Cruising Basics

This information is provided as a courtesy, but it is important that you always consult the cruise line directly regarding matters of critical importance, such as documentation or dietary and medical needs.

The Ships

For more information specific to the ships JoCo Cruise has sailed on:

• Holland America Eurodam
• Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam
• Holland America Oosterdam
• Holland America Westerdam
• Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas

Before the cruise

Documentation

The travel document requirements for a cruise on Holland America are located here, which you should consult for the most up-to-date information. It is recommended to have a passport that expires 6 months or more after the end of the cruise. On closed loop cruises (Western Hemisphere cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port), U.S. citizens may present a state-issued birth certificate along with a state-issued ID as their travel documents for boarding the cruise. Note that ID requirements for ports may vary and some may require a passport. A passport is always the preferred identification for allowing the greatest flexibility in travel, especially if you were to miss the ship in a port, however there are options if you are not able to procure a passport in time.

Prohibited Items

Be sure that you understand the list of prohibited items before you pack for your cruise. The list for Holland America is located here. Here are some notable items that you should make sure NOT to bring on the cruise:

• Any electrical item with a surge protector. Power strips and adapters that do NOT have a surge protector are fine.
• Imitation or replica weapons
• Drones
• Any item with a heating element, such as flat irons, glue guns, heating blankets, coffee makers, etc.
• Alcohol, except as allowed by the Holland America alcohol policy, found on this page.
• Catapults (please do not be the reason they also start banning trebuchets)

Travel to the cruise port

If you are flying to the cruise port, it is recommended that you plan to arrive the day before the cruise in case of any flight delays. Especially if the cruise is in winter, there can be a high chance of weather-related delays.

If you require transportation between the airport or your hotel and the cruise port, many area hotels will offer a cruise shuttle service for a fee. Ride share services also serve the port.

If you are driving to the cruise port, there is parking at the cruise terminal. Be mindful that this is an active industrial port and you should plan to minimize your walking around. For cruises on the Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam, there is parking located directly across from Terminal 26, which is where this ship typically docks. To verify the terminal closer to the cruise, check the Port Everglades Vessel Schedule.

Staterooms

Stateroom Location

The location you select for your stateroom can affect your enjoyment of the cruise. Factors to consider may be:

• Closer to midship and a lower deck will experience less movement. Forward tends to experience less movement than aft.
• Consider the hours you want to sleep, and take a look at the public areas above and below your stateroom. If you like to go to sleep early, perhaps a stateroom near the main stage would be ill-advised.
• Consider what you want to be closer to for less walking, or more walking if you prefer! Would you rather be near the Lido so you can quickly grab breakfast? Or would you like to be near the Main Stage so you don't need to worry about catching a crowded elevator after a show?

Beds

The primary two beds in the stateroom can be kept separate, or pushed together to create a queen bed. Your cabin steward can take care of this if the beds are not to your preference when you arrive.

Third and fourth bunks in a stateroom are either a fold-out couch, or a bunk that drops down from the ceiling.

Storage

Whether or not you typically unpack your bags on vacation, it is generally advisable to do so on a cruise due to the small space. There is ample storage in closets or drawers with hanging storage in the closets. Suitcases can be stored under the bed to keep them out of the way during the cruise

For extra hanging storage for hats, bags, robes, lanyards, etc, all of the walls are magnetic and neodymium magnetic hooks work very well.

Bathrooms

Depending on the class of stateroom, there will be a shower stall, a bathtub shower, or both a shower and a bathtub. Most cruise ships provide basic toiletries in the shower. Holland America provides Elemis Aromapure shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotion in dispensers in the bathroom. Hair dryers are also provided in each stateroom.

Power

Cabins are equipped with U.S. outlets, European outlets, and USB charging ports. Depending on the stateroom that you select, you may have an outlet by the bed, however if you require this for medical purposes (such as a CPAP or BiPAP), do not count on it. Plan on bringing an extension cord. Note that it is very important that any extension cords, power strips, or plug adapters DO NOT have a surge protector. Cruise ship electrical systems are not equipped for surge protectors and it is a fire hazard. For more information on why surge protectors are not allowed on cruise ships, see this page.

Refrigeration

Cruise staterooms are not equipped with refrigeration. There is a minibar cooler that will keep beverages cool, but it is not sufficient for medications or anything else that requires strict temperature control. Medications requiring refrigeration can be kept in the ship's infirmary and retrieved upon request. There is an ice bucket in the stateroom that you can request your room steward keep filled with ice if desired.

During the Cruise

Gratuities

Gratuities for room stewards, waiters, and other staff are included in your cruise fare. A gratuity will be added to all bar charges. In addition, an automatic gratuity is added to beverage packages, specialty dining, spa services, and main dining room wine purchases. If you wish to give an extra gratuity to any of the staff you have interacted with, you can do so in cash at any point in the cruise.

Dining & Beverages

Dining

Meals are included in your cruise fare. It is possible to not spend any additional money on food if you do not want to, however there are a few premium options on each ship if you are interested. All of the ships that JoCo Cruise has sailed on feature a Main Dining Room and a buffet that are included in your cruise fare. The buffet is typically open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Main Dining Room (often abbreviated MDR) is open for dinner, and sometimes for breakfast and lunch; check the schedule to verify the hours and meals served.

Your MDR dinner time will be assigned as either early or late, and it is expected that you be there close to the start time of your dinner service. Due to the way the meal preparation flows on a cruise ship, the kitchen cannot accommodate open dining. If you prefer more flexibility in your dining time, you are free to have dinner in the buffet any time during dinner hours, or you may make a reservation at a specialty restaurant.

Specialty restaurants are an upcharge and require reservations. For more details on the specialty dining options, see the page for the specific cruise ship you will be sailing on.

Beverages

Tap water, coffee, tea, and lemonade are included in your cruise fare. Milk and a variety of juices are available at breakfast and are included in your cruise fare. Most cruise ships have a "fancy" coffee shop that offers lattes, cappuccinos, etc. for an upcharge. Canned water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are available from any bar for an upcharge as well.

There are a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverage packages available for purchase. Whether or not these are worth it is a personal decision. See the relevant cruise ship page for more details.

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness can afflict people on a cruise ship who have never otherwise experienced sea sickness, or you might find that you are completely fine even if you have experienced motion sickness in other cases. Cruise ships can experience much rougher seas than most people are accustomed to, so it is a good idea to be prepared just in case. The cruise ship infirmary will typically stock meclizine, which is also available at the ship’s information desk on Holland America cruises. Other items that cruisers will pack with them include ginger candies, ginger tablets, dimenhydrinate (traditional Dramamine), sea sickness patches, etc. Ginger ale is available for purchase from any bar.

Links

• Cruise Critic is a great source for general cruise information. You can search the Boards to see if somebody has asked a question similar to yours.