How does cruising work?

Question

Can you tell me everything like embarkation and all that stuff. and how the food is paid for and how you buy stuff and all the things that need to be known. do you have to book a hotel or something or anything if you stay at a shore for 2 days?

Answer 1

The best answer we can give you is call a travel agent who specializes in cruises.  See site below.

Answer 2

Your question is too broad for anyone to answer here.  Go to your library and look for a book on cruising.  It will give you the basics.  Or buy one at your bookstore.  There's even a "Dummies" book, if that's your style.

The food is included in the cruise fare [except for "premium" restaurants].  

You don't stay in port for more than about 8 hours - never overnight [except on some cruises to Bermuda].

Not sure what you mean by "embarkation and all that stuff".  What "stuff"?

You buy things on board by using your room card, after setting up an account with your charge card or with cash.

Really - you need to get a book on cruising.  There are many, many variables involved in choosing a cruise, and many things to know to prepare for a cruise.

Answer 3

The cruise ticket pays for your food and entertainment on the ship.  Soda and alcoholic drinks are extra.  Shore excursions cost extra.  There are also optional specialty restaurants that cost extra.

The advertised cruise ticket price usually doesn't include taxes and the fuel surcharge.

You pay for all the extra stuff using a special charge card/ID card they give you before you step aboard.  No cash or credit cards needed while you are on the ship.  Bring cards and cash anyway to use during ports of call (when you get off the boat in the different countries).

Some people pay extra for a hotel room as a pre or post cruise extender.  You don't need to get a hotel room during overnight ports of call.  You just sleep on the boat as if it's a hotel.      

To get on the boat you must have a regular passport or the new land and sea passport card.  Don't wait until last minute to apply for these documents.  Apply for them no less than 8 weeks in advance.

Always carry your government-issued ID AND your cruise charge card/ID on your person during ports of call.  Always.  

Check out the following website.  It has great info and advice.

Answer 4

When you cruise your cabin or stateroom, IS your hotel room for when you are cruising AND when you stop at a port.  So you will never need a hotel room unless you get off the ship at a port at the end of the cruise and want to stay in that city for a day or two.   Most cruises spend only one day at each port stop; arrive about 7:00Am and leave about 7:00PM.  You will not need to worry about food either.  For the most part all cruises are all inclusive. Let me explain.

Regardless of which cruise line you select the things that are included are pretty much the same. The price of your cruise includes your cabin/stateroom, ALL meals (including free breakfast, lunch dinner, snacks and free room service), all shows and entertainment, and free use of all facilities on ship except the Spa. The things that you will have to pay for are:

GRATUITIES: They will amount to about $10 per person in your cabin per day; about $70 each for a 7 day cruise. When you check in at the pier they will set up an on-board charge account for you to cover any and everything you may buy on ship. They will issue you a "cruise card" which will also serve as your room key and pass to get on and off the ship. At the end of the cruise they will add the gratuity to your tab and you can pay with a credit card or cash, your choice. So everything on ship except the casino is cashless; everything you buy goes on your account.

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND SOFT DRINKS: Coffee, tea, milk, juice, and lemonade and punch will be provided free but you must pay for soft drinks and alcoholic beverages and they will add a 15% gratuity to each drink and soft drink order.

PHOTOGRAPHS: Cruise lines will take plenty of photographs of you all over the ship, in the dining room, and as you exit the ship in ports. These will cost a lot, like $15 to $20 for most.

TOURS/EXCURSIONS: You are not required to book any tours and can get off and on in the ports as much as you want. But the cruise line will offer a lot of tours and these are expensive.

SOUVENIRS: Anything you buy on ship from a gift shop or duty free shop goes on your on board account. Things that you buy on shore you pay cash or credit card for.

CASINO: If you plan to gamble on ship you will need cash for that.

OTHER: most cruise lines have what they call "specialty" restaurants where there is a gratuity/service charge. All other food on board is free and its not really necessary to budget for food; you cannot eat all of the FREE FOOD that will be available.

SPA SERVICES: If you want/need to have your hair done, get a massage or wrap, or any services from the spa, you will have to pay for them. You can use the gym free but the spa stuff cost big bucks.

INTERNET SVCS: Ships now have internet cafe and some have WiFi but the there is a fee for internet access and it is very expensive (like about $50 to $60 an hour).

You cabin will likely have a minibar with soft drinks and munchies; you have to pay for them (but there is free room service 24/7).