Research Your Cruise

There are many benefits to cruising including all-inclusive meals, unlimited entertainment options, and traveling from one destination to the next from the comfort of your ship (plus, only having to unpack once). Rather than spending your travel time in a car or on a train, you can watch Broadway-style shows, eat fine cuisine, swim in the pool, and sleep in your own private cabin.

Different cruise lines and ships appeal to different people. Those wanting an upscale, casual environment with few passengers often turn to Windstar, while those looking for a "traditional" cruise experience often enjoy Holland America sailings. Cruisers in search of an active, fun atmosphere may wish to sail on Carnival, while Norwegian is tailor-made for travelers seeking a customizable, flexible cruising experience.

We suggest you visit the Cruise line review page to research the different cruise lines and decide which is right for you. You can also visit our Top-seller’s page, which has cruise diaries from Expedia experts, enhanced ship reviews, and virtual tours.

You can find detailed ship information on the Ship Info and Reviews page.

A “nontraditional” cruise may be one with open dinner seating (eat when you want, where you want, and with whom you want) and casual attire at all times. Cruise lines offering relaxed dining options include Norwegian (with its signature “freestyle dining”), Windstar, and some Princess ships. Disney Cruise Line® also offers a nontraditional experience, especially for families.

A “traditional” cruise may be one with pre-assigned dining times and table mates, and with formal nights (men wear suits or tuxedos and women wear pantsuits or cocktail dresses). Cruise lines still offering a large selection of “traditional” cruises include Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean.

There's plenty to discover as a first-time cruiser. We suggest you visit our First-Time Cruisers section for in-depth information about cruise lines, destinations, ships, and more. You can also visit the Ship Info and Reviews page to access detailed reviews of the ships and cruise diaries. Cruise diaries are first-hand accounts of travelers’ daily experiences onboard a cruise ship, including boarding the ship, going on shore excursions, dining in the ship’s restaurants, and participating in onboard activities.

All cabins are classified as one of four categories: inside, oceanview, oceanview with balcony, or suite.

• Inside cabins are generally the smallest cabins onboard and have no views.
• Oceanview cabins have windows or portholes.
• Oceanview cabins with balconies have windows and ocean-facing balconies.
• Suites have windows and often balconies; they're generally the largest cabins onboard and offer the most amenities.

Different passengers have different cabin preferences. Some passengers book an inside cabin in order to save money. The difference between an inside and an outside or and outside and a balcony cabin can be as little as $100 per person, so the choice to upgrade is not as daunting as it might appear. Many new ships now feature a large quantity of balcony cabins, making them more affordable than ever before.

Occupancy varies by cabin category and cruise line. Most cabins comfortably accommodate two guests, however, some cabins may sleep up to three or four guests. Specific occupancy details are listed on the cabin category page during the booking process.

While amenities vary by cruise line, most cabins offer beds, storage space, televisions, telephones, and private bathrooms. Most cabins also have personal safes. If your cabin doesn’t have its own safe, you have the option of storing valuables in the ship’s vault. Check the specific ship’s review page to see if personal safes are offered in cabins.

When you book a cabin guarantee, an actual cabin in your selected category will not be assigned at the time of booking, but will be assigned at the time of ship check-in, with the possibility of an upgrade. Final cabin category and location (including deck) are at the total discretion of the cruise line.

No, all passenger cabins are located above sea level.

Consider your interests before deciding on a destination. Do you like warm-weather destinations? Consider the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Hawaii, or the South Pacific. Are you interested in history? Think about Europe or the Mediterranean. Also consider how many days the ship spends at sea vs. in port. If you like a lot of activity and variety, consider an itinerary with more days in port; if you enjoy spending time on the open ocean, consider an itinerary with more “at sea” days.

All cruise itineraries are subject to change. Weather conditions and other circumstances may require a change in itinerary, such as a change in arrival or departure time. In extreme circumstances, the ship will be required to skip a port entirely, in which case the cruise line will try to schedule a visit at an alternative port of call.

While most cruise lines offer supervised activities for children, some ships don't, and some ships have better programs than others. In addition, some programs have minimum age requirements (generally age 2 or 3). To find the best children’s programs, we suggest you read the Kid Stuff section of the cruise ship’s review. Though you may initially think of Disney Cruise Line® when shopping for a family-friendly cruise (and it certainly is family friendly), many other ships offer children's programs (and adult activities) that may be just as appealing.

Supervised activities for children are generally organized by age group and may include swimming, sports, movies, crafts, and games. Often, cruise ships have designated areas for kids including special children’s pools, teen hangouts, and youth reading and recreation rooms. Be sure to visit the Kid Stuff section of the cruise ship’s review to learn more about the programs offered on each ship.

Unaccompanied minors cannot cruise. In fact, on Carnival, Holland America, and Windstar cruises, each cabin must have at least one adult age 25 or older as a guest. On Celebrity Cruises, Crystal, Disney Cruise Line®, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Princess cruises, each cabin must have at least one adult age 21 or older. Exceptions are generally made for married couples under age 25 (or age 21, depending on the cruise line).

For most cruises, a passport suffices for both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens (though non-U.S. citizens may need a travel visa or green card to gain reentry to the U.S.). Some itineraries, however, may include countries requiring travel visas (Russia, Brazil, and Panama, among others). Visit the U.S. Department of State website to research travel requirements by country. Be sure to check the requirements for all countries on your itinerary.

All children, including infants and newborns, must have their own passport. Some countries may require extra documentation as well. Country-specific information is available in the Consular Information Sheets pages on the U.S. Department of State website. It also is available from the consulate of the country being traveled to. Please note that requirements can change at any time; confirm them close to your departure date.

Special requirements apply when purchasing passports for minors age 16 and younger. Please refer to the U.S. Department of State website for further details.

The following information is provided as a general guideline only and is subject to change. Exact documentation requirements will depend on your specific situation and the country to which you are traveling.

Children's passports and documentation are necessary to board the ship, and they also are likely to be requested by immigration officers at ports of call. Even if you have heard accounts of inconsistency in enforcement of documentation requirements, bring them anyway; without them, you can incur delays at ports of call and be denied boarding.

Generally, a notarized “permission to travel” letter from the absent parent(s) must be provided. It is strongly recommended to bring such a letter even if it is not an official requirement. The letter should be signed by the non-traveling parent(s) and should state that he/she gives the child permission to travel. It also should include: the name of the child and the names of all people traveling with the child; information about the trip including the dates of travel, country (or countries) being visited, and the name of the cruise line and ship; address and phone number of the non-traveling parent(s); and a notary’s signature and seal.

In some circumstances, legal documents will be required to clarify custody rights and/or the parental relationship. It’s especially important that documentation be supplied by travelers with different last names, same-sex couples, adoptive parents, or divorced parents. Travelers falling under any of these categories should provide custody and other supporting documents. Widowed parents should provide a death certificate. In all cases, you must bring both your own and the child’s identification.

If you are a U.S. citizen and have a birth certificate with a raised seal, a passport can be purchased online at the CIBT website, or, if you wish, through a government agency (see the U.S. Department of State website for a list). You should expect to receive your passport within eight weeks (two weeks if an expedited passport is requested), although processing time cannot be guaranteed.

If you are a U.S. citizen and you need a copy of your birth certificate, contact the city hall located in your town of birth.

If you need a passport and you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with the appropriate government agencies within your country of citizenship.

All ships have doctors onboard who can assist sick passengers. In the event of a medical emergency, sick or injured passengers can also be airlifted from the ship, or the ship can make an emergency detour into a nearby port of call.

One mild form of sickness some passengers experience is motion sickness; however, motion sickness is very rare on larger cruise ships since they’re equipped with stabilizers which minimize the feeling of movement. One way to help avoid motion sickness is to book a cabin in the lower part of the ship towards the middle, where the sway is lessened. Again, if you feel sick, you can visit the ship’s doctor, or pick up some over-the-counter seasickness medication from the sundries shop.

If inclement weather is ahead, the ship can easily change course to avoid the storm.

All ships booked on our site are wheelchair accessible.

Yes, most ships do have a large number of elevators.

Most cruise ships maintain a minimum drinking age of 21 while in international waters or at foreign ports.

Each cruise line’s pregnancy policy varies. However, most ships allow guests 23–24 or fewer weeks into their pregnancy by the end of the cruise to sail, provided they supply a physician’s letter prior to departure. When booking, consult the cruise line’s general conditions and rules and regulations pages for additional details about the cruise lines’ specific pregnancy policies.

Most cruise lines ask that children be at least six months old to sail.

Generally, the cruise price includes drinks like coffee, tea, and water; standard meals; room service; the use of gymnasium equipment; and most shipboard entertainment.

The cruise price generally does not include specialty drinks like sodas, specialty coffees, and alcoholic beverages; meals in alternative restaurants; spa and salon services; exercise classes like yoga and Pilates; casino gaming; organized shore excursions; photographs taken by the crew; medical services; gratuities; and gift shop purchases.

You may come across certain cruise ship terms that you’re not familiar with. Here are a few common terms and their definitions:

• Port: When facing forward, the left side of the ship
• Starboard: When facing forward, the right side of the ship
• Fore: The front of the ship
• Aft: The back of the ship
• Embarkation: Initial boarding of the ship, on the first day of the cruise
• Disembarkation: Final departure from the ship, on the last day of the cruise
• Bridge: The area from which the captain and his crew navigate the ship
• Muster drill: Mandatory lifeboat/safety drill; takes place the first day of the cruise, just before the ship sets sail
• Tender: Small boats that transport passengers from the ship to shore and back; generally used in small ports of call
• Sister ships: Ships from the same cruise line that have similar body designs