What documentation do I need?
For United States citizens, a passport is the best recommendation for traveling to these destinations. If you do not have a passport, it’s a must to bring with you a certified copy of your birth certificate. Along with a certified copy of your birth certificate, please bring a government issued photo identification such as a driver’s license. In addition, bring any supporting data that may have caused a name change from your name given at birth.

For passengers that are not United States citizens, please e-mail your status to us and we’ll respond to you with the correct answer.

Should a single parent bring children with them, it is suggested that you bring a notarized authorization letter from the other parent allowing you to travel outside the United States with the child. If the other parent is deceased, bring a copy of the death certificate.

Should I purchase insurance?
Insurance is an option available to all of our customers. This protection will protect you against cancellation penalties, medical, personal injury, baggage, lost luggage and other features described in detail. You may view this information under Insurance. Although this is an optional feature, TravelNow.com recommends the purchase of insurance to our customers. Most reasons that insurance is paid are based on an illness of the traveler, his traveling companion and/or an illness of an immediate family member.

What additional items will I need to pay while on my cruise?
Although cruises include most of the features you’ll need, additional costs are items such as gratuities, things accomplished while off the ship such as optional tours, taxi’s etc., drinks, laundry, other needs of a personal nature such as spa activities, salon and some onboard activities such as the casino, bingo and others.

• Transfers: If you are purchasing airfare and cruise from TravelNow.com, some programs do not include transfers. This will be explained in your confirmation.
• Gratuities: Although suggested gratuities vary by cruise line, the following is our recommendation.

  Cabin Stewards -- $3.00 per day per person
  Table Waiters -- $3.00 per day per person
  Busboy -- $2.00 per day per person
  Head Waiter -- $5.00 per week per person

• Duty Free Allowances: United States residents are allowed $400 per person duty-free and families are provided that ability to combine this figure. For example, a married couple is allowed $800. An additional amount is allowed if ports of call include islands such as the U S Virgin Islands. As our agents for detail. Laws of their country may govern citizens of other countries. Please check these before departure.
• Onboard Shopping: Cruise lines have very nice boutiques onboard offering you discounts on items from all over the world. Take advantage of some fabulous bargains but as in any travel experience, shop the ports of call and in conjunction with onboard shops, you’ll bring home items that will help relive the memories of your trip.
• Casino: Most cruise lines require passengers to be 21 years of age to participate.
• Personal Checks: Cruise lines will differ in policies accepting personal checks. Check with the cruise line or our staff prior to departure.
• Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are widely accepted. Verify the cruise lines policy prior to departure.
• Liquor: Many cruise lines will not allow you to consume alcoholic beverages while onboard unless purchased from the cruise line. Alcohol purchased while on shore generally has to be stored by the cruise line until the end of the trip.
• Safety Deposit Boxes: Most cruise lines offer safety deposit boxes at the purser’s desk for your convenience. In addition, on some ships, you’ll find personal safes in your stateroom.

What is your recommendation of traveling a day early to the departure port of call?
Obviously, weather cannot be predicted months in advance so it is our recommendation to accept an optional feature to travel a day early to the departure port of call. This will alleviate most anxiety on cruise departure date caused by weather, airline delays and other unforeseen circumstances that might prevent you getting to the pier in a timely manner. This feature is optional and needs to be accepted at the time of booking. Penalties in changing airline tickets after this date can be substantial.

What are the times for dining room seating?
Although these will vary by ship, the average dining times are:

The wonderful thing and most memorable experience of past cruise passengers is the meal features. In addition to the three meals described above, cruise lines also offer snacks, in-room meal service and midnight buffets. Take advantage of room service during your cruise. This is a time that we would suggest tipping the steward bringing the meal.

On cruises of duration other than seven days, please check the cruise lines brochure. In addition, some cruise lines have special nights such as a 50’s/60’s or country western and dress would be accordingly.

Smoking is not permitted in most dining rooms.

What is the recommended dress for this cruise?
First of all, during the day, dress is very casual. Wearing swimming suits in the dining room is prohibited. At night on seven-day cruises, five nights generally are business casual. Guys, you’ll be comfortable on four of these nights in slacks and nice casual or dress shirt without a tie (denim, shorts, tee-shirts are not recommended). On a fifth night, a sport coat and tie would be desirable. The other two nights are considered formal and our suggestion is a tuxedo or a dark suit. As a more casual experience is promoted in our everyday living, we tend to see about a third to a half of guys in a tux. Ladies, on the five business casual nights, slacks and nice blouse, sun dress etc. would be most appropriate. On the formal nights, bring along the fancy outfit you’ve been wanting to wear. You won’t feel out of place in wearing clothes you would normally wear to church on these nights.

In addition to the above suggestions, day wear should include shorts, polo or tee shirts, comfortable walking shoes and swimming suit.  If you like to work out and take advantage of the wonderful facilities on most ships, bring that clothing as well.

Please advise if you have a physical disability, health care needs or special dietary needs.
A physician and nurse are part of the cruise staff and should you need their services, reasonable fees are applicable. Passengers should bring their prescriptions and medications in their personal hand carried luggage. It is a must to review the Terms and Conditions of the cruise line you are traveling at the time you make reservations regarding this matter.

Ship board accounts.
Handling financial matters aboard ship is very easy. As you board for the first time, you’ll be given a card establishing an account for the duration of your cruise. You may charge items to this account while on board and not have to carry cash with you at all times to take care of the small amenities you desire. At the end of your cruise, you’ll settle your account with the credit card you left with the purser’s desk on initial boarding. If you do not have a credit card, you’ll need to establish a credit with the purser’s desk on the first day of the cruise.

What additional items would you suggest to bring?

• Addresses of friends including mail and e-mail
• Prescription and nonprescription medicine
• Cameras/Video and necessary film
• Binoculars
• Sun tan lotion
• Sun glasses
• Hat
• Fold up umbrella

Tell me about the last night on board
You will be asked to place your luggage outside your cabin the last night. This is when your carry on luggage will come in handy again. Keep it in the room with you to carry your personal items off the ship the following morning; shaver, makeup, hair dryer, and a change of clothes for the next day. Keep your proof of citizenship out. You will need it for the customs officer.

The last day
You will enjoy breakfast on the ship, and have a chance to go through Customs before disembarking. After this, you will have until 930a – 1030a to relax on board until the entire ship has cleared customs. Take a favorite book with you for the last morning on board the ship. Announcements will be made when you can disembark the ship.

Be sure to attend the informative debarkation talk the day before you disembark. This will be very helpful in making sure you take advantage of every convenience available to you.

What are "Sea-bands?”
Sea-bands are a set of wristbands that you can wear around your wrist to avoid "motion discomfort." There is no medicine involved. The bands have a little "ball" in them that applies gentle pressure against the nerves in the inside part of your wrist.. This slight pressure has an "acupressure" type effect. One pair is good for one person as you wear one on each wrist. They can be used repeatedly and last forever.

Cabin Stewards or the Doctor on board usually have motion sickness pills. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need them.

Refusal of passage
All cruise lines have restrictions as to refusal of granting passage to cruise passengers. It is necessary to review this detail with the applicable cruise line before making reservations. General items that could refuse passage are passengers under 21 years of age must have at least one passenger at least 21 years old traveling and staying in the same cabin. Each passenger is responsible to the cruise line for any damages caused while onboard

What additional information should passengers review prior to purchase?
Each cruise line publishes a brochure regarding the cruise you have chosen. It is a must that you review this information prior to making payment. Cruise lines will vary in responsibilities and restrictions and this detail is clear in the brochure General Information and Cruise conditions.

What is the responsibility of TravelNow.com in booking your cruise?
TravelNow.com (hereinafter TNOW) offers these travel arrangements for sale to our customers. TNOW acts as an independent agent in securing the services of the tour operator, air carrier, cruise line or supplier(s) in your purchase, all of which are disclosed principals & independent contractors. Because of our status as an independent agent and because we maintain no control over personnel, equipment or operations of travel service suppliers, TNOW shall not be held liable for any personal injury, property damage, or other loss incurred as a result of any wrongful acts, omissions, or default on the part of the suppliers. As all monies received for travel services are forwarded to the supplier, except the commission applicable to TNOW, we shall not be responsible for refund of monies not in our possession. Further, TNOW accepts no responsibility in refunding any monies due our customers from supplier defaults, bankruptcies etc. TNOW highly recommends each customer purchase travel insurance to guard against these unforeseen problems. All customers purchasing travel products from TravelNow.com understand and agree with this responsibility clause.

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