Your cruise will include cabin accommodation aboard your selected ship, meals, and most of the entertainment while aboard the ship. Please note some cruise lines offer select dinning options for which there is a small cover fee applicable.
The price will not include any organised shore excursions, carbonated soft drinks or alcoholic beverages (unless an 'All Inclusive Cruise' is purchased), photographs, gratuities (Included in the cost of some cruise lines featured on traveldaddy.co.uk - Please check at time of booking), medical services, casino expenditures, gifts, spa and beauty treatments or other miscellaneous items you have purchase on board.
An outside cabin will have a window or a porthole and is classed as an "Ocean View Stateroom" room. An inside cabin may have artwork or a mirrored window on the walls and is considered a "No View" room.
Cruising offers just the right atmosphere for any honeymooners, romance... sumptuous dinners for two, dancing the night. Most cruise lines provide special honeymoon touches like champagne and breakfast in bed. For more details just check with a member of traveldaddy.co.uk at the time of booking. Thinking of getting married? Some cruise lines offer special programs for performing a marriage ceremony at sea or renewing your marriage vows.
Today's cruise ships are mainly "one class" however Cunard still operates a two class service as such with different dinning options available exclusively to selected cabins. The ships facilities are available to everyone onboard.
Virtually all ships are non-smoking in the public rooms inside the ship, reflecting passenger requests, but they do provide dedicated smoking area's outside on deck and in allocated cabins.
Most ships are a good size and it usually takes a couple of days to fully explore the different area's onboard. You can relax by the poolside, join a dance class or sports activity, see a movie, or try your luck in a casino - the options are endless! In addition to the activities onboard, you also have the opportunity to explore new and exciting ports of call almost everyday.
Yes, all cruise itineraries are subject to change. With guest safety as the number one priority for the cruise lines, on the rare occasions that weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances may occur, it may cause a change in the original itinerary. In these circumstances, the cruise line staff will do everything to visit an alternate port of call.
Embarkation normally begins approximately 4 hours prior to departure. Passengers must be on board no later than 30 minutes prior to sailing.
Please carry any medication in its original bottle. It is recommended that medications be carried in your pocket or purse so they will be available when needed because checked luggage may not be accessible at all times. If you are using any prescription drugs, vitamins, or other medication on a regular basis, you should bring an adequate supply since they may not be available aboard the ship or in ports of call. Commonly used medications may be purchased at the office of the ship's doctor.
Almost all cruise ships have laundry facilities and many provide dry-cleaning services. There is, however, an additional charge for professional laundry and dry-cleaning services. Many ships also have self-service launderettes available for a small charge.
There is parking at all major ports. The rates vary depending on the duration of your stay. Please ask a member of traveldaddy.co.uk for details at the time of booking.
If you have flights booked through the cruise line as part of a package, a representative from the cruise line will meet you by the baggage claim on arrival. They will escort you to the transfer shuttle that goes from the airport to the pre cruise hotel or port and back again after the cruise. If you are traveling on a tailor made cruise, traveldaddy.co.uk can offer you these transfer services for an additional charge if requested at the time of booking.
Your cruise essentially begins as soon as you step aboard the ship. Boarding for the cruise usually begins around 1 PM. Traveldaddy.co.uk recommends that you arrive at the port around an hour before the specified boarding time to bypass any queues. It takes about an hour to have your documents checked and processed, get your onboard account card, and line up for boarding.
On the final night of the cruise, you should be packed and have your luggage in the hallway by 2 AM. Make sure to leave out your clothes for the next day, as well as your sleepwear. In the morning, breakfast is served early; then guests go to public rooms to begin the disembarkation process. This allows the cabin stewards time to clean the cabin for the next guest.
Please not that you may disembark in groups. Wait in the public room until your group is called. Be sure to bring a carry-on for your sleepwear and toiletries. Once off the ship, you may pick up your luggage from the specified area.
For safety and security reasons, no visitors will be allowed on board the ship at anytime.
Seasickness is not common on larger cruise ships. Larger ships are fully stabilized to minimize the feeling of movement. If you should feel queasy, medicine is available from your cabin steward or the ship's doctor. If you are prone to motion sickness, you may want to consider consulting your doctor prior to your cruise.
Many cruise lines now feature a more relaxed and casual approach to dress throughout the cruise -- while on others, formal dinners or parties are part of the cruise experience. But you don't need to buy a tuxedo just for the trip. Even on the most formal of ships, a dark suit and tie are fine for the dressiest occasions. Plus, many offer tuxedo rental services.
All ships are cash free for your convenience, on embarkation an account will be set up for you and purchases will be billed automatically to your credit card. If you don't have a credit card you may use a cash deposit. Traveller's checks may be cashed at the Purser's Desk to cover gratuities and can be used to pay off your onboard account if you do not wish to have the charges applied to your credit card.
On many cruises with traveldaddy.co.uk gratuities are included; if this is not the case you should reward great service. The following are suggestions only. Waiters and cabin stewards - £2.00 per passenger per day, Assistant Waiters - £1.00 per passenger per day, Head Waiters - £1.50 per passenger per day, and a 15% gratuity is added to most bar and wine bills.
Most cruise lines offer both a Main or Early Sitting and Late Sitting in the main dining room. Dining preferences may be requested at the time of the booking, however no requests are guaranteed. Your sitting and table assignment will be confirmed at embarkation.
Either sitting will allow you to see all shows and experience everything your cruise has to offer as cruise lines offer early and late performances to accommodate this. As an alternative to traditional sitting's in the main restaurants, some cruise lines now offer "freestyle or casual" dining.
This option provides guests with the flexibility to dine when and where they wish. You may also choose your dinner companions and request specific tables rather than being assigned to a particular time and table for the duration of the cruise.
For your convenience, in addition to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and midnight buffets, many ships also offer complimentary room service. Low-fat and vegetarian options are also widely o ffered.
Cruising is ideal for people travelling alone, because it's so easy to meet other people. In fact, most ships have parties for singles - early on, so you can get to know people right away. Many ships even offer social hosts who can be dance partners or dinner companions.
Most ships also have single cabins as well as single rates for double cabins. If you ask them, many cruise lines will even find you a roommate to share a cabin so you can obtain the per person/double occupancy rate, saving you even more.
Special meals are available to accommodate different dietary needs. Requests should be made at the time of booking with a member of traveldaddy.co.uk.
Cruise lines love to celebrate with you, if you are celebrating a special occasion on the ship, we can add this information to your reservation in advance or you can let the maitre'd or onboard assistance representatives know.
These are generally known as lifeboat drills. Everybody on board the ship is required to attend a compulsory safety drill to comply with Coast Guard and international maritime safety regulations prior to the ship setting sale from the port on the day of departure.
You can do as little or as much as you want whilst onboard... You're chosen activities are all up to you. The cruise line wants to make this you perfect holiday so if sitting by the pool 24/7 floats your boat you can do just that while your cocktail waiter brings you daiquiri's to cool you down!
As more and more families begin to cruise, most cruise lines have developed specialised supervised programs for kids. These programs are designed to give your kids a chance to go swimming, play sports, watch movies and get to know other kids on the ship, while giving you an opportunity for some worry free relaxation.
Some children may be too young to participate in certain children's programs please check with the relevant cruise line at the time of booking.
Nightly activities are just as exciting as during the day. Try your luck in the casinos, put on you dancing shoes and hit the nightclub, take in a Broadway style show, or enjoy one of the many entertainment bars and venues on offer.
Most ships have televisions in the rooms plus a daily newsletter with headlines. There are usually phones in the rooms or you can have the ship's radio operator contact the mainland for you.
Also, many ships have fax capabilities or internet lounges. There are charges to contact the mainland in any form. Please check with the purser to find out exact amounts.
They are open while you are at sea, however international maritime law states that they must remain closed whilst the ship is in port.
Your cabin steward will leave you a daily copy of the cruise news in your room every evening, which will provide a schedule of events for the following day. This will provide you with details of events and their locations and times.
Most shops accept major credit cards and traveller's checks. Some ships and ports of call have ATMs; however, they may not always be in service and fees are involved.
There is something ashore for everyone. Each port offers a unique experience where you can explore on your own, book an organized shore excursion from the cruise line, go shopping, relax on the beach or take in some historical sites.
Not if you don't want to. You are more than welcome to stay on the ship and relax by the pool or participate in some of the organized activities onboard.