| General Cruising
Questions
Is cruising affordable, and good value for my vacation
dollar?
A cruise vacation is available to suit every budget,
from cost conscious newlyweds to experienced cruisers demanding
the most luxurious. Cruising is the ultimate “all inclusive”
vacation, offering maximum value for your money. Not only
does the resort move location every day, your fare also includes
all meals, accommodation, onboard daytime activities, evening
parties and entertainment. You will know what your vacation
is costing before you depart. (Your only usual extra expenses
will be drinks, optional shore excursions, and personal services
such as spa treatments or beauty salon services). Cruises
are available year round, guaranteeing you a choice of destinations
and lengths, whenever you need a break.
Are all ships and cruises fairly similar?
Definitely NOT! Cruise ships range from small intimate vessels
under 200 feet servicing 20 guests or less, to well over 1000
feet with 3000 passengers or more. Onboard facilities and
atmospheres range from casual, laid back, classically simple
to elegantly formal. Cruise Concepts can recommend the exact
right cruise for your tastes, from the many traditional propeller
driven ships, sail powered cruise ships, paddlewheel riverboats
or canal barges.
How do I know what cruise line, ship or itinerary
is best for me?
As indicated above, there are significant differences
in ships and itineraries available to you. Much depends on
your personality, likes, dislikes, family interests, and cabin
requirements, all of which requires a little homework on your
part. Some of the major considerations are:
- Price – what is your budget?
- The Ship – age, size, accommodations offered, number
of passengers.
- Itineraries – where do you want to go?
- Passenger reputation – all cruise lines cater to
different interests, and garner reputations for their services.
Ask your friends and read some cruising guides or magazines.
- Timing – decide on your “window of opportunity”
and try to stick to it. Not all ships offer all itineraries
year round.
Last but not least, ask Cruise Concepts for various cruise
brochures to take home and read, together with relevant web
site information, together with our professional expert advice.
Are there different classes of service on board cruise
ships?
Today’s modern cruise ships are nearly all one class!
Every passenger receives the same courteous service, and can
use all of the ship’s facilities, including restaurants,
shops, bars, and entertainment venues offered. The price of
your stateroom is based primarily on its size and location
on the ship. (Only exception are the “Queen Mary 2 and
Queen Elizabeth 2” where your stateroom category dictates
which restaurant you are assigned to).
When is the best time to take a cruise?
Anytime is the best time to take a cruise, but it also depends
on where you would like to go. You can cruise the Caribbean
year round, but some of the more exotic destinations are seasonal.
Remember that cruise ships tend to “chase the sun”,
so Alaskan cruises are between late April and October. Northern
Europe – Scandinavia and Russia, is primarily between
June and September, but the Mediterranean is offered between
March and November. Panama Canal cruises sail between September
and April, but Hawaii and Tahiti are year round offerings.
South America and the Amazon cruises sail in the Southern
Hemisphere summer, between November and March.
No matter what time of the year it is, there are always choices
of destinations and ships for your cruising pleasure.
Will I get seasick or suffer from motion sickness?
Probably not. Most of the cruising areas of the World boast
some of the calmest waters in the World (Alaska, Mediterranean,
Caribbean). Modern cruise ships are all fitted with stabilizers
and side thrusters, and together with huge advances in accurate
weather forecasting, and effective preventative medications,
are all factors in mainly eliminating incidences of motion
discomfort.
What does my cruise fare include?
Your cruise fare includes your choice of accommodations, all
meals and entertainment on board. Depending on the cruise
package, it may also include port taxes and government fees,
together with your air and transfers. Certain items of a personal
nature are usually not included on most cruises, such as alcoholic
beverages, spa treatments, massages, laundry, casino charges,
photographs purchased, phone calls ashore, e-mail and internet
usage, shore excursions and items purchased in the gift shops.
(Some premium/luxury cruise ships include all alcoholic beverages
and staff tipping).
Do all cruise lines welcome and cater to families
with children?
Latest industry figures show that over 1/3 of all cruise vacations
are booked by families with children. All cruise lines welcome
children, from babies in arms to teenagers. Cruise ship crews
are often overjoyed to see the children, as many have families
at home that they are away from for long periods. It is important
to understand that some cruise lines do not cater to children
however as well as others. Some upscale adult oriented cruise
lines are not equipped for children, offering different adult
programs and atmospheres. Most cruise lines however make a
special point of providing supervised activities for youngsters,
especially during school holidays. If your children enjoy
making new friends, swimming, sports, games, movies, and the
adventure of new destinations, 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. The cruise staff will help them keep busy and entertained,
allowing Mum and Dad some private quiet times. Best of all,
children generally travel at substantially reduced rates.
Cruise Concepts can help you decide the right cruise experience
for your family.
Will I have to dress up in formal attire?
Not unless you want to! Dress code on ships varies by cruise
line. Whilst some ships are mainly casual by nature, others
do have a more formal dress code policy. However, it is important
to remember that you are the guest, and ultimately the decision
maker when it comes to what you wear on the ship. As a general
rule, cruise ships offer the following dress options for dinner
and an evening theme, always indicated on your daily program:
- Formal – Usually reserved for the Captain’s
welcome aboard and farewell gala evenings. Recommended attire
includes tuxedo, dark business suit or slacks and blazer
and tie for gentlemen, and more elegant cocktail dress or
equivalent for ladies.
- Informal – Slacks, blazer or sports jacket with
open neck sports shirt for gentlemen, and dress, skirts
and blouse or slacks for ladies.
- Casual - Casual slacks and golf shirt for gentlemen, casual
clothing for ladies.
One common policy appears to be in agreement of all cruise
lines – No Jeans, Baseball hats or casual shorts in
the dining room for dinner! Bravo!
What is there to do on cruising days at sea?
Everything or nothing! Cruise ships are like floating resorts,
offering all the amenities of a fine resort. Or you can lay
back in a lounge chair, breathe in the fresh sea air, soak
up the sun, read a good book or two, and be mesmerized by
the ever changing view. Consider joining the exercise classes,
dance classes, sports contests, and other organized deck activities.
On some ships you can practice your tennis game, or golf swing,
or shoot some baskets. Of course you can swim, take a hot
tub, stretch out in the sauna, have a massage, or work out
in a world-class gym. What about an afternoon first run movie,
or attend a lecture by renowned experts, or an art auction,
play some backgammon or bridge, and hit the casino tables
with a winning attitude. After dinner, take in a Broadway
show, or a classical concert in one of the many lounges before
closing out the night at the all night disco! Somewhere in
the day you can find time to shop in the duty and tax-free
shops for unique gifts and ships memorabilia.
What is there to do in port?
So much that you will have a hard time choosing! You can go
off on your own and explore, or perhaps take a guided tour,
or a cruise line escorted shore excursion, or bicycle down
the side of a 10,000 foot volcano, or ride some horses across
miles of beaches and hills. Search some ancient ruins or museum,
or hunt for shopping bargains. Go swimming at some of the
world’s best beaches, sail, snorkel, go scuba diving,
or go deep sea fishing for that giant marlin you have always
dreamt about. Climb a waterfall or pyramid, see the birthplace
of civilization, or listen to some steel drum bands, Play
some golf or tennis, go on a photo shoot, and always try the
local native food. Sometimes there is time for an evening
nightclub or world famous casino, and always there are the
local residents who are happy to help you. Cruising offers
you the perfect vacation to sample a number of destinations
– and you only have to unpack and pack once.
I’m single – can I have fun on a cruise?
Cruising is the ideal vacation for singles! Most ships have
parties specifically for single adults early in your cruise,
so you can start meeting people and being involved immediately
if you wish. Many ships offer single stateroom accommodations,
as well as single rates for double staterooms. On many cruise
ships, the cruise line will find you a roommate to share the
cabin with (same sex), so you only pay the double occupancy
rate.
Do I need an inside cabin, outside cabin or balcony?
This is an ongoing source of discussion with only one answer
– it’s your choice!
Some passengers wish to save on the cruise fare, and buy an
“inside” cabin. These cabins are spacious, have
all the same beds, furnishings and facilities as an outside
cabin, but instead of a window looking out over the ocean,
they have a picture wall. Lighting is good, but obviously
a darker environment in the mornings with no light entering
the stateroom. They do save you money, and are ideal for passengers
who spend all their time on deck or ashore, requiring minimal
cabin usage.
Other passengers like light, and being able to view the ocean
from their “outside” stateroom. Again, the beds,
furnishings and facilities are usually the same as an inside
or suite, with the possibility of an enhanced bathroom and
seating area in some categories of cabins. There is often
an enhanced feeling of spaciousness in an outside cabin due
to the window and light. Outside cabins are ideal for couples
that like to spend a little more private time in their stateroom.
For some select itineraries, a “balcony” suite
is a wonderful experience. These staterooms not only give
you the advantages of an outside cabin, but also have a sliding
door that opens on to your own private veranda deck! They
are ideal accommodation on itineraries that allow you to view
sights up close, such as Alaska, Mediterranean, Panama Canal.
These suites are usually larger than outside cabins, with
floor to ceiling glass doors and windows allowing maximum
light into your stateroom, and often boast a separate sitting
area and bedroom. They are ideal for entertaining on board,
and for passengers who enjoy private relaxation on their own
balcony. Some ships even offer “butler service”
in balcony suites, enabling you to dine and entertain in your
suite.
All categories of accommodations on most ships have 3rd and
4th passenger availability, for your children or grandparents
etc, who travel at substantially reduced rates when sharing
your cabin. Many ships also offer “adjoining”
cabins, for family groups who want to be close, but not share!
Cruise Concepts can help you determine what is right for your
particular accommodation needs.
Do I get a better price if I book early, or just before
sailing date?
There is a misconception that waiting to book late will save
you money - Cruise Lines must be desperate the last few weeks
before sailing! Unfortunately – not true!
Cruise Concepts recommends that you always try to book early.
As a top producing specialist cruise agency, the cruise lines
always offer us attractive “early booking” discounts,
and special “group” fares, which passengers can
take advantage of. You do not need a group – 2 passengers
in a cabin can benefit substantially from our special rates.
Ironically, the cruise lines, as the sailing date approaches,
withdraw most of the early booking and group fares.
If you are making a late decision however to take a cruise,
and only have limited time, do not despair! Cruise Concepts
has access to last minute inventories available on all ships,
and due to our reputation in the industry, always offer the
lowest close out fares available.
Is tipping included or extra on cruises?
It depends on which cruise line or ship you cruise on! Some
upscale brand cruise lines include all tipping as part of
their cruise fare. These deluxe cruise lines also often include
other amenities as well such as wine, or open bars.
For most of the industry however, tipping is at the discretion
of the passenger, with certain established guidelines. Most
cruise lines add a small percentage to all bar bills at the
time of purchase, which is shown on your final invoice to
cover the bar waiters and staff. At the termination of your
cruise, tips are usually left in 1 or 2 envelopes to be distributed
amongst all other service staff on board. This would include
your cabin steward, waiter, and busboy, together with other
behind the scenes staff such as laundry, cooks, maintenance
staff etc!
The amount of a gratuity varies again by cruise line, but
is generally recommended at $8-$12 per person per day. Cruise
Concepts will advise you of the recommended policy on the
cruise of your choice.
Do I need a passport, and /or visa for my cruise?
All cruise lines now demand that passengers carry identifiable
photo I.D for all cruises, anywhere in the World. Whilst a
driving license or citizenship card can suffice on some local
North American cruises, an up to date passport is the best
identification, and mandatory when traveling overseas to start
a cruise. A Visa is only required for certain cruises, and
you will be advised by Cruise Concepts at time of booking.
Is there a doctor on board?
All cruise ships offer medical centers, fully staffed by qualified
physicians and nurses. The medical center on a ship has daily-posted
hours of operation, and can treat most injuries or sickness,
from simple sunburn or cuts and bruises, to a more serious
injury. Emergencies onboard are treated immediately at all
times, and serious injuries can be airlifted to a land based
hospital from most ships if necessary. A customary fee is
charged for most medical services and medications.
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