The U.S. Department of State and Homeland Security have announced that U.S. Citizens will soon be required to present a valid passport to exit or re-enter the United States . The requirement will be implemented in stages, as follows:

January 1, 2008: U.S. citizens will now be required to present a valid U.S. passport for all air, sea, and land border crossings.

Please keep in mind that the above timeline could change. As a result, we strongly encourage all of our passengers to obtain passports for travel outside of the US . Due to an increased demand for passports, you will need to allow at least 10-12 weeks for your passport to be processed. For further details regarding the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, as well as further information regarding obtaining a passport, please consult: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

Non-U.S. citizens should contact the consulates or embassies of the countries visited regarding the proper documentation necessary for travel. We recommend all travelers confirm the entry requirements for all countries prior to departure. The following website may assist you in verifying the required documentation for travel: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html.

Please be advised that knowing, securing and bringing the required identification are solely the responsibility of the passengers. We are unable to provide refunds for clients who do not possess the necessary documentation.

Pack as you would for any resort, day attire will be casual. You will want to pack comfortable shoes and clothing for your adventures while in port. Don’t forget a couple of swimsuits, especially in the Caribbean so you will always have a dry one! Evening attire will vary from ship to ship, evening to evening. Your Cruise Specialist will assist you in what is appropriate for your specific cruise. Most ships will have at least one formal night. Pack smart- bring along a sweater or light jacket, hat, sunscreen. Also don’t forget your camera and binoculars.

The answer varies- if you are doing a cruise-only sailing and are arriving to the pier by your own personal transportation you may bring more luggage than if you are arriving by plane or motor coach. If you are flying you will be limited to the baggage allotment for that particular airline. Motor coach tours typically limit you to 1 piece of luggage in addition to your carry-on. Please check with your cruise specialist for details specific to your cruise. Please note the weight limit per suitcase is 50 lbs.

The number of formal nights on a cruise is determined by the cruise line. Generally speaking, for cruises up to 6 nights there will be 1 formal night, 7-10 night cruises will have 2 formal nights, and 11+ nights will have 3 or more formal nights. Check with your cruise specialist for details on your specific cruise.

Formal nights are optional, if you choose not to participate, you may choose one of the other dining venues, such as alternate restaurants (if available on your ship) or the buffet.

Many cruise lines now feature a more relaxed and casual approach to dress throughout the cruise -- while on others, formal dinners or parties are part of the fun. But don't buy a tuxedo just for the trip. Even on the most formal of ships, a dark suit and tie are fine for the dressiest occasions. Plus, many ships offer tuxedo rental services.

An ocean view cabin will have a window or porthole above the water line. An inside cabin will not have a view. In place of the window there will be draperies or artwork.

Far from it. Cruise ships range from intimate and yacht-like to vessels stretching longer than three football fields. Enjoy atmospheres ranging from casual to formal, contemporary to classic. You can sail with fewer than 100 fellow guests or with more than 2,600. Experience the endless activities offered on a contemporary resort-style cruise, or immerse yourself in the culture of a destination on a special interest cruise.

Your fare includes shipboard accommodations, meals, onboard day activities, nighttime parties and entertainment aboard the vessel. Price does not include organized shore excursions, alcoholic beverages or carbonated soft drinks, photographs, gratuities, spa and beauty treatments, medical services, casino expenditures or other miscellaneous items you may purchase on board.

As a general rule, cruise ships strictly prohibit passengers bringing alcohol on board. Some cruise lines do allow fine wine and champagne to be brought on for special occasions with a corkage fee for consumption, ranging $10 an up. Please verify the liquor policy with your cruise specialist.

Virtually every cruise ship (except for some smaller vessels operating in coastal waters) has a medical facility and health care professionals on staff to handle almost any emergency. If you have a medical condition that might put you at risk, discuss it with your doctor and inform the cruise lines at the time of booking. And, whenever you travel, check to see what your health insurance covers.

Many cruise ships have laundry facilities, these areas will have iron and ironing boards (you may NOT bring a travel iron due to liability) they also provide dry-cleaning services. There is, however, an additional charge for professional laundry and dry-cleaning services.

Most ships have 110-volt outlets in the staterooms. For the most part US appliances will work. Many cruise lines have hairdryers available in the cabin.

Most ships can accommodate salt-free, low-carbohydrate, low cholesterol, Kosher, or other diet preferences. Please be sure to inform your cruise specialist at time of booking so this request can be attached to your reservation.

A general rule of thumb is $10 per person per day, this will cover your waiter, bus boy and cabin steward other shipboard personnel can be tipped for special services at your discretion. A 15% gratuity is automatically added to your bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. Many cruise lines are now adding gratuities to your onboard account; you may want to check your cruise lines tipping policy.

Absolutely! Cruise Lines love to celebrate with you. Please be sure to mention to your cruise specialist the day and type of special occasion you would like added to your reservation.

Quite easily. Most ships have a daily newsletter with news, headlines, and selected stock quotes and sports scores. Many staterooms are equipped with televisions and have satellite or cellular telephones. You can also call someone on shore through the ship's radio officer while at sea. In addition, most ships have fax capabilities and a growing number have computer cafes with Internet access for e-mail communication. These services are available with a fee.

This is your vacation; you do what you want, when you want. That is the beauty of a cruise, there are activities planned for almost every hour of the day that include a wide range of activities from art auctions to silly pool games. You can do everything or absolutely nothing!

Today’s modern cruise ships are quite large and contain hi-tech stabilizing devices and advance weather notification processes. In the unlikely event you experience motion discomfort; there are a number of over-the-counter solutions to ease your concerns. These are available at local drug store and some will be available on board. If you are prone to motion sickness you may want to consult your physician prior to travel.

We recommend protecting your vacation investment by purchasing travel insurance. None of us want to think anything will prevent us from taking our dream vacation, but reality is that life simply is unpredictable. Travel Insurance is your protection to cover cancellation penalties, as well as provide coverage while on your trip. Our cruise specialist will provide the details of both pricing and plan details. You can also CLICK HERE for online details about travel insurance.

Cancellation policies vary between cruise lines. When you book your cruise, you will be advised of the cancellation policy applicable to your booking. You should be aware that additional agency administrative fees and penalties may be added, your cruise specialist will inform you of these at time of deposit.

Embarkation usually begins approximately 4 hours prior to departure. All passengers must to be on board 30 minutes prior to sailing.

There are several options, if you book airfare through the cruise line, you will be met at the baggage claim and escorted to the transfer shuttle that takes you to the pier and back again. Most cruise lines offer these shuttles for an additional fee to passengers providing their own airfare. If you choose to drive to the pier, parking is usually available. Exact rates and type of parking vary. Regionally motor coach transportation may be available. Check with your cruise specialist for information on the cruise port you are traveling from.

The casino and shops are open while you are at sea; however they will be closed while the ship is in port.

You should receive your documents approx 10-14 days prior to departure. Documents may be delivered in a variety of ways including regular mail and email. The specifics will depend upon which tour operator or cruise line you have booked with. Once you have secured your reservation your cruise specialist can provide further details on how your documents will arrive.

For your convenience you may charge most of your purchases on board. A personal account will be set up when you board your purchases will be billed automatically to your credit card. You may use a cash deposit the amount of this deposit varies between cruise lines. Travelers checks may be cashed at the purser’s desk, most ships have ATM for cash. You will want to have cash for casino and for when you are ashore in port.

Most cruise lines will allow you to travel up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. Please read the policies for the specific cruise line and be sure to notify your cruise specialist when booking.