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Q&A: While Onboard the Cruise...
How does tipping work aboard the ship? Tipping is a personal issue and you should be the one who decides to tip for good service. Today's cruise lines usually charge a flat onboard fee that ranges from $10-$15 per person per day to cover onboard tips to the service staff. Additionally, all soft drinks and alcoholic beverage purchases have an automatic service charge of 15% per service added onto your onboard account. You may tip in cash if you like and have service charges removed but you will have to visit the front desk in person to make alternative tipping arrangements. Tipping policies may vary from line to line. ^ top What can I do onboard the ship? There are so many activities for you to participate in from going to the gym or spa, taking in a movie or lecture, gambling, eating, learning a foreign language, going to "high tea", enjoying the sun and pool, taking a dance lesson, and so much more. Plus, some providers will provide their own onboard events to enhance your Gay & Lesbian cruise experience. You'll never be bored with the long list of activities and choices onboard and ashore in port! ^ top Yes, cruises are very safe onboard. Each ship has a staff of security personnel that is always on duty. ^ top Where should I keep my valuables? You can store your valuables in safes that are often provided in each stateroom. If not, there is a ship's safe located at the front desk. ^ top Will I become seasick on my cruise? All modern ships are equipped with stabilizers to minimize side-to-side rolling. In most cases, you will feel no motion at all. However, if you are prone to motion sickness, it is recommended that you bring medication along with you. Otherwise, medication is available through the doctor onboard. ^ top What if I get sick or need medical attention? Most cruise ships have a fully equipped medical facility and staff with doctors and nurses onboard that can handle almost any emergency. ^ top If you are unhappy while onboard and want to leave the ship, you can get off at the next port-of-call. Arrangements to get home and refunds vary by cruise line. ^ top What about passengers with special needs? Cruise lines welcome passengers with special needs and will work hard to assist them throughout their cruise. Most modern cruise ships have a number of cabins that are specially designed to accommodate passengers in need of wheelchairs or TTY communications. Service animals are permitted onboard if prior arrangements have been made. Professional medical services are also available on all cruise ships. At least one qualified physician and two registered nurses are normally in attendance on every cruise. Although the cruise line will do all it can to accommodate passengers with special needs, there are some limitations. Passengers requiring oxygen must meet certain requirements before boarding the ship. Passengers who are entering their third trimester of pregnancy by the beginning of their cruise will not be accepted. In ports-of-call that require tenders to go ashore, wheelchair access may be limited, or may be unavailable if sea conditions are unfavorable. Furthermore, it is highly recommended that passengers with special needs travel with a companion who can provide required assistance. All passengers must insure that they are medically and physically fit for travel and that such travel will not endanger themselves or others. It is essential that the cruise line know well in advance if you have any special medical, physical, or other requirements. ^ top No, only service animals are allowed by special arrangement. ^ top Virtually all ships have smoking and nonsmoking sections in the lounges and dining rooms. If you wish to be seated in a nonsmoking area, just tell an onboard staff consultant. In open seating situations, you can advise your waiter and/or the restaurant manager. However, keep in mind that many dining rooms are now smoke-free, reflecting passenger requests. ^ top What is the legal drinking age? On any cruise ship departing from a U.S. port, the legal drinking age onboard is 21 and is strictly enforced. Some international sailings might have different rules. ^ top What "extras" can I expect to pay for? You can expect to pay for taxes, surcharges, and fees, including airport fees, booking processing fee, departure taxes, and port charges. You should verify which fees and port taxes are included in your cruise rate. The cost of reaching the ship, airline tickets not booked in your cruise package, shuttle services, or in-port parking fees are not included. You can also expect to pay for the costs—including hotel, transportation, and meal costs—of staying at port before or after the cruise. While onboard, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and soft drinks are not included. You are responsible for tips and all onboard extras such as gambling, spa treatment, massages, photos, Internet access, ship-to-shore calls, etc. Expenses while in port, including taxis, entertainment, and optional off-ship meals, are not included. You can also expect to pay for shore excursions and all shopping purchases made both on and off the ship. Travel insurance is extra as well. ^ top What can I purchase while onboard? Most ships have gift, jewelry, and clothing boutiques onboard. In addition, there is a photography studio where you can purchase photos by the ship's photographers or have your film developed. ^ top What services can I expect onboard? For a fee, you can indulge in the ship's spa services, which provides facials, massages, manicures, hairstyling, etc. Photography and laundry services are also available for a fee. ^ top Are there laundry services onboard? Yes, almost all cruise ships have laundry facilities onboard, and a great many provide dry-cleaning services. There is an additional charge for professional laundry and dry-cleaning services, but most ships also have self-service launderettes. ^ top What is the electrical current onboard? Most ships have 110-volt outlets in the staterooms. ^ top Can others contact me, and can I contact others, while onboard? Every ship has a phone number that can be used to contact you while the ship is at sea. This information will be included in your cruise documents. If you need to call home, ship-to-shore calling is available, but is very expensive. Most ships have e-mail capabilities so you can remain in touch with friends and family back home. If you are on a long cruise, some cruise lines offer addresses so friends and family can send letters or parcels. ^ top Is there e-mail and Internet service onboard? Yes, most ships have Internet and e-mail capabilities that you can use for a fee. ^ top Are visitors permitted onboard? For security reasons, most cruise lines have a "no visitor" policy. The only exceptions to this policy are wedding guests attending an onboard ceremony that has been arranged well in advance. ^ top Cabins are smaller than hotel rooms. While they are very functional, comfortable, and have all the amenities you would expect from a resort, they are compact. All cabins offer private bathrooms with shower stall, adequate closet and drawer space, closed circuit television, some have mini refrigerators, and all offer complimentary 24 hour room service. You will also have twice daily turn down service and cleaning of your stateroom for your comfort. Suites come equipped with many additional amenities and luxuries. Cabin size depends on the category. First time cruisers are often taken aback by the compact design of cabins, which should not be compared to hotel rooms. They are designed for efficiency and to encourage you to use the much larger public facilities onboard the ship. If you requested an outside or ocean view cabin, you will have a porthole or picture window, depending on your ship’s design. Some outside cabins will also have a small balcony. Most cabins have twin beds that can be converted into a queen-size bed. Your cabin steward is there to make your stay comfortable, whether to change the bed configuration to suit your desires, or to bring you extra towels, pillows, or blankets. Many of the newer ships have safes in the rooms, and TVs that show current movies, give casino instructions, and provide general cruise information. ^ top Is it worth the extra money for an ocean view cabin? This is a matter that depends on your budget and how much time you plan to spend in the cabin. If you can afford the extra money to move up to an ocean view cabin, (sometimes it's as little as $150 on a seven-night cruise), you will probably feel you got your money's worth. ^ top Can I switch cabins if I don't like the one I get? If you do not like your cabin, notify the welcome desk as soon as possible. If the ship is full, you probably will not be able to move. However, depending upon the circumstances, the staff will work with you on your problem. ^ top If space is available, you can upgrade at an additional cost an any time until sailing. ^ top Cruises are famous for variety, quality, and large amounts of food. With breakfast, brunch, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, tea, dinner, midnight buffet, and room service, there are many eating opportunities. ^ top Cruises offer round the clock dining options with formal restaurants with multi course meals, casual buffet-style restaurants, deck buffets with grilled specialties, 24-hour complimentary room service, pizza, and elegant high teas. ^ top What are different meal seatings? Some ships' dining rooms can accommodate all passengers during one seating, but most ships have two seatings that differ only by timeslot. To choose a seating, just decide whether you prefer to dine early or late, and then select your preference when you book your cruise. In addition, some ships offer alternative dining options like themed restaurants or particular cuisines such as Italian, Mexican, and Chinese. ^ top Most ships can accommodate salt-free, low-carbohydrate, Kosher, or other diet preferences. ^ top Most cruise lines offer 24-hour room service at no extra charge. ^ top What kind of activities can I participate in while onboard? It is amazing how much you can do on a cruise. Cruise ships are like floating resorts with all the amenities they have to offer. You can be by yourself and lie back in a lounge chair, soak up the sun, read a good book, or watch the changing view. You can also join in exercise classes, dance classes, sports contests, and other organized deck activities. Perhaps you would like to practice your tennis stroke or golf swing, or shoot some baskets? You can also go for a swim, stretch out in the sauna, or work out in the gym. Some ships even have ice-skating rinks! Other activities include watching a feature movie, attending a lecture by a renowned expert, and playing backgammon or bridge. ^ top Cruise ships can be quite lively at night. There's dancing, live entertainment in nightclubs, discos, feature films, and parties. Most ships even have casinos. There are also many special events like the captain's cocktail party, passenger talent night, Las Vegas-style shows, magic acts, and the late night buffet. ^ top Do I have to participate in the activities? On a cruise, you do what you want to. You can do everything, or lie back and do absolutely nothing. It's your vacation. ^ top Can I celebrate a special occasion onboard? Yes, just let us know when you book your cruise. ^ top What is the dress code onboard? Most of the ships dress code is resort casual which means casual and comfortable attire during the day and nice slacks and shirts for the guys and the same or pantsuits, cocktail type dresses for the girls at dinner. There are usually two formal nights on most cruises where black tie and formal dress is requested but NOT required. ^ top How do I settle my on board expense account? All travelers will be required to submit a valid major credit card for onboard payments. Your onboard account will be used for a variety of charges, some of which may be gift shop, spa, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, photos, shore excursions, transfers, and gratuities. A complete bill will be delivered to your stateroom before the end of the cruise and your credit card or debit card will be charged. ^ top More Frequently Asked Questions...
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