ON BOARD

Nightlife
At night, life aboard a cruise ship really starts! There's dancing; live entertainment in nightclubs, discos and lounges and parties with all your new friends. Your cabin T.V. will always be playing feature films. Most ships have casinos. There are also many special events like the Captain's Cocktail Party, Passenger Talent Night, the Masquerade Parade. And the night can go on as long as you want. Even until the spectacle of sunrise at sea. And you never go hungry, with food serviced 24 hours a day! From late night buffets to room service.

Classes of Service
Today's cruise ships offer mostly "one-class." Everyone onboard can use all of the ship's facilities. The price of a cabin is based primarily on its size and location. Regardless of the category you book, you'll enjoy the same courteous service, menus, activities, and entertainment as everyone else onboard. But you can see a different if you book a suite, more and more cruise lines offer a few extra services such a butler service or private lounges. When booking your stateroom check to see if one of these.

Life On Board
Cruise ships are like floating resorts with all the choices fine resorts have to offer. You can be by yourself and lie back in a lounge chair, breathe in the sea air, soak up the sun, read good books, or watch the ever-changing view. Or, you can join in exercise classes, dance classes, sports contests and other organized deck activities. Perhaps you can practice your tennis stroke or golf swing, or shoot some baskets. You can go for a swim, stretch out in the sauna or work out in the gym. You can see a feature movie, attend a lecture by renowned experts, and play backgammon or bridge. And that's just when you're onboard!

Entertainment
Always, on a cruise vacation, the entertainment is on the house. There's no cover. No minimum. The shows are live. The movies are first-rate. The variety is limitless.

Meeting New People
A cruise ship is a greatest place in the world to make new friends, because everyone's so friendly. The atmosphere is cordial, relaxed. And you'll have all kinds of things in common to talk about. From dinner, having cocktails, around the pool or taking shore excursions. And don't be surprised if you find yourself making arrangements to meet them aboard ship again next year.

No matter what you've heard... to the contrary, there's no such thing as a typical cruise passenger! All kinds of people take cruises... of all ages... from all walks of life... singles, couples and families. Passengers can vary from ship to ship and cruise to cruise. Just ask us for advice on the best ship for you, based on your tastes and lifestyle.

What to Pack
Pack like you would for any resort. Cruise vacations are casual by day, whether you're on the ship or ashore. In the evening, ships vary as to dress. As on shore, attire is dictated by occasion. On a formal dining night or at the Captain’s Gala, for example, you'll probably want to wear something more dressy, such as a dark suit, or cocktail dress; perhaps even a tuxedo or gown. (If you don't own a tuxedo--most people don't--you can usually rent one onboard.)

Dressing for Dinner
Most cruise ships have two formal nights per 7-day cruise, 1 for shorter cruises and more for longer cruises. Men are encouraged to wear tuxedoes or full suits, and women cocktail dresses or evening gowns. Other nights are casual or semi-formal, when men can get by with khakis/dress pants, collared shirt and sports jacket (semi-formal), and women skirts, dresses, or pantsuits.

Lunch and breakfast are casual, but no swimwear and if you don’t relish the idea of dressing up for formal night, alternative dining options are always available such a room service to “Buffet style” dining.

Smoking
Except for the Carnival Paradise, which strictly prohibits smoking onboard, smoking is prohibited in some dining rooms/restaurants, hallways, and most bars & lounges. But check before “Lighting Up”.