Frequently Asked Questions

Travel agencies can get you great deals! With being a cruise certified agency, we can make personalized recommendations, offer tips on destinations, handle all the details, and much more. 

Forward: Front of the ship

Aft: Rear or back of the ship

Port: Left side of the ship when looking forward

Starboard: Right side of the ship when looking forward. 

Cabin/Stateroom: Also known as a room

Dock: Where the ship ties up in a port

MDR/Main Dining Room: Where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served. 

Verandah Cabin: Refers to a room with a balcony. 

Embarkation: The action of boarding the ship. 

Disembarkation: The action of leaving the ship at the end of a journey. 

Muster Drill: A safety briefing prior to the cruise departing. 

Interior: The most economic option because they are the smallest with no windows. Some cruise lines will have a virtual window or balcony which is like a tv screen that broadcasts an outside view. This is a great option if you won't spend a lot of time in the room, are on a budget, and enjoy complete darkness while you sleep. If you tend to be claustrophobic, this may not be the best option for you. 

Ocean view: This room will have a window so you can look out. These windows do not open. This room is ideal if  you'd like to have natural light but do not have the budget for a balcony room. These rooms tend to be on the lower floor levels of the ship. 

Balcony: Balcony rooms feature a sliding door which leads out onto a balcony and will usually have 2 chairs with a small table. If you are doing a scenic sailing like Alaska or Norwegian Fjords, you will love a balcony to enjoy the views with your own privacy. 

Suite: Suites are the highest level of rooms available and can have different subcategories (jr suite, grand suite, owner's suite, etc). These will be your most spacious rooms with several additional perks. These perks can vary by cruise line but can include priority access, free laundry, complementary happy hour, personal butler and more. 

Guaranteed cabins (in any category): When you book a guaranteed room, you can choose the category you'd like (interior, ocean view, or balcony), but you are not able to pick the location. The location will be assigned by the cruise line within a few weeks of your sail date. These rooms tend to be cheaper than if you had chosen your room location. Sometimes they may come with a free upgrade. Keep in mind that you may be assigned an obstructed view room(views may be obstructed by lifeboats or other parts of the ship). 

Cruise rates include accommodation on the ship; dining in the main dining room, buffet, and pool side food venues; entertainment; swimming pools; gym; sea day activities and more. 

Your cruise fare will include milk, water (not bottled or sparkling), iced tea, lemonade, juice at breakfast, and regular coffee at the buffet. Any sodas, alcohol, specialty coffees, and milkshakes will be an additional charge. There are drink packages you can purchase to save you money depending on how much you will consume. 

Most rooms can accommodate up to 4 people. Suites can sometimes accommodate more and newer ships (or recently renovated) have rooms made specifically for solo travelers. 

It depends on your homeport and itinerary. Ships sailing roundtrip out of the U.S will only require a certified copy of your birth certificate and a government issued photo ID. We always recommend a passport as it is the best way to travel and allows you to re-enter the country easily. You may have difficulty gaining re-entry if you miss the ship in a port and do not have a passport. 

As soon as possible! To catch the best price, it's best to book when the itinerary is first released or within 3 months of the sailing date. Pricing is subject to change and if you wait too long, the price may go up (just like airlines). 

Peak season for cruising is summer time and during any holidays. September to February is where you'll find some of the best deals for cruising, excluding holidays or special events.

This depends on your needs. Some people love the back of the ship for the views. Others like the middle of the ship for reduced movement and noise levels. Upper decks are better for views and proximity to the buffet. 

With the exception of adult only cruise lines, most cruise lines require children to be at least 6 months old. 

Most cruise lines will only allow you to travel up to the 24th week of pregnancy. 

The majority of cruise ships have kids' clubs for various ages. There's also designated kid areas on most ships. 

Major cruise lines offer accessible rooms and paths around the ship. River cruises and expedition ships are unfortunately not accessible. 

Many assume they should start with a 3-4 day cruise to see if they like the experience. However, we recommend against this since you do not truly get to experience everything a cruise has to offer in this short of time. We recommend you start with a 7 day cruise to get the full experience. 

Select fares require the payment at the time of booking of a nonrefundable deposit. That deposit amount shall not be refunded at any time after it has been paid. Change fees will apply to most bookings.

Cruises that are cancelled prior to the sail date, may also be subject to a cancellation charge. 

We recommend to arrive at least a day early in case there are any delays on your trip. We like to encourage you to arrive 2 days early to enjoy the city before sailing out. 

Some cruise lines offer airfare and may be better pricing than going with the airline directly. We will let you know if your cruise line you choose offers flights. Do keep in mind that you won't be able to pay for airfare with points through the cruise line. 

No! Cruise lines do not allow any alcohol to be brought onto the ship with the exception of wine on some cruise lines. If purchasing alcohol in a port of call, you will have to check it in with security when you re-board and it will be delivered to your room the night before disembarkation.

Cruise lines offer specialty dining for a little more upscale experience. These venues have a separate menu and come with a charge. It is common to find a steak house, Italian restaurants, and an Asian restaurant. This will vary by ship and on average can cost from $20-$60 per person. 

Cruise lines offer room service. Menus are often simplified. Depending on the cruise line or the type of room, there may be an additional charge for room service. 

This is a matter of preference. Anytime dining is beneficial because you can show up to the main dining room whenever you want. Reserved dining will have a set dinner time at the same table with the same waiter very night. If you like consistency and will like to get to know your waiter better, this is an excellent option. 

No. You can stay on board while at a port and relax. On port days, the spa will have the best deals. Keep in mind, other amenities may not be available during this time. 

If you are on an excursion that was purchased through the cruise line, they will communicate with the ship and will wait. But if you are on your own or purchased an excursion outside the cruise line, the ship won't wait for you. Please be sure to be back at the ship with plenty of time to spare.  

Of course! Most ports have a shopping area with several souvenir shops, food options, and additional excursions you can purchase. 

Special occasions such as wedding anniversaries, birthdays and honeymoons can be celebrated on board. Most cruise lines offer packages for weddings, vow renewals, and engagements. These packages are sold separately and are subject to availability of venues.