ALL-INCLUSIVE CRUISE FAQ

Will cruising be affordable and a good vacation value?

Yes! The fact is that all-inclusive cruise vacations are a great value for the money.  There are all-inclusive cruise holidays that will suit every budget, from the cost-conscious to the more luxurious. More important, a all-inclusive cruise vacation offers some of the best travel value for your money. Your cruise fare includes all meals, your cabin, onboard daytime activities, night time entertainment. With cruising, you know what the fixed costs are and the only other expense is what you decide to buy or purchase on your own.

OK, what is "Free-style Cruising"?

This is one of the latest innovations in all-inclusive cruise vacations.  The term Freestyle Cruising gives you freedom of choice. Whether you're dining, exercising or relaxing, you now have greater flexibility to do what you do when you want to do it.

Well then, what is "Free-style Dining"?

This means that most ships will have the traditional dining and some of the cruise lines will offer "Free-style Dining." This means that you no longer have to arrive at a fixed time in the dining room. Instead, the choice of when and where you wish to dine is up to you.  In some cases, Freestyle Dining gives you dining options with more restaurants and a greater variety of menus than ever before.

How long do all-inclusive cruise last for?

You can sail for a couple days or you can take a world cruise that will usually last over 100 days.  The average cruise trip would be in the 5 to 8 day range with 7 being the most popular in many destinations.  Weekend cruises are very popular on the coasts and people jump at the chance to get away for a long weekend. 

If I take a cruise, where can I go?

The world is your oyster. Where do you want to go? Cruises visit practically any destination accessible by water, from Alaska to Bermuda, from Caribbean to Asia, Northern Europe and the Baltic to the Eastern Mediterranean.  You think it, you can cruise it!

OK, I'm ready, how do I book a cruise?

Well, start by filling in the cruise quick quote on this page and we will get back with you very quickly to help you plan your special cruise holiday.  Our cruise specialists are trained to save you both time and money.  Most agents have been on the cruise ships and seen the destinations so they will be able to find the perfect cruise ship and destination for you.

Will the ships and cruises all be similar?

NO.  You have large Mega-liners that can hold over 3,000 passengers and then you have some of the small luxury six-star brands that only hold a few hundred passengers.  The smaller yacht like cruise ships will only hold under 200 people and go where many cannot. 

Can I book and save money on short notice?

Sometimes.  Most of the savvy travelers know to book out as far as possible to get the best cabin assignments and then if the rates go down later, the cruise lines will usually protect the price.  This is not guaranteed though.  Some do and some don't. 

Will I need a passport?

YES.  It is best to have a passport and get it now.

New Requirements for Travelers

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States.

In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

December 31, 2006 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
December 31, 2007 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.

This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports.

This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States.

Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.

If you do not have a passport, start today and apply.  You can download an application at Travel.State.Gov and the post office takes applications in person.  Be wise and beat the crowd and apply today!