Cruise Affairs, LLC  Travel Tips |
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Travel Tips
This document is put together from our own experiences as well as the feedback of clients and fellow travelers. As always, if you have comments or suggestions for additions to this document we would like to hear them.
We have attempted to write this in chronological order --- before, during and after your vacation. Some tips will be specific to a certain vacation type, most notably cruising, and will say so. Otherwise, you may assume that it is generic to travel of any type.
When to fly to your cruise?
Anyone who flies understands that the number of people flying has increased while the number of flights seems to have decreased. Delays, cancellations and oversold situations seem to be more the norm then the exception.
We recently returned from a Seminar at Sea aboard the Celebrity Constellation (look for our review soon). Unfortunately some previous commitments did not allow us to take our own advice when we scheduled our flights….that is when possible fly in to the port of embarkation the day before the cruise begins, especially for cruises starting on a Saturday or Sunday.
In all fairness the overwhelming majority of cruise passengers who fly in the day of their cruise make it to the ship, so we are not trying to scare you or make you believe that this is a huge problem. It does happen though and the question really is, why put yourselves through all that and take the chance? Sometimes your schedule won’t allow it, as happened to us. If it does and you fly in a day (or more) early there are several advantages. You get to see and do things in the port city that you probably won’t have time for if you just fly in then travel from the airport to the ship and back. You will arrive at the ship relaxed and refreshed and already in vacation mode as opposed to harried and frazzled from running through airports and worrying about connections and delays you have no control over.
From a practical aspect if there is a weather or mechanical or even medical emergency delay or cancellation of your flight you still have the next day to get to the ship. If the airline happens to ‘misplace’ one or more of your pieces of checked luggage you have a greater chance of it getting to you later that night or the next day at the hotel or ship. If it does not get to the ship because you arrived on the day of departure it can be problematic for the airline/cruise line to get it to you once you leave the main port.
Let us share with you our experience from March 11 going to the Constellation. We were departing from Reagan National in Washington D.C., and since there were no nonstop flights available we were flying through Charlotte NC to San Juan. We could have also flown through Philadelphia but decided that there might be less chance of a weather delay through Charlotte. As we were taxiing for take off the pilot brought the plane to a stop and announced that due to heavy fog there was a ground stoppage for arrivals in Charlotte and that we would be delayed at least one hour. We had some extra time between flights so we were not too concerned. There were some others onboard that had tighter connections to various locations and this was not good news for them. The stoppage was lifted after about 20 minutes and we were on our way.
When we arrived at the gate in Charlotte for our flight to San Juan there was quite a bit of activity. It seems that several people who had earlier flights to San Juan had missed their connection due to the stoppage which had affected flights coming in from all over the country and they were trying to get on this flight. The airline was trying to accommodate them but there were more requests than seats. Once onboard we heard the couple in front of us talking on their cell to friends in the terminal. Their friends had been scheduled on one of the earlier flights and now were faced with the fact that they could not get to San Juan today, would miss their ship’s departure, and at best would have to catch up to the ship a couple of days into the cruise.
We took off from Charlotte and after a few minutes in the air one of the flight attendants came on the P.A. asking if there was a doctor onboard…never a good sign. One of the passengers had suffered some type of attack and the pilot announced that he had declared a medical emergency and we were on our way back to Charlotte.
Our ship was not departing until 11 PM so we still had quite a bit of time. Some others that we could hear talking apparently didn’t have that much time and were growing concerned about making it to the ship. We ended up arriving in San Juan about 2 hours late. We made it to our ship and it appeared all the other cruise passengers onboard the flight would also, but not without some of them running frazzled through the airport.
Start your vacation on an upbeat note, not feeling like you had to work to get there. The adventure and excitement should start the minute you walk out of your home. We want your cruise to be a memorable experience for all the right reasons!
TRAVEL TIPS • Try to plan your vacation, especially a cruise, as far in advance as possible and practical. • The cruise lines’ largest booking discounts go to early bookers, as do the best cabins • If you wait until the last minute you get what everyone else didn’t want • It may be difficult to impossible to get air for last minute travel • Last minute air tickets can be prohibitively expensive • Late bookings leave you no opportunity to cancel without penalty • Find out what your choice of destination, resort or ship, actually includes in their “all inclusive” package (drinks, wine, gratuities, activities??), there are differences from one supplier to another • If you are taking the kids check on the programs, if any, available for them • Find out early in the process what ID you will need • As of 12/31/06 a passport will be required for almost all travel outside the U.S. • Some countries require extra visas or documents when a child travels with only one adult • Make photocopies of all ID and carry them with you in a safe place • Leave a copy of ID, all tickets, travelers check #’s and credit cards at home with a family member • Always pack travel docs, ID, valuables, medications and cosmetics in your carry-on, never checked luggage • Carry a change of clothes also in case your checked luggage is late arriving at your cabin • Pack a collapsible travel bag in your luggage to be used as an extra bag for the trip home • Check with your doctor before leaving on vacation if: o You tend to get seasick o You need specific immunization shots before entering a country o You have an ongoing medical condition-have the Dr write up a brief history for you to carry • Carry all prescription medications in their original container o This ensures that emergency providers in a foreign country will be able to determine what type of medication you are taking o It may avoid legal problems that can arise from carrying unidentifiable drugs o Make sure you have a sufficient amount to cover unexpected delays • Always check ALL travel documents as soon as they arrive • You can pre purchase shore excursions from many cruise line websites o Read the cancellation policy closely o Check the physical and clothing requirements before purchasing • Fill out all required documents before leaving home o Many documents that the cruise lines require can be filled out online saving time at embarkation • Attach supplier bag tags to your luggage before checking it at the airport • Be sure you have a personal bag tag on the outside and another inside all luggage • Avoid embarrassing situations – be sure you know the appropriate dress for your destination/ship • It is important to match your destination with your style of vacationing – casual, formal, etc. • Pack based on the weather at your destination, the activities you plan on attending and the suggested dress, especially for evening wear • Check on your air carriers limits on number of checked bags, size and weight • Lock checked bags with either TSA approved locks or plastic wire ties o Remember more ties for the flight home and a nail clipper in your carryon bag to cut ties when your bags arrive at your cabin/room • Airlines charge a considerable amount for overweight/oversize bags • On “formal” nights you will be asked to dress appropriately at the evenings events • Always confirm your airline reservation at least 24 hours in advance • Check with your departure airport for recommended arrival times • Plan extra time during peak travel periods (weekends, holidays) and at times that the alert level is raised • Dress comfortably for your flight – you will have to remove shoes and coats going through airport security checkpoints • Leave emergency contact information, such as the telephone number to the ship or resort, with your family • You will be able to communicate by email from most ships and resorts o Make sure you have an established email account before leaving o Some cell phone providers now offer phones that will work in foreign cities---you can rent or buy one (we use Verizon) • If you have arranged your own air or other transportation to the cruise port, allow plenty of time • Be aware of the time difference between home and your destination o This applies to travel arrangements as well as communicating with family • Cruise lines only track the progress of guests they have made air arrangements for • If all of these guests are onboard at the appointed departure time, the ship will leave • Upon arrival check your room/cabin immediately to ensure that everything works as it should • Identifying and reporting any problems early allows for correction to be made before it disrupts your vacation • Use the provided safe or check at the Pursers office to secure valuables, original IDs and travel documents • Never leave valuables unattended in your cabin/room • No security method is foolproof • If it is extremely expensive, irreplaceable and/or not an integral part of your vacation LEAVE IT HOME! • Luggage may take several hours to get to your cabin—pack casual clothes and a swimsuit in your carryon • If you want a spa treatment (especially before a formal night) or reservations to a popular alternative restaurant find out where to go to make them and get there early • If you haven’t pre purchased shore excursions look the choices over on day one – the really popular ones sell out quickly • If you strike out on your own in port it is up to you to get back to the ship on time • If you purchased insurance from the supplier it might not cover injuries incurred on excursions that were not arranged by them • Get recommendations on restaurants in foreign ports or cities from appropriate crew or staff members • You paid for the meals on your cruise…if you don’t like it send it back…if you want more ask for it • Respect the power of the tropical sun – use sunscreen and don’t try to get your whole tan on the first day • If you use film bring it with you…it can be expensive onboard and in tourist locations • If you have to buy film, look for an indoor, air conditioned location – the sun at an outside kiosk can have an effect on the film quality • Digital camera media holds more pictures then rolls of film, is reusable and allows you to preview your pictures • Use common sense in foreign cities/ports – don’t stray off the beaten path especially at night • Learning a few popular words in the language of your destination will go a long way toward gaining the cooperation of the locals • Find out what if any gratuities are included in your trip cost • Bar service onboard has 15% added to the bill automatically • Although suppliers who encourage gratuities have a recommended amount, tipping is still a personal decision • Reward excellent service, report substandard service • If you have a problem at a resort check for a rep from your tour company on premises (Apple Vacations, etc.) • If foreign currency must be used check on current conversion rates • ATMs will give some of the best conversion rates • Make major purchases on credit cards • Carry cash only in small denominations • Be wary of people who approach offering to be your “guide”, use only reputable guides approved by the cruise line or resort • Avoid confrontations – ask people you don’t know if they mind before taking their picture • On the last night of your cruise be sure you leave out clothes for the next day before putting your luggage outside your cabin • Familiarize yourself with the Customs allowance when you re-enter the U.S. o The amount differs based on the number of family members traveling with you and where you are returning from o The penalties are not worth trying to sneak something in o Have receipts available for items you purchased o If you are bringing an extremely valuable item on vacation with you (ex. - jewelry, camera or computer equipment), consider bringing a receipt along that shows it was purchased in the U.S. • In popular disembarkation ports the airports will be very busy – leave plenty of time for checking bags and clearing security • Soon after getting home organize your pictures and documents into a scrapbook while the memory is still fresh • When you get home let your travel agent know how your trip was, good and bad, and begin planning your next trip – have something to look forward to!!! |
