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FAQs

Does the name on my reservation need to match the name on my passport?
Yes. It is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. If your name has changed since your document was issued (e.g., marriage/divorce), it is required that you update the document with the new name or provide an official supporting document of the name change. Otherwise, it may result in delay or possible denial of boarding.  Denied boarding will not be refunded, nor is it covered by travel insurance.

Can I make changes to a guest listed on my reservation?
Names may be changed up to 24 hours prior to sailing provided one of the original names remains on the reservations.

Name changes will be subject to a $35 per guest fee if one of the following conditions exist:

  • Request is made less than 35 days prior to commencement of cruise vacation (inclusive of tours)
  • Cruise Only documents have been issued
  • Air Arrangements have been assigned and documents have been issued. Incremental air charges may be a result of the change
  • Pre/Post Hotel arrangements have been assigned to the reservation

**Change fees are subject to change without notice.

Why should I use Online Check-In?
Completing the Online Check-In process for all the guests in your reservation will save you from having to fill out forms at the pier and needs to be completed 3 days prior to your sail date.

Norwegian Cruise Line requires guests to be checked in no later than 2 hours prior to the scheduled sailing time*. Guests arriving late will not be permitted to sail. This supports government regulations in some ports that require cruise lines to submit a departure manifest 60 minutes prior to sailing. Guests are requested to complete Online Check-In no later than 3 days prior to the cruise in order to expedite the pier check-in process.  Denied boarding will not be refunded, and is not covered by travel insurance.

*Some sailings may require an earlier check-in time. Please refer to your Guest Vacation Documents for specific information.

Once you have completed the Online Check-In process, you will receive your boarding pass. It indicates that you successfully completed the check-in process for you and those guests listed on your boarding pass.

What do I need in order to complete the Online Check-In process?
In order to complete Online Check-In successfully, you will need the following:

  • Personal Information for each guest are checking in online
  • Identification Document information for each guest you are checking in online
  • Onward Travel Plans
  • Onboard Expense Account Information (i.e credit card and the reservation information that is authorized to charge against the account)

You will also need to establish an Onboard Expense Account via either credit card or cash.

What is an Onboard Expense Account? How does it work?
An Onboard Expense Account is the cashless system used for all onboard purchases and services.

The account may be set-up with either a credt card or as a cash account. You may establish a master account and add guests from your stateroom or another stateroom as authorized purchasers on your account.

For each purchase made onboard the ship you will receive a receipt at the point of sale. A final statement will be delivered to your stateroom on the last nght of your cruise vacation for your review.

Guests that set up an account with a credit card should verify the statement. If all purchases are correct, they will automatically be billed to the credit card.

Guests on a cash account will need to settle their statement onboard prior to disembarking. The ship will provide you with specific details.

Q: What documents will I need to present at the pier if I have completed the Online Check-In process?
You will need to present:

  • Your on-line check-in boarding pass
  • Identification Documents (proof of Citizenship & residency) for each guest
  • Credit Card used for your Onboard Expense Account

Q: How far in advance do I need to check-in for my cruise?
You can check in online after the final payment date, up to 3 days prior to departure.

How will Norwegian Cruise Line send my cruise documents?
Complimentary electronic cruise documents (eDocs) are provided for all guests. Your eDoc will also provide instructions on how to request your customized, printed, self adhesive set of luggage tags that will be mailed to you complimentary via the United States Postal Service. You also have the option to request printed cruise documents for $35 per document.  If you choose to receive your documents by mail, they will be printed and sent to the address you provided and a $35 printed document fee will be added to your reservation.   Documentation may not be provided in advance for reservations finalized the week of the sailing – guests will obtain pertinent details at the pier prior to boarding, and once onboard.  If you have any questions, please contact us.

What items are not allowed onboard the cruise ship?
Weapons, illegal drugs, and other items that could interfere with the safe operation of the ship or the safe and secure environment of our guests and crew are prohibited. The following are examples of items that guests are not allowed to bring onboard. These and other similar items will be confiscated upon being found. Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, flammable liquids, explosives, and dangerous chemicals will not be returned.

Prohibited items:

  • Firearms & Ammunition, including realistic replicas
  • Sharp Objects, including all knives and scissors. (Note: Personal grooming items such as safety razors are allowed. Scissors with blade lenght less than 4 inches are allowed)
  • Illegal Drugs & Substances
  • Candles & Incense
  • Coffee Makers, Clothes Irons & Hot Plates
  • Baseball Bats, Hockey Sticks, Cricket Bats, Bows & Arrows
  • Illegal Drugs
  • Skateboards & Surfboards
  • Martial Arts Gear
  • Self-Defense Gear, including handcuffs, pepper spray, night sticks
  • Flammable Liquids and Explosives, including lighter fluid and fireworks
  • HAM Radios
  • Dangerous Chemicals, including bleach and paint
  • Alcoholic Beverages (Note: Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports-of-call or from shops onboard will be stored by the ship and delivered to you on the last day of the sailing. Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will not be returned)

Can we stay in touch with the outside world while cruising?
Quite easily. Most ships have a daily newsletter with news, headlines, selected stock quotes and sports scores. Staterooms on all of today’s modern cruise ships are equipped with satellite televisions and in some cases in-cabin internet connections. Most ships now have telephones in passenger cabins, and you can make phone calls from most ports. In addition, many ships have fax capabilities and newer ships offer Internet access and cellular access to passengers.  (Note: services such as internet access and cell access incur additional costs)

What should we pack?
This is by no means an inclusive list of items to pack – just a list of items we have thought of over the years.

  • Highlighter pen(s) – for each day of the cruise, you will receive a daily activity sheet from the cruise staff with a multitude of possible activities.  A highlighter can help you to remember the ones that caught your interest and hlep you plan out your day.  Two people sharing a copy of the daily activity sheet?  Assign “yellow” to one person and “blue” to another.  When you both highlight the same activity, it’ll become “green.”
  • Post-It Notes – to leave notes or special requests for your stateroom steward or messages for your traveling companions.
  • Power Strip – most cabins only have one plug available in the cabin and that is in the vanity / desk area (none in the bathroom).  Many people find it helpful to have a power strip, especially if you need power near the bed for a CPAP machine.
  • Bedside Clock – there are no clocks in the rooms, and it is very easy to lose track of time onboard a cruise ship.
  • Nightlight – this is particularly good if you have an interior stateroom (no window = no natural light)
  • Air Freshner – it makes sharing tight quarters with someone more pleasant.