CRUISE PROTECTION PROGRAM
To help ensure that you have the peace of mind, we recommend you
consider our Cruise Protection Program, which was designed especially for
the guests of Discount Crystal Cruises. This program provides the wide range of
travel insurance protection and assistance services demanded by
discriminating travelers, at very competitive rates.
The Cruise Protection Program not only provides reimbursement for penalties
that may be assessed due to cancellations for covered reasons, but also
provides medical expense reimbursement for accidents overseas when Medicare
and many private insurance policies do not. And, if your claim is denied due
to pre-existing medical conditions, Discount Crystal Cruises exclusively offers its
Cruise Protection Plan participants a unique "Rollover Provision" that
allows you to transfer your cruise payment to a future cruise.
INSURANCE BENEFITS*
TRIP CANCELLATION AND INTERRUPTION PROTECTION
Coverage for nonrefundable cancellation or interruption charges due to
medical conditions of guests, their immediate family members or traveling
companions. Insurance will pay benefits up to $50,000 for covered expenses.
Trip costs in excess of $50,000 may be applied to a future Crystal cruise
commencing within 12 months from the date of cancellation.
CRYSTAL ROLLOVER PROVISION FOR PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
Guests who need to cancel their cruise because of a pre-existing medical
condition and are denied a cash refund from BerkelyCare for that reason will
be able to apply their penalized cruise fare to another Crystal cruise
commencing within 12 months of the date of cancellation.
$1,000 TRAVEL DELAY
Coverage for additional accommodations and reasonable travel expenses for
any delay of more than 12 hours.
$2,500 BAGGAGE PROTECTION
Coverage in the event of covered loss, theft, or damage during the entire
duration of your vacation. There is also a $500 Baggage Delay coverage which
reimburses you when your bags are delayed for more than 24 hours.
$1,000 TRAVEL DELAY
Coverage for additional accommodations and travel expenses and any unused
cruise days for any delay of more than 12 hours.
$10,000 MEDICAL PROTECTION
Reimbursement for covered accidents or sickness, and medical expenses while
on the cruise.
$25,000 EMERGENCY EVACUATION
This coverage applies to the reasonable cost of transfer to the nearest
medical facility qualified to treat a covered emergency.
WORLDWIDE ASSISTANCE SERVICES
Worldwide emergency assistance, including facilitation of cash transfers;
lost documents assistance; medical consulting and monitoring; legal, dental,
and medical referrals to overseas doctors or hospitals; and emergency
medical payment assistance. These services are provided by American
International Assistance Services, Inc. (AIAS).
HOW TO ENROLL
For your convenience, the cost of the program, which is based on your total
trip price, will be automatically included in the final balance due on
Discount Crystal Cruises’ invoice to your agent. Payment for this program cannot be
accepted after final trip payment or commencement of the penalty period.
To obtain the Crystal Cruise Protection Program, simply ask your Travel
Agent to provide you with the Description of Coverage. The premium will be
shown on your deposit receipt. Please ask your Travel Agent to confirm that
your booking is correctly noted by our Reservations Department. Should you
decide to purchase the coverage, simply pay the premium with your final
payment. The trip cancellation provisions take effect upon receipt of the
Crystal Cruise Protection Plan payment. All other provisions take effect
upon departure.
If you have any questions, or would like an additional copy of the
Description of Coverage, please call the insurance administrator,
BerkelyCare, Ltd. at (800) 521-4591 and they will be happy to assist you.
*The policy provides limited benefits, health insurance only. It does NOT
provide basic hospital, basic medical, or major medical insurance, as
defined by the New York State Insurance Department. This insurance is
underwritten by the National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA,
Policy No. 1257-9500185. See the Description of Coverage for the terms,
conditions, exclusions and limits of the policy. The trip cancellation
provisions take effect upon receipt by Discount Crystal Cruises of insurance payment;
all other provisions take effect upon trip departure. This insurance is
provided in excess of other valid and collectible insurance or indemnity,
and shall apply only after such other benefits have been paid. The Cruise
Protection Program is available to U. S. and Canadian residents only.
AIR TRANSPORTATION
When making your own air arrangements, we recommend allowing a minimum
of four hours between your flight arrival time and the ship’s embarkation
time. The specific pier information and embarkation time is stated on your
Cruise Ticket. Port authorities sometimes change the location of the pier or
berth number, so be sure that you actually see your ship when you arrive at
the port/pier. When disembarking at the end of your cruise, do not plan to
leave the ship for at least two hours after you arrive at your final
destination. Customs and Immigration must conduct various inspections that
can take up to two hours before guests are allowed to disembark. Transfers,
porterage and luggage handling are included in our all-inclusive Crystal
Air/Sea Program. If you choose to arrange for air travel independently, you
may purchase embarkation and disembarkation transfers from Discount Crystal Cruises.
Flight schedules sometimes do change. We strongly suggest that you reconfirm
all flight times with the airline 72 hours prior to departure. Seating
assignments, special meal requests, or other flight-related inquiries should
be made directly with the airline or through your travel agent.
BOARDING THE SHIP
At embarkation ports, the ship will be available for guest boarding at
approximately 3:00 pm. The exact sailing times are specified on your Cruise
Ticket. Please note that guests will not be able to board earlier than the
time stated. Keep in mind that you must be on the ship at least one hour
prior to sailing. Once you are on board, our Six-Star crew will welcome you,
assist you with your hand luggage and show you to your stateroom. Your
luggage will be delivered to your stateroom.
CLOTHING SUGGESTIONS
Throughout the day, our guests wear a casual mix of active resort wear.
Dining room attire is casual during the day; however, swimsuits are not
appropriate. If you do not wish to change for a meal in the afternoon,
alfresco dining on deck is available. For days in port, be sure to bring
comfortable walking shoes. Check with your Travel Agent for special items
you might want to pack for your destination and the time of year you are
traveling. Each evening on a Crystal cruise has a specific dress code, which
applies to all public areas of the ship after 6:00 pm. Guests find that the
occasional formal evenings create a special atmosphere in contrast to the
other more informal evenings on board. The three codes of attire are:
casual, informal and formal. Typically, 10- to 14-day cruises have three
formal nights. The number of informal nights is based on the number of days
at sea, and casual nights are based on days in port.
· Formal Evening Attire We recommend evening dresses and gowns of
fashionable length for ladies, and a tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit for
gentlemen.
· Informal Evening Attire Informal attire is appropriate for most evenings
on board. For ladies, evening dresses, cocktail dresses or pantsuits are
suitable. For gentlemen, we suggest a sport coat and slacks; ties are
optional.
· Casual Evening Attire On casual evenings, a more relaxed attire is
accepted such as casual dresses and pantsuits for ladies, and sport shirt
and slacks for gentlemen. Ties and jackets are not required. Two special
themed evenings are held each cruise. Guests may wish to bring special
attire or costumes for our "Rock Around the Clock"/Sock Hop, '50s Night, and
our Medieval extravaganza "An Evening in Camelot."
* Special Note: All check-in luggage is collected outside your
stateroom door on the last night of your cruise in order to be cleared
through Customs before disembarkation. Please do not pack critical travel
documents such as passports, wallets and air tickets in your check-in
luggage. You may wish to pack a small overnight bag to keep your personal
items and identification with you for the morning.
CRUISE TICKET
After full cruise payment and 30 days prior to departure, guests will
receive their ticket wallet which contains all cruise documents: cruise
ticket complete with the day-to-day itinerary, a book of optional shore
excursions, air ticket and hotel confirmations (if purchased through Discount Crystal Cruises), luggage tags and other necessary information. Be sure to complete
and attach your luggage tags to your bags so they can be easily identified
upon arrival.
INOCULATIONS
Requirements for inoculations often change. Discount Crystal Cruises will inform
you of the health requirements; however, it is your responsibility to have
all required vaccinations with a signed International Certificate of
Vaccination. We recommend that you contact your personal physician with any
health concerns. Failure to comply can result in refUSAl of passage by
international Customs and Immigration authorities.
PASSPORTS/VISAS
Guests must take full responsibility for securing the required travel
documents at least one month prior to departure. Failure to comply may
result in refUSAl of passage by Customs and Immigration Authorities.
U.S. Citizens: A passport or proof of U.S. citizenship is required
for cruises beginning or ending in the United States. All U.S. citizens that
travel abroad are required to carry a valid passport. Please note that some
countries require passports to be valid for at least six months after the
completion of your trip. Visa requirements vary from country to country.
Discount Crystal Cruises will inform U.S. citizens of specific visa requirements.
Visa information may also be obtained through the local embassy or consulate
of the country you will be visiting. It is your responsibility to obtain all
necessary visas.
International Citizens: International guests should contact their
Travel Agent for details on passport and visa requirements. Please note that
failure to comply with requirements may result in refUSAl of passage by the
Customs and Immigration authorities.
SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS
If you require a special diet or if you need special food items
available on board during your cruise, please notify Discount Crystal Cruises at
least one month prior to sailing to allow us ample time to accommodate your
needs. Please submit your dietary requests in writing to our On Board Guest
Services Department no later than one month prior to your cruise, and
confirm your arrangements with the Food & Beverage staff on the day of
embarkation.
VALUABLES
While in transit to and from the ship, personal items and valuables such
as jewelry, medication, tickets, passports and visas should be packed with
your hand luggage and kept with you at all times. Once on board, each
stateroom and penthouse is equipped with a personal safe. Because each guest
must assume full responsibility for items kept in his or her stateroom, we
recommend that items of special value be placed in the complimentary
safe-deposit boxes located at the Front Desk.
VISITOR'S PASSES
Visitor’s Passes are available on a limited basis, and two are allowed
per stateroom on all turnaround ports, including Ft. Lauderdale, Los
Angeles, New Orleans and San Francisco. All requests must be received in
writing by the Discount Crystal Cruises’ Marine Operations Department no later than
three weeks prior to sailing. Requests are subject to the ship’s security
clearance and may be withheld for any reason at any time.
CRUISE INFORMATION
CRUISE FARES
Your cruise fare includes port charges and all normal shipboard services and
facilities. The cruise fare does not include airfare, transfers, shore
excursions, sightseeing or meals ashore, taxes, gratuities, liquor, wines,
soft drinks, mineral and bottled water, laundry or valet service, or any
items of service of a personal nature such as massage, spa services and
hairstyling.
DEPOSITS, PAYMENTS & REFUNDS
Reservations must be accompanied by a deposit. A deposit of 20% per guest is
required for all penthouse accommodations (PH-CP). A deposit of 10% per
guest is required for all other staterooms (G/E-A). World Cruise 2002
Voyages of 41 days or more: 20% deposit (E-CP); 40 days or less: 20% deposit
(PH-CP); 10% (E-A). Staterooms are subject to cancellation if deposits are
not received within the specified option period. The balance of the cruise
fare must be received by Discount Crystal Cruises no later than 75 days before
sailing. All reservations are subject to cancellation if payments are not
received by the due date. Reservations made within 75 days of sailing
require full payment, due three days after the reservation is made.
CHILDREN/THIRD BERTH
Children occupying a double stateroom as a second guest will be charged full
published fare regardless of age. Children 11 and under traveling as a third
guest will be charged 50% of the minimum fare. Children must be accompanied
by an adult and, if that adult is not a parent or legal guardian, notarized
written permission of the parent or guardian is required.
A third person (age 12 or older), may travel in a double occupancy stateroom
(subject to availability) at the minimum fare for that cruise.
DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCE
All luggage is subject to inspection by U.S. Customs upon return to the
United States. Guests originating or terminating their cruise in a foreign
port will also be subject to inspection by U.S. Customs officials. U.S.
residents are allowed a duty-free exemption of $400 U.S. per person; those
over the age of 21 may include one liter of liquor and one carton of
cigarettes. U.S. residents returning from the U.S. Virgin Islands are
permitted $800 U.S. in foreign purchases duty-free, provided the liquor plus
$300 U.S. in merchandise are purchased in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Non-U.S.
citizens are allowed $200 U.S. of duty-free merchandise, including up to 40
oz. of liquor and 200 cigarettes each calendar year. Additional information
can be obtained at any local U.S. Customs office.
SINGLE TRAVELERS
Single occupancy of double staterooms is available on a limited basis,
subject to availability at the time of reservation. Single guests will pay
125% (130% for World Cruise 2002 Voyages) of categories C through G; 135%
(140% for World Cruise 2002 Voyages) of categories A and B; 150% of category
PH and 200% of categories CP and PS. Single fares are capacity-controlled
and may be withdrawn at any time. Please note that these percentages may
vary for "Value Collection" fares.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Our ships have been designed with your complete safety in mind, equipped
with modern stabilizers and built to the world’s highest standards of
shipbuilding quality. Our ships comply with all safety codes and pass annual
testing inspections with the highest marks.
When in port during a cruise, our unique computerized security system will
use a swipe of your stateroom key card to identify you and inform us when
you leave the ship and when you return. All personal items are scanned by an
x-ray machine.