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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions


1.

CAN I GET DISCOUNTS ON CRUISES?
Book early to take advantage of the best early booking discounts and the best choice of cabins. If you are totally flexible about your departure date, cruise ship, destination you can make big savings on late bookings.

 

 

2.

WHAT SORT OF ITINERARY CAN I DO?
Each cruise operator offers a wide choice of itineraries, from cruising around the Mediterranean to spending three months or more on a Round the World trip! Research your itinerary to check how many ports of call are included. If you want to see lots of different destinations, don't choose a cruise with too many days at sea.

 

 

3.

WHAT ARE THE SHIPS LIKE?
From small intimate ships to large floating hotels, each ship is unique and offers many different services and facilities.

 

 

4.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY CRUISE PRICE?
Your cruise will include accommodation, meals, and most entertainment on board where we state FLY CRUISE. All other cruises are based on cruise only as stated. Your price will not include shore excursions, soft drinks or alcoholic beverages (unless All Inclusive booked) photographs, gratuities (included in the cost with some cruise lines) or other miscellaneous items you have purchased on board.

 

 

5.

ARE CRUISE ITINERIES SUBJECT TO CHANGE?
Yes, all itineraries are subject to change. Weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances may occur.

 

 

6.

ARE THERE NON SMOKING AREAS?
Due to the change in legislation about smoking in public areas, all cruise ships are now non-smoking except in designated smoking areas.  The smoking policy within cabins differs from company to company, so please check at time of booking

 

 

7.

WHEN CAN I BOARD THE SHIP?
Embarkation normally begins approximately 4 hours prior to departure.

 

 

8.

HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE HAPPENING ON THE SHIP?
In your cabin you will be left a daily news update, which will provide a detailed schedule of events for that day including locations and times.

 

 

9.

HOW DO I PAY FOR THINGS ON THE SHIP?
Most ships operate 'cash free', meaning that no money changes hands during the cruise. Everything is charged to your cabin and the bill is settled at the end of your cruise. If you have a credit card, an imprint can be taken when you check-in, allowing a smooth departure when you leave the ship. Most cruise ships also offer currency exchange on-board.

 

 

10.

DO I HAVE TO GET OFF THE SHIP AT EVERY PORT OF CALL?
Not if you don't want to. You are welcome to stay on board.

 

 

11.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY DOCUMENTATION?
You will first receive a confirmation for your cruise in approximately 7 days. Tickets should then be with you about 14 days before you are due to travel.

 

 

12.

CAN I RESERVE MY CABIN?
Yes you can choose your cabin or you can choose a cabin called a guarantee, which means that you choose a specific grade or type of cabin, but the cabins will not be assigned until your tickets are issued. This means that in some case you can get better than what you have booked, but never worse.

 

 

13.

WILL YOU BE ABLE TO HELP ME AS I HAVE SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS?
Yes this can easily be arranged. Please give us your details as soon as possible.

 

 

14.

WE WANT TO TRY A CRUISE BUT WE HAVE CHILDREN.
Most cruise ships are happy to accept families although some are child-free ships. In most cases infants are carried free of charge with only flights and port charges payable, up to the age of 6 months. Children to the age of 2 are charged another rate and then children to 12 (or 14). Some ships do not offer child rates, and children must share a cabin with a responsible adult or be in an adjoining cabin depending on age. Each ship will have its own range of facilities for your children.

 

 

15.

HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING?
On cruises that depart the UK luggage is unlimited. On fly cruises this is restricted to the airlines luggage restrictions, so please check at the time of booking.

 

 

16.

HOW MANY FORMAL EVENINGS ARE THERE ON A CRUISE?
There are usually two formal evenings per week.

 

 

17.

WHAT DO I NEED TO WEAR FOR THE FORMAL EVENINGS?
For men dinner jackets are often worn by the majority of cruisers, however a lounge suit is also acceptable. For Ladies, an evening dress or cocktail dress. Some cruises do not have formal nights as such, so please ask your agent if you would like a more informal ship.

 

 

18.

WHAT AM I EXPECTED TO WEAR DURING THE CRUISE?
By day casual, cool, beachwear, sensible shoes for excursions as some walking is usually required depending on the type of cruise you are taking and where you are sailing to.

 

 

19.

WHAT ABOUT TIPPING?
Every cruise is different please check when you are booking.

 

 

20.

HOW DO I KEEP VALUABLES SAFE?
Most cabins are now fitted with personal safes but otherwise there are usually safe deposit boxes in the pursers office.

 

 

21.

HOW LONG MUST MY PASSPORT BE VALID FOR?
It is a condition of carriage that all passengers must hold a full and valid passport. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your return to the UK. European Identity Cards will be accepted for visits to EC countries. Please check the expiry date of your passport, as it is your responsibility to ensure that you hold a valid passport. If you need to renew your passport please allow one month for your application to be processed. If you need help or advice with your application you can telephone the Passport Advice Line on 0870 5210410.

 

 

22.

CAN WE CELEBRATE A SPECIAL EVENT ON BOARD?
If you let us know at the time of booking we can arrange for you

 

 

23.

WILL I NEED TO GET ANY VACCINATIONS FOR MY CRUISE?
Depending on the ports of call of your chosen cruise, you may require vaccination against Yellow Fever - this will be advised to you at time of booking. However, due to ever-changing health regulations, we suggest that you contact your local GP approximately 12 weeks prior to departure for the most up-to-date information. It's also worth remembering that in some foreign countries general standards of hygiene, care and safety may differ from those in the UK. So, when visiting ashore, 'common sense' is the watchword, especially when choosing drinks or sampling the local cuisine.

 

 

24.

WILL I NEED VISAS?
Passport, visa and health requirements can change at any time. It is your responsibility to ensure that you check with a professionally qualified source and comply with such requirements. UK passport holders will need visas for certain and this will be advised to you at time of booking or when the requirement arises. It is the responsibility of all non-British passport holders to ensure that they are in possession of a valid passport and where necessary entry visas or permits for their chosen cruise. If you are unsure as to whether you are required to obtain such documents you must contact the relevant Embassy or Consulate. Failure to comply with this request may result in refusal of carriage or the imposition of individual fines by the local immigration authorities. Please note: When going ashore independently in certain ports of call (e.g. St Petersburg, Russia) it may be necessary for you to arrange a visitor's visa. Please see your confirmation invoice for further details of how to do this

Cruise Answers is a trading name of The Freedom Travel Group Ltd. We are a member of ABTA with ABTA number K5732. For full details on ABTA see www.abta.com . The air holiday packages shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority as we act as agent for licensed cruise operators the names and ATOL numbers of these cruise operators are displayed with each holiday shown. We also offer our own air holidays and our ATOL number is 6042. For more information on ATOL see www.atol.org.uk . ATOL protection does not apply to all holidays shown on this website. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking