| Every year more people are discovering the value of the
all-inclusive nature of a cruise vacation. Many of those people will return to
cruising again and again because they enjoy the many luxuries provided by the
package the Cruise Line has put together for them. But, because there are many
differences in the types of cruises available and a cruise is an all-inclusive
package it becomes very important that you pick the right cruise for you. It's
all or nothing, so you'll want to do a little research to find out if the
"all" in their package is just what you are looking for in a vacation.
This is where we can help.
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| PICKING A CRUISE |
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How long are cruises?
Where do cruises go?
Once you pick a region, aren抰 many of the cruises offered within that region
the same?
Since the cabins are built for two or more people, can I go on a Cruise if I'r
by myself?
Will the type of cruise I pick really make a difference in my vacation?
How can I find the best cruise for me?
What factors should I consider to help me decide
which cruise to pick?
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| BUDGETING FOR YOUR CRUISE |
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How will I know how much to budget for my entire cruise
vacation?
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| GETTING THE BEST CRUISE PRICE |
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How can I get a good cruise rate?
What types of special discount programs are available?
Do I have to book early to get a good deal?
Do cruises ever go on sale?
Are there any deals to encourage me to go on my first cruise?
Are there any discount programs available for frequent cruisers?
What is a repositioning cruise?
How could going on a repositioning cruise save me money?
How can I get the most for my money on a short cruise?
Does it matter how I pay for my cruise?
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| FOOD ON A CRUISE |
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When people return from a cruise they often
talk about the meals, what's the deal?
Does the quality of food vary between the Cruise Lines?
Can the Cruise Line handle my special dietary needs?
With all the different meals, how will I know when to eat?
What if I can抰 make it to my scheduled mealtime?
Which meal seating should I choose?
What are my choices when picking my table preference?
How do I know which size table is best for me to request?
How does the Cruise Line figure out the seating arrangements?
How will I know which seating I have been assigned?
What if I don抰 like my meal seating assignment time?
What if I don抰 like my table companions?
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| CRUISE ACTIVITIES |
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What is there to do on a Cruise Ship while the ship is at
sea?
If there are all these things to keep me busy, then how will I know what is
going on when and where?
Do I have to participate in all the activities?
What is a theme cruise?
Would I enjoy a theme cruise?
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| PICKING PORTS AND SHORE EXCURSIONS |
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Since cruises can go to different ports, how will I know
how to pick the one I'll enjoy the most?
How can I find tourist information on the ports that my cruise will visit?
How much do the shore excursions cost?
How do I find out about the shore excursions?
What do I need to know about the shore excursions?
Do I have to take a shore excursion to make it to port?
Can I stay on board the ship while it is in port?
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| SHIP INFORMATION |
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What do I need to know about the ship before I book my
cruise?
Aren抰 all the ships within a certain Cruise Line the same, you know sister
ships?
Why do I need to know the overall size of the ship? Isn抰 it the bigger the
better?
Why do I need to know when the ship was launched or
refurbished?
Are there smoke free areas on the ship?
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| FIRST, SECOND, OR THIRD CLASS? |
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Are the ships still divided by class?
If there aren抰 classes, then how come there is such a variety in rates?
If I can get the same food and entertainment as the people in the expensive
cabins, then shouldn抰 everyone book the cheapest cabins? I won抰
be in my
cabin much anyway, right?
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| PICKING YOUR CABIN |
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How does knowing the age of a ship effect my cabin choice?
What else besides size is important to your cabin
choice?
Why is the location of the cabin important?
What should I know before I pay for a view?
What should I know before I pay for a veranda?
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| GETTING THERE |
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What is an Air/Sea cruise?
How does an Air/Sea Cruise work?
Should I book my plane ticket with my cruise or buy them separately?
What are the advantages of buying Air/Sea Cruise package?
What are the disadvantages of buying the Air/Sea
Cruise package?
Where can I find information on airports so that
it will be easier for me to see where I'll be meeting the Cruise Line's personnel?
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| SECURING YOUR TRAVEL PLANS |
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What happens if a hurricane blows up around the time of my
cruise?
What is Trip Insurance?
Should I buy the Trip Insurance?
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| BOOKING YOUR CRUISE |
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What will I need to know to book my cruise?
Do I need to go through the cruise packet they will send me?
Do I need to confirm my reservation?
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| DOCUMENTATION |
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What type of I.D. will I need to get on the ship?
Will I need a passport?
Where can I get a passport?
Where can I find online passport information?
What will I need to get my passport?
What is a visa?
Will I need a visa?
How can I find out if I will need a passport or visa
for my trip?
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| PACKING FOR YOUR CRUISE |
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What do I need to pack?
Aren抰
cruise ships really formal?
Will I need any formal clothes?
What should I pack in my carry-on bags?
What do I do if I can抰
find my luggage?
Read our Packing Tips
section for help with packing.
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| STAYING IN TOUCH WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD |
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How can people contact me while I'r
on the ship?
How can I keep in touch with the outside world while on the ship?
How can I get access to the Internet when I travel?
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| DAY OF THE CRUISE - BON VOYAGE |
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Does it help to arrive to the ship early on my sail date?
Should I carry on my own bags or let the porters do it?
What should I do when I first get on board?
Any chance for an upgrade at the last minute?
How do I deal with the ship's
multinational crew?
How do I pay for things on board the ship?
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| CRUISE SAFETY |
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Why does it matter if the ship sails out of a U.S. port?
How can I find out about my ship's sanitation record?
How can I increase my safety while aboard the ship?
How can I improve my safety in the cabin?
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| PROTECTING YOUR HEALTH |
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Don抰
a lot of people get seasick on cruises?
How can I avoid getting seasick?
What if I get sick while on my cruise?
How can I protect myself from
traveler's
diarrhea while at port?
How can I protect my health when I travel?
What health information should I carry with me?
Where can I find information that will help keep me healthy while I'r
traveling?
Where can I find information that could help me to receive proper medical care
while I'r
traveling?
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| STAYING SAFE WHILE AT PORT |
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What should I know about shore excursions and safety?
How can I protect my safety while at port?
Where can I find information on issues that will effect my safety while I'r
traveling?
How can I avoid being the victim of a pickpocket?
What are some of the pickpocket's
tricks?
How can I avoid getting into trouble with the locals?
What happens if I get into trouble with the law while at port?
Who can I contact if I get in trouble abroad?
How can the U.S. Government help me if I get into trouble abroad?
Read our Foreign Travel
section for help with staying safe abroad.
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| SHOPPING WHILE AT PORT |
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What should I know about shopping abroad?
Shopping in port, what does Caveat Emptor mean?
Where can I get quick access to cash while I'r traveling?
Where can I get help in understanding all the U.S. Customs Service regulations?
Where can I find information about the
restrictions for bringing food, plants, animal products or pets into the U.S.?
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| CUSTOMER SERVICE ISSUES
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What should I do if I have a problem with the facilities
or service aboard the ship?
What information should I have if I need to contact the Cruise Line's customer
service department?
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| TIPPING |
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How much should I tip?
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| TIME TO GO HOME |
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How do I get my luggage off the ship?
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