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Questions:
What do I need to prepare for my cruise?
Will I need a travel insurance?
Do I need to book anything in advance?
What to wear during the day and most evening?
Things you cannot take with you
What is the alcohol policy on board?
What you need to know at the end of your cruise
How do I book shore excursions?
When will I receive my tickets?
What do I need to prepare for my cruise?
- Review passage conditions enclosed in your ticket wallet.
- Check your booking and ensure the following details are correct. If not, advise your Travel Agent immediately
- Name as shown on passport or photo ID
- Date of birth
- Contact details
- Address details
- Emergency contact details
- Passport details
- Arrange a travel insurance policy
- Advise us in writing of any medical condition/disabilities you have that require assistance
- Verify whether any vaccinations are required for your cruise
- Make sure your passport is valid 6 months beyond the date of travel and that you have photo identification
- Provide special dietary requirements in advance
- Pack any medicine and medical devices that you may need
- Give friends and family info on how to reach you at sea
Will I need a passport?
- If you are going to an international destination: All passengers need to have a valid passport, including passengers under the age of 18, valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the date of the cruise return.
- If you are going on a coastal cruise from Australia: Australian residents do not need a passport or visa for any cruise that does not visit a foreign port; however, government issued photo identification is required (Queensland Proof of Age cards will not be accepted). A current Medicare card can be used for passengers under 18 years of age.
Will I need a visa?
- If you have an Australian or New Zealand passport: For any South-Pacific, Australia and New Zealand itineraries, Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa. For any other cruise itinerary, we will issue a visa advice letter approximately 75 days prior to sailing.
- If you hold a passport other than Australian or New Zealand: Please check with your relevant embassy about your visa requirements, as there are many regulations applying to differing nationalities and countries.
- Travel on your cruise will not re-validate an Australian re-entry visa.
For further visa information, please click on the link below:
Click here
For any United States visa please have a look at this website:
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
Will I need travel insurance?
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive international travel insurance at the time you pay your deposit. Ensure your insurance covers you for general medical expenses, existing medical conditions, hospitalisation and medical evacuations.
If you plan on participating in sports such as scuba diving or para sailing, etc, ensure your policy covers these activities.
If you are going on an Australian coastal cruise, you still require international travel insurance as your cruise is outside the scope of Australian Medicare, the New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and private health insurance.
Be aware when organising your insurance that uninsured travelers (or their families) are held personally liable for cancellation, medical and associated costs incurred at any time whether before the cruise, on board or overseas. Hospitalisation costs on board or outside of the country and medical evacuation costs are very expensive and are not covered by Medicare, ACC or private health insurance. Daily hospital bills can cost as much as AUD 5,000 per day. All consultations, treatments and medications are charged at private rates.
Don't assume 'it won't happen to me. Accidents do happen. Please see the Department of Foreign Affairs website at smartraveller.gov.au or safetravel.govt.nz for more information.
Cruise1st.com.au recommends Suresave Insurance. Click on the logo to find out more:
Wherever you are traveling it is recommended you have a minimum of Influenza (seasonal), Hepatitis A and Tetanus/Diphtheria vaccinations. You are strongly advised to seek advice from either your doctor or an approved public health travel advisory service to identify any specific vaccinations or health precautions required for each port of call. Check the following for more information. Some countries strictly enforce certain health requirements. If you don't have correct vaccinations, you may not be able to go ashore at certain destinations. Additionally, some local authorities may impose a monetary fine or deny the ship entry into the port. We encourage you to reserve shore tours as early as possible. Many shore tours have limited space available, so pre-reservation requests will be processed in the order received. When tours are fully booked, additional requests are placed on a wait-list or an alternate available departure, in the order received. In order to process your tour selections, cruise lines must generally receive your form at least 14 days prior to departure. Once received and processed your request, an invoice confirming your reservation will be sent to you. Your tickets will generally be delivered on embarkation day to your cabin and will be charged to your on-board account. Local tours outside of our shore tours are an option. If you book separate tours, you do so at your own risk. Please check that the tour operator is able to guarantee your return to the ship before it sails, as the ship is not able to wait for passengers who are touring independently. We will be happy to assist in booking your shore tours and transfers, please ask one of our travel consultants. Some things MUST be packed in your hand luggage such as your cruise documents, passage contract, passport, relevant policy details for your medical and/or travel insurance and other required travel documents must be carried with you. Do not pack them into your checked baggage. It's also recommended that you keep fragile or valuable items in your carry-on baggage. If you make any duty free purchases you must surrender these when you embark, for storage during your cruise, so please keep them in your carry on bags. This includes alcohol, cigars and cigarettes. If you have any medicines or medical devices these must be kept with you in your carry-on luggage. For your own safety, do not pack them into your checked baggage. Temperatures often drop in the evenings, so remember to bring a jacket.Decks can be slippery and for your safety, we recommend low-heeled, rubber soled shoes as well as comfortable walking shoes or appropriate footwear for your Shore Tours.
Will I need vaccinations?
Do I need to book anything in advance?
What do I need to pack?
What to wear during the Day and Evening
Is there anything I can't take with me?
Some things are NOT permitted on board:
- Explosives or fireworks
- Guns, knives or weapons of any kind
- Drugs or alcohol
- Illicit substances
- Flammable liquids
- Any other item prohibited by law
Taking Alcohol on Board
You are not permitted to bring any alcohol on board for personal consumption. Duty-free tax-free and personal alcohol purchased onshore must be surrendered by passengers at embarkation or prior to boarding at any port. Duty and tax-free alcohol is also available for purchase on board and will be held under bond and returned at disembarkation in the final port of call.
All luggage, including hand and check-in will be x-rayed at embarkation and disembarkation. You must declare to Customs all amounts of alcohol in excess of the local Customs limits.
On-Board Basics
Your Cruises ship is your home away from home. A floating resort where you can let the world drift by. It's also like a mini 24-hour city, full of energy, excitement, fun activities around every corner, superb facilities, exceptional dining and incredible experiences for all ages.
Etiquette
Everyone at Cruise1st wants you to have your best cruise holiday ever. So that there's always a relaxed and friendly atmosphere on board, we suggest that you observe a few simple guidelines.
Videotaping
Should you wish to record footage on board during your cruise, please feel free to do so. However, please be mindful of the privacy of other passengers on board. Recording footage of on board entertainment performances is not allowed for copyright reasons. Recording footage for commercial purposes is not permitted without prior consent.
Appropriate Behaviour
Everyone should enjoy their cruise, so please try to avoid making excessive noise in your cabin or in the passenger corridors, to ensure the comfort of other passengers. If you seriously inconvenience or jeopardise the safety or enjoyment of any passengers on board, the Captain has the right to confine or disembark you in the next port of call. Cruise lines accept no liability for this serious action or for any loss incurred (including repatriation expenses) and no refunds are available. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for further details.
Lost property
When you are on board, please report lost or stolen property to the Passenger Services/Purser's desk as soon as possible. It's a good idea to keep your valuables in the safety deposit box in your cabin. All lost property found on board or in the Embarkation Hall will be held by the Cruise lines representatives. It is the responsibility of the owner to contact the Cruise line for lost property. Items are often only held for a limited time.
At the End of Your Cruise
Express Check-Out
Make a final check of your cabin and safety deposit box for any personal items, as cruise lines are not responsible for anything left behind. Remember to bring an overnight bag for clothes, medication, valuables, breakables and personal effects you need to keep on hand for the night prior to disembarkation.
Returning to Australia
Australian residents returning to Australia are allowed a duty-free exemption of AUD900 per adult and AUD450 for people under 18 years of age, which includes the cost of 2250ml of alcoholic beverages for each passenger 18 years of age or older.
Plant and Animal Products
All food, plant materials, animal products and souvenirs containing any of these, need to be declared to Quarantine in Australian or New Zealand ports upon your disembarkation. Depending whether or not they are pest and disease free, the following will happen to your items:
- They will be returned to you after inspection
- They can be treated to make them safe - subject to fees and special conditions
- They will be destroyed by Australian or New Zealand Quarantine
These Guidelines May Change
Please note, these are current guidelines and are subject to change. For further Customs information, we recommend that you attend the Cruise Director's disembarkation talk given during the last days of the cruise or visit www.customs.gov.au for disembarkation in Australia.
In addition, Australian Customs Service has a guide so that international travellers can familiarise themselves with Australia's prohibited and restricted goods laws and personal duty-free concessions. For a free copy visit the Information for Travellers'page on www.customs.gov.au or call 1300 363 263 (Australia only). Please note, this guide states that all passengers departing Australia by sea are required to complete an Outgoing Passenger Card, however this requirement can vary depending on the type of cruise you are undertaking. If you are required to complete an Outgoing Passenger Card, it will be included with your cruise documentation and you are required to complete it prior to arriving at the wharf.
Departing from the Ship
If you are departing the arrival city after the day you leave the ship, or if you have made your own flight arrangements, you are required to make your own way to the airport. Please be advised that disembarkation may take up to four hours after the scheduled arrival of the ship as we have hundreds of passengers to disembark and clear through Immigrations and Customs.
Passengers Departing from the Ship Independently
After collecting your luggage and clearing Customs and quarantine, you will be directed to the exit doors. If your friends or relatives are meeting you at the wharf, please be advised that disembarkation may take up to four hours after the scheduled arrival of the ship in order to clear Immigration and Customs.
Paying for Things on Board
Cashless Cruising with Your Cruise Card
Many cruise lines offer cashless cruising using a ship-issued cruise card, allowing you to sign for all your on-board purchases, which are charged to your on-board account.Your cruise card can also act as your security pass to leave and re-board the ship at ports of call.
Methods of Payment
Credit Cards
On most cruise ships you simply register your credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) when you check-in. You will receive your cruise card, which you can use to purchase drinks, duty-free items and any other on-board goods or services, on board.
Tipping/Gratuities
During your cruise, many members of our on-board staff will provide you with exceptional service and tipping is the traditional way to thank them. Although tipping is voluntary, and at your discretion, our suggested daily tipping amount is AUD$12 per passenger (aged 13 years and over) per day.
How Do I Book Shore Excursions?
Shore excursions are available to book as soon as you have made your cruise reservation. First you will have to complete your online check in with the relevant cruise line (this can be done below) and then all the excursions will be available for you to book and pay for online. You can also book excursions whilst on board but leaving it this late may mean you missing out on your chosen excursions. For excursions pre and post your cruise, Cruise 1st can book these for you, just give us a call to add these on to your booking.
Health Basics While Travelling
We want to make sure your cruise adventure is as healthy, safe and enjoyable as possible. We've thought of everything to make sure you and your loved ones are safe and secure from the moment you board your cruise ship, till the time you leave it. Take a few moments to browse through this information to prepare for the holiday experience of a lifetime.
If You Take Regular Medication
Ensure that you have sufficient supplies to last the length of your holiday. It is also wise to consider taking a couple of days' extra supply in case of unforeseen changes in your plans. Remember to always carry your medication in your hand luggage. If you have recently received treatment for any significant medical condition, it is suggested that you carry a recent report with any important information from your doctor.
Motion Sickness
If you are concerned, you should purchase medication before you leave home. It is best to take the tablets just before sailing to prevent illness. Seasickness medications are generally also available at a charge on board from the cruise medical practitioner.
Be Safe in the Sun
Avoid excessive exposure to the sun between 10.00am and 3.00pm. Remember 'Slip! Slop! Slap! Wrap!' - Slip on a t-shirt, Slop on high factor sunscreen, Slap on a hat (wide-brimmed is best so that your ears are protected too), Wrap on sunglasses. Wear a t-shirt to protect yourself from the sun while swimming. Re-apply sunscreen frequently after swimming or exercise.
Drink in Moderation
When you are ashore, be aware of the alcohol content of local and imported drinks. You are much more likely to suffer a serious injury if you are under the influence of even small amounts of alcohol.
Be extremely careful if you drink Kava which is a popular herbal, medicinal and ceremonial drink in the South Pacific. In addition to enhancing the effects of alcohol, long-term use may cause liver damage.
Avoid Biting Insects
Wear light coloured, loose fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs and regularly apply an insect repellent that contains at least 20% DEET.
Wash Your Hands
To help prevent illness, wash hands often and thoroughly and always after going to the toilet, before handling food and eating.
Visitors
Family and friends are welcome to share in your excitement and wave farewell from the cruise wharf. For security reasons, they will be unable to accompany you on board.
When Will I Receive My Tickets?
Tickets and travel documentation will normally be issued three weeks (21 days) prior to departure based on your confirmed departure date. Tickets and documentation will be sent by email. Delivery by regular postal service or express post courier may incur postal charges. If you have not received your tickets a week (7 days) prior to departure please contact us immediately using the contact details provided below. Please check your travel documents carefully upon receipt, and advise us immediately of any error. If you have any further queries, please contact our Reservation Dept on Tel: 02 8198 9950 and select option number 2, or e-mail us at reservations@cruise1st.com.au.
How do I check in online?
Checking in online is simple to do and also saves you time when embarking the cruise ship on the day of your cruise, giving you more time to experience the ship. Just click on the logo's below and you will be taken to the cruise lines website where you can complete you online check in and also pre-book your excursions to avoid disappointment whilst on board.
Ordering Brochures
So where do you want to go on your next cruise holiday? Click here to download a whole host of brochures.