General Questions | Cabin Questions | Dining Questions
Shipboard Questions | Now That You're Booked Questions

Now That You're Booked Questions

1. What is Travel Protection Insurance? Is it important?

We strongly recommend that you consider our Cruise Cancellation Insurance. Without insurance, if you cancel your cruise after final payment, you will suffer penalties.

We mention insurance to everyone. Should you purchase Cruise Cancellation Insurance? You should consider your own situation before deciding for or against it?

Would losing the total cost of the trip hurt?
Do you have family members who are ill or at risk of illness? If their condition turned worse would you abandon your travel plans? Would young children or older family members be affected?
Do you have a pre-existing medical condition?
Is your trip relatively expensive? Are you leaving the country for 10 days or longer?
Are you at a point in your life where you are susceptible to accident or illness?
Are you booking your own air transportation?
Have you ever experienced baggage delay or loss by the airlines?
Does your insurance cover medical expenses in a foreign country? (Probably not)
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may want to consider insurance. Insurance typically costs about 10% of your total trip cost and usually covers baggage, trip delay, trip interruption, medical expenses, medical evacuation, and more. The cruise lines' insurance typically doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, but we have other insurance we sell to cover these situations. Ask your cruise counselor for a brochure explaining it in more detail.

Is Insurance worth it? If you have to use it, definitely! But insurance also buys peace of mind, which is not a bad reason to have it, either.

2. I booked my cabin as a Guarantee. When will I get my cabin assignment?

If you booked your cruise as a "Guarantee", you are not assigned a cabin number at the time of booking. You are simply guaranteed that category or better. Since most people who cruise simply want to get the best price, "Guarantees" are a great way to fill the ship with people looking for a good rate.

Cabin assignments on Category Guarantees are often made the week of sailing or even the day of sailing. When you receive your cruise documents, your cabin number will be listed as "TBA" (To be Assigned) or "GTY" (guarantee). When you check in at the cruise terminal they will give you your cabin number. It can be anywhere on the ship, but not in a category lower than you paid for. You may even get a free upgrade.

This practice is very similar to booking a hotel room. Hotels promise standard or ocean view rooms, but they do not give you the actual room number until you check in.

Don't worry about the baggage tags the cruise line gives you. The ship's staff and porters receive a passenger manifest on your departure date and will know your cabin number to deliver your bags to the cabin in a timely manner.

3. When will I receive my Cruise Documents?

Our Passenger Support Department receives cruise and airline documents from the cruise line approximately two weeks prior to sailing. They will check the documents for accuracy and forward them to you. All documents are sent to you by express mail. Under normal circumstances you should receive them at least 7 days prior to travel. If you are sailing during Peak Travel Times, documents could arrive a few days prior to sailing.

If you are traveling at the last minute and booked your cruise just a few days prior to your scheduled departure, you may be required to do a "Pier Pickup," which means your documents will be waiting for you at the cruise terminal. You must show proper proof of citizenship and id before boarding.

4. I plan to drive to my Cruise Embarkation Port. How do I get there? Do you have driving directions?

You can obtain this information by clicking on Map Quest which can help you with accurate driving directions from your home to the pier in just a few minutes. Type in your street address, city, state and zip code and then select the Cruise Departure Port to which you need directions. Map Quest will give you door to door, turn by turn instructions from your house to the pier, including total miles and the estimated time of travel.

5. How much does it cost to park at the Pier?

Most Cruise Terminals offer convenient parking for cruise passengers right at the pier. Many are security-patrolled and designed to accommodate both RV's and buses, as well as offering handicapped parking.

Rates vary by Cruise Terminal. For a complete listing of North America's most active Cruise Terminals with contact information and approximate daily parking rates, please visit our Parking Rates at the Pier page in our Cruise Resources Section.

6. Are there porters available at the airport and the pier?

Yes, there are porters are available for your convenience at the airport and the cruise terminal. They will make sure your bags arrive at your embarkation port and your cabin. However, their tips are not included in the price of your cruise package. It is customary to extend a gratuity of at least $1.00 per bag.

When you board the ship, a staff member will escort you to your cabin and carry any carry on bags you have with you. Your other luggage will arrive in your cabin later. You may also want to extend a small gratuity for this service.

7. Do I need a Passport?

United States Immigration determines the correct documents that passengers must have in their possession in order to leave and return to the U.S. It is the passenger's responsibility to check with his/her local immigration offices and/or respective embassies or consulates to determine document requirements. The cruise line will not be responsible if a passenger is denied boarding by local immigration officials for lack of proper documents.

United States and Canadian Citizens:

Voter Registration cards are not acceptable.

For most of the Caribbean, Alaska or Mexico, a certified copy of your birth certificate with a raised seal, as well as an official photo I.D. are acceptable.

All passengers 16 years and older are required to have a photo I. D. to present with their proof of citizenship.

For travel in any other part of the world, including Fanning Island via Hawaii, a valid passport is required.

In some countries like Russia, Turkey and Brazil, a visa may be required. A Passenger Support Representative will notify you of this prior to your cruise.

Resident Aliens:
Resident Aliens who are permanent residents of the U.S. must have their passport and Alien Registration card (Form-1551.) In some instances resident aliens may be required to have sailing permits and or visas to enter some countries.

Foreign Passengers:
Foreign passengers must be in possession of a valid passport and multiple entry visa for the United States (B-2 Visitor's Visa.)

Regulations with regard to vaccination certificates and other health requirements for the various embarkation ports may vary by destination and change from time to time. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to obtain the necessary and appropriate documents as well as to have them available.

8. How much luggage can I bring?

The Cruise line allows you to bring as much luggage as you like. However, the airlines have limitations on both checked and carry-on baggage. Your luggage will have to be stowed in your cabin during your cruise. Once you board the ship, your luggage will be brought to your cabin. This normally takes a few hours. Items such as jewelry, cameras, medication and documents should never be packed in your luggage. Please pack these items in your carry-on luggage.

9. Are my meals onboard included? Can I make special dining requests?

Most meals are included in the price of your cruise package. Special diet requirements may be requested at least 30 days prior to sailing. Please notify your Cruise Counselor with your request. There may be limitations in the cruise lines ability to accommodate special orders. Certain cruise lines do not offer Kosher meals. If you are celebrating a special event such as an anniversary or birthday, please be sure to let your Cruise Counselor know. We will notify the cruise line and they will provide you with a special treat, free of charge. Please reconfirm this request directly with your maitre'd Most ships offer free room service with a limited menu 24-hours a day. Some cruise ships offer a la carte dining for additional fees.

10. Is it better to have Early Seating or Late Seating?

As a rule of thumb, Early Dining means you'll have dinner between 6 pm and 6:30 pm. Late Dining means you'll have dinner between 8:15 and 8:45 pm. There are many reasons why one dining time may be better for you than another.

You may want Early Dining if:
You are traveling with small children who need to stick to a set meal and bedtime schedule.
You don't enjoy that bloated full feeling before bedtime.
You generally go to bed between 10 pm and Midnight.
You are taking a very "At Sea" intensive itinerary.
You are an early riser.

You may want Late Dining if:
You are a night owl and catch a "second wind" later in the evening.
You don't want to feel rushed for dinner after a day in port.
It takes you or your spouse a long time to get ready for dinner.
You don't mind finishing your meal around 10:15 or 10:30 pm.
We will be happy to notify the cruise line of your dining request and normally they are able to comply. However, it is not guaranteed. If for any reason you are not pleased with either the time or the table assignment, please see the maitre'd once you are onboard the ship and request a change. On certain cruise lines you will be required to verify dining arrangements on the day you board the ship.

11. How much should I budget for Tipping?

Tipping is a personal matter. The "suggested" tipping guidelines may vary by cruise line. But as a rule of thumb, you should budget about $10 per person per day total for all waiters, busboys, cabin stewards, and head waiters. On a seven day cruise, a couple may spend $140 on total gratuities.

Some cruise lines conveniently include the customary gratuities on your shipboard account during your cruise. However, you are free to adjust the amount of the gratuities according to the level of service you received. Others maintain the traditional process of presenting tips to your servers on the last night of the cruise.

Your Cruise Director will explain tipping procedures during the disembarkation talk. Envelopes for gratuities will be left in your cabin on the last night of the cruise.

12. How do I pay for purchases on board? Do they take cash on board?

You may charge all of your beverages, services or on board purchases to your cabin. Most ships do not accept personal checks and some ships have a no-cash policy during the cruise. Passengers paying by credit card will be required to provide their credit card upon embarkation. Cash is accepted in the casino.

If you do not have a credit card, you may leave a cash deposit with the purser's desk to cover your incidental, onboard purchases. If your balance is getting low, the purser's desk will notify you and ask that you replenish your balance. If you have a balance remaining at the end of your cruise, it will be refunded.

13. Are the restaurants open when the ship is in port?

Meals and limited activities are offered on the ship while in port, however, the casino and shops will (in most cases) not be open.

14. How do I learn about daily shipboard activities?

The Cruise Line will provide you with a daily information sheet that will be placed in your cabin each evening. This lists all the activities that will take place the following day. Most cruise lines have separate sheets for children's activities that may be obtained from your cabin steward or the Purser's Office.

15. Are there activities onboard for my kids?

Most of the "family-oriented" cruise lines offer children and teens. programs. If available, baby-sitting services may be arranged on the ship at the Purser's Office. The Purser will advise you of the charge for a private baby-sitter.

16. Do they have babysitting onboard?

Most Budget and Contemporary Cruise lines encourage families with children and almost always offer sitting services; however, availability can vary on the destination and time of year. Cruise lines with limited facilities for children may not provide a children's program or sitting services unless a certain number of children are on board. Then there are those cruise lines who do not cater to children at all and may not offer any baby-sitting services. Ask your cruise counselor to check with the cruise line about the policy in place for the specific cruise you are considering.

Most contemporary cruise lines offer baby sitting in a group-style format in the children's room. These are conducted by the Children's' Program Counselors. Toddlers and older children often have playtime before retiring to individual, sheet-covered mats while watching videos with the other kids. Infants are rocked and placed in individual cribs. Some cruise lines offer this for free while others may charge a small fee. Baby-sitting services are offered during certain evening hours when the children's program is not in operation, but generally not on the first or the last night of the cruise. Baby-sitting during daytime hours is usually offered only while at sea, but a few may have more flexible hours.

Due to liability reasons, few cruise lines still offer "In-Room" baby-sitting services. Those that do require that you make reservations with the purser's desk at least 24 - 48 hours in advance. This "In-Room" service is usually done by female cabin stewards on their own free time. The fees are set with the cruise line and typically handled with a cash transaction directly with the In-Room Baby Sitter.

For updated information about a specific cruise line's baby sitting program and pricing, please see the Youth Counselor on your ship.

17. What do I Wear On-Board?

During the day, dress onboard a cruise ship is casual. There is usually one formal night on a 3 and 4- day cruise, two formal nights on 7-day cruises, and three or more formal nights on 10-day or longer cruises. Some ships offer special theme nights. Please refer to your cruise line brochure you will receive with your documents for specifics or the Daily Information Sheet while onboard.

Formal: Depending on the cruise line, gentlemen may be required to wear a tuxedo. A dark suit is acceptable on some cruise lines. Please refer to your brochure for this information. For the ladies, a long or short cocktail dress or a cocktail pants outfit is appropriate.

Informal: Gentlemen may be required to wear a jacket on these evenings. Ladies may wear a dress or pants outfit.

Casual: Gentlemen may wear an open shirt and slacks. No shorts are allowed in the dining room for dinner.

18. Can I bring my laptop computer and check my e-mail?

Yes, you can bring your laptop computer, but most cruise lines do not have Internet connections in the cabin.

If you must check your e-mail while you're on your cruise, you will find an Internet Cafe on most modern cruise ships. The cost to use the Internet on board is approximately 50 - 75 cents per minute, or higher depending on the cruise line . . . much cheaper than a direct dial phone call from your cabin.

If your ship does not have an Internet Cafe, you can often find one in many of the ports you'll visit while you're on your cruise.

By the way, why would you bring a computer on a cruise? It's a vacation!

19. Can I take my cell phone on the cruise?

If you are sailing to or from a U.S. port your cell phone should work while your ship is docked in port. However, unless you have a special satellite phone, the typical cell phone will not work when you are at sea. There isn't the signal to support it.

When in the Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda, your ability to make and receive calls from your mobile phone depends on the cellular plan you have with your carrier. To ensure that your phone works in these areas, check with your carrier two weeks prior to your cruise to make sure you have access.

When making calls from foreign countries to the USA, you may need to use their long distance calling procedures to make an international call back to the states. Check with your cellular carrier about these codes and procedures.

If you are traveling Oceanview of North America to Europe or Asia, you may need a special telephone that can operate on a foreign signal. Again, please check with your cellular carrier.

20. How much does it cost to make a phone call from the ship?

Cruise ships offer the ability to make direct telephone calls to anywhere in the world from your stateroom. Because this is a satellite connection, it is very expensive to make a call, ranging from $9.50 per minute to $15.00 per minute, depending on the cruise line. Unless contacting someone back home is urgent or an emergency, you may want to consider other alternatives.

Most new ships today have Internet Cafes, so you could send an e-mail for a fraction of the cost. Or wait until you're in port and use your cell phone or a calling card to make that call home.

21. What time will I be off the ship at the end of my cruise?

Time never stops on a cruise ship. When one cruise ends, another one begins so it is very important for the staff of the ship to clear all passengers as soon as possible to prepare for the next sailing and to make sure guests holding airline tickets depart in plenty of time to catch their flights.

A cruise ship usually arrives at its disembarkation port by 7:00 am on the last day of the cruise. Local Customs Officials then come aboard to inspect the ship and process immigration information for U.S. and foreign passengers. If all goes smoothly, the ship is usually cleared for disembarkation between 8:30 am and 9:30 am. There can be delays; therefore, if you are making your own flight arrangements, you should not book return flights home before noon if you are flying from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Los Angeles or New York.

22. Will they be serving breakfast on the last day?

When the ship arrives back in port on the last day of your cruise, breakfast will be served earlier than usual. Please keep in mind that there is an average of 700 to 2,000 people (depending on the size of the ship) all leaving at the same time. Each cruise line has its own disembarkation procedures. The cruise staff will provide full details on-board. Variances may occur with certain ships.

23. What if I have to cancel?

Cancellation policies vary between cruise lines. When you book your cruise, you will be advised of the cancellation policy applicable to your cruise. Our Passenger Service Department is always available to answer any questions regarding these policies. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to be familiar with the penalties assessed for cancellation.

To protect yourself from penalties for canceling due to medical reasons to yourself or family members, we highly advise that you purchase Travel Protection Insurance.

24. What is the United States Border Security Act? How do I need to prepare?

The United States Border Security Act is legislation signed by President George Bush in May 2002 that requires all airlines and cruise lines to collect immigration information from each passenger prior to their cruise to or from the United States.

On March 1, 2003, all cruise lines must electronically report a manifest of all passengers on each cruise prior to their arriving at the port on embarkation day. This manifest includes personal information about each passenger including name, gender, birthday, residence, citizenship and passport data (if applicable).

Any passengers who have not submitted all the needed information before they get to their ship can expect very long delays at the pier. If a passenger does not supply any piece of required data, he may be denied boarding without a refund.

Information required for ALL PASSENGERS include:

Complete Name
Date of Birth
Gender
Residence Address
Citizenship

In addition, non-U.S. citizens must provide

Passport Number and Country of Passport Issuance
Passport Issue Date and Passport Expiry Date
Country of Residence
Alien Registration Number ( if resident of the United Sates)
US Address while visiting the US (if not a resident of the United States)

Passengers who are citizens of a country that require a visa to enter the United States, and are not U.S. or Canadian resident aliens, must also secure a valid U.S. visa and provide the following:

U.S. Visa Number
Visa Issue Date
Place of Visa Issuance

The Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) will be standard for all airlines and cruise reservations. Your cruise line will include additional information about APIS with your cruise documents. You'll be asked to send or fax this information prior to your cruise. To register with your cruise line "click" here.