do this because foreign jewelry stores and U.S. Customs work together to ensure persons who bought expensive jewelry abroad are the same travelers bringing that jewelry into the United States. Checking at the pier this way prevents theft and insurance fraud.

13.) Is there gambling on the ship? Yes! Vera Pohedra of Annandale, VA won $4,000 on each of her two past cruises playing the slots. She says,"It pays to cruise!" And a recent Yale study found that casinos were actually healthy places because they require players to perform cognitive acts if they are to win...thereby deterring the onset of dementia. Today 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. Guests may charge up to $2,000 per day for gaming chips. Most ships' casinos also allow guests to withdraw up to $100 cash per day, if needed. The casino will charge a 3% service charge for the amount you're cashing. So if you take out $100 cash against your Sea Pass card there will be a $3 charge for the cash. Try to bring Traveler's Cheques instead. You can cash them at the Guest Relations desk on the ship for no extra charge.

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

Yes. Each day on your cruise ship will be many events. Often you can hear from expert speakers talking about your ports of call and/or giving “how-to” classes on such subjects as serving the best wines with certain menus. There are also many exciting sports events and champion Bingo games for big prize money. Club members have won many thousands of dollars in Bingo and at the casino when traveling with the . And don't forget about all the spa packages being offered. The ship even has a full state-of-art gym for workouts. At night there is dancing, stage shows and the always popular karaoke contests. Most fun of all is when club members win at karaoke. And they've won many times!! In your cabin each evening will appear the ship’s daily newsletter listing all activities and the dress code on board ship the next day. You will have easy access to the Shore Excursion Desk and the Shore Trip Channel on the TV in your cabin. No question will go unanswered on your cruise. All you need do is ask. It will be our pleasure.

17.) How will I know where to go on the ship for exercise classes? The first night at dinner on your cruise you will be given a schedule of classes for the whole trip. Fitness Hosts are given different times to teach each day. This ensures no one teacher and her students are assigned all the very early classes. Morning exercises are completed by 10 AM allowing guests time to shower, enjoy breakfast and meet for 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 the club's other exercise classes in mid-afternoon at various locations on the cruise ship. (Click on sample schedule at left.) 18.) How can I be reached if there's an emergency at my home? Your family can call (888) 724-SHIP if you are on Royal Caribbean. For Celebrity they should call (877) 266-1020. The cost of either call is $7.95 USD a minute. It can be charged to an American Express, Visa or Discover credit card. Be sure to tell your family the name of your ship and your cabin number. If it is impossible to get through call 800-955-9942 and speak with Coordinator Cynthia Neu for more assistance.

19.) How do I purchase a wine package for my cruise before boarding ship? Click on this link, review which order you want to select. Then call Travel Coordinator Cynthia Neu at 800-955-9942 to place your order. Have your credit card ready to pay in full. It is a pre-paid order only.

Good things to bring and share,

Saving very valuable space

• Hair dryers in cabins are attached to bathroom walls. Good idea to bring a spare hair dryer.
• Travel irons are not permitted, nor made available to guests. But room service can iron for you, for a fee.
• Ships usually offer 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 wet suits.
• Shower has a clothes line, but not always a shower cap. Bring a shower cap to be sure.
• Do not bring extra hangers. Ship has plenty extra wire hangers. Just ask. Do bring hanger extensions so several clothes could hang down from one hanger. Extensions will increase your closet space!
• The cruise ship provides towels for your bath, pool and beach visits. Do not bring towels.
• Cameras? Pack them in your carry-on luggage only. Do not pack them in checked luggage.

  This ensures they're not radiated or destroyed at security 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.

often has a group photographer on its cruises to teach members how to take attractive photos. Everyone has a better side of their face, either the left or right side. Stand in front of a mirror. Cover half your face. Then cover the other half of your face. How do they compare? Which ever side is your better side is the side you face toward the camera when someone takes your photo. You will always look wonderful!

guests Dolly Banas and Nancy Wallace of Northern Virginia enjoyed taking a Panama Canal cruise. Their special cruise vacation that year also involved learning how to take excellent photos. Looking up into the sun is best, they found out. Everyone looks great in a photo when the sun is shining on you and not behind you.

• Take 50 U.S. $1 bills for tips when traveling. Otherwise you return with too much foreign currency.
• It is customary to give the attendant delivering Room Service a $1 tip. It is the only cash tip you're

  permitted to give on the ship during a cruise. It is very much appreciated by the delivery persons.
• A safe is in your cabin. Your Cabin Steward can show you how to use it. Leave your passports in it.
• Do not bring extra hangers. Ship has many. Just ask. But do bring hanger extensions for more space.
• Bring more than one swim suit. Suits rarely dry out overnight in your cabin when you're at sea.
• Cabins have TV sets with constant weather reports showing the conditions outside.
• Cruise ships have one USA standard electric plug per cabin on dresser. Bring a small plug strip for more.
• When traveling abroad plan ahead for your electric appliances. Bring both a converter and an adaptor.
• Travel toiletries in legal 3 oz travel sizes are available at local grocery and drug stores.
• Bring sticky notes to leave requests for your steward since you rarely will be in the cabin when he is.
• Bring your own hand mirror or table top mirror to apply makeup and see your hair in back to style.
• Bring a portable radio to enjoy in Caribbean ports. Reggae, salsa and local news is fun to hear.
• Check local libraries in port cities for free Internet service to check your e-mail.
• Type e-mails on laptop in advance. Log onto ship's Internet only when you're ready to paste and send.
• Check with your cell phone carrier to learn what phone service could be available where you're going.

Magazine Travel Tips

July 6, 2004 - www.womansday.com

July 17, 2007 - www.womansday.com Wear Your Hat.... Don't Get Burned! Wear a wide-brimmed hat that covers your face, neck and ears. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher on all exposed body parts, and reapply after swimming. Limit sun exposure between 10 AM and 4 PM when rays are most hazardous.                                                                womansday.com 5/30/06

July 6, 2004 - www.womansday.com

July 20, 2004 - Woman's World

20. Finally.......