Cruise FAQ
Cruise Questions? We’re Here to Help.
Find helpful answers for planning, booking, and enjoying your next cruise.
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Booking and Cruise Costs
Does it cost more to book with The Cruise Company?
No. We don’t charge booking fees, and booking with us often costs less than booking on your own, because we have access to special deals and offers through our agency. Your advisor compares what is available for your dates and cabin, so you can see the difference before you book. See why travelers book with us.
Is cruising a good vacation value?
It can be. A cruise fare typically covers your stateroom, most meals, and many onboard activities and entertainment, and there are sailings for a wide range of budgets. Depending on the cruise line and fare, extras may include gratuities, drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, spa services, and taxes, fees and port expenses. Ask your advisor exactly what your fare includes.
How do I book a cruise?
Call our cruise advisors at 1-800-988-6444. We’ll ask about your dates, budget and travel style, then help match you with a ship and itinerary. Prefer to start online? Send a booking request or browse our current cruise deals.
Do cruise lines accept group bookings?
Most do. Depending on the cruise line and the size of your group, a group booking may come with reduced rates or extra amenities such as onboard credit or a private reception. Tell your advisor how many people are traveling and we’ll check what is available for your sailing.
What about gratuities and tipping?
Policies vary by cruise line. Many lines add a daily gratuity for each guest to your onboard account, often with a different amount for suites. Some include gratuities in the fare, and many add a service charge to drinks and spa services. Amounts change from time to time, so ask your advisor for the current rate on your sailing. Any additional tipping is at your discretion.
Is there a charge for entertainment?
Most onboard shows, live music and daily activities are included in the fare. Some experiences cost extra on certain ships, such as select specialty shows, classes or attractions. Your ship’s daily program shows what carries a fee.
Are there different classes of service?
Main dining rooms, entertainment and most public areas are generally open to all guests. Many cruise lines also offer suite or premium categories that add private restaurants, lounges, sun decks or butler service, and some ships have a separate “ship within a ship” area. What is included depends on the line, ship and stateroom category, so ask your advisor to compare the options.
What’s an air/sea cruise package?
An air/sea package bundles flights with your cruise, booked through the cruise line. Depending on the promotion, airfare may be discounted or occasionally included, and some packages add transfers between the airport and the ship. Availability varies by cruise line, departure city and sailing date, so ask your advisor to compare it with booking flights separately.
Destinations and Itineraries
Where can I go?
Almost anywhere there is water. Cruises visit hundreds of ports worldwide, from the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexico to Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and Antarctica, along with rivers in Europe and North America. Sailings depart from North American home ports and from cities around the world.
How long are cruises?
Cruises range from short getaways of a few nights to world cruises lasting several months. Tell your advisor how much time you have and we’ll show you itineraries that fit.
Are there different types of cruises?
Yes. Options include large resort-style ships, smaller luxury and expedition ships, and intimate river cruises, with styles to suit nearly every interest. Our advisors can help match you with the right one.
Are all ships fairly similar?
No. Ships range from yacht-like vessels carrying fewer than 100 guests to very large ships carrying more than 5,000. Dining, entertainment, activities and accommodations differ from line to line and from ship to ship, which is why it helps to compare before you book.
What can I do in port?
You can join a guided shore excursion or explore on your own. Depending on the port, options may include sightseeing, local food, beaches, wildlife viewing, shopping, snorkeling or diving. Excursions are sold separately on most cruise lines, and some luxury and river lines include them. If you explore independently, allow plenty of time to be back on board before the ship departs.
Can I extend my cruise vacation?
Yes. Many cruise lines offer pre- and post-cruise hotel stays and land tours, sometimes called cruisetours. Ask your advisor what is available for your itinerary.
Passports and Travel Documents
Check official sources before you travel. Document rules depend on your citizenship and itinerary, and they change. Travelers are responsible for carrying the correct documents. This section was last reviewed in October 2026.
Do I need a passport?
Often, yes, and we recommend one for every cruise. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends that all cruise passengers travel with a passport book, even when the cruise line does not require it. Your cruise line or the countries you visit may require a passport even when U.S. border rules do not. Check that yours is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates and has blank pages. See the State Department’s guidance for cruise ship passengers and our passport and visa page.
What if my cruise starts and ends at the same U.S. port?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection says U.S. citizens on a “closed-loop” cruise, one that leaves from and returns to the same U.S. port and travels only within the Western Hemisphere, may re-enter the United States with a government-issued photo ID plus proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate. The countries you visit or your cruise line may still require a passport. A passport card is not valid for international air travel, so you would need a passport book to fly home from a foreign port in an emergency. Check CBP’s travel document FAQ and your cruise line before relying on other documents.
Do I need a visa or travel authorization?
It depends on your citizenship and every country on your itinerary. The State Department advises having the right visas for all stops on your cruise, if required, even if you do not plan to leave the ship. Some destinations also require an electronic travel authorization before you go. For example, the United Kingdom requires an ETA for many visitors, including U.S. citizens, and the European Union is introducing a similar system called ETIAS. Look up each country you will visit on the State Department’s destination pages, and confirm entry rules with that country’s embassy or consulate. If you are not a U.S. citizen, check with the consulate of each country you will visit.
Families and Special Occasions
Do cruise lines welcome families with kids?
Many do. Family-focused cruise lines offer supervised youth programs with age-appropriate activities for children and teens, and some provide nurseries or babysitting for a fee. Ages, hours and costs vary by line and ship, and a few lines and ships are adults-only. Minimum age rules for infants also vary, so tell your advisor your children’s ages before you book.
Will there be people like me?
Cruise guests come from all walks of life, and each cruise line and ship has its own atmosphere. Tell your advisor what you enjoy and we’ll suggest ships that suit your style.
Can singles and solo travelers enjoy a cruise?
Yes. Shared activities, group dining and shore excursions make it easy to meet people. Some ships have studio staterooms designed for one, and some lines host gatherings for solo travelers. Most fares are based on double occupancy, so a single supplement often applies. Your advisor can look for solo-friendly ships and offers.
Can we celebrate a special occasion?
Yes. Let your advisor know what you are celebrating before you sail. Depending on the cruise line, we can help arrange extras such as a cake, flowers, sparkling wine or stateroom decorations. Some are complimentary and others carry a charge.
Is cruising right for honeymooners?
Many couples think so. Depending on the ship, you’ll find options such as balcony staterooms, couples’ spa treatments and specialty dining. Some cruise lines offer wedding and vow-renewal packages. Availability, cost and legal requirements vary by line and location, so ask your advisor well in advance.
Dining and Life Onboard
What is cruise ship dining like?
Expect variety. Most ships have a main dining room with menus that change daily, a casual buffet or café, and vegetarian and lighter choices. Meals in these venues are generally included in the fare, while specialty restaurants and some room service usually cost extra. What is included varies by cruise line and fare.
What about meal times?
It depends on the ship. Many offer set early and late dinner seatings in the main dining room as well as flexible “anytime” dining, and most have casual venues open through the day. Smaller ships may have a single seating. Ask your advisor about the options on your sailing.
Can I get a special diet?
Many cruise lines can accommodate dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, low-sodium or diabetic-friendly meals, and may be able to help with food allergies. Tell your advisor before you sail, because lines usually need advance notice, and confirm the arrangements with the dining staff once you are on board. If you have a severe allergy, ask the cruise line directly how it can accommodate you.
What about dining companions?
Seating depends on the cruise line and dining style. With traditional seating you may share a table with other guests, and you can request a table for your own party. Flexible dining usually lets you choose each night. Requests are not guaranteed, but the maître d’ can often help if you would like a change.
Will I be bored at sea?
It is unlikely. Depending on the ship, sea days can include pools, fitness classes, spa treatments, live music, lectures, films and deck sports, or simply a lounge chair and the view. Your ship’s daily program lists what is on.
What’s there to do at night?
Evenings typically bring live entertainment such as production shows, music, comedy, dancing and films, and many ships have a casino. The lineup varies by cruise line and ship.
Do I have to participate in the activities?
No. It is your vacation, so do as much or as little as you like. The one exception is the mandatory safety drill held at the start of every cruise.
Are there educational programs on board?
Many cruise lines offer enrichment programs, such as guest lecturers on the history and culture of the ports you will visit, cooking demonstrations, and arts or wellness classes. Offerings vary by line and itinerary, and some classes carry a fee.
Are there non-smoking areas?
Yes. Most indoor areas on cruise ships are non-smoking, and smoking and vaping are generally limited to designated areas. Rules for staterooms, balconies and casinos differ by cruise line, so ask your advisor about the policy on your ship.
Are there meeting rooms on board?
Many larger ships have conference rooms or lounges that can be reserved for private or corporate groups. For meetings, incentive trips or events at sea, call our advisors at 1-800-988-6444 and we’ll check the facilities and requirements for your sailing.
Can we stay in touch with the outside world?
Usually, yes. Most ships sell Wi-Fi packages, and speed, coverage and price vary by ship and itinerary. Your mobile phone may also connect through the ship’s cellular service at sea, but roaming charges can be high, so check with your carrier before you sail.
Are there medical services on board?
Most ocean cruise ships have a medical center staffed by a doctor and nurses who can treat minor illness and stabilize emergencies, and serious cases may be transferred ashore. Facilities are more limited on smaller ships and river cruises. Onboard care is billed to you and may not be covered by your health plan. The U.S. Department of State advises cruise passengers to carry medical and emergency evacuation insurance, and notes that Medicare and Medicaid generally do not cover medical costs abroad. See our travel protection page, and tell your advisor about any medical needs before you book.
Do cruise lines provide laundry services?
Most ships offer laundry and pressing for a fee, and some also have self-service launderettes or dry cleaning. Ask your advisor what is offered on your ship.
Packing and Cruise Preparation
What should I pack?
Pack as you would for a resort in the region you are visiting, with layers for cooler evenings or destinations. Daytime dress is casual on board and ashore. Evening dress codes vary by cruise line, ship and venue, from relaxed to formal, so check your cruise line’s guidance before you pack. Keep travel documents, medications and valuables in your carry-on bag.
Will I need a tuxedo?
Usually not. Many cruise lines keep evenings smart-casual, some have dressier nights where a suit or cocktail dress fits in, and a few more traditional lines expect formal wear on certain evenings. Check the dress code for your cruise line and ship.
Can I use my hair dryer or shaver?
In most cases, yes. Electrical outlets and voltage vary by ship, and many ships have both North American and European outlets, so you may need an adapter. Staterooms often include a hair dryer. Cruise lines restrict certain items, such as irons and some power strips, so check your line’s prohibited-items list before you pack.
Will I get seasick or motion sick?
It varies from person to person and with sea conditions. Modern ships have stabilizers that reduce motion, and many guests find that staterooms in the middle of the ship on a lower deck feel the least movement. If you are prone to motion sickness, the CDC suggests talking to your healthcare provider about medication before you sail.
How can I stay healthy on board?
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. If you feel sick before boarding, contact your cruise line, and if you become ill on board, report your symptoms to the ship’s medical center. Bring enough prescription medication to last beyond your trip, plus a written copy of your prescriptions. The CDC recommends seeing your healthcare provider at least four to six weeks before departure to discuss vaccines and health advice for your destinations. Read the CDC’s cruise ship travel guidance.
Still Have Questions About Your Cruise?
Speak with our cruise advisors for personalized guidance.
Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM, Sat 9 AM–2 PM Pacific
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