Welcome Aboard
Your Mid-Atlantic Inland Passage Cruise
Charleston, SC to Baltimore, MD 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 Information...........14
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Welcome Aboard Thank 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.
The 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 1 (800) 894-8570. www.americancruiselines.com
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MARYLAND
Baltimore Annapolis
St.Michaels
Chesapeake Bay
Yorktown VIRGINIA
Crisfield Norfolk Kitty Hawk
Edenton NORTH CAROLINA Oriental Morehead City Wilmington SOUTH CAROLINA Myrtle Georgetown Beach
Charleston
Cape Hatteras
Beaufort
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Ports of Call Charleston, SC
Myrtle Beach, SC Wilmington, NC
Morehead City, NC/Beaufort, NC Kitty Hawk, NC Norfolk, VA
Baltimore, MD
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Itineraries are subject to change. A detailed itinerary will be mailed with your boarding documents. 4
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Getting to Charleston, SC and Your Ship Whether driving, flying, or taking the train, getting to the ship is easy.
Taking the Train to Charleston
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.
Driving to Charleston
Your Ship Is Docked At:
Flying into Charleston:
Charleston International Airport is the best airport to fly into. The airport is serviced by many airlines and is approximately 20 minutes from the ship when traveling by taxi.
Amtrak provides regular train service to the North Charleston Train Station. The station is approximately 20 minutes from the ship. Taxis are readily available to transport you to the ship. The 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 off 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. 6
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 To Charleston International Airport
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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. The 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.
The 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 sport shirt and slacks, with sport coat or sweater. Women might find 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 identification
Please do not hesitate to ask your Hotel Manager for any item that you may have forgotten.
Porch at Bellamy Mansion 9
Meals and Cocktails American Cruise Lines offers 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.
drinks are available at all times. For other liquor requests, your Hotel Manager will assist you.
Special Diets and Medications
Breakfast is prepared to order at your leisure between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m.
American Cruise Lines will work to cater to 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.
Refrigeration is available to store insulin or other medications requiring protection.
Glasses, ice, mixers, and soft 10
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 finest 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 Mid Atlantic Inland Passage 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. If at any point there is an item that you would like to see provided, please let your Hotel Manager or Cruise Director know.
Emergency Messages
Emergency messages can be directed to the main office in Connecticut at 1 (800) 894-8570. They will be relayed to the ship at the first 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.
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Tipping
Tipping is entirely at your personal discretion. Tips are generally given to the Hotel Manager near the end of the cruise. They 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
End of Cruise Transportation Services American Cruise Lines offers transportation for passengers flying home:
Transportation departs from the ship in Baltimore to: Baltimore Washington International Airport – departs the ship at 8:30 a.m. For more information, prices, or transfer reservations, please call a customer service specialist at 1 (800) 894-8570. During the cruise, the Hotel Manager or Cruise Director will also be happy to assist with travel arrangements.
On most cruises, the ship will arrive in Baltimore, MD the evening prior to the final day of the cruise. The ship docks at the National Aquarium at the Baltimore Inner Harbor, located at 501 East Pratt St., Baltimore, MD, 21202. 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. Subject to change. 13
Port by Port Shore Tour Information
Wilmington, NC Wilmington Blackwater Adventure
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We head up the Cape Fear to explore the upper reaches and black water systems of the river. From the Rose Hill Plantation to the mysterious Black River the exploits of the early explorers and history of the basin comes alive. The Cape Fear is still largely unpopulated and looks much as it did when Wilmington, North Carolina was colonized in Bellamy Mansion 14
the late 1600s. The journey is comfortable, relaxing and inspirational, offering views of unspoiled nature and a variety of wildlife. The tour starts and ends two blocks south of our ship’s dock.
City Tour & Bellamy Mansion
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Enjoy a narrated trolley tour of Wilmington’s Historic District. After the trolley tour you will visit Bellamy Mansion, one of North Carolina’s most spectacular examples of antebellum architecture. After the mansion tour, there will be time to browse the many shops and sites that are within walking distance to the ship.
Morehead City, NC
Beaufort City & House Tour
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Hop aboard and discover Beaufort’s historic district from atop a 1967 English double-decker bus. Local narrators tell the tales of Beaufort’s rich past featuring pirates, star-crossed lovers, and Confederate spies. Following the tour, you will have the opportunity to visit two of Beaufort’s historical homes Wilmington Blackwater Adventure 15
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The view from Hurricane Ridge
K itty H awk, NC
Wright Brothers Memorial
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Learn about the history, legend and lore of the Outer Banks as you travel to the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, NC. Enjoy an introduction by a park ranger and learn about the fascinating history of aviation that took place at this site. After the introduction, tour the Visitor’s Center where the Wright brothers’ story is told through exhibits and reproductions or climb Big Kill Devil Hill for a breathtaking view of the area from sound to sea.
Norfolk, VA
Narrated Bus Tour
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Discover the rich maritime history of this charming city during a tour through the historic district of Norfolk. The tour will make a stop at Naval Station Norfolk, where you will have the opportunity to see aircraft carriers. On the tour, you will also see historic homes from the 1907 Jamestown Exposition.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) arrives at Naval Station Norfolk
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Narrated Beach Tour
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Explore Virginia Beach during a relaxing riding tour through this beautiful port. This guided bus tour includes stops at the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse as well as the breathtaking Norfolk Botanical Gardens, which feature 155 acres of breathtaking scenery, coastal waterways, and miles of pedestrian trails.
Baltimore, MD
Narrated City Tour
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Discover the best of Baltimore during a captivating tour of the city. This tour will take you to some of Baltimore’s most noted landmarks including Federal Hill, Oriole Park—home to the Baltimore Orioles, and Mount Vernon Place where you will have an up close view of Baltimore’s Washington Monument.
Old Cape Henry Lighthouse (left) Fells Point, Baltimore (right) 18
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Thank
you for cruising with us! 1 (800) 894-8570 www.americancruiselines.com
741 Boston Post Rd., Suite 200 Guilford, CT 06437 1 (800) 894-8570 081114