Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a Cruise
Is a cruise for me?
Anyone can go on a cruise. You just need to find the cruise that
is right for you. Think about what type of vacation are you looking for. Do you
want something that's laid-back, active, romantic, party-oriented, or a little
of each? Once you have an idea of what you want, you can judge the different
cruises based on how well they meet your expectations. By
doing a little research, you’ll be able to tell which cruises are best for you.
^ top
How old do I have to be to sail aboard a cruise?
The majority of cruise lines state that
guests under age 21 must be accompanied by a parent, relative, or guardian 25
years of age or older staying in the same stateroom. The only exception to this
policy is when parents traveling with their children have booked more than one
stateroom.
^ top
Where can I go?
You can go on a cruise pretty much anywhere in the world where there is
water. Although the most popular cruises are on the ocean, you can also take a
cruise on a lake, river, or other waterway, depending on the cruise company.
^ top
What types of cruises are there?
There are many types of cruise vacations that suit many different interests
and personal preferences. Luxury cruises, for example, offer high-class
amenities along with cultural enrichment programs. Exploration-based cruises
offer expeditions to places like Antarctica, the Amazon, the Galapagos Islands,
and other extraordinary destinations. Some cruises are destination-focused,
offering opportunities to tour many different countries and port cities. Others
feature special interests, centering on themes like murder mystery, wine, jazz,
sports, financial seminars, and so on.
^ top
What kinds of boats can I cruise on?
Cruises can take place on a variety of vessels, including ships (and mega
liners), windjammers, barges, freighters, and yachts. These vessels can be
very small (carrying only 10 people), very large (carrying over 3,000 people),
or anything in between.
^ top
How do I know the ship won’t sink?
You don’t need to worry whether the ship will stay afloat. All
passenger-carrying vessels must abide by strict maritime standards. All cruise
ships for the major cruise lines are regularly inspected for safety and today's
technology and weather predictions, you will not have to worry about a thing.
^ top
How long do cruises last?
A cruise can last anywhere from two days to four months.
^ top
Are cruises one-way or round-trip?
Many cruises sail round-trip from particular ports. However, numerous cruises
end in different ports such as the around-the-world cruises that start at one
port, but stop at a variety of countries.
^ top
How do I decide which cruise line to choose?
Cruises are big-ticket items, so doing some homework is essential in helping
you find a great cruise that’s right for you. When it comes to picking a cruise
line, there are many different factors to consider. For one thing, ships vary in
size, age, and amenities—one cruise line's most luxurious ship may be equivalent
to another's oldest, most run-down ship. Which cruise line you pick really
depends on your vacation style and budget.
Some of the things you need to
consider include the price, ship quality, itinerary and type of passengers.
^ top
How much do cruises cost and how do I get the best price?
Cruises can run from as little as $250 per person to well over $200,000 per
person—the price all depends on the itinerary and cruise line. Other key factors
in cruise pricing include the type of cabin (inside cabins are much cheaper than
outside cabins), length of cruise, time of year, and age of the ship.
There's really no big secret to getting the best price. If you are willing to go
last-minute, there’s sometimes space available due to cancellations. Many cruise
lines also offer Internet specials, which can cut the price substantially.
However, it is strongly recommended that you book well in advance to ensure that
you get the exact ship, sailing date, cabin, and dinner seating you want. The
good news is that many cruise lines offer early booking discounts for customers
who plan ahead.
The best way to really save on cruising is by being a repeat customer. Often,
cruise lines offer promotions for past passengers through membership clubs,
which can cut the brochure price by 50 percent or more.
One other thing to consider is booking with larger, more experienced travel
agencies, or agencies that have a high volume of bookings with the cruise line
you are considering. Because these agencies book so many cruises a year, they
have the ability to block a group of cabins on a ship and sell each cabin
individually. By doing that, they can lower the individual cabin rate
significantly.
^ top
How far in advance should I plan?
The amount you plan in advance depends on what time of year you want to
cruise and how much time you have. If your heart is set on a particular cruise
and itinerary, it is best to plan as far in advance as possible, particularly if
you are traveling during the busy holiday, spring break, or summer seasons. Many
customers book cruises over a year in advance because they prefer the higher
class cabins that sell out rather quickly. However, if you like to travel on a
whim, last minute cruises offer great bargains—just don’t expect to get the best
cabins.
^ top
More Frequently Asked Questions...
| 
