Frequently Asked Questions
Life On board |
Do I need to bring passport or visa?
All cruise lines require all guests to have a passport as proof of citizenship and will deny boarding to passengers who do not have the proper identification and documentation. If you are a citizen of another country, please check with our Customer Care Department regarding visa requirements.
For more information regarding visa requirements, contact us at [email protected]
What is the appropriate dress code on board the ship?
Formal Night gets a modern luxury reboot. Say goodbye to Formal Night, and hello to Evening Chic. It’s your time to shine—your way. Get glamorous. Get chic. Be sophisticated. Now, on up to two nights on every cruise, Evening Chic activities have been introduced, and Evening Chic attire has replaced Formal attire. While dressier than Smart Casual, Evening Chic is intended to be less dressy than Formal attire.
Women should feel comfortable wearing:
- A cocktail dress
- Skirt, pants or designer jeans with an elegant top
Men should feel comfortable wearing:
- Pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down shirt or sweater
- Optional sport coat or blazer
Evening Chic means that you can get glamorous and be sophisticated in your own way. If you would like to still wear a tuxedo or formal gown on Evening Chic nights, you absolutely should.
All cruises that are 7 nights or longer will feature two Evening Chic nights. Any cruise 6-nights or shorter will feature one Evening Chic night. All other nights of the cruise will feature Smart Casual attire. Celebrity Xpedition will continue to feature casual attire for the entire cruise.
Smart Casual attire can be enjoyed every other night of your cruise.
Women should feel comfortable wearing:
- Skirt, pants or jeans with a casual top
Men should feel comfortable wearing:
- Pants or jeans with a sport shirt that has sleeves
Note: T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurant at any time. Shorts and flip-flops are not allowed in the evening hours. The dress code will be enforced at all restaurants. And guests are asked to follow the Smart Casual or Evening Chic dress code in the Celebrity Theater for all evening performances. The daily program, delivered to your stateroom and available at the Guest Relations Desk, will be your guide to the correct attire each evening.
Do I need to pack formalwear such as a tuxedo?
On some cruises, formal dinners are part of the fun. However, you don't have to go out and buy a tuxedo just for this trip. Some ships offer tuxedo rental services right on board and will deliver it right to your cabin. Ask your CMEatSEA Coordinator for more information. Even on the most formal of ships, a dark suit and tie are completely acceptable.
Are wheelchairs available or do I have to bring my own?
Wheelchairs are generally available for passengers who are injured after they get on board. Most cruise lines recommend that you bring your own collapsible one if you will need it throughout the cruise. Check with your CMEatSEA Coordinator when booking regarding your ship's policy on providing wheelchairs to passengers.
Will my hairdryer or shaver fit in the outlets on board?
Most ships are equipped with 110-volt outlets in the staterooms so this shouldn't be a problem. Many new ships include hair dryers in the room, however they can be lacking in drying power, so you may want to bring your own.
Where can I keep my valuables?
All cruise ships have in room safes for your valuables.
Are there medical services on board?
Each ship is equipped with an infirmary staffed by a qualified physician and registered nurse(s). Should you require medical attention during your voyage, the doctor is available to render services at a customary charge. If you took out of country medical insurance through our company, your Travel Guard Insurance policy will most likely cover these and any other health-care related costs you may encounter during your journey. If you are on medication, please bring an adequate supply and keep them in your carry-on luggage.
How can we stay in touch with the outside?
All cruise ships have a daily newsletter with news headlines, selected stock quotes and sports scores that is available at the front desk. All staterooms have TVs and have the various international news broadcasts available (CNN, BBC etc).
Cruise ships now come fully wired with Internet cafes, Wi-Fi hotspots and crystal-clear cell phone transmission. So, whether you use a PDA for business, bring a cell phone to check in on grandma or need to surf the Web to feed your news habit, you'll be covered.
But, while many operators have been making technological leaps, not all cruise lines are equally wired. For the most part, cruise ship connections will never offer the same high-speed service you get at home. Beyond that, Internet speeds can vary significantly from line to line, ship to ship, depending on factors like location and available bandwidth (in other words, how much the line has invested in its Web setup).
Plus, staying in touch onboard isn't cheap. Internet charges vary by cruise line, ranging from 35 cents to $1 per minute. (Cruise lines do offer packages for heavy users that discount the per-minute rate, often significantly, and some river lines offer flat rates or even free Internet.) Cellular rates at sea vary by wireless company, but they will generally reflect international roaming rates, which can be breathtakingly pricey. When the ship reaches port, pricing will switch to the country-specific roaming rate -- also not cheap unless you've signed up for an international calling plan.
Azamara Club Cruises
Internet and Wi-Fi: Both Azamara ships have onboard computer centers, eConnections, with 24-hour access. Wireless access on smartphones and laptops with wireless network cards is available in designated areas on the ship.
Fees: Internet minutes may be purchased in increments at a rate of 65 cents a minute or as packages based on the minutes you plan to use: $40 (75 minutes), $60 (125 minutes), $80 (185 minutes) or $100 (265 minutes).
Cell phones: Service is available via AT&T and Wireless Maritime for passengers with GPRS data service. Roaming charges apply.
Celebrity Cruises
Internet and Wi-Fi: Most ships in the fleet offer Wi-Fi connectivity throughout. Internet access is available at 24-hour cyber cafes on all Celebrity ships and many also have iLounges with workstations and classes featuring the latest Mac products.
Fees: There is a flat Internet rate of 75 cents per minute or package rates of 38 minutes for $24.95, 90 minutes for $49.95, 208 minutes for $99.95 and 555 minutes for $199.95. The truly wired may want to book the "Involved" plan: 1,666 minutes for $399.95. The same rates apply to wireless hotspots on all ships, as well as to in-stateroom Internet access.
Cell Phones: Passengers on all Celebrity ships can use their GSM or CDMA mobile phones onboard. Roaming charges will apply.Oceania Cruises
Internet and Wi-Fi: Passengers onboard all Oceania ships can access the Internet via its 24-hour Oceania@Sea centers. All suites are equipped with laptops -- and the Owner's, Vista and Oceania suites each come with the added bonus of an iPad. Wireless access is available throughout all ships.
Fees: Access is a flat 95 cents per minute. Packages, which lower the per-minute rate, are also available, starting at 100 minutes for $80 and going up to 1,200 minutes for $540. Sending or receiving e-mail from a specially designated Oceania address costs $2 per message.
Cell Phones: Roaming access is available for passengers with GSM and CDMA phones aboard all Oceania ships. Charges apply.
All rates and services listed above are subject to change.
Can I do my laundry on board, or is there a laundry service?
All ships offer laundry and dry cleaning services on board for an additional fee. Some ships are also equipped with self-service laundry facilities. Check the ship description in the cruise line's brochure or consult your CMEatSEA Coordinator.
Can I pay for things on the ship with cash?
All ships operate on a "cashless" system. Each guest is issued an identity card so you can charge any on board services such as bar beverages, health and beauty services, duty-free purchases etc. to your room account. At the end of your voyage you may settle your account with cash, traveller's cheque or major credit card. Most ships do not accept personal cheques.
Cash is accepted in the casino and for gratuities to the staff that served you.
Is there a minimum drinking age on board?
You must be at least 21 years old to legally consume beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages on a cruise ship. You may be asked to present identification to the bartender, so be sure to have this handy.
Is there a beauty salon on board?
All ships offer a salon, and full spa facilities. Renowned companies such as Canyon Ranch, Steiner of London and Mandara Spa manage shipboard spas and offer an extensive array of treatments. These services must be reserved once on board and are an additional expense. Some services may not be available at all times on board so it is recommended that you check with the spa as soon as possible if you are interested in using these facilities.
Are there any special on board activities for children?
Most of the major "family-oriented" cruise lines offer extensive on board programs for ages 2 - 17. Some of the newer cruise ships even have special kids-only areas. Some programs are offered year-round while others may only be available on select itineraries or sailing dates.
Children's programs typically offer a variety of activities for children of all ages with daily activities planned for specific age categories. While onboard facilities are not daycares, they are staffed by experienced and qualified professionals who are trained to provide a safe and fun-filled environment for younger cruisers. If available, baby-sitting services may be arranged on board for an additional fee through the Purser's Office.
