Cruise Advice
Introduction
At first, choosing a cruise might seem a bit intimidating because there are so many choices.
Why choose a cruise instead of a land vacation? If you have more questions than
answers, then this section is for you. If you still have questions after reading
the information below, ask us. We are experts, and there are virtually no questions
that we haven’t heard before. We are your resource, so please use us.
Do I need a passport?
AIR TRAVEL
Effective January 8, 2007, passports will be required for all U.S. citizens flying
to or from all international destinations. This includes all areas of the world in
which our ships sail, such as the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico,
Europe, Asia, Central and South America.
CRUISE TRAVEL
As early as January 1, 2008, subject to U.S. Government amendment, passports will be required
for all U.S. citizens cruising to or from all international destinations. This includes all
areas of the world in which our ships sail, such as the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean,
Mexico, Europe, Asia, Central, and South America.
Until that time, the following travel document requirements apply:
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
A valid passport is required; or visas are required where they apply.
This includes Europe, Asia, Central and South America.
DOMESTIC TRAVEL
For domestic travel including the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean
and Mexico, a passport (valid or expired) is highly recommended. In the absence of a
passport, a birth certificate (original or a certified copy), plus a picture ID card
issued by a federal, state or local government agency is required. A voter
registration card or social security card are not considered proof of
citizenship. Children under 16 years of age do not require a photo ID.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
Rubycruises.com strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport
during their cruise. This will greatly assist any guest who may need to fly out of the United
States to meet their ship at the next available port should they miss their scheduled
embarkation in a U.S. port. Other situations which could require a passport include a guest
needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends due to medical,
family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship's departure from a port
of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct or other reasons.
Guests who cruise after January 8, 2007, and need to fly to the United States before
their cruise ends will likely experience significant delays and complications
related to booking airline tickets and entering the United States if they do not
have a valid U.S. passport with them.
All non-U.S. citizens: Any non-US citizen who has previously been admitted to the
United States for permanent residence must carry their passport and Alien Registration
Receipt Card. All other non-U.S./non-Canadian citizens must have valid passports and
any necessary visas. Such guests should carefully verify the existing identification
requirements for their particular travel situation, as these requirements may change.
IMPORTANT: ALL guests should carefully verify the existing identification
requirements for their particular travel situation DIRECTLY WITH THE CRUISE
LINE OR THEIR LOCAL CONSULATES OR EMBASSIES as these requirements may change.
Guests arriving for embarkation without proper documentation may be denied boarding
and will not be entitled to a refund.
Can I afford a cruise?
The real question is whether you can afford not to cruise. Cruising is the best
vacation value and there are cruise vacations to suit every budget. Your cruise fare
includes all 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, optional
shore excursions, and personal services such as spa or salon services.) When you
consider all the extras that a land vacation can cost, there’s no better value than
a cruise. The best part is that the prices have effectively stayed the same for more
than 20 years. Factoring in inflation, cruises actually cost less than they did in 1980!
How long do cruises last?
As long or short as you want. Cruise lines offer itineraries from three days to
three months. Most cruises are three, four, five or seven nights in length and
those are often the most popular because they fit easily into most people’s vacation
schedules.
Where can I go?
Wherever you want! Cruises visit nearly 2,000 ports worldwide and practically
every destination accessible by water. Although most people think first of the
Caribbean (and there are thousands of cruises to choose from in this area alone),
cruises are the best way to visit places like Alaska or Hawaii and are a hassle-free
way of seeing many countries in an entire region like Europe, Asia, South America or
Africa - all without packing and unpacking each night.
Are all ships the same?
Far from it. Cruise lines’ 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 3,000. 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. If you like
an intimate bed and breakfast, you might want to choose a smaller ship. If you enjoy
vacationing at a luxury spa or vineyard, then an intimate yacht-like upscale ship
may be for you. If you love large resorts and theme parks, then a large ship with
many activities may be your best bet.
Are there different types of cruises?
There are cruises designed to suit virtually every interest and lifestyle.
The choices include: 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 sun-kissed
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!
Are there special education programs aboard?
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. Some ships have tours
of the bridge and engine rooms, stargazing classes and some even have oceanographic
labs.
What is an air/sea package?
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. Evaluate the cost of the air add-on
carefully to see if you might prefer to use your own frequent flier miles
to book your air tickets. But also make sure and find out the cost of
purchasing the transfer from airport to ship. It’s well worth the price
because it saves you a lot of hassles on sailing day.
Are there different classes of service?
Today's cruise ships are "one-class." With very few exceptions, 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.
But some of the nicest staterooms do offer additional amenities. Some ships
provide a concierge deck with a special courtesy lounge for those in the finest
suites while others might offer butler service or white-gloved in-room dining.
But once you’ve left your stateroom and entered the public areas, you’ll find
an array of choices and activities open to everyone.
Won't I get bored?
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, or 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. Some of today’s ships have huge video game rooms,
rock-climbing walls, rollerblade tracks, basketball and tennis courts, golf
simulators and even ice-skating rinks!
What do I do when we're 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 waterskiing 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.
Do I have to participate in activities?
On a cruise, you do what you want, when you want.
You can do everything or do absolutely nothing. It's your vacation.
What's included in the price of my cruise?
Some cruises might include your airfare, but for most that’s an add-on.
However, all your meals (including room service), your accommodations and all the
amazing entertainment is part of the price - not to mention the stylish
transportation a cruise ship provides in getting you from port to port.
What isn’t included?
Generally, any items of a personal nature won’t be included. Items in the
gift shop and money to gamble in the casino are clearly your choice. Some ships
have optional specialty restaurants that might have a modest surcharge to cover
the cost of gratuities for the service staff. There’s a charge for things like
bingo games, onboard lotteries, alcoholic drinks and organized shore excursions
(but you’re free to walk off the ship in port and explore on your own). There’s
no charge for the use of the gym (unlike most hotels), but some ships might
charge to use the spa. Massages and other spa treatments are extra, of course.
Do cruise lines welcome children?
More and more cruise vacations are booked by families with children. Most cruise
lines provide plenty of supervised activities for youngsters, 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.
Do pay attention to the type of cruise you choose, however. If you book a small
upscale ship with enrichment lectures and out-of-the-way ports, your children
might not have as much fun as if they were on a large resort-style ship with a
full children’s program, ice cream parties, pizza parties, a waterslide
and videogames.
What is there to do in the evening?
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
shows and Las Vegas-type revues.
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. Some ships feature celebrity
entertainers and many in the cast have performed on Broadway or in Las Vegas
or even appeared on television. The competition to become a shipboard entertainer
is fierce and only the best make it afloat.
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 agent for advice on the best ship for you,
based on your tastes and lifestyle. Also ask about theme cruises as well. There
are cruises for jazz lovers, NASCAR cruises, gourmet cruises, gay cruises, NFL
and baseball cruises and even cruises for bird watchers or history buffs. On a
theme cruise, everyone brings a common interest on board.
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. Some ships have requested
dress codes each evening but more and more are letting passengers choose to be
casually-attired the entire cruise if they choose. Some ships have specialty
restaurants that might be a bit dressier than the main dining rooms so it’s best
to look through the cruise brochures to find the line that’s right for you. Look
to see what the models in the brochures are wearing - if you hate the suit and
tie you have to wear to work every day, then you might not enjoy the cruise line
that shows lots of people in tuxedos and evening dresses. On the other hand, a
cruise is a special occasion and many people can’t wait to dress up in their finest.
It’s all up to you because there’s a cruise for everyone.
Also leave some extra room in your luggage for all those
things you buy during the cruise. Like a sombrero!
Do I need a tuxedo?
Probably not, but it will depend on the cruise you choose. 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.
Is a cruise vacation fun for singles?
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.
Can I use my hairdryer or shaver?
Almost all ships these days have 110-volt outlets in the staterooms.
But do check with us to be sure. Most ships even
feature hair-dryers in your cabin.
When do I eat? Is the cuisine good?
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 casual setting,
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 chose 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 also a 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 also offer romantic in-cabin dinners.
The choice is yours!
Is cruise ship cuisine as good as I’m 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 all your meals are included!
I'm on a special diet. Where do I eat?
Onboard, of course! Most ships can accommodate salt-free, low-carbohydrate,
Kosher, or other diet preferences. However, this request must be made in advance,
so be sure to advise us when you book your cruise.
Can I sit with my friends or will I have tablemates?
If you’re dining in the main dining room, you may 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.
Ships that have one open seating let you come and go as you please and
you can select your table companions at, say, the cocktail hour, before heading
to the dining room.
Most ships have a casual dining alternative where no tablemates will be
assigned and if you’re dining in one of the ship’s specialty restaurants,
you won’t be asked to share your table with others.
Are there non-smoking areas?
Virtually all ships have smoking and non-smoking sections in the public rooms.
Can we celebrate special occassions?
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 us in
advance.
Is cruising 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. The
best part of choosing a cruise for you honeymoon is that you don’t have to make
a lot of decisions - an entire floating resort is right there in front of you.
That means you can spend more time enjoying your time together.
Are there phones and internet connections onboard?
Absolutely. Most ships have a daily newsletter with news, headlines, selected
stock quotes and sports scores. Almost all ships have staterooms that 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 are adding computer cafes
with Internet access for e-mail communication. Some even have Internet connections
in your stateroom.
What about tipping?
Tipping is a matter of individual preference. A general rule of thumb is
to plan for about $10.00 per person per day. 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. But don’t worry, you’ll never find a
line of unformed crew with open palms following you around. Tipping is discretely
handled and most service staff are tipped at the end of the cruise. On purchases
from the bar, a gratuity is often added automatically to your bill.
What about doctor and medical services?
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.
Are there laundry services onboard?
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.
Do cruise lines take group bookings?
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 call us for details.
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 us 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.
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. And if
there’s space, it’s not unheard of for a happy passenger on board to book the
next cruise as well!
Will I get seasick?
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. Smaller ships
generally sail in protected seas to isolated and unique destinations. Larger
ships stay in calm waters as well, but are so large that motion sickness is
rarely a problem. The average cruise ship today is larger than a
1,000-room hotel.