Final travel documents are generally issued 3 weeks prior to departure.  Some cruise lines have print at home travel documents, and certain providers do not require any final travel documents.

If you are missing any travel document, there is no need to worry.  Travel documents such as tickets and confirmations are not mandatory for boarding your flight or cruise.  If all passengers have appropriate photo identification you will still be able to board.

For any international travel, all passengers will require their passports and relevant visas.

Travel documents, including passports, visas or any other relevant photo identification, and any relevant medical documents, should be carried in your hand luggage.  Do not pack these items in your checked baggage.  If you have arranged travel insurance, we recommend keeping your policy details in your hand luggage.

A general guide to cruise line attire and what to pack can be found below:

• By day:  most of your holiday will be spent relaxing and when in a warm tropical climate, casual lightweight summer clothes will keep you cool and comfortable. Swimwear is generally only permitted around the pool and open deck areas.
• In the evenings:  make a statement in smart casual clothes in the on-board public lounges and restaurants. Shoes must always be worn in dining rooms
• For the cocktail evenings or Captains Drinks:  part of your unforgettable on-board experience is the chance to mingle over drinks with other guests at cocktail evenings. A suit and tie or cocktail dress will be perfect for the occasion.

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 any shore tours.

You are generally 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.

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.

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

We strongly recommend you arrange adequate travel insurance cover for yourself and your travelling party. To do so, you can visit our Insurance page.

Visit our Online Check-in page

Your cruise 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Contact the cruise line directly for more information about on board payment methods and on-board account enquiries.

During your cruise, many members of the on-board staff will provide you with exceptional service and tipping is the traditional way to thank them.  Gratuities may be included in the cost of your cruise already paid.  If gratuities are not included, gratuities may be added to your on-board account or the cruise line may observe voluntary tipping.

On most cruises, you’ll be able to eat as much as you like, whenever you like!  Cruise ships typically have one or more main dining rooms where dining times can be fixed or varied under ‘anytime dining’.  You should refer to your cruise line directly for specific dining information, or to request a dining time email us at [email protected].

In addition to the main dining room, your cruise ship may have any number of additional free dining options such as a buffet, outdoor cafes and self-service food areas.  Along with the all inclusive dining options, cruise lines generally offer a number of specialty restaurants and dining alternatives however please note these are not included in the price of your fare.

Water, tea and coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages are generally included, however alchol is not included in the cost of your cruise fare.  Depending on which cruise line you are sailing with, you may be able to purchase a drinks or beverage package with the cruise line directly before you depart.  We recommend considering how much you typically drink to weigh up the value of a drinks package before you purchase, and remember to always drink responsibly on board.  Visit your cruise lines website directly for more information about drinks and beverage packages available on board.

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.

If you have made travel arrangements following your cruise, please be mindful that disembarkation can take up to five hours following the scheduled arrival of the ship in order to clear Immigration and Customs.