Cruise Holidays of Shelby
(800)403-7936

Frequently Asked Questions & Tips

Final Payment:

You will be receiving an invoice for final payment. That final payment should be mailed by check to Cruise Holidays of Shelby or may be called in by credit card. The final payment due date will be printed on your invoice.

Booking your own AIR Travel:

When booking your own air you should arrive no later than 2 pm. You should not book your departing flight before 12 noon as it takes time to get off the ship and to the airport. If you are flying from the north during winter months you may want to fly in a day early to make sure you do not get caught in a winter storm. It is very important to weight the difference of winter travel and price of air ticket with the cruise line vs. booking your air on your own. It is the cruise lines responsibility to get you to the ship- if there is a weather delay they often hold the ship or get you to the next destination. The pricing maybe higher but worth it for those types of delays.

Pre and Post Packages:

Cruise Holidays can arrange pre and post packages that often include air at a reduced fare.

Pre-Registration:

Once you get your boarding packet, usually no later than two weeks in advance, please follow the instructions for Pre- registration. It will make boarding the ship very easy and fast.

Identification:

Excursions on this Cruise:

ALWAYS ASK US WHAT IS GOOD TO DO IN A PORT and HOW TO DO IT. WE CAN SAVE YOU VALUBLE TIME and MONEY.
Once you receive your boarding packet you may go to their site and register for any excursion they are offering
OR go to REGISTER HERE for excursions.

Spa and Exercise Classes:

If you want to secure any Spa services or sign-up for spinning class, Pilates or other specialty classes you should do that as soon as you get on the ship. They fill up quickly. Sometimes waiting is voluble also as on port days they often offer spa specials at a reduction. If you have a coupon book and forget it they will reduce it and make a new charge when you return with your coupon.
Many ships now allow you to make reservations on-lime ahead of time. It is worth a call to find out what is the latest for that ship if these things are important to you.

Boarding the Ship:

You can usually board the ship by noon. If you have a pre-package you should enjoy your morning at the hotel and transfer over around noon. There are times they ship boards earlier but no guarantees. Once they allow boarding, lunch is served and the bars are open.

Ship money:

You do not need money on the ships. You will get a room card upon registration that also will have your photo on it (you can not see it) that acts as your credit card on the ship. This card is swiped for all drinks, pop, bottled water, shopping on the ship. If you do not have a credit card the ship will ask for a cash deposit upon boarding. Upon checking out all unused funds will be returned to you.

Luggage:

You may not get your luggage until later that day. If you want to lie out at the pool you should pack all medicine and bathing suits, lotion, hats, etc. in a carry-on so you have immediate access to the things you need for that day.

Tipping:

Most of your bills for drinks will already have a 15% tip automatically attached to them- don’t feel the need to add an additional % to that.

Added Costs:

Soft Drinks (except ice tea, lemonade coffee, tea) are a cost- even at meals. If you drink a lot of soft drinks you should look into buying one of the pre-paid soft drink cards that will be available upon boarding. Bottled water is an extra cost (I usually pack a few bottles with me and fill them up as I need them- the water is safe from the rooms).

Entertainment:

Alcohol:

You may bring a few bottles of wine on board for personal use (Don’t forget the cork screw) but they will confiscate any hard liquor at the gate or at a dock they will return it upon disembarkation.

Specialty Restaurants:

There is usually an extra charge at Specialty restaurants although the higher end luxury cruises such as Oceania do not charge an extra fee. Make reservations early as they fill up but if you choose to wait and see you may Get Lucky and Get the Date and Time You Need.

Security:

Lock up all valuables in the safes. The crew is very honest but better to be safe.

Tip:

Carrying your ship key next to a credit card will often wipe the ship key clean and will not function to open your cabin. Go to the purser’s desk for another one- no fee.

Dining:

If you are in the Caribbean and are an early riser: ask for early dining. In Europe or other foreign countries with a lot to see and do- ask for late dining always unless you have children with you.

On Sea Days:

The chairs near the pool fill up quickly. If you can, stay away from the main pool or get there early if you are a sun worshiper or like the poolside activities and music.