FAQs

Cruising is the best vacation value! There are cruise vacations to suit every budget. Your cruise fare includes your accommodations, on board activities and entertainment, most meals, plus transportation from port to port. You will know what your vacation will cost you before you go. Typically, your only extra expenses will be drinks, specialty restaurants, optional shore excursions and personal services such as massages or hairstyling.

How long are cruises?

As long or short as you want. Cruise lines offer itineraries that range from three (3) days to more than three (3) months.

Where can I go?

Wherever you want! Cruises visit over five hundred (500) ports worldwide and practically every destination accessible by water. You can embark on your cruise vacation from a wide variety of North American ports or exciting and exotic locations around the globe.

Are all ships fairly similar?

Far from it. Cruise lines? ships range from intimate and yacht-like to vessels stretching longer than three football fields. You can sail with fewer than one hundred (100) fellow guests or with more than three thousand (3,000). Enjoy atmospheres ranging from casual to formal, contemporary to classic. Enjoy the endless activities offered on a contemporary resort-style cruise, or immerse yourself in the culture of a destination on a special interest cruise.

Are there different types of cruises?

There are cruises designed to suit virtually every interest and personal preference. The choices include: boutique, luxury cruises with globetrotting itineraries; large, contemporary ships with a fantastic array of recreational facilities; classic vessels evoking the time-honored traditions of cruising; special-interest or exploration cruises specializing in unique destinations with an accent on cultural enrichment; river voyages into the heart of a destination.

There are cruise lines that feature soft adventure expeditions to such unique frontiers as Antarctica, the Amazon Rain Forest or the African Serengeti. Or, discover historical legacies closer to home with enlightening itineraries to New England, French Canada, Colonial America, and America?s Rivers.

For experienced travelers, destination-focused cruises specialize in culturally-rich ports of call with itineraries dedicated to illuminating such historic, world-class treasures as the antiquities of classical Greece, the Polynesian paradise of Hawaii, the fabled splendor of Norwegian fjords or the castles and museums of Europe?s rivers.

For many, the perfect vacation includes the non-stop fun and sun of a tropical resort-style cruise to the Caribbean, where you can sample a variety of island cultures and cuisines while relaxing your cares away. Plus, many cruise lines and travel agencies create special ?themes? on board, with entertainment ranging from jazz festivals and classical music concerts to golf clinics and murder mysteries at sea!

Are there any special educational programs on-board?

To compliment the spirit of discovery that travel evokes, many cruise lines feature an extensive program of on board enrichment programs hosted by distinguished guest experts. In addition to lectures highlighting the history and sights of the ports you will be visiting, there may also be special in-depth presentations ranging from Renaissance art to strategic financial planning to epicurean secrets of classic French cuisine.

What is an air/sea cruise package?

A fly/cruise or an air/sea vacation package includes, along with your cruise fare, free or reduced-cost airfare to and from the ship?s port of embarkation. These convenient money-saving options are available from most major North American cities and include ground transfers between the airport and ship as well as baggage handling.

Do I need a passport?

For travel to Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico, United States citizens needs to present either a passport, passport card, or government-issued photo identification, such as a driver?s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

On June 1, 2009, the United States government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The proposed rules require most United States citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport or passport card.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to United States citizens traveling to or returning directly from a United States territory.

We strongly recommend that all travelers apply for or renew their passports as soon as possible. Government regulations are continually being modified and it is best to be prepared. Besides, a passport grants you unlimited cruise vacation options around the world!

Are there different classes of service?

The vast majority of today?s cruise ships are ?one-class.? Everyone can use all of the ship?s facilities. The price of your cabin is based primarily on its size and location. Regardless of the category you book, you will enjoy the same courteous service, menus, activities, and entertainment as everyone else on board.

Will I get bored? Feel confined?

Hardly! Being at sea gives you a feeling of total freedom that no land-based resort can offer. There is plenty of room and it will probably take you two or three days just to discover everything that is on board. Plus, you get the added adventure of exploring many exciting ports of call, often a new one every day of the trip!

Cruise ships are floating resorts with all the choices fine resorts have to offer. You can lie back in a lounge chair, breathe in the sea air, soak up the sun, read good books, or watch the ever-changing seascape. Smaller ships focus on the treasures and delights of myriad destinations.

If you are more active, join in exercise or dance classes, or sports contests. Practice your tennis stroke or golf swing, or take in some fresh air on the jogging track. Or you can swim, stretch out in the sauna or work out in the gym. You can also watch a feature film, attend an enrichment lecture by experts, or play backgammon and bridge. And that is just when you are on board!

What can I do in port?

So much that you will have a hard time choosing! You can explore on your own or take a guided tour, also known as a shore excursion. Search ancient ruins or hunt for shopping bargains. Ride a raft over river rapids or a horse across miles of hills and beaches. Climb a waterfall or pyramid. Follow the footsteps of history or the wake of a waterskiing boat. If there is still time, play golf or tennis. Learn how to windsurf. Sun and swim at some of the world?s best beaches. Catch a record marlin. Sail, snorkel or Scuba dive. Take a cable car to the top of a mountain. Explore dark catacombs.

In short, cruising is the perfect way to sample a number of new destinations and try all the things you have ever dreamed of doing, while never having to pack and unpack!

Do I have to participate in the activities?

On a cruise, you do what you want, when you want. You can do everything or do absolutely nothing. It is your vacation!

Do cruise lines welcome families with kids?

More and more cruise vacations are booked by families with children. Over one million (1,000,000) youngsters cruise each year and a majority of cruise lines provide plenty of supervised activities for kids, especially during school holidays. If your children enjoy swimming, sports, games, movies and the adventure of new places, they will love a family cruise. You will find that children adapt to shipboard life with ease, and you will not have to wonder what they are up to every minute. Trained youth counselors will help keep them safe, busy and entertained. Ships even offer different types of age-appropriate activities, suitable for toddlers to teens.

What is there to do at night?

When the stars come out, a cruise ship turns on. There is dancing, live entertainment, nightclubs and lounges, feature films, and parties with all your new friends. Most ships also have casinos. What?s more, there are many special events like the Captain?s Cocktail Party, Passenger Talent Night, Broadway-style shows and Las Vegas-type revues.

Is there a charge for entertainment?

On a cruise vacation, the entertainment is on the house. There is no cover, minimum or charge for an admission ticket. The shows are live, films first-rate and all included in your cruise fare.

Will there be people like me?

There is no such thing as a typical cruise passenger. All kinds of people take cruises now? all ages? from all walks of life? singles, couples and families.

What should I pack?

Pack like you would for any resort. Cruise vacations are casual by day, whether you are on the ship or ashore. In the evening, ships vary as to dress. As on shore, attire is dictated by occasion. At the Captain?s Gala, for example, you will probably want to wear something more formal, such as a dark suit, or cocktail dress, perhaps even a dinner jacket or gown.

Will I need a tuxedo?

Reflecting today?s lifestyle trends, many cruise lines now feature a more relaxed and casual approach to dress throughout the cruise ? while on others, formal dinners or parties are part of the fun. But do not buy a tuxedo just for the trip. Even on the most formal of ships, a dark suit and tie are fine for the dressiest occasions. Plus, many ships offer tuxedo rental services.

Can singles have fun on a cruise?

Cruising is ideal for people traveling alone because it is so easy to meet other people. In fact, most ships have parties for singles early in the cruise, so you can get to know other guests right away. Many ships even offer gentlemen hosts to be dance partners, dinner companions or a fourth at cards.

Some ships also have single staterooms and others offer single rates for double staterooms. If you ask, many cruise lines will even find you a roommate so you can obtain the per person/double occupancy rate, saving you even more on a great vacation.

Can I use my hair dryer or shaver?

Most ships have 110-volt outlets in the staterooms.

What about meal times?

Choices and more choices. During the day, there are many different dining options ? in the formal dining room, on deck, in a pizzeria and at an espresso bar, to name just a few. At night, most ships offer several venues. Some ships? dining rooms can accommodate all guests at one time, called a ?seating.? Many ships offer you a choice of several seating times, and others offer multiple restaurants for ?anytime? dining. More traditional ships have two seatings in their formal dining rooms, which differ only by time: typically 6pm and 8:30pm. Frequently, you can choose to enjoy dinner someplace other than the formal dining room, such as in an intimate restaurant that features Italian or Asian cuisine. More and more cruise lines are opening up their informal lido areas to evening dining, where the dress and dishes always are casual, and sometimes, you can even eat out under the stars. And a large number of ships offer romantic in-cabin dinners. The choice is yours!

Is cruise ship dining as good as I have been told?

Everything you have heard about cruise ship dining is true. At each meal, you will find a varied selection of entrees (appetizers, salads, soups, vegetables, and desserts, too), and each day the selection will be different. If you have ever wanted to experiment with a cuisine or try a dish, you can feel free to order more than one entr?e or appetizer (or dessert!). But, just because your cruise ship offers plenty of delicious food, does not mean you will come home out of shape. You can choose low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, spa, vegetarian or health-conscious menu selections that are just as tempting as the regular menu. Best of all, except for certain specialty restaurants on some ships, the one thing you will never see on a cruise ship menu is a price because your meals are included!

Can I get a special diet?

Most ships can accommodate salt-free, low-carbohydrate, low-cholesterol, diabetic, or other diet preferences. This request should be made in advance.

What about dining companions ? can I sit with my spouse and friends only, or will I have tablemates?

Experienced cruisers say they prefer sitting at a table with several other diners; some lifelong friendships have been made this way. But the cruise lines are geared to accommodate each guest?s wishes, and it is possible to request a table for two or four. In the unlikely event that you do wish to change tablemates, speak with the maitre d?, who will make every effort to seat you with more compatible dining companions? discretely and politely.

Are there non-smoking areas?

Virtually all ships have smoking and non-smoking sections in the public rooms and on deck. In fact, many dining rooms are now totally smoke-free.

Can we celebrate a special occasion?

Absolutely! Most cruise lines will even treat you to a complimentary cake and a chorus of ?Happy Whatever? to honor the occasion. Your birthday or anniversary can be more festive with champagne, flowers or canap?s. You can even arrange for a special private party.

Is cruising right for honeymooners?

Without a doubt. Cruising offers an atmosphere that is just right for romance? cozy dinners for two, strolling on deck at sunset, dancing the night away (even under the stars). Most lines provide special services ? from Sunday or Monday departures to champagne and breakfast in bed. Also, some ships offer special packages for performing a marriage ceremony or renewing marriage vows.

Can we stay in touch with the outside world?

Maybe too easily! Most staterooms are equipped with televisions and have satellite or cellular telephones. You can even use your own cell phone on some ships, where cellular service is available. Many cruise ships are now Wi-Fi enabled, so you can check your e-mail on your laptop in your stateroom or go to the on board computer caf? for Internet access. You can also call someone on shore through the ship?s radio officer while at sea. In addition, most ships have a daily newspaper with news, headlines, selected stock quotes and sports scores.

What about tipping?

Tipping is a matter of individual preference. A general rule of thumb is to plan for about $3.50 per person per day for your cabin steward and dining room waiter, and about help that amount for your busboy. Other shipboard personnel can be tipped for special services at your discretion. A few cruise lines include tipping in the price and will so inform you, while others maintain a no tipping policy.

Are there medical services on board?

While cruise ships are not comprehensive medical facilities, cruise lines understand that some people may have health needs during a cruise. Thus they are committed to providing first response and emergency care to guests until they can be transferred to a shore side medical facility. Most cruise lines have 24-hour medical services and staff operating under guidelines developed in conjunction with the American College of Emergency Physicians (AECP). Cruise lines and travel agents encourage vacationers to obtain medical insurance, travel with adequate supplies of medical prescriptions and devices and to disclose pre-existing medical conditions before sailing.

Are there laundry services aboard ship?

Almost all cruise ships have laundry facilities and many provide dry-cleaning services. There is, however, an additional charge for professional laundry and dry-cleaning services. Many ships also have self-service launderettes.

Do cruise lines accept group bookings?

Most lines welcome groups ? often as special rates, depending on how large the group. Policies vary from company to company and sometimes seasonally.

Are there meeting rooms on board?

Nearly every full-size ship has public rooms or a conference center to offer as meeting space for private or corporate groups. Many feature dedicated meeting facilities. Your ship may also be able to offer audiovisual equipment, communications, meeting coordinators, secretarial and printing services and more.

Can I extend my cruise vacation?

Cruise lines usually offer special pre- and post-cruise vacation packages that allow you to extend your vacation in either your port of embarkation or debarkation.

Is motion discomfort a problem?

Rarely. Popular cruise itineraries ply some of the calmest waters in the world. In addition, stabilizers on modern ships, availability of advance weather information, and development of effective preventative medications have, for the most part, reduced or eliminated the incidence of motion discomfort.

How can I stay healthy on board?

Follow your mom?s advice and wash your hands! Cruise ships work very closely with public health agencies such as the Center for Disease Control to make sure they provide the healthiest shipboard environment for guests. The last thing you want is to be ill while you are on vacation, so take the simple precaution of washing your hands often with soap and warm water thoroughly. Wash your hands after using the restroom, before eating and avoid touching your face.

Sounds too good to be true! Is it?

The one complain we hear time and again is that cruises end far too soon. Beyond that, it is hard to find any negatives. All you have to do is relax and enjoy your vacation. Most importantly, every crew and staff member on board is dedicated to making your cruise the best vacation of your life (until you top it with your next cruise!).

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