Is cruising affordable and a good vacation value?
How long are cruises?
Where can I go?
How do I book a cruise?
Are all ships fairly similar?
Are there different types of cruises?
Are there any special educational programs on-board?
What's an air/sea cruise?
Do I need a passport?
Are there different classes of service?
Will I get bored? Feel confined?
What can I do in port?
Do I have to participate in the activities?
Do cruise lines welcome families with kids?
What's there to do at night?
Is there a charge for entertainment?
Will there be people like me?
What should I pack?
Will I need a tuxedo?
Can singles have fun on a cruise?
Can I use my hair dryer or shaver?
What about meal times?
Is cruise ship dining as good as I've been told?
Can I get a special diet?
What about dining companions - can I sit with
my spouse and friends only, or will I have tablemates?
Are there non-smoking areas?
Can we celebrate a special occasion?
Is cruising right for honeymooners?
Can we stay in touch with the outside world?
What about tipping?
Are there medical services onboard?
Are there laundry services aboard ship?
Do cruise lines accept group bookings?
Are there meeting rooms onboard?
Can I extend my cruise vacation?
Is motion discomfort a problem?
It sounds too good to be true! Is it?
Who should I see if I have questions that haven't
been answered?
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| Is cruising affordable and a good
vacation value? |
| Cruising is the best vacation value! There are cruise vacations
to suit every budget. Your cruise fare includes meals, your
stateroom, on-board activities and entertainment, plus transportation
from port to port. You'll know what your vacation will end up
costing you before you go. (Typically, your only extra expenses
will be drinks, specialty restaurants, optional shore excursions,
and personal services such as massage or hairstyling.) |
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| How long are cruises? |
| As long or short as you want. Most cruise lines offer itineraries
from three days to three months. |
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| Where can I go? |
| Wherever you want! Cruises visit over 1,800 ports worldwide
and practically every destination accessible by water. |
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| How do I book a cruise? |
| Visit or call your travel agency! These professionals will
help you pick the cruise that fits your vacation schedule,
tastes and budget. They can make all the arrangements to get
you from your doorstep to your ship and back.
Plus, many travel agencies have Cruise Counsellors on staff.
These cruise specialists have completed an extensive program
of training, including sailing on and inspecting a vast
number of cruise ships. You can feel confident that a recommendation
from a Cruise Counsellor or Master Cruise Counsellor is
based on personal knowledge and experience.
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| Are all ships fairly similar? |
| Far from it. Ships range from intimate and yacht-like to vessels
stretching longer than three football fields. You can sail with
fewer than 100 fellow guests or with more than 2,600. Enjoy
atmospheres ranging from casual to formal, contemporary to classic.
You can even choose sail-assisted ships. Enjoy the endless activities
offered on a contemporary resort-style cruise, or immerse yourself
in the culture of a destination on a special interest cruise. |
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| Are there different types of cruises? |
| There are cruises designed to suit virtually every interest
and personal preference.
The choices include: boutique, luxury cruises with globetrotting
itineraries; large, contemporary ships with a fantastic array
of recreational facilities; classic vessels evoking the time-honored
traditions of cruising; special-interest or exploration cruises
specializing in unique destinations with an accent on cultural
enrichment.
There are cruise lines that feature soft adventure expeditions
to such unusual and rustic frontiers as Antarctica, the Amazon
rain forest or African Serengeti. Or discover historical legacies
closer to home with enlightening itineraries to New England,
French Canada and the Colonial America coast.
For experienced travelers, destination-focused cruises specialize
in premium, culturally-rich ports of call with itineraries
dedicated to illuminating such historic, world-class treasures
as the antiquities of classical Greece, the Polynesian paradise
of Hawaii or the fabled splendor of Norwegian fjords.
For many, the perfect vacation includes the non-stop fun
and sun of a tropical resort-style cruise to the Caribbean,
where you can sample a variety of island cultures and cuisines
while working on a terrific sun tan.
Plus, many cruise lines create special "themes"
on-board, with entertainment ranging from jazz festivals and
classical music concerts to golf clinics and murder mysteries
at sea!
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| Are there any special educational
programs on-board? |
| To complement the spirit of discovery that travel evokes,
many cruise lines feature an extensive program of on-board enrichment
seminars hosted by distinguished guest experts. In addition
to lectures highlighting the history and sights of ports you
will be visiting, there may also be special in-depth presentations
ranging from Renaissance works of art and strategic financial
planning to epicurean secrets of classic French cuisine. |
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| What's an air/sea cruise? |
| A fly/cruise or an air/sea vacation package includes, along
with your cruise ticket, either free or reduced-cost airfare
to and from the ship's port of embarkation. These convenient
money-saving options are available from most major North American
cities and include ground transfers between the airport and
ship as well as baggage handling. |
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| Do I need a passport? |
| As of December 31, 2006, all U.S citizens are required to
have a passport valid until at least 6 months after your return
for virtually all cruises. Certain exotic destinations also
require that passengers obtain Visas prior to departure. Non-U.S.
citizens should consult with your consulate. U.S. citizens
can inquire with your Sand & C Travel for proof of citizenship
requirements for your cruise returning prior to December 31,
2006. |
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| Are there different classes of
service? |
| Today's cruise ships are "one-class." Everyone can
use all of the ship's facilities. The price of a cabin is based
primarily on its size and location. Regardless of the category
you book, you'll enjoy the same courteous service, menus, activities,
and entertainment as everyone else on board. |
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| Will I get bored? Feel confined? |
| Hardly! Being at sea gives you a feeling of total freedom
that no land-based resort can offer. There's plenty of room.
And it will probably take you two or three days just to discover
everything that's on board. Plus, you get the added adventure
of exploring many exciting ports of call.
Cruise ships are floating resorts with all the choices fine
resorts have to offer. You can lie back in a lounge chair,
breathe in the sea air, soak up the sun, read good books,
or watch the ever-changing seascape.
If you're more active, join in exercise or dance classes,
and sports contests. Practice your tennis stroke or golf swing,
or take some fresh air on the jogging deck. Or you can swim,
stretch out in the sauna or work out in the gym.
You can also see a feature film, attend an enrichment lecture
by experts, play backgammon or bridge. And that's just when
you're on board!
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| What can I do in port? |
| So much you'll have a hard time choosing! You can explore
on your own or take a guided tour (referred to as shore excursions).
Search ancient ruins or hunt for shopping bargains. Ride a
raft over river rapids, or a horse across miles of hills and
beaches. Climb a waterfall or pyramid. Follow the footsteps
of history or the wake of a water skiing boat. If there's
still time, play golf or tennis. Learn how to windsurf. Sun
and swim at some of the world's best beaches. Catch a record
marlin. Sail, snorkel, or scuba dive. Take a cable car to
the top of a mountain. Explore dark catacombs.
In short, cruising is the perfect way to sample a number
of new destinations and try all the things you've ever dreamed
of doing, while never having to pack and unpack!
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| Do I have to participate in the
activities? |
| On a cruise, you do what you want, when you want. You can
do everything or do absolutely nothing. It's your vacation! |
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| Do cruise lines welcome families
with kids? |
| More and more cruise vacations are booked by families with
children. Most cruise lines provide plenty of supervised activities
for kids, especially during school holidays. If your children
enjoy swimming, sports, games, movies, and the adventure of
new places, they'll love a family cruise. You'll find that children
adapt to shipboard life with ease, and you won't have to wonder
what they're up to every minute. The youth counselors will help
keep them busy and entertained. Ships even offer different types
of age-appropriate activities, suitable for toddlers to teens.
Best of all, children often travel at a reduced rate. |
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| What's there to do at night? |
| When the stars come out, a cruise ship really turns on. There's
dancing, live entertainment, nightclubs and lounges, feature
films, and parties with all your new friends. Most ships also
have casinos. What's more, there are many special events like
the Captain's Cocktail Party, Passenger Talent Night, Broadway-style
shops and Las Vegas-type revues. |
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| Is there a charge for entertainment? |
| Never. On a cruise vacation, the entertainment is on the house.
There's no cover, minimum, or charge for an admission ticket.
The shows are live, films first-rate and all included in your
cruise fare. |
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| Will there be people like me? |
| There's no such thing as a typical cruise passenger! All
kinds of people take cruises now.. all ages.. from all walks
of life... singles, couples and families. Just ask your travel
agency for advice on the best ship for you, based on your
tastes and lifestyle. |
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| What should I pack? |
| Pack like you would for any resort. Cruise vacations are casual
by day, whether you're on the ship or ashore. In the evening,
ships vary as to dress. As on shore, attire is dictated by occasion.
At the Captain's Gala, for example, you'll probably want to
wear something more formal, such as a dark suit, or cocktail
dress; perhaps even a dinner jacket or gown. |
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| Will I need a tuxedo? |
| Many cruise lines now feature a more relaxed and casual approach
to dress throughout the cruise -- while on others, formal dinners
or parties are part of the fun. But don't buy a tuxedo just
for the trip. Even on the most formal of ships, a dark suit
and tie are fine for the dressiest occasions. Plus, many ships
offer tuxedo rental services. |
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| Can singles have fun on a cruise? |
| Cruising is ideal for people traveling alone, because it's
so easy to meet other people. In fact, most ships have parties
for singles -- early on, so you can get to know people right
away. Many ships even offer social hosts who can be dance partners,
dinner companions or a fourth at cards.
Most ships also have single cabins as well as single rates
for double staterooms. If you ask them, many cruise lines
will even find you a roommate to share a cabin so you can
obtain the per person/double occupancy rate, saving you even
more on a great vacation.
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| Can I use my hair dryer or shaver? |
| Most ships have 110-volt outlets in the staterooms. But do
check with your travel agent or agency to be sure. Most ships
even feature hair-dryers in your cabin. |
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| What about meal times? |
| Again, there are choices and more choices. During the day,
there are many different places to eat - in the formal dining
room, on deck, in a pizzeria, at an espresso bar, to name a
few. At night, most ships offer several venues. Some ships'
dining rooms can accommodate all guests at one time, called
a "seating." Many ships offer you a choice of several
eating times, and others encourage you to come to dinner whenever
you like. More traditional ships have two seatings in their
formal dining rooms, which differ only by time: typically 6:00
p.m. and 8:30 p.m. To choose, just decide whether you prefer
to dine early or late--then have your travel agent request your
preference when you book your cruise. Frequently, you can choose
to dine at night someplace other than the formal dining room,
such as in an intimate restaurant that features, for example,
Italian, Chinese, Japanese or Southwestern cuisine. More and
more cruise lines are opening up their informal lido areas to
evening dining, where the dress and dishes always are casual,
and sometimes, you can even eat out under the stars. And a large
number of ships offer romantic in-cabin dinners. The choice
is yours! |
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| Is cruise ship dining as good as
I've been told? |
| Everything you've heard about cruise ship dining is true.
At each meal, you'll find a varied selection of entrees (appetizers,
salads, soups, vegetables, and desserts, too), and each day
the selection will be different. If you've ever wanted to experiment
with a cuisine or try a dish, you can feel free to order more
than one entrée or appetizer (or dessert!). But, just
because your cruise ship offers plenty of delicious food, doesn't
mean you'll come home out of shape. You can choose low-cal,
spa, vegetarian or fitness menu selections that are just as
tempting as the regular menu. Best of all, the one thing you'll
never see on a cruise ship menu is a price. Because your meals
are included! |
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| Can I get a special diet? |
| Most ships can accommodate salt-free, low-carbohydrate, low
cholesterol, Kosher, or other diet preferences. However, this
request must be made in advance, so be sure to advise your travel
agent when you book your cruise. |
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| What about dining companions -
can I sit with my spouse and friends only, or will I have tablemates? |
| Experienced cruisers say they prefer sitting at a table with
several other diners; some lifelong friendships have been made
this way. But the cruise lines are geared to accommodate each
guest's wishes, and it is possible to request a table for two
or four. In the unlikely event that you do wish to change tablemates,
speak with the maitre d', who will make every effort to seat
you with more compatible dining companions... discretely and
politely. |
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| Are there non-smoking areas? |
| Virtually all ships have smoking and non-smoking sections
in the public rooms and on deck. In fact, many dining rooms,
and even some entire ships, are now totally smoke-free, reflecting
passenger requests. If you want your dining table in a non-smoking
area, just tell your travel agent. On board, you can advise
the maitre d'. |
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| Can we celebrate a special occasion? |
| 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, or canapes. You can even arrange for a special
private party. All you have to do is advise your travel agent
in advance. |
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| Is cruising right for honeymooners? |
| Without a doubt. Cruising offers an atmosphere that's just
right for romance... cozy dinners for two, strolling on deck
at sunset, dancing the night away (even under the stars). Most
lines provide special services -- from Sunday or Monday departures
to champagne and breakfast in bed. Also, some ships offer special
programs for performing a marriage ceremony or renewing your
marriage vows. |
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| Can we stay in touch with the outside
world? |
| Quite easily. Most ships have a daily newsletter with news,
headlines, selected stock quotes and sports scores. Many staterooms
are equipped with televisions and have satellite or cellular
telephones. You can also call someone on shore through the ship's
radio officer while at sea. In addition, most ships have fax
capabilities and a growing number have computer cafes with Internet
access for e-mail communication. |
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| What about tipping? |
| Tipping is a matter of individual preference. A general rule
of thumb is to plan for about $3.00 per person per day for your
cabin steward and dining room waiter, and about half that amount
for your busboy. (A few cruise lines include tipping in the
price and will so inform you.) Other shipboard personnel can
be tipped for special services at your discretion. |
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| Are there medical services onboard?
|
| Virtually every cruise ship (except for some smaller vessels
operating in coastal waters) has a medical facility and health
care professionals on staff to handle almost any emergency.
If you have a medical condition that might put you at risk,
discuss it with your doctor and inform the cruise lines at the
time of booking. And, whenever you travel, check to see what
your health insurance covers. |
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| Are there laundry services aboard
ship? |
| Almost all cruise ships have laundry facilities and many provide
dry-cleaning services. There is, however, an additional charge
for professional laundry and dry-cleaning services. Many ships
also have self-service launderettes. |
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| Do cruise lines accept group bookings?
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| Most lines welcome groups -- often at special rates, depending
on how many people are involved. Policies vary from company
to company and sometimes during certain times of the year. Just
consult your travel agent for details. |
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| Are there meeting rooms onboard? |
| Just about every full-size ship has public rooms or a conference
center to offer as meeting space for private or corporate groups.
If you'd like to make meeting or incentive travel arrangements,
ask your CLIA-affiliated travel agent to contact the cruise
line's group sales department to coordinate schedules and arrange
for any special needs. Your ship may also be able to offer audio-visual
equipment, communications, meeting coordinators, secretarial
and printing services and more. |
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| Can I extend my cruise vacation? |
| Cruise lines feature special pre-or post-hotel packages that
allow you to extend your vacation in either your port of embarkation
or debarkation. |
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| Is motion discomfort a problem? |
| Rarely. Popular cruise itineraries ply some of the calmest
waters in the world. In addition, stabilizers on modern ships,
availability of advance weather information, and development
of effective preventative medications have, for the most part,
eliminated the incidence of motion discomfort. |
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| It sounds too good to be true!
Is it? |
| The one complaint we hear time and again is that cruises end
far too soon! Beyond that, it's hard to find any negatives.
All you have to do is relax and enjoy your vacation. Most importantly,
every crew and staff member on board is dedicated to making
your cruise the best vacation of your life (until you top it
with your next cruise!) |
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| Who should I see if I have questions
that haven't been answered? |
| Ask your travel agent. If you don't have one, just check the
Yellow Pages for your nearest travel agency.
With nearly 20,000 such agencies in the U.S. and Canada,
there's one close by! These travel professionals are knowledgeable
about all the options available for your cruise experience.
In fact, you'll find that most have been on the cruises they
recommend, so they can advise you from personal experience.
Many agencies have Accredited and Master Cruise Counsellors
on staff. These individuals have successfully completed a
variety of cruise training programs and have visited or sailed
on many of the ships you may be interested in. To talk to
one of these experts, ask for the travel agent who wears one
of these pins.
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