First Timer Cruiser’s Frequently Asked Questions

What type of room should I get?
You will spend more time in your room than you realize, therefore, you’ll want to be comfortable. Ships offer interior room with no windows, Oceanview rooms with windows, balcony staterooms and suites. Balcony rooms are the most popular and will give you additional outside space with a private balcony. Suite guest have additional amenities and privileges. Even though some room categories can accommodate up to four people, the rooms with 3 or 4 can be very cramped. You may want to consider connecting rooms or suites if you are traveling with 3 or 4 people.

What should I do when I first get onboard?
Explore the ship! The ship will be your home for the next week or even longer so explore. Have a game plan when you board. Study the deck plan before you leave home and mark the areas that you find the most interesting. Join one of the ship tours offered by the cruise staff.

Ships are big. Don’t spend half you vacation wandering around the ship lost. Most ships have different color themes or unique art in the stairwells. Look for the most efficient route from your room to the pool deck, the restaurant and the show lounge.

Will I get sea sick?
Today’s modern ships are built with stabilizing technology. However, if the seas get rough you may feel the motion. Discuss options with your doctor before leaving on your cruise. Most over the counter medications can make you drowsy. Sea wrist bands may help.

What type of expenses can I expect onboard the cruise?
The base cost of the cruise covers your stateroom, meals in the buffet and main dining room including standard beverages and entertainment. Optional costs are alternative dinning in a specialty restaurant, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, spa & salon treatments, shore excursions, casino spending, onboard shopping and gratuities.

Ships are a cashless society meaning you sign for everything. You’ll be asked to provide a credit card or cash deposit for the cruise. When using cash, once you reach the cash limit you will need to go to front desk to deposit more money into your onboard account. The simplest way to settle your onboard account is with a credit card.

Are the cruise line’s beverage packages worth the cost?
Beverage packages range from non-alcoholic to premium spirits and can cost from $20 per day up to $100 per day per person. To determine if a beverage package is the right choice for your vacation you need to look at the options.
First, what’s your itinerary? Do you have sea days or are you in port every day? Sea days give you more causal time. Port days will limit your time onboard the ship to mainly evenings.

You know your beverage habits. If you drink lots of coffee, sodas and water then a non-alcoholic package may be of value. Do you drink wine with dinner? Check into the wine packages. Do you enjoy martinis or late nights on board the ship? Then a premium spirits package may be of value.

Do the calculations. For example, if the full package is $65 per day and includes drinks up to $8; would you drink several cocktails a day? However, if you drink specialty coffees, bottle water, and beer by the pool, wine by the glass at dinner and a couple of drinks in the evening. It may well be worth the cost.

Finally, if you do take the package, don’t feel you have to drink it all. Moderation is always the key to an enjoyable vacation. Check each cruise line’s policy on the beverage package and if all guests in the stateroom must take the package.

Are the specialty restaurants worth the cost?
Specialty restaurants were originally designed to give guests a unique dining experience for special events such as birthdays or anniversaries. The cruise lines have realized people like choices and a variety of restaurant choices.

Most specialty dining is fee based. The restaurants range from upscale fine dining experiences to ethnic themed cuisines.

Based on the popularity of the restaurants, cruise lines are adding restaurants to meet the demand.

Yes, they are worth the cost in most cases.

Will I gain lots of weight on a cruise?
First, you don’t have to eat everything offered. Cruise lines offer a variety of healthy options from salad bars, sushi and heart healthy menus to full 6 course meals.
Take the stairs rather than the elevators, walk the outside decks for exercise and visit the state of the art gym.

Should I purchase the cruise line shore excursions?
The cruise lines are masters at providing fun activities or destination immersion in a day. The shore excursions can easily be booked in advance online from the cruise line. For some cruisers, there’s a sense of security in purchasing from the cruise line. The cruise line excursions can be more expensive than independent shore excursions. However, you are paying for convenience and a sense of security.

Independent shore excursions can be less expensive. You will need to make arrangements to meet the guide in the port area. Look for a reliable company and ask your AAA travel agent for recommendations.

For more remote destinations, a good rule to follow is purchase the cruise line’s shore excursions.

Are tips required?
Most cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your onboard account each day. You may want to tip people that provide additional service to you. Should I do a pre or post hotel stay before the cruise?

It is recommended that you go a day early if you have to fly to your cruise departure city. Air travel can make for a long and stressful day. By going a day early you have built a safety time cushion for getting to the ship on time. You will be able to enjoy the port city and board your ship well rested. Your AAA travel agent will be able to help you select a port city hotel for a pre or pot stay.