Your Guide to Cruising

Booking Your Cruise

• 1. How do I know which cabin to book?

  All passenger cabins are located above sea level* and are classified as one of four categories:

  • Inside cabins are generally the smallest cabins onboard and have no views, but are a good option if you are on a tight budget.
  • Oceanview cabins include windows or portholes and provide a view of ports visited.
  • Balcony cabins feature an ocean-facing balcony that offers a space to relax that is all your own.
  • Suites are the largest cabins on board. They have windows and usually balconies, and offer the most amenities and space, often including exclusive butler or concierge service, and other special amenities.

• 2. What is a Guaranteed Cabin?

  Booking a Guaranteed Cabin quickly and easily secures a cabin in your selected category, but your exact room will not be assigned until the time of ship check-in. (Final cabin location, including deck, is at the total discretion of the cruise line.)

  Booking a Guaranteed Cabin, in many instances, means a greater chance of receiving a complimentary upgrade to a higher cabin category close to sail date.

Changing or Cancelling Your Cruise

• 1. What if I need to cancel my cruise?

  Most cruise lines allow you to cancel your cruise without a fee when done at least 91 days before departure. However, giving shorter notice will likely result in extra fees. Cruise cancellation fees increase the closer to the departure date that a cancellation is made. Consult the cruise line's rules and regulations during booking for their specific cancellation fees and policies. You may also want to consider Cruise Travel Protection, specific travel insurances which can reimburse you for cancellation penalties in case of medical emergencies.

• 2. Should I purchase fully comprehensive travel insurance?

  Whether or not to purchase comprehensive travel insurance is an individual decision. However, it is highly recommended in case illness or injury keeps you from traveling. If you need to cancel your trip because you, your immediate family, or your travel companion is too sick to travel, you will be reimbursed for your original trip cost. Some cruise insurers can also help you find a doctor or hospital in case of medical emergencies and can reimburse you for eligible medical expenses.

  If you purchase comprehensive travel insurance and must cancel your cruise for a covered reason, you will be reimbursed for the cancellation penalty. The cost of the plan is non-refundable. Please be sure to read the summary of coverage for terms, conditions and plan sponsors.

  Some Adventure Cruise operator’s require the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance as a requirement before boarding. Please check with your cruise consultant.

• 3. Can I add a passenger to my cruise ship cabin at a later date?

  You may be able to add another passenger, depending on the cabin's passenger capacity and the point at which you decide to add the passenger; however, there is no guarantee that an extra person can be added, or that the price will stay the same. If you would like to add another passenger, please call your Expedia Cruise Specialist.

• 4. Can I change the spelling of a passenger's name/details after I book the cruise?

  Cruise lines may not let you change a passenger's name, or sometimes even that name's spelling, after you complete your reservation, without charging a fee. Changes like these can be costly, so please be absolutely certain that all passengers' names/details (i.e. date-of-birth, nationality etc.) are listed exactly as they appear on their proof of citizenship (passports or government-issued photo IDs and birth certificates). Particular attention needs to be paid by honeymooners who may wish to travel on their new married name but still only have a passport in their previous family name.

Payment/Receipt

• 1. Can I make a cruise deposit and pay the rest later?

  If your cruise departs more than 100 days in the future, you can usually choose to book with only a deposit. If you choose to make a deposit, your confirmation email will provide your final payment due date.

• 2. When is my final payment due?

  After you book your cruise, you will receive a confirmation email that will let you know when your final payment is due and how to pay. You may also call a Cruise Specialist to make your final payment. Keep in mind that if you are not paid in full by the final due date, the cruise line can cancel your reservation and will not refund you for any payments you've already made.

• 3. My payment card wasn't accepted when I tried to book my cruise. Why?

  If your payment card is not accepted, verify that you entered the card number, expiration date, and billing address correctly. If you are still having trouble, call your credit card company to make sure you haven't exceeded any daily credit limits. If your card is still not accepted, please call a Cruise Specialist for assistance.

Registration and Documents

• 1. How do I register for my cruise?

  After booking, you will receive a confirmation email from Expedia. If you only made a deposit while booking, the confirmation email will provide the final payment due date. Once you receive your confirmation, be sure to register online with the cruise line to view your itinerary, book shore excursions, and complete important paperwork that will speed up the embarkation process. You will receive your cruise documents and information (usually in email form) from Expedia prior to your sail date.

  If you have booked a last-minute cruise, we recommend that you call a Cruise Specialist for specific details.

• 2. How far in advance can I book a cruise?

  With Expedia, you can book a cruise up to 24 months in advance. By booking this early, you can find great cruise deals and get the cabin and sailing date of your choice.

Life Onboard

• 1. What should I pack?

  • Documents: Be sure to pack your passport and travel documents.
  • Electronics: For items requiring electrical-outlet usage, such as hair dryers or mobile phone chargers, note that some ships/cabins are equipped with US standard 110-volt outlets only, while other ships/cabins are equipped with European standard 220-volt outlets. Many Australian based ships will be equipped with Australian standard 240-volt outlets. We recommend you bring a multi-adapter.
  • Everyday Clothing: Pack with both your destination's climate and the cruise ship's dress code in mind. For Alaska, bring protective rain coverings. For the Caribbean or Pacific Islands, bring plenty of light, airy clothing and sunscreen.
  • Formal Clothing: If your ship has formal nights, men should bring a dark suit or tuxedo, and women should bring cocktail attire. If you don't own these items, that's still OK; most ships have casual dining venues, and some ships also have formal wear rental shops.
  • Forbidden Items: The following items are not permitted on board: firearms, weapons of any kind, irons, candles, explosives and animals (except service animals with permission from the cruise line).

• 2. How much should I tip? What are pre-paid gratuities?

  Many ships recommend tipping (gratuities) around $10 to $15 per person, per day, and many cruise lines automatically include the amount in the fare when booking. Other cruise lines automatically charge tips to your shipboard account (guests have the option to adjust this charge at the front desk). You may also have the option to pay cash directly to the staff member. Check with your cruise specialist for details on your cruise’s tipping/gratuity options.

• 3. How can I communicate with family and friends while I'm at sea?

  • Internet: Most ships have internet access (for a fee), including internet cafés, access from your cabin, or ship-wide wireless (wi-fi). Remember, internet access at sea is not going to be as fast or reliable as land connections, and therefore may not be available at all times. For a faster connection, use the internet at night or in port when other guests are ashore. For more details, check out the ship features on your cruise line's website.
  • Telephone: Most cabins offer telephones. If your cabin does not have a telephone (which is rare), the ship's radio operator can connect you to a mainland number in case of an emergency. Please keep in mind that making a ship-to-shore telephone call can be quite expensive, and it may be worth waiting to use a pay phone at the next port stop.
  • Mobile Devices: Some cruise lines offer onboard service, but reception may depend on your phone carrier. Watch out for expensive additional roaming or usage fees your mobile phone provider may issue. To be safe, keep your mobile phone off, or on airplane mode, to prevent charges from incoming text messages or roaming.

  To check email or use social media, your best bet is to pay for access to the ship's computer stations. Another option is to find a free wi-fi location ashore, and download all your emails at no charge.

• 4. Is laundry available on board?

  Laundry and dry-cleaning services are offered by most major cruise lines. Information about the service fees and procedures can be found in your cabin. Some ships even have self-service laundromats.

• 5. What is the smoking policy?

  Smoking is usually allowed in limited designated areas, but not in most of the cabins, including your balcony, in the main dining rooms, or in most public areas. Cruise lines are strict about this policy and there can be cleaning fees or other penalties if you violate this. Consult the cruise line's general conditions, rules, and regulations for additional details about the cruise line's specific smoking policies.

• 6. What is the drinking age on board?

  Most cruise ships maintain a minimum drinking age of 21, however, a few may lower the drinking age to 18 when sailing from non-US ports.

• 7. How do I book shore excursions?

  While doing your online registration with the cruise line, they will provide you with information about shore excursions (including photos, video clips, excursion difficulty, duration and cost).

  If the cruise line does not allow you to book an excursion online ahead of time, or if you choose not to, you can book on board at the ship's shore excursion desk. Book early for the best selection, as some excursions sell out quickly.

  Why not begin or end your trip with an excursion? Check our Activities page for some great options.

• 8. What is the embarkation and disembarkation process?

  Embarkation begins when you start to board the ship. You can usually board the ship 3 to 4 hours before departure.

  All passengers must be on board at least 60 to 90 minutes prior to departure. Check the individual cruise line's policies for final boarding times.

  Check in at the pier with your proof of citizenship (passport or government-issued photo ID and birth certificate). Some itineraries may include countries requiring travel visas. Check the individual cruise line's policies for required documentation. At this time, you'll also set up your onboard account for services and items purchased on board.

  Upon boarding, you'll be able to have a snack or a full lunch, explore the ship, or simply spend time in your cabin. Due to security reasons, passengers may not bring visitors on board.

  On the final night of the cruise, you'll have the option of placing your luggage outside your cabin door. If you don't set your luggage out, you'll be required to take it off the ship yourself. If you do leave your luggage out, be sure to keep any necessities in a carry-on bag, as your luggage will not be accessible until after you depart the ship.

  If you want breakfast, you'll generally need to get up extra early. Passengers depart in groups. Your group information, along with any necessary customs forms, will be left in your cabin the night before you disembark. You'll be required to pass through customs as you depart the ship.

  Disembarkation can take 2 to 3 hours. Please allow plenty of time to disembark the ship, go through customs, and get to the airport in time for check-in. We suggest you schedule your return flight to depart a minimum of 6 hours after you're scheduled to arrive in port.