Set Sail with Sam

Boarding your cruise without your tickets?

2011-11-10T19:15:00.000-08:00

Have you been issued your tickets yet?
Worried you're not going to be allowed to check-in on your cruise?
Whatever the reason is, it will be OKAY!

Even though the cruise lines have their own ticketing processes, one main thing to remember is that the check-in staff will allow you get onto the cruise without having your tickets in-hand.

Usually, after you complete your Cruise Personaliser/Check-In, you will be sent your tickets. But, nine out of ten passengers forget to do this and therefore don’t have their tickets when they board their cruise.

The earlier you can do this the better, and please ensure that you complete your Cruise Personaliser. If you don't know how, please call us and we can step you through it all.

Okay, so you've completed your online check-in and still haven't got your tickets from the cruise line? There's normally a couple of reasons for not getting them -

You've still got loads of time until you set sail.
P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises only start issuing tickets within 75 days from your sailing date & Royal Caribbean will issue your Ticket Booklets within 30 days from departure.

You haven't completed all of the required details on the Cruise Personaliser/Online Check-In. Make sure it says complete it all fields and you have completed everything with an * (asterix) next to it.

We're only ever a phone call away so if you need to discuss it further, please call us.

Money doesn't matter!

2011-10-06T14:18:00.000-07:00

A lot of first time cruisers ask us how and what sort of money they need to bring onboard... it's quite simple... you don't need anything! Cruising really can't get much easier...

At your Cruise check-in when you hand over your passport & tickets, in return you & everyone else in your cabin will be given their own Cruise Card. These are plastic cards and have multi dual use & whatever you do you don't want to lose it - that's why it's handy to get yourself a lanyard so you know where it is at all times! It work as your cabin door key and also your onboard EFTPOS card to make purchases whilst you're onboard. You also have to swipe your Cruise Card to embark/disembark the ship at each of the ports so the ships know where you are.
At check-in, the check-in staff will ask you how you wish to settle your Cruise Card from all of the purchases you've made - you can use your credit card (major credit cards accepted), debit cards and also cash (a cash bond is required and varies per cruise line).
I've used my debit card and cash before and they both work a treat!

If you're on one of our cruises & lucky enough to have Onboard Cabin Credit this money will be preloaded onto your Cruise Cards so you can start spending it straight away - perhaps on your first Sailaway Cocktail?

The only time you'll need cash is when you get to the ports and then you'll need some local currency. The ship has a Foreign Exchange Service or you can organise it with your bank/specialist.

It's all too easy...

Dedicated single cabins

2011-06-28T20:15:00.000-07:00

During the Radiance of the Seas multi-million dollar upgrade the ship will see 6 dedicated single cabins being built and added into the inventory for the ship! These are expected to be very popular in the Kiwi and Aussie market and will sell out !!

Although prices are still to be confirmed, we have been advised they will be 'considerably' lower than the current single pricing. This is a fantastic option for those single travellers out there who may of been put off cruising int he past because of the added cost of travelling alone!

If you're interested in one of these please contact us here at Cruise Sale Finder!

Is smoking allowed onboard Princess ships?

2011-06-16T21:11:00.001-07:00

As part of Princess Cruises ongoing commitment to ensuring that all passengers has a comfortable onboard experience, Princess Cruises will be introducing more restrictive smoking policies, and will prohibit smoking in passenger staterooms and balconies for all voyages departing after January 15, 2012.

Countries around the world from North America to Europe are moving to more restrictive smoking policies and their latest consumer studies show that smokers are a small minority of our passengers. As you may know, balconies are a hallmark of Princess Cruises, and we believe it is important to keep this peaceful space clear of smoke. Violations to this policy will result in a $250 fine for each occurrence, which will be charged to the passenger’s stateroom account. Keeping with the global trend and honoring the wishes of their passengers, we feel this change will enhance our onboard experience and do more to help our passengers escape completely.

Of course they will still welcome passengers who smoke, and will continue to provide convenient smoking areas throughout each ship, including cigar lounges, a section of the nightclub and casino, and a portion of the open decks.

Voyager of the Seas in Sydney

2011-06-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

Royal Caribbean have recently released some exciting news that they will be bringing their "megaliner" the Voyager of the Seas down to Asia & Australia for 5 months starting from November 2012.

The 3840-passenger vessel will also cruise in China between June and October 2012, and will be the fifth Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited ship sailing in the region in 2012/13 - alongside the Rhapsody of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium.

Voyager of the Seas has 1556 staterooms and will introduce a host of innovations including its 'Royal Promenade' indoor main street, an ice rink, skating track, golf simulator and inside cabins with a view.

She will operate 12 New Zealand, South Pacific and Australian itineraries ranging from one to 18 nights, sailing from Sydney and Fremantle.

Royal Caribbean said the cruises were due to open for sale early next month so keep an eye out on our Cruise Sale Finder websites for details!!

Rhapsody of the Seas review

2011-03-29T16:58:00.000-07:00

I was really luck enough to get onboard the Rhapsody the Seas for a few hours whilst she was in Auckland at the end of January. She's a really great ship with a lot of facilities for the whole family to enjoy such a rock climbing wall at the aft of the ship & 2 good sized swimming pools. You have a choice of an outdoor pool for those sun filled days or an inside pool with a retracting roof which would be perfect for the... not-so sunny days!!

Some furniture throughout the ship at some of the bars/lounges I thought needed to have a bit of a 'spruce up' but apart from that I still thought she was a fantastic ship!

All of the cabins were occupied so I wasn't able to see any of accommodations onboard however from what was said by the Royal Caribbean representative that was showing us around all of the cabins are slowly undergoing a soft refurbishment with flat screens, new linen etc. ..

I hope one day I'll be even luckier to cruise onboard the Rhapsody of the Seas...

Carnival Spirit down under in 2012

2011-01-22T22:17:00.000-08:00

Yes that's right - another ship is being brought down to Sydney, Australia!

Carnival Cruise Lines has announced that they will be bringing down their ship the "Carnival Spirit" to cruise from out of Sydney from October 2012. The ship will accommodate 2,667 passengers, it's 88,500 tonnes & being 53 metres above the waterline it won't fit under the Sydney harbour bridge therefore cruising from Circular Quay Overseas passenger terminal.

The Carnival Spirit will be great for families with 4 pools, 4 spa pools, a 22 metre corkscrew waterslide, mini golf, jogging track, sports court, a 2 level dining room, 16 bars and lounges, a 3 level theatre, kids clubs PLUS much more!!

It's expected that the Carnival Spirit cruises from Sydney will become available to book from the middle of this year so keep an eye out on our websites

Kiwi Cruise Sale Finder (www.cruisesalefinder.co.nz)
& Aussie Cruise Sale Finder (www.cruisesalefinder.com.au)

Facebook!

2010-09-14T21:10:00.000-07:00

We've now launched our facebook, go check it out by clicking on this link - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cruise-Sale-Finder/114407511910885

If you "Like" our page - you'll be informed of all of our great SPECIALS!!

Want to get married onboard a P&O Cruise?

2010-09-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

Good news - P&O are now offering the chance to get married onboard any of their P&O ships (Pacific Jewel, Pacific Dawn, Pacific Sun and soon, the Pacific Pearl)!!

They will allow wedding ceremonies in several of their home ports - Sydney, Brisbane, Newcastle, Fremantle and Auckland in port on embarkation day only, and will be performed by a celebrant. All the traditional touches, from the music and cake to the photographer and flowers, will be taken care of to make your day that little bit more special! A host of optional extras are also available, allowing the bride and groom to tailor their wedding into their perfect day.

Only one wedding will be held per cruise to ensure an exclusive occasion, so it’s important to book early!!

All guests who attend the wedding will need to be booked on the cruise!

Ceremonies at Sea packages are available to book IMMEDIATELY so please contact us for further details (availability and costings)!

Do I need a passport?

2010-06-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

Yes you & everyone else including children will need a passport for a cruise.

If your cruise is going to ANY international port in the itinerary then you will need to present a valid passport upon checking in for your cruise. Passports for all cruises must have at least 6months validity still left on it by the time you return home from your cruise - failure could deny you getting onboard your cruise.

The only exception to this rule is for an Aussie Resident travelling on one of the Tropical Queensland Cruises (via the Whitsundays, Cairns, Port Douglas etc) or any other domestic cruise when you may check-in with either a drivers license or another government issued form of ID.

Tipping!

2010-06-01T22:56:00.000-07:00

Why do I need to pay for these? but why not?

I'm sure you like to know & be rewarded in some way or another of a job well done, right? it's exactly what tipping onboard a cruise ship is all about - it's the traditional way of saying 'Thank you' to the crew onboard for the excellent service you'll be receiving. Tipping can also be known as a Service Charges or Gratuities.

Some cruise lines will charge this to your onboard account on a daily basis, others require these to be prepaid before you leave home & then on the more luxury end of the spectrum then you don't need to pay for these at all & sometimes on others they're not even expected. Although tipping is voluntary, at your own discretion, each cruise line will have a recommended amount - this can vary anywhere between A$7.50 to $15.00 per person per day. You can have this adjusted or removed (if you would like to tip someone directly or not at all) if you don't think that the crew reach your expectations or you might not be able to afford the entire amount.

Personally, I pay for my tipping/gratuities as I believe that it's not too much to ask for what I get in return.

The service onboard any of the cruises is exceptional without a doubt - they will go the extra mile for you & they become your shipboard family by the time you get off your cruise. Look after them, and they will help make your cruise a very memorable experience!

Ask us if you're not too sure what your cruise lines tipping policy is!

Can I bring alcohol onboard?

2010-06-01T19:13:00.000-07:00

Your questions about the alcohol allowances are answered for you below!!

All of the different cruise lines have their own policy in regards to this & I've tried my best below to cover it off for you. Even though you hear stories about people bringing alcohol onboard via their luggage, it's in your own best interest to keep to the regulations they put into place. Some cruise lines (if not all of them) reserve the right to remove it from your luggage & will not be returned to you.
*Remember that when you confirm your booking with us and the cruise line that you are also accepting their terms & conditions which will include their specific alcohol policy.

P&O (South Pacific) Cruises from Australia & NZ - They don't allow you to bring onboard any of your own alcohol for your own personal consumption. At each of the different ports in your itinerary & even onboard at the duty free shops you may purchase alcohol/tobacco however it must be surrendered. All of your luggage will be x-rayed when coming on and off the ship.

Princess Cruises - One bottle of wine or champagne is allowed to come onboard with you to celebrate - a corkage fee will apply. You must be over the age of 21 years of age for all cruises except for the Sea Princess, Sun Princess or Dawn Princess where the age restrictions is 18 years. Any other alcohol brought onboard will need to be surrendered & given back to you the night prior to disembarkation.

P&O Cruises International - "We have recently updated our policy on the responsible serving of alcohol and we reserve the right to confiscate alcohol at the gangway should the need arise. It is not our intention to invoke this policy as a matter of course and we will implement it only on occasions where we consider it is likely that the health, comfort, safety and enjoyment of passengers may otherwise be compromised." - P&O Cruises.com website

Royal Caribbean Cruises - Again, exactly the same policy as P&O Cruises (above). Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day found in any luggage will not be returned.

Celebrity Cruises - On embarkation day only they will allow you to bring onboard 2 bottles of wine per stateroom with you. There are corkage fees that need to be paid.

MSC Cruises - Passengers are not permitted to bring onboard any alcohol for any reason.

Cunard Cruises - You are allowed to bring on 1 bottle of wine or champagne to celebrate special occasions. If consumed in any of the dining rooms/alternative restaurants there is a USD$15 corkage fee.

Holland America - "Except for wine and champagne, alcoholic beverages purchased in the vessel's shops or otherwise brought on the ship cannot be consumed on the ship. Bottles and other containers will be collected for safekeeping and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the voyage.A corkage fee of US$15.00 applies to wine and champagne brought to the restaurants or bars for consumption." - Holland America.com website

Worried about sea sickness?

2010-05-31T21:05:00.000-07:00

Won't book a cruise because you're worried about the constant movement?

The cruise ships these days now have stabilizers which the Captain will activate if he thinks they water is getting a bit choppy & will reduce the rocking motion of the ship. The stabilizers help a ship move more smoothly & will reduce passengers getting seasick. Cruise ship stabilizers extend out below the water line on the port (left) and starboard (right) hand sides of the ship. They prevent it from rolling to the left and right as it moves through the water. They act much as do airplane wing flaps, which can be adjusted to reduce turbulence. Although no stabilizers can prevent 100 percent of a cruise ship's movement, they can significantly reduce it. This is especially desireable in rough conditions when the waves are high or the wind is strong.

Fortunately there are a wide range of options available to you...

Personally I use the Acupressure band and these work an absolute treat for me & I would highly recommend these to anyone! They're an elastic band, looks a lot like a thick hair Tye on both of your wrists & has a plastic round button that you position on the inner wrist. Because the bands do not use drugs, they do not cause any of the side effects associated with any other anti-nausea drugs and can be worn on each wrist whenever you feel nauseous. They are suitable for both adults and children & very affordable $20 or so for a set!

Ginger - another natural remedy that has been used for hundreds of years! Its natural chemicals are thought to combat nausea and vomiting. You can purchase a bag onboard or you buy some at the supermarket before you leave however do remember that any uneaten ginger must be discarded of before you disembark!

One of the most common motion sickness prescriptions is the "patch," or or transderm scop (scopolamine).. It contains chemicals that counteract side effects such as nausea and cold sweats. This new method is in the form of a patch which is applied behind the ear & releases an active substance through the skin into the blood stream over a prolonged period of up to 3 days. Only recommended for adults and children over 10 years of age & there are known side effects such as drowsiness.

Here are some other good tips to avoid getting sea sick...

When you going through the booking process please ask us for a cabin in the middle of the ship - this is the best place to be! The cheaper cabins are located up the front or the back of the ship & it's usually not too much more to pay to get into the middle area...
Stay busy! Concentrate on something else to keep your mind otherwise occupied. Sometimes it's mind over matter...
Get some fresh air - you will be able to find a quiet spot onboard the open decks
Fix your gaze upon a fixed point such as the horizon or land...
Watch your consumption of foods, drinks, and alcohol before and during travel. Avoid excessive alcohol and foods or liquids that "do not agree with you" or make you feel unusually full. Heavy, spicy, or fat-rich foods may worsen motion sickness in some people.

Holland America availability

2010-05-22T17:11:00.000-07:00

Holland America Line still has good availability for sailings in Europe in 2010!! With 6 of their 4-5 star ships - ms Eurodam, ms Maasdam, ms Prinsendam, ms Noordam, ms Westerdam and Holland America Line's newest Signature-class ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam there are plenty itinerary options!! Contact us for suggestions, prices and availability.

Princess Cruises adds a Kiwi flavour to NZ cruises!

2010-05-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

Princess Cruises is to introduce a distinct Kiwi flavour on its cruises to New Zealand.
From this spring, passengers on Sun Princess and Dawn Princess’ NZ cruises will be able to feel the spirit of Aotearoa throughout their voyage.
The move coincides with the launch of Princess Cruises’ 2011-12 cruise program, which offers a record 27 cruises from Australia to New Zealand.

Highlights of Princess’ New Zealand cultural program include:
New Zealand Cuisine –Kiwi dishes will be marked on the menu with a silver fern. Dinner will include items such as braised New Zealand lamb shanks on lentil ragout, while lunch menus will feature fish and chips and shepherd’s pie. Passengers can even start their day with bacon and egg pie.
Wine and Beers – Bars will feature local Steinlager and Rheineck beers, while the wine lists will include a selection of New Zealand wines.
New Zealand Island Night – This will feature a New Zealand theme, with local food such as lolly log cake and drink selections, including Kiwi Caipirinha.
Chef and Bartender Challenge – This TV-style challenge features the ship’s chef and bartender facing off in a competition to make two dishes or five drinks with a secret
New Zealand ingredient in just 30 minutes.
Enrichment and Education – Destination experts will give passengers information about
ports of call, while a park ranger will provide narration as the ship sails through Fiordland
National Park. Princess is also working with Tourism New Zealand to present an onboard
exhibit where passengers can learn more about local history and culture.
In-port Cultural Programs – In select ports, Maori cultural performers will offer afternoon
presentations. Maori masters will offer workshops in Kapa Haka dance traditions, tiki
warrior rituals, Waiata chants, and lessons in Maori language.
Entertainment – While the ships are in port in Tauranga and Auckland, passengers can enjoy
performances from local entertainers. Maori bands and other local performers are also being
added to the lineup. The ships’ movie and TV screens will show films with a local twist, such as
the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Piano as well as NZ documentaries and sporting events.

The new programs and menus will be featured on Sun Princess sailings from 13OCT and Dawn Princess sailings from 08DEC.