The time will soon be here to embark on your exciting cruise vacation with Princess®. Before you do, we'd like to introduce you to some of the people who will be making your cruise special, to acquaint you with many ship features and to get you started on what to pack and other preparations for sailing day.

This section is your guide to all that Princess Cruises has to offer. The information included here should answer any questions you may have and help ensure smooth sailing from beginning to end. So read on and imagine yourself standing by the rail, waving farewell to the land as your Princess ship sets sail on the adventure of a lifetime. If you've cruised with us before, welcome back! You already know that Princess stands for quality, unbeatable hospitality and outstanding and innovative ships. If you've never sailed with Princess, you'll soon learn why we say "It's more than a cruise, it's the Love Boat."

If you want to set up a group cruise please consult a travel agent (like AtlasTravelWeb.com) for deposit, payment and cancellation information. Terms and conditions for people traveling with a group are different from those for individuals. Call 1-800-942-3301

What to Bring

Cruise Ticket, Passports And Travel Documents
Please be sure to bring your Cruise Ticket and Passage contract with you to embark on the ship. You should read the Passage contract carefully as its terms and conditions apply to you and your cruise.

Princess' far reaching itineraries require you to carry proper travel documents. U.S. and Canadian citizens need proof of citizenship when taking a Princess cruise to any destination. A passport is required for Europe, South America, the Orient, India, Africa and the South Pacific. Various countries require visas for entry. Please check with your travel agent for details.

Note that residents of countries other than the U.S. and Canada require a passport for all sailings, and may require additional documentation. Check with your travel agent or the Consulate for each port you will visit for any specific documents you need to obtain prior to your cruise.

Although a passport is not specifically required for U.S. and Canadian residents in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Panama Canal and Canada/New England, it is highly recommended that you always carry your passport for U.S. and Canadian residents in these destinations, an original or certified birth certificate along with a photo ID is acceptable. A driver's license alone is not sufficient. United States Resident Aliens must bring their Alien Registration Card.

All travel documents required for disembarkation at various ports of call are your responsibility and should be carried with you. Passengers will not be able to board the vessel without proper documentation. Important: Visa requirements vary by destination and do change from time to time. Be sure to check with your travel agent to verify current regulations.

Clothing Suggestions
You should dress for cruising the same way you would dress for any smart land-based resort. Casual sportswear including shorts, light-weight pants and jogging suits, is the order of the day both at sea and ashore in our hotter climates. Just remember to bring a light sweater or jacket for cool evenings. For shore excursions, bring a sweater, a light jacket, and an all-weather coat, depending on your destination. Due to unpredictable weather, don't forget a hat or visor, and a collapsible umbrella. You'll also want low-heeled, rubber-soled shoes for strolling on deck as well as comfortable walking shoes or sandals to wear while exploring.

Dressing Up
When you're in port, evening dress is casual, slacks, sweaters, blouses, open-neck shirts, etc. are typically worn. Shorts, cut-off T-shirts, "torn" jeans and bare feet are not permitted in the dining room. For smart casual evenings, passengers dress as they would for a fine restaurant at home, with ladies in skirts/dresses/ pantsuits and gentlemen wearing shirts with collars and/or a sports jacket. On formal nights, typical black tie formal wear is appropriate. Items include evening gowns and cocktail dresses for ladies and tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits for men. Tuxedo rentals can be arranged prior to the cruise on certain itineraries. See the chart below for general dress code schedule

Cashless Cruising
One of the best things about Princess is the convenience of being able to sign for all your expenses, excluding stamps and tips to your stateroom and dining room staff. Casino chips, slot tokens and bingo cards can also be obtained on a casino room charge. You can settle your shipboard account on the day of disembarkation after reviewing the itemized statement that's delivered to your stateroom.

Tagging Your Luggage
Please attach a Princess Cruises luggage tag to each piece of luggage before you leave home. The luggage tags are included in your ticket pack. Luggage will pass through many hands, most unrelated to Princess, and it is best to hand carry all valuables.

Inoculations and Health Advisories
Passengers are advised to check with their doctor regarding inoculation requirements in the ports they will be visiting. Some ports strictly enforce these requirements, and certain documents may be needed to go ashore. In addition to contacting your personal physician for the appropriate inoculations, for your protection we strongly recommend that you contact the Centers for Disease Control prior to traveling to learn of any health advisories for the region you will be visiting.

Dining Room Reservations
When you book your cruise, your travel agent will provide us with your dining preferences. Should you need to change this request, please call your travel agent as soon as possible and no later than three weeks before you sail. While all requests for changes are given special attention, please understand that it is not always possible to accommodate dining preferences or alter seating arrangements once they are reserved.

The sitting on which you have been confirmed will be shown on your cruise ticket. The Maitre d'Hotel will have a list of those passengers who are waitlisted for each dining sitting. Should seats become available, he will contact waitlisted passengers on board as appropriate. Your table assignment will be printed on your cruise card. If you need more details about your seating arrangements please contact the dining room inquiry desk on embarkation day.

Special Diets
Princess is happy to meet your request for low sodium, low fat, low sugar, vegetarian and kosher (trays only) diets. Any other special diet must be authorized in advance by the corporate office. Please contact your travel agent at least three weeks before you sail. For exotic cruises, please advise us of any special dietary requirements at least two months prior. Once on board, please check with the Maitre d'Hotel to confirm your request.

Physically-Challenged Travelers
Princess Cruises is proud to lead the industry in providing a carefree and enjoyable cruise experience for all passengers whether physically challenged or able-bodied. In order to accommodate your special needs, please have your travel agent provide Princess with complete details of your requirements. Princess offers some staterooms built to be wheelchair accessible and can provide special seating arrangements to avoid stairs and raised areas in the dining room. Just be sure your travel agent notifies Princess Cruises of your wheelchair usage and any other special needs prior to sailing. In some ports of call we are required to anchor the ship and transport passengers to the pier via ship's tender. Tidal conditions, even when the ship is docked, may also limit pier accessibility for physically challenged passengers. 

Customs Regulations
To avoid having to pay customs tax upon re-entry, U.S. residents should have a receipt or register with customs prior to departure for their foreign-made camera, expensive jewelry, video cameras, radios and other electronic equipment. Customs will issue a certificate of ownership so you can avoid duty and taxes upon your return home.

Travel Protection
We strongly recommend the purchase of a travel protection program. For your convenience, Princess Love Boat Care which provides what is perhaps make available the most attractive combination of protection and flexibility available in cruising today. Love Boat Care includes Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection, which provides full reimbursement for non- refundable penalties if you must cancel or curtail your trip due to covered medical conditions or other specified causes affecting you, your immediate family members or your traveling companions.

Love Boat Care also offers unique flexibility that other programs lack. If you have to cancel your cruise for a non-insured reason - any reason at all - you'll receive from Princess Cruises a future cruise credit equal to 75% (90% with Love Boat Care Gold) of the normally non-refundable penalties. Love Boat Care provides up to $500 reimbursement to cover accommodations, meals and transportation to the ship should you miss your departure due to covered airline delays. The plan also includes medical and baggage protection, particularly important when traveling overseas.

Celebrating A Special Occasion
If you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or honeymoon during your cruise, we will be happy to honor the event with a special cake in the dining room. Please have your travel agent advise us of such occasions at least three weeks prior to departure.

Embarkation Day

Getting Off To A Flying Start
If you have purchased an airport to ship transfer or a pre-cruise Cruise Plus package, a uniformed Princess representative will meet and assist you in the departure port airport. In U.S. airports you will be met in the baggage claim area and in international airports you will be met outside of the Customs area. From the airport you will be transferred to the ship or to your Cruise Plus hotel. Princess Cruises offers assistance to those encountering flight or weather-related problems while en route to their cruise on the day of sailing. Just contact our "emergency desk" at 1-800-545-0008 and every effort will be made to get you to your ship prior to its departure.

Parking At The Pier
Passengers who are driving should arrive at the pier two or three hours prior to sailing. For your own convenience, please do not arrive earlier, as boarding will not have commenced.

Check-In
When you arrive at the cruise terminal, please have your ticket wallet and, if required, your passport, ready for check-in. Upon boarding, staff members will be on hand to direct you to your stateroom. Your luggage will be delivered as soon as possible. Upon embarkation, the ship's lounges will be open for cocktails and other beverages so you can relax and get ready for sail away. Please be aboard the ship no later than one hour before the scheduled sailing time. For security reasons, visitors are not permitted aboard on embarkation day or at ports of call.

Ship's Security In Port
In order to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding the ship, you are requested to carry your "Cruise Card" and a photo ID with you at all times. You will receive your Cruise Card at check-in or in your stateroom at embarkation, depending upon the ship. Presenting this Cruise Card at the Gangway as you get on and off the ship in port is required for security reasons. Also for the protection of all concerned, luggage is subject to s-ray and other examination prior to being brought on board, and metal detectors are often set up to screen boarding passengers and crew. At that time, you may be asked to open any parcels or handbags you are carrying. We trust that you will appreciate our efforts to make this a safe and secure travel experience for everyone.

Princess is at Your Service

Shore Excursions
Exploring the ports of call is one of the highlights of a cruise and one of the best ways to do this is on an organized shore excursion. "Adventures Ashore®" is our program of making shore excursions and information on the ports available and you'll receive an "Adventures Ashore®" book with your pre-cruise materials. This book will explain all about the ports and tours on your cruise. There is also a tour office and Shore Excursion Manager onboard each ship ready to assist you. Some of the excursions are operated by Princess, however most are operated by independant companies based in the port city.

Purser's Desk
The Purser's Desk in the ship's lobby is the place to cash travelers checks, buy stamps, mail letters, ask questions, settle your shipboard account and check lost and found.

Laundry And Dry Cleaning
Take a vacation from the washing and ironing and let our professional laundry service do all the work for you. Just put everything in the capable hands of your stateroom steward or stewardess who will have everything returned within 48 hours, or even the same day with our express service. We also offer dry cleaning services and self-service launderettes. (Island and Pacific Princess do not have self-service launderettes.)

Medical Facility
It's a real comfort to know that, no matter how far away from home you may roam, a competent, well-trained medical staff is traveling onboard right along with you. Ship doctors and nurses keep daily office hours and are always available for emergencies. Charges for medical services may be billed to the passenger's shipboard account or paid directly to the Purser.

Religious Services Princess Cruises provides Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant services on major religious holidays.

Princess' Love Boat Kids program makes child's play of family travel. Our friendly and professional children's counselors will keep your kids on the go from morning to night. Tested by hundreds of Cruise Kids, Princess' children's program has earned rave reviews for cool activities and camaraderie, "Princess Pelicans", ages 2-12, are entertained with non-stop activities. The "Princess Teen Club", a.k.a. "P.T.C." designed for teens ages 13 to 17 offers a wide range of activities. Kids have a ball at Pelicans' Perch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Sea Princess Sailings) on Princess Cays, our private island in the Caribbean with a whole range of beach games and activities designed just for them.

When you cruise on Regal, Sky, Sun, Dawn, Sea and Grand Princess® , you'll find completely equipped Youth Centers with everything from arts & crafts corners, game tables, movies and splash pools. On Sun, Dawn, Sea and Grand Princess® , Teen Centers are equipped with ping pong tables, juke boxes and all the latest video games.

All Youth and Teen Centers are fully supervised by our staff of fun-loving Youth Activities Coordinators with the following hours of operation:

• Regal, Dawn, Sun, Sea, and Grand Princess Centers open 9 a.m.-12 noon; 2:00-5:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.*
• Crown Princess® Activities from 9 a.m.-12 noon; 2:00-5:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.*
• Royal, Sky, Island and Pacific Princess® (Program available when 15 or more children are sailing)
  Activities from 9 a.m.-12 noon; 2:00-5:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.* on Royal and Sky; 7:00-10:00 p.m. on Island and Pacific.
• All ships will offer group babysitting/supervised activities from 9:00 a.m.-5:00p.m. when in port for $4.00 per child per hour.

AOL Internet Cafés
Aboard the Sun, Dawn, Sea, Ocean, Royal, Crown, Regal, Grand and Golden Princess you can keep in touch while you're at sea. Extended hours are available allowing you to send and receive email, browse the Internet and utilize the Center's computers for word processing. Programs available include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.), Corel Suite (WordPerfect, Corel Draw, etc.), Lotus Suite (Lotus 1, 2, 3) and AOL. Printing and photocopying services are also available. We encourage you to contact your ship's Computer Officer to discuss your specific needs and the charges that apply for these services.

Boutiques
On Board Duty-free treasures from around the world await you in our duty-free boutiques -exquisite fine jewelry, exotic cruisewear, designer fragrances, porcelain collectibles -toothpaste, too, in case you forgot. We have a fine selection of duty-free liquor available for sale during your cruise, available for your trip home and for passenger pickup on the last day the boutiques are open. For those passengers who wish to purchase liquor on board for consumption in their stateroom during the course of the cruise, a selection is listed in the stateroom information portfolio. Please ask your stateroom steward for details and they will be pleased to assist. One of the few cruise companies that operates its own boutiques, Princess offers products that meet the highest quality standards. You can feel comfortable shopping on board, knowing that our Boutiques Onboard Customer Service Department located in Southern California is available to handle inquiries after the cruise.

TV Programming
Getting away from it all doesn't mean being out of touch. Every stateroom on Princess' ships has its own TV set featuring our multi-channel "Princess Overseas Television" programming. We offer live satellite reception of CNN and ESPN everywhere in the world their satellite signal is available. Unique to Princess, an onboard version of Discovery/The Learning Channel offers a wide selection of cultural, travel, history, cooking, gardening and sports programming. A movie channel, exciting footage from Princess' worldwide destinations and live shipboard features are also available.

Hospitality Sweets
The little extras you find in the best hotels - fresh fruit, evening bed turndown, chocolates on the pillow, plush terry-cloth robes, complimentary shampoo, conditioner and body lotion are in every stateroom, not just the suites.

Art Auction Program
On the majority of our ships you will have the opportunity to view and purchase (through participation in exciting onboard auctions), some of the finest international art pieces. Further, art directors are available throughout the cruise to answer your questions about the onboard art collection.

Gymnasium
For today's fitness-oriented traveler, we offer the convenience of shipboard gymnasiums and spas. Our newest ships are fitted with the latest cardiovascular and weight-training exercise equipment, including Lifecycles, step machines, treadmills, and free weights.

The Spa
If you've always wanted to treat yourself to a spa vacation, here's your chance. Princess has health and beauty centers fully equipped to pamper you from head to toe. Spas offer aromatherapy, body wraps, massage, sauna, facials and manicures for both men and women. We recommend that you set an appointment as early in the cruise as possible, because these services are very popular.

Photo Gallery
Photos preserving your Love Boat memories are available for purchase in our shipboard gallery. For a truly special souvenir have our professional photographers take a portrait on formal night. Also available for purchase is a supply of frames, albums, camera accessories, batteries, film, and disposable cameras. Quality film processing is also available using state of the art equipment.

Library
Relaxing with a good book is a favorite Princess pastime. So we've stocked our ships with an extensive library, including contemporary titles in a wide range of categories and books related to specific cruise itineraries. You'll find books on art, history, sports, travel, health and wellness, natural history and reference materials. Or choose from our selection of fiction and biographies. Princess onboard libraries have collections of up to 2,000 books as well as multimedia computers and music. To check out your selection, read your Princess Patter for the ship's convenient library hours and other information.

Postal Service
Since U.S. stamps are only acceptable for use within the U.S., the Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico, the Purser's Desk has stamps for most ports you'll be visiting. Then when you want to send a "Wish you were here" postcard from your favorite port of call, you'll be ready to drop the card in the mailbox located at the Purser's Desk.

Princess Patter
The ship's daily activities and entertainment guide is your schedule of daily events, guided to shipboard services with hours of operation and complete information source. Delivered nightly to your stateroom, keep it close at hand so that you'll always know what's happening and where.

Room Service
Call for room service, ice, fruit or a wake-up call any time of the day or night. To have continental breakfast delivered to your stateroom, just fill out the breakfast card included in your stateroom portfolio (one is also placed on your pillow) and hang it out at night on your stateroom door. To take advantage of our Stateroom Menu including sandwiches, salads and beverages, just call the number listed on your telephone directory.

Stateroom Safes   A private safe is provided for your convenience in each stateroom.

Hair Dryers And Razors
All staterooms on all Princess ships are equipped with a 110-volt, 60-cycle alternating current (A.C.) with standard U.S. plug fittings for your convenience. Please ask your stateroom steward to check your appliances for suitability before use if you have any doubts. All staterooms on Sun, Dawn, Sea, Crown, Sky, Grand, Royal and Regal Princess are also equipped with an electric hair dryer.

Beauty Salon
A full range of hair care and beauty salon services is available through our shipboard Beauty Salon. Staffed by professional stylists and therapists, the Salon is open daily. It is strongly recommended that you make your appointments on embarkation day so that you may get the most convenient appointment time.

Business Center
Onboard the Grand, Sea, Dawn, Sun and Ocean there are Business Centers equipped with computers available for passenger use. These computers are equipped with standard business applications as well as internet access. Passengers may access their AOL, Hotmail, Yahoo and other web based email accounts. Internet web browsing access is available from these computers for other web based information such as stock market or world news.

Exercise and Activities Programs

Princess has taken the plunge into one of the most comprehensive activities programs in cruising today. With Cruisercise®, New Waves® and Sports Ashore®, you'll stay on the ball, in the swim and on the go from morning to night.

Survival Of The Fittest
"Cruisercise" is a great way to stay fit while you earn "Cruisercise Cash" for every Cruisercise activity you attend. Save your coupons and use them toward your purchase of colorful "Cruisercise" T-shirts, sun visors and other apparel offered in the shipboard boutique. Depending on your ship, take your pick of stretch and tone, walk-a-mile, aquacise, workouts in the gym and aerobics classes. Sports enthusiasts can compete for medals and prizes in addition to earning "Cruisercise Cash". Join ping pong and shuffleboard tournaments or get in the swing with golf putting and chipping. Many of our ships also offer sports courts including paddle tennis, volleyball and basketball.

Taking A Dive
Learn to snorkel and/or scuba dive with professional, fully- certified PADI instructors. Princess' "New Waves" program is available on all seven day cruises to the Caribbean. Under the guidance of the "New Waves" staff, you can get your feet wet with snorkeling and scuba demonstrations, snorkeling classes and tours and scuba tours for non-certified and certified divers. You can even get a full or partial scuba certif- cation during your cruise, if you register in advance of your cruise.

Get In Over Your Head
Come join the Cruise Director's staff and make some waves out by the pool. On most of our cruises, there are water volleyball and basketball tournaments and a host of pool games. There's something for everyone and prizes too. It's a wonderful way to meet your fellow passengers and have a boatload of fun.

An Afternoon Drive
If golf is your sport, Princess can take you to the best places around the world to tee off. On 11-day cruises between Hawaii and Tahiti, for instance, you can golf in every breathtaking Hawaiian port. The blue waters of the Caribbean are complemented by as many as nine different tropical "greens". And we also offer simulated golf at "Princess Links" on Dawn, Sun, Sea and Grand Princess; a nine-hole putting green on the Grand Princess, plus golf packages or opportunities for independent play in New Zealand, Mexico, the South Pacific and more.

Be A Sport
The type of sports-oriented activities we make available in port varies but there's always plenty of choice. We make available everything from kayaking, river rafting, bicycling and golfing to sailing, horseback riding and snorkeling.

What's Happening Around the Clock

Las Vegas and Broadway-Style Entertainment
Every cruise of seven days or longer features as many as four different production shows written, costumed and choreographed exclusively by Princess Cruises. Curtain times vary. Check your Princess Patter for show times.

Captain's Cocktail Party
All of our passengers are invited to get acquainted with the Captain and other members of the shipboard staff at the Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party usually held the second night of your cruise. Come and enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while you meet and mingle. It's a great way to kick off your cruise vacation.

Casino Play
The casino offers the most popular table games including blackjack, roulette, Caribbean stud poker and craps. We also offer a full range of exciting slot and video poker machines as well as regular Snowball Jackpot Bingo sessions being held throughout the cruise. Complimentary gaming lessons for slots and table games are held each cruise along with exciting tournaments. Please check the Princess Patter for our daily special promotions and opening hours. Persons under the age of 21 are not permitted to gamble or remain in the casino.

Cocktail Hour
Kick off the evening with cocktails in one of the ship's cozy lounges or bars. This is the perfect time to meet shipboard friends and swap stories about the afternoon's adventures.

Dance Date
Don't forget to bring along your dancing shoes because Princess has lots of dance venues and live bands to get you into the swing of things. We start early and finish late. Just check your Princess Patter for the times and places to give your partner a whirl.

Feature Movies
Every cruise features a great selection of first-run feature films for your viewing pleasure. You can catch up on all the movies you've missed in the theatres at home.

Fun And Games
When you cruise with Princess, you'll find more ways to relax and a longer list of activities than you've ever run across before. Bridge, backgammon, dance and casino gaming lessons; a variety of TV-style game shows and quizzes; bridge tours, port lectures and shopping tips; fashion shows and matinee movies are just a few of the ways to spend your time onboard.

Karaoke Madness
Choose your favorite song, pick up the microphone and sing your heart out on Karaoke nights listed in the Princess Patter. The karaoke singing machine provides the lyrics and a fully-orchestrated musical track to back you up.

Rave Revues
In addition to our mainstage entertainment, Princess features the talents of magicians, comedians and guest singers who'll keep you guessing, laughing and singing along.

Taking The Spotlight
Princess also stars you, the passenger. Our Passenger Talent Show is always a hit and your chance to take the Love Boat stage. You can kick up your heels at our Country & Western Party - bring your cowboy boots and hats and join the line dancing. And don't forget tropical wear for our Island Night deck party. There'll be limbo contests and games and Calypso music for "dancin' in the isles".

The Last Night
If you wish to extend gratuities to those who have served you, this is the customary night for doing so. Gratuity envelopes are available at the Purser's Desk, as passengers usually wish to hand tips directly to their serving staff. For dining room staff, tipping normally occurs at the end of dinner on the final evening. Stateroom staff are usually working somewhere near your stateroom during the late afternoon and early evening should you wish to say farewell and thank them personally. Your stateroom steward will give you colored tags for each piece of luggage. Please put your name, home address and other information requested on each tag. It is advised to carry fragile and valuable items, as well as all medication with you. By early evening, your locked bags should be packed and placed outside your stateroom door to facilitate Customs clearance and disembarkation.

Customs Clearance
Due to U. S. and local Customs restrictions, passengers may not leave the ship until all luggage is off-loaded. With this in mind, we suggest that you relax in one of the many public lounges to wait for Customs clearance and disembarkation by pre-designated groups.

Customs and Immigration Inspectors will review with you the Customs declarations form upon which you have listed all the dutiable articles bought in foreign ports or in the ship's boutique. U.S. residents returning to the U.S. are allowed a duty-free exemption of $400 per person, which includes the cost of one liter of alcoholic beverages, if purchased ashore, for each passenger over 21 years of age. Canadian citizens, when out of the country for more than eight days, may bring back up to $300 (Canadian) duty free. It is recommended that passengers keep their sales receipts handy for declaring their purchases. Food items should not be landed in U.S. ports.

On cruises calling at ports of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or American Samoa, U.S. residents are allowed an additional exemption of $400 when returning to the U.S. including four liters of alcoholic beverages provided you have the proof of purchase from the designated ports. For further Customs information, we recommend that you attend the Cruise Director's disembarkation talk given during the last days of the cruise.

Disembarkation And Transfer Info
On the majority of our cruises you will be asked upon leaving the ship to identify and clear your luggage through Customs. Your luggage will be arranged dockside by color-coded tags which are distributed onboard. If you have purchased a ship to airport transfer or a post-cruise Cruise Plus package, you will be directed by uniformed Princess representatives to the transfer departure point. Detailed information specific to your cruise will be provided onboard. If your friends or relatives are meeting you at the pier, please be advised that disembarkation takes approximately 2 hours after the scheduled arrival of the ship in order to clear immigration and customs.

Princess Cruises Travel Information

• Onboard Information - what to expect
• Princess Wedding Packages
• What to pack for your Princess Cruise
• Love Boat Kids Kids Program read all about it
• Special Honeymoon Cruise Section
• For More Princess Cruises: Click Here