Fanmail Friday: December 12th Edition

Why are we no longer allowed to go on a tour of the bridge? My mother told me that years ago when she was on a cruise, she took a tour of the bridge.

For security reasons access to the bridge is strictly monitored. Before 9/11 happened, tours of the bridge were among the most popular attractions on a cruise ship. Times have changed and now only special passengers are allowed to enter the bridge. Typically if a cruise ship does offer a tour of the bridge it will only be open to passengers at the uppermost levels of the cruise lines frequent cruiser club. If cruise lines gave tours to everyone that wanted one security would be greatly compromised. The good news is many cruise ships do have a viewing area behind the bridge that passengers can access.

I am going on a Caribbean cruise next week. Do I need to bring warm clothes for a December cruise?

Winter is my preferred time to go cruising in the Caribbean I tend to enjoy the weather so much more. What I have found is unless you are someone who tends to get really cold there will not be a need for “warm clothes”. The islands you visit will all be in the 80-degree range and the water will be warm. The only time you may need “warm clothes” is on the deck when the ship is moving. I usually bring along a light jacket or sweater just in case I decide to spend time on the deck of the ship at night as it can be breezy and the temperature can fall into the 60-degree range.

If the cruise ship says we will be in port from 7-5pm what time do I need to be back on the ship? What happens if I am late?

On most cruise ships there are flyers delivered to your cabin each night. These flyers contain information on what is going on the next day, including port information. It will detail what time the ship docks and what time you will need to back onboard the ship. It usually takes about 30 minutes for the ship to dock and set up after which passengers will be allowed to get off the ship. Passengers are asked to be back onboard the ship about an hour before it is scheduled to leave. If you are not back onboard by the time the ship is scheduled to leave, you may be left behind. The exception being if you are on a ship sponsored excursion that is running late. If that happens, they will wait for you before departing.

Related posts:

1. Fanmail Friday: December 5th Edition
2. Fanmail Friday: November 28th Edition
3. Fanmail Friday: November 21st Edition
4. Fanmail Friday: November 14th Edition

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