The
Cruise People, Ltd.
usually includes return airfares, along with appropriate
ground transfers as part of our cruise holidays. Airfare
and ground transfers are not applicable to cruise-only
packages, or for clients deviating from package air arrangements..
Brochures:
The
Cruise People, Ltd.
has beautiful full-colour, up-to-date brochures containing
photographs and details on the Cruise
Lines we represent, as well as important
information you need to know before cruising. You might
wish to consider our links page on this site which will
connect you to many cruise lines for quick information.
You can get our brochures one of four ways:
Contact
us for a no obligation appointment to discuss
your sea travel needs and pick up literature
Before
or after your cruise you can extend your holiday with
hotel accommodation, ground transfers, or car rentals
at select city and resort locations. If you want more
than just a cruise, simply ask your Cruise
People, Ltd. agent to make the arrangements
at the same time you book your cruise. We will gladly
assist you with your travel planning for any destinations
or hotels worldwide.
Discounts
& Savings:
Most
of the cruise companies we represent offer savings or
discounts off retail rates for booking their cruises well
in advance of embarkation. Much less often discounted
cruises are offered much closer to embarkation too. Regularly
visit our website Specials and Promotions
pages or consult your Cruise
People, Ltd. agent for details. You might
also wish to sign
up and receive our e-mail specials sent out every
Thursday evening.
Extras:
Cruise
holidays are quite inclusive. However, the following
are not usually provided:
Shore
excursions, except as included in your itinerary
Occasionally,
transportation to or from airports and hotels
Pre-
or post-cruise hotel stays, except as included
in your itinerary
Sightseeing
or meals ashore, unless indicated otherwise
Gratuities
Various
personal items such as ship photographs, spa-salon
services, laundry, beverages and ship-to-shore
phone calls. For details, please consult us directly.
Dining:
Cruises
are renowned for their lavish and extensive array of food
offerings, which are usually prepared under the direction
of award-winning master chefs with years of professional
training and fine-dining experience. Most ships have two
seatings for meals. Times can vary, but dinner seatings
are generally at 6:00pm and 8:30pm. Six meals a day are
not uncommon, including buffets and snacks. Sometimes,
white-glove service prevails, and non-smoking dining rooms
are the rule these days in ships serving the North American
market. More and more alternative dining is being
offerred. Special dietary requests are fulfilled
with advance notice. More and more cruise lines
now offer dining options that allow you to dine when you
wish and with whom you wish. If your ship does not offer
open sittings, remember to re-confirm your dining arrangements
as soon as you get on board. Usually a dining request
is only a request and cannot be confirmed until the passenger
is aboard.
Gratuities:
Tipping
is the norm on cruise ships. The amounts vary, and
each cruise line provides guidelines to follow.
The rule of thumb in U. S. currency per person, per day:
Cabin
steward: $3.50
Dining
room waiter: $3.50
Busboy:
$2.00
Some
cruise lines recommend additional tipping of $1.00
per person, per day to the maitre d' and chief cabin
steward. You should consider head waiters, if they've
provided a special service.
Group
and Incentive Travel:
Different
cruise lines have different numbers required to constitute
a group booking. For example, 15 passengers in a group
gets one free cabin on certain cruise lines, with a maximum
of four free for the largest groups. Discounts may be
applicable as well. Visit our Groups
& Incentive page, contact us directly
for more information, or go to our online Information
& Booking Request page and submit the applicable
details. Michael Abel of this office is available to answer
your enquiries.
Seniors'
Travel:
Mature
travellers who are 55 years or older at time of booking
may receive preferred pricing from selected cruise lines
on certain sailings. Proof of age will be required. Check
with us for details.
Weddings
and Honeymoons:
Many
cruise ships to-day have facilities to accommodate on-board
weddings. Or maybe, the notion of tying the knot in a
Caribbean gazeebo, overlooking the sea appeals to your
romantic nature. Hey, for the more unconventional, you
could even get married atop a glacier in Alaska! Give
us a call to see what options are available to you. A
cruise offers a romantic getaway for Honeymooners, or
just your inner romantic. As a special anniversary gift,
or just a memorable way to say "I still love you",
you can even renew your wedding vows in a cruise ship.
Sail away to romance and adventure on a cruise! Bonus
and special honeymoon plans and packages are available
from several cruise lines. There is an additional
cost for a wedding or honeymoon plan.
Health
and Physical Considerations:
Motion
sickness is occasionally a reality, but the size of most
ships and their stabilizers greatly reduce rolling.
There are always qualified doctors on-board international
cruise ships, and they can assist in counteracting the
symptoms associated with motion sickness. Prescription
medications should be carried aboard in sufficient supply.
Consult your doctor about vaccination and health requirements.
To-day, most ships can accommodate mobility impared passengers
in specially designed staterooms. Due to S.O.L.A.S. (Safety
of Live At Sea) Regulations, physically challenged passengers
must have partial mobility, and a travelling companion
who can assist them, should an emergency arise (in the
majority of cases). Modern cruise ships have many elevators
on board to make getting around much easier than it was
in the past. Also, we will arrange for wheelchair assistance
at the airport should it be needed, just let us know.
Insurance
& Security:
"Better
safe than sorry" the old adage goes. All baggage
and property are at risk at all times. The
Cruise People, Ltd. offers excellent insurance
plans, which cover not only baggage, but contain provisions
for cancellations due to medical or immediate family emergency,
etc., on a reimbursement basis. Be sure to carry
all valuables with you, and identify your luggage inside
and out. Check for the baggage regulations for your specific
cruise, and be aware that most suggest an overnight bag
for your last night, when the steward will collect all
checked baggage prior to disembarkation the following
morning. Please give careful consideration to taking travel
insurance. An attack of apendicitis can strike at any
time. ' As one who has been the pedestrian in a pedestrian/vehicle
collision, no one knows better than I do that an accident
can happen at any time. We cannot recommend emergency
hospital/medical coverage too strongly'. - Fiona Lang
Alcoholic
Beverages:
Cruise
lines encourage moderation in drinking. Many do not allow
alcoholic beverages to be brought on board for consumption.
Money
& Credit:
Most
ships operate on a cashless system, where an account for
all services (except the casino) can be set up with a
major credit card, or signed for payment with cash or
traveller's cheques. Accounts are settled at the
end of the voyage, usually by itemized statement. Some
of the newer ships even have ATM machines.
Ship
Technology:
To-day's
cruise ships boast the highest technology, and a tour
of the bridge is definitely in order when offered.
Crews are trained, knowledgeable and professional
in every way.
Special
Occasions:
Cruises
are perfect for celebrations! Please mention the date
of any special occasion - birthdays, anniversaries, renewal
of vows-- as stated earlier, some even have wedding and
honeymoon packages. Check with the maitre'd or front
desk to confirm arrangements made.
Packing:
What
a delightful predicament! What to take on your cruise?
Most cruises have at least one formal dinner, when it
would be appropriate to wear a tuxedo, suit or evening
gown. Of course sun lovers will bring a bathing suit.
Keep in mind your destination; for Alaska, conservative
apparel including a light rainjacket, as well as the casual
shipboard daily attire, and your evening wear. For the
Caribbean, more cotton and breathable materials for hot
and humid days. On any cruise, don't forget your athletic
shoes for walking the deck, aerobics and working out,
and appropriate footgear for shore excursions, and dancing,
etc. See our Travel
Tips page.
Quality
of Product & Service:
Quality
is a relative term, yet in the cruise industry it is the
norm due to competition. A large number of different experiences
are available, including sailing ships and yachts, specific
theme cruises, expedition voyages, river cruises, barge
cruises, passenger freighters and cargo ships, celebrity
cruises, and a myriad of others, such as golf packages
with pro golf tour players, and well-known personalities
from such fields as entertainment, business, politics,
and food and wine, to name a few. Itineraries are
also varied, with the majority being 7-night packages.
Some are as short as 3 nights, others as many as 100 days
on an around-the-world itinerary. Bargain hunters can
sometimes find good value by taking a cruise when the
ship is relocating from one seasonal area to another,
such as the Mediterranean to the Caribbean. Word of mouth
from friends or acquaintances is another way to determine
a cruise line's reputation and itineraries.
Costs:
As
always, you get what you pay for. The rates are generally
based on double occupancy, per person. Single traveller
rates can be from 10% to 100% higher than the per-person
double occupancy rate. Seniors' rates are generally
not common, but there can be designated seniors' cruises.
The Cruise People, Ltd.
will always get customers the best value possible, regardless
of the cruise.
On-board
Entertainment:
Entertainment
is great on cruise ships: in general, on mass market ships;
Las Vegas type shows, Broadway musicals and plays, magic
shows, comedy shows, and more. Many ships have a wide
variety of entertainment options, such as video arcades,
piano and dance bars, special dinners and theme parties,
and all have some form of activities director and information
desk to help you make the most of your holiday.
The ultra luxury ships will have appropriate activities
and programmes. Most cruise lines offer Las Vegas or Monte
Carlo style casino.
Shopping:
Whether
on board ship, or at some fabulous ports of call, you
can figuratively shop till you drop! All kinds of duty-free
merchandise can be purchased; everything from hand-made
crafts and jewellery, to clothing and souvenirs, is available.
The list is endless, and the choices can be both numerous
and unique.
Travel
Agent Memberships:
The
Cruise People, Ltd.,
established in 1972, is a government licensed, full-service,
independent travel agent, an affiliate of Cruise Line
International Association (CLIA). This is your assurance
that we are a reputable travel company, with the experience
and expertise to provide you with quality travel services
at exceptional value. Learn more About
Us.
Passports
& Identification:
Canadian
citizens require proof of citizenship along with photo
identification for travel in the Caribbean or United States.
A driver's licence is not sufficient.
We strongly suggest you carry a passport
for all destinations. The United States
is in the process of requiring all people entering the
country to possess a valid passport. We
have the applications at The
Cruise People, Ltd. and will send you
one at no charge, applications can also be picked up at
a post office. Please note applications are now
taking much longer to process. Women who have married
must carry proof of name change or marriage licence if
the surname differs from their passport. If a child
is travelling with one parent only, special documentation
is required. The Cruise People, Ltd. sends free
information forms on local customs, health considerations,
safety warnings, etc., on each of the countries our clients
visit.
Valuables:
Many
staterooms in newer vessels have in-cabin safes, but the
best way to protect valuables is to bring only what is
absolutely necessary. When travelling to embarkation cities,
you should have all valuables, cameras, camcorders, medical
requirements, etc., on your person or securely placed
inside your hand luggage. Delicate items or breakables
should be in carry-ons, and keep your tickets and cruise
documents, as well as traveller's cheques and credit cards,
close to your person at all times. On board, valuables
should not be left out in staterooms or in public areas.
Safety deposit boxes are available on most ships, with
a small refundable deposit required.
Weather:
Weather
is an uncontrollable factor of life. Don't let the weather
control your enjoyment! As for concerns about storms at
sea, don't worry! Ships can readily avoid extreme
weather, even if it does alter a portion of the cruise
itinerary.
What
To Expect:
Expect
to be pampered, massaged, stuffed with culinary delights;
expect your imagination to wander, thinking of the ships
of old; expect to feel incredibly relaxed, exhilarated,
caressed by sun, sand and wind; expect the unexpected.
In short....RELAX and ENJOY!
Children:
Families
with young children are welcomed and encouraged to cruise.
In fact, certain cruise lines cater to young people, offering
cartoon characters the whole family knows and loves! Many
have special supervised programmes and special menus,
t-shirt and face painting, scavenger hunts, video game
contests, film festivals, dance lessons, shore excursions
and much more. Some activities can be shared by the entire
family. Children quickly adapt to shipboard life, and
you will feel comfortable knowing where your children
are and what they are doing. So come cruising with your
family. You'll find it to be a rewarding experience for
everyone.
Pets:
On
all cruise ships (except Queen Elizabeth 2
and RMSQueen Mary 2 which have
kennels on board) animals are not permitted. Very rarely
some passenger freighters will allow animals. Qualified
service animals may accompany you on a very limited number
of cruise lines. If you are moving your household overseas,
we strongly recommend using an airplane to transport your
pet. Please call us to help you select the appropriate
cruise line if you have a qualified service animal.
Religious
Services:
Many
cruise lines conduct non-denominational services every
Sunday while the ship is at sea. Some cruise lines have
rabbis on board for select sailings. Catholic, and Protestant
clergy are often available during world cruises, and on
holidays. Please make us aware of your needs, and we will
endevour to find a ship with the appropriate services
for you.
Communications:
Many
cruise lines will provide instructions for phoning passengers
with the cruise documents. On most cruise lines email,
and internet access is available from a computer workstation
(at an additonal charge). Some will even rent you a notebook
computer and provide wireless internet access. If you
are trying to phone someone on board a ship, contact us
and we will assist you with your communications.
