Frequently Asked Cruise Questions

Getting Started

  1. How do I know what cruise is right for me?
  2. Who is going on the cruise?
  3. How much time do you have to spend on a cruise?
  4. When do you want to travel?
  5. Where do you want to travel?
  6. How will you be arriving to the departure port?
  7. What type of stateroom are you interested in?
  8. I am unfamiliar with this website. What are your qualifications?

Booking Online

  1. How do you book a handicapped cabin?
  2. What if I have special requests?
  3. What does GUAR mean on the cabin selection page?

Documentation and Other Necessary Information

  1. What documentation do I need?
  2. Are guest documentation forms mandatory?
  3. When should I expect my cruise documents?

Cruise Cost/Cancellations/Insurance

  1. What does my cruise cost cover?
  2. Where can I find the total cost of my cruise and what is included in that price?
  3. When is my cruise confirmed?
  4. How is payment for my cruise handled?
  5. What if I need to cancel my cruise? Do you recommend insurance?

General Questions

  1. What should you pack for your cruise?
  2. Are there luggage restrictions?
  3. Are pets allowed onboard?
  4. Are laundry services available?
  5. Is motion discomfort a problem?
  6. How do I make onboard purchases?
  7. Are there internet/phone services onboard?
  8. What is the minimum age for children to sail?
  9. Is there a doctor onboard?
  10. Are babysitting and childcare services provided?
  11. Are gratuities included?
  12. When can I make reservations for the spa or specialty restaurants?
  13. When can I book shore excursions?

How do I know what cruise is right for me?

Asking yourself the following questions is a good way to narrow down your search for cruises.

Who is going on the cruise?

The first thing to decide on a cruise vacation is who will be traveling. If there are more than eight cabins, you may be eligible for group rates. We have a group department that handles this type of reservation.

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How much time do you have to spend on a cruise?

Depending on the number of days you can spare away from home or the office often affects your cruise destination choices. For example, if you have less than a week off, you will most likely be limited to the Bahamas and Mexico. If you have a longer amount of time off, you have opportunities to sail to farther destinations such as the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe.

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When do you want to travel?

Peak sailing is generally in the summer months and around holidays, when cruise fares are generally higher. If you prefer to sail in the spring or fall, you will most likely find better fares. If you are planning to sail to Northern Europe or Alaska, you are generally limited to May through September sailings.

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Where do you want to travel?

It is important to decide whether a particular destination or a particular port for departing is the most important. If you have flexibility for many departure ports, your options are greater. If you are just interested in the experience of a cruise ship, there are cruises that sail to nowhere. Cruises are virtually available in all areas of the world.

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How will you be arriving to the departure port?

Driving-If you chose to drive to the departure port; there is a nominal parking fee each day, similar to airport parking.

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Flying-If flights are purchased directly through this website, your transfers are generally included. When your flight has landed, head to the baggage claim area and look for a sign with your cruise line's name on it. If transfers are not included, a cruise specialist may be able to add them into your booking. Prices vary based on cruise line and arrival city. If air is purchased separately, please check with a cruise specialist to check the last available time to arrive.

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What type of stateroom are you interested in?

There are generally four categories of staterooms including interior, ocean view, balcony, and suite. There are subcategories for each room that depend on the exact size and location of the room.



Interior- An interior cabin is usually the least expensive and smallest cabin available. Interior staterooms have no window.
Ocean View/Outside Cabin- An ocean view cabin is probably the most popular cabin. It feels like ocean views are larger than interiors, even though they may physically be the same size.
Balcony- Nothing is more relaxing than sipping your morning cup of coffee in your pajamas while lounging on your private balcony.
Suites- For the ultimate luxury, suites offer multiple rooms and may include large balconies.

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Booking Online

How do you book a handicapped cabin?

Because handicapped cabins are not available online, you must call in to book. We will be happy to honor the special web discount rate for cruises that are unable to be booked online due to special circumstances. Please note that you must qualify for a handicap cabin to receive one.

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What if I have special requests?

Out agency is able to handle special requests. Let us know if you are booking more than one cabin and wish to coordinate the dining, or if you have special requests for honeymoons, birthdays, or anniversaries. After booking your cruise, simply send us an email and shortly after, your request will be added to your reservation.

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What does GUAR mean on the cabin selection page?

GUAR stands for a guarantee stateroom, meaning your stateroom number will not be assigned until boarding. In some situations, the stateroom number may be provided sooner than this. While, this option will never leave you with a lower category than you booked, it provides opportunity for upgrade.

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Documentation and Other Necessary Information

What documentation do I need?

It is strongly recommended that all passengers travel with a valid passport.

For Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and Domestic sailings:
For U.S. citizens , a passport (valid or expired) is highly recommended as it will speed-up your check-in formalities as well as your departure procedures with government
officials. In the absence of a passport, a birth certificate (original or a certified copy), plus a picture ID card issued by a federal, state or local government agency is required.
A voter registration card or Social Security Card is not considered to be proof of citizenship. Children under 16 years of age do not require a picture ID. Non US citizens should visit the embassy to learn about your specific case.

US citizens require a passport for all other sailings.

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Are guest documentation forms mandatory?

Yes, guest documentation is mandatory for security purposes. Information about this can be accessed from your cruise confirmation that is sent after booking.

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When should I expect my cruise documents?

How and when you receive your cruise documents will depend on how far in advance your cruise is booked. If done far in advance, you documents will arrive around two to three weeks prior to departure. If your cruise is booked less than three weeks in advance, your cruise documents are likely to be issued as pier pick-up.

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Cruise Cost/Cancellations/Insurance

What does my cruise cost cover?

Generally the price of your cruise vacation includes ship accommodations, taxes and fees, ocean transportation, most meals, some beverages, and most entertainment.

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Where can I find the total cost of my cruise and what is included in that price?

The total price for your cruise is displayed only after you have completed your selection. Your selection includes the ship, itinerary, sailing date, air if purchased, number of passengers, and cabin (assignment or guarantee) and filling in passenger's names and information. This price includes cruise fare, taxes, and insurance if the box is selected.

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When is my cruise confirmed?

Instantly after entering your credit card number and clicking on Purchase, the cruise line receives your information and your booking confirmation will be displayed on the screen. In addition, an email is sent confirming your cruise booking.

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How is payment for my cruise handled?

Depending on when your cruise is booked, you will be billed either a deposit or a full payment by the cruise line directly. A booking made with a sail date less than 70 days away will transmit the full payment. If your cruise is booked more than 70 days in advance (90 days for certain holidays and special sailings) you will be billed a per person deposit. The rate will vary because each cruise line has its own deposit requirements. We will only transmit what is required by the cruise line booked. The final payment will automatically be transmitted on the date required by the cruise line.

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What if I need to cancel my cruise? Do you recommend insurance?

Canceling your cruise after the final payment deadline will result in cancellation penalties that can vary from loss of deposit to the entire cost of your cruise. See Terms and Conditions for more information. Our agency and the cruise lines strongly recommend trip insurance to protect your vacation investment. The cost of trip insurance can vary, but typically runs 10% of the cost of your cruise.

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General Questions

What should you pack for your cruise?

Most cruise lines have the following amount of formal nights for dinner in the main dining rooms. If you chose not to participate with formal dining, there are casual dining options available.



Cruise Length
Formal Night(s)

3 -5 Nights
1

7-11 Nights
2

13 + Nights
3

interior room includes hair-dryer, TV, phone, vanity table with an extendable working surface and 110/220 electrical outlets. And in stateroom also has mini refrigerator and safe.

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Are there luggage restrictions?

As a general rule of thumb the cruise lines have similar luggage requirement to that of the airlines.

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Are pets allowed onboard?

No, pets are generally not allowed to travel on cruise ships, with the exception of seeing-eye dogs.

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Are laundry services available?

Almost all cruise ships provide laundry facilities and dry-cleaning services for a charge.

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Is motion discomfort a problem?

Rarely do passengers experience motion discomfort. There are preventative measures available if you feel this might become a problem. Please speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

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How do I make onboard purchases?

Most cruise lines require all onboard purchases to be made on a card issued to each guest when boarding. The card is paid off with most forms of payment such as credit cards, cash, and traveler's checks.

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Are there internet/phone services onboard?

Phone service and internet access is available on most cruise ships at an additional charge.

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What is the minimum age for children to sail?

The minimum age for children to sail varies depending on the cruise line. Check with the individual cruise line for their infant policy.

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Is there a doctor onboard?

Yes, there is a doctor onboard every ship.

Are babysitting and childcare services provided?

Most ships have a complimentary children's program. Additional babysitting is available with reservations at an additional charge.

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Are gratuities included?

No, gratuities are not generally included in the price of your cruise, but this varies from cruise line to cruise line.

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When can I make reservations for the spa or specialty restaurants?

Once you board the ship you should make any onboard reservations. Reservations are made on a first come first serve basis.

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When can I book shore excursions?

Most cruise lines allow shore excursions to be booked 60 days in advance or once you board the ship. You book shore excursions online or directly with the cruise line.

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