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Q: What kind of weather should I expect during my cruise?
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A: High-low daytime temperatures (in Farenheit) help you plan for your cruise vacation:
April 45-37 / May 44 - 39 / June 63 - 46 / July 64 - 50 / August 673 -48 / Sep 55 -45 / Oct 43 - 28
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Q: What should I wear on an Alaska cruise?
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A: Outside: The key word for dressing for an Alaska Cruise is "Layering." Casual sportswear including windbreakers, pants and jogging suits are well suited at both sea and ashore in Alaska. Remember to bring a sweater or jacket for cool evenings. The weather is unpredictable and you should plan on bringing a rain resistant jacket for shore side activities. Light gloves, a hat or visor and sunglasses are also recommended. You’ll also want comfortable walking shoes and sandals with a rubber sole as you explore the shores of Alaska. Inside: Alaska Cruises tend to be more casual than other destination. However, many of the contemporary cruise lines still observe formal nights and resort-casual nights Alaska cruises. Smart Casual is similar to what you would wear at home going out to dine at nice restaurant and can include skirts/dresses, slacks, sweaters and blouses for ladies and pants and open neck shirts for men. A jacket and tie are optional. In the dining area, items such as cutoff t-shirts, halter-tops and torn jeans are not permitted. Evenings: In the evening, ships vary as to dress. As on shore, attire is dictated by occasion. For the Captain's Gala, for example, you'll probably want to wear something more formal, such as a dark suit, or cocktail dress; perhaps even a dinner jacket or gown. Our 7-Day cruises feature 1-2 formal evenings during the cruise. Note: it is possible to rent formal attire on some cruise ships.
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Q: Which side of the ship is best for viewing glaciers?
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A: This is one of the most common questions asked. While we can understand that one may think that the right side of the ship (starboard side) is better for scenery on a Northbound cruise and the left side (port side) better on a Southbound cruise but this isn't true. When cruising the Inside Passage, there is scenery on both sides of the ship and when you are entering the fjords in Alaska, the viewing will be equally good from both sides of the ship over the duration of your cruise vacation. In other words, during your cruise, you'll see scenery from both sides of the vessel.
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Q: What is the alcohol policy onboard the cruiseship?
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A: We kindly request that you do not bring alcoholic beverages (other than wine and/or champagne) onboard for consumption. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty free from the ship's gift shop or at ports of call will be collected for safekeeping and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the voyage. A member of our Security Staff will be at the gangway to assist with the storage of your alcoholic beverage purchases.
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Q: What are the age restrictions for alcohol consumption and access to the casino?
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A: The legal drinking age of 21 years is always observed onboard and proof of age may be required. All onboard staff are trained to take seriously their responsibility to not serve alcohol to underage passengers. The age restrictions are clearly posted in the bars. Entry into the disco is limited to passengers 18 years and older. Be sure to check with the child and teen centers, however, for special disco events designed just for kids. Children under the age of 18 are welcome in the gymnasium, spa and jacuzzi; and also in the evening entertainment show lounges when accompanied by a parent or guardian. In line with domestic age limits the casino is reserved for passengers 21 years and older. Additionally, only those passengers 21 years and older will be allowed to purchase or consume alcohol. For those whose age is questionable, picture identification may be requested.
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Q: What are the tipping guidelines for my cruise?
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A: During your cruise, you will meet many members of our staff in a variety of locations as they provide you with excellent service. Additionally, many more crew behind the scenes are supporting those who serve you directly. For your convenience a Hotel and Dining charge of $10.00 per passenger per day (including children) will be automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis. The Hotel and Dining charge will be shared amongst those staff who help provide and support your cruise experience, including the wait staff, stateroom stewards and accommodations staff, buffet stewards, galley staff, laundry staff and others. Please note this is a discretionary charge and should you wish to remove or make any adjustments, you may do so by contacting the Purser's Reception desk onboard. Casino dealers and Spa personnel do not share in the Hotel and Dining charge as not all passengers utilize these services. A 15% service charge is automatically added to your bar charges and dining room wine account. This is shared amongst the beverage staff and their support staff, including cleaners and utility staff.
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Q: Which documents are required to enter Canada or the USA?
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A: Canadian and U.S. citizens must show proper proof of citizenship to Canada Border Services Agency officers, including: 1.) Passport, or 2.) Government-issued photo ID and original copy of birth certificate. All other (overseas) passengers must show a valid passport and, if required, other documents such as Visa etc. For more information, please refer to the Canada Border Services Agency or US Customs.
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Q: How do I get from the Vancouver Airport to Canada Place or Ballantyne Terminal?
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A: Canada Place is located downtown at 999 Canada Place in Vancouver. Ballantyne is located at 655 Centennial Road, east of the city centre and close to Canada Place. The cost for a taxi-cab is approximately $28.00 (Can). Travellers to Ballantyne have access to Ballantyne Cruise Terminal via Clark Drive or McGill Street Overpass only. There is no access to travellers via Victoria Drive and Heatley Avenue. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the cruise terminals from the airport.
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Q: How do I get from Anchorage to the Seward or Whittier Terminals?
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We provide scheduled motorcoach service, rail transportation or private transfers for individuals and groups from Anchorage to the terminals in Whittier and Seward. Please calculate with at least 2 hours of transfer time for all Whittier departures and 4 hours for all Seward departures. Rates are from $25.00 – $70.00 per person.
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Q: What pier does the ship dock at and where is it located?
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A: Passengers who are driving should arrive at the pier two or three hours prior to sailing. For your own convenience, please do not arrive earlier as boarding will not have commenced. For sailings from Vancouver, you may obtain information and parking rates by calling: 800-665-0050.
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Q: When is the best time to cruise to Alaska?
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A: Anytime between May and September is a good time to go to Alaska, but there are better times in the season to travel if you have a specific interest or motivation. For example, if you're interested in saving money, then the shoulder seasons of May and September are the best times to go. If you are traveling with children, you may be limited to mid-June through mid-August. Spring is a great time to see the wildflowers in full bloom and Alaska's Fall foliage is a sight to see as well. Your warmest and longest days will be in June and July and will offer you plenty of opportunities to enjoy active, calving glaciers. Each month has its benefits. You should plan to travel when it best meets your schedule and budget.
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Q: What amenities are in my stateroom?
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A: Evening turn-down service, safe, refrigerator, 110-volt outlets with US plugs fittings, TV with multi-channel programming (CNN, TNT, Turner Classics etc.), phone, CD/DVD Player and access to a library, closet, mini bar packages, wireless internet access, bathroom with an amenity basket. The amenities are subject to change and are only sample sizes. The basket may include such things as: razors; shampoo and conditioner; body wash; Tylenol; deodorant; hard candies. Services may vary.
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Q: Which onboard services are offered?
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A: Boutiques offering fragrances, cosmetics, jewelery, gifts, apparel, accessories, liquor. Library,Internet café, Tour Office, Spa, Golf Simulator, Dining Rooms, Theatre, Cinema, Pool, Sauna, Steam Bath, Weight and Aerobic Rooms, Massage Therapy and more…Evening entertainment consists of: nightly shows, cocktail hours, casino exitement, discothek etc.
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Q: Can I wash my clothes while on board?
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A: Each ship has at least 2 self-service launderettes located on the stateroom decks. There are two or three washers and dryers, and one iron and ironing board in each launderette. The cost is approx $2.00 per washer load and approx. $2.00 per dryer load. Vending machines dispense small boxes of detergent and water softener at approx. $1.00 per box. Note: Due to local environmental requirements, the washing machines in the guest' launderette will be closed in port, per each ports specific requirements; the dryers and irons will be available for guest use.
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Q: What does my cruise fare include?
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A: Most cruises include food (3 meals a day plus room service), regular drinks (like coffee, tea, juice, iced tea & lemonade), entertainment, use of the ship's facilities, and accommodations. Please contact us for more information.
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Q: What is not included on the cruise?
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A: Most cruises do not include gratuities, alcoholic beverages, soda pop, shore excursions, gambling, spa or beauty treatments, and personal items. Please contact us for more information.
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Q: How do I pay for onboard expenses?
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A: For your convenience most cruise ships set-up a stateroom account when you check-in. Similar to a hotel, everything you purchase onboard gets charged to this account and at the end of your cruise the account can be settled by credit card, travelers cheque's or cash.
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Q: What are the embarking/disembarking procedures?
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A: Express checkout features are available on every vessel. Please provide a credit card upon check in and you have to sign only your final bill for any incidential charges on the last evening of the journey. The crew provides you with disembarkation letter and luggage tags. Please pack your bags on the last evening and place them outside your stateroom door to facilitate custom clearance and disembarkation. Passengers may not leave the ship until the entire luggage is off-loaded.
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