Either you have decided to take your first cruise or you are still debating and have questions that need to be answered. Here are answers to 14 typical questions the first time cruiser might have concerns about.
1 How long are cruises? You can take a cruise that is as long or as short as you have time for. You can find simple over night cruises, world cruises that are longer than 3 months, and everything in between.
2 Where can I go? Cruises can take you anywhere that has water. Most people think of cruising out on the ocean, but there are also river cruises that do certain segments of individual cruising. All 7 continents can be visited by cruising.
3 Do I need a passport? The answer to this question depends on where you are traveling and what country you are from. Let's say you are an American citizen taking a cruise and you will be sailing out of another country. In this instance, yes, you absolutely need a passport. Currently, if you were sailing in and out of American ports you technically don't need a passport to get on the cruise, just your government ID and birth certificate.
4 If I don't need a passport why do you recommend I get one before I cruise? We recommend all cruisers to obtain a passport before they set sail, or for their passports to be valid for at least 6 months from the day their trip ends. The reason we do this is because if you get hurt or there is an emergency and you have to fly home, you will have to go through all sorts of red tape to get back into the country. You cannot fly from any country into the US without a passport, even if you are a U.S. citizen.
5 Will I get motion sickness? Everyone is different when it comes to motion sickness. If you are prone to it or have a fear that you might get it, you should see your doctor and get a prescription for a patch you can put behind your ear. I always bring Bonine or another motion sickness pill with me because if the waves are really choppy I get a little sick sometimes. If you are really sick while on board, the best thing to do is get into the pool and float. When you go with the waves you feel even better than getting off the ship and being on land.
6 I heard I had to tip? Cruise lines generally automatically add a tip to your on board account. The tip is divided between three people: your cabin steward, your waiter and your assistant waiter. This alleviates the need to carry cash for tips at the end of the cruise. Some cruise lines let you prepay your tips before you set sail. Most of the time your tips will be some where between $11.00 per sailor per day to $13.00 per sailor per day. If you want to leave cash or if you feel that some one deserves more or less of a tip, it is acceptable to go to the pursers desk and have it changed.
7 Are all ships the same? All ships are definitely not the same. Some ships have as few as 100 passengers and some have as many as 5000. The larger the ship, the more there is to do on board. The smaller the ship, the more unique itinerary you have. Large ships are great for people watching, Las Vegas style entertainment and variety of restaurants. These ships go to the more common ports. If you want a cruise without the masses, and to places that you would not normally see on a ship, then a smaller ship might be for you. River Cruises stop in multiple ports a day and the population of a country doesn't typically double when these ships pull into port.
8 What should I pack? This really depends on where you are going, the time of year and cultural sensitivities. If you are going to a conservative country, or somewhere you will be viewing a lot of religious sites, you should make sure to cover your legs and shoulders. If you are taking a Caribbean or Mexico cruise flip flops, swimsuits and shorts are highly recommended. If you are going to Alaska you should pack pants and a jacket, along with layering clothes. On most ships it is acceptable to wear shorts or jeans during the day, and slacks or jeans in the dinning room. Most ships have at least one formal night where you can choose to get as dressed up as you want. Your travel agent will be able to guide you on what each cruise lines expectations are.
9 We are taking our honeymoon, should we cruise? If you want to wake up in a different destination every day without the hassle have having to pack and unpack then a cruise might be right for you. You can do as much or as little as you want. Similar to other typical honeymoon destinations you can utilize a spa, have romantic dinners set up, and depending on what category you book, you can even have butler service. If you both love cruising, or want to have a new experience together this may be the right path for your honeymoon.
10 Can I bring a group on board? Absolutely. Your agent can help you put together a group from 4 to chartering an entire ship.
11 Do I need a converter for my electrical items? Most ships have standard American outlets. Your agent will be able to tell you more once you decide on a cruise line.
12 What about meal times? Traditional dining is generally offered 2-3 times in the evening for dinner, but most cruise ships are offering an anytime dinning plan. If you like the sound of traditional dining where you eat with the same group every night, where your server gets to know and anticipate your every need then talk to your travel agent to make sure that you are on a ship that hasn't done away with this type of dining. If you want to be able to walk into the restaurant at various times then make sure your agent knows that as well. There is 24 hour room service or buffet options on most ships, so don't worry about ever going hungry.
13 I'm on a special diet, will I be able to eat? Cruise ships have realized that clients have an ever expanding list of dietary demands and are getting on board with accommodating these requirements. Whether you are on the Atkins diet, lactose intolerant, vegan or anything else, you will be able to find what you need at meal time. Cruise lines ask that you let them know about 3 weeks prior to sailing, so again, tell your agent if you have dietary restrictions.
14 What programs are on board? Everything from comedians to Las Vegas style shows to educational lectures on a variety of topics can be found on board. Teen and children programs are also found on most cruise lines. As are casinos, shopping boutiques, speciality restaurants, bar service and photography services.
This isn't an all inclusive list, so make sure you give us a call with any of your cruise questions. Feel free to call either our Northern California office at 800-995-0744 or our Arizona office at 800-262-2968 to have the rest of your questions answered!
