Finally - much eaiser disembarkation process

Princess Cruises took steps to streamline the traditional ‘hurry up and wait’ disembarkation process!

Instead of instructing passengers to listen to for announcements for their luggage tag color to be called, Princess Cruises is now assigning a time and place to gather on the final morning.

Passengers are then escorted to the gangway by a staff member, eliminating the guesswork as to the actual time passengers will disembark. According to Princess the new process gives passengers ‘a more gracious send-off.’

Clients now receive a letter the day before the end of the cruise that outlines their designated time to meet in an assigned public room, depending on their return air arrangements.

Positive feedback is the "word", thus reducing congestion in the ship’s atrium and creating a more relaxed flow for breakfast.

The program is being rolled out fleetwide.

Important News

On February 18, 2008 cruise ships sailing from U.S. ports will be required to transmit passenger and crew manifests to Customs and Border Protection no later than one hour prior to sailing.

This means passengers must be checked in and on board at least 60 minuets prior to departure. However, some lines are setting earlier times to ensure compliance.

Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International have been advising passengers who have not checked in online ahead of time to complete the process at the pier at least two hours before sailing time. Those who are not checked in and aboard ship 90 minutes before departure will not be permitted to sail.

Oceania Cruises is requiring passengers on Regatta voyages from Miami, currently the line’s only U.S. departures, to be aboard 90 minutes ahead of sailing time.

Most companies already urge customers to submit required identification data such as birth date, nationality and passport or identification document number after they make final payment and well in advance of sailing, by completing online forms.

Holland America Line is asking passengers to complete online check-in 30 days prior to departure, and Princess Cruises requests no later than 45 days in advance. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean ask for the online information no less than three days prior to the cruise.

Also, as of January 31, 2008 oral declaration of citizenship will no longer be accepted by Customs and Border Protection. All travelers, including U.S. citizens, arriving at U.S. sea (and land) ports of entry must present a document proving citizenship and government-issued identification.

Stay tuned.....

New Regional Menus for Holland America Line

Master chef Rudi Sodamin has created new menus for Holland America Line that feature regional specialties reflecting each ship’s itinerary.

Mexico and Caribbean menus are the first to debut on ships sailing those itineraries. Fresh fish is brought on board in the Caribbean and Mexico along with local produce such as chayote, bread fruit, guava and fresh Mexican chiles.

Rudi Sodamin is developing new menus for Northern and Southern Europe, among other destinations. European dining choices will include prosciutto and coppa from Italy, Spanish tapas, Mediterranean olive oils and produce, artisanal cheeses and Norwegian salmon. Alaskan sailings will continue to feature wild local seafood.

Boy am I hungry now....

Books are open for 2009

YES! Can you believe that as we begin 2008, some cruise lines have started to unveil sailings for 2009?

Silversea and Crystal Cruises are two of those luxury lines. Both companies introduced some new itineraries that are sure to fill up fast.

Visit www.ambassadortours.com and see for your self..