Cruise holidays often raise a lot of questions - it's difficult not to want to find out more and more when you start digging. We've tried to cover as much as possible in our guides on the website, and we've laid out below some of the most common questions we receive. However if there are questions we've not covered, just give our team a call.
Many of our partners do offer regional flights from the UK to connect with their cruises, but every cruise line is different so it will depend on who you cruise with and your chosen itinerary. However we can often put together a package that is convenient for you. Just give us a call for more details.
Transfers to and from the port of embarkation/disembarkation are usually provided by the cruise operator when you buy one of their packages. Where they are not included we will notify you at time of enquiry/booking, and we´ll help you find an option that´s suitable.
Disabled cabins are provided on the majority of the major cruise lines´ ships. All are subject to availability and naturally some ships cater better for our disabled passengers than others. Our Cruise Concierge team is here to help with any questions in this area, and to help you find the most appropriate and comfortable ship.
Yes, as long as you have your booking reference we can discuss the booking with you. However amendments can only be made by the lead passenger, credit card or debit card holder.
We extend our sincere condolences to anyone facing such a difficult situation and want to assure you that we're here to help with the changes needed to your booking.
As the lead passenger, if you need to inform us about the passing of a member of your travel party, please contact our customer support team, you can find our opening hours here. We will help you arrange any changes needed to your booking and travel plans and contact any cruise lines and/or air lines as needed. At this point, we will need to know whether you intend to proceed with your cruise holiday, whether you wish to cancel or if other guests on your booking no longer wish to travel.
Please be aware that the cancellation terms detailed in your contract remain applicable in all situations. Any exemptions from cancellation charges are at the discretion of the cruise line and in some cases may be offered as a gesture of goodwill only. Hence, we strongly advise our customers to consider purchasing travel insurance to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances that could result in the need to cancel or move their holiday.
In the unfortunate event that the lead passenger passes away or becomes incapacitated, the holiday can only be cancelled upon us receiving proof of death (such as a death certificate) or medical documentation confirming their condition. Once again, cancellation terms will apply. If a refund is due, it will be issued to the original method of payment. If that's not feasible, we may need to carry out additional verification to process payment to an alternative account.
Should you need to cancel your holiday, please contact us as soon as you are able. Cancellation charges are dependent on the cruise line your booking is with, and how close to departure you are. See cruise line brochures for all charges.
You will receive a Cruise118.com confirmation email within 24 hours and you will receive an invoice from your cruise line within 21 days of booking.
You will receive your tickets at least 7 days prior to your departure date. Your tickets will be emailed to you unless otherwise requested. A charge may apply for tickets sent in the post.
You´ll need vaccinations to visit some destinations. Speak to your doctor at least 2 months before you´re due to go away. Some tretments, for malaria for example, should begin well before you go. If you´re booking within 3 weeks of your departure, speak to your doctor before you book. For more information on vaccination/health requirements, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Your Concierge will confirm your luggage allowance to you at the time of booking. Cruise118.com will book a minimum of 20kg. For internal flights within the USA, luggage allowance may not be booked and will be an additional charge however you will have been informed of this at the time of booking. For further information, please visit the relevant airline’s website.
The USA has a visa waiver programme, which lets British tourists visit for up to 90 days without a visa. You must get an authorisation from ESTA – the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation – before you travel, otherwise you’ll be refused entry. You can register through the ESTA website, applications currently cost $14 and are subject to change. The USA also has specific passport requirements, so it’s a good idea to check that your passport will be accepted. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation for your holiday and you’ll need to ensure you allow enough time for your visa application to be processed. Please click here for up to date information www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-checklist
Please ensure that you notify us at the time of booking of any special requirements. You’ll need to complete a form from the cruise line, so please ensure you provide us will all of the information you can to help us to help you.
The UK has left the EU, which could have an effect on how we travel in Europe. If you are concerned about the outcome of future travel, please read our helpful guide on how Brexit might affect your cruising holiday.
https://www.cruise118.com/advice/brexit-how-will-it-affect-my-cruising-holiday/
Dining times on cruise lines vary with early, late and freestyle dining amongst the options available. To find out about your particular cruise line, please login to your cruise line personaliser found here
Formal evenings vary per cruise line. Typically there are 2 to 3 per week but some cruise lines are informal throughout. To find out about your particular cruise line please login to your cruise line personaliser found here
Many cruise lines now give customers the option to prepay for their gratuities. This can be done via your cruise line personaliser found here. Alternatively they will be automatically be added to your on-board account. Should you wish to remove gratuities, please speak to Guest Services whilst you are on-board.
Children´s facilities including kids clubs & babysitting services are available on some ships. Each cruise line has age restrictions, please ask your Cruise Concierge or refer to the cruise line brochure.
The majority of cruise lines encourage you to check in on line before departure. This improves your experience on embarkation day and can be done via your cruise line personaliser found here.
Most ships have four types of stateroom; suites, balcony staterooms, outside-view staterooms and interior (no view) staterooms. Sizes of stateroom vary from 60 square feet to over 5000 sq ft, but industry experts suggest a 180 sq ft cabin as a minimum. As a rule of thumb, the higher the deck, the better the service (and the higher the price). Inter-connecting cabins, ideal for families or friends travelling together, are available on some ships. Facilities vary by ship but typically include showers (baths in larger cabins), multi-channel TV, telephone and twin beds which can be converted into a double bed.
Luxury cruising is the purview of cruise lines such as Silversea, Seabourn and Crystal. On a luxury cruise you´ll experience attentive and unobtrusive service (with crew to passenger ratios of less than 1:2, and in some cases butler service), gourmet cuisine, connoisseur wines served by trained sommeliers, private verandas off your suite, the finest quality bed linens and branded toiletries, pampering spas and beauty salons, the services of a personal shopper all in the highest quality and spacious surroundings. Characteristically luxury means a small or boutique scale ship which, in turn, means access (and more direct access) to more destinations too.
Perhaps the ultimate cruise holiday, or even the ultimate holiday full stop, a world cruise can take you to many different ports across the globe spanning months of pure indulgence. Take in the Americas, Australasia, Asia and Europe all in one holiday with a world cruise from P&O, Fred Olsen cruises, Cunard or Holland America, or one of the ultra-luxury lines. Celebrate crossing the International Date Line or the Equator with a glass of champagne and marvel at the vast of array of iconic sights you will enjoy. Whilst on-board attend themed balls, listen to world renowned lecturers, enjoy celebrity entertainers or just watch the world go by.
Despite the ever-expanding world fleet of cruise ships and the destinations they visit, picking a cruise is probably easier than picking a land based holiday - unless you feel spoilt for choice! Cruise118´s Cruise Concierge team is here to help you work out which itinerary, cruise line, ship and cabin type will work for you based on your own individual preferences. We´ll simply ask you about the kinds of things you enjoy doing, who you´re travelling with, what you´ve liked about past holidays and then make some recommendations to you and, crucially, explain why we think they are right for you. We´ll take you though everything you need to know too - so by the end of your booking you´ll feel like an expert before you´ve even set foot on a ship!
If you have children then a cruise makes for an ideal holiday - you get quality time for you alone, you with your partner and time for the family as a whole. Children can join in a broad variety of organised activities which can keep them interested and happy all day long - if that´s what you and they want. Family cruising as as flexible as you need it to be. Children can either share the cabin with their parents or you could consider inter-connecting cabins for older children. And for peace of mind a cruise ships offer one of the safest and most secure environments you could find.
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