• If you book a separate cabin for the kids, you’ll appreciate the extra space and the extra bathroom. Remember that staterooms are smaller than hotel rooms. Put the teens in a less expensive inside cabin across the hall from yours. For a cruise on a ship that has all the bells and whistles teens want, figure on spending roughly $1,000 to $1,200 a person for a week, including taxes, less if you’re lucky, says Nancy Yale of Cruise and Resort Connection Inc. Third and fourth passengers in a cabin cost less.
• Look for a ship where the teen clubs and the clubs for younger children are in separate locations. It’s even better if the ship has separate programs for middle school teens and high school teens.

Source: http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/Cruising-choice-families-with.html?id=10044

Today, a large number of cruise lines have tailored their cruise ships to children of all ages, including those under the age of twelve. If you are able to afford it, you should consider bringing your child along. A vacation on a cruise ship will have lasting memories for the entire family.

Before booking your cruise ship reservations, you might want to keep cruise ship activities in mind. The activities for children, under the age of twelve, will vary from ship to ship. That is why it is important that you examine each ship before making a final decision. Many of the activities geared towards children can be found on almost all cruise ships, so check out the activities that vary from ship to ship and find the ones that most suite your children’s interests.

One very popular activity, found aboard almost all cruise ships is gaming. Arcade rooms are extremely common on most cruise ships. They offer children, under the age of twelve, a safe place to have fun and be a child. Although it i not to be used as a daycare, many cruise ship arcade rooms are staffed with cruise ship employees.

Another fun activity for young children is swimming. All vacation cruise ships are equipped with a swimming pool. In addition to an adult sized swimming pool, wading pools can often be found aboard a number of popular family themed cruises. As with the arcade room, you are encouraged to use your best judgment when allowing your children to swim unattended. Lifeguards will be on duty; however, this does not mean it’s okay to leave your child at the swimming pool.

In addition to a swimming pool and an arcade room, most cruise ships have an onboard movie theater or a performance stage. A large number of cruise lines offer family friendly movies, plays, and other performances. Children, under the age of twelve, may find these performances and movie showings fun and exciting. A ship’s itinerary can be viewed with or without previously booked reservations and this itinerary will give you an idea about the movies they will be showing.

Cruise ship restaurants and other dining facilities are likely to cater to younger children as well. Many restaurants offer children’s menus. These menus are likely to include tasty, kid sized meals. The cost of your kid’s meals will vary from ship to ship; however, many cruise ships offer discounts on meals for children under the age of twelve.

Cruise ship childcare centers are facilities that benefit both parents and their children. While on a family vacation, even you need a break. For free or a small fee, you should be able to leave your children in the care of a trained and experienced childcare worker. Since a cruise ship is likely to have passengers of all different ages, many childcare facilities are grouped together by ages. As with most other services, you will find that a cruise ship’s childcare policy may vary form another’s.

The above mentioned activities, services, and facilities are just a few of the many that are targeted to younger children. Hope this helped, and have fun on your next family vacation aboard a cruise ship.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Cruise-Ship-Activities-for-Young-Children&id=256918

While onboard, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and soft drinks are not included, except on a few luxury lines. You are responsible for tips and all onboard extras such as gambling, spa treatments, boutique purchases, photos, Internet access, and ship-to-shore calls.

Expenses while in port, including taxis, entertainment, and optional off-ship meals, are not included. You can also expect to pay for most shore excursions and all onshore shopping purchases. Travel insurance is extra as well.

What can I purchase while onboard?
Most ships have gift, jewelry, and clothing boutiques onboard. In addition, there is a photography studio where you can purchase photos by the ship’s photographers, or have your film developed.

 How much do I tip?
Because tipping is a personal matter, most cruise lines do not include gratuities in the cruise fare, with the exception of a small number of luxury lines. While tipping guidelines may vary slightly between cruise lines, the following is a standard suggestion:

* Dining room waiter: $3.50 per person per day
* Cabin steward: $3.50 per person per day
* Assistant waiter: $2 per person per day
* You may also wish to reward your head waiter or maitre d’ if they have performed some special service for you.

For your convenience, a 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to all bar bills when you are served. All other gratuities are paid at the end of your cruise, in cash. Some ships will also allow you to charge gratuities to your onboard account.

Source: http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/faq/onboard.html

Are there religious services onboard?
The types of services held onboard depend on the clergy the cruise line invites on each cruise. Some ships provide nondenominational religious services on Sundays and religious holidays, and some offer daily Catholic masses and Friday-evening Jewish services. Although some ships have chapels, services can be held in the ship’s library, theater, or private lounges.

Can I bring my pet?
On almost cruise lines, only service animals are allowed onboard by special arrangement. The one exception is the Queen Mary 2’s kennel program on transatlantic crossings. The ship has 12 kennels to accommodate traveling dogs and cats.

 What services can I expect onboard?
For a fee, you can indulge in the ship’s spa services, which provides facials, massages, manicures, hairstyling, and other treatments. Photography and laundry services are also available for a fee.

Are there laundry services onboard?
Yes, almost all cruise ships have laundry facilities onboard, and a great many provide dry-cleaning services. There is an additional charge for professional laundry and dry-cleaning services, but most ships also have self-service launderettes.

What is the electrical current onboard?
Most ships have 110-volt outlets in the staterooms, but check with your travel agent or the cruise line.

What will my cabin be like?
Cabin size depends on the category you booked. First-time cruisers are often taken aback by the compact design of cabins, which should not be compared to hotel rooms. They are built for efficiency and to encourage you to use the much larger public facilities onboard the ship. If you requested an outside cabin, you will have a porthole or picture window, depending on your ship’s design. Some outside cabins will also have a small verandah. Most cabins have twin beds that can be converted into a queen-size bed, and some have pullout couches or bunk beds that pull down from the walls.

Your cabin steward is there to make your stay comfortable, whether to change the bed configuration to suit your desires, or to bring you extra towels, pillows, or blankets. Many of the newer ships have safes in the rooms, and TVs that show current movies and provide general cruise information.

Is it worth the extra money for an oceanview cabin?
This is a matter that depends on your budget and how much time you plan to spend in the cabin. If you can afford the extra money to move up to an oceanview cabin, you will probably feel you got your money’s worth. The lowest category of outside cabins are not necessarily bigger than inside cabins, but they do provide natural light, which some cruisers prefer.

Can I switch cabins if I don’t like the one I get?
If you do not like your cabin, notify the purser’s desk as soon as possible. If the ship is full, you probably will not be able to move. However, depending upon the circumstances, the purser will work with you on your problem.

When can I upgrade my cabin?
If you book your cruise and do not get the cabin category you prefer, you can be placed on a waiting list for a different cabin. Once a higher-category cabin opens up, you will be charged the difference. You can also check during the embarkation process to see if a higher-class category is available. If it is, you will pay the difference to upgrade.

How much food is there?
Cruises are notorious for the variety and large amounts of food. With breakfast, brunch, lunch, mid-afternoon snacks, tea, dinner, midnight buffet, and room service, there are many eating opportunities.

What are different meal seatings?
Some ships’ dining rooms can accommodate all passengers during one seating, but most ships have two seatings that differ only by time slot. To choose a seating, just decide whether you prefer to dine early or late, then have your travel agent or cruise line request your preference when you book your cruise. Certain cruise lines offer open seating (guests can dine anytime during set hours), and Norwegian Cruise Line lets guests eat when they choose at any of a number of smaller restaurants. In addition, some ships offer alternative dining options, such as themed restaurants or particular cuisines such as Italian, Asian, and French.

Are special diets available?
Most ships can accommodate salt-free, low-carbohydrate, Kosher, or other diet preferences. However, special diet requests must be made in advance, so be sure to advise your travel agent of your requirements when you book your cruise.

Can I order room service?
Most cruise lines offer 24-hour room service at no extra charge.

What kind of activities can I participate in while onboard?
It is amazing how much you can do on a cruise. Cruise ships are like floating resorts with all the amenities they have to offer. You can be by yourself and lie back in a lounge chair, soak up the sun, read a good book, or watch the changing view. You can also join in exercise classes, dance classes, sports contests, and other organized deck activities. Perhaps you would like to practice your tennis stroke or golf swing, or shoot some baskets? Other activities include watching a feature movie, attending a lecture by a renowned expert, and playing backgammon or bridge. You can also go for a swim, stretch out in the sauna, or work out in the gym. Some newer ships have ice skating rinks, rock-climbing walls, onboard surfing, bowling alleys, miniature golf, and outdoor movies.

What is there to do at night?
Cruise ships can be quite lively at night. There’s dancing and live entertainment in the lounges and discos, feature films, and parties. Most ships also have casinos. There are also many special events like the captain’s cocktail party, Las Vegas and Broadway-style shows, magic acts, and the late night buffet.

Do I have to participate in the activities?
On a cruise, you do what you want to. You can do everything, or lie back and do absolutely nothing. It’s your vacation.

How do I find out about shore excursions?
Prior to the cruise, most cruise lines will include the available shore excursion information in your cruise documents. Sometimes, information is available on the cruise line’s website. No matter what, you will always be able to get information about the tours through the ship’s shore excursion desk, which is staffed with personnel who can answer all your questions.

Can I celebrate a special occasion onboard?
Yes, just inform your travel agent or cruise line prior to sailing, and they can make the necessary arrangements for you.

Source: http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/faq/onboard.html

Where should I keep my valuables?
You can store your valuables in safes that are often provided in each stateroom. If not, there is a ship’s safe located at the purser’s desk. In general, it’s best to leave most valuables at home.

Will I become seasick on my cruise?
All modern ships are equipped with stabilizers to minimize side-to-side rolling. In most cases, you will feel no motion at all. However, if you are prone to motion sickness, it is recommended that you bring medication along with you. Otherwise, medication is available through the doctor onboard.

What if I get sick or need medical attention?
Most cruise ships have a fully equipped medical facility and staff (with doctors and nurses) onboard that can handle almost any emergency. In the event that you may need to seek treatment on land or receive a medical evacuation from the ship, it’s always recommended to carry medical insurance as part of your travel insurance policy.

Can I get off the ship if I don’t like the cruise?
If you are unhappy while onboard and want to leave the ship, you can get off at the next port-of-call. Arrangements to get home and refunds vary by cruise line.

What about passengers with special needs?
Cruise lines welcome passengers with special needs and will work hard to assist them throughout their cruise. Most modern cruise ships have a number of cabins that are specially designed to accommodate passengers in need of wheelchairs or TTY communications. Service animals are permitted onboard if prior arrangements have been made. Professional medical services are also available on all cruise ships. At least one qualified physician and two registered nurses are normally in attendance on every cruise.

Although the cruise line will do all it can to accommodate passengers with special needs, there are some limitations. Passengers requiring oxygen must meet certain requirements before boarding the ship. Passengers who are entering their third trimester of pregnancy by the beginning of their cruise will not be accepted. In ports-of-call that require tenders to go ashore, wheelchair access may be limited, or may be unavailable if sea conditions are unfavorable. Furthermore, it is highly recommended that passengers with special needs travel with a companion who can provide required assistance.

All passengers must insure that they are medically and physically fit for travel, and that such travel will not endanger themselves or others. It is essential that the cruise line know well in advance if you have any special medical, physical, or other requirements. To receive appropriate assistance, you must inform your travel agent or the cruise line of any special requirements (or other relevant information) in writing at the time of booking. If special needs arise after booking, they must be reported prior to the embarkation date.

 Is smoking allowed?
Virtually all ships have smoking and nonsmoking sections in lounges and public areas, but most onboard restaurants are now smoke-free. Guests can generally smoke in outdoor areas and on balconies, but some cruise lines restrict smoking in staterooms.

What is the legal drinking age?
The legal drinking age onboard is either 18 or 21, depending on the cruise line and the port of embarkation.

 Can others contact me, and can I contact others, while onboard?
Every ship has a phone number that can be used to contact you while the ship is at sea. This information will be included in your cruise documents. If you need to call home, ship-to-shore calling is available, but is very expensive as it’s charged at satellite rates. Most ships now offer cell phone service, but your provider will charge you international roaming rates. Email is available onboard through the ship’s Internet cafe or your own Internet-enabled computer. Not surprisingly, shipboard connectivity prices tend to be high.

Are visitors permitted onboard?
For security reasons, most cruise lines have a “no visitor” policy. The only exceptions to this policy are wedding guests attending an onboard ceremony that has been arranged well in advance.

Source: http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/faq/onboard.html

If you are arriving by car, you will find parking (charged at a daily or weekly rate) conveniently located near the cruise terminal. Check with your cruise line for embarkation times—if you’re late, you may not be allowed to board.
What if I arrive at the departing port a day or so before my cruise?
If you purchased a pre-cruise package from the cruise line, you will have accommodations and transportation to the ship. If not, you will need to find a hotel and transportation to the ship on your own.
How do I get to the ship?
If you purchased a transfer package from the cruise line, you will be advised on the time to meet your ride to the terminal. If you did not purchase a transfer package from the cruise line, you are responsible for getting to the terminal by whatever means necessary.
What time do I board the ship?
Your cruise documents will advise you what time you should arrive at the terminal and when the embarkation process begins.
What if I miss the ship?
If you booked an air/sea package through the cruise line, you have more protection than if you book your airfare separately. Cruise lines are more likely to make accommodations for you and work with the airline if it was their booking that did not get you to the ship on time. Also, they will be better able to track your late flight, and might even delay the ship if they know you will only be a little late. If they can’t hold the ship, they might pay for you to stay in a hotel, or pay for flights so you can catch up with the ship at the next port. Depending on the circumstances, they might even rebate some of your cruise or give you a discount toward your next cruise with them.

However, remember that airlines are independent contractors. Most cruise conditions of carriage state that since airlines are independent contractors, the cruise line makes no warranty, and assumes no responsibility, for any failures or delays in their contractor’s (the airline’s) services. Therefore, purchasing a trip insurance package is strongly recommended.

If you booked the flight separately or used frequent flyer miles to pay for your airfare, the best thing to do is to arrive a day or more before the sailing date. Otherwise, if you miss the ship, it will be very expensive for you to catch the ship at the next port.

Will I need formal wear?
On some cruises, formal dinners or parties are part of the fun; however, you don’t need to buy a tuxedo just for the trip. You can rent a tuxedo at home or on the ship, or wear a dark suit and tie, which are perfectly acceptable for the dressiest occasions. With today’s more relaxed lifestyles, cruise lines such as Norwegian and Windstar only request resort casual attire (jacket and tie not required) for evening dress.

What travel documents do I need?
What travel documents you need depends on the type of cruise and destination; and requirements are subject to change at any time. Under current passport law, all U.S. citizens traveling by air between the U.S. and a foreign country (including Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda) will need a valid passport. Likewise, all foreign nationals flying into the U.S. will be required to show a passport and visa if applicable. The cruise lines highly recommend that all cruisers carry valid passports regardless of itinerary. Otherwise, for land or sea travel into a foreign North American nation, an original birth certificate or a certified copy combined with a government-issued photo I.D. will be accepted.

As early as January 1, 2008, all cruisers will need passports to travel by land or sea between countries. The only cruisers who wouldn’t need passports would be U.S. citizens flying from the U.S. to Hawaii for an NCL America Hawaii cruise that does not leave U.S. waters.

Non-U.S. citizens who have previously been admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence must carry their passport and Alien Registration Card (”Green Card”). Minors under 18 who are traveling with one parent are required to have a notarized consent letter from the other parent for admittance into Mexico. It’s often a good idea to carry such a letter when traveling to other countries as well.

What currency should I bring, and how much of it?
You can bring whatever currency you want (including U.S. dollars) because you’ll be able to exchange money at the purser’s desk or in port as necessary. You’ll typically get the best exchange rate by paying for goods and services with a credit card and getting cash from an ATM machine. Check with your bank about any fees or surcharges on foreign purchases before you leave for your cruise.

Bring only the minimum amount of cash or traveler’s checks that you feel is necessary. For convenience throughout the cruise, most cruise lines have a “cashless” credit program that allows guests to charge their onboard purchases directly to their personal account. Registration for this program will take place during the embarkation process or onboard at the purser’s office. You must present the completed application form (included with your cruise documents) along with your preferred credit card.

Source: http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/faq/gettingthere.html#gt1

Carnivals FREE Stateroom Upgrades - Use Fare Code: PBA

Celebrity Cruise Line is doing that route this year with the Mercury. I’ve been on that ship and it is top notch. Celebrity is ranked higher than most any other “Premium Class” cruise lines (includes: Princess, Royal Caribbean, Holland American). In fact, all 7 of Celebrity’s ships were voted “The Worlds Best Large Ships” by readers of Conde Naste (the traveler’s bible) in February 2006.

I took a quick peek for you - prices on a 14-night cruise start at about $2250 for an inside cabin and $2500 for an oceanview cabin. The absolute best answer I can give you is not to use a travel website, but to talk to a good travel agent. Tell him/her what your needs are, and that “you are looking for the best deal”.

There is no additional cost or hidden fees for their services and you’ll have a name and a face to speak to, rather than merely inputting your name, address and credit card into an on-line form and hoping for the best! Personal service is everything. Remember, there’s a big difference between “price” and “value” - go for the best “value”.

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Holland America Line has a 14-day Sydney to Auckland or vice versa trip. It is fantastic and you are not on a HUGH ship. It is just the right size and not crowded.

The best prices that I have found overall are from www.cruisequick.com. HOWEVER they do not hold your hand. What I mean is that you need to know what cruise you want, what ship, date and category. You cannot call them, they do not answer a phone. They are internet based only, completely legitimate, and offer a bonus or discount that most other agents don’t offer. They work on a flat fee profit and are completely automated. They do answer emails promptly. Their site explains how they work. I have used them for years, without any problems. They offer free price quotes via email that include all port fees, taxes etc.