Q & A
What you need to know about Mildred Morgan's cruise
Note: If you have a question about this cruise, feel free to email Alan Whitt at 615-818-8241 / [email protected] or Gloria Conley at 615-336-8580 / [email protected], and we will not only provide you an answer within 48hours, but some questions & answers will be posted on this page for the benefit of all who are going.
When can I book this cruise?
The cruise inventory and pricing for this cruise is available immediately for booking. Simply fill out the required registration form online or on paper and mail to Allure Quest Travel Experience, P.O. Box 150862, Nashville, TN 371215.
How do I reserve a cabin?
A $500 per cabin deposit is required. The deposit locks in your pricing and your rate can never go up. However, should the price of the cruise come down, so would your rate.
Is there a discount for children?
No. All cruise lines operate on a blueprint where the first and second person in a cabin pay the regular rate, but the third and fourth person in a cabin pay significantly less. So if a single parent took one child on a cruise both would pay the same rate. If two adults are in a cabin with two children (or two adults), their average rate would decrease.
Are there things for children to do?
A cruise is perfect for everyone ... ages 3 to 90. The goal of a family vacation is simple - to fin an experience that allows adults and kids to each enjoy their favorite activities as well as spend quality time together ... and apart.
Will I need a passport?
No, although Allure Quest Travel Experience highly recommends one for safety and security reasons. Passports run $135 for adults and $105 for children.
Do Celebrity ships provide access for disabled passengers?
One of the great things about today's modern ships is that most are disability compliant. Celebrity makes every effort to accommodate passengers with disabilities, but the best guarantee is to work with your travel agent early to make certain that your needs are met, including wheelchair accessible staterooms. Once notified of wheelchair usage, special needs and/or use of a service animal in writing, Celebrity will take care of the rest. Keep in mind that wheelchair accessible rooms are at a premium so the earlier the request is made the better.
What to pack? What to wear?
You likely won't have to worry about packing those walking shorts, even though it may not be as cold as you think. Temperatures In some parts of Alaska can get into the 60's sometimes, although Ketchikan is often wet and rainy. When in port is is always best to dress in layers, just to be certain that you're not over- or under-dressed. Onboard, most attire is acceptable (except swim wear in dining areas), but there is a main dining room dress code for dinner. There are two formal nights, where men wear suits or tuxedos and women wear gowns or after five attire. If you're wearing your Sunday best you're going to be fine. On other nights in the main dining room, pants and nice shirts are good for men, pants, skirts or dresses for women.
How does the price of a cruise compare to a hotel?
Dollar for dollar, when you compare a cruise program’s cost and inclusions to a hotel, you’ll see the price benefit of selecting a ship. Included in the price of your cruise is most dining options, all entertainment and your accommodations. All alcohol, soft drinks and specialty dining options are extra.
Is there Internet service on board?
Almost all of today’s ships have wireless capability in Internet Cafes or WiFi spots throughout the ships and Princess is no different. Their ships also have wireless access, so feel free to bring your laptop. However, cruise ship Internet connections are much slower than high-speed, and you could go for a time with no connection at all. Also, Internet rates on a cruise ship can be be expensive. You would be better served to wait until you’re in port and go to an Internet Cafe where rates are significantly lower.
Is there phone and fax service on ships? Can I use my cell phone?
All ships have phone and fax service, although it can be quite expensive. One of the best things about cruising Alaska is that you are still in the United States, and your cell phone will work while on land with no added costs. That means that you can still talk, text and surf the Web on your smartphone ... just like you can back home. However, when onboard, if you’re roaming you can count on a fairly substantial cell phone bill awaiting you on your return home.
Is money accepted onboard?
Ships operate as a “cashless” society where onboard purchases are charged to each guest’s shipboard account established at the beginning of the cruise. Most cruise lines require passengers to activate their shipboard account when they check-in for their cruise by completing a basic account registration form and providing a major credit card or cash/traveler’s check deposit. Onboard purchases such as beverages, shore excursions, gift shop items, salon/spa services, photos, laundry, casino (though most ships accept cash in the casino), and other items of a personal nature not included in your cruise program are purchased using your onboard “credit card,” which also serves as your room key, identification card, and your boarding pass in port. You can keep track of your spending through the interactive television in your stateroom.
Which credit / debit cards are accepted?
Most cruise lines accept major credit cards such as American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Discover (some also accept Diner’s Club and Optima Card) as well as Debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo. Regular ATM debit cards are generally not accepted. An authorization “hold” is placed on credit/debit cards registered for the duration of the cruise and vary by cruise line and length of sailing. (Important note: when using a debit card, the authorization hold will effectively take the funds out of the corresponding bank account until after the cruise has returned and the account has been settled)
Is travel insurance necessary?
Allure Quest Travel Experience highly recommends travel insurance to protect your investment. Even the best planned vacation can be turned upside down by the unexpected, putting your vacation investment in jeopardy. Trip delays, lost baggage, or unexpected injuries or illness can cost you more than your vacation. They also can cost a lot of extra money you hadn't planned on spending. It's always a good idea to insure your vacation to receive the peace of mind you deserve while traveling.
Will I feel confined on a ship?
Not at all, especially on a large ships such as Celebrity Solstice. On board these floating resorts, there are plenty of activities, entire decks of sports and entertainment facilities, and lots of space to explore. And of course, you can be in a different destination every day.
How Safe Are Cruise Ships?
You can’t always stop passengers from having too much to drink and falling over balconies. But, as far as maritime accidents are concerned, cruising can claim the travel industry’s best safety record, with fewer than 20 passenger fatalities during the past 20 years. Eleven of those happened when the Royal Pacific sank off Malaysia in 1992 after colliding with a Taiwanese trawler. International regulations require all crew to undergo basic safety training before they are allowed to work aboard any cruise ship. On-the-job training is no longer enough. And safety regulations are getting more stringent all the time, governed by an international convention called SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea). In terms of personal safety, you must always remember that wherever you are, one must be careful and aware of your surroundings.
When can I book this cruise?
The cruise inventory and pricing for this cruise is available immediately for booking. Simply fill out the required registration form online or on paper and mail to Allure Quest Travel Experience, P.O. Box 150862, Nashville, TN 371215.
How do I reserve a cabin?
A $500 per cabin deposit is required. The deposit locks in your pricing and your rate can never go up. However, should the price of the cruise come down, so would your rate.
Is there a discount for children?
No. All cruise lines operate on a blueprint where the first and second person in a cabin pay the regular rate, but the third and fourth person in a cabin pay significantly less. So if a single parent took one child on a cruise both would pay the same rate. If two adults are in a cabin with two children (or two adults), their average rate would decrease.
Are there things for children to do?
A cruise is perfect for everyone ... ages 3 to 90. The goal of a family vacation is simple - to fin an experience that allows adults and kids to each enjoy their favorite activities as well as spend quality time together ... and apart.
Will I need a passport?
No, although Allure Quest Travel Experience highly recommends one for safety and security reasons. Passports run $135 for adults and $105 for children.
Do Celebrity ships provide access for disabled passengers?
One of the great things about today's modern ships is that most are disability compliant. Celebrity makes every effort to accommodate passengers with disabilities, but the best guarantee is to work with your travel agent early to make certain that your needs are met, including wheelchair accessible staterooms. Once notified of wheelchair usage, special needs and/or use of a service animal in writing, Celebrity will take care of the rest. Keep in mind that wheelchair accessible rooms are at a premium so the earlier the request is made the better.
What to pack? What to wear?
You likely won't have to worry about packing those walking shorts, even though it may not be as cold as you think. Temperatures In some parts of Alaska can get into the 60's sometimes, although Ketchikan is often wet and rainy. When in port is is always best to dress in layers, just to be certain that you're not over- or under-dressed. Onboard, most attire is acceptable (except swim wear in dining areas), but there is a main dining room dress code for dinner. There are two formal nights, where men wear suits or tuxedos and women wear gowns or after five attire. If you're wearing your Sunday best you're going to be fine. On other nights in the main dining room, pants and nice shirts are good for men, pants, skirts or dresses for women.
How does the price of a cruise compare to a hotel?
Dollar for dollar, when you compare a cruise program’s cost and inclusions to a hotel, you’ll see the price benefit of selecting a ship. Included in the price of your cruise is most dining options, all entertainment and your accommodations. All alcohol, soft drinks and specialty dining options are extra.
Is there Internet service on board?
Almost all of today’s ships have wireless capability in Internet Cafes or WiFi spots throughout the ships and Princess is no different. Their ships also have wireless access, so feel free to bring your laptop. However, cruise ship Internet connections are much slower than high-speed, and you could go for a time with no connection at all. Also, Internet rates on a cruise ship can be be expensive. You would be better served to wait until you’re in port and go to an Internet Cafe where rates are significantly lower.
Is there phone and fax service on ships? Can I use my cell phone?
All ships have phone and fax service, although it can be quite expensive. One of the best things about cruising Alaska is that you are still in the United States, and your cell phone will work while on land with no added costs. That means that you can still talk, text and surf the Web on your smartphone ... just like you can back home. However, when onboard, if you’re roaming you can count on a fairly substantial cell phone bill awaiting you on your return home.
Is money accepted onboard?
Ships operate as a “cashless” society where onboard purchases are charged to each guest’s shipboard account established at the beginning of the cruise. Most cruise lines require passengers to activate their shipboard account when they check-in for their cruise by completing a basic account registration form and providing a major credit card or cash/traveler’s check deposit. Onboard purchases such as beverages, shore excursions, gift shop items, salon/spa services, photos, laundry, casino (though most ships accept cash in the casino), and other items of a personal nature not included in your cruise program are purchased using your onboard “credit card,” which also serves as your room key, identification card, and your boarding pass in port. You can keep track of your spending through the interactive television in your stateroom.
Which credit / debit cards are accepted?
Most cruise lines accept major credit cards such as American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Discover (some also accept Diner’s Club and Optima Card) as well as Debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo. Regular ATM debit cards are generally not accepted. An authorization “hold” is placed on credit/debit cards registered for the duration of the cruise and vary by cruise line and length of sailing. (Important note: when using a debit card, the authorization hold will effectively take the funds out of the corresponding bank account until after the cruise has returned and the account has been settled)
Is travel insurance necessary?
Allure Quest Travel Experience highly recommends travel insurance to protect your investment. Even the best planned vacation can be turned upside down by the unexpected, putting your vacation investment in jeopardy. Trip delays, lost baggage, or unexpected injuries or illness can cost you more than your vacation. They also can cost a lot of extra money you hadn't planned on spending. It's always a good idea to insure your vacation to receive the peace of mind you deserve while traveling.
Will I feel confined on a ship?
Not at all, especially on a large ships such as Celebrity Solstice. On board these floating resorts, there are plenty of activities, entire decks of sports and entertainment facilities, and lots of space to explore. And of course, you can be in a different destination every day.
How Safe Are Cruise Ships?
You can’t always stop passengers from having too much to drink and falling over balconies. But, as far as maritime accidents are concerned, cruising can claim the travel industry’s best safety record, with fewer than 20 passenger fatalities during the past 20 years. Eleven of those happened when the Royal Pacific sank off Malaysia in 1992 after colliding with a Taiwanese trawler. International regulations require all crew to undergo basic safety training before they are allowed to work aboard any cruise ship. On-the-job training is no longer enough. And safety regulations are getting more stringent all the time, governed by an international convention called SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea). In terms of personal safety, you must always remember that wherever you are, one must be careful and aware of your surroundings.