FAQs - Cruise Basics

New to cruising and keen to find out a bit more?

We have listed a range of some of our most frequently asked questions on cruising - what cruising is, what to expect out of a cruise, what is included, what you need to book, where you can go, seasicknes and more.

Find details on cruising that you always wanted to know, but were afraid to ask. Go ahead. We won't bite!

Why Should I Consider A Cruise?
Is Cruising Affordable?
How Long Do Cruises Go For?
What's Included?
What About The Kids?
What's NOT Included?
Where Can I Cruise To?
Will I Get Seasick?
Do I Need A Passport?
What's The Food Like?
Do I Have To Tip?
Aren't Cruises Boring?
I Haven't Cruised Before - What Do You Suggest?

Why Should I Consider A Cruise?

There are actually cruise holidays to suit all budgets - from economical to absolute pampered luxury. Cruising offers probably the best value holiday for your money.

Consider this:-

• Your cruise fare includes your accommodation, all meals (and more!), onboard daytime activities, night time parties and entertainment.
• Everything is paid for before you go, so you you will know what your holiday will be costing before even step on board (Your only extra expenses will generally be for drinks, signature restaurant experiences, optional shore excursions, and personal services such as massage or hairstyling.)
• Unlike airlines, there is no "cattle class", no hidden extras for baggage allowances, seat allocations, or for on board meals or "entertainment" (120 channels offering you what?). No meal trays..
• Unpack once! Wouldn't that be nice? No early morning starts, pack the bags, in the coach after a rushed brekky ready for the days' touring and then checking into yet another hotel for another night in another town... on a cruise the towns, cities and sightseeing come to you!
• Be Pampered. On a cruise, the staff ratio is generally 1 staff member for every 3 -4 passengers on board. You are looked after. :)

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Is Cruising Affordable?

Cruises vary in length - from only a couple of nights on a "sampler" cruise, through to 104 nights or more on a round world voyage.

How Long Do Cruises Go For?

Cruises vary in length - from only a couple of nights on a "sampler" cruise, through to 104 nights or more on a round world voyage. Check out cruise search engine for some of the latest deals and itineraries.

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What's Included?

As mentioned earlier, a cruise will include just about everything you need for a wonderful and memorable holiday. You won't have to lift a finger! Cruising will include:

• Your accommodation (unpack once, and you are set!) - your bed will be made for you, your towels changed as often as you need, your room cleaned daily..
• Meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning tea, afternoon tea, midnight snacks.. In fact, one of the most common complaints about cruising is how good the food is!
• Entertainment - Movies, poolside games, trivia, nightclubs, cabaret shows, bingo (which is VERY popular!), comedians, karaoke, theme nights, wine tasting..
• Activities - dance lessons, beauty treatments, massages, gymnasium, cooking classes, computer classes, photography, at sea lectures, art auctions, cocktail bars, lounge areas, talent quests, read a book from the library, internet access... there's heaps. The great thing about a cruise is that you generally can do as much or as little as you please.

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What About For The Kids?

Most cruises (not all, though!) are VERY kid friendly. We recently travelled with our 2 girls (7 and 4) on an 18 night cruise from Fremantle to Sydney, and they had an absolute ball (so did we, actually)! The ship offered an absolutely fantastic kids club where the girls had all sorts of activities, competitions, movies, parties, games and discos to keep them occupied. Many cruise lines offer a range of kids activities specifically targeted at different age groups. From toddlers to teens, there is a program designed for all ages. Be aware that not all cruise ships will cater for kids, so make sure you discuss this with a cruise expert (us, of course!) when planning your cruise!

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What's NOT Included?

• Drinks. Generally cruises do not include drinks (alcohol, soft drinks etc), however most will offer some sort of "drinks packages" in the first day or so when you board your cruise. Whether these are packages are good value for you will depend on your own situation, so you will need to weigh that up for yourself. Generally complimentary tea, coffee, iced water and possibly a cordial mix are available for most meals (and of course juices are available with breakfast).
• Shore Excursions. Most cruises will offer a range of shore tours or excursions for the ports you are visiting on your cruise. In most cases you will be able choose your shore tour options and pre-reserve these online before your cruise. The options and prices will be listed on the cruise line's website (generally you will be given a URL and login to access and update your cruise reservation details). However, some of the more luxurious cruise lines will offer complimentary shore tours as a part of their cruise fare (Regency Seven Seas, Crystal etc).
• Beauty Treatments & Personal Training. Most ships offer a range of beauty treatments, hairdressing, personal gym classes, "boot camp" sessions and other activities, which are generally at additional cost.
• Signature Restaurants. Many cruise ships these days have at least one "signature" restaurant - usually either a gourmet steakhouse, some sort of fusion restaurant or similar. Bookings are essential for these dining experiences, and to eat here is usually a nominal surcharge of between $20 - $40 per person. Well worth it for the experience!

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Where Can I Cruise To?

Think of a destination, and you will likely find an option for a cruise holiday. For Aussies, there are regular cruises leaving our shores for the South Pacific (Vanuatu, Noumea, Fiji), up into Asia, New Zealand, Australian circumnavigations and explorations of the Kimberley, right through to 104 night round the world cruises. And once you have had a taste from your own backyard, there are cruises to many and varied wonderful and exotic destations to explore! North, South, East or West, there is an option to whet any appetite. Check our cruise search engine to have a closer look at some of the options!

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Will I Get Seasick?

Generally, the large size of todays cruise ships affords a degree of stability in the water. The most popular cruise areas are generally quite calm waters, although admittedly the open waters around Australia can sometimes create some interesting swells. However, most modern ships are built with stabilisers which can reduce the effects of the open ocean, as well as having the the advantage of advance availability of accurate weather information. If you are concerned, the development of effective preventative medications have eliminated most case of motion sickness. The majority of ships do have onboard medical facilities should you have issues on board. If in doubt, it is always best to seek professional advice from your medical practitioner prior to sailing. Back To Top

Do I Need A Passport?

As ships travel in international waters and will likely call at foreign ports as a part of the itinerary, a valid passport is generally always required for a cruise. The only exception is for some domestic cruises (ie an Australian Passport holder on Australian coastal cruise or circumnavigation where no foreign ports are visited), where a valid photo ID (such as a drivers licence) will be required. Depending on the ports you are visiting, you may need to prearrange your foreign visa(s) as well. Consult your cruise professional or the cruise line for updated information.

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What's The Food Like?

Yummy! From simple tastes to gourmet delights, the range and standard of food on board a cruise ship is generally quite amazing! If you do have particular dietary requirements, most ships can accommodate salt free, low carb, Kosher or other dietary requests. This can be stipulated when making your reservation.

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Do I Have To Tip?

Many cruise lines from Australia will have tipping added to your room account automatically - generally around $10-15 per person per day. Note that this is optional and not mandatory! Should your cruise line have this as their policy and you feel uncomfortable about tipping in this way (as many Aussies seem to) you can ask to have it removed. Simply go to the front desk when you are on board and ask to have the charge removed. However, by the end of your cruise, you will likely find that you have been thoroughly impressed with the level of service you have received (particulary from your room steward and the restaurant staff), so it is at your discretion to tip for the service you have received.

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Aren't Cruises Boring?

A cruise offers you the opportunity to do as much or as little as you want. If you are after quiet seclusion, most ships offer a range of quiet lounge areas, libraries and secluded nooks where you can relax in virtual solitude. However, if you like to be involved in everything, there is generally a plethora of entertainment and activities to keep you occupied. You might even find that the days and nights are not long enough to fit it all in! If you haven't cruised before, our suggestions are below :)

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I Haven't Cruised Before - What Do You Suggest?

If you are a "newbie" to cruising, there are a couple of simple suggestions for you when choosing your first cruise experience.

Firstly, choose a cruise that doesn't give you too many days at sea. Sometimes if you haven't cruised previously, spending 3 or 4 days at sea at a time before your next port can be a little overwhelming. The cruise we did from Fremantle back to Sydney was an awesome itinerary - we had no more than 2 days at sea at a time, which meant that pretty much every second day was spent in port, getting out and exploring the destination before getting back on board for the next part of the journey. This sort of cruise experience is a great way to introduce yourself to cruising, as your journey is broken up between life on board and exploring the various ports and destinations. This is particularly true for families, as both parents and kids can have a good mix of shipboard experience and time together exploring the various ports of call.

Secondly, choose a cruise is not too long. There are a number of 2 & 3 night "sampler" cruises throughout the year which are a great way to get used to the cruising experience (and usually in quite a party atmosphere). Otherwise, go for a cruise of maybe 7 nights or so (if you are not feeling too adventurous!). That way, if you do find that the cruising experience is somehow not for you, you haven't spent too much time (and money). What we are saying is don't go for the 34 night Hawaiian / Pacific Island extravaganza first up!