Welcome Aboard Your Historic South & Golden Isles Cruise
From Charleston, SC to Jacksonville, FL Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly™
Table of Contents
Welcome ....................................................3 Ports of Call ...............................................4 Getting to Charleston and Your Ship ..........6 Boarding Your Ship ....................................8 What to Bring ............................................9 Meals & Cocktails ......................................10 Shore Tour General Information.................11 General Onboard Information ....................12 Concluding Your Cruise & End of Cruise Transportation Services ........13 Port by Port Shore Tour Details ..................14
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Welcome Aboard hank you for choosing American Cruise Lines. From your reservation to your experience aboard your ship, American Cruise Lines is with you every step of the way. Your cruise specialist is always just a phone call away and will be happy to assist you with everything from celebrating a special occasion to ensuring that your stateroom is just the way you like it.
he following pages will answer many of your questions about the cruise and your onboard experience. Your cruise specialist is available and can be reached at (800) 894-8570. www.americancruiselines.com
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Ports of Call
Charleston SOUTH CAROLINA
Charleston, SC
N Beaufort
Beaufort, SC Hilton Head Island, SC Savannah, GA
Hilton Head Island Savannah ATLANTIC OCEAN
GEORGIA Sapelo Island
Sapelo Island, GA St. Simons Island/ Jekyll Island, GA Jacksonville, FL area (Amelia Island)
St. Simons Island Jekyll Island Amelia Island
Jacksonville FLORIDA
Itineraries are subject to change. A detailed itinerary will be mailed with your boarding documents. Savannah
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Getting to Charleston, SC and Your Ship Whether driving, lying, or taking the train, getting to the ship is easy.
Your Ship Is Docked At: Charleston City Marina 17 Lockwood Drive Charleston, SC 29401 Be sure you tell your cab driver to drop you off at the Charleston City Marina, not the cruise ship terminal. Flying into Charleston: Charleston International Airport is the best airport to ly into. he airport is serviced by many airlines and is approximately 20 minutes from the ship when traveling by taxi.
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Taking the Train to Charleston Amtrak provides regular train service to the North Charleston Train Station. he station is approximately 20 minutes from the ship. Taxis are readily available to transport you to the ship.
Driving to Charleston he ship will be docked at the Charleston City Marina located at 17 Lockwood Drive, Charleston, SC 29401. Upon arrival, you should drive into the gated City Marina where you will be greeted by American Cruise Lines deckhands in red shirts. You may drop your bags of at the ship before parking so that they can be brought to your stateroom in advance. Parking is available at the marina.
Subject to change.
Staying in Charleston If you are arriving to Charleston the night before your cruise, these hotels are within a few minutes of the ship. Please ask for the special American Cruise Lines rate. Each hotel can arrange for taxi service to the Charleston City Marina.
ARRIVAL LOCATION Charleston City Marina 17 Lockwood Drive Charleston, SC 29401
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Boarding Your Ship Boarding Time Please plan to arrive at the ship between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. You may not be able to access your stateroom until about 11:30 a.m. he ship will leave at 1:30 p.m. or earlier if all guests have arrived.
From the moment you arrive, everything will be handled for you. American Cruise Lines deckhands wear a distinctive red shirt and will unload your luggage from your car or taxi and bring it to your stateroom aboard the ship. Please keep your boarding passes with you, as it is not necessary for you to stay with your luggage. he Cruise Director will be awaiting your arrival at the gangway of the ship. Please present your boarding passes and photo ID at this time.
Luggage and Luggage Tags American Cruise Lines places no restrictions on luggage. However, it is recommended that you bring as few bags as necessary. Suitcases less than 10 inches high may be stowed under your bed. You will be receiving luggage tags with your boarding pass before your cruise. If you would like additional tags, your cruise specialist will be happy to send you more. If you have cruised with us before, please remove your old luggage tags. 8
Subject to change.
What to Bring Casual resort attire is recommended both on the ship and ashore. For dinner, men’s clothing might include a button-down shirt and slacks, with sport coat or sweater. Women might ind a sweater and slacks, or a dress appropriate.
American Cruise Lines also recommends that you bring the following: • • • • • • • •
Comfortable resort attire Comfortable walking shoes Sunscreen Hat Light rain wear Jacket for cool evenings Camera Photo identiication
Please do not hesitate to ask your Hotel Manager for any item that you may have forgotten.
Ornate antebellum architecture in Charleston, SC 9
Meals and Cocktails American Cruise Lines ofers open seating at every meal in the Dining Salon on the Main Deck. Dress is resort attire. At dinner, men often wear a sport coat and women often wear a dress.
Glasses, ice, mixers, and soft drinks are available at all times. For other liquor requests, your Hotel Manager will assist you.
Breakfast is prepared to order at your leisure between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
Special Diets and Medications American Cruise Lines will work to meet any dietary needs. Please tell your cruise specialist approximately two weeks prior to your cruise so that we may plan accordingly.
Lunch is served at 12:30 p.m. Dinner service begins at 6:30 p.m., and you are welcome to join us at any time before 7:30 p.m. American Cruise Lines provides complimentary wine and beer during lunch and dinner service. A complimentary cocktail hour with full bar is hosted each evening at 5:30 p.m. before dinner.
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Refrigeration is available to store insulin or other medications requiring protection. Subject to change.
Shore Tours Please note that all shore tours are subject to availability and change. Your onshore experience is as important as your onboard experience, so American Cruise Lines has taken special care to research and plan excursions at each port. With American Cruise Lines, you will experience what makes each destination a special place. Every tour will take you to the inest local sites at each port and give you true insight to the area’s culture, heritage and history. On each excursion, you’ll be joined by local experts, historians or naturalists to further enhance your experience.
All shore excursions on the Historic South and Golden Isles Cruise are Premium:
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Premium tours typically cost between $20 and $70 and can be Premium paid for onboard, near the end of your cruise.
You may sign up for most tours onboard with the Cruise Director. American Cruise Lines is dedicated to making your onshore experience a true American Adventure.
For detailed descriptions of each tour, please see pages 14-18. For additional information about the places you will visit or alternative activities available, your Cruise Director or onboard guest speaker will be happy to help.
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General Onboard Information American Cruise Lines will work to meet your onboard needs and cater to special requests. Please let your Hotel Manager or Cruise Director know if there is anything that you need or would like to see provided.
Emergency Messages Emergency messages can be directed to the main oice in Connecticut at (800) 894-8570. hey will be relayed to the ship at the irst opportunity. You are urged to provide American Cruise Lines with email addresses and cellular phone numbers, as well as an emergency contact prior to your departure date. Cell phones are generally available onboard the ship for emergency purposes.
Cruising the Intracoastal Waterway 12
Tipping Tipping is entirely at your personal discretion. Tips are generally given to the Hotel Manager near the end of the cruise. hey are then divided equally among the stewards and deckhands. Tips generally average about $125 per person on a 7-night cruise. Stewards and deckhands do not expect and cannot accept tips directly. Credit cards, personal or travelers checks, and cash are accepted. If you choose to pay by credit card, please contact the Hotel Manager at least one day before the end of your cruise.
Concluding Your Cruise On most cruises, the ship will arrive in Jacksonville, FL the evening prior to the inal day of the cruise. he ship docks at the Fernandina Beach Marina, located at 1 South Front St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. On the last day, breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and passengers may disembark until 8:30 a.m. Your Hotel Manager and Cruise Director will be available to assist with travel arrangements.
End of Cruise Transportation Services American Cruise Lines ofers transportation for passengers lying or returning to Charleston, SC. Transportation departs from the ship in Jacksonville to: Charleston Airport – departs the ship at 7:30 a.m. Charleston City Marina – departs the ship at 7:30 a.m. Jacksonville Airport and the Crowne Plaza Hotel – departs the ship at 8:30 a.m. For more information, prices, or reservations, please call your cruise specialist at (800) 894-8570. During the cruise, the Hotel Manager or Cruise Director will also be happy to assist with travel arrangements. Subject to change.
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Port by Port Shore Tour Information
most signiicant AfricanAmerican historical and cultural institutions in existence.
BEAUFORT, SC LOW COUNTRY HERITAGE TOUR
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CARRIAGE TOUR
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As the second oldest city in South Carolina, Step back in time with guides in Beaufort is renowned period dress and discover the Low for its impressive harbor Country’s rich heritage through and for maintaining recollections, stories and song. a historic character On Lady’s Island and St. Helena, through its striking experience the distinct language antebellum architecture. and culture of the Gullah, With lovingly restored known for preserving more of pre and post-Civil War their African linguistic and Gullah woman makes a sweetgrass basket mansions, and streets cultural heritage than any other lined with centuries-old, African-American community in the moss-draped live oak trees, this area is best viewed United States. You will also visit the Penn Center. by horse-drawn carriage where you’ll hear wonderful Established by Abolitionists in 1862, the Penn School stories about the past and present owners of these was the irst school in the South to educate “newly lovely antebellum homes. freed” slaves. Today, the Penn Center is one of the Tours Subject to Availability and Change
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HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC ALLIGATOR & WILDLIFE TOUR
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Come aboard a safe and stable 12 passenger electric boat for a one-hour tour on the pristine lakes of the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. he preserve is home to over 250 species of birds, nesting Loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and the native American alligator. Narrated by a low country ecoguide, get a close-up view of the abundant plant and animal life at this 605 acre preserve.
SAVANNAH, GA TROLLEY TOUR OF SAVANNAH Known as Georgia’s first planned city, the Historic District’s 22 squares serve as the heart and soul of downtown Savannah and have been widely praised for their beauty. On a trolley tour of this exquisite city, you’ll visit Savannah’s Historic & Victorian Districts along with the city’s beautiful streets and green squares.
Hilton Head, SC
P GUIDED WALKING TOUR
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On a two mile walking tour with a local expert, learn about Savannah’s history, gardens, and beautiful architecture. Highlights include Savannah’s oldest neighborhood, Colonial Park Cemetery, the city’s famous squares, and a visit to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. 15
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MIGHTY EIGHTH AIR FORCE MUSEUM
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Hear inspiring stories of heroism, courage and sacriice during WWII as you tour the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. he museum ofers a range of exhibitions from WWII through today, with a great deal of visual, aural and written information focusing on WWII and the impact of the Eighth Air Force.
SAPELO ISLAND, GA NARRATED ISLAND TOUR
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State-protected Sapelo Island is thought to be the site of San Miguel de Gualdape, the short-lived irst European settlement in present-day U.S. In the early 1800s, the island was developed into a plantation with Sea Island cotton, corn, and sugar cane. Discover the uniqueness of Sapelo on an exclusive tour, while island descendents guide you through the island’s history, with highlights including the mansion of R.J. Reynolds, the last millionaire to own the island; Sapelo Island Lighthouse; and the University of Georgia Marine Institute. One of Savannah’s beautiful parks
The Rockefeller “cottage” on Jekyll Island
JEKYLL ISLAND JEKYLL ISLAND TRAM TOUR/ SEA TURTLE CENTER
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After exploring the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a marine turtle rehabilitation, research, and education facility, discover the fascinating history of Jekyll Island aboard a narrated tram tour. In 1886, the island was developed into a winter retreat for the wealthy. Until 1942, the Jekyll Club accommodated some of the world’s wealthiest
Tours Subject to Availability and change.
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Christ Church on St. Simons Island
Shrimp boat Lady Jane
people such as J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller and Cornelius Vanderbilt. Now the club is part of the island’s Historic District, known as Millionaire’s Village—240 acres of extravagant homes and winter cottages recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
ST. SIMONS ISLAND ST. SIMON’S ISLAND TOUR
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St. Simons Island is the largest of the renowned Golden Isles, a group of barrier islands along the coast 18
of Georgia. he island’s history is varied and unique, from early Spanish explorers, English colonization to the plantation era, along with its signiicance in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Learn the island’s history on a narrated tour including Fort Frederica and Bloody Marsh, the site of the famous 1742 battle.
LADY JANE SHRIMP BOAT TOUR
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Traveling through the scenic Marshes of Glynn, south of St. Simons Sound, participate in a unique shrimp
Tours Subject to Availability and change.
trawling excursion aboard the Lady Jane. Experience the life of a isherman, hear their stories, learn the history of shrimping in Georgia’s waters, and best of all, indulge in their tasty bounty.
FERNANDINA BEACH, FL AMELIA ISLAND RIVER CRUISE
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Explore the backwaters of Amelia Island and Eagan Creek on a narrated river boat cruise. As you travel along historic river banks and through pristine salt marshes, an expert naturalist will point out and identify birds and other native wildlife. Other highlights include fantastic views of Amelia Island, Florida’s oldest lighthouse, and a Civil War-era fort.
HISTORIC WALKING TOUR
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Join us for a leisurely walking tour through the Victorian Seaport of Fernandina Beach. Your walk will take you through the town’s historic Centre Street, past the Palace Saloon and the Florida House, and into the Silk Stocking District. While on the tour, you will be introduced to the many great historical igures who inluenced the architecture and business of Fernandina Beach. 19
THANK YOU FOR CRUISING WITH US! (800) 894-8570 www.americancruiselines.com
741 Boston Post Rd., Suite 200 Guilford, CT 06437 (800) 894-8570
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