Page 263 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

CRUISING IN ALASK A  261

classic cruise tradition of formal
nights persists for at least one
night of the week. Black tie
dinners are solely in the province
of six-star ships.
For formal nights, men can
wear suits; tuxedos are in the
minority on most ships. Women
wear cocktail dresses or gowns.
Semi-formal nights require sports
coats and tie and slacks for men,
and cock tail dresses for women.
Resort casuals such as cotton
dresses for women and khaki
pants and button-up shirts for
men apply on other nights.
Crew members preparing a buffet barbecue Except on the most sophisticated
ships, restaurant staff rarely
Meals dole out bills as tips to room turn away inappropriately
For many travelers, cruising is all stewards and other crew dressed passengers.
about the cuisine. In addition to members. Note that all cruise
three heavy meals a day, served lines assert that tipping is Traveling with Children
in the main dining rooms, hot optional while stating clearly
and cold buffets, snack bars, their policy of adding a basic Virtually all ships have relaxed
cafés, and deckside grills cater rate of gratuity for services their restrictions in recent
to the huge demand. rendered during the cruise. years and allow children of
Large ships manage the Passengers are free to accept, all ages. Most cruise ships
rush by establishing at least raise, or lower that amount at come equipped with facilities
two main seatings for dinner the Purser’s Desk. exclusively for children.
and assigning tables for the Activities range from crafts and
duration of the cruise. Dinner treasure hunts for young kids,
typically begins at 6pm and Dress Code to teen discos, talent shows,
8:30pm. Passengers who are Check the ticket packet for and karaoke events for older
dissatis fied with their seating or details of the ship’s dress code children. Baby-sitting fees are
table may consult the ship’s for the main dining room. Most incurred for child care when the
maître d’ after the first night to disallow jeans, sleeve less T-shirts, for mal programs end, usually
ask for a change, but there is shorts, or tennis shoes for dinner, after 10pm. Many programs do
no guarantee of one. Tables for but relax the rules for other not accept children under two
two may not be easy to find, meals and buffet restaurants. or three years of age unless
even if passengers make the Dress rules and styles change all accompanied by a parent.
request prior to booking. Many the time, but even aboard luxury Famous for its family cruises,
ships now have more flexible ships the trend towards casual Disney Cruise Line now visits
dining programs and a range of lifestyles has prevailed. Still, the Alaska’s Inside Passage.
onboard restau rants that require
no bookings. What to Pack
The tradition of dining with
the captain is mostly histori cal, On average, cruise lines provide four
and not a common prac tice. baggage tags per person. To carry anything
A good alternative is attending beyond that, passengers must check with
the captain’s cocktail party to the cruise line. Essentials for an Alaskan
meet him and his senior officers. cruise include:
• Cell phone and charger
• Rain shell, hat, and warm sweater
Expenses • Comfortable walking or hiking boots
• Toiletries and cosmetics
Costs mount rapidly during a • Medication and first aid, including sunscreen Hiking boots for
cruise. Onboard purchases, • Passport, travel insurance, cruise documents excursions
beverages, and casino expenses • Camera, memory card, and batteries
can reach unimaginable • Formal, semi-formal, and resort casual wear
heights. The need for ready • Shorts, swimwear, sunglasses and sandals
cash almost disappears on a • Laptop computer
ship, as passengers have the • Portable music player
convenience of paying with a • Books and magazines
swipe of a key card. Many • Spare luggage for purchased items
generous passengers do

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