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Getting ready for your cruise... |
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AOS-USA
appreciates our Priests’ service onboard
for the Spiritual and Pastoral Care of
the People of the Sea. Once you are an
AOS-USA Cruise Ship Priest, yours is NOT
a “free cruise”. You are onboard for
service and ministry. This is a unique
ministry of the Catholic Church, and one
which we take seriously. We expect
each priest to read the AOS-USA Cruise
Ship Priest Manual for more in-depth
instruction. In addition, we encourage
you to attend the annual conference of
the AOS-USA which is held during April
or May of each year. Each of these
conferences is an opportunity for
further education and growth in Maritime
Ministry. The
following information is preliminary
information which should help you in
preparing for your upcoming cruise.
COMMUNICATION WITH CRUISE LINES Communication
with cruise lines should be made through
AOS-USA or the person who assigned you
to your particular cruise. At no time
should you or your guest contact the
cruise line directly, unless requested
to do so by AOS-USA. TRAVEL
ARRANGEMENTS
Transportation to and from the ship is
the responsibility of each priest, and
his guest. AOS-USA does
have an arrangement with a company that
offers special air/sea rates. For more
information on this, please contact us
at
aosusa@sbcglobal.net or PH:
409-985-4545.
INFORMATION REQUIRED BY AOS-USA Once assigned
to a cruise, your cruise assignment
agent will ask you for particular
information, including your passport
information, and possible VISA
information. Please ensure that you
submit a copy of your current, valid
Passport to AOS-USA as soon as you are
assigned. Your guest’s passport
information is also requested, in
addition to any Visa information for
Australia, Brazil, or other countries as
may be requested. IMPORTANT
DOCUMENTS
Passports: You must
have a passport for all sailings. Your
passport should be current and valid for
six months beyond your cruise debark
date. Visas:
It is the
responsibility of each priest and his
guest to secure any Visas or other
documentation for your particular cruise
itinerary. Australia and Brazil in
particular, have special VISA
requirements. AOS-USA
cannot give VISA information as
requirements are constantly changing. We
recommend that you contact:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/
Immunizations: It
is the responsibility of each priest to
find out what immunizations, etc may be
required, according to the itinerary of
your particular cruise. AOS-USA
recommends you contact the CDC or your
person physician for more information.
INSURANCE It is
recommended that you acquire worldwide
health and travel insurance before your
cruise. Neither AOS-USA nor the cruise
lines are responsible for any
interruptions to your travel plans or
any health concerns which may arise. It
is important to AOS-USA that you have
ample insurance to care for your needs
in the event of an emergency. |
