Reception Desk and Tour Desk

Reception (please note the desks at bottom of picture)

The Reception desk of any ship is the main central area for all of the passenger inquiries for What ever questions you might have concerning the cruise, for example:

Bills

Credit card deposits for on board purchases.

Arrival times/Departure times.

On board activities- times locations.

Money exchange.

Post card deliveries to home.

Faxes.

What time is the dining room open.

Telephoning shore side.

Complaints about a member of staff.

Comment card forms.

Any problems you have encountered in general.

Asking to see a senior member of staff.

Lost luggage shore side- airport.

Visa issues.

Lost and found.

Bringing a friend on board mid-cruise for the day in port.

Purchases of on board Internet cards.

I am sure you can think of more, but hopefully you wont need to. In general these are the most common related questions that are asked. The pursers will have a chief Purser to help resolve major inquiries such as visa's and cabin changes, though in general the front desk staff are merely advisers and loggers of complaints and will pass on relevant info to respective Heads of departments.

Shorex ( Tour Desk)

There is always a little outlet desk next to or opposite the reception area from which you are able to purchase tours. This is the shorex team inquiries and bookings desk. They will be able to advise you and sell tickets on the spot, for what ever tours are available during the cruise.My advice for those guests travelling on a specific cruise ship purely for it's unique shore excursion options, is to pre book the tour when you purchase the cruise at home to avoid disappointment. There will be a purchase first come first serve basis on board and tickets for your desired tour might have sold out before you even get there. Another booking method, is directly through the on board interactive TV monitors either in your cabin or outside the Shorex desk. If you don’t need to enquire about the tour, and you just want to book, these monitors are quick and easy ways of avoiding the queues.The shorex team normally, with the other departments, have a first day lecture on board. The teams get up on stage and introduce themselves to you an advise you of there services, where to locate them and there opening hours. I would recommend going to see this lecture, as it will be a brief introduction to you as to what is available on board for the whole cruise.Shorex teams work closely with the dining room so as you wont miss your evening meal, though if you have a late night tour inquire about the timings, as there might be alternate dining option laid on specifically for that tours group.All days tours will either stop off at a restaurant of sorts or provide a packed lunch for you, which you will pick up on the morning of the tour. If you have a specific dietary requirement, when booking the tour, this is the time to say so. Tell the Shore ex staff. They will in turn advice us in the dining room. You will have a packed meal specifically accommodated to your diet.Now ladies and gentlemen, I share no secret when I tell you that you can pick up tours and taxis cheaper shore side locally or even trains to take you to the same beauty spots as the ships tours will. Please bear in mind though, that you will not be insured for these little adventures you undertake by yourselves, and you will have to pay your own flight back to the next destination if you miss the ship. If you are not familiar with the destination you go to, I highly advise against going off on your own steam, as you might get stuck in the mud quite literally.