When you have a dream holiday to look forward to, you'll find that making your travel preparations is a wonderful part of the anticipation. To help you pack just the right things for your trip, we would like to offer some useful travel tips. We hope that you find the following ideas helpful.

Clothing: When it comes to clothing, its best to bring versatile, "sensible clothes" that work well together. Casual attire is in order during the day. For one or two nights, a suit or formal attire is suggested. The dress code for the other evenings range from sport coat and tie to casual resort wear. Shorts and T-shirts are not permitted in the dining room during dinner. Be sure to pack a bathing suit and take protective type clothing to pool or beach and do bring along good sun screen as the hot tropical sun can give you a sunburn in a relatively short time.

Shopping: One of the great joys of travel is buying fascinating souvenirs along the way. In many countries, bargaining is the rule! To accommodate your purchases, we advise you to bring an extra bag such as a duffle bag.

Currency: If you're traveling outside the U.S., you'll have to exchange your money. The best way to do this is to bring traveler checks in small denominations $10 or $20- so you can exchange only what you need. There's nothing worse than having lots of foreign cash left over that you end up exchanging at the pier-side at unfavorable exchange rates.

Tipping: It is customary on the last day of your cruise to extend your gratuities to ship personnel providing personal services during your cruise. As a general rule, we recommend the following: Room Steward-$3.50 per guest, per day, Waiter- $3.50 per guest, per day, Assistant Waiter-$2.00 per guest, per day. Tipping your maitre d' and headwaiter is at your discretion.

Here is a list of things you should bring on your trip: extra eyeglasses, sunglasses, travel alarm clock, camera & extra film, toiletries in sample size containers, any prescription medications.

Travel Documents: United States and Canadian citizens need proof of citizenship (Passport, Birth Certificate or copy of birth certificate with raised seal) and photo I.D. Non-U.S. citizens must carry your passport or your Alien Registration Card. Proper travel documentation is required throughout the cruise and is the responsibility of the guest. Any guest traveling without proper documentation will not be allowed aboard the vessel and no refund of cruise fare will be issued.

Cruise Documents (tickets): Your documents should arrive in our office usually no later than two weeks prior to your sailing date. We will mail you your documents the same day we receive them. However, if you cruise was booked within thirty days of the departure, generally you will pick up your tickets at the pier.

Embarkation: Embarkation begins at 1:00 P.M. Arrive early this will allow plenty of time for pier-side document verification a chance to put your luggage away in your cabin, check out the ship, and participate in "Welcome Aboard Orientation and Activities."

Shore Excursions and Land Tours: Shore excursions and land tours are available at most ports of call. Costs and details are available aboard ship either at the Pursers' office or the shore Excursion office.