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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Documentation, visas and passports?
What does my cruise fare include?
How do I pay for onboard expenses?
What do I need to do before I leave for the cruise?
What are the customs allowances?
How many suitcases can I bring?
What about smoking, drinking and gambling on the ship?
Dress Code in Dining Rooms?
What about guests with special needs?
Is there a doctor on board?
What if I'm pregnant?
What if I need to stay in touch while away?
What to Pack?
When should I arrive at the airport?
What about tipping?
What about shore excursions?
What if I need to make a cancellation?

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What does my cruise fare include?

Your cruise fare entitles you to accommodations, meals and entertainment aboard ship. Certain specialty restaurants are available with either nominal cover charges or fixed price menus and à la carte pricing in addition to the standard dining program. Items of a personal nature are not included, such as alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, spa treatments, certain specialty exercise classes, laundry, photographs, casino, ship-to-shore phone, e-mail, Internet, fax and Shore Excursions.

How do I pay for onboard expenses?

For your convenience, all shipboard expenses are charged to a special onboard credit program. Sign up on the first day of your cruise, by establishing your method of payment with Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express®, Discover®, travelers checks or cash. If you choose to settle your account with cash, a deposit will be required in advance. You may also use your debit card; however, please be advised that the cruise line may obtain a pre-authorization which some banks may hold for up to 30 days.

What do I need to do before I leave for the cruise?

The department of Homeland Security requires all guest to pre-register for cruises. After you register for your cruise you will receive pre-cruise documents. The pre-cruise documents will include shore excursion information and pre-registration documents. Before final documents are sent out you will need to fill out and fax or mail the pre-registration form in the packet. You can also pre-register online with your confirmation that is provided in the pre-registration packet. After you have pre-registered for the cruise you can then pre register for shore excursions. See Documentation, visas and passports? for additional information.

What are the customs allowances?

United States residents must declare all articles acquired abroad and in their possession when they return to the U.S. This includes items purchased in "duty-free" shops. The duty-free exemption allowed for purchases or gifts for returning U.S. residents varies, depending on how long they have been out of the U.S. and which countries they have visited. The standard exemption for U.S. residents who have been abroad more than 48 hours is $600 - $800, which may include one liter of alcohol (if you are at least 21), 100 cigars and 200 cigarettes.

How many suitcases can I bring?

Each person is allowed up to 200 pounds of personal luggage on board. However, if you are traveling by air, ask the airline if it has different restrictions. Airlines and Princess Cruise Line have limited liability for loss, so be sure all baggage and personal belongings are properly insured. You should hand-carry medication, jewelry or other valuables and important documents.

What about smoking, drinking and gambling on the ship?

Smoking is permitted in designated areas in the bars and outside on open decks. All other areas on board ship are non-smoking. Guests must be age 21 to purchase or drink alcohol.

Dress Code in Dining Rooms?

Resort casual attire is always appropriate morning, noon and night. However, cruise lines do not allow any blue jeans, t-shirts, shorts, cut-offs, tank tops, bare feet, etc. in any of our fine dining restaurants for dinner, including all main restaurants, alternative restaurants, and cover charge venues.

There will also be two formal nights during your cruise. A coat and tie or dress will be required in the dining room on the formal nights. The dates of the formal nights will be in your final cruise documents.

What about guests with special needs?

Cruise lines welcome guests with special needs. Of course, we may require advance notice in order to accommodate them, so they must advise Columbus Travel of their needs at least four weeks prior to their cruise.

Is there a doctor on board?

A physician and nurse are on each ship to provide medical care and services at customary charges. Commonly used medications are kept on board and may be prescribed by the ship's doctor.

What if I'm pregnant?

Cruise lines will make every effort to accommodate you, providing you have not entered the 24th week of pregnancy when the cruise ends. However, you must provide the cruise line with a medical certificate establishing your due date prior to your cruise.

What if I need to stay in touch while away?

All of our ships have computer terminals you can rent by the hour at the Internet Café. You can also telephone, telex, radiogram or fax to anywhere in the world and be billed* at applicable ship-to-shore rates.

Documentation, visas and passports

The United States Government recently enacted the Border Security Act, under which, effective January 1, 2003, all guests must provide key personal information in advance of sailing. Guests may fill out the Advance Guest Registration online, or they can obtain a form through their travel agent to return via fax or mail to Princess Cruise Lines.

All United States and Canadian citizens must carry a valid passport. The name on your reservation must match the name on your ID. If your name on you ID does not match because of marriage or other circumstances you must provide appropriate documentation such as a marriage certificate or adoption papers etc. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate documentation at check in. If proper documentation is not provided you may be denied boarding and will not receive a refund. It is your responsibility to check with you local immigration office and/or respective embassy or consulate to determine requirements for passports, visas and other documentation, including vaccinations for infectious diseases. Guests denied boarding by local immigration officials for lack of proper documents are not entitled to a cruise refund. Here are some guidelines, but please note that this list is not exhaustive.

As visa requirements vary by country and are subject to change, guests who are not United States or Canadian citizens are urged to contact your local immigration office and/or respective embassy or consulate to determine the entry requirements for your cruise destinations.

What to Pack?

You should dress for a cruise the same way you would for any stylish land-based resort. Casual sportswear, including shorts, lightweight pants and jogging suits, is the order of the day both at sea and ashore in hotter climates. We recommend you bring a sweater, a jacket or an all-weather coat for cool evenings, and for shore excursions, depending on your destination. Due to unpredictable weather, don't forget a hat or visor and a collapsible umbrella. Please be sure to bring proper clothing for visits to religious sites. You'll also want low-heeled, rubber-soled shoes for strolling on deck, as well as comfortable walking shoes or sandals to wear while on shore excursions.

Smart Casual Evenings:
Passengers dress as they would for a fine restaurant at home.
• Skirts/dresses, slacks, and sweaters for ladies
• Pants and open-neck shirts for men
In the dining room, items such as cutoff T-shirts, shorts, halter tops, and jeans are not permitted; shoes must be worn at all times.

Formal Evenings:
• Evening gowns and cocktail dresses for ladies
• Tuxedo, slacks with dinner jackets, or suits for men

When should I arrive at the airport?

Recommended domestic check-in time is 1 1/2 hours prior to departure. Please call the airline or access the airline’s internet site to check for schedule changes/flight delays. Please remember to allow extra time if you are unfamiliar with the airport, are leaving during heavy traffic times, or have excess baggage.

What about tipping?

The standard tipping guideline is $10 per person per day. You can also tip local tour guides on shore excursions, bus drivers, sky caps etc.

What about shore excursions?

There are a wide variety of shore excursions. You will receive a shore excursions booklet with your final documents. After you have pre-registered for your cruise you can pre-sign up for shore excursions online. You may also sign up for shore excursions while onboard the ship.

Will the flights be on the same day that the cruise leaves port?

It is highly recommended that you arrive in Mimi on May 3^rd to participate in the special event at the hotel. In addition, this provides an added measure of assurance because if you arrive on cruise day and your flight is delayed you could miss the cruise. Special airfares are available for this cruise. When you register please indicate the city from which you prefer to fly and Hess Travel will contact you regarding reservations.

What if I need to make a cancellation?
Once the reservations are made, you will be responsible for cancellation penalty fees if you decide to cancel.