Quick access to frequently asked questions.
It is important to know which cruise ship is right for you. There are a few things to consider before booking a cruise.
After deciding on the size of the ship, it's time to choose the cruise line that will best suit your needs. Often the type of clientele, the way of life, the dress code will guide your choice.
Several choices of cabin categories are available to you. Choices range from the interior cabin to lofts or villas on board with butler service. Our recommendation, a balcony, after all you want to enjoy the feeling of feeling on a ship and you certainly won't want to miss the breathtaking view of the horizon while sipping a glass of wine as the sun sets.
Ideally if you are traveling in a group or alone, or wish to have a greater choice of cabins, it is suggested to book as early as possible and ideally 9 months or more in advance to benefit from the best group or individual rates available. By booking early you benefit of the best cabin choices, and your price is protected from price increases if you give your deposit. Also, refund policies are very flexible before final payment.
Just fill out the specific request form ideally as early as possible to guarantee availability. This allows you to get, for example, a cabin designed to accommodate people with disabilities, have access to a chair for boarding and disembarking, or any other specific equipment or medical monitoring on board (allergy, health problem, etc.)
Inform us of your preferences and needs at the time of booking and reconfirm your diet on the day of embarkation with the butler.
People with reduced mobility or in wheelchairs are welcome on board accompanied by a person to help them. Wheelchairs are generally available in an emergency. We advise you, however, to bring your standard folding chair. We recommend that you choose a recent ship in order to avoid access problems on board and choose itinerary where the ship will dock rather than using shuttles. This kind of trip is prepared in advance and we must warn the ship and the operations in order to meet the needs of passengers.
As a general rule, the higher your cabin is, centered, and higher grade deck, the higher the price will be.
Several types of cabins are found on the most recent ships depending on the architecture of the ship: some companies have up to about fifteen categories.
You will be comfortable in all cabins. The size, the view, and the services will make the difference.
The suites, by their size, provide more comfort and are generally much better equipped (bathroom with baths, dressing room, etc.) with a concierge service often offered in certain categories.
All cabins have twin beds and/or Queen or Kings size beds, a private bathroom, a safety deposit box, hairdryer, TV and stocked minibar($).
The interior cabin is economical and comfortable. Ideal for those who only come to their cabin to sleep or change and who wish make the most of the ship's equipment.
The outside cabin is a little more spacious than the inside cabin, it is recommended for families or friends who enjoy the ocean view as soon as you wake up. It includes a cabin with a window overlooking the sea. You could in some cases combine an outside cabin and a balcony cabin if you are traveling with friends or family.
The balcony cabin is spacious and bright, to fully enjoy, relax and have intimate and romantic meals served. Useful for smokers, it is forbidden to smoke in the cabins (under penalty of a fine) but on the balcony, it is authorized. But be careful, now some companies ban smoking on balconies.
After making your reservation, it is possible to choose another type of cabin higher than your initial reservation. For example, replacing an interior cabin with a cabin with a balcony. The price of your reservation will be readjusted accordingly according to the prices and availability of the moment. A new invoice will be sent to you. This procedure is always at the discretion from the cruise line.
Several choices of cabins are available to you: double, triple, quadruple, or even family occupancy cabins.
Some companies will even offer a private section for several families, with exclusive access.
Whether you are traveling alone or as a couple, the rates are much the same as cruise lines sell their cabins for single occupancy at the full rate for double occupancy. This explains the price difference.
Some companies now offer cabins for solo travelers at no extra charge, or reasonable charge, as well as cabin sharing.
Cruise lines may offer discounts for people over 55. With regard to families, it is free for children with most European companies (MSC) and children only pay port taxes or flights where applicable. In addition, the 3rd and 4th occupants of a cabin always have preferential rates, regardless of the company. Last minute promotions are rarer today than in the past. Companies are increasingly trying to rationalize their pricing policy favoring early bookings.
Port taxes for cruises and government taxes are included in cruise fares.
It is essential to make sure you have good insurance before leaving.
Health and Safety: It is the passenger's responsibility to check all the documents required to travel, as well as the required vaccinations. Be sure to check the conditions for travel if you are pregnant.
Pay attention to visas, and the expiry date of your passport, because often countries require that passports be valid until six months after the traveller's return. Most cruise lines restrict boarding to pregnant women under 24 weeks pregnant at the time of the return date of the cruise. To check for travel advisories that may be issued for your boarding point or the countries where you will stopover, go to www.voyage.gc.ca.
With the ever-increasing popularity of cruises, more and more Canadians are aiming for hassle-free vacations. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada recommends that all travelers take certain precautions to ensure their well-being while cruising:
Following your reservation, you will need to check in through the cruise line's website. All passengers must check-in in order to benefit from priority boarding on the ship on the day of cruise departure. Some ports of call require an international yellow fever vaccination certificate in order to be allowed to land.
Register for the Registration of Canadians Abroad service www.voyage.gc.ca/inscription so that we can contact you and assist you in an emergency abroad or notify you of an emergency in Canada. Indicate only the country or region where embarkation takes place (and not each of the ports of call), as well as the name of the cruise and ship name. You can register online or by mail, fax or in person.
Identify your suitcases
Keep a small suitcase (carry-on baggage) with you just in case your travel suitcase is delayed. Take a picture of your suitcase and put a tag inside and outside of it. Identify your suitcase with a ribbon or tights.
Be careful not to put any items prohibited by law in your suitcases.
Always keep your passports, visas, permits, cruise documents, airplane tickets, medications, insurance papers in your carry-on baggage or purse.
Suggested carry-on baggage: swimsuits, camera, medication, sandals, sun protection, toiletries and clean clothes for the first dinner, which will probably be relaxed.
Checklist for packing your suitcase:
A service and laundry is available on all paid ships or not depending on the ship.
110 or 220 volts all depends on your cruise company especially in Europe.
On ships: Currency can be US dollars or euros depending on the cruise line. In the ports of call, pay attention to the automatic teller machines which will give you the local currency. It is best to use credit cards.
It is recommended that you travel without your valuable jewelry. You can leave your documents and jewelry in a safety deposit box in your cabin, or at the Purser's office.
You will need to have pre-registered online and bring your confirmation, passport and credit card with you.
It is the passenger's responsibility to have valid documents.In some cases the cruise line will keep your passport and it will be returned to you at the end of the cruise. This is a normal procedure.
The luggage that you have left in the locker will be delivered to your cabin within hours of your boarding.
A credit card-sized boarding pass will be issued to you after check-in, and this card will be used throughout your cruise as identification, cabin key and method of payment on the ship. You will have to settle your account the last evening before you disembark.
You can change your payment method, credit card, cash, traveller's check or a combination of all these payment methods at any time.
You will have access to your statement of account at all times.
If you don't have a credit card, you can give a cash deposit upon boarding.
You will need to arrive at the main lobby of the ship from 8 a.m. on the morning of departure with your luggage. Flight attendants will issue you one U.S. Customs Card (in English) per person for you to complete and hand over upon disembarking. Your passport will also be required to leave the ship as well as your ship card.
The day before departure you will have to take your suitcases out in the corridor before midnight and you will find them in the terminal, so don't forget to bring clothes for the next morning as well as your travel documents. Also, don't forget to empty your safety deposit box.
Accommodation, all meals taken in the main restaurants, certain activities and shows offered by the cruise company team, access to special evenings (captain's evenings, farewell parties, etc.), access to ports of call and activity programs for children.
Optional: tips(gratuities), shore excursions, drinks, wine and beer, certain activities and shows, flight and transfers.
A la carte restaurants, your personal expenses such as souvenirs, spa treatments, hairdressing salon, paid activities on board, drinks, tips, which can vary from $ 12 per person per day, internet, casino and medical services.
A logbook will be distributed to you every evening for the activities of the next day, where you will find the schedule of meals, shows and activities on board.
The minimum age may vary between cruise lines, some ships ask for the age of 21 and others 18. Note that there are no casinos on board DCL ships.
Almost all cruise lines offer an onboard activity program. There are programs from the Baby Club to teenagers. Supervision is controlled by experienced instructors.
Boarding time varies depending on the itinerary, your boarding time will be indicated on your travel documents.
Your travel documents, your identity documents, your health questionnaire (delivered to the port).
The minimum age to consume alcoholic beverages is 21 year old across the entire Royal Caribbean International fleet.
However, for cruises departing from Asia, Australia, Europe and South America, where the legal age is below 21 years old, if one of the parents is traveling with his or her 18 to 20 year old son or daughter and signs an authorization so that his child can drink alcohol, the latter will have the right to consume alcohol in the presence of one of his parents.
Some restrictions exist and the application of the Alcohol on Board policy varies by ships.
Age is determined on the day of cruise departure and cannot be reviewed during the cruise.
For any questions or reservations, do not hesitate to contact your travel agency.