|
ARE
THERE NON SMOKING AREAS? |
|
WHAT
ABOUT SINGLE PASSENGERS? |
|
HOW
LONG DO CRUISES TAKE? |
|
DO
THE CLASSES OF SERVICE DIFFER IN ANY WAY? |
|
IS
CRUISE SHIP DINING AS GOOD AS I’VE HEARD? |
|
WHAT
ARE DIFFERENT MEAL SEATINGS? |
|
WHAT
IF I DON’T LIKE MY TABLEMATES? |
|
CAN
I GET A SPECIAL DIET? |
|
DO
I HAVE TO TAKE PART IN ALL THE ACTIVITIES? |
|
WILL
I FEEL CONFINED OR GET BORED? |
|
DO
WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT? |
|
WHAT
CAN I DO DURING THE EVENING? |
|
WHAT
CAN I DO IN PORT? |
|
IS
MOTION DISCOMFORT A PROBLEM? |
|
CAN
WE STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE OUTSIDE? |
|
WHAT
SHOULD I PACK? |
|
CAN
WE CELEBRATE A SPECIAL OCCASION ON BOARD? |
|
CAN
I GET MARRIED AT SEA? |
|
IS
CRUISING GOOD FOR HONEYMOONERS? |
|
WHAT
ABOUT TIPPING? |
|
ARE
LAUNDRY SERVICES AVAILABLE? |
|
HOW
DO I BOOK A CRUISE? |
|
WHERE
CAN I GO? |
|
DO
I NEED MY PASSPORT? |
|
ARE
ALL CRUISE SHIPS SIMILAR? |
|
CAN
I BOOK AT SHORT NOTICE? |
|
DO
CRUISE LINES WELCOME FAMILIES AND KIDS? |
|
WHO
SHOULD I SEE IF I HAVE QUESTIONS TO ASK? |
|
DO
CRUISE LINES ACCEPT GROUPS? |
|
ARE
THERE ANY SPECIAL INTEREST OR THEME CRUISES? |
|
| ARE
THERE NON SMOKING AREAS? |
Many
cruise ship dining rooms are now totally smoke free, reflecting
passengers requests. If you want to make sure you are in a smoke
free dining area, please make sure your waiter or the maitre d’ is
aware. Renaissance Cruises have launched the first smoke-free cruise
ships!
|
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to top |
| WHAT
ABOUT SINGLE PASSENGERS? |
Cruise
ships are an excellent choice for people travelling alone. On a
Cruise, you take your hotel – and all its facilities – with you
as you go. Because a Cruise ship is, to an extent, an enclosed
society, it will offer a sense of community and friendliness often
lacking in shore-side resorts.
By day you’ll find plenty of activities to participate in from
pool parties, beauty demonstrations and fashion parades to lectures,
arts and crafts classes, cookery lessons and keep fit sessions. So
discovering new hobbies, learning new skills and making new friends
really couldn’t be easier.
Going ashore you will have the security of knowing that there is an
extensive programme of organised excursions so single passengers can
go exploring in good company.
|
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to top |
| HOW
LONG DO CRUISES TAKE? |
This
is totally up to you – itineraries range from 3 days to 3 months!
|
|
Back
to top |
| DO
THE CLASSES OF SERVICE DIFFER IN ANY WAY? |
No,
everyone is treated equally as well these days. The price you pay
will depend on the size or location of your cabin, therefore, the
excellent service, activities, entertainment and menus will be
enjoyed equally by everyone on board.
|
|
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to top |
| IS
CRUISE SHIP DINING AS GOOD AS I’VE HEARD? |
Yes
– and better! There is no limit on what or how much you can order.
Don’t worry if you are watching your weight – low calorie
varieties can be selected, which are just as delicious.
|
|
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to top |
| WHAT
ARE DIFFERENT MEAL SEATINGS? |
Most
cruise ships have two seatings which differ in time only. It is up
to you whether you prefer to dine early or late, then advise us when
booking. You can ask for a larger table so that it gives you chance
to meet other people. It’s your choice.
|
|
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to top |
| WHAT
IF I DON’T LIKE MY TABLEMATES? |
Speak
to the maitre d’, he’ll assist you with a discreet move to
another table.
Many cruise lines operate a flexible arrangement whereby you are
free to choose your table at each sitting.
|
|
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to top |
| CAN
I GET A SPECIAL DIET? |
Yes.
This is generally not a problem as most requirements can be catered
for, but you must request these at the time of booking.
|
|
Back
to top |
| DO
I HAVE TO TAKE PART IN ALL THE ACTIVITIES? |
No
you don’t. This is your cruise holiday so you decide how much or
how little you want to do.
|
|
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to top |
| WILL
I FEEL CONFINED OR GET BORED? |
No,
absolutely not. There is so much to do aboard a cruise ship and so
much space to do it in. If you don’t feel like taking part in
exercise/dance classes, golf, swimming, sports contests, tennis,
basketball, backgammon or bridge – nor fancy a movie, the library,
the sauna or working out in the gym – then sit back and literally
watch the world go by!
|
|
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to top |
| DO
WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT? |
No
not at all. All entertainment is included and the variety is
limitless.
|
|
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to top |
| WHAT
CAN I DO DURING THE EVENING? |
The
cruise ship comes alive at night with music, dancing, live
entertainment, movies, casinos, nightclubs – in fact, any type of
partying until sunrise! However, there are quiet lounges to enjoy a
drink or two if you prefer.
|
|
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to top |
| WHAT
CAN I DO IN PORT? |
Lots
of choices! You can take a shopping trip, or a guided tour, go off
on your own in search of ancient ruins or just some quiet time.
Climb waterfalls, volcanos, horse-riding, mountain biking, walking
along beaches and hills. Go snorkelling, scuba diving, or take a
cable car to pastures new. Visit local restaurants to partake in
native food and drink, go night-clubbing or to a casino. The list is
endless!
There will be shore excursions and organised trips for you to book
and pay for separately onboard the ship. If not, go and explore
alone it’s up to you.
|
|
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to top |
| IS
MOTION DISCOMFORT A PROBLEM? |
No, not really. This has virtually become extinct now due to modern
ships having stabilizers, cruise lines having advance notice of
accurate weather information, preventative effective medication and
the most popular cruise areas having the calmest waters in the
world.
|
|
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to top |
| CAN
WE STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE OUTSIDE? |
Yes,
very easily indeed. Most ships now have telephones in passenger
cabins and you can call someone on shore via the ship’s radio
operator. Also daily newsletter including new headlines, sports
results and selected stock quotes are available, as are televisions
in Staterooms. Many ships also have facsimile and e-mail services
available.
If you want to give an emergency contact number to friends or
relatives then this will usually be provided in your final cruise
documentation. Most calls will be made via a satellite link and can
therefore be more expensive than calls to normal mobile phones. Many
cruise lines use the Inmarsat Satellite service. The dialling codes
for these are:
Atlantic East: 00 871
Atlantic West: 00 874
Indian Ocean: 00 873
Pacific: 00 872
SNAC: 00 870 (Single number access code)
|
|
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to top |
| WHAT
SHOULD I PACK? |
Cruises
are casual by day, as any other holiday. However, the evening will
be a little more formal, and a dinner jacket or cocktail dress will
be required if attending the Captain’s Gala. Some ships will
provide a rental service to save you buying a dinner jacket
especially.
If on the other hand you prefer a more informal cruise, some Cruise
Lines offer a casual attire alternative dining experience. These
lines are Princess Cruises and Renaissance – No Jacket Required.
Check their web sites for further information
|
|
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to top |
| CAN
WE CELEBRATE A SPECIAL OCCASION ON BOARD? |
Yes
most definitely! Many cruise lines will provide you with a
complimentary cake and a song! You are very welcome to order
champagne, canapes, wine, cheese or flowers as an added treat –
even a special private party if you so wish. Please advise your
requirements at the time of booking.
|
|
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to top |
| CAN
I GET MARRIED AT SEA? |
Not
on the Cruise ship as she sails, but definitely ‘yes’ in any
port of your choice. Why not get the Cruise Line to arrange your
wedding for you? Ask us for advice when booking your cruise.
|
|
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to top |
| IS
CRUISING GOOD FOR HONEYMOONERS? |
Yes
– cosy dinners for two, dancing the night away under the stars,
strolling along the deck at sunset. The ambience is very romantic!
Many cruise ships offer breakfast in bed and champagne receptions
for newlyweds
|
|
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to top |
| WHAT
ABOUT TIPPING? |
This
is down to individual preference. A general rule to follow is plan
for approximately £1.50-2.00 per person per day for your room
steward and dining room waiter, and about half that amount for your
busboy
Look out for the cruises which operate fully inclusive
packages which may include on-board gratuities.
|
|
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to top |
| ARE
LAUNDRY SERVICES AVAILABLE? |
Almost
all cruise ships have these facilities along with dry cleaning and
self service laundrettes
|
|
Back
to top |
| HOW
DO I BOOK A CRUISE? |
Call
01905 2435 our cruise specialists will be delighted to assist you
with any requirements you have
|
|
Back
to top |
| WHERE
CAN I GO? |
Virtually
anywhere!
|
|
Back
to top |
| DO
I NEED MY PASSPORT? |
Yes
– you will receive complete information on required documents well
in advance of your departure, so you will have plenty of time to
make arrangements.
|
|
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to top |
| ARE
ALL CRUISE SHIPS SIMILAR? |
No
definitely not. You can be aboard a ship with 100-200 passengers or
1,000-3,000 passengers. The atmospheres will vary from ship to ship
so check out the differences before booking
|
|
Back
to top |
| CAN
I BOOK AT SHORT NOTICE? |
Yes
please contact us on 01905 21435
|
|
Back
to top |
| DO
CRUISE LINES WELCOME FAMILIES AND KIDS? |
Most
cruise lines have special supervised activities for children ie.
Organised sports, competitions, games, movies, parties, etc. You can
join them in the fun or take some time out alone. Whichever you
choose, there’s always so much to keep them entertained
|
|
Back
to top |
| WHO
SHOULD I SEE IF I HAVE QUESTIONS TO ASK? |
Call
01905 21435 to speak to our professionals who will be able to assist
you with any queries or questions you have.
|
|
Back
to top |
| DO
CRUISE LINES ACCEPT GROUPS? |
Yes
– most cruise lines will book groups, often at reduced rates
depending on how many people are involved. Policies differ from
company to company and sometimes during certain times of the year
|
|
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to top |
| ARE
THERE ANY SPECIAL INTEREST OR THEME CRUISES? |
As
the pace of life becomes every more frantic, many people complain
that they never have time to pursue hobbies and interests outside of
work. Television and magazines on antique collecting, gardening and
arts and crafts have never been so popular – yet until we retire,
few of us have the leisure to expand our lives by developing new
interests.
Cruise lines have the answer use holiday time to learn new skills or
brush up on existing ones. Special interest or themed cruises are
growing in popularity and the range of subjects you can explore
during a holiday at sea is immense. More often than not a
‘specialist’ will be onboard, including TV and radio
personalities, who will be delighted to assist you with queries and
techniques to practise by yourself.
Some themes you will find are get and stay fit, golf, football,
Scottish dancing, Arts and Crafts, Computers, gardening, opera, rock
and roll, classical, country music, theatre, photography, jazz,
ballroom dancing, TV Soap Stars, antiques, needlework, pottery,
horticulture, bird-watching, wild-life conservation, marine biology,
astronomy, National Trust, battlefields, Union castle commemorations
the list is endless! |
