What should I know before booking a cruise?

Question

My boyfriend and I are thinking about booking a cruise for October. We are going to go through a travel agent because I have heard horror stories of going straight through the cruise lines. We are thinking either the Bahamas or the Caribbean. Which do you think is better and why? Do I need a passport? Are there any suggestions anybody can give that I wouldn't have thought about? Also, experiences are great to hear about.

Answer 1

I went on a Royal Carribean Cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas in July 2006 and went to Key West, Florida-Georgetown,Cayman Islands-and Cozumel,Mexico. I'm 14 and I had loads of fun! It's better to get a passport or you will have to bring your birth certificate and some other stuff. We had great weather, a little windy in the evening and at night. It was a great ship and would do it all over again. Try to get a room close to the doors so you will be one of the first people out when leaving. It's really hard dragging your suitcases down the stairs.Hope you have lots of fun if you go! Oh and we got a travel agent and she was great!

Answer 2

About passports -  check with the cruise line that you eventually select.  The US State Department does not require a passport for the cruise we are going on in 2 weeks, but Norwegian DOES.  The cruise line trumps the State Department in that instance.

Another thing - about the water on cruise ships.  It is purified by reverse osmosis, and is about as pure as you can get - under normal circumstances.  Sometimes, ships will have trouble with the water and they'll TELL you.  I wouldn't automatically assume you HAVE to buy their $4/bottle water.  If you are geeked out about it, take some Aquafina with you in your luggage.  Cruise lines frown on you bringing your own alcohol, but they don't say anything about bottled water or soda.

About where you buy the cruise - I've been hearing horror stories about travel agents.  I'm sure that you can't make broad generalizations and assumptions about buying direct or through a TA.  We are buying our cruise through Priceline and haven't had any problems.  We also don't have to pay any commission to an agent.

Do plenty of research, and give some thought to what kind of experience you want to have.  Do you think you'll want a cruise with a lot of night life, a climbing wall, that sort of thing?  Or is the destination more of what you're after, and you want a less expensive way to get there?  

I have found that there are about as many websites pertaining to cruising as you have patience to look through!!  I really like www.cruisecritic.com because they have message boards where you can post a question, and even search through other people's questions and comments to get reviews of the particular cruise line you're considering, certain ships, destinations and excursions.

I think the research and getting ready to go is part of the fun, so have fun with it!!

Answer 3

u could get hit by a massive wave u die very painfully

dont go on...

queen marry 2 they say it is haunted!!!

because the first sank and no 1 lived

Answer 4

Well if you are planning on going in October, I'm here to let you know that the hurricane season doesnt end in the Caribbean until November 30th, generally speaking.  

Besides that...I met my boyfriend 2 1/2 years ago, before that I had never been on a cruise.  I've now been on 2.  We've done the Mexican Riviera and Western Caribbean.  We took Carnival, and they were awesome both times!  We booked through the website, which then assigns you to a carnival agent.  The last cruise we went on, our agent was awesome.  She did everything possible to get everyone that was going the best deal.  Her name was Isabel Bernal if you want to know.  We had my family and his family going, and she did everything possible to make it easy and comfortable (first time families met!). Carnival is probably the most inexpensive out there, but they're awesome!! The food was wonderful, we all had a great time!

If you go to Belize..DO THE CAVE TUBING!!!!  You won't regret it!

Answer 5

We just now booked a cruise and are leaving next week on a carnival cruise, holiday. We got a good deal right here on Yahoo...Go to travel and click on cruises. We also called just to be sure we got it right and its a done deal. They told us no passport is needed. All you need is your birth certificate and valid drivers license. We're also taking our marriage certificate for good measure. Call 1-888-482-0932 and ask all the questions you want. They will tell you exactly what to do and what to expect. You'll also view the cabin you'll get and its all done through e-mail. Very easy.....Its our first time cruise. So we're looking forward to it. hope you enjoy as well.

Answer 6

We booked one cruise through a travel agent and one through the cruise line, both worked out fine.  The cruise line gave us better info then the travel agent, but that could have just been the agent.

Some cruises to the Caribbean stop in Bahamas for the day. From what I know there isn't a cruise to the Bahamas only.

I went on an Eastern Caribbean Cruise aboard Carnivals Valor ship. It was an amazing vacation, no complaints. The first port was Nassau, Bahamas, and the boat also stopped in St Thomas, USVI and St Martin, NA. All beautiful islands. You may have read bad reviews about carnival but I can tell you the Carnival Valor will not disappoint you. Unless you're expecting a really over the top fancy cruise, which Carnival is not.

You do need a passport.

If you are not booking the flights with the cruise line, make sure you have the flight booked first. Once you call the cruise line you have 24 hours before you have to give your credit card number.

Before booking with a travel agent or the cruise line itself, check a few other websites to make sure they aren't making you pay more then you could some place else. Try www.vacationstogo.com.

One last tip, on the cruise they have early and late dinner seating's, 6 and 8. Make sure you tell the cruise line or agent which time you would prefer otherwise they will put you at whatever time and getting it changed can be a real hassle.

Hope that helped you, enjoy your cruise!

Answer 7

Me and my son been on a cruise and nothing ever happened, We loved it, The only thing is sweety watch out for your money, You know i made a little mistake, When you go to a bar, they will present you with a booklet, You sign this little black book, everytime you want a drink, Watch what you sign for, ok, cause when i got home i had a big bill for the drinks and stuff we had on the boat, and another thing, do not bring alot of cash with you, Always stick with your mate, and frind you afre on the cruise with, Because as soon as you are alone, The employees tend to try and basically try something with you, Soo watch ouit for that, otherwise, Have a great trip

Answer 8

If you depart from an US port before 12/31/07, you do NOT need a passport.  Originally, the deadline for requiring a passport for cruise travel was 2007 but there are still too many issues.

Refer to : http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbp... for updates regarding the schedule for implementation of passport requirements for cruise travellers.

We have used both indepdent travel agents and booked directly with the cruise line.  I will say that I recieved more personal attention from the independent travel agent but there was not other benefit from booking either source.  Since you are a first time cruiser, you may want to use the travel agent so you can get more personal attention.

Be aware...all of the "deals" that you see regarding the fees for your cruise usually do not include the port fees and other taxes.  These can easily add up to $100 or more per person.  Be sure to ask you booking agent to quote these fees up front.  You should also plan to tip porters at the port for handling your bags.  Usually $1 per bag.

Don't waste alot of your budget on a "bigger" cabin.  You only change clothes, shower and sleep in there.  

Tipping is not really "optional".  Most cruise lines add these fees to your account the moment you step on board.  The tips are usually $10/per day/per person.  $70 per guest on a 7-day cruise.

Bar drinks are generally $4-12 per drink.  On the Carnival Line, you get a Sign and Sail account.  You can use a cash deposit or put up a credit card.  If you use cash, they will cut you off from charging once you exceed your deposit.  If you use a credit card, you might get sticker shock when you get your bill at the end of the trip.

Bahamas and Carribean are both great.  However, October is still during hurricane season.

Be sure to take any over the counter meds that you need along with twice the percripsion meds you need.  Do your self a favor and get a package or two of Dramamine just in case.  Seasickness is miserable.  Pack half of the percription meds in your carry on luggage (1 piece per person).  There is always lost luggage on every trip.

As for selecting a cruise line, the cruise lines are as different as the guests they cater to.  Carnival is a fun-house, frat party environment.  We take Carnival alot because we like to take big groups (20- and 15-people) and Carnival makes it very affordable.  Royal Carribean is a bit more upscale.   Disney is great for folks with kids.

Take a few of those XXL Ziploc bags for yucky, sandy clothes.  Get a bright colored ties (yarn, plastic marker flags) to hang on the handles of your luggage.  You would be amazed at the number of black rolling luggage you will see upon disembarking the ship.

Don't book your return flight too soon after the posted return time of the ship.  Disembarkation takes a long time plus our last ship returned 2 hours later than posted because we hit a storm on the way back to port.

Don't try to do everything.  You will miss more goings-on on the ship than you will take in.  Each ship has a daily newsletter that tells you what and where events are happening.

Take a good amount of $5 and $10s in USD.  That is the best currency to shop in the local markets.

Your picture will get snapped at every turn.  They run from $10-20 per sheet.

Answer 9

ok,yes you need a passport, take one dollar tip money or otherwise you won't get the service.  100 one dollar bills should cover it. Now also get your twinrex shots to protect you against  hep A & B. Only bottled water and if its not cooked and you can't peel it don't eat it.  that includes all salads as well. And sorry no Ice cubes in the drinks thats a big no no. And stay with a group of people while on shore at all times for your personal safety. Thats all I can think of for now.