General Questions

General Questions

 

 

Q: Is Cruising affordable and a good vacation value?

A: Cruising is the best vacation value! There are cruise vacations to suit every budget. Your cruise fare includes your accommodations, on board activates and entertainment, most meals, plus transportation from port to port (if you purchase air/sea package). You will know what your vacation will cost you before you go. Typically, your only extra expenses will be drinks, specialty restaurants, optional shore excursions and personal services such as massage, hairstyling and internet.

 

 

Q: How long are cruises? Will that be too long or too short?

A: As long or short as you want. Most of the cruise lines offer itineraries from 2 days up to 100+ days.

 

 

Q: Where can I go?

A: Wherever you want! Cruises visit over 500 ports around the world and practically every destination accessible by water. You can embark on your cruise vacation from a wide variety of over 30 North American ports close to home or exciting and exotic locations around the globe. You name it, you got it.

 

 

Q: How do I book a cruise?

A: You can book your next exciting cruise vacation with Best Holiday Cruises, you best online cruise agency. We have all the information you need to help you pick the cruise that fits your vacation schedule, tastes and budget. Best Holiday Cruises will make all the arrangements to get you from your doorstep to your ship and back. Plus, our agency have CLIA certified Cruise Counselors to serve you. These cruise specialists have completed an extensive program of training, including sailing on and inspecting a number of cruise ships. You can feel confident that a recommendation from a CLIA Cruise Counselor or Luxury Cruise Specialist is based on personal knowledge and experience. 

 

 

Q: Are all ships fairly similar? What ship should I choose?

A: Far from it. Most of the cruise lines' ships range from intimate and yacht-like to vessels stretching longer than 3 football fields. You can sail with fewer than 100 fellow guests or with more than 5,000.

 

Enjoy atmospheres ranging from casual to formal, contemporary to classic. Enjoy the endless activities offered on a contemporary resort-style cruise, or immerse yourself in the culture of a destination on a special interest cruise.

 

 

Q: Are there different types of cruises?

A: There are cruises designed to suit virtually every interest and personal preference.

 

The choices include: boutique, luxury cruises with globetrotting itineraries; large, contemporary ships with a fantastic array of recreational facilities; classic vessels evoking the time-honored traditions of cruising; special interest or exploration cruises specializing in unique destinations with an accent on cultural enrichment; river voyages into the heart of a destination.

 

There are cruise lines that feature soft adventure expeditions to such unique frontiers as Antarctica, the Amazon Rain Forest or the African Serengeti. Or, discover historical legacies closer to home with enlightening itineraries to New England, French Canada, Colonial America, and America's Rivers.

 

For experienced travelers, destination-focused cruises specialize in culturally-rich ports of call with itineraries dedicated to illuminating such historic, world-class treasures as the antiquities of classical Greece, the Polynesian paradise of Hawaii, the fabled splendor of Norwegian fjords or the castles and museums of Europe's rivers.

 

For many, the perfect vacation includes the non-stop fun and sun of a tropical resort-style cruise to the Caribbean, where you can sample a variety of island cultures and cruises while relaxing your care away. Plus, many cruise lines create special "themes" on board, with entertainment ranging from jazz festivals and classical music concerts to golf clinics and murder mysteries at sea!

 

 

Q: What's an air/sea cruises? How can we take advantage of the package?

A: A fly/cruise or an air/sea vacation package includes, along with your cruise fare, free or reduced-cost airfare to and from the ship's port of embarkation. These convenient money-saving options are available from most major North American cities and include ground transfers between the airport and ship as well as baggage handling.

 

 

Q: Do I need a passport for travel?

A: Best Holiday Cruises recommends a passport on all cruises. While the U.S. Government may not require a Passport for Sea travel on certain "closed loop cruises' originating in the U.S. and for travel only within the Western Hemisphere, other specified documentation is required. For specific U.S. governmental Passport and Visa regulations, please visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

 

Be sure to check the passport/visa requirement apply to your cruise vacation. Best Holiday Cruises strongly recommends that all travelers apply for or renew their passport as soon as possible if less than 6 months validity, as most of the countries require at least 6 months validity passport in order to enter the country. Government regulations are continually being modified and it is best to be prepared. Beside, as passport grants you unlimited cruise vacation options around the world.

 

 

Q: What can I do in port?

A: So much that you will have a hard time choosing! You can explore on your own or take a guided tour (referred to as shore excursions). Search ancient ruins or hunt for shopping bargains. Ride a raft over river rapids or a horse across miles of hills and beaches. Climb a waterfall or pyramid. Follow the footsteps of history or the wake of a waterskiing boat. If there is still time, play golf or tennis. Learn how to windsurf. Sun and swim at some of the world's best beaches. Catch a record marlin. Sail, snorkel or scuba dive. Take a cable car to the top of a mountain. Explore dark catacombs.

 

In Short, cruising is the perfect way to sample a number of new destinations and try all the things you have ever dreamed of doing, while never having to pack and unpack!

 

 

Q: What Should I pack?

A: Pack like you would for any resort. Cruise vacation s are casual by day, whether you are on the ship or ashore. In the evening, ships vary as to dress. As on shore, attire is dictated by occasion. At the Captain's Gala, for example. you will probably want to wear something more formal, such as a dark suit, or cocktail dress; perhaps even a dinner jacket or gown.

 

 

Q: Can I use my hair dryer or shaver?

A: Most ships have 110-volt outlets in the staterooms buy do check with your Best Holiday Cruises agent to be sure. Most ships feature hair dryers in your stateroom.

 

 

Q: I am a not a smoker. Are there non-smoking areas?

A: Virtually all dining rooms are smoke free as are designated areas in other public rooms onboard the ship. Check with our Best Holiday Cruises Vacation Specialist regarding the individual cruise line's policies.

 

 

Q: I would love to keep in touch with my family relatives or contact my business partners. Can we stay in touch with the outside world?

A: Maybe too easily! Most staterooms are equipped with televisions and have satellite or cellular telephones. You can even use your own cell phone on some ships, where cellular service is available. Many cruise ships are now Wi-Fi enabled, so you can check your e-mail on your laptop or mobile device in your stateroom or go to the on board computer cafe for Internet access. You can also call someone on shore through the ship's radio officer while at sea. In addition, most ships have a daily newsletter with news, headlines, selected stock quotes and sports scores. Internet service is subject to charge.

 

 

Q: What about tipping? How and how much we pay?

A: Tipping is a matter of individual preference. A general rule of thumb is $3.50 - $5.00 per person per day for your cabin steward and dining room waiter and about ha;f that for the dining room assistant. Other shipboard personnel can be tipped for special services or at your discretion. Most of the cruise lines include an automatic gratuity charge in to  your shipboard account. For more information, you can visit our cruise line description page for details or check with one of your Best Holiday Cruises Vacation Specialist for detail.

 

 

Q: Do cruise line accept group bookings?

A: Most lines welcome groups - often at specia; rates, depending on how large the group. Policies vary from company to company and sometimes seasonally. Consult with you Best Holiday Cruises Vacation Specialist for details.

 

 

Q: Can I extend my cruise vacation?

A: Cruise line feature special pre-or post-hotel packages that allow you to extend your vacation in either you port of embarkation or debarkation. You can have more information during your booking process, or contact our Cruises Vacation Specialist for details.

 

 

Q: I am fairly afraid of motion discomfort. Is it a problem?

A: Rarely. Popular cruise itineraries ply some of the calmest waters in the world. In addition, stabilizers on modern ships, availability of advance weather information, and development of effective preventative medications have, for the most part, eliminated the incidence of motion discomfort.

 

 

Q: How can I stay healthy on board?

A: Follow your mom's advice and wash your hands! Cruise ships work very closely with public health agencies such as the CDC to make sure they provide the healthiest shipboard environment for guests. The last thing you want is to be ill while you are on vacation, so take the simple precaution of washing your hands often with soap and warm water thoroughly. Wash your hands after using the restroom, before eating and avoid touching your face.

 

 

Q: You have mention so much good things about cruising. It sounds too good to be true! Is it?

A: The one complaint we hear time and again is that cruises end far too soon! Beyond that, it's hard to find any negatives. All you have to do is relax and enjoy your cruise vacation. Most importantly, every crew and staff member on board is dedicated to making your cruise the best vacation of your life, until you top it with your next cruise!)

 

 

Q: Who should I see if I have question that have not been answered?

A: Ask our Cruises Vacation Specialist! Our Cruises Vacation Specialist are knowledgeable about all the options available for your cruise experience. In fact, you will find that most have on the cruises they recommend, so they can advise you from personal experience.