Whether you're a first time cruiser or a seasoned pro, no one really ever knows all the answers to questions regarding a cruise vacation. Browse through our Frequently Asked Questions or click on a topic for more detail.

Packing l Kids Programs l Dining l Gratuites l Past Passengers

Air/ Sea Program l Travel Insurance l Payments l Age Requirements

Is a cruise affordable?
Cruise vacations are the best vacation value of all. In one purchase you can select a cruise which includes shipboard accommodations, all those delicious meals, evening entertainment, shipboard activities, transportation to glorious ports of call, and luggage handling. You don't have to wait until you get home to add up those credit card statements and figure out how much your vacation really cost. For once, you will know what your vacation will cost before you even go!

Where can I go on a cruise?
Cruises can be found nearly all over the world. Islands of the sunny Caribbean, Mexico, the Mediterranean, Aegean and Baltic seas of Europe, Alaska and Canada, Hawaii, Australia and the South Pacific are most popular. Check out some of our featured destinations for great examples. Additionally, a cruise can be combined with before or after land programs and hotel stays to add greater options. We can do it!

How long ahead of time should I book a cruise?
Even the most popular ships sometimes have cabins available a few weeks before sailing because of late cancellations. But to get the ship, itinerary, sailing date or accommodations you want, you should plan and book four to six months in advance. Many cruise lines will offer early booking discounts for customers who plan ahead.

Are all ships alike?
Far from it! Cruise ships range from a size capable of accommodating as few as 100 guests to more than 2600 passengers. The atmosphere on board may be simple to luxurious, casual to formal. We offer everything from the river barge or paddlewheels to popular modern large size cruise ships to the intimate luxury ocean liners.

What are the cabins like?
There are many different types of accommodations. These may be referred to as either cabins or staterooms, depending on the cruise line. Inside cabins, oceanview cabins, cabins with balconies, suites, etc. Cabins can accommodate 2, 3, 4 or even in some cases, 5. Handicapped cabins are also available with sufficient planning. Dependent on your choice of ship and availability, individual (single occupancy) cabins can also be reserved.

Will I have enough to do on board?
It will probably take you a couple of days to discover everything the ship has to offer. Program and shipboard activities exist for all ages. Many cruise lines have excellent children's programs. Baby sitters are also available for youngsters.
Variety also exists within sightseeing and shore excursions from some very active and demanding, and some relaxed and carefree. Once aboard your cruise ship, a myriad of entertainment opportunities await you. Ship facilities cater to all tastes. Add to that the adventure of exploring exciting ports of call. Cruise ships are like floating resorts with many stimulating daytime activities and plenty to entertain you at night. Or choose to relax and do nothing. It's all up to you.

 

What do I get for my money?
Your cruise price includes your cabin, all meals (including the midnight buffet!), entertainment, parties and, of course, all transportation between all the ports on your itinerary. On most ships, alcoholic beverages and optional shore excursions are not included in the basic price.

Will I feel bored or confined on board?
Never! Think of a cruise ship as a floating resort on par with any Las Vegas megahotel. On-board activities begin at dawn and go into the wee hours of the night. The scenery is constantly changing, and every port is filled with new and exciting opportunities for exploration.

What can I do on a ship?
That depends on the ship, but generally the larger ships will have the most activities. You may wish to lounge on deck by the pool with a good book, sign up for exercise or cooking classes, swim, play bingo or bridge, gamble in the casino, take in a Broadway-style floor show or a magician's act, enter a talent show or a putting contest, take a dance class, get a massage or attend a lecture.

How long do cruises last?
Cruisewarehouse sells cruises that range from 3-night weekend escapes to 110-night, around-the-world voyages.

Is airfare included in my cruise price?
Cruise lines usually offer both a cruise-only price and an AIR/SEA price that includes connecting airfare, transfers between the airport and ship and baggage handling. In some instances, only the cruise-only fare is available. The prices shown on our site are typically cruise-only, but our cruise counselors will gladly provide an air-inclusive price if requested.

What's a shore excursion?
That's a term that refers to anything you do off the ship, in port. At every stop, you'll have the option of exploring the area on your own or as part of a group with a planned itinerary. You might hike a tropical rain forest in the Caribbean, fish for king salmon in Alaska, tour Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, or take a sightseeing tour.

Are all cruise ships the same?
Absolutely not. They range from yacht-like vessels with 100 passengers to towering megaships with huge atriums and a maximum capacity of over 3,000 people.

Will I need a passport?
All cruises now require proof of citizenship. On some itineraries, a certified copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or government-issued photo I.D. are sufficient, on others a passport is required. Visas may also be required on the more exotic itineraries. Your cruise counselor will advise you on documents you will need depending on your itinerary.

Is a cruise suitable for families with kids?
Not just suitable, they're perfect! Large cruise ships are now designed with kids-only facilities, counselors, daytime activities and nighttime baby-sitting. Children of all ages are welcome on most ships. Your cruise counselor can advise you of the dwindling number of ships that are not kid-friendly.

Are cruises suitable for single travelers?
Cruising is very popular with single travelers, and cruise lines go out of their way to make it easy for singles to meet and mingle with other passengers. Some cruise ships offer single cabins, and most offer a single supplement rate for double staterooms. In fact, on select sailings we offer singles cruises with our own onboard host to organize exclusive singles cocktail parties, mixers, games, group excursions, single-mingle dining and more! You'll never have to feel alone on a cruise... unless that's what you're looking for! Click here to see our singles cruise calendar.

Are cruises really that popular?
You better believe it! More than ten million people will cruise in the next year, and cruising routinely earns the highest ratings in customer satisfaction among all vacation categories. Once you try it, you'll be hooked.

What is a Day at Sea?
A Day at Sea is a full day spent sailing between two ports. Most cruises include one or more Days at Sea.