Frequently Asked Cruise Questions
Q. What does a Cruise Include? Is it All Inclusive?
A. Cruises include your accommodations, all meals, most onboard entertainment & shows.
Sodas and dinks, alcohol are extra. Note: Most cruises allow you to purchase an "unlimited soda card", ranging from $30.00-$40.00 per person, that will include all you can drink soda.
Q. What is included in the taxes & port charges?
A. Port-charges are levied by state and city agencies to cover the costs related to operating and maintaining the port facilities. The charges include such services a pilotage, waste removal and port personnel. Taxes typically cover airport taxes and related fees.
Q. What else might I have to pay for on a cruise?
A. Gratuities, spa treatments, shore excursions, casino gaming, shopping, drinks & alcohol, medical services, and
other such activities are extra. Please check with your travel agent about specific cruise lines, as these vary from
cruise line to cruise line.
Q. How does payment work for booking cruises?
A. Cruises generally take deposits up front, randing from $100-$500 per person, depending on the total price of the cruise.
The balance is due usually 2-3 months prior to cruising. If you are booking a last minute cruise that falls within this time
frame, the full payment will be due immediately upon booking.
Q. What is the difference between an inside and outside cabin?
A. Inside Cabins (also called "Interior Cabins") have no window. Outside cabins (also called "oceanview cabins" )have either a porthole or picture window. Size of windows depends on which cabin and which ship. Please check with your travel agent for exact cabin details.
Q. When do I need to board the ship?
A. Embarkation usually begins 4 hours prior to ship departure.
Q. Can I bring electronic appliances on board the ship?
A. Hairdryers, electric razors, and other small appliances may be brought onboard. Most staterooms are equipped with electrical outlets that operate at 110 Volts AC current and can handle typical appliances. Some appliances
may require special adapters.
Q. Will I get seasick on the cruise?
A. Seasickness is uncommon in very large cruise ships. The large ships are equipped with special stabilizers that are designed to stabilize the ship. There may also be a doctor on large ships to aid with any problems.
Q. How do I pay for purchases while I am on the ship?
A. A special account will be set up for you to record any purchases that you may make while onboard. This account can be deducted from a credit card, a cash deposit or travelers checks.
Q. What are the usual guidelines for tipping?
A. Tipping is customary. Please use your discretion and recognize outstanding service. The recommended amounts are: waiters and staterooms attendants $3.00 per passenger per day, assistant waiters $1.50 per passenger per day and head waiters $2.00 per passenger per day. Some Cruise Lines will pre-charge you for this amount at your convenience.
Q. What Dining Options Are Available?
A. Each cruise line varies in its dinning options, please ask our cruise consultants for specific options available to you. Generally, two options are offered: Main Seating (ranges from 5:00-6:30pm) and Late Seating (ranges from 8pm-8:30pm)
Some cruise lines also offer "ehenever" dining, so you are free to eat at any time you please. Dinning preferences may be
indicated at the time of booking but cannot be guaranteed. Seating and table assignments will be confirmed at the time of embarkation.
Q. Are there activities for children onboard the ships?
A. Families often book cruises together. Most cruise lines offer activities and kids clubs for children each day. Many cruise lines have programs specifically designed for children so that adults can relax worry-free. Ages and activities vary on all
cruise lines. Please ask our cruise consultants for any such activities that may be specific to your cruise. Generally,
Carnival and Royal Caribbean are known as the "family cruise lines".
Q. What activities are available for evenings?
A. Evening activities vary per cruise line, most cruise lines have 2-3 activities happening at any given time. Most popular
activities include broadway-style shows, magic shows comedy shows, audience participation shows, couples only shows,
moonlight dancing, midnight buffets, evening deck parties, etc. Check per cruise line.
Q. How do I plan my day to day activities?
A. All cruise lines have a ship activity flyer which is usually placed in your cabin the night before. In it you will find all daily
activities and times, age-appropriate activities, shore excursions available for purchase, dining times, meal menus, and recommendations made by staff and crew. Be sure to plan early for best availability.
Q. Should I purchase Trip Insurance?
A. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance. Trip insurance often offers protection if you have to cancel your cruise due to illness or a death in the family. Insurance usually does not cover pre-existing conditions. Trip insurance usually also offers re-imbursement for medical coverage while on vacation. Please note that insurance policies
typically vary from cruise line to cruise line. Please ask our cruise consultants for details on complete coverage terms and conditions.
Q. What is the difference between choosing a cabin or choosing category "guarantee"?
A. Choosing a Cabin means that you will have the ability to actually select which deck and available cabins you would like to choose from. Cabin category guarantee means that you have purchased a stateroom in a category that has not
been assigned yet. Normally, these cabins are assigned at embarkation time. Sometimes these staterooms will be issued in advance and you may be notified. You stateroom will fall in the category that you have purchased, but you will not know the location until boarding. Sometimes, free upgrades are assigned. Cabin Guarantee is usually the lowest price available.
Q. What kind of clothes should I pack?
A. In cold weather destinations we recommend layering of clothes. In warm weather shorts and t-shirts are fine. Please note that many ships require a collared shirt and slacks in their dining rooms. Jeans and t-shirts are often not permitted in the dinning rooms on certain formal nights. Many ships also offer a formal night where a jacket and tie may be required.
Other cruise lines have no restrictions.
Q. What is the average age group per cruise line?
A. See below:
Carnival Cruise Line: 0 - 45 years of age
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: 25 - 55 years of age
Crystal Cruise Line: 55+ years of age
Celebrity Cruise Line: 35 - 64 years of age
Norwegian Cruise Line: 27 - 56 years of age
Holland America Cruises: 30 - 60 years of age
Princess Cruise Line: 35 to 65 years of age
Q. What time should my flight arrive and depart for the cruise?
A. If you are booking your own flights there are several rules of thumb to follow. Please plan to arrive at cruise port at least 2 hours before scheduled departure time. You need to allot additional time to retrieve your luggage and to transport from the airport to the cruise port. Please book flights that are early enough in case of a delay. Please note that ships will leave when scheduled. It is much better to arrive early and have to wait than to miss your cruise departure due to poor planning or delays. On departure please schedule flights about 7 hours after scheduled arrival time. Please make sure you leave enough time after scheduled arrival time since passengers must clear customs, disembark and transport to the airport.
A. Cruises include your accommodations, all meals, most onboard entertainment & shows.
Sodas and dinks, alcohol are extra. Note: Most cruises allow you to purchase an "unlimited soda card", ranging from $30.00-$40.00 per person, that will include all you can drink soda.
Q. What is included in the taxes & port charges?
A. Port-charges are levied by state and city agencies to cover the costs related to operating and maintaining the port facilities. The charges include such services a pilotage, waste removal and port personnel. Taxes typically cover airport taxes and related fees.
Q. What else might I have to pay for on a cruise?
A. Gratuities, spa treatments, shore excursions, casino gaming, shopping, drinks & alcohol, medical services, and
other such activities are extra. Please check with your travel agent about specific cruise lines, as these vary from
cruise line to cruise line.
Q. How does payment work for booking cruises?
A. Cruises generally take deposits up front, randing from $100-$500 per person, depending on the total price of the cruise.
The balance is due usually 2-3 months prior to cruising. If you are booking a last minute cruise that falls within this time
frame, the full payment will be due immediately upon booking.
Q. What is the difference between an inside and outside cabin?
A. Inside Cabins (also called "Interior Cabins") have no window. Outside cabins (also called "oceanview cabins" )have either a porthole or picture window. Size of windows depends on which cabin and which ship. Please check with your travel agent for exact cabin details.
Q. When do I need to board the ship?
A. Embarkation usually begins 4 hours prior to ship departure.
Q. Can I bring electronic appliances on board the ship?
A. Hairdryers, electric razors, and other small appliances may be brought onboard. Most staterooms are equipped with electrical outlets that operate at 110 Volts AC current and can handle typical appliances. Some appliances
may require special adapters.
Q. Will I get seasick on the cruise?
A. Seasickness is uncommon in very large cruise ships. The large ships are equipped with special stabilizers that are designed to stabilize the ship. There may also be a doctor on large ships to aid with any problems.
Q. How do I pay for purchases while I am on the ship?
A. A special account will be set up for you to record any purchases that you may make while onboard. This account can be deducted from a credit card, a cash deposit or travelers checks.
Q. What are the usual guidelines for tipping?
A. Tipping is customary. Please use your discretion and recognize outstanding service. The recommended amounts are: waiters and staterooms attendants $3.00 per passenger per day, assistant waiters $1.50 per passenger per day and head waiters $2.00 per passenger per day. Some Cruise Lines will pre-charge you for this amount at your convenience.
Q. What Dining Options Are Available?
A. Each cruise line varies in its dinning options, please ask our cruise consultants for specific options available to you. Generally, two options are offered: Main Seating (ranges from 5:00-6:30pm) and Late Seating (ranges from 8pm-8:30pm)
Some cruise lines also offer "ehenever" dining, so you are free to eat at any time you please. Dinning preferences may be
indicated at the time of booking but cannot be guaranteed. Seating and table assignments will be confirmed at the time of embarkation.
Q. Are there activities for children onboard the ships?
A. Families often book cruises together. Most cruise lines offer activities and kids clubs for children each day. Many cruise lines have programs specifically designed for children so that adults can relax worry-free. Ages and activities vary on all
cruise lines. Please ask our cruise consultants for any such activities that may be specific to your cruise. Generally,
Carnival and Royal Caribbean are known as the "family cruise lines".
Q. What activities are available for evenings?
A. Evening activities vary per cruise line, most cruise lines have 2-3 activities happening at any given time. Most popular
activities include broadway-style shows, magic shows comedy shows, audience participation shows, couples only shows,
moonlight dancing, midnight buffets, evening deck parties, etc. Check per cruise line.
Q. How do I plan my day to day activities?
A. All cruise lines have a ship activity flyer which is usually placed in your cabin the night before. In it you will find all daily
activities and times, age-appropriate activities, shore excursions available for purchase, dining times, meal menus, and recommendations made by staff and crew. Be sure to plan early for best availability.
Q. Should I purchase Trip Insurance?
A. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance. Trip insurance often offers protection if you have to cancel your cruise due to illness or a death in the family. Insurance usually does not cover pre-existing conditions. Trip insurance usually also offers re-imbursement for medical coverage while on vacation. Please note that insurance policies
typically vary from cruise line to cruise line. Please ask our cruise consultants for details on complete coverage terms and conditions.
Q. What is the difference between choosing a cabin or choosing category "guarantee"?
A. Choosing a Cabin means that you will have the ability to actually select which deck and available cabins you would like to choose from. Cabin category guarantee means that you have purchased a stateroom in a category that has not
been assigned yet. Normally, these cabins are assigned at embarkation time. Sometimes these staterooms will be issued in advance and you may be notified. You stateroom will fall in the category that you have purchased, but you will not know the location until boarding. Sometimes, free upgrades are assigned. Cabin Guarantee is usually the lowest price available.
Q. What kind of clothes should I pack?
A. In cold weather destinations we recommend layering of clothes. In warm weather shorts and t-shirts are fine. Please note that many ships require a collared shirt and slacks in their dining rooms. Jeans and t-shirts are often not permitted in the dinning rooms on certain formal nights. Many ships also offer a formal night where a jacket and tie may be required.
Other cruise lines have no restrictions.
Q. What is the average age group per cruise line?
A. See below:
Carnival Cruise Line: 0 - 45 years of age
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: 25 - 55 years of age
Crystal Cruise Line: 55+ years of age
Celebrity Cruise Line: 35 - 64 years of age
Norwegian Cruise Line: 27 - 56 years of age
Holland America Cruises: 30 - 60 years of age
Princess Cruise Line: 35 to 65 years of age
Q. What time should my flight arrive and depart for the cruise?
A. If you are booking your own flights there are several rules of thumb to follow. Please plan to arrive at cruise port at least 2 hours before scheduled departure time. You need to allot additional time to retrieve your luggage and to transport from the airport to the cruise port. Please book flights that are early enough in case of a delay. Please note that ships will leave when scheduled. It is much better to arrive early and have to wait than to miss your cruise departure due to poor planning or delays. On departure please schedule flights about 7 hours after scheduled arrival time. Please make sure you leave enough time after scheduled arrival time since passengers must clear customs, disembark and transport to the airport.
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