Frequently Asked Questions
While Onboard the Cruise
Are cruises safe onboard?
Yes, cruises are very safe onboard. Each ship has a staff of
security personnel that is always on duty.
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Where should I keep my valuables?
You can store your valuables in safes that are often provided in
each stateroom. If not, there is a ship's safe located at the purser’s desk.
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Will I become seasick on my cruise?
All modern ships are equipped with stabilizers to minimize
side-to-side rolling. In most cases, you will feel no motion at all. However, if
you are prone to motion sickness, it is recommended that you bring medication
along with you. Otherwise, medication is available through the doctor onboard.
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What if I get sick or need medical attention?
Most cruise ships have a fully equipped medical facility and
staff (with doctors and nurses) onboard that can handle almost any emergency.
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Can I get off the Ship?
If you are unhappy while onboard and want to leave the ship, you
can get off at the next port-of-call. Arrangements to get home and refunds vary
by cruise line.
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What about passengers with special needs?
Cruise lines welcome passengers with special needs and will work
hard to assist them throughout their cruise. Most modern cruise ships have a
number of cabins that are specially designed to accommodate passengers in need
of wheelchairs or TTY communications. Service animals are permitted onboard if
prior arrangements have been made. Professional medical services are also
available on all cruise ships. At least one qualified physician and two
registered nurses are normally in attendance on every cruise.
Although the cruise line will do all it can to accommodate
passengers with special needs, there are some limitations. Passengers requiring
oxygen must meet certain requirements before boarding the ship. Passengers who
are entering their third trimester of pregnancy by the beginning of their cruise
will not be accepted. In ports-of-call that require tenders to go ashore,
wheelchair access may be limited, or may be unavailable if sea conditions are
unfavorable. Furthermore, it is highly recommended that passengers with special
needs travel with a companion who can provide required assistance.
All passengers must insure that they are medically and
physically fit for travel, and that such travel will not endanger themselves or
others. It is essential that the cruise line know well in advance if you have
any special medical, physical, or other requirements.
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Are there children’s programs? Is babysitting
available?
Kids adapt to shipboard life with ease, and you will not have to
wonder what they are up to every minute. Most mainstream and premium cruise
lines offer special children's rooms and programs run by trained youth
counselors. Children’s programs cater to kids of all ages, from toddlers to
teens, and provide plenty of supervised activities. Depending upon the cruise
line, babysitting is often available for an additional fee.
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Are there religious services onboard?
The types of services held onboard depend on the clergy the
cruise line invites onboard. Some ships provide nondenominational religious
services on Sundays and religious holidays, and some offer daily Catholic masses
and Friday-evening Jewish services. Although some ships have chapels, services
are sometimes held in the ship’s library, theater, or private lounges.
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Can I bring my pet?
No, only service animals are allowed by special arrangement.
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Is smoking allowed?
Virtually all ships have smoking and nonsmoking sections in the
lounges and dining rooms. If you wish to be seated in a nonsmoking area, just
tell your cruise consultant. In open seating situations, you can advise your
waiter and/or the restaurant manager. However, keep in mind that many dining
rooms are now smoke-free, reflecting passenger requests.
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What is the legal drinking age?
The legal drinking age onboard is 21, and is strictly enforced.
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What "extras" can I expect to pay for?
You can expect to pay for taxes, surcharges, and fees, including
airport fees, handling fees, departure taxes, and port charges. You should
verify which fees and port taxes are included in your cruise rate.
The cost of reaching the ship, airline tickets not booked in
your cruise package, shuttle services, or in-port parking fees are not included.
You can also expect to pay for the costs—including hotel, transportation, and
meal costs—of staying at port before or after the cruise.
While onboard, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and soft
drinks are not included. You are responsible for tips and all onboard extras
such as gambling, spa treatment, massages, photos, Internet access,
ship-to-shore calls, etc.
Expenses while in port, including taxis, entertainment, and
optional off-ship meals, are not included. You can also expect to pay for some
shore excursions and all shopping purchases made both on and off the ship.
Travel insurance is extra as well.
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How much do I tip?
Because tipping is a personal matter, most cruise lines do not
include gratuities in the cruise fare, with the exception of a small number of
luxury lines. While tipping guidelines may vary slightly between cruise lines,
the following is a standard suggestion:
You may also wish to reward your head waiter or maitre d' if they have performed
some special service for you. For your convenience, a 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to all bar
bills when you are served. All other gratuities are paid at the end of your
cruise, in cash. Some ships will also allow you to charge gratuities to your
onboard account.
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What can I purchase while onboard?
Most ships have gift, jewelry, and clothing boutiques onboard. In addition,
there is a photography studio where you can purchase photos by the ship's
photographers, or have your film developed.
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What services can I expect onboard?
For a fee, you can indulge in the ship's spa services, which provides
facials, massages, manicures, hairstyling, etc. Photography and laundry services
are also available for a fee.
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Are there laundry services onboard?
Yes, almost all cruise ships have laundry facilities onboard, and a great
many provide dry-cleaning services. There is an additional charge for
professional laundry and dry-cleaning services, but most ships also have
self-service launderettes.
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What is the electrical current onboard?
Most ships have 110-volt outlets in the staterooms.
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Can others contact me, and can I contact others, while onboard?
Every ship has a phone number that can be used to contact you while the ship
is at sea. This information will be included in your cruise documents. If you
need to call home, ship-to-shore calling is available, but is very expensive. Thankfully, some of the newer ships have e-mail capabilities so
you can remain in touch with friends and family back home. If you are on a long
cruise, some cruise lines offer addresses so friends and family can send letters
or parcels.
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Is there e-mail and Internet service onboard?
Yes, newer ships have Internet and e-mail capabilities that you can use for a
fee.
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Are visitors permitted onboard?
For security reasons, most cruise lines have a "no visitor" policy. The only
exceptions to this policy are wedding guests attending an onboard ceremony that
has been arranged well in advance.
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What will my cabin be like?
Cabin size depends on the category. First time cruisers are often taken aback
by the compact design of cabins, which should not be compared to hotel rooms.
They are designed for efficiency and to encourage you to use the much larger
public facilities onboard the ship. If you requested an outside or ocean view
cabin, you will have a porthole or picture window, depending on your ship’s
design. Some outside cabins will also have a small veranda. Most cabins have
twin beds that can be converted into a queen-size bed.
Your cabin steward is there to make your stay comfortable, whether to change the
bed configuration to suit your desires, or to bring you extra towels, pillows,
or blankets. Many of the newer ships have safes in the rooms, and TVs that show
current movies, give casino instructions, and provide general cruise
information.
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Is it worth the extra money for an ocean view cabin?
This is a matter that depends on your budget and how much time you plan to
spend in the cabin. If you can afford the extra money to move up to an ocean
view cabin, (sometimes it's as little as $150 on a seven-night cruise), you will
probably feel you got your money's worth.
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Can I switch cabins if I don't like the one I get?
If you do not like your cabin, notify the purser desk as soon as possible. If
the ship is full, you probably will not be able to move. However, depending upon
the circumstances, the purser will work with you on your problem.
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When can I upgrade my cabin?
When you book your cruise, and do not get the cabin category you prefer, you
can be placed on a waiting list for a different cabin. Once a higher category
cabin opens up, you will be charged the difference. You can also check during
the embarkation process to see if a higher-class category is available. If it
is, you will pay the upgrade difference.
How much food is there?
Cruises are notorious for the variety and large amounts of food. With
breakfast, brunch, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, tea, dinner, midnight buffet, and
room service, there are many eating opportunities.
What are different meal seatings?
Some ships' dining rooms can accommodate all passengers during one seating.
But most ships have two seatings that differ only by timeslot. To choose a
seating, just decide whether you prefer to dine early or late, then have your
travel agent or cruise line request your preference when you book your cruise.
In addition, some ships offer alternative dining options like themed restaurants
or particular cuisines such as Italian, Mexican, and Chinese.
Are special diets available?
Most ships can accommodate salt-free, low-carbohydrate, Kosher, or other diet
preferences. However, special diet requests must be made in advance, so be sure
to advise your travel agent of your requirements when you book your cruise.
Can I order room service?
Most cruise lines offer 24-hour room service at no extra charge.
What kind of activities can I participate in while onboard?
It is amazing how much you can do on a cruise. Cruise ships are like floating
resorts with all the amenities they have to offer. You can be by yourself and
lie back in a lounge chair, soak up the sun, read a good book, or watch the
changing view. You can also join in exercise classes, dance classes, sports
contests, and other organized deck activities. Perhaps you would like to
practice your tennis stroke or golf swing, or shoot some baskets? You can also
go for a swim, stretch out in the sauna, or work out in the gym. One ship even
has an ice rink! Other activities include watching a feature movie, attending a
lecture by a renowned expert, and playing backgammon or bridge.
What is there to do at night?
Cruise ships can be quite lively at night. There's dancing, live
entertainment in nightclubs, discos, feature films, and parties. Most ships even
have casinos. There are also many special events like the captain's cocktail
party, passenger talent night, Las Vegas style shows, magic acts, and the late
night buffet.
Do I have to participate in the activities?
On a cruise, you do what you want to. You can do everything, or lie back and
do absolutely nothing. It's your vacation.
Can I celebrate a special occasion onboard?
Yes, just inform your travel agent prior to the cruise, and they can make the
necessary arrangements with the cruise line for you.
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