Cruising FAQs - Grasping The Basics
by Katharine Canning
Will I get seasick?
The size and scale of the liners used by cruise operators means you are unlikely to be aware of any motion at all, even if you are normally prone to air or sea sickness. All ships are fitted with stabilizers and this, coupled with the fact that most ships cruise around relatively calm waters (the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, etc), mean you should enjoy a comfortable ride.
Should you experience seasickness a range of preventative medicines should be available on board.
Can I contact home when I am onboard?
Ship-to-shore telephone calls are available from many of the new or newly refurbished liners. Ship-to-shore rates apply to your call and this can be expensive.
Several of the newer ships have a business center on board, where computer terminals are available for internet/email access. Make sure you set up a Microsoft Hotmail or Yahoo Mail account before you leave so you can access your email online. Charges for internet usage start from $16 for an hour. Laptops can be used to make ship-to-shore telephone calls although this can be an expensive option at around $8-$10 per minute.
Do I have to get involved in scheduled activities?
Absolutely not. This is your holiday and it is entirely up to you how much - or how little - you choose to do. If relaxing on the deck with a good book is as active as you want to get, that’s fine. Many ships even have onboard libraries to make sure you always have a good read to hand.
What is included in the price of my cruise?
One of the great things about cruising is that virtually everything is included in the price, making budgeting for our holiday simple. All onboard meals are included as are accommodations and shipboard entertainment. Depending on your package, your airfare and ground transportation to and from the port may also be included. In some cases it is also possible to arrange payment of gratuities in advance.
Additional costs you may incur are optional and may include: shore excursions, alcoholic beverages, photographs, gambling chips, etc
What is the protocol for tipping?
Tipping is a matter of personal choice but as a general rule, $7-$10 per person per day should be enough to cover the tips for your cabins steward, bus boy and your waiter. If you wish to tip other members of the ship’s personnel, you are free to do so. In some cases, it is possible to arrange payment of gratuities in advance of your trip.
Is cruising suitable for children?
Yes it is and many cruise lines have designated children’s play areas and offer activity schedules designed for children. For older children, the larger ships will usually have a video arcade and evening entertainment for kids, such as a kids disco.
How can I explore the sights in port?
Usually, a ship will dock at a port early in the morning. Once customs have been cleared (if required) you will be free to go ashore. Departure from a port is usually in the early evening and will generally be between 5pm and 10pm, depending on your ship’s sailing schedule.
You are free to explore the port on your own and in some cases the docking port is within easy walking distance of the city or town center. Sometimes, a taxi or coach transfer may be required.
If you have booked on to one of the ship sponsored tours or excursions the details of when and where to join your excursion will be provided at the time of booking.
Local tour companies (some more official than others!) may be waiting to greet you as you disembark the ship, offering tours of the local sites. Whilst many of these companies offer perfectly safe and informative tours, with a ship sponsored tour or excursion you will always be in safe hands.
What travel documentation will I require?
All US and Canadian citizens must travel with a valid passport or birth certificate (this should be an original and not a photocopy) and photographic identification or a certified naturalization certificate with photographic identification, such as a government issued drivers licence.
Non-US citizens should have a valid passport and any necessary visa documentation. Your travel agent should be able to advise you on your visa requirements when you book your cruise.
What should I pack?
Cruises tend to be very casual during the day and range from casual to formal in the evenings. Men are advised to bring along one dark suit that would be appropriate for a ‘formal’ night. Tuxedoes can be hired on board the ship if desired. Ladies can wear cocktail dresses or full-length dresses for the formal evenings. On "non-formal" nights, men should wear a collared shirt to dinner and slacks or skirts for the ladies.
Author Profile
Katharine Canning is a freelance writer working out of Edinburgh, Scotland. She specialises in travel, lifestyle & womens' features as well as writing stories for children. kateycanning@hotmail.com
