Do I need a Visa for my cruise?
For full details of any travel restrictions, entry and stay requirements, visa and travel advice to your particular destination, please visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website www.fco.gov.uk/travel.
Visas may be required for entry into non-EU countries.
Information about visa requirements may be found by accessing individual country pages on the above website.
Non-British citizens including other EU nationals should contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the destination for up to date advice on immigration, visa and entry requirements.
What vaccinations do I need for my cruise?
We recommend that you speak to your GP practice regarding this as they hold up to date information, some surgery's hold a travel clinic.
What is my baggage allowance?
This varies depending on the airline and the destination. However, at the time of booking your flight details are not always available, if this is the case as soon as we do have the information we will write to you again.
If you are sailing from the UK there is no maximum luggage allowance on board ship.
What currency do we have to use onboard ship?
All cruise ships have an on-board account system where you charge items to your cabin. This is then settled before you disembark. Cruise lines vary in the currency that they use to charge to your account some are US Dollars, some are in Euros, some are in Pounds.
How do I pay my tips/gratuities on the ship?
Gratuities are tips that are distributed amongst the staff onboard the cruise ship, the majority of cruise lines allow you to pre-pay your gratuities and this varies depending on the duration of the cruise and the cruise operator. Alternitively cruise lines automatically add tips on to your on board account which you settle at the end of the cruise again this varies on the duration and the cruise line.
If you wish to opt out of this you can do so by advising the purser on the ship at the start of your cruise. If you wish to tip specific members of staff you can also do so at your discretion.
What is a GTY cabin?
This means that we book a stateroom at a minimum category type. The location of the cabin will be allocated by the cruise operator and can be allocated anytime up until checking in. The benefits of booking a GTY cabin is that the cruise line at their discretion may upgrade your stateroom to one of a superior category of that originally booked at no extra charge. This is entirely managed by the cruise operator.
How do I book shore excursions?
All cruise lines offer a range of shore excursion programs.
Shore excursions help you make the most of your time in port and provide you with the best transportation and guide services available.
For certain destinations and certain cruise lines, tours can be prebooked on the cruise operators website or if your particular operator issues a shore excursion brochure this can also be done by completing the form found in the brochure sent to you prior to departure.
Alternatively, you can book your tours through the shore excursion office when you are on-board.
How many formal nights will there be on my cruise?
Some cruise lines do not operate formal nights (such as Ocean Village) however the majority do have a formal evening, below is a rough guide to the number in relation to the cruise duration.
Up to 4 nights 1 evening
Up to 7 nights 2 evenings
Up to 12 nights 3 evenings
Up to 15 nights 3 evenings
*This is only a guideline and again is dependent on the operator.
What time can we start boarding the ship?
Embarkation ususally commences approximately 4 hours before the time of sailing.
Do you charge for paying by card?
We do not charge to pay by debit card.
Charge for credit card payment is 2%
Charge for American Express is 3%
Can I pay by cheque?
Please make cheques payable to Cruise Club UK.
