FAQ's - Planning & Booking Your Cruise

From our own personal experience, cruises are a fantastic way to holiday. So where do you start when planning your cruise?

We have listed a range of some of the most commonly asked questions here - when is the best time to plan for a cruise, cruising for families, cruising for singles, what to expect on board, how and when to make your reservation, cancellation fees, travel insurance and more.

What Is The Secret To A Great Cruise Experience?
When Is The Best (Most Affordable) Time To Take A Cruise?
What Cruise Is Best For Me?
But Aren't All Cruises Pretty Much The Same?
Do Cruise Lines Welcome Families With Kids?
I Am Single - Is It Easy To Meet People?
Do I Have To Participate In All The Activities?
How Far Ahead Should I Book?
What Details Are Required To Make A Cruise Reservation?
Can I Book On Short Notice?
How Do I Pay For My Cruise?
What Happens If I Cancel My Cruise?
Do I Need Travel Insurance?
What Type Of Dining Can I Expect?
Do I Have Contact With The Outside World?
Can Family Or Friends Contact Me?
What Will My Cabin Be Like?
What's The Difference Between "Inside", "Outside" and "Balcony" Cabins?
What's The Best Location For A Cabin?

What Is The Secret To A Great Cruise Experience?

Attitude - a cruise is largely what you make of it. Your cruise line will provide the resources, but it is up to you how you take advantage of them. Recognise that not everything will always be just the way you like it - with 1,000 to 3,000 people on board the ship, the they have to cater for all tastes to keep everyone happy - more or less.

Get to know your crew members - dining room staff, cruise director and staff, your cabin steward, etc. It does make a surprising difference it you show some interest - and you might even learn something. It can also be rewarding to find out where people are from - many lasting and rewarding friendships and relationships have been built from shared cruise experiences! Remember that most others on board are there for the same reason you are - to have a good time and a great cruise holiday.

Of course there are people who will never be happy - we've run into a few on cruises. These people seem to be happy being unhappy. It takes all kinds I guess..

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When Is The Best (Most Affordable) Time To Take A Cruise?

It depends on where in the world you are looking at cruising, but just like any other holiday itinerary, a few rules generally apply if you are looking for options where you may get a better deal. Firstly, try and avoid peak holiday periods such as Christmas or school holidays (which generally sell out months in advance - especially if you are looking at 3 or 4 berth cabins or family cruises).

You could consider sailing between the end of August and departures before Christmas, but avoiding Christmas itself or holiday periods. Most families have children still at school, folks begin saving their leave time for upcoming holiday travel, and generally everyone's saving money for the holiday season. Considering all of these factors, you should expect to find cruise prices that are better than in the peak periods, with reduced rates and deals often available. Check with us directly for the latest deals and prices. I am more than happy to personally do the legwork for you!

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What Cruise Is Best For Me?

Ahh, the eternal question of cruising. The short answer is - it depends.

It's kind of like asking what is the best piece of art in an exhibition. The answer will be different for everyone. The best cruise line for you might not be the best line for someone else - everyone has different priorities, interests and life situations.

The long answer is that you'll probably have to do a little homework. Research your options. Talk to a cruise expert. You'll be spending quite a bit of money so it will be worth it. The reality is that you probably will enjoy the cruise on any line - they all do a good job. But if you can zero in on one which may be best for you and your expectations, you may even have a better time!

Some of the basics to consider are:

• Price
• Ships (age, size, accommodations)
• Itineraries
• Passengers (interests, ages, etc.)

Fortunately there is a lot of information around. You can start by checking out various cruise lines, ships and itineraries on this site here. Or give us a call. Your Personal Travel Manager will be glad to help you, and if it's a curly one we can't answer straight away, we will find out and guarantee get back to you.

You could also try cruising checking out guides (library, book store); magazines (such as Cruise Passenger); go from recommendations from friends who have cruised; and one of the most important - get a hold of some cruise brochures.

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But Aren't All Cruises Pretty Much The Same?

Far from it! From exotic expeditions in Antarctica through to luxury sailing yachts in tropical waters, cruise ships can range in size from under 200 feet to well over 1,000 feet. You can sail with anywhere from fewer than 100 fellow passengers to over 6,000!

Experience atmospheres ranging from laid back, casual through to classy and formal, classically simple to ultra-deluxe. You can even choose between traditional propeller-driven craft, sail-assisted cruise ships, or even a paddle-wheel river boat. That's why it is important to research and find the best cruise to suit you.

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Do Cruise Lines Welcome Families With Kids?

Absolutely! Actually around 32% of cruise holidays are booked by families with children. Whilst there are some cruise lines that are targeted specifically at adult travellers and do not encourage kids on board, most do make a special point of providing supervised activities for youngsters, especially during school holidays, with programs in place for toddlers right through to teens.

If your children enjoy swimming, sports, games, movies, dance parties, pizza parties and the adventure of new places, they'll absolutely love a family cruise. On our recent cruise on Sun Princess, our own kids (7 & 4 years) had an absolute ball! You'll find your kids will adapt to shipboard life with ease, and you won't have to wonder what they're up to every minute, as the trained staff will help keep them busy and entertained.

And you know the best thing? With kids in kids club, you are free to spend your time as you please. It's paradise for parents - truly a win-win situation all round!!

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I Am Single - Is It Easy To Meet People?

A cruise holiday is ideal for people travelling by themselves, because it is so easy to meet other people. In fact, early on in the cruise, many ships will have parties and get togethers just for singles, so you can start to be involved right away. And that is the key - get involved. You cruise will have a range of activities, experiences and entertainment options where you will have the opportunity to meet like - minded fellow travellers.

In terms of your booking, the days of cruise lines offering "share stranger" are probably not so common. However in some cases, a cruise line will still offer to find you a roommate to share a cabin if you ask them (and no, it is not a dating service!). Many ships are now starting to incorporate dedicated "single" cabins, as well as single rates for traditional double staterooms.

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Do I Have To Participate In All The Activities?

It's your cruise - it's all about making the most of your cruise holday! You are free to get involved in as many or as little onboard activites as you like. Same goes for shore excursions. If you feel like exploring a port on your own without an organised shore activity, you are free to go your own way. Just make sure you get back to the ship on time!

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How Far Ahead Should I Book?

Cruising is a unique holiday experience on many levels. Most cruises - particularly those departing from Australia - these days leave our shores fully booked, and good last minute deals are few and far between. Most deals for cruises are targeted a number of months before departure, with a range of earlybird deals and booking bonuses available for those planning ahead. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to plan at least 6 - 12 months (or more!) in advance - even more so if there are a number of you planning to take a cruise as a group. Popular cruises can often sell out months in advance!

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What Details Are Required To Make A Cruise Reservation?

To make a reservation on a cruise, Cruise Around will need the following details from you:

• All traveller's names (as per passport)
• Dates of birth of all travellers
• Your address details
• Your contact details (phone / email)

Note that these details are required by many of the cruise lines (particularly in this market by P&O Australia and Princess Cruises) before they will accept a reservation. Other details which will be required before sailing will be your passport details, emergency contact details and other "personalised" information.

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Can I Book On Short Notice?

Sometimes even the most popular cruises will have cabins available at short notice due to cancellations, however the current popularity of cruising does mean that most cruises (particularly those departing from Australia) are leaving fully booked, so the availability of last minute specials or deals can be limited (and will not give you a huge choice on cabin availability).

To get the best cabin, ship and sailing date you are after, it is always best to book early. Most cruise lines do offer excellent incentives for those who plan ahead, and many of the best deals are for bookings at least 6 - 12 months in advance. Contact us and have us check the deals for you, or visit our site for periodic updates.

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How Do I Pay For My Cruise?

Your cruise will usually be broken down into two (or more) payments. Usually a deposit of between $200 - $500 per person (on average) will be required to confirm your reservation within 5 days or so of your initial cruise reservation. The balance payment for your cruise is usually required around 75 days prior to you sail.

Cruise Around accepts most major credit cards (credit card surchages may apply), or we also accept Bpay payments from cheque or savings accounts (your exclusive Bpay details will be provided on your file itinerary). Many of our clients have also used Bpay to "pay off" their cruise in instalments rather than pay a huge lump balance payment at the end, which can help with budgeting.

Any bookings made inside 75 days of sailing will require full payment at time of making a reservation.

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What Happens If I Cancel My Cruise?

The criteria and penalties for cancellations are generally listed on the back of most cruise brochures, and do vary between cruise lines.

If for some reason you cancel your cruise after final payment, you will likely suffer financial penalties, which is why it is important to consider travel insurance when you first pay your cruise holiday deposit. It could be as low as $50 per person or could be the full cost of the trip, depending on how close to your cruise departure you are cancelling.

It is of no consequence to the cruise line if the trip took your whole life savings, if you cancelled due to a heart attack, a death, or if you promise to rebook and say good things about the line. You will not get your money back after final payment without insurance. Even after your deposit has been paid, in some cases cancellation or amendment fees will still apply. Most of these sorts of conditions can be found on the back of each cruise lines' brochure.

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Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Short answer? Yes - Travel Insurance is highly recommended.

Whilst not legally compulsory, without insurance, you are on your own. We don't push it on anyone, but we do strongly recommend insurance to everyone who books with us. You should consider your own situation before deciding for or against taking out Travel Insurance.

When considering Travel Insurance, ask yourself these questions:

• Would losing the total cost of trip hurt?
• Do you have family members who are ill or at risk of illness that if their condition turned worse you would abandon your travel plans? Young children or older family members?
• Do you have a pre-existing medical condition?
• Is your trip relatively expensive? Are you leaving the country for 10 days or longer? Even if you are cruising around Australia and fall ill on the ship, any medical services on board or evacuations are generally not covered under medicare.
• Are at a point in your life where you are susceptible to accident or illness?
• Are you booking your own air transportation?
• Have you ever experienced baggage delay or loss by the airlines?
• Does your insurance cover medical expenses in a foreign country? Probably not?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may want to consider insurance. Quality travel insurance typically costs about 10% of your total trip cost, and usually covers cancellation, baggage, trip delay, trip interruption, medical expenses, medical evacuation and more. Get a quote or ask us for a brochure explaining travel insurance in more detail.

Is Travel Insurance worth it? If you have to use it, definitely! But insurance also buys peace of mind, which is not a bad reason to have it either. :)

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What Type Of Dining Can I Expect?

Everything you've heard about dining on a cruise is absolutely true! On board, you will find a wide and varied menu selection - from freshly cooked pizzas to glazed roast duck, from soups to wonderful and delectable pastries. You'll find a varied selection of entrees (appetizers, salads, soups, vegetables, and desserts, too) every time you sit down. And there's virtually no limit (and no extra charge!) on what or how much you can order! (burp!)

However, just because your cruise ship offers plenty of delicious food doesn't mean you have to come home out of shape. Well, you might... There are a number of healthy menu options on board - low-cal, spa, or fitness menu selections that are just as tempting as the regular menu. A simple tip to keep in shape is simply to use the stairs instead of the elevators, or cash some fresh air with a few laps of promenade deck. You can also use the facilities on board to jog, do aerobics, work out in the gym, swim, golf, play tennis, and much more. Burning calories was never so much fun! Best of all, the one thing you'll never see on a cruise ship menu is a price!

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Do I Have Contact With The Outside World?

Many ships deliver a daily newsletter to your cabin each night with news headlines, stock quotes and sports updates, along with an overview of the following day's activities on board. Most cruise lines also have internet access on board where you can get online to check emails (or update your facebook friends with your latest shipboard antics!). Many ships also provide wireless internet access, and many are even starting to provide roaming mobile phone access as well (generally charges do apply to these communications services).

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Can Family Or Friends Contact Me?

Most cruise lines do provide emergency numbers that you can pass onto immediate family members should they need to urgently contact you whilst you are at sea. As per the question above, you will also likely have opportunity to either get online or access mobile communication if needed. Ships also provide satellite phone technology should you need to call someone "ship to shore" for any reason. However, be aware that this can be quite expensive!

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What Will My Cabin Be Like?

Cabins on most cruise lines are smaller than they appear on "The Love Boat", but will generally contain everything you need including ensuite with shower and toilet, as well as hair dryer, in room safe, wardrobe, and plenty of storage space. Cabins are designed for efficiency and to encourage you to use the much larger public facilities on board the ship (and why wouldn't you?).

Most cabins have twin beds which can be converted to a queen size, with most cruises having "4-berth" cabins which will sleep up to 4 persons. Generally these cabins will have beds that either fold down from the wall or are lowered from the ceiling in a bunk type configuration. Your cabin steward will raise and lower these beds each day and evening.

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 if needed. Many of the newer ships have safes in the rooms, and TVs that show current movies, give casino instructions and provide general cruise information.

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What's The Difference Between "Inside", "Outside" and "Balcony" Cabins?

On modern cruise ships, there are basically four types of cabins:

Inside Cabins - these are cabins situated on the "inside" of the ship, without windows or portholes, and usually are priced accordingly.

Oceanview Cabins - basically the same dimensions as inside cabins, but situated on the "outside" of the ship (as opposed to outside the ship!) with port holes or picture windows.

Deluxe Cabins or Balcony Cabins - about the same size as an oceanview cabin, except it may have a private balcony which adds to the overall square footage of the cabin.

Suites - significantly larger than other cabins on the ship, often with separate living areas to the bedroom, and a larger private balcony or verandah.

Generally, you will find the Deluxe Cabins and Suites are situated on the higher decks of a cruise ship, so you will definitely see differences in the quality of the cabins (and pricing). However, Standard Inside Cabins and Oceanview Cabins are basically the same on any deck. Our Cruise Product page has details of individual ships along with maps and cabin locations which is always a handy reference guide. Otherwise, most cruise brochures will provide deck plans and location maps for the various cabin categories on each ship.

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What's The Best Location For A Cabin?

Although with current cruise ships it shouldn't generally a major concern, if you are concerned about seasickness, there are a couple of hints to try and avoid problems if possible.

If available, it is best to request a cabin that is relatively close to the middle of the ship, and possibly on a lower deck. A ship's motion is generally greater at the Bow (front) and Stern (rear) as it carves its way through the ocean, and on lower decks you are less likely to feel the effects of any "roll" (side to side motion). So the lower and closer to the middle you are, theoretically the less physical motion you should experience.

Once again, many current cruise ships are fully stabilised, which makes your cruise experience comfortable no matter where you are on the ship. As a matter of fact, if motion discomfort were such an issue, the suites on a ship wouldn't be at the top and near the front.

We can generally assign cabins at the point of making your reservation, so to make sure you get the best cabin for you, book early!! The longer you wait, the less options you'll have less to choose from. Another reason why it is best to book early for a cruise rather than at the last minute. :)