Taking a cruise is a wonderful way
to enjoy your holiday. And preparing in advance for a cruise
vacation can result in a memorable experience whether you
are a first timer at sea or a veteran cruiser. So here’s
a short guide on how to plan for your trip.
Use the Quick Links below to navigate a point of interest. |
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is advisable to request brochures from the cruise lines
or from a certified travel agency. Or you may go on to the
websites for a virtual tour of the vessel(s) you are interested
in. ShipsandCruises’ Directory
of Cruise Lines offers contact information and websites. |
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It
is important as a first step to decide what size vessel
you want to travel on. Ships are broken down into three
size categories.
A large ship holds more
than 1000 passengers and can go as high as 3,900 passengers
with upper and lower berths accounted. On a large ship,
there are more facilities and different types of entertainment,
but passenger traffic will be heavier and there will be
fewer areas for quiet pursuits.
A medium-size vessel
holds between 500 to 1,000 passengers but will feature
less activities and facilities than a large ship. Waiting
lines are shorter and passengers can maneuver more easily
on board.
A small ship carries
50 to 500 passengers, which offers a quieter vacation.
Usually casinos and Broadway-style entertainment will
not be featured. Instead, guest lecturers, recitalists
and an emphasis on food and the culture of the regions
visited are the highlights. Small ships are also able
to dock at ports too small to accommodate large vessels
The smaller ships as well as some larger
ones do offer a fine roster of guest lecturers on board
to talk on the areas being visited or give talks on the
arts, food, or say, the history of navigation depending
on the theme of the cruise.
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If
this is your first time on a ship, a general cruise may
be a good introduction to cruising. Another consideration
is children’s facilities/activities should you be traveling
with youngsters. Are their facilities and programs to
interest them? What about babysitting services or a day
camp at sea?
Types of cruises could include transatlantic
crossings, theme-based cruises, special-interest or exploration
cruises specializing in unique destinations, lazabout
cruises to the Caribbean or Mediterranean, or round-the-world
cruises, of which segments can be taken instead of the
entire three-month-plus length of the voyage.
Unlike ship travel of the past, there
is only one class of ship. All public facilities are open
to all passengers on board. However, on many ships, the
price of your cabin determines where you dine and entitles
guests to other amenities such as concierge services.
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Initially,
it is advisable to use an official ASTA travel agent,
or one approved by the Cruise Line International of America
(CLIA). Usually the services of a travel agent are free
but check first. Some cruise lines also handle direct
bookings.
In the UK, use a member of the Guild
of Professional Cruise Agents or a PSARA (Passenger Shipping
Association of Retail Agents. Certified cruise-travel
agents are knowledgeable and helpful in booking the right
cruise suited to the passenger’s requirements.
Beware of Internet travel agencies
or discount cruise sellers. Although they may provide
a better rate, in the long run if something goes wrong
with your booking, or you are unhappy with the cruise
or the cabin, your complaints may go unheeded. Talking
with a personable experienced agent will answer your questions.
The agent can also make special dietary/medical arrangements
if needed. In contrast, emails to an impersonal web travel
agency that often hypes the cruises they sell, can often
lead to a great deal of frustration if the web agency
fails to respond.
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When
booking a cruise, the rate quoted in the ship’s brochure
usually is the starting point for a bottom-grade accommodation,
such as an inside cabin. Once you have determined the
type of cabin you want, the price will reflect the upgrade.
When booking, the normal deposit is between 10 and 20
percent depending on cruise length with the balance payable
45 to 60 days before departure. However, booking a cruise
just a month or two before departure usually requires
a full payment at booking.
The price of your ticket includes,
your cabin, meals and snacks on board, most recreational
activities, parties and entertainments. Extras could be
shipboard purchases, spa treatments, the casino, bar beverages
and land excursions. Wine at lunch or dinner is usually
extra though with some luxury lines, it is included. There
is also a port fee and tipping is customary. Your air
ticket is usually extra unless the cruise line is offering
“free air”—a fee that is usually factored into the price
of your cruise ticket.
At the time of booking, make sure to
stipulate any requirements such as special dietary menus,
handicap-accessibility needs, or nonsmoking requests.
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Cruise
rates are based on two or more people sharing a cabin.
For solo cruisers, there is a single supplement, which
can vary widely by line, ship, cabin class, itinerary,
and travel dates. These cruise lines usually tack on an
additional 25 to 100 percent surcharge.
If you want to save money, take advantage
of cruise lines' "guaranteed share" programs.
Consider sharing a room with another
solo traveler of the same sex and pay only the per-person
cabin rate. Most lines try to match singles, taking into
account such factors as age and smoking preference. (Generally,
under most guaranteed share programs, if cruise lines
are unable to find you a partner, most will allow you
to cruise solo without charging an additional fare.)
Almost every line offers organized
singles events throughout the cruise: cocktail gatherings,
games and other social activities. At your first meal,
ask the person in charge of the dining room to seat you
with other single travelers. (Some lines make an effort
to do this automatically.)
Several lines set sail with an onboard
social host or hostess. Their sole purpose is to offer
conversation at dinner, fill in as a fourth at bridge
and dance the night away with singles.
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| Pets
are not allowed on cruises as a rule. There are exceptions,
however, such as the Cunard ships, which have dog kennels
on board. |
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Unless
you happen to reside in the city or area close to your
departure, you will need to book a roundtrip air flight
to your embarkation port. This can be done with the travel
agent at the time of booking.
A fly/cruise vacation package includes
your cruise ticket, usually reduced—or sometimes free—airfare
to your embarkation port from major North American cities.
The package deal includes ground transfers between the
airport and ship as well as baggage handling. If you book
independently from your cruise ticketing, you are on your
own if the flight is cancelled or delayed. Usually, with
air included in your cruise ticketing, the cruise line
will make every effort to get you to the ship in time
for departure.
Your luggage on an air/cruise ticket
will be forwarded at the airport of departure to your
cruise-ship cabin. However, it is essential that each
piece of luggage is properly identified with the luggage
tag bearing the cruise line’s logo, which correctly lists
your name and home address, as well as the cruise line
name, ship name, cabin number, date of departure and port
of departure. Note: Don’t pack your legal and
air/cruise documents and other pertinent information.
Carry them with you.
Also, check your travel documents before
trip departure to make sure the information is correct.
Your cruise documents should include air/cruise tickets,
transfer vouchers (for transportation from airport to
ship and back), boarding forms, and luggage tags.
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The
cabin or stateroom you book on a cruise has a determining
effect on your experience. Remember that an inside cabin
has no window and you will be staring at a wall instead
of the sea. An ocean-view cabin is just that with usually
one porthole or large window to look out. Ideally, a cabin
with a balcony is the preferred choice, as at times you
will want to just commune with the sea from the privacy
of your stateroom.
And if price is no problem, most modern
ships have exclusive suites that usually feature two bedrooms,
two baths, a living/dining area, a small kitchen and a
large balcony area—a setup that is good for families or
a small group traveling together.
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Cruise
lines now require photo identification for all its guests
and crew. This includes a picture ID card issued by a
federal, state or local government agency, such as a valid
drivers license and/or passport. (Non-US citizens will
need a valid passport and possibly a visa. In addition
an Alien Registration Card (Green Card) is required if
an individual is a resident alien living in the US.
Passport applications are available
at local post offices in the US or on line at the Department
of State (DOS)’s website http://travel.state.gov/passport/.
In Canada, check the government website
http://www.ppt.gc.ca/; in Australia click http://www.passports.gov.au/Web/index.aspx;
and for the UK, http://www.ukpa.gov.uk/.
(The UK site also lists passport information for
all foreign countries under its Foreign and Commonwealth
Office informational section.)
Many countries require a visa for extended
stays and the information on how to obtain the application
is available on the above websites.
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All
ships cruising from North America have heightened security
regulations in this age of terrorism. The Washington-based
International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL)’s 118 vessels
of its member lines are 100 percent compliant with the
International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code,
meeting the July 1, 2004 deadline for all ships and port
facilities worldwide. The ISPS Code is a set of measures
that enhance security of ships and port facilities globally,
adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
as an amendment to Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations.
Key security elements contained in the ISPS Code include
security plans, screening measures, access control, waterside
security and communications between ships and ports. Cruise
line members of the ICCL have had formal security plans
with the U.S. Coast Guard since 1996 that included similar
measures required by the ISPS Code.
In the UK, click http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=Open
Market/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390599
for security updates and measures taken on ships.
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With
safety in mind, consult with your travel agent about the
ship you are to travel on. Are there sufficient lifeboats
on board in case of evacuation? How equipped is the vessel
to handle emergencies such as a fire on board. Are sprinkler
systems installed in the cabins? (Note: When you reach
your cabin, take note of where the exits are in case of
fire and also count how many cabins there are from yours
to the exit in case of darkness or heavy smoke. And if
there is a fire, be sure to first put on your life jacket
before leaving the cabin.
All cruise ships have a mandatory boat
drill usually held just before the ship leaves the dock.
Take the drill seriously for if the ship has an accident
and evacuation is called for, you will know exactly how
to reach the assigned lifeboat for your cabin. And be
sure to learn how to put on a lifejacket properly. It
could save your life.
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Most
cruise ships have 24-hour medical services with staff
operating under procedures suggested by the American College
of Emergency Physicians (AECP). In addition, it is advisable
for passengers to bring along adequate supplies of medical
prescriptions and devices; and a letter from your personal
physician if you are bringing along narcotic medication
or syringes or need a prescription refill in another country.
When booking a cruise, disclosing pre-existing medical
conditions is also advisable.
For disabled passengers, most modern
cruise vessels have special cabins for the handicapped
as well as special ramps into public areas and restaurants
onboard.
Do remember to bring a high PH (30)
sun block to prevent sunburns. Not only can you get a
terrible burn from the sun’s reflection on the sea; but
also if the cruise is going to warm areas such as the
Mediterranean or, the Caribbean or the snow-covered arctic
regions, the sun’s rays are more intense.
For travel to certain foreign destinations,
where guests will be sightseeing or spending an overnight,
it is advisable to find out if medical inoculations may
be required.
Available from the US Government Printing
Office is Health Information for International Travel
by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
which gives a global rundown of disease and immunization
advice and other health guidance, including risks in particular
countries. The CDC maintains the international travelers
hotline at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), an automated
faxback service at 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299) and
a website at http://www.cdc.gov.
For detailed information on physicians
abroad, the authoritative reference is The Official ABMS
Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists published
for the American Board of Medical Specialists and its
certifying member boards (www.abms.org).
(If you go to the Who's
Certified section of the website, you can do a
search by specialty/location. But you
must register first by clicking on the Register
link on the Who's Certified page and follow the
instructions, Once your username—your Email address and
password—is approved within 24 hours, you will be allowed
five free searches per 24-hour period.)
The printed Official ABMS Directory
of Board Certified Physicians is also available in your
local library. U.S. embassies and consulates abroad maintain
lists of hospitals and physicians. Major credit card companies
also can provide the names of local doctors and hospitals
abroad.
Some countries require foreign visitors
to have inoculations or medical tests before entering.
Before traveling, check the latest entry requirements
with the foreign embassy of the country to be visited.
For information about outbreaks of
infectious diseases abroad as well as medical inoculations,
consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) website
at http://www.who.int/en.
The WHO also provides travel health information at http://www.who.int/ith.
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| Travelers
should consider also taking on insurance that covers them
for such occurrences as terrorism, adverse weather conditions,
cruise-line bankruptcy or accidents, illness or injuries
incurred during traveling, missed connections and travel
and baggage delays while on holiday. When traveling to a
foreign country, make sure to purchase insurance that will
cover medical emergencies. It is important also to make
sure that the travel insurance subscribed to includes a
clause on medical evacuation to cover the expense of a possible
transfer by air or other travel conveyance to a medical
institution in another country that will deal with the medical
emergency. The DOS (http://travel.state.gov)
has a suggested list of medical-evacuation companies as
well as a suggest list of medical insurance companies, which
charge a fee for services rendered. The US Department of
State http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1185.html
and scroll down the list for US Travel Insurance Companies
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One
great thing about cruising is that money is not usually
exchanged during the length of the cruise. Except perhaps
in the Casino where US or other currency is accepted.
Passengers when checking in at embarkation, usually are
asked what credit card will be used to cover additional
costs during the cruise such as beverages, special dining
rooms, purchases, spa treatments and other services not
included in the cruise ticket. A copy of the credit card
to be used during the cruise is recorded and a ‘ship credit
card’ with your credit-card information imbedded on it
is given to the passenger to use for all cash transactions—and,
in most cases, it doubles as your cabin-door entry key.
If you lose the card, proceed directly
to the Purser’s Office (Guest Services) located in midship
to cancel it out and a new card will be issued. At the
end of the cruise, the passenger reviews his/her account
at the Purser’s Office or in newer ships, on the television
inside the passenger cabin. The charges incurred during
the cruise are charged to the credit card submitted at
the time of the cruise check-in.
If currency is used on board the ship
you are take, US dollars and Euros are the norm though
some ships may accept other currencies.
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Many
cruises lines are adding a daily fee (around $10) to cover
gratuities on board so that at the end of the cruise,
there is no scrambling to find out what to tip the cabin
steward, your dining room wait staff or other personnel.
However, on some ships, tipping is
still done by passengers on the last day of the cruise.
Suggested gratuities on trips of two weeks or under, the
cabin steward is $3.50 or $4 per day; the dining room
waiter is about the same or higher, depending on quality
of service; and if you have a concierge-area cabin, the
butler gets about $5 to $6 daily. For the bar bill, a
10 to 15 percent gratuity is usually added automatically.
For trips running more than 15 days
in length and where tipping is still done by the passengers,
it is suggested that half the tip be presented mid-way
through the cruise and the remainder at the end of the
trip.
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Where
the ship cruises determines what type of clothing to bring.
If the cruise is headed for warm waters such as the Caribbean
or where summer is in effect, light clothing is recommended.
For colder climes, such as Alaska, the Baltics, or where
winter is in effect, heavier clothing is recommended including
a warm jacket or parka and a rain jacket.
Usually several nights on board a cruise
are formal so a tuxedo or a dark suit is the norm for
men while for women a cocktail outfit or gown is de
rigueur.
While men can make do with fewer clothes
than the fairer set, having interchangeable outfits can
lighten the load for women. During the daytime at sea
or in port, dress is casual, so, yes, bring the sneakers
and shorts along with other casual attire.
On informal nights, dresses or pantsuits
are usually the dress code for women and a suit or blazer
for the men. On some ships, dress down is the norm in
the evening. In this case, a suit shirt and long pants
for men and similar attire (skirt, sundress or pants)
for women is the rule.
Note: To alleviate
over packing, remember that cruise vessels have laundry
services. Some also feature dry cleaning service as well.
On newer ships, there are self-service laundry facilities.
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There
are several publications that ShipsandCruises recommends
highly to give you the basic groundwork for taking a cruise.
The guide books answer most questions first-time cruisers
have and provide information for seasoned cruisers as
well.
Top of the list is the Berlitz annual
guide to cruising—Ocean Cruising & Cruise Ships
2005—available in North American and UK bookstores.
Written by veteran traveler Doug Ward, it offers in depth
information not only on cruise preparation but extensive
reviews of 256 cruise ships and rates them on their accommodations,
food, service, entertainment and the overall cruise experience.
($23.95 US); $35.95 (Canada). In the UK, the book is
available in bookstores; and on www.Amazon.com
for £11.73.
Another annual cruise guide is The
Unofficial Guide to Cruising 2004. Written by Kay
Showker and Bob Schlinger, the book also offers
a wealth of practical information on ships and how to
take a cruise.. ($22.99(US); $32.99(Canada) and £15.50(UK).
Both guidebooks are updated annually
The Cruise Lines International Association
based in New York also publishes a very informative Cruising
Q&A: Everything you ever wanted to know about cruising!
Just click CLIA’s website www.cruising.org and order a free copy.
Another book out in the marketplace
is 100 Best Cruise Vacations. Here cruise reviewer
Theodore W. Scull gives a rundown on the different types
of cruises available around the world that fit all interests
and budgets. Published by The Globe Pequot Press (www.globepequot.com), it sells for $17.95
in US bookstores.
Armed with all this information, and
following cruise-preparation guidelines above, you will
embark on a rewarding experience—one that may make you
a veteran cruise taker.
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Sanitation
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