Cruising Advice Index
Get answers to your cruising questions, help with packing, safety information and more.
Cruise News Headlines
CDC Ratings
No new ships to report - updated 2/19
Tropical Storm Updates
All Clear - Peak season begins June 1st and runs through November 31st.
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Sensible Advice for Cruisers
Take things in stride and remember that stuff happens. No cruise will ever be perfect and sometimes things can go wrong - mechanical problems, weather issues, missed ports, and so on.
Pick Your Cruise Based on Your Personal Needs
Don't allow a sales pitch to decide your cruise vacation - major cruise lines offer competitive fares year round. Factors such as ship amenities, age of the ship, and special itineraries have the greatest impact on the fare price. For example, a new mega ship sailing in the spring will be more costly than an older ship that sails during the height of hurricane season. Holidays are another time when cruise fares are typically more expensive, however, the weeks preceding the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are usually a great bargain.
Pick Your Cabin Based on Availability
Don't book a cabin guarantee unless you're adventurous and want no control of your cabin location. We found it's worth the extra 10% premium you will pay to pick your location. If you book a guarantee cabin, you never know what area of the ship you'll be assigned. Sometimes the accommodations are good, even great and sometimes not so much. For passengers with limited mobility, being near an elevator is quite an advantage. And for folks with motion sickness, a lower deck cabin near the middle of the ship is preferable to a cabin at the front, or back of the ship on a higher deck.
Knowledge is Power
Know Before You Go!
Gather as many opinions, facts, photos, maps etc.. to learn about the ship and the countries you plan to visit. Shipdetective.com is a great place to begin your search.
Helpful Links: Nautical Terms Q&A
Changes
If weather or mechanical problems change your itinerary at the last minute, you'll probably be offered a chance for a full or partial refund of your cruise fare (including port and sales taxes.) If you really need the vacation, take the cruise anyway without complaint and think of the the new itinerary as a last minute adventure. If the food, entertainment or ship activities don't meet your expectations, fill out a comment card and try a different cruise company for your next vacation.
Grievances
If you have an issue that you believe warrants immediate attention, contact the ship staff (Guest Relations, Pursers Desk, etc.) to register your complaint. Don't wait until after your cruise to complain about something you never brought to the attention of the crew. If your issue is not addressed by the ship staff, then surely consider following up with the corporate office when you get home.
Muster Drill
All passengers are required to attend the Muster Drill before the ship leaves port. Make sure you attend and participate. It's for your own safety! Don't try to avoid the drill by thinking you can hide until it's all over. Most cruise lines take some sort of census at the drill and will know if you don't attend and some (Princess) require passengers who dodged the first drill to attend a make-up drill the next day.
Pack Light
We can't stress this enough! Even avid cruisers have a tendency to over pack. Much of the clothing and accessories you pack will never be worn so stop lugging around pounds of overstuffed travel bags. Remember, less is more.
In order to lighten the load, start collecting cruise wear, lightweight clothing items that can gathered into a ball, and will spring back to life with little, if any, wrinkling. Collect items that can be easily mixed and matched for different looks throughout the cruise. Plan your evening and port day outfits in advance. Take ONLY ONE extra outfit for day and evening, just in case (try to carry these items with you on your carry-on just in case). No more, no less. If you expect to spend time in the water at the pool, spa or while on port excursions, we recommend you take two sets of swim wear to avoid the yucky feeling of having to put on a wet bathing suit to go back to the pool.
Travel Essentials
A list of items we find useful on every cruise
• Travel Insurance. Do you need supplemental insurance coverage for med-a-vac flights, or health care costs? We strongly recommend U.S. passengers review their health insurance policies to determine if coverage is offered outside the country. Doctor and hospital bills along with medical air-transport can be a huge expense and most physicians as well as health care facilities demand cash for services at the time they are rendered. Consider travel insurance to cover these type of expenses.
• Small travel pouch or carrier for passport, credit cards, tickets etc.
• Waterproof ID carrier for water excursions
• Travel Steamer
• Good Binoculars
• Underwater Camera if you plan on snorkeling
• Extension cord or 3 way adapter for the electrical outlet
• Full size first aid kit - Avoid shipboard medical costs for non-emergency items such as pain relievers, bandages, anti-biotic cream, etc.
• Expandable Port Bag - Good for port shopping and carrying items out to the pool decks.
• Good walking shoes, hat, and plenty of good sunscreen.
• Sticky notes to leave messages for fellow cruisers, your cabin steward, or to write notes to yourself.
Budget Your Cruise
Be realistic about what you can afford. The expense of cruising can really hit hard if you don't know what to expect. You can spend as little or as much as you want. Cruise companies have become expert marketers and draw you in with lures of discounts and duty free prices. Set a spending limit for extras like boutique items, souvenirs, spa treatments, photos, casino and shore excursions. The expenses can really pile up and before you know it, your shipboard account has twice the expenditures you can really afford.
Get A Passport
Passports, Passport Card, or a government issued photo ID and a birth certificate is now required for all international travel (not required for travel to the USVI). GET A PASSPORT!!!
