Atlantis Cruises: The Way We Play

What’s Included with My Cruise Purchase?

Virtually everything is included in your cruise vacation: meals, entertainment, most sports with instruction, activities, parties, and tips.

What’s Not Included?

The things that are not included in an Atlantis cruise vacation are few and far between. Optional excursions, optional specialty restaurants, some sports, bar charges, spa services, telephone calls, and shop purchases can usually be charged to your room and settled upon departure.

Final Payment

Be sure to mark a calendar with your Payment Dates – which are at 180 and 90 days before your sail date.

Make sure your passports are current! Passports should be valid for at least 6 months after your return date as some countries require this for entry.

Most of the places your cruise will visit don’t require visas, and often a cruise ship can provide a temporary visa. However, if you’re from outside the USA, you should check with your local embassy and/or consulate to confirm any visa requirements. Remember that all documentation is your responsibility.

Also, start looking at airfare. While Atlantis does sometimes offer great deals (especially to Europe), airfare is now a commodity and is best purchased direct. It is recommended that you start looking now and if you see a great deal, take it!

What is “Online Check-In” and What are “e-Docs?”

“Online check-in” is a pre-cruise procedure in which you’ll complete necessary cruise paperwork online: you’ll print a boarding pass (called “e-docs,”), luggage tags, and more to save lots of time when boarding the ship. It’s all done in your online account after your cruise reservation is paid in full. 

Your online check-in for your sailing opens approximately 3 weeks before your departure date. Registration instructions for your cruise will be provide by email direct from Atlantis.

Vacation Protection Insurance

Most insurance policies do not include coverage while traveling outside of the US, so purchasing travel insurance is always recommended. Many of today’s plans feature comprehensive coverage: Personal Property, Baggage, Medical, Emergency Evacuation, and additionally 24-hour Travel Assistance. It’s a great way to protect your investment and provides peace of mind at a low cost. We can add the Atlantis Cruises plan any time before Final Payment by request. We also offer insurance through a preferred third-party vendor that might be more affordable or offer benefits that you might prefer, to request a quote comparison, please email your Wish Upon a Star with Us Travel Agent.

When Should I Plan to Arrive?

Arrive at the port the day before embarkation day (the day your ship leaves the home port). Explore the port area (it’s a destination too!) or relax without the stress of delayed or cancelled flights and sudden traffic incidents. Your Wish Upon a Star with Us Travel Agent can easily arrange airfare and a pre/post-cruise hotel through the cruise line at competitive rates! Boarding time on embarkation day depends on your cabin location. You will see a specific timeframe for arrival during Online Check-in.

A valid passport is required for all travel with Atlantis Cruises. Citizens of other countries may require a visa. For UK and other European passport holders check individual visa requirements with the relevant embassies of the country to be visited.

Your passport should be valid for up to 6 months following your trip to avoid any potential problems. All documentation is your responsibility so please make sure that everything is in order before your departure.

Please take note: passengers who are not natural-born US citizens or carry a birth certificate from Puerto Rico may have additional documentation requirements.

It is each cruise passenger’s responsibility to make sure they have the proper identification documents needed to board. 

Ensure that the name on the photo page matches the name on your cruise reservation and is valid for 6 months after travel. Please note that Passport applications are taking significantly longer to process than normal.

Be advised: though Passports are not required in order to board many sailings, they are strongly recommended and would be required in the event you must return to the United States by air.

Visas

Some countries require that any American passenger departing the ship obtain a Travel Visa and/or be booked on a cruise line shore excursion (Russia, Australia, China, India, and Cuba for example) in order to exit the ship.

Visa requirements for U.S. and Canadian citizens should be verified in advance. You’ll want to check if a Visa is needed for your sailing. All other nationalities, including those with U.S. or Canadian resident status, should contact your Wish Upon A Star With Us agent ASAP for info in obtaining the appropriate documents.

STEP/Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

International cruise passengers are strongly encouraged to register each trip with the US Dept. of Consular Affairs Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP). By signing up you’ll be notified of new travel advisories and pertinent tourist information. Plus, registering for this free service by the US Dept. of State also enables them to better assist you during an emergency.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite at the lavish buffet, joining friends for a multi-course meal in the restaurants, enjoying one of the sensational specialty dining choices, or relaxing in your stateroom over room service, there’s always an option to please any taste.

All main restaurants on an Atlantis cruise offer open seating so you can dine with whomever you want, whenever you want. The friendly staff will always find a place for you, whether you’re a party of 1 or 11. And of course, there’s never a dress code on Atlantis, so feel free to always come as you are.

While Atlantis does have a set of guidelines in place to keep you safe, healthy, and comfortable – in general they adhere to a simple philosophy: No one should tell you what to do on your vacation. You are not obligated to go on any tours, eat at a specific time, or engage in group activities. And don’t even think about dress codes – it’s your vacation, wear whatever you want! (within the boundaries of good taste and appropriateness, of course.)

And, be sure to review the preliminary schedule for your cruise, including party themes. Atlantis tries to keep party themes simple enough that you don’t have to worry about them long in advance. You can create a sensational outfit, shop for something fun, or simply come as you are — either way you’ll fit right in and have a great time. Themes for your cruise will be sent by email and posted on the “Already Booked” page about 4 weeks prior to departure.

Atlantis works closely with cruise lines to create exciting shore excursions just for you. These optional tours are the best way to see these amazing places in the company of your friends onboard. Space is often limited, so booking in advance is the best way to plan! You will have access to information about shore excursion and be able to make selections approximately 3 weeks before your sail date.

Embarkation Day (Cruise Day 1)

Check-in time and ship departure (embarkation) time varies by home port and ship. You will receive your Boarding Time while completing Online Check-in. Get there as early as you can (early on the ship means more time to explore and relax!) and arrive no later than 2 hours before the scheduled embarkation time printed on your e-docs. Don’t forget to complete the Online Check-In process at least 2 days before Embarkation Day!

Health Concerns and Guests with Special Needs or Diets

Atlantis Cruises provide quality service and accessible features to make your experience as relaxing and enjoyable as can be. Each ship is equipped with an Infirmary and Ship Doctor, available for an additional fee. ***Important: Please inform your Wish Upon a Star with Us Travel Agent of any new or existing medical needs – routine dialysis, special needs, dietary restrictions – so we can inform the appropriate department.

Medical vaccination requirements and recommendations change periodically. Visit the CDC website for recommendations specific to each country on your itinerary. Travel health experts recommend giving yourself 4-6 weeks to meet with a travel health provider about how to plan for your travel and to get any needed travel vaccinations.

How Much Luggage Can I Bring?

It is recommended to bring one suitcase, max 50lbs, per passenger on 3-5 day cruises and 2 suitcases per person on cruises of 6 days or more. Keep in mind that airline luggage policies may differ from cruise line luggage policies. Some items are permitted only in carry-on luggage (a CPAP machine, for example). Pack that carry-on wisely!

Stateroom Door Decorations

Decorating your stateroom door makes for a fun and memorable homecoming each night. Bring magnets, images printed on magnetic paper, or window cling to easily recognize your stateroom door. Other ideas include anniversary photos, wrapping paper, balloons, Veteran magnets, and more. Check Pinterest for ideas!

Debarkation Day (Final Cruise Day)

Ships generally arrive back at their home port early in the morning, around 7am though this can vary by ship and sail date. The Captain will make an announcement soon after that for passengers to begin disembarkation.  Disembarkation may take up to 4 hours after the scheduled arrival of the ship in order to clear Customs and Immigration, so please be sure to keep this in mind as you are considering flight departure times.

You’ll have the chance to save $$$ on a future cruise OR earn onboard credit by making a reservation while still onboard. The incentives are usually pretty great, and, if you have booked your cruise thru a Wish Upon a Star with Us Travel Agent, we hope that you will choose to list your Travel Agent on the reservation when talking with the sales staff!

• All staterooms have a mini-safe . An iron can be requested.
• Guests under age 25 must sail in a cabin with a relative or guardian age 25+.
• Wi-Fi packages are available for an additional charge.
• All purchases made onboard are charged to your Onboard Account by scanning your room key card.