| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |
Q: What does my cruise price include?
A: Your cruise includes shipboard accommodations, meals, and most entertainment aboard the vessel.
Q: What does my cruise price not include?
A: Your cruise price does not include organized shore excursions, alcoholic beverages or carbonated soft drinks, photographs, gratuities, spa and beauty treatments, medical services, casino expenditures or other miscellaneous you may purchase on board.
Q: What is the difference between an inside and ocean view cabin?
A: An ocean view stateroom will have a window or porthole above the water line. An inside cabin will not have a view. In place of the window will be artwork or draperies.
Q: Do I have to participate in the activities?
A: On a cruise, you do what you want, when you want. There are activities planned for almost every hour of the day that cover a wide range of interests from art auctions to silly pool games. If you wish to just sit back and watch the clouds float by, you can do that as well.
Q: What is there to do at night?
A: There is dancing, live entertainment, comedians, and almost all ships have casinos. Most lines have elaborate Broadway or Vegas-style revues as well.
Q: Are there non-smoking areas on a ship?
A: Yes, most ships have either a non-smoking area in the dining areas or the dining rooms are completely non-smoking. For the smokers, there are typically designated areas in lounges and in open air decks as well.
Q: What time do ships start boarding?
A: Embarkation typically begins four hours before departure. Passengers must be on board 30 minutes prior to sailing.
Q: What's the best time of year to go?
A: Anytime is the best time to take a cruise, it just depends where you want o to go. The Caribbean has itineraries year-round, however many exotic Caribbean sailings are seasonal. You can only sail Alaska from May-September, Bermuda is between April and October, and Europe is between April and November.
Q: Can I travel if I am pregnant?
A: Most cruise lines will allow you to travel up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. Please read the policies for the specific cruise line via their web-site or brochure and notify our staff when booking.
Q: Should I make my own air arrangements?
A: If you choose to book your own airfare and not through the cruise line, please schedule your air with enough time to get to the pier at least an hour before departure and to allow enough time to clear customs and get to the airport in the recommend time from the airline. Please contact your agent if you have questions on these times. There are advantages to purchasing air though the cruise line, one being the fact that transfers are included with most air (not Princess and some Holland America). Another benefit is that if your flights are delayed or cancelled, the cruise line will assist you in meeting up with the ship.
Q: What should I pack?
A: Clothing during the day is casual, resort wear is the norm. Comfortable shoes and clothes for port days are the dress code. Don't forget a couple swimsuits if traveling the Caribbean so you have a dry one! Evening attire varies from ship to ship, evening to evening. Our agents can assist you in what is appropriate for your specific cruise. Many ships have at least one formal evening.
Q: Will I need a tuxedo?
A: Most cruises will have at least one formal night, however you do not need to go out and rent a tuxedo. Many ships have tuxedo rental services. Even on the most formal nights, a suit and tie are fine. You will see everything from Sunday best to the most formal sequined dress. Typically there is at least one alternate dining option to the main dining room on formal night as well if you don’t feel like dressing up.
Q: Can you park at the pier and if so how much?
A: Parking at the pier is usually available. The exact rates and type of parking vary from location to location. ? Links? Please look at 2by2cruises.com. Len has a link to all the piers in his cruise info section, this would be great!
Q: Can I bring alcohol on board with me?
A: The cruise lines strictly prohibit passengers from bringing alcoholic beverages onboard. Some lines do allow fine wines and champagne for special occasions to be brought on for a corkage fee ranging from $10 and up. All liquor bought in the ship's gift shop or in ports of call, will be delivered to the cabin the night before you disembark for home.
Q: What can I do to prevent getting sea sick?
A: Seasickness is rare on the larger ships due to their size and their stabilizers designed to reduce the feeling of movement. If you should start feeling queasy, medicine is available on the ship. If you are prone to motion sickness, you may want to consult your physician prior to traveling.
Q: What forms of identification will I need?
A: It depends on the type of cruise and itinerary you are doing. It is the responsibilty of the individual traveler to check with their government to insure thy have the appropriate documentation to board the ship. There will not be a refund if the traveler is denied boarding due to lack of citzenship documentation. However, US citizen traveling to the following itineraries; Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, or Canada, need a notarized copy of a birth certificate with a raised seal, and a government issued picture identification. Some Hawaiian itineraries do require a passport, your agent will know if this applies to you. All other destinations will require passports by US residents and some will require visas. If a visa is required for one of your destinations, the cruise line will notify you of this. Non-Us citizens, who are residents of the U.S., must show proof of temporary or permanent residency, including valid green card, passport from their country with reentry visas, etc. All non-US citizens should contact the consulates or embassies of the countries to be visited regarding the proper documentation necessary for travel prior to making your final payments. Please be advised that knowing, securing and bringing the required identification is solely the responsibility of the passengers. We are unable to provide refunds for clients who do not possess the necessary documentation.
Q: How much should I tip?
A: It is customary to pay gratuities to those who served you on your cruise. $10.00 per day is a safe rule of thumb. This should cover your waiter, bus boy and cabin steward other shipboard personnel can be tipped for special services at your discretion. In most instances, a 15% gratuity will be added automatically to bar, beverage, wine, and deck service tabs. Many cruise lines will allow you to prepay or pay when get on board through your shipboard account.
Q: How do I pay for onboard expenses?
A: A personal account will be set up on the day of embarkation. This will allow you to charge almost all expenses to your shipboard account which will in turn be billed to either your major credit card or taken from cash you have given them at the time of setting up the account.
Q: Is there a way to get from the airport?
A: If you book air though the cruise line and transfers are included, they will meet you in baggage claim and escort you to the transfer shuttle that takes you to the pier and then will return you to the airport the day of disembarkation. Most cruise lines offer this service for an additional charge to passengers who have arranged their own air as well.
Where do I get shore tour information and how do I book it?
Many shore excursions, depending on the cruise line, can be purchased ahead of time through them. We also have excursions at many ports of call through our web-site. Just go to the link on the right hand side of the site and it will take you to Port Promotions, a reputable company in shore excursions. You can prepay and book on-line shore excursions through us!
Q: Is there laundry service on board?
A: Many ships have self-service coin operated laundry. In these areas, there are irons and ironing boards. In addition, most have dry-cleaning services as well.
Q: What about electrical appliances?
A: Electric razors and hair dryers can be brought with you. For the most part, standard US appliances will work in staterooms and most ships have a hair dryer in the cabin.
Q: What dining options are available?
A: Most cruise lines offer two seatings for the main dining room, main or late. Dining preferences may be requested but are not guaranteed until embarkation. Regardless of your dining assignment, shows and entertainment will be available to experience. In addition to the main dining room, in-room dining, and a buffet style lido area, many ships have alternate restaurants. Most ships also offer low-fat and vegetarian entrees. Many cruise lines now offer a flexible dining option that allows you to dine when you wish, even in the main dining room.
Q: Can I get a special diet?
A: Most ships can accommodate low-carbohydrate, Kosher, salt-free, or other diet preferences. However, these requests need to be made in advance so please notify your agent of any special dietary needs you require when making the reservation.
Q: Is there babysitting available?
A: Most cruise lines offer a children's program that offers programming daily for ages three to teens and is divided by age levels. All activities are age-appropriate. Some lines offer group babysitting for smaller children in the evening and some offer in-room babysitting for an hourly fee but this is limited and cannot be arrange until you are on the ship. For further information on children's programming and babysitting, please contact one of our cruisemagic agents.
Q: When will I receive my documents?
A: You should receive your cruise documents no later than 14-7 days prior to your departure.
Q: What happens if I need to cancel?
A: Cancellation policies vary from cruise line to cruise line. When you book your cruise, you will be advised of the cancellation policy applicable to your specific cruise. It is the responsibility of the passenger to understand the policies and any penalties the cruise line may charge. In addition to any fees by the cruise lines, we will apply a $25 per person administrative fee for cancellations. This fee can be applied to a future cruise booked through us.
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