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 We have attempted to answer some of the more frequent questions here, to
assist you with your cruise planning and preparations. As is the case with our
entire website, this page is a work in progress. If you are an experienced cruiser
(even just once), what would you have liked to have known before you sailed on your
cruise? If you have never sailed, what kind of questions would you like to see
answered? Our goal is to make sure ALL of our
client's vacations are as stress free as possible. The Cruise Crew is always looking
for good questions to add to his part of our web site. You can
help!! If you can think of any other information we should add to this page, please
send your suggestion to:
askus@2by2cruises.com.
Why should we take a cruise instead of any other vacation?
Though cruising may not be for everyone, we've found very few people
that didn't agree that is the best vacation dollar they had ever spent. There are a
lot of reasons for this. Here are some...
Exploring: Maybe you want to see someplace you've
never seen, try a food you've never tried, or do something else you've never done.
Cruising offers the opportunity to fulfill many, if not all of these desires.
Hassle-free: When you're onboard, virtually
everything is taken care of. There are no hotel reservations to make, many meal
options are available, no theater tickets to buy, no car rentals, etc... Someone is
always available to take care of things for you onboard.
Convenient: Almost anything you need is on the
ship. Many things only a phone call away.
Something for Everyone: With the wide variety of
cruise lines and ships, there's something out there for everyone. Whether you need
planned activities for the kids, like to play in the casino, want to swim with the
stingrays, want to work out in the gym, need a massage or manicure, or just sit in the
shade and watch people; you can find it on a cruise.
Contained Cost: The cost you pay includes your
accommodations, most dining options (including room service), entertainment, and most
shipboard activities.
Less Planning Required: Most of your big decision
are made up front; where to go, when to go, and for how long. On the ship all you
have to do is relax, enjoy the ride, and take advantage of all the great activities
onboard and onshore. And best of all, you never have to look for a rest stop because
someone didn't go at the last one. BACK TO TOP
There are so many cruise choices, how do I choose?
There are several things that will help you decide which cruise is
best for you. You can narrow your choices by looking at how long you can be gone,
and during what days of the week you can sail. Cost is another factor that will help
narrow the fields. Of course you'll also want to look at where you want to go on you
cruise.
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Why does the price change with everyone I talk to?
This one is a little difficult to explain. Basically, the
cruise line tells us how much a cruise costs. Of that figure a certain percentage is
our commission. The variance you see in the prices quoted by different agents is our
giving up a certain amount of our commissions to attract your business. What a lot
of people don't understand is that the cruise lines percentage is not negotiable, and
remains fixed. Any discounts after we receive the rates from the cruise line comes
from our pocket.
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What's included in my price?
With 2 By 2 Cruises, the price we quote you will include your
cruise, port charges, taxes, document (ticket) delivery. If someone quotes you a
lower price, make sure they are including all of these items.
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As far as you cruise rate is concerned; it includes your
cabin, meals (except some specialty restaurants), entertainment, and most ship facilities.
What's not included in my price?
Alcohol, gambling, souvenirs, personal services (hair styling,
manicures, massage therapy, etc....), and sodas on most lines are not included in your
rate.
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Why do I have to pay so much more just because I'm traveling alone?
Normally cruise lines charge for two people in a cabin, even if
there is just one. Why? Because the cruise line sees the empty bed as a loss
of revenue, and therefore charges for it. If you are traveling alone, the normal
cruise rate is 200% of the normal, however, only one port charge/government fee is paid.
Occasionally special single rates are available that reduce this cost somewhat.
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Why do I have to pay full fare for my infant/child?
Basically for the same reason that a person traveling single
pays more for their cabin. By maritime law, the ship can only carry a certain number
of passengers. An infant counts as one of those passengers. Once again,
since the infant counts as a full birth, they are charged accordingly. A handful of
cruise lines do have special rates for children under two, and Disney has variable rates
according to age; however, the vast majority charge the same for children as they do
adults. BACK TO TOP
Why can't I get the reduced "last minute
special" applied to my current booking?
Think of it in terms of a buying your daughter a prom dress
in a department store. You shop and shop, and find just the right dress. You
buy it in advance so someone else doesn't come along and get "your" dress.
Then, just before the actual prom, the same dresses are marked down for clearance.
You will not get the difference refunded to you. Cruise lines work basically
the same way. The "last minute specials" are the cruise line's answer to a
clearance rack. BACK TO TOP
When do I need to book?
With most cruise lines, you can book your cruise as much as
two years in advance. We normally recommend you book nine months to a year in
advance. Keep in mind, the earlier you book, the more likely you are to get the best
rates, and best choices of cabins. We'll continue to watch your rates after you
book, and if we find they drop, we'll have your rates adjusted to the new lower rate.
The cruise lines will allow us to do this until the final payment date. What
about the last minute deals you've heard about? These are bargain rates that appear
after the final payment date of a cruise, should the cruise line feel the need to attract
business to the ship to fill it up. Though sometimes last minute deals can be pretty
attractive, it's very risky to wait. First of all, a ship may sell out completely
prior to that date, or may be so full that the cruise line doesn't reduce the rate.
If last minute deals are posted, its a pot luck situation as to what cabins are left to
choose from. Let's put it this way, you don't want to risk your planned family
vacation, honeymoon, or other special event on a last minute deal. On the other
hand, if you're completely flexible on dates, and don't really care about what cabin you
have, or where it is on the ship, last minute deals may be a good option. BACK TO TOP
Gratuities? How much and to whom?
It is customary to pay gratuities to those who served you on your
cruise. Commonly these people include your cabin steward, waiter, and busboy.
You may also wish to tip your head waiter and maiter'd, especially if they performed a
special service for you while on board. Though some cruise lines, such as Norwegian,
now automatically add gratuities to your on board account daily, most still leave tipping
to the last night of the cruise, with cash for each person being placed in a supplied
envelope. Don't forget to set aside some cash for your gratuities. How
much? For your cabin steward and waiter it is customary to tip $3.50 per day per
person. For your busboy, $2.00 per day per person is the norm. The others are
purely at your discretion. For those cruise lines that do add gratuities
automatically, the amounts can be adjusted by a quick trip to the purser's desk. You
should also know that any purchases from the bars, including sodas, will automatically add
a 15% gratuity, since the bar staff are not tipped otherwise.
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Do I need to purchase trip insurance?
Only if you end up needing it! Actually, we highly recommend
our clients purchase trip insurance. The cost is normally very affordable, and the
peace of mind it brings is priceless. Many clients have had last minute family
emergencies. Those that had insurance suffered no loss. Those that didn't have
insurance, wished they had. Strangely, we hope your insurance purchase is wasted
money. But what if.........?
Can I drive to the port?
All continental U.S. cruise ports have paid parking available at the
docks. This allows those who wish to drive to park near their cruise terminal.
We have
driving directions to each of these ports should
you need them.
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What time can we get on the ship?
Most cruises leave in the late afternoon, though some leave in the
evening. In all cases you must be on board the ship no later than one hour prior to
sailing. However, in most cases, you can board the ship at around noon. When
you board, a welcome aboard meal will be served; usually in the buffet and/or pool areas.
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If I fly, how do I get from the airport to the ship, and back again?
In addition to taxis and other public transportation, each cruise
line sells transfers to the ship from the local major airport, and back. The rates
vary by cruise lines and location. Contact us for a specific rate.
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What happens when I get to the pier?
Once you arrive at the port you'll be greeted by baggage porters who
will take your luggage to the ship's crew for loading on the ship. These folks work
for the port and not the cruise line, and it is customary to tip them (usually about one
dollar per bag). At that point you'll make your way to the check in counter.
There you'll present your proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport, etc....),
your photo ID, cruise documents, etc..... You'll save yourself, and those behind you
in line, a lot of time if you'll have all of your paperwork filled out when you get to the
counter.
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Do I need a passport to cruise?
U.S. citizens traveling on cruises that begin and end in the
same U.S. port must show proof of citizenship (such as an original or certified
copy of a birth certificate) and a government-issued photo ID (such as a
driver’s license). Effective June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens traveling on cruises
that begin and end in different U.S. ports, or begin or end in a foreign port,
must have a passport or other recognized document. For a complete list of
accepted documents, see
www.travel.state.gov. However, we highly recommend traveling with a
passport should emergencies require re-entering the US by air, which requires a
passport. For information on obtaining a passport and updates on these
requirements, visit
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.
Where non-U.S. and non-Canadian citizens are concerned, you will
need a passport, and possibly other documents. Contact your local U.S. Immigration
office for assistance.
Express Passports can be obtained from
http://clia.passportexpress.com/?AffId=11-746475.
Find out how to get your certified copy of you birth certificate at:
www.vitalchek.com.
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OK, I'm on the ship, now what?
First, you'll want to find you cabin, and put away your carry-on
bags. Now is a good time to check by the shore excursion desk, change your dinner
seating, put you cash deposit on your ship charge card (if you didn't secure it with a
credit card at embarkation), and make reservations for any specialty restaurants you want
to visit. Next, make your way up to the welcome aboard luncheon. Next....
whatever YOU want to. It's your cruise. Do as little, or as much as you like.
Are there electrical outlets in my cabin?
Yes, but usually only one in main cabin area, and occasionally one
in the bathroom. You might want to consider taking along an extension cord to expand
the availability. The outlets a two prong, therefore if you have an electrical item
that requires a third grounded prong, you'll need to use an adapter. There are
normally both U.S. and European style plugs in most cabins.
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How do I pay for things on the cruise?
Purchases on board cruise ships are normally paid by a ships
"credit card". These cards can be secured in two ways, by your credit
card, or by a cash deposit. When the cruise is over, the purchases you made with
your ship's card are either applied to the credit card you used to secure the account, or
are deducted from the cash deposit. If you used a cash deposit, and your charges are
less than your deposit, your balance will be refunded. On the other hand, should
your purchases reach the amount of your cash deposit, you'll be asked for additional funds
to cover future purchases. If you use a credit card to secure your ship's card, you
can always pay off the charges with cash before the end of the cruise to keep the charges
from being transferred to your credit card.
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Can I drink the water on the ship?
Yes, the tap water on the ship is perfectly safe to drink.
More than we can say for the water in most of the ports.
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Can I come and go from the ship while we're in port?
Whenever you are in port, once the ship has been cleared by local
authorities, you can come and go as you please. Just be sure to be back on board
before the time instructed by the ship's personnel. The ship WILL sail without you!!
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What can we do while we're in port?
There are a wide variety of activities at each port. Most
cruise lines now offer the availability to purchase shore excursions on line, prior to
your cruise. This saves you from waiting in long lines, and the possibility of your
tour being sold out. Sometimes a shore tour may not be required. There are
times that a cab ride and a small fee will take you to the same places as the tours.
We can help you with that information if you would like.
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Do I have to dress up for dinner?
No! Even on formal nights you can opt to eat in one of the
casual alternatives, such as the cafeteria style buffet, or room service. The level
of dress for dining depends on each cruise line. Whether you like to dress up, or
never want to, this is an area you will want to make us aware of when researching a cruise
for you. Some cruise lines now offer casual dining in at least one main dining room
every night to accommodate those that do not want to dress up.
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Can I tea with my dinner?
We initially were going to put this question on our silly stuff
page, and then realized the question was one many of our clients had. All of the
cruise lines we have sailed on offer complimentary water, tea, coffee, juices, and hot
chocolate. If your waiter does not offer something you want, ask them for it.
If you're concerned as to whether there is a charge for the item (such as sodas on
most cruise lines), ask your waiter if there is such a charge. You won't appear
cheap or stupid. Remember, you're the boss on the cruise, and your wait staff is
there to serve your needs. On most occassions, once we set up getting our tea with
dinner on the first night, we were served it automatically on all subsequent nights.
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What happens when my cruise is over?
The last night of the cruise, you'll be asked to place your luggage
in the hallway by a certain time. Don't forget to take out clothes for the next day,
and to leave a bag of some sort out for your dirty clothes and toiletries. The last
morning the ship will be met by local authorities for the clearing process. Once the
ship is cleared, debarkation takes place, commonly by decks. **Free tip - you don't
have to get off the ship in most cases until at least 10am, so take time to have one last
breakfast before leaving.
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What if I have to cancel?
Each cruise line has it's own cancellation policies. However,
if canceling, the earlier the better. The closer you are to the cruise date, the
higher the penalty. If you cancel more than 77 days before the cruise, most cruise
lines do not penalize you. However, from that point forward, your penalty will range
from your deposit to 100% of you cruise fare. This is why we recommend trip
insurance. Should you have a covered emergency, the trip insurance covers whatever
the cruise line penalizes you. In addition the the penalties from the cruise line,
Abracadabra! charges a $25 per person cancellation fee. Abracadabra will, however,
apply that $25 per person to your next cruise booked through us.
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What else happens when your cruise if over?
The
most important thing of all...... you start planning your next cruise.
Questions or comments, contact us at
condrys@2by2cruises.com,
or call us toll free at 877-500-5568. |
