International Cruise Packages

It is advisable to arrive at the pier at least two-three hours before the scheduled departure time, as cruise check in closes in most cases, 90 minutes prior to departure. Guests arriving after this will not be permitted to board.

Passengers arriving at the airport can usually get a taxi from the airport to the pier. Most cruise companies can also arrange a airport to pier transfer for a fee. This needs to be pre-booked with your travel agent or TIRUN, the local representative of your cruise company. If you buy a transfer, a representative of the cruise liner will meet you at the airport and provide transportation between the airport and the pier.

Be sure to pack your camera, suntan lotion and your swimsuit. Besides these, normally three types of clothing is required - casual, smart casuals and formal.

Casual attire: shorts, t- shirts, slacks, trousers, jeans, skirts and sun dresses

Smart casuals: Dresses and skirts for women and trousers and jackets for men

Formal: Cocktail dresses for women and suits or jacket and ties or tuxedos for men. It is possible to rent tuxedo on most ships. Alternately your country's traditional national dress will do, in case a cocktail dress is not suitable for you. Indian women can wear saris and men can wear a 'sherwani' if they so wish. Check how many formal nights there are on your sailing and pack the requisite number of clothing.

Pack a windcheater and sweater for cool days and chilly evenings on the deck. A pair of walking shoes or hiking boots will be good idea for the days you plan to go sightseeing. You may also want to bring raincoat and umbrella. The onboard voltage is normally 110/220 volts, so bring along an adapter if necessary. Hair dryers are provided in every cabin, so you don't need to carry one.

You cannot bring any item that is dangerous or illegal. Drugs, arms, guns, explosives, animals and flammable items fall into this category. So be sure you do not bring these.

If you use the online check-in option, this will save you time at check in as you will not have to fill in elaborate forms.

On Royal Caribbean, once you have completed the online check-in successfully, you will get a Set Sail Pass that will expedite your check-in at the pier. Please note that online check must be completed at least 3 days prior to your sail date.

If you have your Set Sail Pass, look for the Set Sail Pass counter at the pier and you will have to present the following documents:

• Set sail Pass
• Passport or identification document
• Credit Card to be used for onboard expenses

If you are sailing on Celebrity Cruises, please visit the official website and log in to My Celebrity and complete the online check-in process. Once completed, you will receive an Xpress Pass that you need to carry with you and this will make sure your check in at the pier is expedited.

There are two dinner seatings in the main dining hall on board cruise ships. At the time of booking, please request your preference. You can choose from the main dining which usually at 6.15 pm or late dining which is at 8.30 pm.Complimentary Room Service is also available in your cabin, in addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner and the midnight buffets.

On Royal Caribbean ships there is such a thing called My Time Dining that means you can choose your preferred time of dining anytime between 6.00 pm and 9.30 pm. It gives you flexibility and is applicable in the main dining room.

Other than the main dining room most ships have specialty restaurants on board and there is a cover charge of about USD 30 per head - it is recommended to make reservations in advance if you want to dine at one of these restaurants

Guests are not allowed to bring their own liquor on board for consumption or any other purpose. If you have purchased alcoholic beverages ashore or from the shop onboard, you will have to deposit it with the ship and it will be delivered to your cabin on the last day of your sailing.

Due to security reasons, friends or family are not allowed to come on board to visit you at any port.

Yes there are baby- sitting facilities both in group setting as well as individual. Be sure to book well in advance at the Guest Relations Desk. Most ships require at least 24 hours advance notice, but there is no guarantee that a baby sitter will be available. The minimum age of the child must be one year.

High chairs can be provided but you would have to make the request with your reservation. Strollers are not provided on board.

Most ships these days do have ATM machines installed. There may be a small charge levied for usage.

Special meal requests like vegetarian, diabetic, low sodium and low fat can be entertained on board. For Kosher meals, lactose free and gluten free must be requested well in advance preferably at the time of booking. All efforts will be made to accommodate the special dietary requests. Please note that these dietary requests will be accepted onboard only for the main dining hall and not other restaurants and eateries on board.

Most cruise ships can accommodate the following:

On Royal Caribbean ships vegetarian meals (including Indian, style vegetarian) are available on all menus in the Dining Room and Windjammer Cafe every day. It is not necessary for guests to make a special request for this.

Kosher meals are available no extra charge. Do notify the cruise company at least 45 days prior to sailing (90 days for European/South American Itineraries). The same goes for lactose free and soy milk.

Celebrity Cruises offer vegetarian meals on board every day of the week, and these are marked on the menu by a special leaf icon.

Kosher meals are offered free of charge and one has to request for this at least 40 days in advance. The same goes for lactose free meals too.

No sugar added desserts are also available and are marked on the menu with a small diamond next to it.

In case you have any allergies to nuts or any other type of food, do let the Maitre De know, so that he can take care of your needs.

Azamara Cruises also take care to see that dietary needs of all guests are met. So do let the cruise line know at least 40 days before your sail date incase you have any special requests. Also once on board please do meet with the Maitre De and reconfirm your special dietary requests.

Besides the main dining hall, there is provision for breakfast, lunch and dinner to be served on deck. These ser served in designated areas and you will need to check on your Daily Program for time and location. Food is included in the cost of your cruise.

There are specialty restaurants on board too but there is a cover charge of up to USD 35 per head. Reservations need to be made for dining in specialty restaurants and children under 12 years are not allowed in.

Room service is available 24 hours. Guests can enjoy free room service from 0500 hrs to midnight. A small late night charge will apply on room service between midnight and 0500 hrs.

Most ships are non smoking, but have designated smoking sections in public areas. One can normally smoke outdoors on one side of the ship. One can also smoke on a private balcony attached to your cabin, if you are booked in cabin that has an attached balcony facing the sea. For safety reasons, no smoking is permitted in any cabin category or a private balcony that looks onto the Boardwalk of the ship. There is heavy penalty that will apply is there is non-compliance of the smoking prohibition.

Cigars and pipes can be smoked only in designated areas onboard the ship.

All cruise ships cater to everyone in the family. On Royal Caribbean, they do it best. For the young ones there are Fisher Price programs and interactive sessions for 6 -36 months, the Adventure Ocean Youth programs offer a variety of activities for 3-17 years age groups. The DreamWorks Experience is an unforgettable one where you get to mingle with your favourite characters like Shrek and Madagascar, pose for photo ops with them and get to watch exclusive shows and character parades. The Barbie Premium Experience will have all the little girls floored! Learn fashion designing, take part in a fashion show or just play pretend in the pink Barbie stateroom with teacups, pastries and all. A dream come true for all those Barbie fans out there. On Celebrity Cruises the Youth Program caters to toddlers and teens. There are six different age groups and your child can join into his/hers appropriate age group.

Yes, most ships have internet cafes or work stations from where you can get access to the internet. There is a small fee for this usage. Some ships also have WI FI designated areas called 'Hot Spots' and you can use your own laptops here. Again, for a fee.

ost ships have at least one registered Doctor and two nurses on board to take care of. Please note that professional medical services are provided for fee. Therefore it is advisable that you have a fully comprehensive travel insurance policy.

Carry your Sea Pass with you at all times. This Sea Pass will act as your room key as well as your boarding pass to get off and on the ship.

So that you can thank those who have made your cruise vacation better than you could have imagined, these are the gratuity guidelines:

Royal Caribbean International:

• Suite attendant: $7.25 USD a day per guest
• Stateroom attendant: $5.00 USD a day per guest
• Dining Room Waiter: $3.75 USD a day per guest
• Assistant Waiter: $2.15 USD a day per guest
• Headwaiter: $0.75 USD a day per guest

Celebrity Cruises

• 12 per person per day in staterooms
• $12.50 per person per day in Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms
• $15.50 per person per day in suites

Note: These gratuities apply to guests of all ages.

Gratuities for other service personnel are at your discretion. A 15% gratuity will automatically be added to your bar bill or wine check when you are served.

Envelopes for gratuities will be provided in your stateroom on the last night of the cruise. Gratuities may be paid in the following ways:

• Pre paid by having them added to your reservation by your reservation agent
• Added to your onboard SeaPass account
• Paid in cash at the end of the cruise