Q: What is included with the price of my cruise?
A: Generally, the cruise fare includes drinks like coffee, tea, and water; standard meals; room service; the use of gym equipment; and most on board entertainment. You will have access to public areas such as pools, jacuzzis, sun decks, libraries, internet cafes, card rooms, casinos, etc.

The cruise fare generally does not include specialty drinks like sodas, specialty coffees, and alcoholic drinks; meals in luxury restaurants; spa and salon treatments; exercise classes like yoga and Pilates; casino gambling; organized shore excursions; photographs taken by the crew; medical services; gratuities; and gift shop purchases.

These general terms apply to most mainstream cruise lines, but often you will get more inclusions on the fancier and more expensive cruise lines.

Q: What is travel insurance and do I need it?
A: Travel insurance will insure the cost of your vacation in case you need to cancel for an emergency beyond the point where any part of your vacation cost is refundable. It will also protect you up to a certain dollar limit for late or lost baggage and medical costs while you’re on your vacation. It is not required to buy travel insurance, but it is highly advised.

Q. Are any of the cabins on a cruise ship below the waterline?
A. No.  All of the cabins are above water.  You will not be watching sea horses swim by your port hole while you sleep.

Q. What is the electrical voltage in the cruise cabins?
A. Usually you will find standard US 110V, but some cabins will also be equipped with European 220V outlets as well.

Q: How can I avoid sea sickness?
A: Sea sickness has become much rarer on large cruise ships are they are now built with stabilizers which minimize movement. Most people prefer cabins mid-ship because it is where the sway is lessened, but often don’t realize that being on a lower deck helps as well, the trade-off being that most activities occur on higher decks. If you still feel sick, you can visit the ship’s doctor, or pick up some over-the-counter seasickness medication from the sundries shop. There are also various patches and wristbands designed to reduce the effects of motion sickness, which you should be able to find at most drug stores.

Q: What is a “Guarantee Rate” and why is cheaper.
A: A guarantee rate is something that all cruise lines sell. A guarantee rate is a discounted fare the cruise lines charge you to allow them to pick your cabin for your rather than choose it yourself. They guarantee you will get the category you purchased OR BETTER, never worse. This flexibility enables them to sell more of the ship based on sales trends. If another customer wanted to by the same category as you but not pay for the next one up, if none are available they will upgrade your category to sell your cabin. This is great value to them and for that they give you a discounted fare.

Q: Does the US Military qualify for any cruise fare discounts.
A: YES!!!! I mean….shhh… don’t tell anyone, but the Military and Ex-military, when available, is most often the best fare available and it’s a shame that so many great soldiers and ex-soldiers don’t know to ask for it. More often than not, the military rate is better than other special rates you see published, including those you see on this site.

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