Cruise Questions

Home Choosing a Cruise Cruise Line Choices Choosing a Cabin All About Pricing First Cruise Cruise Questions Family Cruising Travel Insurance Preparing to Cruise Air/Sea Packages Packing Tips On Your Cruise Dining & Dress Codes Shore Excursions Staying in Touch Extra Costs Tipping About Us Travelocity Cruises at Priceline	Here are some of the more common questions we have heard from cruisers, especially those taking their first cruise. When is the best time to book a cruise? This will depend a good bit on the popularity of the cruise. If demand is going to be high, it makes sense to book early to get a wider choice of cabin and to avoid the possibility that the price will rise. If the ship sells out, of course, then the opportunity will be gone. If the cruise does not look to be extremely popular, or if there is a good bit of competition for that time and itinerary, then you have a bit more luxury when it comes to timing. Remember, though, that in most cases if the price goes down before your final payment is made, most cruise lines will make some sort of adjustment. Can a cruise be booked online? Definitely. Options abound on doing all or most of your cruise booking online. You can make comparisons, check itineraries and pricing and do much more, all from the comfort of your home or office. See the section devoted to comparing and booking a cruise. What is included in the price of the cruise and what is extra? This will vary a bit from cruise line to cruise line, but in general the following is included: Accomodation Dining (except for "speciality restaurants") Entertainment Use of most facilities (the fitness center, for example) Not included in your cruise price: Alcoholic drinks and most soft drinks Shore excursions Speciality restaurants Spa services Onboard shopping Tips and gratuities Use of some facilities (rock climbing walls, for example) What are the dining options? Lots, depending on the line and the ship. At minimum, you will be able to have 3 meals per day, whether in the dining room or the buffet restaurant. Some cruise lines, like Norwegian Cruise Lines with their "Freestyle Dining," allow you to eat pretty much when you want and with whomever you want. Others, like Princess Cruises, offers a choice between "Anytime Dining" and traditional dining, which is the same table at the same time (there are 2 seating times) every night. The majority of cruise lines, though, offer between 2 and 4 set dining times which will not change during the cruise. What are the dress codes? This will vary from line to line. Some lines, like Norwegian Cruise Lines will allow you to dress casually during your entire cruise. Others, like Oceania Cruises, will request "country club casual" dress. Most lines have a more formal approach for at least a couple of nights during the cruise meaning tuxedo or dark suit for men and dressier outfits for women. There is further discussion on the dining and dress codes page. Should I arrange shore excursions on my own or through the cruise line? There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. If you book through the cruise line you are assured that you will not miss the ship--it will wait for your return. If you book on your own, you may be able to save some money and perhaps get a more personalized tour, but if you are delayed and the ship sails without you, you are responsible for getting yourself to the next port. See the article on shore excursions. What are the best cabins? To some degree, this will depend on your "cruise personality," Spend a lot of time in your cabin? You'll probably want the most spacious room you can afford. Only sleep, shower and get dressed in your cabin? You'll most likely do fine with the most basic on the ship. What are the policies on tips and gratuties? Most cruise lines will either expect or require you to pay gratuities or a daily service charge. This will amount to $9-$15 per passenger per day. See the article on tips and gratuities for more information. I'm a smoker. Can I smoke on the ship? Different cruise lines have different regulations regarding smoking. Oceania cruises is probably the most strict, with smoking prohibited in all but 2 small areas of the ship (one outside and one inside). Most other cruise lines will allow smoking in your cabin or balcony and on a designated side of the ship in some public areas. On all main-stream U.S. cruise lines smoking is not permitted in dining rooms, theaters and most show lounges. Should we purchase cruise travel insurance? This depends on a number of factors including the price of the insurance relative to the price of the cruise. See the complete article on purchasing cruise travel insurance.