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First-Time Cruisers
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Can I afford a cruise?
If you can afford to take a hotel-based vacation, you can afford to take a cruise vacation. There are cruises available at all price ranges - from budget to luxury - and all represent perhaps the best value for your vacation dollar.
What do I get for my money?
Your cruise price includes your cabin, all meals, 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. Onboard 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 or gamble in the casino. You might 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?
Vacations To Go 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 5,000 people.
Will I need a passport?
All cruises 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 most a passport is required (click here to read current passport advisories). 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 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 read more about cruises for singles.
Are cruises really that popular?
You better believe it! More than 15 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.
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Find A Cruise Ship
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Passports
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Passports are required for all travelers, including citizens of the U.S. and Canada, who enter or re-enter the U.S. by air, land or sea.
There are a few notable exceptions pertaining to land and sea border crossings:
U.S. citizens on cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port and travel to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas or Bermuda are able to re-enter the U.S. with proof of citizenship other than a passport or passport card. Acceptable proof of citizenship includes a U.S. state-issued original or certified copy of their birth certificate (hospital certificates are not acceptable) or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization and a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license). Passports are required for cruises that begin in one U.S. port and end in another.
Children under the age of 16 who are citizens of the U.S. or Canada are exempt from the passport requirement for land and sea border crossings. In lieu of a passport, children are able to use a U.S. state-issued original or certified copy of their birth certificate (hospital certificates are not acceptable) or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization as proof of citizenship for entry into the U.S. by land or by sea. Children entering or re-entering the U.S. by air are required to have a valid passport.
A new, lower-cost alternative to the passport, called a passport card, is acceptable for entries into the U.S. by land or sea. The passport card is not acceptable for air travel.
The following cruise lines require a passport for all sailings, regardless of destination or port of departure: Azamara Club Cruises, Crystal, Cunard, Fred. Olsen, Hurtigruten, Oceania, Orion Expedition Cruises, P&O, Paul Gauguin, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea, Star Clippers, Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery and Windstar.
Photocopies of required documentation are not acceptable in any circumstance.
Even though passports are not required at this time for U.S. citizens who sail on cruises to the above destinations that begin and end in the same U.S. port, we strongly recommend that all cruise passengers travel with a valid passport anyway. This is because guests who need to fly to or from the U.S. unexpectedly during their cruise will likely experience significant delays and complications related to booking airline tickets and entering the U.S. if they do not have a valid passport with them. For example, a passenger missing a cruise departure due to a late inbound flight to Miami would need a passport to fly to meet the ship at the next port. Similarly, guests needing to fly to or through the U.S. before their cruise ends because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship's departure from a port of call, or a mechanical problem of some sort with the ship, would need a passport. Of course, situations like these are rare, but they can happen.
Passports are not required for U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from Hawaii or a U.S. territory, including Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Passports are required for cruise travel to all International destinations not mentioned above, and for cruises that involve air travel that begins or ends outside of the U.S. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the last day of travel.
For information about obtaining a passport for the first time, or about renewing a passport, click here to visit the U.S. Department of State's Web site. For more information about passport cards, click here.
Legal U.S. Residents (Non-Citizens)
Legal permanent residents of the U.S. must have a valid passport from their country of citizenship and a valid Alien Registration Card (Green Card) to enter or re-enter the U.S.
Non-U.S., Non-Canada Citizens
The following countries participate in a visa waiver program with the U.S., and citizens of these countries must have a machine-readable passport for entry into the U.S.:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
Citizens of the countries listed above who do not possess machine-readable passports, and citizens of countries not listed above must present a valid passport and a valid United States visa upon entry into the U.S. For those whose travel plans include multiple entries into the U.S., such as a cruise that begins and ends in a U.S. port, a multiple-entry visa is required.
Visas
All travelers, including U.S. and Canada citizens, are responsible for verifying visa requirements with consular officials, and obtaining visas where required, for every country visited during their trip, including countries visited via connecting flights.
Always check with your Vacations To Go cruise counselor at the time of booking to verify the documentation requirements for your vacation.
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Families with Children
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Most cruise lines welcome children to travel on their ships, though infants and pregnant women are subject to some restrictions (See topic: Pregnant Women and Infants below to read more).
Families booking more than one cabin may be subject to minimum age requirements for kids staying in a separate cabin. Your Vacations To Go cruise counselor can check these requirements for you once you have found a cruise that interests you.
Guests Under 25 Years of Age
All cruise lines require that at least one person in each cabin meet a minimum age requirement. The lowest minimum age requirement for any cruise line is 18. The information that follows was provided by the cruise lines at the time of this writing, is subject to change and should be verified with your Vacations To Go cruise counselor prior to booking.
The following cruise lines require that at least one person in each cabin is 18 or older:
American Cruise Lines, Blount, Croisières de France, Cunard, Fred. Olsen Cruise Line, Orion Expedition Cruises, Ponant, Pullmantur, Quark Expeditions, SeaDream and Star Clippers.
The following cruise lines require that all passengers in a cabin are 18 or older or that at least one person in the cabin is 21 or older:
Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, GAP Adventures, P&O Cruises, Silversea, and Viking.
The following cruise lines require that at least one person in each cabin is 21 or older:
Azamara, Celebrity, Costa (25 for holiday and peak season sailings), Holland America, Hurtigruten, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn Cruise Line, Swan Hellenic, Voyages to Antiquity and Voyages of Discovery.
The following cruise lines require that all passengers in a cabin are 21 or older or that at least one person in the cabin is 25 or older:
Carnival and Windstar Cruises.
An exception may be made for underage married couples, as long as they are both 18. These couples may be asked to show proof of their marriage. This exception is based on individual cruise line policy and should be confirmed by your Vacations To Go cruise counselor prior to booking.
Carnival also makes exceptions for qualified U.S. Military personnel who are at least 18 years of age. Proof of military eligibility will be needed when booking, as well as the appropriate verification documents at embarkation.
Your age on the date of sailing is generally considered your age for the length of the cruise.
Consumption of Alcohol
Once you've left port, the minimum age for the consumption of alcohol varies by cruise line.
Croisières de France, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Fred. Olsen Cruise Line, P&O Cruises and Pullmantur allow all passengers 18 and older to consume any type of alcoholic beverage they choose.
The minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on all Azamara, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean ships is 21. However, on cruises departing from European and South American countries, where the legal drinking age is typically lower than 21, a parent who is sailing with his or her son(s) and/or daughter(s) who is between the ages of 18 to 20, may sign a waiver allowing the 18 to 20 year old to consume alcoholic beverages.
Costa and MSC Cruises require passengers to be at least 21 for cruises departing from the US, but passengers 18 and older are able to consume alcohol for non-US departures.
Cunard allows guests 18 and older to consume alcoholic beverages, except when in US waters, in which case no alcohol may be purchased or consumed by any passengers under the age of 21.
American Cruise Lines, Blount, Carnival, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America, Hurtigruten, Lindblad, Norwegian, Oceania, Orion Expedition Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Ponant, Princess, Quark Expeditions, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn Cruise Line, SeaDream, Silversea, Star Clippers, Swan Hellenic, Travel Dynamics International, Viking, Voyages of Discovery and Windstar require passengers to be at least 21 to consume any type of alcohol.
Gambling Onboard
Gambling, a popular form of entertainment on cruise ships, also has age restrictions that differ between cruise lines. Carnival, Costa, Croisières de France, Cunard, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, P&O, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Pullmantur, Regent Seven Seas and SeaDream require passengers to be 18 or older to play in the shipboard casinos. Azamara, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean require passengers to be 18 or older to play in casinos, except for Alaska cruises (passengers must be 21 or older). Crystal, MSC Cruises, Princess, Seabourn, Silversea, Voyages of Discovery and Windstar restrict the casinos to travelers 21 and older.
Pregnant Women and Infants
Since the cruise lines are not equipped with major medical facilities onboard, they have established very strict policies with regard to expectant mothers and infants. Each cruise line requires expectant mothers to provide a physician's letter (faxed in advance or hand delivered at the time of check-in) stating that the guest is in good health, fit to travel, and that the pregnancy is not high risk. The letter must also include the expected date of the child's birth.
Typically, a letter is not required for infants to travel. However, each cruise line has a minimum age requirement for guests traveling, which will be verified upon check-in at the pier. This minimum age requirement varies by cruise line and even itinerary. Always tell your Vacations To Go cruise counselor if you are pregnant or planning to cruise with an infant to insure you meet all required guidelines.
American Cruise Lines
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board during any phase of pregnancy. There are no restrictions.
Infants: Minimum age is 1 month old.
Azamara Club Cruises
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 23 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. A physician's letter must be faxed to the Access Department (800-882-8292) for women in any stage of pregnancy.
Infants: Infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour. However, for trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific cruises/cruisetours and other selected cruises/cruisetours, the infant (as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour) must be at least 12 months old.
Blount Small Ship Adventures
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board during any stage of pregnancy. No restrictions.
Children: Minimum age is 14 years.
Carnival
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. A physician's letter is required to be faxed to Carnival's Guest Services Department and brought to the pier for check-in.
Infants: Minimum age for sailing is 12 months for trans-Atlantic, Hawaii and South American cruises and 6 months for all other cruises.
Celebrity
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 23 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. A physician's letter must be faxed to the Access Department (800-882-8292) for women in any stage of pregnancy.
Infants: Infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour. However, for trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific, Hawaii, select South American cruises/cruisetours and other selected cruises/cruisetours, the infant (as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour) must be at least 12 months old. For the purposes of this policy, any cruise that has 3 or more days consecutive at sea will require infants to be 12 months old on the first day of the cruise/CruiseTour.
Costa Cruises
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of embarkation. All pregnant women must provide at embarkation at physician's letter stating the estimated date of delivery and that mother and baby are in good health, fit to travel and that the pregnancy is not at risk.
Infants: Minimum age is 12 months for trans-ocean crossings, World cruises and cruises 15 days or longer; minimum age is 6 months for all other sailings.
Croisières de France (CDF)
Pregnant Women: Women who are 24 weeks along or more are not permitted onboard.
Infants: Minimum age is 6 months.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 28 weeks or less on day of disembarkation.
Infants: Minimum age is 6 months on MV Discovery. Marco Polo is an adults-only ship.
Crystal
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of disembarkation.
Infants: Minimum age is 6 months. Crystal reserves the right to limit all children under the age of 3 years.
Cunard
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. A physician's letter must be faxed to Fleet Medical (661-753-0122) for women in any stage of pregnancy.
Infants: Minimum age is 1 year for trans-Atlantic cruises, trans-Pacific cruises, World cruises and World cruise segements. Minimum age is 6 months for all other sailings.
Disney
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 23 weeks or less on day of embarkation. A Medical Information Form must be filled out by physician and faxed to Inventory Control (407-566-7739) for women in any stage of pregnancy.
Infants: Minimum age is 12 weeks.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Line
Pregnant Women: Women who will be more than 24 weeks pregnant at the end of the cruise are not permitted to travel.
Infants: Children less than 6 months old are not permitted to travel.
Hebridean Island Cruises
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on the day of embarkation.
Infants: Minimum age is 9 years.
Holland America
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 23 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. A physician's letter must be faxed to Access and Compliance (800-577-1731) for women in any stage of pregnancy.
Infants: Minimum age is 12 months of age for trans-Atlantic sailings or any other itinerary which in the opinion of the Medical Department present a significant risk to infants between 6 and 12 months of age; minimum age is 6 months for all other sailings.
Hurtigruten
Pregnant Women: Women who are more than 28 weeks pregnant are required to notify Hurtigruten at least 14 days before departure and produce a medical certificate confirming fitness to travel. Each case is considered individually. It is recommended that the passenger consult her doctor.
Infants: The minimum age for Antarctica sailings is 5 years old. There is no age restriction for all other destinations.
Lindblad Expeditions
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board during any phase of pregnancy. There are no restrictions.
Infants: No minimum age requirements.
MSC Cruises
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 23 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. A medical certificate establishing fitness is required.
Infants: No minimum age requirement.
Norwegian
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. A physician's letter must be faxed to Passenger Courtesy (305-436-4147) for women in any stage of pregnancy. Doctor's note required.
Infants: Minimum age is 6 months.
Oceania Cruises
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. Doctor's note required.*
Infants: Minimum age is 6 months. Infant facilities are not available.
Orion Expedition Cruises
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of disembarkation.
Infants: Minimum age for sailing is two years on an Antarctic expedition, but infants are allowed on other voyages for a fee.
P&O Cruises
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of disembarkation.
Infants: Minimum age is 1 year.
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. Guest must provide PGC with written doctor’s permission prior to sailing that states she is fit to travel by sea and air (if PGC booked their air).
Infants: Minimum age is 1 year. Paul Gauguin Cruises reserves the right to limit all children under the age of 3 years.
Ponant Yacht Cruises
Pregnant Women: Women who are over 6 months pregnant are not authorized to board.
Infants: Minimum age is 3 years. Children under 8 years old are accepted subject to agreement at the time of booking.
Princess
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. A physician's letter must be faxed to Fleet Medical Dept (661-753-0121) for women in any stage of pregnancy.
Infants: Minimum age is 6 months on most itineraries. Certain exotic and lengthy itineraries may require the child to be 1 year old. The minimum age for escorted cruisetours is 5 years old. Please check with Princess Reservation Dept. to confirm.
Pullmantur
Pregnant Women: Women who are 24 weeks along or more must have a doctor’s permit confirming that they are in good health and fit to travel.
Infants: Minimum age is 6 months.
Quark Expeditions
Pregnant Women: Women who are in their first or third trimester are not authorized to board. Women in their second trimester are permitted to board with medical approval.
Infants: Minimum age is 12 years.
Regent
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. A physician's letter will be required.
Infants: No minimum age requirements. However, it should be noted that medical facilities onboard are not equipped to handle neonatal needs.
Royal Caribbean
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 23 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. A physician's letter must be faxed to the Access Department (305-539-6666) for women in any stage of pregnancy.
Infants: Infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour. However, for trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific, Hawaii, select South American cruises/cruisetours and other selected cruises/cruisetours, the infant (as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour) must be at least 12 months old. For the purposes of this policy, any cruise that has 3 or more days consecutive at sea will require infants to be 12 months old on the first day of the cruise/CruiseTour.
Seabourn
Please see Cunard Cruise Line's guidelines.
SeaDream Yacht Club
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of embarkation. A physician's letter needs to be faxed to 305-856-7599 for women in any stage of pregnancy.
Infants: Minimum age is 1 year.
Silversea
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of embarkation. A medical certificate establishing fitness is required.
Infants: Minimum age is 6-11 months, parents must sign a waiver. Silversea reserves the right to limit all children under 3 years old.
Star Clippers
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 27 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. A medical certificate establishing fitness is required. Star Clipper reserves the right to refuse passage to pregnant women due to travel risks.
Infants: Minimum age is 2 years.
Swan Hellenic
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 23 weeks or less on day of disembarkation.
Infants: There are no recreational facilities for children aboard Minerva and reservations for children are not advised.
Travel Dynamics International
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board during any stage of pregnancy. No restrictions.
Infants: Minimum age is 6 years.
Viking Cruises
Pregnant Women: The carrier reserves the right not to accept passengers who are in an advanced state of pregnancy either upon commencement of or at any time during the cruise.
Infants: Minimum age is 8 years.
Voyages of Discovery
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on the day of embarkation.
Infants: No minimum age requirements but reservations for children under the age of 11 are discouraged.
Voyages to Antiquity
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 28 weeks or less on day of embarkation, but required to produce a medical certificate of fitness to travel.
Infants: Minimum age is 12 years.
Windstar
Pregnant Women: Permitted to board if pregnant for 24 weeks or less on day of disembarkation. A physician's letter must be faxed to Access and Compliance (800-577-1731) for women in any stage of pregnancy.
Infants: Minimum age is 7 years.
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Air / Sea
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If you plan to fly to your port of embarkation, you must decide whether to arrange airline tickets on your own or use the AIR/SEA program offered by the cruise line. Here are the main considerations to help you with your decision.
Advantages of Arranging Your Own Airline Tickets
The main advantages of securing your own airline tickets are that you will be able to select the airline you fly and you will have control over the timing and routing of your flights. You may wish to fly a particular airline to use frequent flyer rewards, or to earn frequent flyer miles, or because that carrier has nonstop service to your port city. If you arrange your own airline tickets you will have more control over these variables. If you utilize the cruise line's AIR/SEA program, you may be given an air schedule with an overnight flight, multiple connections, and in some cases, a forced overnight stay at your expense.
Advantages of Using the AIR/SEA Program
The main reasons to let us book your air at the same time you reserve your cruise -- through the cruise line's AIR/SEA department -- are convenience, better access to flights that make easy connections to your ship, and added protection in the event of a flight or sailing delay or cancellation.
Cruise lines meet their AIR/SEA passengers at the airport and transport them to the pier. These transfers are frequently free of charge, but even if a charge is levied it is typically less than what you would pay if you arranged your own transfers.
Cruise lines monitor the status of flights carrying their AIR/SEA passengers, and will sometimes hold a ship past its scheduled departure time to wait for guests arriving on a delayed flight, but only if that flight was booked through the cruise line.
Cruise lines reserve large blocks of seats on flights that make easy connections to their departing and returning cruise ships. These flights traditionally experience high load factors and you could have difficulty getting a low fare -- or a seat at any price -- as an individual, particularly for departure ports like Anchorage, Barcelona, Rome, Tahiti and Vancouver. On busy days like Saturday and Sunday, you might have to fly into your port of embarkation a day early if you book your own tickets, adding a day's meals and lodging to your cost.
And finally, sometimes unexpected things occur that affect travel plans. Flight delays or cancellations, changes in cruise ship arrival or departure times, and cancellation of sailings altogether, are some of the things that can force you to rebook at a later time or date or seek a refund for your airline tickets. If any of these things should happen before or during your vacation, you will not be eligible for assistance from the cruise line if you arranged your own airline tickets. However, if we secure your tickets through the cruise line's AIR/SEA program, some cruise lines will assist you in working with the airline to make alternate flight plans, help you catch up with your ship at the next port, or apply for a refund. Your cruise counselor will verify the details of each cruise line’s AIR/SEA program at the time of booking.
The bottom line: Ask your Vacations To Go cruise counselor to quote air from the cruise line and compare that rate to the best rate you can find calling airlines directly. If the rates are close, you're probably better off letting us book your airline tickets through the AIR/SEA program.
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Cruise Insurance
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An illness, an accident or an unexpected situation can arise before or during any type of vacation. Such an event might cause you to cut short your cruise or cause your trip to be canceled altogether. Unfortunately, most cruise lines impose penalties for canceling a cruise within 60 days of departure, up to and including loss of the entire cruise price. A few lines penalize for cancellations as much as 90 or 120 days in advance of departure.
Because a cruise is a significant investment, most cruise lines offer some form of insurance to protect their passengers from financial loss in the event of an emergency. Details and prices vary from cruise line to cruise line, as do coverage limits and exclusions.
If you decide to purchase insurance, you will have two options: the cruise line's policy or a policy from the independent insurance provider, CSA. Use the summaries below to compare policies and prices.
Only CSA Travel Protection provides insurance coverage to people living outside the U.S. and Canada.
For more information or a complete copy of a policy, ask your Vacations To Go cruise counselor.
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Cruise Ship Dining
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With newer cruise ships, it's all about choices! One evening you might enjoy the elegant atmosphere of the main dining room while another you opt for your ship's casual dining restaurant or one of the ship's specialty restaurants.
Regardless, you'll find an endless selection of entrees, appetizers, salads, soups, sides and desserts every time you sit down. And there's virtually no limit on what or how much you order. 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-calorie, spa or fitness menu selections that are just as tempting as those on the regular menu. Burning calories was never so much fun!
In addition to all the fabulous food and restaurants, a number of cruise lines allow guests to choose their own dining time. Norwegian's Freestyle Dining concept has been well-received by guests who love the freedom to dine whenever and wherever they like, and six-star lines such as Regent and Silversea also leave the option of dining time up to guests. Princess' Personal Choice Dining, Holland America's As You Wish Dining and Royal Caribbean's My Time Dining are now available in addition to their traditional dinner seating. There are even a few cruise lines that have eliminated the formal dress attire of traditional cruising for a more relaxed, casual dress code for dinner.
However, if you prefer traditional dinner seating with the same wait staff and table companions every evening, it is still available on most cruises and remains the favorite among new and past cruisers alike.
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Terrific Cruises for Singles
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Cruising is the most enjoyable and convenient way to see the world, and every year, Vacations To Go helps more single cruisers than any other company. Whether you are looking for a Hosted Singles Cruise with a fun-loving group or you are merely trying to find the lowest possible price for a solo traveler, you've come to the right place.
Hosted Singles Cruises
Every year, we select about 15 fabulous itineraries in different regions of the world, on outstanding cruise ships, and negotiate an extremely low rate for our single customers. We send trained hosts from our headquarters to organize get-togethers, cocktail parties, dinner seating and more, allowing individuals or friends to travel as part of a large and fun-loving group of singles.
To read more about our Hosted Singles Cruises in the coming year, click here.
Cruises with a Low (or No) Single Supplement
If you are not looking for a Hosted Singles Cruise but still want the lowest possible rate to cruise as a single, we can help with that too!
Cruise lines generally charge a "single supplement" to passengers traveling solo. From the cruise line's perspective, what they are selling is space on the ship. If there are two or more people in a cabin, they split the cost of that space. People traveling alone pay for all the space by themselves.
Typically, the cruise line starts with the per-person rate based on double occupancy and adds 50-100% to the price for a single. That means that a cabin that sells for $1,000 per person based on double occupancy would be sold to a single for $1,500 to $2,000.
At Vacations To Go, we're sympathetic to our single customers' desires for a great price. We've scoured more than 12,000 departures to identify and secure the lowest single supplements for our customers, down to and including great cabins that can be reserved by our single customers with no supplement at all.
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Dress Codes
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Shipboard dress is casual during the day. Shorts and tasteful T-shirts are acceptable even in the dining room. At dinner, dress codes will vary daily, among the following:
Casual: Slacks and sport shirt for men; slacks and blouse, sundress or pantsuit for women.
Informal: Jacket with or without tie for men; dress or pantsuit for women.
Formal: Dark suit or tuxedo for men; evening gown or cocktail dress for women.
Most 3- and 4-night cruises have one formal night; most 7-night cruises have 2 formal nights; most 10-night cruises have 3 formal nights, and so on. In general, the longer and more expensive (per day) cruises will be the most formal on formal night, but a dark suit and tie is acceptable attire on even the most exclusive ships.
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Find A Cruise Ship
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Smoking Policies
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American Cruise Lines
Smoking is prohibited on all ships. However, smoking may be allowed in certain areas at the captain's discretion.
Azamara Club Cruises
The Azamara Journey and the Azamara Quest have a designated smoking area on the starboard forward section of the Pool Deck. Smoking is prohibited in all other areas of these ships, including public rooms, restaurants, the Pool Deck, staterooms and suites, verandas and hallways. Additionally, smoking is prohibited on all components of the land tour portion of all Azamara Club Cruises cruise tours.
Blount Small Ship Adventures
Smoking is allowed only on the outside decks. Smoking is prohibited in all cabins and common inside areas.
Carnival
Cigarette smoking in public venues will only be permitted in Carnival's dance clubs as well as in designated areas within the casino and casino bar. Smoking (including cigars) will be permitted in designated exterior open deck areas of all ships. Additionally, smoking will also be allowed in the jazz clubs of the following ships -- Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Victory, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom and Carnival Splendor.
Smoking is prohibited in all guest staterooms. Guests in balcony accommodations are permitted to smoke cigarettes and cigars outside on the balcony. Spa staterooms, currently featured on Carnival Splendor, Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic, remain entirely smoke-free, including the balconies. Guests who smoke in their staterooms will be assessed a $250 cleaning and refreshing fee on their Sail & Sign Account.
Celebrity
Smoking is prohibited in all staterooms and on stateroom verandas, as well as in any dining venue, casino, theater, hallway, elevator or corridor onboard. Cigarette smoking will only be permitted in designated indoor and outdoor areas of Celebrity's ships. Any guest caught violating this policy will be subject to a $250 cleaning fee, which will be charged to the guest's onboard account and may also be addressed through Celebrity Cruises' Guest Conduct Policy. Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard. In addition, smoking is prohibited on all components of the land tour portion of all Celebrity Cruises cruise tours.
Costa
Smoking is only allowed in designated areas in most public rooms onboard. However, smoking is prohibited in the restaurants, corridors, elevators, stairwells, and show lounges.
Croisières de France (CDF)
Smoking is prohibited in public areas and cabins on all ships.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages
Smoking is not permitted inside any ship. All internal areas, like cabins, lounges, restaurants and other public rooms are non-smoking areas. Designated areas for smokers are available externally in selected areas of the open decks.
Crystal
Smoking is permitted at designated tables in most bars and lounges, except in the Starlite Club (aboard Crystal Symphony), The Bistro, inside the Lido Caf, Palm Court, Stardust, the Crystal Dining Room, Prego, Silk Road and the Sushi Bar restaurants and the Galaxy Lounge. Pipes and cigars are only permitted in the Connoisseur Club and on "open decks" with the exception of the Lido Deck (deck 11 on Crystal Symphony, and deck 12 on Crystal Serenity). Pipes and cigars may not be smoked in guest penthouses, staterooms, on verandahs or in corridors. Smoking is not allowed on the verandahs of all staterooms and Suites aboard both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.
Effective with the first cruises in 2014, Crystal Cruises will eliminate smoking in all indoor areas, except for its Connoisseur Club smoking lounge. Outside smoking will be allowed in a limited number of designated spaces. The revised policy begins with the January 5th and January 8th voyages of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, respectively, and eliminates smoking in all staterooms and suites, the Crystal Cove lounge and Pulse and Luxe nightclubs. Crystal will continue to offer the Connoisseur Club, the only remaining interior smoking area, and designated spaces on exterior open decks for cigar, pipe and cigarette smoking.
Cunard
Smoking is allowed in Churchill's Cigar Lounge (cigars only) and designated areas on the open deck, as well as on all private balconies. Smoking will not be permitted in any other inside area of the ship, including the casino.
Effective April 2014, smoking is not permitted in staterooms, balconies or public areas, but is permitted in designated areas of the open deck. Electronic cigarettes which do not emit smoke are not permitted in public areas but can be used in staterooms, balconies and designated areas of the open deck.
Disney
Smoking is prohibited in all interior areas of Disney's ships in accordance with the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act. However, guests are permitted to smoke on private verandahs and on the starboard-side of designated open air decks.
Effective November 15, 2013, guests will no longer be permitted to smoke on stateroom verandahs. However, portions of open-air decks on each ship will remain as designated smoking areas.
In Disney World Parks, guests are only permitted to smoke in designated areas.
Fred. Olsen
Smoking is only permitted on cabin balconies and designated areas of deck space. All indoor areas are non-smoking.
Hebridean Island Cruises
Smoking is not allowed inside the vessel at any time and is not permitted in cabins. Smoking is allowed only on the outer decks and guests occupying balcony cabins are asked to show consideration to other balcony users.
Holland America
All showrooms and dining areas on Holland America's vessels are non-smoking. Designated smoking and non-smoking areas are available in most lounges. Cigar and pipe smoking is permitted on the outside decks only. Smoking in passenger staterooms is prohibited. Smoking is permitted on stateroom verandahs.
Hurtigruten
On all ships, smoking is only permitted in designated areas on outside decks.
Lindblad Expeditions
Smoking is only permitted in designated areas on outside decks.
MSC Cruises
Smoking is only permitted in designated areas, including several bars and on the designated side of the outdoor pool deck areas, and is at no time allowed in dining rooms or in the main show lounge. Smoking in all cabins and on cabin balconies is prohibited.
Effective November 2, 2013: Smoking will be limited to the Cigar Lounge and the port side of designated outdoor decks. Smoking won't be permitted in the Top Sail or Black & White lounges or in the MSC Yacht Club area. In addition, the casino will become nonsmoking, although the casino manager may allow some players to smoke in clearly designated areas, at his discretion.
Norwegian
Public areas throughout all ships are smoke-free. If you smoke cigarettes, you can do so on your balcony, in the casino or in the Cigar Bar (where available). If you prefer pipes or cigars, you can smoke in the Cigar Bar or designated smoking lounge. Also, you can smoke cigarettes, pipes and cigars outside on open decks (just not around food venues, sports decks, kids' pool areas and other designated nonsmoking areas). Smoking inside your stateroom will result in a $250 cleaning charge added to your onboard account.
Oceania
Smoking is strictly prohibited in all staterooms and suites, on verandas, or in any area that is not specifically designated as a smoking area, which also includes all restaurants, lounges and the Casino. Smoking is only permitted on Deck 9 in the forward starboard corner of the Pool Deck, and on Deck 10 in the aft port corner of Horizons. Cigar and pipe smoking is only permitted on the forward starboard corner of the Pool Deck.
Any guest who does not comply with this policy will be disembarked at the next port of call and may also be subject to fines imposed to cover the costs associated with damage to and the required cleanings of affected areas.
Orion Expedition Cruises
Orion's No Smoking policy applies to all staterooms and the interior public spaces of the ship. Smoking is permitted in the designated areas outdoors on portside Deck 6. Please use the receptacles provided. Do not discard cigarette butts over the side of the ship as they may harm the environment and represent a fire hazard if drawn into the ventilation system.
P&O Cruises
Smoking is prohibited in all cabins and public spaces. Guests who smoke may do so on balconies and on designated areas of open decks.
Effective April 2014, smoking is not permitted in staterooms, balconies or public areas, but is permitted in designated areas of the open deck. Electronic cigarettes which do not emit smoke are not permitted in public areas but can be used in staterooms, balconies and designated areas of the open deck.
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Smoking is prohibited in all suites, staterooms and private balconies. There are designated areas on the vessel where smoking is permitted, such as La Palette (outside area only), Le Grill (designated area) and the Pool Bar.
Ponant Yacht Cruises
All ships are non-smoking vessels. Please smoke only in the outside areas of the ship. The indoor areas (lounges, dining-room, staterooms, reception, etc.) are all non-smoking areas.
Princess
Non-smoking areas include all dining rooms, or any other food service area, and show lounges and theaters on Princess' ships. Smoking is only allowed in designated areas. The smoking of pipes and cigars is only allowed in the cigar lounge and designated areas on deck. Smoking in passenger staterooms and balconies is prohibited.
Pullmantur
Smoking is prohibited in public areas and cabins on all ships.
Quark Expeditions
Smoking is only permitted in designated areas on outside decks.
Regent
Smoking is prohibited in all suites, staterooms, and balconies fleetwide, as well as in any enclosed dining areas. Designated smoking areas will be available in the outdoor Pool Grills and on other open deck areas, as well as in other public areas as follows:
Seven Seas Voyager: Connoisseur Club, Casino, Voyager Lounge (designated area), Horizon Lounge (outside area only), Pool Bar
Seven Seas Mariner: Connoisseur Club, Casino, Horizon Lounge (outside area only), Stars Nightclub (designated area), Pool Bar
Seven Seas Navigator: Connoisseur Club, Casino, Stars Lounge (designated area), Galileo's (outside area only), Pool Bar
Pipe smoking is allowed in the Connoisseur Club aboard the Seven Seas Voyager, Mariner and Navigator, as is cigar smoking. Additional areas have also been designated for cigar smoking in the Pool Bar area on all of Regent's vessels.
Any guest who fails to comply with Regent's policy will be asked to disembark the ship without any refund or credit for the unused portion of their cruise.
Royal Caribbean
Smoking is prohibited in any dining venue, theater, hallway or corridor, as well as inside any stateroom or on Oasis-class Boardwalk or Central Park private balconies. However, smoking is permitted on private ocean-view balconies of balcony/suite staterooms, in designated interior areas and outdoors on the starboard side of the ship. The Cigar Lounge is a designated area for pipe and cigar smoking. There will be another designated area for pipe and cigar smoking if the ship is not equipped with such a lounge. Guests who disregard Royal Caribbean's smoking policy will be charged a $250 penalty on their SeaPass account.
Effective January 1, 2014: Smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom and any stateroom balcony. This applies to all stateroom categories onboard. If a guest is in violation of this stateroom policy, a cleaning fee of $250 USD will be applied to their SeaPass® account. Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, theater, bar, lounge, hallway, elevator, and jogging track.
Cigarette, cigar, e-cigarette and pipe smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas of the starboard side of all ships; with the exception of Oasis-class ships that will allow smoking on the port side of the ships. To assist in locating areas where smoking is permitted, guests will find visible signage posted within all smoking areas and ashtrays that are provided for use. Outdoor areas near restricted areas, food venues, and kids play areas and pools will not allow smoking. On Oasis class, smoking is not permitted in Central Park or the Boardwalk neighborhoods.
Casino Royale allows smoking and has a designated area for non-smoking guests. There will be visible signage indicating the non-smoking area in the casino. There are select cruises departing from China that will not have a non-smoking area in the casino.
Seabourn
Seabourn does not permit smoking in the Restaurant and foyer outside of its entrances, the Colonnade and Restaurant "2" (inside and outside), in the Club, Casino, Card room or Meeting rooms. In addition, guests are asked to refrain from smoking in the Grand Salon and Seabourn Square, as well as on the port side in the Observation Bar on deck 10, and on the port side of the Sky Bar on deck 9. All corridors, elevator and elevator lobbies are also smoke-free.
Pipe and cigar smoking is not allowed anywhere inside Seabourn's ships, including guest suites. A designated area of the Seabourn Square will be available after dinner at 9:00 pm guests who smoke pipes and cigars.
Effective in early 2014, cigarette smoking will no longer be permitted in guest suites aboard Seabourn ships. Only electronic cigarettes may be smoked in guest suites. Otherwise electronic cigarettes may be smoked only in designated smoking areas. Smoking of water-pipes, glass-pipes or other smoking devices is not permitted on board.
On Seabourn Pride, Spirit & Legend, smoking is not permitted on the balconies of guest suites (Categories B2 and B3.) Cigarette smoking is permitted on the private verandas of categories OW and CS suites. Inside smoking of cigarettes will be permitted in the port side half of the forward observation lounge on Deck 8 after 8 PM. Outside smoking of cigarettes, cigars and pipes is permitted on the starboard half of the Sky Bar on Deck 8, including the bar stools, except during luncheon and dinner service in that location.
On Seabourn Odyssey, Sojourn & Quest, inside smoking of cigarettes will be permitted in the port side half of the Observation Bar on Deck 10 after 8 PM. Outside smoking of cigarettes is permitted on the veranda of guest suites, on the starboard half of the Sky Bar on Deck 9 including the bar stools, and on the starboard half of the open terrace aft of The Club on Deck 5. Outside smoking of cigarettes, pipes and cigars is permitted on the open terrace aft of Seabourn Square of Deck 7. This is the only area where pipe and cigar smoking is permitted.
SeaDream
Smoking is not permitted in staterooms or in any enclosed public room on SeaDream I or II. Designated smoking areas are located on decks 3, 4 and 6, except during meal hours.
Silversea
Smoking is prohibited on Silversea's ships in the The Restaurant, indoors at the Terrace Café, Saletta, Le Champagne, Observation Lounge (Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper), the Show Lounge, Card/Conference Room, Library, Spa/Fitness Centre, Internet Point and Gift Shops/Boutiques. Guests will find designated smoking areas in The Bar, outside at the Terrace Café, in the Pool area, Panorama Lounge, Casino Bar and The Humidor (Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper).
Cigar and pipe smoking is only permitted in the Connoisseur's Corner and in designated areas on open Decks 9 and 10 aboard Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit, in the Connoisseur's Corner and designated areas of open Decks 5 and 6 aboard Silver Explorer, and on open Deck 9 aboard Silver Cloud and Silver Wind.
Effective January 1, 2013, smoking will be prohibited in most areas of Silversea ships. These areas include guest suites and on guest suite verandas (including suites and verandas on Silver Explorer), The Bar, and the Pool Bar, except at designated tables.
Cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking is permitted in The Connoisseur's Corner and in specifically designated outside areas. These areas include designated tables outside of the Panorama Lounge, La Terrazza and the Pool Bar, as well as on open Decks 9 and 10 aboard Silver Spirit, Silver Whisper and Silver Shadow, open Deck 9 aboard Silver Cloud and Silver Wind, and open Deck 6 aboard Silver Explorer.
Star Clippers
Smoking is prohibited in the cabins, dining room and all other enclosed public areas of the Star Clippers fleet. A designated smoking section is located in the piano bar lounge.
Swan Hellenic
Passengers are only permitted to smoke in designated areas on the open decks. Smoking is not permitted in cabins or on excursion coaches.
Travel Dynamics
Smoking is only permitted in designated areas on outside decks.
Viking
All ship interiors, staterooms and verandas are non-smoking. The ship has an outdoor smoking area.
Voyages of Discovery
Guests are not permitted to smoke inside Voyager or where food is being served. Smoking is permitted only in designated areas on open decks, subject to government laws when in port. Smoking is not permitted on excursion buses.
Voyages to Antiquity
Smoking is only permitted on Belvedere Deck aft. Smoking is prohibited in all other areas including cabins, balconies, and on excursion motorcoaches.
Windstar
Guests are asked to refrain from smoking in all interior spaces of the Wind Surf, Wind Star and Wind Spirit, including staterooms, casinos and restaurants. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas on outside decks.
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Payments & Refunds
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To reserve your stateroom and lock in the final price, you will be required to place a deposit on your cruise. For this deposit, the cruise line will require that you pay either a flat rate, anywhere from $100 to $1,000 per person, or a percentage of your final fare, anywhere from 10% to 25%. After you have placed a deposit to secure your reservation, you will be asked to pay the remaining balance of your fare at the final payment due date. Depending on the cruise line, this final payment date can be from 45 to 120 days before sailing. If you book your cruise within the final payment period, you will be required to pay in full in order to secure your booking.
Cancellation and refund policies vary by cruise line, with penalties generally increasing as the sailing date approaches. You may be eligible for a full refund after cancellation only if you cancel within the cruise line's designated time period. Please notify your Vacations To Go cruise counselor immediately of any cancellations or changes.
Cruise lines do not make exceptions regarding cancellation charges, so we strongly recommend that passengers secure appropriate cancellation/ trip insurance.
Deposit, payment and cancellation terms may differ for group bookings; please consult your Vacations To Go cruise counselor for the terms that apply. Changes to names or departure dates are treated as cancellations and new bookings by the cruise lines, and may incur cancellation penalties.
Click any cruise line below to learn about payment and cancellation policies.
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Tipping on a Cruise
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How much and who on your cruise should be tipped? When and how should tips be given? The whole custom can be the source of considerable anxiety.
Tipping guidelines vary slightly from line to line and are detailed on each cruise ship profile on this site. Generally, you should plan to tip your room steward US$3.50 to US$4.00 per person, per day, and plan an equal amount for your dining room waiter, and half of that for the busboy.
On most ships, tip the maitre d' or dining room captain only if you ask for special favors or table-side service; $5 to $10 is normal. Bartenders and wine stewards are tipped 10 to 15 percent, but many cruise lines will automatically add this gratuity to your bar or beverage bill. Check the bill to see how it is handled. Also, tips for special services such as salon & spa treatments and room service are left to the discretion of the guest, depending on services rendered.
Individual ship profiles found under the "Ships & Ratings" heading above will provide precise guidelines for tipping on any ship. Guidelines will be repeated onboard, probably by your ship's cruise director. Gratuities are placed in envelopes from your cabin's stationery supply. Generally, passengers on cruises of 10 days or less will tip at the end of the cruise. On longer voyages, tipping weekly may be the norm.
In order to make tipping as convenient as possible, many cruise lines including Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, MSC Cruises, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess and Windstar now charge gratuities to your account automatically. If you feel this amount needs to be adjusted, whether increased or decreased, arrangements can be made onboard the ship, generally at the end of your cruise.
Some lines do not encourage tipping, including Azamara, Crystal, Orion, Paul Gauguin, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, SeaDream, Silversea and Swan Hellenic. Crew members are reportedly higher paid and not tip dependent. Some passengers tip anyway for outstanding service or special favors.
Tips on Tipping
Cabin steward
US$3.50 to US$4.00 per person per day
Waiter
US$3.50 to US$4.00 per person per day
Assistant waiter
US$1.50 to US$2.00 per person per day
Bartender, wine and deck stewards
10-15% of the bill
Maitre d'
US$5.00 to US$10.00 tip for each special service
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Frequently Asked Questions
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General questions
Can I afford a cruise?
If you can afford to take a hotel-based vacation, you can afford to take a cruise vacation. There are cruises available at all price ranges -- from budget to luxury -- and all represent perhaps the best value for your vacation dollar. [top]
What do I get for my money?
Your cruise price includes your cabin, all meals (including afternoon tea and the midnight buffet!), entertainment, parties and, of course, all transportation between all the ports on your itinerary. On most ships, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, spa treatments, optional shore excursions and meals in specialty restaurants will incur additional cost. [top]
How long do cruises last?
Vacations To Go sells cruises that range from 3-night weekend escapes to 110-night, around-the-world voyages. [top]
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. Please click here to visit our Family Cruises page for more information. [top]
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 one another. Some cruise ships offer single cabins, and most offer a single supplement rate for double staterooms. On select sailings, we send 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 read more about cruises for singles. [top]
Are cruises really that popular?
You better believe it! More than 20 million people are expected to 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. [top]
What is a cruise tour?
A cruise tour is the combination of a cruise vacation with additional days on land to further explore a destination. Always escorted, a cruise tour will include transportation, hotel accommodations, tours and food where indicated in the itinerary. Cruise tours are usually offered in Alaska, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, Europe and South America. To see more information on cruise tours, click here. [top]
Booking a cruise
How do I book a cruise?
Booking a cruise with us is easy! If you're looking for a cruise departing within the next 90-days, check out our world-famous 90-Day Ticker, our exclusive list of cruise bargains. Or, if you are looking further out, use our Find A Bargain tool to search by your preferred region, ship, sail date or departure city. Once you've narrowed it down, give us a call and one of our cruise counselors will arrange everything for you, verify availability and answer all of your questions. [top]
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. The prices shown on our site are almost always cruise-only, but our cruise counselors will gladly provide an air-inclusive price if requested. In some instances, the discounted prices on our site are not available with an Air/Sea package. [top]
How do I pay for my cruise?
You may pay for your cruise via credit card -- Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. We act as an agent for the cruise lines, and your credit card statement will reflect direct billing from the cruise line you have selected. [top]
Can I put down a deposit?
Sure! Depending on the cruise line, the deposit may be a flat rate, anywhere from $100 to $1,000, or a percentage of the total cost of your cruise, anywhere from 10% to 25%. After you have placed a deposit to secure your reservation, you will be asked to pay the remaining balance of your fare at the final payment due date. Depending on the cruise line, this final payment date can be from 45 to 120 days before sailing. If you book your cruise within the final payment period, you will be required to pay in full at time of booking in order to secure your reservation. [top]
When will I receive my cruise tickets?
Cruise lines finalize cruise tickets after all cabins have been booked so you can expect to receive them approximately one week before departure. Please note that most cruise lines now send tickets as electronic documents, or edocs, which will be accessible online or through email. In this case, luggage tags are available at the pier. Your Vacations To Go cruise counselor will discuss ticket delivery options with you at the time of booking. [top]
Are there age requirements?
Yes, most cruise lines impose a minimum age requirement for all guests, in addition to a minimum age requirement for guests in each cabin. These vary by line and can be verified with your Vacations To Go cruise counselor or on our site by clicking here. [top]
Can I travel when I'm pregnant?
It depends. Cruise lines typically allow guests to travel up until their third trimester of pregnancy. This is when most cruise lines feel they can no longer accommodate the mom-to-be if she should deliver early or need emergency medical treatment. Typically a letter from your physician is required for boarding. Policies vary slightly from line to line. To view each cruise line's policy, click here. [top]
Can the cruise lines change my itinerary after booking?
Although a change in itinerary is rare, it can happen for a variety of reasons, including weather and safety concerns. Your Vacations To Go cruise counselor will notify you if an itinerary change occurs after booking. [top]
What if the rate drops after I book?
Cruise prices fluctuate up and down all the time at the cruise line's discretion, depending on how well the cruise is selling and the number of days remaining until departure. The decision of whether to allow the customer to re-ticket at a lower rate is made by the cruise line. Some cruise lines will adjust rates if the price drops, but most do not. Your Vacations To Go cruise counselor will be able to advise you on each cruise line's policy. [top]
What if I have to cancel?
Unfortunately, things do happen and sometimes cancellation cannot be avoided. Please notify your Vacations To Go cruise counselor immediately of any cancellations or changes. Please note that refund and cancellation policies vary by cruise line and penalties generally increase as the sail date approaches. You may be eligible for a full refund after cancellation only if you cancel within the cruise line's designated time period. To view each cruise line's payment and refund policy, click here.
Cruise lines do not make exceptions regarding cancellation charges, so we strongly recommend that passengers secure appropriate cancellation/ trip insurance. Click here for more information on insurance. [top]
Can I use air miles to pay for the air portion of my reservation?
You can use air miles only if you book your own air. Cruise lines do not accept air miles as payment for the air portion of an Air/Sea booking. [top]
Will my infant be charged the full cruise fare?
Cruise fare is not based on age so infants are typically charged the same cruise fare as an adult. Disney is currently the only line that does not charge a cruise fare for children under the age of 2, although you still have to pay port charges and taxes. Keep in mind that generally cruise lines offer reduced pricing for third and fourth guests in a cabin. [top]
What is a cabin category?
A cabin category is the ranking a cruise line has given a group of cabins based on their size, amenities, deck level and location. These factors also help to determine price. [top]
What is a cabin guarantee?
A cabin guarantee is an option available by the cruise line that guarantees you a specific category but does not allow you to choose a specific cabin. Guarantees are usually less expensive but do not allow any control over cabin location, so your cabin could be on any deck of the ship. Typically, you will receive your cabin location when you check in for your cruise. [top]
What is an upgrade?
An upgrade is when you pay for one category but receive a higher category from the cruise line at no additional cost. Upgrades may also be purchased as long as the category you are requesting is available. [top]
What is a shipboard credit?
A shipboard credit is a monetary credit applied to your shipboard account. It can be used for onboard purchases like shore excursions, spa treatments, beverages and souvenirs, although some cruise lines do occasionally put additional restrictions on their usage. Your Vacations To Go cruise counselor can provide you with the terms of any shipboard credits you may qualify for. [top]
What are transfers?
Transfers are motorcoach transportation provided by the cruise line between the airport and the cruise pier. Transfers are most often arranged prior to your cruise, although sometimes they can be purchased in the airport with the help of a cruise line representative. There is generally a fee for this service, which varies depending on the cruise line and the cruise departure city. Some cruise lines do include complimentary transfers when you purchase an Air/Sea package. Your Vacations To Go cruise counselor will verify the cost of transfers at the time of booking. [top]
What is an Air/Sea package?
Air/Sea package is the term used when your cruise and your flights have been arranged by your Vacations To Go cruise counselor through the cruise line as one package. Some advantages of booking an Air/Sea package are the convenience of booking with one call and added protection in the event of a flight or sailing delay or cancellation. [top]
What is an air deviation?
An air deviation, or custom air as it is sometimes called, is an option available when you've booked airfare through the cruise line. For an additional fee, the cruise line's Air/Sea department will allow you to request your own flight schedule, including dates, times and air carrier. Please note that fees for this service range anywhere from $35 to $50 per person, plus any additional airfare costs. [top]
Preparing for your cruise
What should I bring?
You'll want to bring comfortable, casual clothing for daytime on board and in port, and swimsuits and workout clothes for pools, Jacuzzis, saunas and health clubs. To be prepared for dinner in the dining room, check out Dress Codes. You'll also want to consider the type of shore excursion you plan to take and pack the appropriate accessories, such as hiking boots, ponchos or rain gear, fleece jackets or snorkel gear. Also remember to pack all medications and prescriptions in your carry-on luggage. And of course, don't forget your hat, sunscreen and sunglasses for sunny days on deck. [top]
How much luggage can I bring?
This depends on whether or not you're flying. The airlines have stricter requirements than any of the cruise lines, so you'll want to check with them first to make sure you travel within their guidelines. However, most cruise lines do not place limits on luggage. Your Vacations To Go cruise counselor can verify this information for any cruise line at the time of booking. [top]
Will I need a passport?
All cruises require proof of citizenship. On some cruises departing from U.S. ports, U.S. citizens can get by with a certified copy of a birth certificate and a driver's license or government-issued photo I.D., but on the great majority of departures, a passport is required. Visas may also be required on more exotic itineraries. Your Vacations To Go cruise counselor will advise you on documents you will need depending on your itinerary.
Legal permanent residents (non-citizens) of the U.S. need a valid passport and a valid Alien Resident Card to re-enter the U.S. For all other travelers, if your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program with the U.S., the following rules apply by country:
Citizens of Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are required to have valid, machine-readable passports and to obtain a travel authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the visa waiver program. ESTA is accessible online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov for citizens and eligible nationals of visa waiver program countries.
If your country does not participate in the Visa Waiver Program with the U.S., you must provide a valid passport and a valid U.S. visa to enter the U.S. for cruises departing the U.S., and a valid passport and a valid multiple-entry visa to re-enter the U.S. for roundtrip cruises departing the U.S.
Visas and Documentation requirements for all other countries besides the U.S.
All non-US citizens must verify proof of citizenship and visa requirements with the embassy, consulate or immigration office of the countries in their cruise itinerary. [top]
How long does it take to get a passport?
Usually it takes 4 to 6 weeks to obtain a passport, although processing times can vary. For more information on passport requirements, click here. [top]
Will I need a visa?
Usually not, but all travelers, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, are responsible for verifying visa requirements with consular officials, and obtaining visas where required, for every country visited during their trip, including countries visited via connecting flights. Always check with your Vacations To Go cruise counselor at the time of booking to verify the documentation requirements for your vacation. For more information on passport and visa requirements, click here. [top]
Are any inoculations required?
Usually not, but occasionally yellow fever shots are required for cruise passengers visiting certain regions of South America and Africa. Always check with your Vacations To Go cruise counselor at the time of booking to verify if inoculations will be required for your vacation. [top]
Can I bring my own hairdryer?
Most ships have 110-volt outlets in every cabin, which will accommodate U.S.-built hairdryers and electric shavers. Most new ships provide hairdryers as well. [top]
Can I bring an iron onboard?
No, cruise lines do not allow irons in cabins due to the fire hazard they pose onboard. Laundry or dry-cleaning services are usually available and some lines provide irons in self-serve laundromats. [top]
Can I bring alcohol/bottled water/sodas onboard?
Most cruise lines do not allow alcohol, or any other beverages or coolers, to be brought onboard ships. However, some lines do allow individual guests, over their minimum drinking age, to bring one bottle of wine or champagne onboard, which can be opened at dinner by your waiter for a corkage fee. Any bottles of wine or liquor purchased in duty-free shops in port or on board the ship will be stored until the conclusion of your cruise. [top]
Is there parking available at the pier?
Yes, parking is generally available at the pier; however, pricing is set by the port authority in each city and is subject to change. Your Vacations To Go cruise counselor can provide you with driving directions and parking information with your confirmation. [top]
How early should I arrive for boarding?
The cruise line requires passengers to be onboard the ship at least one hour prior to departure. Vacations To Go strongly recommends that you arrive at the pier at least two (2) hours before the scheduled departure of your cruise so you will have ample time to check in and board. [top]
What happens if I miss the ship?
If you miss the ship, please contact your Vacations To Go cruise counselor to advise him or her of the situation and whether you plan to meet the ship in the next port-of-call. Keep in mind that purchasing airfare through the cruise line usually provides more protection in the event of flight delays or cancellations that may prevent you from getting to the ship on time. Also, since cruise lines do not make exceptions regarding cancellation charges, we strongly recommend securing appropriate cancellation/trip insurance to protect your investment in the event that you miss the ship. Click here for more information on insurance. [top]
The onboard experience
Will I feel bored or confined onboard?
Never! Think of a cruise ship as a floating resort with activities that 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. [top]
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. [top]
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. Click here to read about the many options you'll have to enjoy this time between port calls. [top]
Where is the best place to stay on a ship?
This is definitely a matter of personal preference, and many cruisers are not particularly concerned with cabin location. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Balcony cabins allow you to experience the outdoors without leaving the comfort of your cabin. This is particularly nice on certain itineraries, like Alaska cruises, where you will spend a great deal of time viewing scenery from the ship.
Although oceanview cabins do not allow you access to fresh air they do allow natural light to come in.
Inside cabins are the least expensive cabins on the ships that offer them.
Staterooms located on lower decks in the middle of the ship tend to minimize the feel of movement, and cruise lines price cabins according to their location, like real estate. So, for instance, if your cabin is mid-ship or close to main attractions like pools and restaurants, you'll usually pay more for it. [top]
Will I get seasick?
Very unlikely! Ships today are equipped with state-of-the-art stabilizers designed to minimize movement, but unfortunately some guests still become ill. Also, ship motion is more prevalent on certain itineraries, like Trans-Atlantic crossings. There are several over-the-counter and prescription treatments for seasickness on the market now, so if you are prone to motion sickness, we recommend that you discuss preventative measures with your doctor or local pharmacist. [top]
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. [top]
Is Internet service available?
Yes, absolutely! You can stay connected to friends and family 24 hours a day on most ships, and many have wireless network connections allowing the use of your personal laptop in your stateroom or in various public areas throughout a ship. Most cruise lines provide Internet cafes on board allowing guests continuous access to computers with email and Internet capability for a small fee per minute. [top]
Can I use my cell phone on a ship?
Yes, on most ships. Many cruise lines have installed technology to make the use of cell phones at sea possible. Keep in mind that international roaming charges will apply. Contact your cell phone carrier for more details. [top]
Which dining time should I choose?
Like cabin location, this is a matter of preference. If you're traveling with young kids, it's an easy choice -- early dining is probably better. But if it's a tough decision, consider your itinerary. If you're going to be at port all day, you may want to allow extra time to unwind and relax before dressing for dinner, so late dining may be a better choice. However, if you enjoy a ship's evening entertainment, you may want to dine early enough to get in a show or listen to a great speaker. Whatever you decide, keep in mind that alternative dining venues usually offer more flexibility with your schedule.
What is traditional cruise ship dining?
Traditional dining means that you have a set dining schedule and are seated with the same guests and attended to by the same wait staff every evening. Many passengers prefer traditional dining due to the level of personalized service each guest receives from their waiter and assistant waiters. [top]
What is open dining?
This is a relatively new concept for most lines allowing guests the ability to choose their own evening dining time. Carnival, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, and most luxury lines now allow their passengers to dine whenever and with whomever they choose. Breakfast and lunch are almost always open seating. [top]
What is the dress code for dinner?
There are three typical dress codes aboard ships -- casual, informal and formal. Most of the mainstream lines like Carnival, Princess and Royal Caribbean and a few premium lines like Celebrity and Holland America incorporate a combination of these into their evening schedules. Many of the more upscale, luxury lines have adopted an elegant casual, or country-club casual dress code on their ships. Here's how we've defined each below. For more information on each line's dining policies and dress code, click here.
Casual: Slacks and sport shirt for men (no jeans); slacks and blouse, sundress or pantsuit for women.
Informal: Jacket with or without tie for men; dress or pantsuit for women.
Formal: Dark suit or tuxedo for men; evening gown or cocktail dress for women.
Do I have to participate in formal night?
Absolutely not! If you don't feel like bringing formal clothes when you cruise, rest assured you'll still eat! Just about every ship offers a variety of alternative dining options, including grills, buffet-style restaurants and room service, all of which you can opt for any night of your cruise. [top]
Do I need to make reservations for the specialty restaurants?
Yes, usually reservations are required, and it is recommended that you make them on the first day of your cruise to ensure you get the day and time you want. Of course, you can still try to make reservations the same day and some lines, like Disney, take the liberty of arranging these reservations for you as part of their overall dining experience. Keep in mind that although some lines offer complimentary specialty dining, most do not so a small surcharge will apply. [top]
What if I have special dietary needs?
It's important to discuss any special dietary or medical needs you may have with your Vacations To Go cruise counselor -- before booking -- to ensure you can be properly accommodated by the line you're considering. In most cases, cruise lines require additional documentation in writing, but usually they can easily accommodate requests for menu items that are low-sodium, low-cholesterol, low-fat or sugar-free.
How much should I tip?
There are set standards for tipping and some lines automatically add a set gratuity to your bill. There are a few cruise lines that include tips in your upfront price and do not encourage additional tipping once you are on board.
What happens during embarkation?
This is the boarding process all guests must go through at the beginning of the cruise. Each passenger's cruise ticket and passports and visas (if necessary) will be verified for travel at this time. [top]
What happens during disembarkation?
This is the process at the end of the cruise to leave the ship. All guests will be required to meet with immigration, similar to the immigration process on the return of an international flight. This is also when passengers who checked their luggage the night prior will pick it up before exiting the cruise terminal. [top]
What are the smoking policies onboard?
This varies depending on the cruise line but all allow smoking in designated areas. At this time, Oceania has the strictest policy in the industry.
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