Cruise Vacations

Before you go

With such an incredible range of cruise styles and types, onboard amenities, as well as a world of exotic destinations and ports of call, it’s no wonder cruise vacations continue to grow in popularity.

As your expert travel planners, the specialists at St. Clair Travel Agency Ltd. want to ensure you enjoy the very best cruise experience, so we’ve put together this handy checklist for before you go.

Have a specific question, or want to know more? Simply contact your St. Clair Travel Agency Ltd. professional.

Pack the right travel document

You’ll need a passport that’s valid for at least six months beyond your expected date of departure. Depending on where you’re travelling to, as well as your ship’s ports of call, you may also need travel Visas.

If you’re traveling with a minor, and you’re not the parents or guardians, you’ll need a completed and signed Parent/Guardian release form before embarking on your cruise.

Of course, be sure to also print and bring with you any other necessary documentation, including any forms issued by your travel provider.

Online check-in with cruise lines

Ports can be busy, and while you can check-in in-person, the best way to avoid delays is to complete your registration online, if your cruise provider offers this service.

We recommend registering on your cruise line's website 45 to 5 days prior to sailing, using your cruise reservation number. This also helps ensure you have maximum choice and flexibility when it comes to booking shore excursions, extracurricular activities, specialty restaurants and shows, all of which tend to fill up quickly.

Insurance

No one expects to be injured, become ill, or have their baggage lost or stolen. That’s why it’s so important to purchase the right kind of travel insurance before you set sail.

We offer a variety of coverage options underwritten by Manulife Travel Insurance, designed to provide added benefits and reassurance including protection against:

• Cost of unexpected medical expenses
• Loss of personal items
• Trip interruption or cancellation and more

Getting to and from your Cruise’s port of embarkation

Whether you’re flying or driving to your cruise’s port of embarkation, be sure to allow plenty of time to get there. Most cruise ships require passengers to be on-board 90 minutes prior to departure.

Alcohol on board

Most cruise lines offer alcoholic beverages for sale, or included in your cruise fare, and don’t allow you to bring your own beverages on board. When purchasing alcohol onboard, or at ports of call to enjoy once your cruise vacation is finished, many cruise lines will safely store your purchases until you’ve finally disembarked. Onboard alcohol policies vary among cruise providers, and the drinking age is typically 21.

Internet and phone calls

There is typically a fee to connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi, or use onboard internet services. Some charge by the minute, others may offer package rates. If you do need to purchase an internet package while on board, we recommend doing so on the first day of your cruise.  That’s when the ship will typically offer the best value for their packages.  Remember, internet service onboard can be unreliable, especially the further you are from land. Once ashore, you can usually find a Wi-Fi network to connect to.

Cell phone service may also be limited, and your service provider may charge additional roaming fees. Many cruise ships offer in-cabin phones, but may charge up to $8 per minute.

Paying onboard

For added convenience and security, cruise lines will usually issue you a room key-card that also serves as your ID, and contains your credit card information. So all purchases made onboard get automatically charged to your credit card and, unless otherwise specified, are expressed in $USD.