Cruise FAQ Page 1

That’s entirely up to you. It’s all a matter of how much you want to spend and what’s important to you. Price-wise, you can splurge on a deluxe, five-star luxury cruise or cut some corners with a bargain, weekend getaway. Whatever sailing you decide to take, we at Anytime Vacations offer the best bargains in the industry.

What’s included in the cost of my cruise?

Aha! Here lies the value of cruising. Your accommodations, your meals, your entertainment, port charges, and most onboard activities are all included. Keep in mind the element of transportation. Unlike a hotel or a resort, your ship is moving, taking you from place to place. Unless you enjoy the vacation fun of packing and unpacking, checking-in and checking-out, you’ll never miss that tiresome chore.

What’s not included?

It varies somewhat by cruise line but there are some generalities we’ll mention here. Typically, those items and services that are of a personal nature cost extra. Most alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, beauty salon services, shore excursions, shipboard gift and sundries purchases, Internet usage, long distance phone calls, tips, casino gaming, and your transportation to and from your cruise are extra cost. Knowing what’s included and what’s not included allows you to budget your vacation spending more closely…yet another advantage of a cruise vacation.

Cruising Pros and Cons

OK. So what’s so great about cruising?

In a word: VALUE. When pricing a cruise vacation versus a land-based holiday, consider that transportation, hotel, meals, entertainment, and most activities are included. Even an all-inclusive land resort package can’t top that (it doesn’t go anywhere).

I don’t have a thing to wear. How can I go on a cruise?

The days of mandatory black-tie dinners aboard most cruise ships are over. Your normal everyday clothes is all you'll need, other than a swim suit.

Isn’t my time at each port limited?

Of course it is. But don’t forget that your time in port is just that: your time. There’s no need to spend time waiting for luggage at the airport baggage carousel, finding a taxi to your hotel, waiting in line to check-in, unpacking your bags, then go searching for a place to eat before you begin to relax. On a cruise, you arrive relaxed, step off the ship (which is almost always within walking distance of town or a short shuttle away — unlike the airport), tour the sights, and step back onboard at the end of the day.

At Anytime Vacations we can pre-arrange your time at port with shore excursion packages. We can even rent snorkel gear and other items for you in advance. Normally at a substantial cost saving from doing it when you arrive.

So, what are the disadvantages of a cruise vacation?

We at Anytime Vacations are unaware of any disadvantages of Cruising Vacations.

When to Cruise

When’s the best time to go on a cruise?

That depends on where you want to go. If you’re looking for a January cruise to Alaska look under the category “impossible.” There aren’t any. The cruise season for Alaska extends from late spring through late summer. Europe is popular from spring into the fall, and the Caribbean is popular all year long. Elsewhere, there are variable seasons. (South America, the South Pacific, Africa, and Australia/New Zealand are most popular during our winter season, and Asia and the Far East tend towards the fall and spring.)

When are the deals?

In general, the best-value months are usually from September to Thanksgiving when school’s back in session and everyone’s saving up vacation days (and money) for the holidays. There’re often some savings to be had in early January (the post-holiday lull). For Alaska, the early and late season months of May, early June, and September offer the biggest savings.

Hurricanes! How can I avoid them?

You don’t have to — the cruise lines will. Ships themselves are equipped like weather stations these days and are in constant touch with storm tracking experts. These large ships can easily detour around the storms. Technically, however, the hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 31st though most storms occur from late August through October. Don’t avoid the Caribbean for this reason alone. First, it’s extremely unlikely a hurricane will have any serious affect on your cruise vacation. Second, September and October are generally “off season” for travel and you can get some terrific cruise savings.

Making the Cruise Booking

How early should I book?

Book as soon as your plans allow. Cruise lines generally finalize their ship itineraries from 12 to 18 months before sailing date and the sooner you book, the more likely we can confirm your first choice. A number of cruise lines offer early booking discounts to encourage early bookings. And once full payment has been received, your cruise price is guaranteed against any price increases that may occur.

If I wait to book, won’t I get a better “last-minute deal.”

Of course you might. Or you may not. Our experience has shown us that by the time you here about a last minute great deal it is often already taken. When you can get them you can save some money but your choices may be limited. If you have certain dates when you must take your vacation don't depend on a last minute deal. If you time is flexible you have a 50-50 chance of saving money. In our opinion, BOOK EARLY.

Aren’t there all sorts of special rates available?

You bet there are — lots of them. Anytime Vacations will search for the best discounts possible, and if you qualify, the savings are all yours. Discounts are often available for early bookings, groups, honeymooners, families, seniors, frequent cruisers, and military personnel. Of course, these discounts aren’t available on all cruise lines, on all ships, or at all times.

What’s this I hear about “theme cruises?”

A number of cruise lines add an interesting twist to specific cruises by offering certain onboard “themes.” Sports, Jazz, History, Chocolate, Broadway, Gardening, Cooking, Fitness, Hollywood… all are frequent themes among the various lines. Onboard events such as lecturers, demonstrations, movies, videos, performances, book signings, competitions, and seminars are typical features on theme cruises. Of course these are just the themes, there are hundreds of other things to do onboard.

Do I have to make my own travel arrangements to get to the ship?

No. All major cruise lines offer air programs that provide you with air transportation from a variety of North American gateway cities to the ship, and return. These programs are optional and extra cost, but they certainly add convenience to your cruise booking. Most of these programs also include complimentary airport/pier transfers.

At Anytime Vacations we often look at independent airline arrangements and if we feel the savings out weighs the cost of convenience we will offer you both prices and let you make the decision.

When do I get my airline tickets?

If you decide to take advantage of the cruise line’s air arrangement package, your airline tickets will arrive with your final cruise documents, generally 2-3 weeks before your cruise.

Can I buy pre- or post-cruise hotel packages?

Yes. Anytime Vacations has the complete list of all hotels with detailed information of amenities and features. Most cruise lines offer one or two-night (or more) hotel packages, usually in the port of cruise embarkation or debarkation. These packages allow you to see the sights of those cities and stretch your cruise vacation experience. Most cruise lines also offer one-night pre-cruise hotel packages in the port of embarkation. It’s the best way to allow an extra cushion of time before your cruise departure date.

How do I pay for my cruise?

Most travelers prefer to pay by credit card and we accept all major credit cards. You can also pay by Money Order, Certified Check, and final payments can be made by personal check when sent in advance.

What if I want to cancel my cruise. Do I have to pay a cancellation fee?

That depends on two things: When you want to cancel and if you purchased trip cancellation insurance. If you’ve missed your cruise departure due to inclement weather and you’ve purchased trip cancellation insurance, generally you will receive either a full refund or credit towards future cruise travel. If you wake up on the day of your cruise and just decide not to travel you will likely not receive a full (or even partial) refund. Even with cancellation insurance many of the airlines have a non-refundable amount in the normal range of $50 - $200. We can give you the exact details when you select your cruise package.

Documentation

What kind of documents are there?

First, there are travel documents, which you need to identify yourself as citizen of a specific country. The most common is the passport. Second, you might need a visa, allowing you to enter a specific country. And third, you’ll need cruise documents allowing you to board the ship. All of them are important and all are difficult to replace if lost or stolen. You should always have a safe place to store them at home and also during your travel. It’s always a good idea to make photocopies of all your documents before you leave for the cruise and carry them with you — don’t pack them in your checked luggage.

I am an American Citizen. What official travel documents do I need to bring?

For most out of the country destinations you will need a valid passport, which you can apply for at your local post office or passport office. It takes up to 3 weeks to process your request, so don’t make it a last minute thing. If you lose your travel documents (Passport, Alien Registration Card, etc.) you’ve got to have them replaced prior to travel. Call the appropriate office immediately so that they can be replaced as soon as possible. Expect to pay some substantial fees for express service.

If ports on your cruise are located in Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean, you can also travel with your original birth certificate or a notarized copy and (in addition) an official picture ID such as a driver’s license. However, we encourage everybody to obtain a passport before traveling anywhere out of the country, because it has proven to be safest, most authoritative travel document to have. After you’ve traveled out of the country once, no doubt you’ll be traveling again and again. Since most foreign countries require a passport anyway, they’re handy documents to have. Passports are valid for 10 years and are easy to renew.

What is a visa and do I need to get one, too?

A visa is an endorsement in the passport showing that the person has been granted official entry into or passage through a country. Not all countries require this and it is dependent on the citizenship you are carrying whether you need one or not. Depending on your cruise itinerary, visas may be required in certain ports of call. We can give you the information on any visa you might need. Make sure that you follow the instructions because you may not be allowed to board the ship without the proper papers.

What if I’m not a US citizen?

If you’re residing in the United States but you’re not a citizen, be sure you bring your Alien Registration Card as well as a valid passport with any required visas and photo IDs. You might need additional visas to your trip. Please check with your consulate or the consulates of the countries you are traveling to. You may not be allowed to board the ship without the proper documents.

What special documentation is required if I’m traveling with children?

If you are a single parent traveling with children, you should bring a notarized statement from the other parent allowing you to travel outside of the country with the child. If the other parent is deceased, you will need to bring a copy of the death certificate.

With most cruise lines, children traveling with neither parent cannot travel unless in possession of a notarized letter of consent signed by both parents or legal guardian.

Additionally, for children 16 or over, you’ll need to be sure they’re in possession of their own passport with necessary visas.

I’m going on an Alaska cruise. Why do I need to bring travel documents?

Look at that itinerary again. Chances are, you’re either leaving from, stopping in, or ending up in Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA. Even for a flight within United States you need to carry a picture ID.

What cruise documents will I receive?

Cruise lines’ documentation vary somewhat but most include a passage ticket, a shore excursion guide booklet, a question and answer booklet, tags for your checked and carry-on bags, and additional documents depending on pre- or post-cruise airport transfers or hotel packages you may have purchased.

Cruise documents are generally mailed to you by the cruise line about 3 weeks prior to your cruise departure date.

What’s this I hear about Customs Taxes?

Every item imported into the United States has to be paid an import tax. For instance, if you traveling with an expensive foreign camera you need proof that this was paid and if you can’t, you have to pay a tax at custom. Any good sold within the US has already had the tax paid. So to avoid having to pay customs tax on foreign-made items purchased in the U.S. but taken out of the country, do one of three things. Either bring the original receipt for that item with you on your cruise so you can prove you did not purchase it on this trip, pre-register the item with U.S. Customs before your departure, or leave the item at home. Remember, this applies only to foreign-made items such as cameras, expensive jewelry, video cameras, radios and other electronic equipment — and especially if it is new or appears new. Customs will issue a certificate of ownership so you can avoid duty and taxes upon your return home.

For all more details, write to the Department of the Treasury, U.S. Customs Service, Washington, D.C. 20229 for a copy of "Know Before You Go.” Or, check their website at www.customs.ustreas.gov. Canadian residents can write to the Customs Office at 333 Donsmuir Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5R4 for a copy of "I Declare" or you may contact your local Customs Office..

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