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Security heightened at cruise ports
By Rebecca Tobin
(Travel Weekly 3/20/2003)
WASHINGTON -- Security at cruise ports was expanded this week with the introduction of the Department of Homeland Security's "Liberty Shield," a nationwide security campaign that includes increased water patrols and cruise ship escorts, and armed Coast Guard sea marshals on some "high interest" vessels.
A spokeswoman for the International Council of Cruise Lines described the security hikes as "Level III-plus." The ports and cruise industry have operated at a Level III security alert, its highest, since 9/11/01.
"We're employing new security initiatives and technology that just wasn't around after 9/11," she said.
Additional visible security measures include increased inspections of luggage and carry-on articles, additional security personnel and controls, and the use of canines for inspections.
The American Association of Port Authorities, meanwhile, said a port could be temporarily closed to ship traffic if there is a threat or concern specific to that port, but a spokeswoman said it's "not likely."
"On the cruise side, the vast majority, if not all ships, will continue on their voyages," she said.
A note from A&A:
The cruise lines themselves have enhanced their strict security procedures to ensure passenger safety and comfort. They include:
• Comprehensive screening all luggage, carry-ons, and provisions coming onto ships.
• Conducting that screening with x-ray machines, metal detectors, canine teams, human searches, and/or other methods.
• All guests, crew members, and visitors who board ships must have a passport or original birth certificate (or certified copy) plus a photo identification issued by a government agency, typically a driver’s license or student ID.
• Passenger manifests, listing all guests and crew members, are reviewed by U.S. federal authorities.
• Most ships employ the SeaPass system which provides everyone with an ID card containing a digital photo and personal information on a magnetic strip. As each guest or crew member boards or departs a ship, this card is swiped through a machine and its information appears on a computer screen, at which time the cardholder’s identity is verified.
• Each cruise has skilled Security Officers, overseeing a team of experienced security personnel.
• Cruise lines work closely with local, state, federal, and international authorities, such as the port authorities where ships call, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, the U.S. Customs Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Interpol.
Absolutely! There are cruise vacations to suit every budget, from the cost-conscious to the most luxurious. Even more important, a cruise offers the best travel value for your money. Your fare includes all meals & snacks, your stateroom accommodations, onboard activities, parties and entertainment. So for once, you'll have a pretty good idea what your vacation will end up costing you before you go.
Compare a cruise to the total cost of other vacations, and you'll be amazed at the value. To prove it, here is a handy chart to compare the costs of a cruise to a typical land-based vacation. Using the example below, we compare the cost of a Carnival Fun Ship cruise to a budget hotel in Cancun. As you can see below, when you add it all up, a land-based vacation will probably cost as much or more than a cruise.
|
Prices shown are per person, based on double occupancy |
*7 night Western Caribbean cruise oceanview stateroom on Carnival's Conquest from Galveston |
**7 nights in Cancun, Mexico budget beachfront hotel with garden view room |
|
Cruise & all taxes |
$642.06 (add $150 for balcony cabin) |
$734.35 |
|
Air from Houston & Airport transfers |
not required |
Included |
|
Parking |
At pier: $60 ($30 per person) |
At IAH airport: $50 ($25 per person) |
|
Accommodations |
Included |
Included |
|
Meals/Snacks/Buffets |
Included |
***$175.00 ($25 per day x 7) |
|
Sports Activities |
Included |
optional extra cost |
|
Parties |
Included |
optional extra cost |
|
Entertainment |
Included |
$70.00 ($10 per day x 7) |
|
Disco |
Included |
possible cover charges |
|
Vegas style nightclub shows |
Included |
optional extra cost |
|
Casino |
On Board |
Sorry, no casinos in Mexico |
|
Gratuities |
$70.00 |
optional extra cost |
|
Per Person Total |
$742.06 |
$1004.35 + above optional costs |
*Quoted 4/23/07 by Carnival Cruises Line for sailing departing 9/09/07.
**Quoted 4/23/07 by Funjet Vacations for the Imperial Las Perlas Hotel (rated 1½ stars out of 5) departing 9/09/07 for 7 nights, with charter air from Houston.
***Okay, so maybe this is not realistic! At most resorts, you can easily double or triple this daily meal cost.
What is included in the price of a cruise?
You must pay for extras such as liquor, sodas, shore excursions, gratuities, photos, incidentals, gambling, etc.
What if I book a cruise and the price drops?
In most cases, should the price of your cruise drop, we can go back to the cruise line to have your booking readjusted to the lower fare. There is no need to wait, hoping for a price drop. Book early to take advantage of the current discount, get a great cabin location, dining time of choice, and the best flights possible.
Keep in mind that the cruise lines do not automatically lower your price for you. That is why A&A will periodically check your booking's price to see if it can be lowered. We've been able to secure refunds even after full payment has been made!
However, in very rare cases, cruise lines may come out with promotional specials that are valid for new bookings only, and rate adjustments to the new lower promotional fare will not be allowed.
Can't I just book this myself directly with the cruise line and save money?
In almost every case, our price is either the same as the cruise line or even a little lower. The big difference is in the service you receive. Almost all of the cruise line reservation agents are minimum wage workers that most likely have never been on a cruise, much less having been on their own ships.
Our cruise consultants have averaged over 80 cruises, on over 15 cruise lines. That kind of experience allows us to recommend a different ship or cruise line that would better fit your needs or desires, whereas a cruise line representative won't. We will tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly about any cruise line and ship. The cruise line will only tell you the good stuff about their line.
We take the time to make sure you know all the documentation you need to have. When we travel, it is so disheartening for us to see people denied boarding because they did not have proper documentation. Invariably, these people booked their cruise online, and end up with no trip, no refund, and nobody to help them.
We want you back as a customer, and we can only do that by offering great service that the cruise lines cannot. That's why 85% of our business is from repeat and referred customers!
What about sightseeing when in port?
The cruise documents you will receive prior to your cruise will contain shore excursion information, with a listing of all kinds of tours and adventures awaiting for you at each port of call. You can choose to venture out on your own, or you can purchase the cruise line's shore tours. Attend the shore excursion seminars during the cruise to learn more about the next port of call, get ideas on what to do, and find out where the best places to shop are!
How do I know which cruise ship would be best for me?
There is a huge variety of ships to choose from, ranging from new resort-style mega-liners that stretch over 3 football fields long; to older, intimate, classic ocean liners that cater to the budget-minded; to majestic masted sailing ships; to small, luxurious, all-suite vessels.
You can sail with anywhere from fewer than 100 fellow passengers to nearly 3000. Experience atmospheres ranging from casual to formal; classically simple to ultra-deluxe.
Your A
& A Cruise Consultant has years of cruising experience to determine which cruise lines and ships would be best for your first cruise, or can help you choose your next cruise based on what you have been on before. You can also learn more about the different cruise lines and ships by clicking here.What does air/sea and cruise-only mean?
Air/sea means roundtrip airfare and airport transfers are included in the cruise fare, all of which is arranged by the cruise line. Most lines offer customized air arrangements at a nominal cost, with air/sea guests able to request specific airlines, flight times, and dates of travel.
Cruise-only refers to a cruise fare that does not include air arrangements or airport transfers (although some lines will provide transfers to guests who make their own air arrangements at an additional cost).
Your A&A cruise consultant will compare the cost of air offered by the cruise line versus the cost of air purchased separately.
However, there are risks involved with going "cruise-only" with separate air. Let’s say there is a problem with the flight, due to weather, mechanical problems, strikes, or delays, and you miss the ship. If you purchased an air/sea package, the airline & cruise line will be responsible for the additional expenses it will take to get you to the ship's next port of call. If you did your own air arrangements, you would be responsible for the additional expenses it would take to get caught up to the ship, including the cost of meals, hotels, flights, and transfers. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance which reimburses you for expenses incurred due to travel delays or missed connections.
Are there activities for children on a cruise?
Cruises are a great way for families to travel and see a variety of countries and ports.
Most cruise lines offer programs for children. Carnival, Disney, NCL, & Royal Caribbean offer programs specifically designed for the different age groups (3-5, 6-9, 10-12, teens). The newer, larger ships usually include a video arcade, teen disco, children's pool, computers/video games, and other designated "kids areas".
Few ships offer daycare, so check with your cruise consultant. Babysitting services can be arranged with the purser's desk, giving parents an opportunity to enjoy some time to themselves. Ask your cruise consultant to find out the cost of babysitting services.
32% of cruise vacations are booked by families with children. Most cruise lines make a special point of providing supervised activities for youngsters, especially during school holidays. If your children enjoy swimming, sports, games, movies, and the adventure of new places, they'll love a family cruise. You'll find the kids adapt to shipboard life with ease, and you won't have to wonder what they're up to every minute. The cruise staff will help keep them busy and entertained. Best of all, children generally travel at a substantially reduced rate.
If you are not bothered by motion in cars or airplanes, it is highly unlikely that you will notice any motion on a large cruise ship. All ships today have stabilizers to help smooth the ride.
The biggest ships are best for those sensitive to motion. Advise your cruise consultant, who will look for the larger ships that sail in calmer waters. To prevent motion sickness, we recommend "Ginger Root," which is twice as effective as Dramamine, but without any side effects, according to recent American Medical Association studies. Ginger Root capsules can be found in health food stores, Wal-Mart, etc., and the dosage should be two capsules every 6 hours, starting the day before travel. Another option is using wrist bands, which works by exerting pressure on the Nei-Kuan accupressure point on the underside of the wrist. Marketed under brand names such as "Sea-Band" or "Acu-Band," they can be found in drugstores, usually next to the Dramamine.
Do I have to participate in scheduled activities or can I just relax?
There are dozens of activities going on all over the ship every day. One the best ones can be "doing nothing at all". Relaxation is what attracts many people to cruise travel. Every ship has one or more pools that you can lay around with a good book, most have a library and several lounges where you can sit and relax by yourself or with friends.
Do I need to tip? If so, how much?
On most cruise lines, $10.00 per person/per day should take care of your waiter, assistant waiter and cabin steward. Other ship personnel can be tipped at your discretion. There are a few cruise lines that have a "no tipping" policy.
With your deposit confirmation from A & A Cruises & Travel, your cruise consultant will send you our Cruise Tips, which will specify the recommended gratuities for your cruise.
Will I need a passport or birth certificate?
YOU NEED A PASSPORT. Here's why:
While a passport is not required, as of now, to board a cruise departing from AND returning to the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, you will be going to a foreign port. In case of an emergency in a foreign port that requires you to be hospitalized or you are too late getting back to the ship and it sails without you, you now have no way to fly back into the U.S., since you do not have a passport (airlines are prohibited from boarding passengers flying to the U.S. who do not present a valid U.S. passport). You must then contact the nearest U.S. consulate to start the process of obtaining a passport, which could take weeks, while you stay stuck in the foreign port.
What is officially required:
For cruises within North America (Alaska, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, and Panama Canal):
For all other cruises elsewhere in the world, a passport valid for at least six months after travel is completed is mandatory. You will be advised if any visas are required.
You should consult with your A & A cruise consultant for more information if necessary.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to post-9/11 security concerns, if you check-in at the pier without your proper proof of citizenship documentation or passport, you will be denied boarding with no refund.
For more information to obtain or renew a passport, click here.
To obtain a birth certificate (which is required to obtain a passport), click here. You will be directed to a website that lists the vital records websites for the 50 states. Simply click on the first letter of the state you were born in, click on the state, and you will be forwarded to that state's website to obtain a birth certificate. (We highly recommend that you order at least two copies, one to keep at home and another in a safety deposit box.)
Are medical services available?
Most cruise ships will have a staffed medical facility to handle emergencies. If you suffer from a medical condition, advise your cruise consultant before booking to make sure the ship on which you are cruising can handle your needs. You can fill out a medical advise form to inform the cruise line of your condition and special needs. This information is given to the ship's doctor, who will be better prepared to handle your medical emergency, should one occur.
Being at sea gives you a feeling of freedom few places can offer. There's plenty of room. And it'll probably take you two or three days just to discover what's onboard. Plus, you get the added adventure of exploring new and exciting ports of call.
Cruise ships are like floating resorts with all the things fine resorts have to offer. You can be by yourself and lie back in a lounge chair, breathe in the sea air, soak up the sun, read good books, or watch the ever-changing view. Or, you can join in exercise classes, dance classes, sports contests and other organized deck activities. Some of the newer resort-style ships let you practice your tennis stroke or golf swing, or shoot some baskets. You can go for a swim, stretch out in the sauna or work out in the gym. You can see a feature movie, attend a lecture by renowned experts, play backgammon or bridge. And that's just when you're onboard!
Most ships have dozens of planned and spontaneous activities going from sunrise to way past midnight. Pool activities, sports, bingo, casino, wine-tastings, dance lessons, dancing, karaoke, live entertainment, movies, television, fitness centers, shore excursions, talent contests, masquerade parties, Captain's party, country western/Mardi Gras or other theme nights, just to name a few!
As a general rule of thumb, the bigger the ship, the more activities it will offer.
Pack like you would for any resort. Cruise vacations are casual by day, whether you're on the ship or ashore. In the evening, ships vary as to dress, and attire is dictated by the occasion. For the Captains Gala, for example, you'll probably want to wear something more formal, such as a dark suit, or cocktail dress; perhaps even a dinner jacket or gown. On some cruises, formal dinners or parties are part of the fun. But don't buy a tuxedo just for the trip. If you do want to dress to the nines, many ships offer tuxedo rental services. Even on the most formal of ships, a dark suit and tie are fine for the dressiest occasions.
WHAT TO PACK:
Daytime Attire:
Casual, comfortable clothing. Bring shorts, short sleeved shirts, light slacks, sweater, swimsuit and cover-up, comfortable walking shoes and sandals. For seasonal cruises bring sweaters, jackets and long pants.
Evening Wear:
There are three types of evenings on board: casual, semi-formal and formal.
Casual Nights - sport shirts and slacks for men; sundresses or pants for women.
Semi-formal Night - Jackets and ties for men; dresses and pantsuits for women.
Formal Night - Suits and ties or tuxedos for men; cocktail dresses or evening gowns for women.
Your cruise consultant will provide you with the number of formal, informal, & casual nights on your cruise, so you can pack accordingly. Keep in mind that the only restriction to the amount of luggage you can take is imposed by the airlines.
Are there laundry services aboard the ships?
Yes, so there is no need to over-pack! All cruise ships have laundry facilities and dry-cleaning services at additional cost. Some ships also have self-service launderettes.
What about sightseeing when in port?
The cruise documents you will receive prior to your cruise will contain shore excursion information, with a listing of all kinds of tours and adventures awaiting for you at each port of call. You can choose to venture out on your own, or you can purchase the cruise line's shore tours. Attend the shore excursion seminars during the cruise to learn more about the next port of call, get ideas on what to do, and find out where the best places to shop are!
Absolutely! Even the most popular cruises sometimes have cabins available because of late cancellations. Click on our Hot Cruise Specials for last-minute specials.
However, cruise lines may not be able to offer air arrangements within 2-3 weeks before sailing.
To get the exact ship, cabin, and sailing date you want, you should book early. Most cruise lines offer early booking discounts for customers who plan ahead, or will reduce your fare when a cheaper price becomes available on your trip. Then, just sit back and anticipate all the fun you're going to have!
Can singles have fun on a cruise?
Absolutely! Cruising is ideal for people traveling alone, because its so easy to meet other people. In fact, most ships have a "Singles Get Together Party" early in the cruise, so you can meet other singles right away. Most ships also have single cabins as well as single rates for double staterooms. Some cruise lines also offer a "share" program, where the line pairs you with a same sex roommate at the double occupancy rate.
Singles interested in meeting other singles should know that some cruises and sailing dates are better than others. Your A & A Cruise Consultant can advise you on which cruise lines and sailing dates offer the most singles action.
Most ships can accommodate salt-free, low-carbohydrate, Kosher, or other diet preferences. However, this request must be made in advance, so be sure to advise your cruise consultant of this requirement when you book your cruise.
In response to popular demand, cruise lines have provided non-smoking sections in the dining rooms and lounges. In fact, most cruise ship dining rooms are now totally non-smoking. If you want your dining table in a non-smoking area, just advise your cruise consultant. Onboard, in "open-seating situations," you can advise your waiter or the maitre d'.
Can we celebrate a "special" day?
Absolutely! Just let us know the occasion you want to celebrate. Most cruise lines will treat you to a complimentary cake and a chorus of Happy "Whatever" to honor your special occasion. For an additional cost, most cruise lines offer special packages to make your birthday, anniversary, or romantic get-away even more festive with bon-voyage champagne in your cabin, portrait with frame, breakfast in bed, wine at dinner, etc. You can even arrange for a special private party. All you have to do is advise us in advance.
Can we stay in touch with the outside?
Quite easily. Most ships have a daily newsletter with news, headlines, selected stock quotes and sports scores. Staterooms on all ships are equipped with televisions showing a satellite news channel, and telephones where you can simply dial home for a nominal fee (or you can make phone calls cheaper from most ports). In addition, many ships have Internet access available for a nominal fee (don't forget your logon codes and web addresses).
Troubleshooting streaming videos
"The eLocalLink Internet Television player appears, but nothing is happening!" This system was designed to automatically detect the speed of your internet connection and default video player and start playing the video automatically. Obviously, in the real world, that's asking a lot!
We have noticed that for most people, their computer will default to the Windows Media Player, but for some reason, it may not want to play these video files. Try clicking on one of the QuickTime buttons under the video settings display at the bottom right of the eLocalLink TV window. If you don't have QuickTime, you can download it for free by going to: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/.
"The download for Dial-Up is taking hours!" These cruise videos are long, so the download for dial-up connections will seem to take forever, and the playback is jerky or stop-and-start. The only cure for this problem is to upgrade your internet connection from dial-up to broadband (DSL or cable).
"Why is the picture fuzzy?" These videos were taken from VHS videotape, made before this type of streaming video digital technology became available. The fuzzy picture is the result of converting videotape images to digital and trying to show the results on high-resolution computer monitors when the videotape was designed to be seen on lower-resolution TVs.
Shooting a new video on digital equipment would solve this problem, but the cruise lines have no plans to do that, yet. So we're stuck with fuzzy.....but its still better than nothing!
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