If
you never cruised before, you probably have LOTS questions about your upcoming
cruise vacation onboard 
Cruise Lines.
The travel professionals of BMD Travel and Tours would like to offer some "last minute" tips and information on some of the things you can expect during your upcoming cruise vacation!
$200
(per person) is the widely accepted "rule of thumb" for spending
money on a cruise vacation
"Sail
& Sign" is Carnival's cashless onboard credit program
which allows guests to charge their purchases directly to their personal
account for convenience throughout the cruise. Registration will take
place during the embarkation process or onboard at the Purser's
Office. The completed application form (to be included with your
cruise documents) must be presented along with a VISA, MasterCard, Discover,
or American Express. 
Guests may also use a checking account debit
card, as long as it is a registered VISA or MasterCard. Regular ATM debit
cards are not acceptable. Parents' credit cards are not acceptable, even
with the parents' written permission. All charges will be automatically
billed to the guest's credit card at the end of the voyage. On the final
morning of the cruise, a detailed statement will be delivered to the guest's
cabin. The total amount will be charged to the credit card presented during
registration. In addition, the Purser's Office can provide the guest with a
balance update at any time throughout the cruise. Guests who do not
wish to use a credit card may register for "Sail
& Sign" using a cash deposit. The required deposit is
$100 per person for sailings less than 10 days, and $150 per person for
sailings 10 days or longer. Traveler's checks are also acceptable for
deposit. As the guest approaches their limit, they will be notified by the
Purser's Office. They may then deposit additional monies. Please be
advised, this minimum deposit of $100.00 can be person or per stateroom. The
"per stateroom" option is convenient for families, and the
"per person" option is usually used for "room-mate"
situations. The main thing to remember, is each account minimum deposit is
$100. You are free to add more cash, during the cruise, at any time by going
down to the Purser's Office to deposit more money. If you make your deposit
with your credit card, then your card will be validated (but not charged)
until the end of the cruise. If you get carried away while onboard and you
deposited a credit card, but you want to pay cash for your purchases, you
can still go down to the Purser's Office to pay cash prior to your credit
card being purchased. The process if very similar to checking out of a
hotel. Where on the final night of your stay, you are presented with an
invoice, detailing all of your charges. If you agree with the
statement/invoice and you deposited a credit card and want the charges to go
against your credit card, then you simply do nothing. However, if you
deposited a credit card, but want to pay with cash, you can go to the
Purser's Desk or Guest Services Desk to cover the charges with cash. And, of
course, if your paid cash, and you didn't have enough charges to consume
your account funds, you will be notified of your credit (on your room
statement) and you will be instructed to report to the Purser's Desk or
Guest Services Desk and pick up your credit.
There are usually "duty free shops" onboard the larger cruise ships. They sale everything from souvenirs, film, and clothes, all the way to hygiene products. Their is usually even have a "small" gift shop to purchase Alcohol (all of course, tax free).
Casual
attire is the order of the day, both on board and ashore. For one night of
the sailing (on 4 & 5 day voyages, a dark suit or formal or semi-formal
attire is 
suggested.
The dress code for other evenings ranges from sport coat and tie to casual
resort wear.
Note: Shorts and T-shirts are not permitted in the dining room area during dinner.
Guests
are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board the ship in the
port of embarkation (with the exception of wine and/or champagne). If the
wine and/or champagne are brought to the Dining Room for consumption, a
$10.00 corkage fee will be charged to the guest. Otherwise, the guest may
drink the wine and/or champagne in the privacy of their cabin only. 
It
may not be brought into any public lounge or room. Alcoholic beverages
purchased in any port-of-call will be
appropriated at the gangway and stored onboard until the last night of the
cruise, upon which it will be
delivered to the guest's cabin. Alcoholic beverages of any kind purchased in
the ship's gift shop will also be stored onboard and delivered to the
guest's cabin on the last night of the cruise. The minimum age for the
purchase and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages while on board is 21
years of age. In the event that Bar/Restaurant/Gift Shop Staff are in
question that the guest is under 21, they shall request picture
identification prior to serving said guest.
"Fountain
Fun Card" - 
The
cost of a "Fountain Fun Card" range from $11.99** for Everyone
Under Age 21; and $18.95** for Adults, ages 21 and up. The
"Fountain Fun Car" includes UNLIMITED Soft Drinks (Carbonated) for
guests for the duration of the cruise and may be purchased at the Pursar's
Desk (Service Desk) once you aboard the vessel. Fruit Punch and Iced
Tea are complimentary. **Based on 4-Night sailings.
If
you're on your way to your "Fun Ship" cruise vacation and run into
the unexpected, just call Carnival's 24-Hour Travel Hotline at
1-877-885-4856, or 305-406-4779. They have created a special travel hotline
for exclusive use by their cruise guests. Carnival representatives are on
call to assist with any travel emergency, 24 hours a day.
Personal
items such as stamps, souvenirs, etc., are not included in your fare.
Drinks, sodas, and cappuccino from the bar are also not included, nor is use
of the beauty salon, barber shop, or spa
services.
Cables and ship-to-shore calls are extra, as are photos taken by the ship's
photographer, medical attention, shore excursions, port charges and
gratuities. Naturally, participation in the casino, horse racing or bingo
for cash prizes will be at your own expense.
Transfers...Ground
Transfers for Carnival Cruise Lines are purchased through your travel agent.
At the time your transfers are purchased, your agent will provide the cruise
line with your full flight itinerary. Carnival will need this information in
order to "meet" you at your arriving 
GATE,
as you disembark the aircraft. A Carnival representative will confirm
your identity and escort you off to the "shuttle bus", which will
take you to the pier. At the end of your voyage, a shuttle bus will be
awaiting your disembarkation from the cruise ship and escort you back to the
airport. NOTICE: Carnival Cruise Lines' transfers will NOT be
sold to guests with flights arriving AFTER 2:30 PM on the day of departure
or flights departing prior to 12:30PM on the day of arrival.
Vacation Protection Insurance: Carnival Cruise Line has one of the best Vacation Protection Plans in the industry. Carnival wants you to have the best vacation ever, with nothing to think about except how much FUN you're going to have. That's why we created Carnival's Cruise Vacation Protection Plan for a little more than $10 a day per guest. Carnival provides you with peace of mind, because unfortunately, the unexpected does sometimes occur.
Some
purchases
you will most likely end up making onboard the ship (with your "Sail and
Sign" cards are as follows:
Photos (of almost every move you make). The smaller of the 2 sizes offered, usually run $9.95
per photograph, while the larger size, 8X10, usually run $19.95.
Alcoholic beverages
Carbonated beverages (i.e. Coca-Cola, Sprite, etc)
Room-service
The most important thing is to...have the time of your life!
