Royal Caribbean International

1: What are the benefits of cruising over other types of travel?

Sure, there are pros and cons to all types of travel, but cruising has become a popular option for a number of reasons:
• With so much included in the price - like meals, onboard performances and more - cruising offers tons of bang for your buck.
• A variety of onboard and onshore activities make cruising fun for everyone from spa-lovers to adventure-seekers to sun worshipers.
• Traveling from port to port is a snap, no need to worry about directions or unpacking. You'll wake up in an amazing new place, refreshed and ready to explore.

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2: Are there any special requirements for visiting international ports?

There are two things to keep in mind when traveling internationally:

• Passports/Visas
Non U.S. Citizens will need valid passports and sometimes visas, as well as any other travel documentation required by the governments of the countries on the itinerary. For visas/inoculations, please check with your travel agent, government agencies, embassies or consulates, your physician local health department or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Traveler's Health website to determine travel and health documentary requirements.

• Health
All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. In many cases inoculations are recommended but in some circumstances they are required. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance.

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3: What does the price of my cruise include?

The price of your cruise vacation includes:
• Ship accommodations
• Ocean transportation
• Most meals onboard
• Some beverages onboard
• Most entertainment onboard

The following services are not included in the cruise price:
• Dining in Specialty Restaurants such as Portofino
• Dining in Johnny Rockets (Where applicable)
• Spa and Salon services
• Golf Simulator
• Gambling (Including Bingo)
• Art Auction
• Any purchases made in the gift shops onboard
• Shore excursions
• Photographs
• Video Arcade
• Medical Services
• Internet Access
• Transfers
• Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services
• Ship to Shore Telephone calls
• Gratuities
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Non-Alcoholic Beverages (excluding water, lemonade and iced tea)

All prices are per-person, based on a double occupancy of the stateroom and are quoted in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise noted. The cruise fares quoted also do not include any applicable government taxes, fees, or surcharges that may be assessed by any governmental agencies. Such assessment is subject to change without notice at any time whether or not you have a confirmed booking under deposit or if you have made a final payment.

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4: Are there special prices for children or infants?

Because Royal Caribbean cruise vacations offer so many special activities for children, we do not usually offer discounted rates. However, anyone staying in the same stateroom with two full-fare paying guests will pay a special third and/or fourth guest rate. So if you intend on having your children stay in your stateroom, their rate may be lower.

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5: Are there special prices for seniors?

We offer reduced senior prices only on selected sailings exclusively for guests who are 55 years of age and older.

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6: Are there special prices for single guests alone in a stateroom?

All rates posted on this website are based on double occupancy. A single guest who wishes to have a stateroom to themselves will be expected to pay 200% of the category rate, unless otherwise noted in the pricing.

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7: Will the price of my cruise change?

Royal Caribbean International reserves the right to change, whether via an increase or decrease, any published rates, including cruise rates and airfare charges, without prior notice. We reserve the right to impose on any existing booking or new bookings (whether paid in full or not) a supplement for fuel or other matters without prior notice as provided in our Passenger Ticket Contract. In addition, we reserve the right to pass through any third party imposed fuel or other surcharges, also without prior notice. The guest will remain liable for any applicable taxes, fees or surcharges that may be assessed by any governmental or quasi-governmental agencies.

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8: Stateroom Facilities

All staterooms have twin beds which can be converted into one queen-size bed, private bathroom, vanity area, television, radio and phone.
Electricity Voltage is 110/220 volts on all ships.
Hair Dryers are available in all cabins on all ships.
Safes are available in staterooms on most ships and
Safety deposit boxes are available at the Purser's Desk.

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9: How do I make a reservation for a cruise vacation?

There are three easy ways to make a reservation for your cruise vacation:
• Contact Royal Caribbean Arabia
• Call your travel agent
• Reserve online at royalcaribbean-arabia.com

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10: 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.

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11: What are on board service charges?

It is customary to offer gratuities to staff members you feel have given you exceptional service and personal attention.

On the last night of the cruise an envelope will be left in your cabin in which any gratuities should be placed and passed to the relevant member of staff. Alternatively, you may pre-pay your gratuities during the booking process and vouchers will then be provided in your cabin for you to pass onto the relevant members of staff.

A standard gratuity of 15% is automatically added to the price of drinks from the bar and beauty treatments.

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12: When and how can I purchase Shore & Land excursions?

You can purchase Shore & Land Excursions once you've reserved a cruise, received your cruise reservation number, and have made at least one payment toward your cruise. To shop for excursions, go to the Before You Board dropdown menu from the royalcaribbean.com homepage and select Shore & Land Excursions. Click on the Shop For or Modify Excursions Now button and proceed accordingly. All available tours will be provided for your applicable sail date. If we are unable to provide you with available Shore & Land Excursions at the time that you enter the purchase section of the site, you will be advised to come back to the website at a later date. Excursions can be booked on board at the Shore Excursion Desk, or via the on board interactive TV and the cost may be charged to your SuperCharge account.

Alternatively, you may prefer to make your own arrangements for sightseeing on shore or wish to remain on board. The staff at the Shore Excursion Desk will be happy to provide you with any information you may require about the destinations you are visiting.

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13: What is Royal Caribbean's policy on cruising while pregnant?

Royal Caribbean International cannot accept guests who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of, or at any time during the cruise or cruisetour. A physician's "Fit to Travel" note is required prior to sailing, stating how far along (in weeks) your pregnancy will be at the beginning of the cruise and confirming that you are in good health and not experiencing a high-risk pregnancy.

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14: What is Royal Caribbean International's Age Policy?

For sailings embarking from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand (outside USA/Puerto Rico and Canada): No Guest younger than the age eighteen (18) will be assigned to a stateroom unless accompanied in the same stateroom by an adult eighteen (18) years old or older. The adult eighteen (18) years or older does not have to be a parent or guardian. A guest's age is established upon the first date of sailing.

For sailings embarking from USA (including Puerto Rico) and Canada : No Guest younger than the age twenty-one (21) will be assigned to a stateroom unless accompanied in the same stateroom by an adult twenty-one (21) years old or older. The adult eighteen (18) years or older does not have to be a parent or guardian. A guest's age is established upon the first date of sailing.

This age limit will be waived for children sailing with their parents or guardians in connecting staterooms; for underage married couples; and for active duty members of the United States or Canadian military.

Certain other restrictions and conditions will apply; such as compliance with the age twenty-one (21) alcohol policy, and proof of marriage for underage couples or proof of active duty military status.required).

INFANT POLICY
Infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise and/or CruiseTour. HOWEVER: For transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, select South American and other selected cruises and/or CruiseTours, the infant must be at least 12 months old as of the first day of the cruise/CruiseTour. For the purposes of this policy, any cruise that has 3 or more days consecutive at sea will require infants to be 12 months old on the first day of the cruise/CruiseTour.

Please be aware that guests travelling with a young infant that does not meet the infant policy will be denied boarding. No refunds or other compensation shall be due from the cruise line to anyone as a result of the denial of boarding to an underage infant or other accompanying guests.

Royal Caribbean International reserves the right to ask for proof of age. Royal Caribbean International's age policy for gambling and consumption of alcoholic beverages is as follows: Please note: An individual's age on the date of sailing determines his or her status for their cruise vacation. However, if a guest celebrates their 21st birthday during the cruise, the guest may thereafter ask the Guest Services Manager to modify ship's records to permit their consumption of alcohol during the remainder of the cruise. The guest will be required to appear at Guest Services with his or her parent or guardian and to present a government issued form of identification to establish that the guest's 21st birthday was celebrated during the cruise.

ALCOHOL POLICY
Effective immediatly on all sailings, the minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on all Royal Caribbean International is as follows.

• The minimum age to consume alcohol on Royal Caribbean International ships on sailings originating in Europe, Asia, Australia and South America is eighteen (18).

• The minimum age to consume alcohol on Royal Caribbean International ships on sailings originating in North America remains at twenty-one (21). The originating turnaround port dictates the policy (such as in a crossing from Europe to the US it would be 18 or from the US to Europe or Asia it would be 21.) The minimum age to consume alcohol at all private destinations remains twenty-one (21) without regard to where the sailing originated. The Company retains the right, on rare occasions, to raise the minimum age of alcohol consumption on any sailing when local laws require or permit such a modification.

Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of call or from onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the sailing. Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Royal Caribbean's Guest Conduct Policy may be enforced, up to and including disembarkation, if a guest violates any alcohol policy. Guests under the age of 21 will not have alcohol returned to them.

Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense, in accordance with our Guest Conduct Policy.

All guests must comply with TSA guidelines for transporting liquids.

Royal Caribbean reserves the right to revoke or otherwise restrict drinking privileges of any guest, regardless of age.

GAMBLING POLICY

Guests eighteen (18) years of age and older are welcome to play in our casinos (for all Alaska sailings, guests must be 21 years of age in order to play in our casinos).

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15: What if I'm traveling with a minor and I'm not the parent or legal guardian?

Adults who are not the parent or legal guardian of a minor traveling with them must present an original notarized letter signed by the child's parent(s), authorizing the adult to take the child on the specific cruise, supervise the child and allow emergency medical treatment to be administered.

Please note: An individual's age on the date of sailing determines his or her status for the entire cruise vacation.

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16: How will Royal Caribbean send my cruise documents?
Royal Caribbean provides complimentary electronic cruise documents (eDocs) for all guests. You will receive an email with the electronic tickets attached, within 30 days of your sailing, assuming your reservation is finalized and your payments have been fully made.

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17: 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.

Royal Caribbean International requires guests to be checked in no later than 60 minutes 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.

*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 a SetSail Pass. It indicates that you successfully completed the check-in process for you and those guests listed on your SetSail Pass.

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18: 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
• Crown & Anchor Society Membership Number (if you are a member)
• 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.

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19: What should I do at the pier if I have already checked in online?

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

When you reach the pier on your day of departure, look for the SetSail Pass signs. You will need to present:

• Set Sail Pass
• Identification Documents (proof of Citizenship) for each guest
• Credit Card used for your Onboard Expense Account
• Onboard Expense Account Information (i.e. your credit card and the reservation information that is authorized to charge against the account)

Upon check-in you will be given a Super Charge card(s). This will be your identification card for re-boarding the ship, your key to your cabin, your charge card for on board purchases as well as confirming your seating and table number for meals. Your cabin steward will deliver your luggage to your cabin usually within two hours after boarding.
NB: It is your responsibility to board at least two hours before the ship's scheduled sailing time failing which your booking may be cancelled and incur 100% cancellation fee.

Note: If you successfully complete Online Check-In and receive a SetSail Pass, you will NOT be required to complete any of the forms contained within your Guest Vacation Documents relating to check-in.

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20: When can I board the ship?

The boarding time for your ship and sailing date is specified in your Guest Vacation Documents. Please do not plan on arriving at the pier prior to the specified time as the ship will not be ready to board guests.

Due to new government regulations requiring cruise lines to submit final departure manifests at least 60 minutes prior to sailing, guests are requested to complete Online Check-in no later than 3 days prior to their cruise. If you do not complete Online Check-in 3 days prior, you will be required to complete this process at the pier at least two hours prior to the published sailing time. Please note: All guests must be checked-in and onboard the ship no later than 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time or you will not be permitted to sail.

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21: 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 length 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.)

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22: What should I pack?

Planning what to wear on your cruise holiday is easy if you keep in mind three types of clothing; casual shipboard attire or day wear; resort wear for sightseeing or shopping; and evening wear. On a 7-nights cruise there are two formal nights, one informal night and four casual nights.
For evening wear allow for:

Casual Nights - sports shirt and trousers for men, trousers and top or skirt and blouse for women
Informal Nights - dress or trouser suit for women, jacket, shirt and tie are requested for men
Formal Nights - cocktail or evening dress for women, suit and tie or tuxedo for men.

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23: How much luggage may I bring onboard?

Each guest is permitted to carry a reasonable amount of personal property (including luggage) aboard the vessel; however, for your comfort and convenience, it is recommended that you limit the number of pieces you take as consideration should be given to cabin space available for storing. All luggage has to be kept in guests` cabin(s). Keep in mind that airlines may charge for excess or oversize luggage. Charges incurred for excess or oversize baggage are the sole responsibility of the passenger. Each airline has a different limit on the amount of luggage they allow. Check with your air carrier for specific restrictions, such as allowance of pounds and any additional charges.

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24: What is your smoking policy?
For the comfort and enjoyment of our guests, our ships are designated as non-smoking; however, we recognize that some of our guests smoke. Therefore, to provide an onboard environment that also satisfies smokers, we have designated certain public and private areas of the ship as "smoking areas."

Smoking in public areas is only permitted in designated smoking sections which vary by ship. Generally, smoking is permitted outdoors on only one side of the ship; and smoking is permitted on all private ocean front balconies, including Loft Suite balconies on Oasis Class. To assist in locating areas where smoking is permitted, you will find visible signage posted within all smoking areas and ashtrays that are provided for your use. The location of all smoking venues can also be found in the daily Cruise Compass; or you may contact Guest Services once onboard.

For your safety, smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom or on interior private balconies on Oasis Class that overlook The Boardwalk or Central Park. Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, food outlet, theater, hallway or corridor; nor in Central Park, The Boardwalk or The Jogging Track on Oasis Class ships; nor in the H2O Zone on Oasis and Freedom Class ships. A $250 cleaning fee will be applied to the SeaPass account if smoking has occurred inside staterooms or on private interior balconies overlooking The Boardwalk or Central Park onboard Oasis Class ships. Royal Caribbean International kindly asks all guests to please observe the non-smoking areas and to refrain from smoking pipes or cigars in any of the public areas. These requests are made to provide a comfortable shipboard environment for everyone. Guests who violate this smoking policy may be subject to further action pursuant to the "Consequences Section" of this Guest Conduct Policy.

Pipe and cigar smoking is only permitted within the Cigar lounge. (If no Cigar lounge exists on a particular ship, there will be a designated area for pipe and cigar smoking).

A guest must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess or use tobacco products onboard. Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must always be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard.

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25: When and where can I dine on board?

There are two seatings for dinner in the main dining room. If you have a preference, you should make this known at the time of booking. Please note that seating requests cannot be guaranteed, but every reasonable effort will be made to meet your request.

Splendour of the Seas on 7-Night Mediterranean sailings will offer later evening dining times of main seating at 18.30 and second seating at 21.00.

If you wish to be more flexible in timing and in casual dress, breakfast, lunch and dinner are also served in alternative locations. A room service menu is also available 24 hours a day, or you can take advantage of our `My Time Dining` option.

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26: What is 'My Time Dining'?

My Time Dining is a dining concept that allows guests flexibility with evening dining in the main dining room. They can decide when they would like to dine between the hours of 6:00- 9:30 pm (times vary by ship) each evening. Guests who have signed up for My Time Dining will have their Sea Pass card designated with the dining room and deck number. They will be seated in one of the main dining rooms. At the entrance to the dining room, there will be a My Time Dining check-in desk with wait staff to greet guests and to print out their amenities (if any were ordered). Note: `My Time Dining` is located on deck 5 for most ships excluding Monarch & Majesty which is located on deck 4. If the guests wish to book `My time dining` the Service charges have to be paid at the time of confirming the booking.

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27: Are drink packages offered onboard?

We offer a soda package for both kids and adults on every ship in our fleet. To purchase one, just visit any of our onboard bars or lounges.

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28: What about facilities for families?

Our complimentary Adventure Ocean Programme is offered on board all ships throughout the year and is split into five different age groups ranging from 3-17 years of age.
Cots are available for babies, but please note that this will limit the floor space available in your cabin. Baby sitting and child minding (at the applicable hourly rate) can usually be arranged provided Cruise Staff are available to provide this service. The child must be a minimum of 12 months.

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29: Are babysitters available onboard?

Babysitting is offered both in a group setting, and individually in your stateroom. In stateroom babysitting must be reserved through the Guest Relations Desk (Purser's Desk) at least 24 hours in advance.

It cannot be reserved prior to the cruise vacation and there is no guarantee that sitters will be available. The service is offered between 8:00 am and 2:00 am when personnel is available. Sitters will be assigned on a first come first served basis

Children MUST be at least 1 year old.

Approximate Rate: $19 per hour for up to three children within the same family.
Times and prices are subject to change without notice. Payment must be made in cash.

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30: Can I be contacted?

Guests can be reached on board 24 hours a day via telephone. We can provide you with ship's telephone numbers. Callers dial directly.

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31: How do I pay for onboard purchases?

All of Royal Caribbean International ships operate on a "cashless" system, meaning your boarding card, (also known as your SeaPass card), will be used as a charge card to make all onboard purchases. Normally to activate this SeaPass account, most guests provide a credit card, (American Express, Optima, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and Diner's Club), to have these purchases charged to at the end of their cruise. Additionally, the SeaPass system may be activated with traveler's checks, debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo, or cash.

A running tab of all your purchases will be kept under separate folio numbers for each guest and an itemized statement left in your stateroom the night before disembarkation. If you provided a credit card and there are no discrepancies, the amount will be charged to your account on the morning of disembarkation. If you have used traveler's checks or cash to activate the account, you will need to settle the account at the Guest Relations desk, (to either receive a reimbursement of the unused amount you originally left or to pay the balance of what you have charged over the amount of what you originally left).

Please note:
We require guests to place a deposit if they are paying for their SeaPass account with cash. There is a $500 daily limit on cash accounts for 7+ night sailings and $300 for 2/3/4/5 night sailings. Once the daily cash limit is reached, we will call the guest and inform the guest that the limit has been reached.

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32: What happens if I am ill on board the ship?

There is a medical centre on board which is usually staffed by a fully qualified doctor and at least one nurse. However, there is a charge for all medical services and adequate medical insurance is recommended. The medical center provides complimentary motion sickness tablets if required.

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33: When and how can I disembark?

Once the ship has received proper clearance from the port, disembarkation can begin. Guests are disembarked at different times and schedules per the colour of the luggage tags provided by the ship. Early disembarkation needs should be discussed at the time of booking and reconfirmed onboard the ship. The Cruise Director will give detailed instructions about clearing customs and immigration during the departure announcement on the last day of the cruise.

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34: What do I do with my luggage?

Your luggage - with the exception of your carry on - will need to be set outside of your stateroom the night before departure. Generally, by 12:00 midnight. Please consult your daily "Cruise Compass" guide for the exact time. On departure day, you will claim your luggage in the baggage claim area of the pier terminal.

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35: What is a “muster drill”?

A muster drill is a mandatory exercise with the objective to familiarize all guests and crew with the location (muster station) where they are to assemble in the unlikely event of an emergency. During this drill, additional safety information (i.e., how to put on a life jacket) is presented.

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36: What is the timing of the muster drill for guests?

The International Convention of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulatory guidelines require that a muster drill be held within 24 hours of embarkation. However, the muster drill for guests on any ship in our fleet is to be held prior to departure on embarkation day.

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37: What languages are the muster drills conducted in?

Announcements for the guest assembly drill are usually made in English. The announcements are also made in additional core languages when we have large numbers of guests onboard who do not speak English. On some sailings, announcements may be made in the language of the market, then followed by English and any other approved core language(s).

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38: Should passengers wear their lifejackets when participating in a muster drill?

Guests should not bring life jackets to the muster drill. In the unlikely event of an emergency, our procedures direct guests to precede directly to their muster stations upon hearing the emergency signal. This reduces the chance for cross-traffic and improves response time at muster stations, as guests do not need to return to their staterooms to retrieve their lifejackets if they are in another part of the ship at the time. Once a guest arrives at their muster station, a crew member will provide them with a life jacket. In the unlikely event of an emergency, one of the most important aspects is to account for all persons onboard, and this process facilitates that accountability.

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39: Why do guests not wear their lifejackets when participating in a muster drill?

Guests should not bring life jackets to the muster drill. In the unlikely event of an emergency, our procedures direct guests to precede directly to their muster stations upon hearing the emergency signal. This reduces the chance for cross-traffic and improves response time at muster stations, as guests do not need to return to their staterooms to retrieve their lifejackets if they are in another part of the ship at the time. Once a guest arrives at their muster station, a crew member will provide them with a life jacket. In the unlikely event of an emergency, one of the most important aspects is to account for all persons onboard, and this process facilitates that accountability. We also store additional life jackets at each muster station.

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40: What kind of training does the crew go through for muster drills and emergency situations?

All of our ships' officers receive specialized training, and every crew member must participate in safety training modules so they are prepared to respond quickly and effectively in the unlikely event of an emergency. We also conduct weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual drills on all of our ships, to train and prepare our crew to respond to a variety of potential situations. In addition, each of our vessels is equipped with advanced fire detection and suppression systems, and every ship has highly trained personnel onboard who can effectively respond to and manage these systems.

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41: How do you ensure the muster drill is done for interporting guests? How do you ensure that guests who board the ship at a different port of call are prepared for an emergency?

Guests that board the ship at a different port of call are provided with a “Guest Joining Downline” letter prior to departure from the port of embarkation. They also receive a verbal safety briefing in person prior to departure from their port of embarkation.

In case of larger groups (1% of total guest capacity), a muster drill is organized and conducted. The letter and briefing shall contain (as a minimum) the following information in English and other appropriate languages:

• Clear instructions to be followed in case of an emergency
• Location of the guest's Muster/Assembly Station
• The essential actions to be taken in an emergency
• The method of donning a lifejacket

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42: What are the mustering procedures for kids participating children’s/youth programs?

The muster procedure, as part of the Youth Evacuation Program, will ensure that children are brought to the muster station where they would be reunited with their parents / guardians. This is also mentioned of this in the general muster drill announcement.

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43: What are the mustering procedures for passengers with disabilities?

During the mustering process, trained crew with high visibility vests will be posted throughout the ship to assist guests with disabilities. In addition to posted personnel, specially trained crew teams are available to assist guests with special needs. In addition, if for any reason people cannot get to their designated muster/assembly station the Ship's emergency plan calls for crew to check every stateroom and space on the ship to ensure guests have made it to their assembly stations, and that if someone needs assistance to do so, it is provided.

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44: What if my mustering station is not available? Are their alternate mustering stations onboard?

Each ship has alternate muster stations available throughout the ship and each crew member at all locations are trained in mustering procedures.

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45: What if the ship loses electricity?

If the main electrical power source is lost, we have plans for a contingency and we move to using the emergency generators. These are typically located on the upper decks and they have their own fuel supply and are completely independent. The generators can provide emergency lighting, operate elevators and even provide power to re-start the engines, if necessary. They can also power communication channels - radio, telefax, email, so the ship can continue to communicate with shoreside.

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46: Are there enough life saving crafts for all the crew and guests on Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas if they’re sailing at full capacity?

Yes. At full capacity, there would be a total of 8,460 persons onboard (with 6,360 of these being guests). All passengers are assigned to life saving crafts along with 12 crew members per life saving craft to assist with the launch, and to help guests. This also includes a life saving craft Commander and a 2nd Commander who are trained to international regulatory (SCTW) standards.

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47: How many life saving crafts do ships carry?

The number of life saving crafts varies depending on the class/size of ship. All of our ships have sufficient survival crafts for everyone on board, plus additional capacity in reserve, per regulatory requirements.

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48: How often are the life saving crafts tested to make sure they work?

The life saving crafts onboard our ships are tested once a month, which is over and above what is required, which is once every three months. During this test, the life saving crafts are lowered into the water and pulled away from the ship.

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49: Who regulates the cruise industry? Is the cruise industry regulated?

The cruise industry is a heavily regulated industry, and the safety of our guests and crew is always our highest priority.

• All cruise ships are designed and operated in compliance with the strict requirements of the International Maritime Organization, the UN agency that mandates global standards for the safety and operation of cruise ships through adoption of treaties, regulations and resolutions, codified in the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention.
• Safety-related regulations and requirements are rigorous – and we often go substantially above and beyond what is required; for example, carrying backup mechanical, navigational and safety provisions.
• Our ships’ crews undertake extensive training, certification, drills and scenarios in preparation for the very unlikely event of an emergency, including training on ship evacuation procedures.
• Our vessels, regardless of where they sail in the world, comply with the U.S. Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) requirements, including railing heights, access control, closed circuit TV, medical preparedness, crime allegation reporting and crew training. Our own requirements generally exceed those specified within the CVSSA. We work closely with regulatory authorities to improve safety laws, and regularly participate in discussions and studies to inform legislators of current practices and offer our perspective on regulations and standards to assure safety.
• Flag State authorities and other maritime safety regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, from each country our ships visit also regularly inspect our ships. Their examinations focus on life-saving equipment and safety and environmental protection items and these officials have the authority to prevent our ships from sailing if we fail to adhere to regulations. In addition to these inspections, ongoing system of internal as well as external (independent) marine expert audits also helps us remain vigilant, safely operate our ships and maintain effective systems

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50: How are Captains appointed? Must they have risen through the ranks at your company first?

Our Captains are typically selected and appointed from within our own fleet. They have to have a marine license (at the level of Master - Unlimited Tonnage) and most of our Captains have approximately 15 years of experience before promotion to Captain. There are also many various marine training courses and examinations that they are required to take throughout the course of their career as an Officer.

All of our Captains hold a Master - Unlimited license. On our ships, we require the Captain and the Staff Captain to hold a Master - Unlimited license. At any given time, we can have a few Officers who have met all the requirements and are ready to be Captains, but they continue as staff captains until a Captain position opens up. The final step in the process to be promoted to Captain is an interview with our shoreside leadership team. Most of our Captains have approximately 15 years of experience before they are promoted to Captain. Currently, each of our Captains has an average of 25 years of experience on the seas.

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51: How many Captains does each ship have? Do some ships have more than one Captain??

Each ship has two dedicated Captains assigned to it. Each Captain alternates their time at the helm. If there is ever a time when a Captain is called away from the ship, the Staff Captain is fully trained and licensed to act as the Master of the vessel. Also, at any given time, we can have a few Officers who have also met all the requirements, including all of the required licensing and are ready to be Master Captains, but they continue as staff captains until a Captain position opens up.

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52: What type of licenses do your Captains have? What makes someone qualified to be Captain?

Most of our officers attend an accredited institution, such as a Maritime Academy or University, for their maritime training, usually for four to five years. This time is a combination of classroom instruction and time spent at sea.

Officer’s licenses are issued by their home countries, and each country has their own requirements and exams. Licenses are tied together internationally by licensing standards known as STCW (Standards for Certification, Training, and Watchkeeping). STCW is an IMO standard similar to SOLAS, only it’s for training. While countries may have different systems, they all must comply with the Standards for Certification, Training, and Watchkeeping.

Beyond licenses, each officer needs a license endorsement from the Flag State of where the ship is registered. The endorsement is an acknowledgment that the officer's national license is acceptable to the Flag State and meets all Standards for Certification, Training, and Watchkeeping requirements.

Besides the required training, we also send our officers to our company’s required training. Examples of this are: Bridge Navigation Management (BRM), a navigation simulator course, a navigation system training course, or an equipment specific course, such as pod training.

There are usually two or three levels that lead up to a Master - Unlimited license ('Unlimited' means any size of ship). Each country requires specific amounts of sea service on specific sizes of ships in order to increase the license level. They may also require formal exams at each level.

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53: Does the Master Captain have the only say on what happens with a ship?

The Captain is in charge of a ship however, we practice Bridge Resource Management (BRM) - and part of that is to encourage personnel on the bridge to question and when necessary, challenge the Captain

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