I have a question about cruise experience

What does a ship's purser do?

The Purser's Desk (open 24 hours a day) will act as the onboard customer service department for the ship.

This desk will act as your bank, post office, information booth, lost-and-found, authority on customs and immigration, and safe deposit trustee.
They can help you with basically anything and everything while you are on the ship, or at least put you in touch with the department that can help.

Do you have a list of common cruise terminology/ vocabulary?

Yes! See below for a list of common cruise terminology/ vocabulary.

ACCOMMODATION - The passenger's room, stateroom, or personal accommodation.
ADD ON - A supplementary charge added to the cruise fare, usually applied to correlated air fare and / or post cruise land tours.
AFT - Near, toward, or in the rear (stern) of the ship.
AIR/SEA - A package consisting of the two forms of travel (i.e. air, to and from the port of embarkation, as well as the cruise itself).
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE - The amount of baggage, generally consisting of the passenger's personal effects, carried by the cruise line free of charge.
BOOKING - A telephone request made to secure an option on a cabin.
CABIN - The passenger's room, stateroom, or personal accommodation.
CABIN SHARE - Acceptance by some lines of a single booking at the cost-saving double occupancy rate, with the understanding that the client is willing to share use of the cabin with a stranger of the same sex.
CATEGORY - A price gradient of similar cabins from the most expensive to the least expensive, or vice versa.
CLASS - Extinct on most cruises. On some trans-ocean voyages, denotes an overall level of ambiance and cost, such as "First Class," "Tourist Class" or "Transatlantic Class." Cruises are generally termed: One-class service.
CRUISE FARE - The actual cost of the cruise excluding all extras such as taxes, port charges, airfare, gratuities, and the like.
DEBARKATION - Exiting from the ship.
DECK CHAIR - Open deck chaise lounge which is generally provided on a complimentary basis.
DECK PLAN - An overhead diagram illustrating cabin and public room locations in relation to each other.
DEPOSIT(s) - A partial payment of the cruise fare required at the time of booking to secure the cabin being reserved.
EMBARKATION - Entering or boarding the ship.
FINAL PAYMENT - Payment of the full cruise fare plus any necessary or agreed extras, such as taxes, air add on, preparatory to issuance of correlated travel documents.
FIRST SITTING - The earlier of two meal times in the ship's dining room. Usually around 6:30pm.
FORWARD - Toward the fore or bow (front) of the ship.
GRATUITIES - The passenger's personal expression of thanks (tips) to the ship's service personnel for services received.
GUARANTEE - The cruise line's promise that the passenger will sail on a stated voyage in a specified price category or type of cabin, at an agreed rate no higher than would ordinarily apply for that voyage, which MAY result in an improvement of accommodation at no additional cost.
INSIDE - A cabin having no windows or portholes to offer a view of the sea or of the river.
LOWER BED - A single bed placed at the conventional height from the floor.
MIDSHIPS - In or toward the middle of the ship; the longitudinal center portion of the ship.
OPEN SITTING - Free access to unoccupied tables in the ship's dining room, as opposed to specific table assignments.
OUTSIDE - A cabin having window(s) or porthole(s) offering a view of the sea or of the river.
PETS - Any ordinary domesticated bird or animal. None are carried aboard cruise voyages.
PORT - The left side of the ship when facing forward.
PORT CHARGE - An assessment, which also includes port taxes, collected by the line and paid to a local government authority.
PORTHOLES - Circular "windows" in the side of the ship's hull or superstructure.
PORT TAX - A charge levied by local government authority to be paid by the passenger. In some air/sea packages, port taxes are included in the final price.
QUAD RATE - An economical per person rate available to individuals for quadruple occupancy on a guarantee share basis.
ROOM - The passenger's room, stateroom, or personal accommodation.
SAILING TIME - The actual hour at which the ship is scheduled to clear the dock and sail.
SECOND SITTING - The later of two meal times in the ship's dining room.
SHORE EXCURSIONS - Off-the-ship tours at ports of call for which an extra charge is usually applied.
SINGLE OCCUPANCY - Sole occupancy of a cabin which is designed to accommodate two or more passengers, in which instance a premium is ordinarily charged.
STARBOARD - The right side of the ship facing forward.
STATEROOM - The passenger's room, stateroom, or personal accommodation.
STOPOVER - Leaving the ship at a port of call and rejoining it at a subsequent port of call or upon the ship's return to the earlier port of call.
TENDER - A smaller vessel, sometimes the ship's lifeboat, used to move passengers to and from the ship and shore when the ship is at anchor.
TBA - To be assigned.
TRANSFERS - Conveyances between the ship and other modes, such as airports, hotels, or departure points for shore excursions.
TRIPLE RATE - An economical per person rate available to individuals for triple occupancy on a guarantee share fare basis.
UPPER BED - A single size bed higher from the floor than usual (similar to a bunk bed) often recessed into the ceiling or wall by day.
WAIT LIST - Not a guarantee, but the cruise line's endeavor to obtain accommodation for passengers on a first-come-first-served basis when all cabins are presently either sold, under deposit, or under option.

What do shore excursions taken from a cruise include?

Each shore excursion is different, but as a general rule your shore excursion will include the following:

A guide or professional who is familiar with the area and activity you will be performing.
Transportation to the excursion.
Entrance fees
Some excursions will also include some type of refreshment or meal.

Other information to consider when choosing a shore excursion encompasses the following. This information should be included in every shore excursion description.

Minimum age requirements
Level of fitness required
Duration of trip
Restroom availability

Please note: Prices for shore excursions vary greatly depending upon which shore excursion is chosen, and these prices are subject to change without notice. Furthermore, the cruise line reserves the right to cancel any shore excursion depending upon the weather, or the number of participants.

How do I check in for a cruise?

Simply present your cruise documents and proof of citizenship to one of the attendants in the cruise terminal.

At this time, you'll usually be served with your identification card which serves several purposes:

This identification card is used when boarding, exiting, and re-boarding the ship.
Your dining time and seating assignment are on your card.
This card is also used as a charge card while onboard the ship. Cash is not generally accepted for purchases on the ship.

How do I avoid motion sickness on my cruise?

It should ease your mind to know that the most popular cruise areas boast some of the calmest waters in the world.

Stabilizers on modern ships, availability of accurate weather information, and development of effective preventative medications have greatly reduced the incidence of motion discomfort.
Many over-the-counter medications are very effective. You can buy a patch or a bracelet from your local drug store to prevent seasickness, and increase comfort.
Motion-sickness medications may be available free of charge from the Purser's Desk or your cabin steward.
Choosing a cabin located in the center of the ship often helps. This location experiences less movement than cabins located on the top decks or cabins located in the bow or stern of the ship.

Do you have definitions for cruise ship 'Lifestyle Categories' found in cruise listings?

Lifestyle Categories - Look forward to a clean, comfortable, quality cruise experience aboard a "contemporary" ship. As non-stop, onboard activities are planned with a wide range of passengers in mind, these ships are ideal for almost any age group with varying interests. Ships range from smaller, classic vessels to brand-new mega-liners. But no matter the size of the ship, surroundings are comfortable and service is friendly.

Premium - Attentive service, fine food, and elegant furnishings are the foundation of a "premium" ship. These vessels are imaginatively decorated, cuisine is innovative and fresh, and nightlife options are varied and exciting. Caring ship personnel always strive to make guests feel special.

Luxury - Expect nothing but the best from a ship in this high-end category. Incredible attention to detail, unsurpassed personal service, exquisite food, and quality entertainment all converge to create a truly memorable cruise experience. The decor aboard these ships is best described as country-club casual, passenger space ratios are high, and one-of-a-kind itineraries tend toward more exotic locales.

Are there cruises specifically tailored for singles?

We do not currently offer cruise packages exclusively for singles only

Should I tip our guide/driver during the excursion?

Extending a gratuity to your guide or driver is strictly optional. But keep in mind that in some countries, these personnel may expect that if you are pleased with their services, you will reward them.

A commonly accepted guideline is $1.00 per person for a half-day tour and $2.00 per person for a full-day tour.

Where are the best cabin locations on a cruise ship?

The best cabin location is really a matter of personal preference.

Some travelers prefer an ocean view cabin on a high deck, while others prefer an inside cabin, or a cabin in the middle of the ship where they are less likely to feel the ships movement.
Whichever cabin you decide upon, remember that none of the cabins are located under the ships water level, and they are all equipped with modern conveniences.
Consult one of our Cruise Experts to help you find the perfect fit.
Cruise Experts are available at 866.338.9536.

How physically challenging are the cruise ship shore excursions?

Depending on your particular cruise, some of the cities you visit may be ancient, with narrow streets and perilous staircases or they may be relatively isolated and have rugged jungle terrain. The shore excursions offered by the cruise line are sure to vary as well.

Most tours will require some degree of walking. However, some excursions will involve hiking, stair climbing, horseback riding, canoeing, and various other types of physical activity.
The ship's Shore Excursion Desk or Purser can help you decide if a particular tour is suitable for you.

How can I stay in touch with the outside world during the cruise?

There will be many forms of communication available to you during your cruise vacation.

Print Media -Most ships have a daily newsletter with news, selected stock quotes, and sports scores.
Television - Cabins on many ships are equipped with televisions. Your ship may also have a sports bar with TVs tuned into current sporting events or weather and news.
Telephones - In-room telephones are provided in many rooms on most ships. These phones can be used to call room-to-room, as well as from ship to shore. Please note that rates for ship-to-shore calls vary by cruise line and are usually pretty steep. Phone calls can also be made from most ports of call by using your calling card or credit card.
Email - Almost every ship in use today by the major cruise lines has an 'Internet Cafe' where you can surf the Web and send and receive e-mail. Per-minute rates vary by cruise line, but most offer reduced rates for pre-paid minute packages.

What type of amenities do cruise lines offer?

Amenities vary between cruise lines. A comprehensive list of ship information and reviews with over 1,000 ship images including photos, 360? panoramic IPIX images, and ship deck plans is available under the Cruise homepage sub tab under "View Cabins/ Deck Maps".

Select the "Details" link just below the "Ship Info" column to review specific cruise line amenities.

Where can I store my valuables during the cruise?

Most major cruise lines offer an in-cabin safe, which is very similar to the in-room safe you will find in most hotels. Or if you wish, you can usually store your valuables with the ship's Pursers Desk which has a limited number of safe-deposit boxes available free of charge.

Are there medical facilities aboard the cruise ship?

Every cruise ship has a fully equipped medical facility and doctor (except for some smaller vessels operating in coastal waters).

Most operate under daily office hours but are always on-call for emergencies. You may be charged for certain medical services performed.
If cruise line insurance is purchased during the booking process, most charges for basic treatment will be covered.
While on the ship, if the situation becomes very serious or life threatening, the passenger will be flown from the ship by helicopter to the nearest land-based hospital for treatment.

Is it possible to miss the ship during an excursion?

Yes. All guests are required to be back aboard the ship no later than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time, which is listed in the ship's daily activity bulletin and posted at the gangway.

If you leave a tour en route, it will be your responsibility to secure transportation and return to the pier on time.

Will I miss meals when I go ashore on an excursion?

Most tour departure times complement the ship's meal-service hours, so you can enjoy your meal on board and then go ashore. However, if you take a full-day tour, or if you take more than one tour in a day, your return to the ship may not coincide with meal hours (most likely, a buffet or snack will be available upon your return).

Consult the ship's daily bulletin for information on meal schedules.

What are the recommended gratuities for cruise staff?

Cruise lines vary in how gratuities are handled. A few cruise lines include tipping in the total cruise price or have a 'no tipping' policy, and will inform you. Some lines will automatically charge your tip daily to your onboard account (you can usually arrange to have the amount adjusted). While other cruise lines have you tip in cash at the end of the cruise via envelopes provided by your cabin steward. Here are some general guidelines as to who usually gets a tip, and how much:

In addition to the amounts listed below a 15% gratuity will be added to any bar purchases.
A good rule of thumb is that you will tip about $10 per person in your cabin per day of your cruise. For example, if you are on a three-day cruise and have two people in your cabin you would pay $20 per day, or $60 total in tips.

Here is a general breakdown:

Wait Staff / Restaurant: about $5.50 per day (Head waiter $3.00, Bus Boy $2.50).
Cabin Staff (Cabin Steward): about $3.00 per day.
Other: about $1.00 for the following - Alternative Dining Charge, Restaurant Manager, Maitre d', Chief Housekeeper.
Plan for about $2.50 to $3.00 per person per day for your room steward and dining room waiter, and about half that amount for your busboy.
Other ship personnel can be tipped for special services at your discretion.
Some recommendations include $1.50 per person in your party to your assistant waiter, and a total of $2.50 per person for your headwaiter on three- and four-night cruises. For seven-night and longer cruises, headwaiter gratuities are at your discretion.

When and where do shore excursions depart?

Most tours depart from a previously specified point on the pier. If you are not sure you can always check with the ship's Shore Excursion Desk.

Prior to arrival in each port of call, the Shore Excursion desk will usually hold a seminar on the upcoming port of call, covering local customs, what you can expect to happen on your shore excursion, and what is the best clothing to wear.
If you miss this you can find shore excursion information in the ship's daily newsletter, or by contacting the Shore Excursion Desk, or Pursers Desk. Some cruise lines even have the information playing on one of the TV channels in your room.
When the ship is at anchor, staff will be on hand to assist you to the departure point.
Departure times are subject to change should the vessel's arrival or sailing time be amended.
You are requested to strictly adhere to the time of departure, as you don?t want to be left behind.

What will I need for evening wear during the cruise?

Most cruises host several different types of evenings on board: casual, semi-formal (Also known as business casual or casual smart-dressy, but informal), and formal (suit or tuxedo).

For casual nights, sport shirts and slacks are suitable for men, while sun dresses or pants work for women.
On semi-formal nights, most women wear dresses or pantsuits, while men put on slacks with button up shirt and sport coats. Ties are optional.
For formal nights, women should wear cocktail dresses or evening gowns, while men should don suits and ties, or tuxedos (optional).
Most of our cruise lines also offer services in which you can arrange tuxedo rentals in advance of your cruise.

Will I need an electrical adapter for the cruise?

All cabins on major cruise lines feature standard 110V electrical outlets. You won't need an adapter to use a small hair dryer or electric razor.

What should I wear when I'm taking a shore excursion on my cruise?

This really depends on the nature of your shore excursion, and your port of call. You will want to consult your Shore Excursion Desk for details on the activity and tips on how to dress.

Please be aware that some of the countries you will be visiting may have more conservative ideas about dress than what you are accustomed to back home.
Religious sites and places of worship (temples, shrines, etc.) are considered very sacred and impart special codes of conduct. To be on the safe side, always be prepared to dress conservatively, avoiding shorts, above-the-knee skirts, sleeveless shirts or blouses, and sleeveless dresses.

Travelers should wear comfortable, flat-soled walking shoes at all times.

Port lectures given by the cruise line will help you and answer your specific questions.

How much baggage am I allowed to take for my cruise?

Baggage limitations vary by cruise line. Listed below are limitations by cruise line. Please keep in mind that these limitations are different than those for airlines.

Carnival - No set limit.
Celebrity / Royal Caribbean - Passengers can bring up to 200 pounds of luggage per person.
Princess - No set limit.
Holland America - No set limit.
Norwegian - Passengers can bring up to 250 pounds of personal luggage per person.
Disney - No set limit.