FAQ
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes! There are cruise vacations to suit every budget, from the cost-conscious to the most luxurious. Even more important, a cruise offers the best travel value for your money. Your fare includes all meals, your cabin, onboard daytime activities, nighttime parties and entertainment. So for once, you'll know what your vacation will end up costing you before you go. (Your only extra expenses will be drinks, gratuities, optional shore excursions, and personal services such as massage or hairstyling.) You'll be amazed at the value.
As long or as short as you want. Itineraries can range from as little as three days to as long as three months!
Planning a cruise vacation can be complicated - more so than booking an airline ticket, hotel, or rental car. A cruise vacation can truly be the vacation of a lifetime. It can be a significant investment of both time and money. Therefore, we highly recommend you enlist the services of a professional Cruise Specialist to help you choose the right cruise for you.
There are literally thousands of different cruise options to choose from and the best vacation for you depends on how you answer these questions:
- When do you want to go? For how long?
- What do you want to see? Which is more important? Beaches? Shopping? High Adventure? Relaxation? History? Folklore? High Adventure? Sports?
- What's your cruise experience? What's your other vacation experience? Which cruise line is best for you? What type of accommodations?
- How are you getting to the ship? Do you need transfers? Using frequent flier miles?
- Are you taking kids? How old are they? How many cabins do you need? Do you need cabins near one another? Do you want to sit together at dinner? Are you celebrating a big anniversary? Does everyone need the same type of cabin? Do you qualify for a group rate?
- Do you have special needs? Crib? Wheelchair? Special diet?
- What kind of rate do you qualify for? Are you AARP? A Platinum Card Holder? Retired from a Fortune 500 company or part of a Credit Union? Work for an airline? Military? Teacher? A resident of a certain city? AAA or Union Member? Are you a past passenger of the cruise line? What's your past passenger number? Do you have any coupons or upgrade certificates?
Your best bet for booking your cruise vacation is: 1) find a company like cruiseagentusa.com that specializes in cruise vacations, 2) spend a lot of time on the website and do your research, and 3) book online or call and speak to a live cruiseagentusa.com Cruise Specialist to help you find the best cruise vacation for you.
As an FYI, many online websites like Travelocity and Expedia may let you book a cruise online, but you could be paying more than if you just picked up the phone and called a Cruise Specialist who will take the time to manually research all the rates programs for which you qualify.
A Fly/Cruise or Air/Sea Cruise Vacation Package includes airfare from most North American gateways for an additional charge. Some cruise lines offer promotional airfare at highly reduced rates on select voyages. In addition to airfare, some cruise lines will also include transfers between the airport and pier, as well as baggage handling. Please ask about the Air/Sea rates and inclusions for your specific voyage.
Even the most popular cruises sometimes have space available because of late cancellations. But, to get exactly the ship, cabin and sailing date you want, you should plan and book early. Most cruise lines also offer early booking discounts for customers who plan ahead. Then, just sit back and anticipate all the fun you're going to have!
Passports are required for all U.S. citizens to take a cruise aboard a foreign-flagged ship.
Some countries on your itinerary may also require a visa for entry. U.S. citizens can contact Visa Central. Non-U.S. citizens must contact the consulate or embassy representing the country that issued their passports.
U.S. Citizens traveling aboard U.S.-flagged vessels in Hawaii and Alaska can board the ship without a passport, however, valid proof of identity is still required. Flight itineraries to and from the ship that crosses international borders or connects to foreign countries may still require a passport. Check with the airline when making your reservations.
Today's modern cruise ships are quite large and contain hi-tech stabilizing devices and advanced weather notification processes. In the unlikely event, you experience motion discomfort, there are a number of over-the-counter solutions to ease your concerns. These include Bonine, Mecklizine, Dramamine, Transderm Scope Patches, and Sea bands. Please consult with your physician or pharmacist before taking any medication.
Absolutely! Most cruise lines will even treat you to a complimentary cake and a chorus of Happy Whatever to honor the occasion. Your birthday or anniversary can be more festive with champagne, flowers, canapes, wine, or cheese. You can even arrange for a special private party. All you have to do is advise us in advance.
There are cruise vacations to suit every budget, from the cost-conscious to the most luxurious. Even more important, a cruise offers the best travel value for your money, because almost everything is included in the upfront price. Your fare includes:
- Accommodations
- Destinations
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Activities
- Service
- And Special Programming
For once, you'll know what your vacation will end up costing you before you go. The only things not included are things you choose to buy. Read on for more details about the tremendous value of cruise vacations.
Below is a description of the things that are not included in the upfront cost of the cruise that most of us will wind up spending money on during the cruise. All of these items are within your control, so it's hard to say how much money you'll need. Some people buy lots of shore excursions while others spend their money in the spa, but this will give you an idea of additional expenses you may need to prepare for.
Air Fare
The cost of airfare is not included in the upfront price of the cruise but is almost always available for an additional charge. We'll ask you where you are flying from and quote you the cruise line's price. Most domestic air add-ons will be $200-$500 per person.
There are two reasons why it may not be offered: first, you may ask to fly out of an airport that the cruise line cannot serve for the itinerary you're interested in. In this case, we can find the closest airport to your home that does work. Or second, we may find you a certain promotional cruise fare that can only be booked cruise-only. There may also be a higher cruise fare available to which air travel can be added. In either case, we're happy to show you your options.
You are always welcome to shop for your own air travel and can often save some money by buying the air from someone other than the cruise line. However, before you do that, please allow your iCruise.com vacation consultant to share with you the pros and cons. We will also want to give you the flight time parameters for your specific cruise departure and return. That way you're sure to make the right decision for you.
Alcoholic Beverages & Some Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are not included in your cruise price, and since soft drinks come over the bar there is a charge for them as well. Specialty coffees are also almost always additional.
All beverage purchases are signed to your shipboard account and the service charge, a.k.a. the gratuity, is automatically added. Prices are usually about the same as they are at home, and a lot less than you'd find at most hotels and resorts!
Some cruise lines have a soda package, which is great news for families. Not only is it a lot more economical, but it has also really cut out a lot of whining. In the past, you'd have to pull yourself out of your deck chair every time your kid needed a soda. Now, he or she can approach the bar themselves and hand the bartender their bottomless bottle or show their soda card. Feeling like an adult probably makes them suck down twice as much, but what do you care as long as they leave you alone?
Gratuities
Your personal service staff works hard for you while you're enjoying your cruise, so please tip them before you disembark. Most cruise lines make it easy for you by automatically adding gratuities to your shipboard account, which is usually about $10.50 per person, per day. This amount covers your cabin steward and the waiters and assistants who have served you all over the ship.
Just because you're being automatically billed doesn't mean you don't have control. You can adjust the amount up or down by paying a visit to the Purser's desk; however, it's wise to do so before disembarkation day. In this way, you can reward those who gave you extra special attention. And in cases where service wasn't up to snuff, the ship can become aware immediately and take steps to correct the problem.
A few cruise lines are still doing things the old-fashioned way. If your gratuities are not going to be placed on your account while on board you should expect to extend your gratuities in US cash at the end of the vacation. Envelopes are provided so that you can hand your servers their tips with discretion.
Or you may have the choice of pre-paying your gratuities along with your final payment. Ask us if your cruise offers this service. It is a lot more convenient than running all over the ship. You can't tip someone if you can't find them!
A couple of luxury cruise lines do include gratuities in the upfront cost of the cruise.
Ask your iCruise.com agent which policy applies to your cruise so that you know what to expect before you leave home.
Some Dining Options
Alternative dining options are all the rage onboard contemporary ships these days and the cruise lines have a couple of different ways of charging you extra for them.
For all restaurants other than the main dining room you should expect to find that reservations are required. There is a fee for that reservation that usually runs from $10-$25 per person and the gratuity for the meal may be additional. The rationale behind the service fee is that seating is often limited to less than 100 people at a time, and I guess they figure it will make you show up.
Norwegian Cruise Line has also added a selection of a la carte restaurants on their newest ships. A la carte means you pay as you go, just like any land-based restaurant you're used to. Menu prices are usually the same as you'd find in any tourist location; not outrageous, but probably more than you're used to.
Purists scoff at the idea of paying for food on a cruise ship, but there's a trend here that seems to be popular with folks new to cruising. Besides, it's still your choice. And the menu selections and dining experiences are very different from what one can find in the main dining room, so it's been decided that this is valuable, as well.
Shore Excursions
Shore excursions are a very important part of your experience in each port of call, especially if you've decided to take the adventure route. But you can also strike out on your own by walking or hiring a taxi from the pier side queue.
Excursions run the gamut from city tours on a bus to flightseeing by helicopter and can often be booked in advance on the cruise line's website. Look here for a complete list of shore tours offered for your itinerary.
If the excursions cannot be reserved in advance you can purchase them on board the ship. Sometimes it's helpful to speak to the experts at the shore excursion desk before making your decision because once booked there are penalties to cancel them. You'll also have a better handle on the weather and the level of physical activity required.
cruiseagentusa.com may also be able to save you money on the most popular excursions. Check out the Shore Excursions topic under the Already Booked section on the left sidebar to see if we offer the one you're interested in. We buy from the same outfit the cruise line does, but there's no markup. And these tours can be canceled up to 24 hours prior to the start of the excursion with a full refund. Good to know.
Most people find that they have time to take only one excursion in each port of call. Excursions generally range from $40-$250 per person depending on what's included. Again, the cruise line's website will have the most up-to-date information.
Photography
Your 'welcome aboard' photo is your first encounter with the ubiquitous ship photographers. They'll be on hand to capture all the fun and excitement, and then sell it back to you for $20 for each 5 x 7.
Lots of folks take advantage of their opportunity to have a portrait made while they're all gussied up. You won't have to make an appointment with a photographer at home, pay a sitting fee, and then be obligated to buy 24 wallet-sized photos just get an 8 x 10. On the ship, you never have to purchase a photo if you're not happy with the way you look, and you can even have it done again and again. Cruises are also great for getting family and group photos taken when you have a captive audience and it's impossible to get everyone together at home.
Spa Treatments & Salon Services
Arrangements with fancy spas and salons have become one of the hottest new things with the cruise lines in the past few years as passengers are focusing more and more on their well-being. You'll find everything from The Canyon Ranch, to the exotic Mandara Spa out of Asia, to French companies such as La Carita Paris.
Whatever the origin of the mud in which you're soaking, you'll be amazed at the variety of hedonistic treatments in which you can indulge. There are even massage lessons and treatments for couples only! If you've never treated yourself before or you're an experienced spa-goer there's a great time to be had by all.
Some cruise lines even offer pre-packaged menus of spa treatments that can be booked in advance. If not, you can do it on board, and last-minute slots to fill can sometimes be snagged with a discount. Spa treatments tend to be expensive and can range from $75-200 each depending on how long it takes to complete the service.
What is Travel Insurance?
Travel Insurance is vacation insurance that is designed to protect you and your vacation investment should you have to cancel your travel plans due to covered unforeseen circumstances that may interfere with your ability to travel, or if things go wrong while you are on your cruise.
Travel Insurance covers:
- Cancellations due to covered sickness, death, injury of you, a family member, domestic partner, or traveling companion
- Travel delays due to inclement weather or natural disasters
- Bankruptcy of an airline, cruise line, or other covered travel suppliers, when the policy is purchased within 14-days of initial deposit
- Terrorism (domestic and international)
- Should I buy Travel Insurance?
We recommend you purchase Travel Insurance. All cruise lines charge penalties if you must cancel your cruise within their penalty periods. It is unwise to expect that they will make an exception, even under the direst of circumstances. Travel Insurance will refund these penalties if you cancel for a covered reason.
Another reason to buy Travel Insurance is that most Americans have little or no health care coverage when they travel outside the country. When you board a foreign-flagged cruise ship, you physically enter another country. For those who do have health coverage in effect outside the US, medical evacuation may not be included. Airlift transportation from a ship to a qualified medical facility can cost thousands of dollars, and without Travel Insurance, you may be forced to pay out of pocket, upfront!
Travel Insurance provides emergency medical transportation for covered illness and injury when necessary. Medical facilities on cruise ships and in resort destinations are extremely limited and may be inadequate for your condition. While the medical facilities on many of the newest cruise ships are state-of-the-art, they are not hospitals. They are designed only to stabilize a patient until more comprehensive care can be obtained. It is not safe to assume that a cruise ship is equipped to treat every illness or injury. If you must be evacuated for a covered reason, your Travel Insurance is designed to cover the costs.
Cruise lines and airlines claim little responsibility when things go wrong. It is not the responsibility of the cruise line to connect you with the ship if you miss it. And if you're flying to the port of embarkation, the airline is obligated only to fly you there. Travel Insurance may reimburse you for the additional costs incurred for missed connections and flight delays.
Any one of the above reasons is good enough to buy Travel Insurance, but consider that every one of them applies to everybody all the time! The bottom line is that Travel Insurance is the only way you may get your money back if you have to cancel your cruise for a covered reason.
Virtually every cruise ship (except for some smaller vessels operating in coastal waters) has a fully-equipped medical facility and staff to handle almost any emergency.