CRUISERS’ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Thanks to the Internet, people that are planning a cruise now have direct access to the advice of experienced travelers and professional experts. And while cruise ships have changed dramatically during the 15 years that I’ve been writing about them, certain questions keep popping up over and over again. Based on my experience, the most frequently asked questions are about alcohol and cigarettes. And others are fairly predictable, especially from first-time cruisers.

Below, you’ll find the questions that concern cruisers the most (listed in order of the frequency with which they’re asked), plus a few questions that are never asked these days (and several funny queries).

HOW CAN I CARRY ALCOHOL ABOARD THE SHIP FOR USE IN MY STATEROOM?
I probably get asked this question once per week. The answer is “you can’t.” Carry-on bags are checked at embarkation, and your alcohol will be confiscated. Some people tell me that they actually carry alcohol aboard in small plastic containers, like shampoo bottles, which to me seems hardly worth the trouble.

WHICH SHIPS ARE NON-SMOKING (OR WHICH HAVE THE MOST LIBERAL SMOKING POLICIES)?
Oceania Cruises and Royal Caribbean International (including Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, Royal Caribbean’s sister fleets) consider themselves practically smoke-free. Aside from a single bar or a small designated area located on a higher deck, smoking is forbidden throughout most cruise ships (even in staterooms and on balconies). But there is no cruise ship that is completely smoke-free.

WHAT IS THE BEST SHIP?
There is no universal “best cruise ship.” Travelers should always use their personal interests and lifestyles as the criteria when deciding which ship to sail on. For example, Royal Caribbean’s Voyager-class, Freedom-class, or Oasis-class vessels (such as the amazing Oasis of the Seas) may be the best ships for families cruising with younger children. Nature lovers, on the other hand, may prefer a much smaller ship that’s capable of reaching ports of call located off the beaten path.

WHERE CAN I GET THE BEST DEAL ON MY CRUISE?
The short answer? Probably not by booking directly with the cruise line. Your travel agent is always the best source for deals (he or she may even be able to find you a great deal on a ship or a stateroom that you never thought you could afford).

DO I HAVE TO BUY A SHORE EXCURSION TO ENJOY MYSELF IN PORT?
In destinations like the Caribbean and Mexico, it’s usually pretty easy to decide what you want to do ashore (although some excursions, like snorkeling, are better arranged by the cruise line). However, it’s almost impossible to truly see a place like Alaska on a budget without arranging excursions. Spend some time on the Internet exploring options in each port of call before you set sail.

HOW CAN I SAVE MONEY WHILE ABOARD MY SHIP?
Pre-cruise planning is the best way to control onboard spending. Simply decide which expenditures you’ll skip before your departure (The spa? The casino? Wine with dinner?) to help cut down on impulsive purchases.

WHICH CLOTHES SHOULD I TAKE?
With the exception of Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises (which have no formal policy and encourage “country club casual”), all of the major fleets suggest or require formal attire twice per week aboard any one-week cruise. If you want to wear a tuxedo, ask your travel agent if the ship you’re planning to sail on will allow you to rent one while you’re onboard. Otherwise, a dark suit will do just fine. I always advise women to forgo buying clothing they’ll never wear again. Dark pants, a tunic, or a blouse can always be “dressed up” using accessories like scarves and glittery jewelry.

And here’s a look at some of the questions that I’m no longer asked...

How can I sit at the captain’s table? The days of having the chance to shake the captain’s hand while at his cocktail party (and envy those who are invited to dine with him) are sadly past (because today’s ships are simply too big). The exception? Smaller, pricier vessels carrying fewer than 1,000 passengers, where you’ll still often see the captain dining in the ship’s main restaurant. Is everyone on the ship old? Due to the publicity surrounding new ships and their facilities for families and active cruisers, most people now realize that there’s a wide range of passengers sailing aboard ships today. Is there a difference between a Carnival cruise and a Royal Caribbean cruise? Royal Caribbean is the undisputed leader when it comes to launching the largest ships in the industry. Their amazing facilities include ice skating rinks, shipboard surfing simulators, and the only zip lines found at sea.

The funniest questions I’ve been asked? How do ships float? My answer: “Ships float because people believe they do. If one person aboard the ship doubts it, it’ll sink!” Who is Bill W. and why do all his friends go on cruises? Someone with several cruises under his belt kept noticing “Friends of Bill W.” listed in the daily activities schedule, and he asked me this question. I explained that “Bill W.” is Bill Wilson, founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (you’ll find AA meetings scheduled aboard nearly every ship afloat).

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by Anne Campbell