Difference between revisions of "JoCo Cruise Crazy/Cruise Ship Basics"

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Being on a cruise ship is often a new experience for first time Sea Monkeys.  This section will address questions like "will I get seasick", "how much will it *really* cost", and "what the heck is a towel monkey and should I be scared of them?"
 
Being on a cruise ship is often a new experience for first time Sea Monkeys.  This section will address questions like "will I get seasick", "how much will it *really* cost", and "what the heck is a towel monkey and should I be scared of them?"
 
'''
 
'''
* '''RTFM, where the F stands for FUN!  Highly recommended reading:'''
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=='''RTFM''' where the F stands for FUN!  Highly recommended reading:==
** Instructional information provided by the cruise line.  These materials will answer most of the basic cruise-related inquiries. For example, Holland America Line (HAL) offers a "Know Before You Go" PDF, and also a "Cruise FAQ" section on their website.  This document may include (but not limited to) information regarding:
+
Review the instructional information provided by the cruise line.  These materials will answer most of the basic cruise-related inquiries. For example, Holland America Line (HAL) offers a "Know Before You Go" PDF, and also a "Cruise FAQ" section on their website.  This document may include (but not limited to) information regarding:
*** Identification Requirements
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* Identification Requirements
*** Emergency Phone Numbers
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* Emergency Phone Numbers
*** Guests Under 21
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* Guests Under 21
*** Immunization
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* Immunization
*** Customs Information
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* Customs Information
*** Alcoholic Beverages Brought Onboard
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* Alcoholic Beverages Brought Onboard
*** Baggage Policies & Packing Advice
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* Baggage Policies & Packing Advice
*** Clothing (with evening dress and electrical appliance guidelines)
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* Clothing (with evening dress and electrical appliance guidelines)
*** Gift Packages
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* Gift Packages
*** Dining
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* Dining
*** Boarding Procedures
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* Boarding Procedures
*** Activities Onboard
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* Activities Onboard
*** Excursions
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* Excursions
*** Services Onboard (includes laundry information, prohibition of irons in cabins)
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* Services Onboard (includes laundry information, prohibition of irons in cabins)
*** Shipboard Meals
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* Shipboard Meals
*** Medical Facilities
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* Medical Facilities
*** Passenger Safety Briefing
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* Passenger Safety Briefing
*** Smoking Policy
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* Smoking Policy
*** Communications at Sea
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* Communications at Sea
*** Shipboard Account
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* Shipboard Account
*** Currency Exchange
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* Currency Exchange
*** Hotel Service Charge
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* Hotel Service Charge
*** Disembarkation Procedures
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* Disembarkation Procedures
**'''The Official [[JoCo Cruise Crazy]] website also features a detailed FAQ.'''   
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'''The Official [http://www.jococruisecrazy.com JoCo Cruise Crazy] website also features a detailed FAQ.'''   
  
 
== What to expect before the cruise ==
 
== What to expect before the cruise ==

Revision as of 16:19, 16 March 2012

Cruise Ship Basics

Being on a cruise ship is often a new experience for first time Sea Monkeys. This section will address questions like "will I get seasick", "how much will it *really* cost", and "what the heck is a towel monkey and should I be scared of them?"

RTFM where the F stands for FUN! Highly recommended reading:

Review the instructional information provided by the cruise line. These materials will answer most of the basic cruise-related inquiries. For example, Holland America Line (HAL) offers a "Know Before You Go" PDF, and also a "Cruise FAQ" section on their website. This document may include (but not limited to) information regarding:

  • Identification Requirements
  • Emergency Phone Numbers
  • Guests Under 21
  • Immunization
  • Customs Information
  • Alcoholic Beverages Brought Onboard
  • Baggage Policies & Packing Advice
  • Clothing (with evening dress and electrical appliance guidelines)
  • Gift Packages
  • Dining
  • Boarding Procedures
  • Activities Onboard
  • Excursions
  • Services Onboard (includes laundry information, prohibition of irons in cabins)
  • Shipboard Meals
  • Medical Facilities
  • Passenger Safety Briefing
  • Smoking Policy
  • Communications at Sea
  • Shipboard Account
  • Currency Exchange
  • Hotel Service Charge
  • Disembarkation Procedures

The Official JoCo Cruise Crazy website also features a detailed FAQ.

What to expect before the cruise

  • [From The Home Office] Pre-cruise, we encourage you to visit the JCCC Discussion Forums, where people may already self-organizing various activities and events, including dance lessons, an a cappella group, coordinating shore excursions, Rock Band sessions in individual cabins, and much, much more. So if you’re interested in joining in, or starting an unofficial group/event of your own, dive on in and join the discussions. BONUS: everyone there is super-friendly!
  • Consider Travel / Trip Insurance - Price it out on sites that represent several insurance companies. These include InsureMyTrip, SquareMouth, and QuoteWright. Some of the bigger companies include TravelGuard and CSA.
  • Arrive to the Port city one day early. (Get there the day before)
  • Embarkation procedure (See RTFunM above)
  • Call your credit card companies and inform them of your itinerary

What to expect on the ship

  • Food - where to find it, what is free, what costs extra
  • Main Dining Room Dress Code (See RTFunM above)
    • Formal nights vs normal nights, formal is defined by cruise line, not JCCC staff.
    • General experience: Shorts and printed t-shirts are generally not permitted. Please note that the dress code only applies when dining in the Main Dining Room or specialty restaurants. Evening meals are available in additional locations.
  • How to pay for stuff (drink cards vs room key)
  • Will I get sea sick
    • Motion sickness and/or nausea remedies: over-the-counter medications, prescription medication patches, candied gingerroot, ginger pills, ginger gum, acupressure wrist bands. YMMV.
    • Personal hygiene recommendations
  • Mandatory Muster/Lifeboat drill - do not skip this! (See RTFunM above)
  • Booking Extras: (See RTFunM above)
    • [According to The Home Office and HAL]: In general, all passengers may use their HAL booking numbers begin booking shore excursions, spa appointments, and so forth starting 6 months prior to sailing.
    • Excursions
    • Speciality dining reservations
    • Spa and salon reservations
    • Indulgence packages, beverage cards, etc.
  • Internet Access (See RTFunM above)- On HAL, pricey Internet Packages are available for purchase. It is reported that access is painfully slow.
  • Smoking Policies (See RTFunM above)
  • Shipboard Account: It is recommended that passengers review their shipboard account towards the end of the cruise. Documents can be obtained by request at the Front Office.

What to expect after the cruise

  • putting out luggage night before
  • give some wiggle room between cruise arrival and departing flight
  • Disembarkation typically takes place between 7:00 am and 10:00 am.
  • Allow time to gather luggage and go through US Customs.
  • hanging out with other sea monkeys in airport
  • land legs / dock rock / swaying is normal, do not be alarmed.
  • Check your credit card statements. If you have unexpected charges, email onboardaccounts (AT) hollandamerica (DOT) com with the following information:
    • HAL booking number
    • Ship name
    • Sail date
    • Room number
    • Your name

Links

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