Cruise Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about our products and services.
Anything that is important to your trip and has limited availability should be handled as early as possible.
That may include excursions, cruise-terminal parking, flights or transportation to the port, specialty restaurants, shows, spa treatments, beverage packages, Wi-Fi and other popular experiences.
Some items can sell out, while others may become more expensive as the cruise gets closer.
Once your cruise is booked, start checking your cruise planner or app. You don’t have to schedule every minute of your vacation, but I do recommend reserving the things you know you really want rather than assuming they’ll still be available once you board.
Cruise lines have specific rules regarding beverages, medications, power strips, appliances and other items, and those rules can vary.
Check your cruise line’s prohibited-items and carry-on policies before packing.
Keep prescription medications in your carry-on rather than checked luggage, and bring enough for the entire trip plus a little extra when practical.
If you need to bring a special item for medical or accessibility reasons, many cruise lines have a form, accessibility department or email address you can contact before sailing. You can bring laptops, i-pad/tablets. Some cruise lines may allow guests to bring limited quantities of wine, soda, juice or snacks onboard, but the rules can vary by cruise line and sometimes even by itinerary.
Don’t assume—check the policy for your specific sailing or call the cruise line and ask.
Embarkation day is when you check in at the cruise terminal, go through security, board the ship and officially start your vacation.
Before sailing, you’ll usually complete online check-in through the cruise line’s website or app. This may include uploading identification, entering travel information and selecting or receiving an arrival time.
I recommend completing online check-in as soon as it becomes available. Earlier check-in may give you access to better arrival-time options, depending on the cruise line.
Once you arrive at the terminal, you’ll check your larger luggage and carry your personal items onboard with you. Your checked luggage may not reach your cabin until later in the day.
Keep medications, documents, valuables and anything you may want right away in your carry-on. I also like to keep swimwear handy so I can start enjoying the ship before the luggage arrives.
If you want to check email, use social media, work remotely or stay connected with people at home, a Wi-Fi package may be useful.
Some people rely on international phone plans instead, but cellular service at sea can be very different from service on land.
If you’re happy disconnecting for a few days, you may be able to skip Wi-Fi entirely. Just be careful with your regular cellular service because roaming or maritime-network charges can become expensive.
You also don’t necessarily have to purchase Wi-Fi for your entire cruise. Depending on the cruise line, you may be able to purchase shorter access periods.
And remember that some cruise terminals, restaurants and businesses in port offer Wi-Fi. If you only need occasional access, connecting while you’re in port may be enough.
Cruise dress codes are generally much more flexible than many first-time cruisers expect.
Daytime is usually casual, while evenings can range from relaxed resort wear to something much dressier. Some cruise lines have formal, elegant or themed nights, but how dressed-up people get varies considerably by ship and cruise line.
I personally recommend bringing at least one or two nicer outfits.
One reason is that cruises can be a great opportunity for photos. Ships often set up professional photography stations throughout the evening with different backgrounds, so it’s a nice chance to take individual, couple or family portraits while everyone is dressed up.
Many people cruise without experiencing significant motion sickness, but everyone reacts differently.
Cabin location, weather and sea conditions can all make a difference.
If you already know that you’re prone to motion sickness from boating, driving or other experiences, I wouldn’t wait until you feel sick to think about it. Bring whatever prevention method you normally use or discuss appropriate options with your healthcare provider before traveling.
You may also want to choose a cabin in an area of the ship where movement tends to be less noticeable, but keep in mind larger ships feel less motion overall.
Start with anything that has limited availability.
Confirm or book dining reservations, shows and activities you really don’t want to miss. I usually prioritize entertainment first, especially if advance reservations weren’t available before sailing.
Also check again for anything that previously showed as sold out. New reservation times can sometimes open once you’re onboard.
Things like kids club registration, spa appointments and other activities can usually come after your highest-priority reservations.
Then explore the ship, learn where things are, grab something to eat—several restaurants are usually open—and start enjoying your vacation.
And this is exactly why I keep swimwear in my carry-on. You may be able to hit the pool before your suitcase ever reaches the cabin.
Most cruises include several complimentary dining options, such as the main dining room and buffet, along with other casual or specialty-style venues that may also be included.
Then there are specialty restaurants that charge an additional fee.
Some complimentary restaurants may still require reservations, especially if they are smaller venues or very popular.
I recommend checking your ship’s dining options before the cruise. The cruise line’s website or app should tell you what is complimentary, what costs extra and which restaurants accept reservations.
I like to look through the options ahead of time and make a mental—or actual—list of the places I definitely want to try.
Pack for your destination, itinerary and what you actually plan to do on vacation. Start with comfortable daytime clothing—which may mean a lot of swimwear—plus evening outfits, walking shoes, medications, chargers and your basic travel essentials. Then add anything specific to your destination.
Don’t overpack. Think about what you’ll realistically be doing each day and bring pieces that can be mixed, matched and worn more than once.
A good packing list can also help you avoid bringing too much while making sure you don’t forget that one thing you actually need.
Check our Resources section for free packing and cruise-prep checklists.
Required documents depend on your citizenship, itinerary and ports of call. You may need a passport, government-issued identification, visas or additional documentation for children traveling with you.
My general rule: if you’re traveling outside your home country and have a passport, bring it (the book not just the card).
Always verify the requirements for your specific sailing well before departure. Documentation rules can vary depending on where you are sailing and where your cruise begins and ends.
Both can be good options.
Cruise-line excursions offer convenience and additional reassurance when it comes to getting back to the ship on time, with a higher cost. Independent tours can sometimes give you smaller groups, more unique experiences and better pricing.
Some independent tour companies even offer their own return-to-ship guarantees.
And you don’t always have to book an organized excursion at all. Depending on the destination, you may decide to explore independently and book activities on your own, arrange your own transportation or even rent a car.
The right choice depends on the port, activity, timing and your comfort level. We have rented plenty of cars in Port or booked a private driver etc. I like doing things on my own time, so the group tours don’t always resinate.
The best cabin isn’t always the most expensive one.
Location can affect noise, motion, convenience and how far you’ll walk throughout the ship. Think about what matters most to you: quiet, easy elevator access, proximity to dining or activities, balcony space, views or less noticeable movement.
Also check what is directly above and below your cabin. A room underneath a nightclub, pool deck or other busy area can be a very different experience from one surrounded by other cabins.
I’ll also say honestly that we’ve booked plenty of “guarantee cabins” to save money. With a guarantee cabin, you choose a cabin category but allow the cruise line to assign the actual room. Depending on the sailing, that can sometimes save a significant amount compared with selecting a specific cabin yourself.
You should receive at least the category you booked, although the exact rules vary by cruise line.
If you have a serious issue with your assigned cabin once onboard, speak with Guest Services. Cabin changes aren’t guaranteed, but it never hurts to ask what options may be available.
Your cruise fare typically includes your stateroom, most meals, entertainment, many onboard activities and transportation between ports. Extras can include gratuities, alcoholic and specialty beverages, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, excursions, spa services, casino spending, photos and certain activities.
What’s included varies by cruise line and ship, so it’s always smart to check the details for your specific sailing before you go. The cruise line’s website or app will usually give you a good idea of what to expect.
That really depends on how you like to travel. Beyond your cruise fare, consider gratuities, transportation, excursions, drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, shopping and any pre- or post-cruise expenses.
I recommend creating a realistic “cruise extras” budget before you book so the final cost doesn’t surprise you.
Personally, I’ve cruised in a variety of ways. There have been trips where most of our budget went into booking the cruise itself, so we intentionally spent very little onboard, skipped paid excursions and still had a wonderful time. We’ve also cruised with a healthier spending budget and planned extras as we wished.
My approach has usually been simple: check the budget first, then find activities and extras that fit within it. You absolutely do not have to spend a fortune onboard to enjoy a great cruise.
Most cruise lines charge a daily gratuity or service charge per guest, which is generally distributed among crew members who serve you throughout your cruise.
Additional gratuities may also be automatically added to beverages, specialty dining, spa treatments and certain other purchases.
Some cruise lines may allow adjustments to the automatic gratuities, and you can also choose to give additional cash directly to crew members who provided exceptional service.
One thing I always say: however you choose to handle it, remember to tip your crew. They work incredibly hard.
Check your cruise line’s policy before sailing so you know what has already been included or added to your account.
Know what is included before you sail and keep an eye on your onboard account throughout the cruise.
Gratuities, drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, excursions, spa services, casino spending and shopping can add up quickly.
Most cruise line apps allow you to see your onboard charges as they happen. I recommend checking periodically rather than waiting until the last morning.
That way, if there’s a mistake, you can address it while you’re still onboard. It also lets you see how your spending is tracking against the budget you planned before the cruise.
If you’re flying to your departure city, I strongly recommend arriving at least one day before your cruise.
Flights get delayed and canceled, and the ship is not necessarily going to wait because your flight was late.
I give the same advice if you’re taking a train or another transportation method that could experience delays: arriving the night before gives you a cushion.
If you’re driving and live within a reasonable distance of the port, leaving early the morning of the cruise may work perfectly well.
On embarkation day, follow your assigned arrival time and give yourself plenty of extra time for traffic, parking and getting through the terminal.
Anything that is important to your trip and has limited availability should be handled as early as possible.
That may include excursions, cruise-terminal parking, flights or transportation to the port, specialty restaurants, shows, spa treatments, beverage packages, Wi-Fi and other popular experiences.
Some items can sell out, while others may become more expensive as the cruise gets closer.
Once your cruise is booked, start checking your cruise planner or app. You don’t have to schedule every minute of your vacation, but I do recommend reserving the things you know you really want rather than assuming they’ll still be available once you board.
Absolutely. That’s exactly what Cruise Concierge is designed to help with.
Depending on how much help you want, you can choose a Cruise Concierge Clarity Call, Curated Cruise Plan or Signature Sail Plan, and we also offer planning for group cruises.
Whether you just have a few questions or want someone to research and organize the details for you, we can help you prepare with more confidence, save time and take some of the stress out of planning your cruise. Check our Services page.
Plan, we can help you plan and help make your trip amazing.