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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Documentation, visas and passports?
What is included in my trip?
Can I bring additional family members or purchase an additional cabin?
How do I pay for onboard expenses?
What do I need to do before I leave for the cruise?
What are the customs allowances?
How many suitcases can I bring?
What about smoking, drinking and gambling on the ship?
Dress code in dining rooms?
What time is dinner?
Are there children's programs?
What about guests with special needs?
Is there a doctor on board?
What if I'm pregnant?
What if I need to stay in touch while away?
What to pack?

When should I arrive at the airport?

What can't I bring onboard?
What about tipping?
What about shore excursions?

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Documentation, visas and passports

The United States Government recently enacted the Border Security Act, under which, all guests must provide key personal information in advance of sailing. Guests may fill out the Advance Guest Registration online.

All United States and Canadian citizens must carry proof of citizenship such as a valid passport or birth certificate along with a government issued photo ID (16 years or older). It is your responsibility to check with your travel professional, local immigration office and/or respective embassy or consulate to determine requirements for passports, visas and other documentation, including vaccinations for infectious diseases. Guests denied boarding by local immigration officials for lack of proper documents are not entitled to a cruise refund. Here are some guidelines, but please note that this list is not exhaustive.

For travel from the United States
To destinations in Canada, Bermuda, Mexico, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, guests who are not United States or Canadian citizens must carry a valid passport and multiple entry visa for entry into the United States (B-2 Visitor's Visa), or a visa waiver.

As visa requirements vary by country and are subject to change, guests who are not United States or Canadian citizens are urged to contact your travel professional, local immigration office and/or respective embassy or consulate to determine the entry requirements for your cruise destinations.

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What is included in my trip?

Your trip includes round trip airfare from home city, a outside cabin on the Norwegian Jewel and round trip airport/cruise ship transfers.  The cruise includes accommodations, meals and entertainment aboard ship. Certain specialty restaurants are available with either nominal cover charges or fixed price menus and à la carte pricing in addition to the standard dining program. Items of a personal nature are not included, such as alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, spa treatments, certain specialty exercise classes, laundry, photographs, casino, ship-to-shore phone, e-mail, Internet, fax and shore excursions.

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How do I pay for onboard expenses?

For your convenience, all shipboard expenses are charged to NCL's special onboard credit program. Sign up on the first day of your cruise, by establishing your method of payment with Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express®, Discover®, travelers checks or cash. If you choose to settle your account with cash, a deposit will be required in advance. You may also use your debit card; however, please be advised that NCL obtains pre-authorization which some banks may hold for up to 30 days.

Can I bring additional family members or purchase an additional cabin?

Most cabins are limited to two guests per cabin.  There is a limited number of cabins with the ability to hold three or four guests.  If you need a cabin to accommodate more than two guests or an additional cabin contact Columbus Travel directly to make the request. Please e-mail the request to suzi@columbusincentives.com.  You are responsible for the cost of additional guests. 

What do I need to do before I leave for the cruise?

NCL and the department of Homeland Security require all guests to pre-register for cruises.  You can  pre-register online with your confirmation that is provided on the front of your documents.  The pre-registration needs to be completed at least 14 days prior to departure.  If you do not pre-register your check-in process may be delayed at the port of departure.  After you have pre-registered for the cruise you can then pre-register for shore excursions. See Documentation, visas and passports? for additional information.

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What are the customs allowances?

United States residents must declare all articles acquired abroad and in their possession when they return to the U.S. This includes items purchased in "duty-free" shops. The duty-free exemption allowed for purchases or gifts for returning U.S. residents varies, depending on how long they have been out of the U.S. and which countries they have visited. The standard exemption for U.S. residents who have been abroad more than 48 hours is $600 - $800, which may include one liter of alcohol (if you are at least 21), 100 cigars and 200 cigarettes.

How many suitcases can I bring?

Each person is allowed up to 200 pounds of personal luggage on board. However, if you are traveling by air, ask the airline if it has different restrictions. Most airlines charge for baggage (typically 1st checked bag cost is $25.00  & 2nd checked bag cost is $30.00 each way). Airlines and NCL have limited liability for loss, so be sure all baggage and personal belongings are properly insured. Suitcases should be securely closed and tagged. You should hand-carry medication, jewelry, cameras or other valuables and important documents.

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What about smoking, drinking and gambling on the ship?

Smoking is permitted in designated areas in the bars and outside on open decks. All other areas on board ship are non-smoking. Guests must be age 21 to purchase or drink alcohol.

Dress code in dining rooms?

Freestyle Cruising gives our guests the freedom to dress as they please. Resort casual attire is always appropriate morning, noon and night. However, NCL does not allow any blue jeans, t-shirts, shorts, cut-offs, tank tops, bare feet, etc. in any of our fine dining restaurants for dinner, including all main restaurants, alternative restaurants, and cover charge venues.

Guests are allowed to wear blue jeans, shorts and t-shirts, in the evenings at the buffets, outdoor barbeques, and 24-hour venues, such as Blue Lagoon etc.

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What time is dinner?

What time would you like it to be? NCL's exclusive Freestyle Cruising lets you choose. They offer open-seating dining in a variety of restaurants and cafés with individual menus, so it's your choice. You can have lunch or dinner with friends in one of the elegantly appointed restaurants. Reserve a table for two in an intimate bistro.

Order an omelette prepared just the way you like it from the breakfast-buffet chef. Indulge yourself with delectable selections from the Chocoholic Buffet.™ There are special menus for youngsters and special entrées from Cooking Light®. There's even a menu created by Henry Haller, former White House Executive Chef under five U.S. presidents. Special meals are available including low-calorie, vegetarian, no MSG, low/no sodium and low/no cholesterol meals, as well as sugar-free and fat-free desserts. All of our restaurants are non-smoking. Most specialty restaurants require a per person cover charge or offer a` la carte pricing. Reservations are recommended and can be made on board.

Will I need an electrical converter?

The current on board is 110 volts AC. However, some high-voltage hair dryers, electric rollers and electric razors may require a converter. If you plan to use a lap top in public area you will need a converter.

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Are there children's programs?

Kid's Crew™ is our onboard children's program and it's one of the most comprehensive at sea.

What about guests with special needs?

NCL welcomes guests with special needs. Of course, they may require advance notice in order to accommodate them, so they must advise NCL's Passenger Courtesy Department of their needs at least three weeks prior to their cruise.

All of their ships have designated staterooms with wider doorways and bathrooms that will accommodate wheelchairs and staterooms with lights and under-pillow vibrating alarms for guests with hearing impairments. Guide dogs are permitted on all NCL ships.  Many staterooms have refrigerators that can be used to store medications that must be kept cold. Guests who need oxygen or require oxygen therapy are welcome on all NCL ships; however, they must supply their own oxygen. Guests who use wheelchairs must provide their own.

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Is there a doctor on board?

A physician and nurse are on each ship to provide medical care and services at customary charges. Commonly used medications are kept on board and may be prescribed by the ship's doctor.

What if I'm pregnant?

NCL will make every effort to accommodate you, providing you have not entered the 24th week of pregnancy when the cruise ends. However, you must provide Passenger Courtesy with a medical certificate establishing your due date prior to your cruise.

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What if I need to stay in touch while away?

All NCL ships have computer terminals you can rent by the minute at the Internet Café. You can also purchase wireless internet packages and use your own laptop in public areas. While at sea most cell phones will also work depending on your provider and rate plan.  Rates to use your cell phone on the ship are between $2 and $4 per minute. Contact your provider for current rates. You can also telephone, telex, radiogram or fax to anywhere in the world and be billed at applicable ship-to-shore rates (typically $7 - $8 per minute).

NCL guests can also be contacted on one of our ships by calling 1.888.NCSHIPS (1.888.627.4477) from USA. For the rest of the world please dial 1.732.335.3280. When guests are contacted with the ship via satellite, they can be reached directly, if they are in their stateroom. If not, a message about the incoming call will be delivered to their cabin and then they can call back the shore via satellite.

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What to pack?

Freestyle Cruising gives you the freedom to dress as you please. So come as you are. No need to check for a suggested dress code in the ship's Freestyle Daily as you would on traditional cruises. Resort casual attire is always appropriate morning, noon and night. If you like, you can slip into a pair of khakis and a polo shirt, a skirt and blouse or a sundress for dinner. NCL do not allow jeans, T-shirts, shorts, cut-offs, tank tops, bare feet, etc. in any of the restaurants at dinner.

For those who do love to dress to the nines and get that annual formal portrait photography done, there is one optional formal evening in at least one of the main restaurants on every cruise; at least two formal evenings on longer cruises. This means black tie or dark suit for gentlemen and evening gown or cocktail dress for ladies. But remember, on formal evenings you can always choose to dine in one of the other restaurants instead and enjoy some of the other lounges and leave your dressier clothes at home.

In warm climates, shorts, slacks, sundresses, jeans and tops - and of course a swimsuit and cover-up are all appropriate daytime attire. Air conditioning can feel chilly, so pack a sweater. Because weather is difficult to predict, in cooler climates dressing in layers is the best approach. For visits to places of worship, check your Freestyle Daily for attire guidelines. Be sure to bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes, too. Other essentials: sunglasses, a sun hat or visor and sunscreen. Don't forget to bring prescription medicines in original containers and an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Carry valuables and medication in a handbag you keep with you at all times.

Important Note: All suitcases are collected the night before we return to our home port, so be sure to bring an overnight bag for your essentials.

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When should I arrive at the airport?

Recommended domestic check-in time is 90 minutes prior to departure. Please call the airline or access the airline’s internet site to check for schedule changes/flight delays. Please remember to allow extra time if you are unfamiliar with the airport, are leaving during heavy traffic times, or have excess baggage.

What can't I bring onboard?

Passengers are not allowed to bring onboard the vessel without the previous written permission of the NCL any intoxicating liquors, or beverages, firearms, weapons of any kind, ammunition, explosive substances or any goods of a dangerous nature, nor animals of any kind, except service or guide animals, provided the passenger notifies Carrier prior to the cruise of his intention to bring such animal and agrees to take sole responsibility for any expense, damage, injuries or losses associated with or caused by such animal.

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What about tipping?

On this cruise your tips have been pre-paid by Dental Select.  You can also tip local tour guides on shore excursions, bus drivers, sky caps etc.

What about shore excursions?

NCL offers a wide variety of shore excursions.  You will receive a shore excursions booklet with your final documents.  After you have pre-registered for your cruise you can pre-sign up for shore excursions online.  You may also sign up for shore excursions while onboard the ship.  A list of  shore excursions can be found on NCL's Web Site.

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