faq about cruises

103 of the Best Frequently Asked Questions About Cruising

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Taking a cruise is a completely different type of travel that may seem foreign to someone who’s never done it before, so there are a lot of frequently asked questions about cruising. We’ve spent over 190 nights at sea and along the way have learned a thing or two, so let’s take a look at those questions, which we’ve broken down into categories.

If you’re still unsure of an issue after reading this post, it’s best to check with your cruise line.

Before Booking Your Cruise

When you’re considering booking your first cruise, you have a lot of questions. In fact, you probably don’t even know all the questions you should ask. The questions listed below can give you an idea of the things you need to consider before booking your cruise.

Quite simply, because it’s a fun and affordable way to vacation. There’s something special about being at sea that’s hard to put into words. What I love about cruising may be different from what someone else gets from it, but the commonality is that you have no responsibilities, everything is taken care of for you, you can eat as much as you want, and basically, you have no worries for the duration of the cruise.

There are a lot of decisions to make before you book your cruise . In fact, we wrote an entire post about that.

It depends on where you want to go. Cruising is available year-round, but in different locations due to weather and seasons. The Caribbean is best cruised in the winter, while Alaska is best in the summer. Southern Europe is best in the spring or fall, while northern Europe is best in the summer. Canada/New England cruises are most popular in the fall, when the leaves are at their most colorful. Japan is at its most beautiful in the spring and the fall.

It depends on several factors: which cruise line you choose, which ship you choose, which type of cabin you choose, and which amenities you choose (like alcoholic beverage package). If you find a great deal, you can cruise in an inside cabin on a mass-market cruise line with no alcoholic beverage package for as little as $50 or so a day. At the other end of the scale, a suite on a luxury cruise line with all the bells and whistles can cost you thousands per day.

There are different classes of cruise lines , each with their own ambiance and target market. Some appeal more to families, such as Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian, while others appeal more to couples, such as Celebrity, Princess, or Virgin.

Not at all; they’re quite different. Yes, they all have cabins, restaurants, bars, a pool deck, and the like, but ships can be very different in size, design, and ambiance. Do your homework about your ship before you book your cruise.

For your first few cruises, I’d say definitely. After that, you will probably have a good idea how to handle things on your own and can book directly with the cruise line.

If you’re flying to your cruise port, then it’s best to plan to arrive at your port at least one day before; two days if you’re flying quite a long way.

As for after your cruise, some flight itineraries will only be offered in the morning, which are too early for you to safely make on disembarkation day. In that case, it’s best to plan a night in a hotel after your cruise, then get up early in the morning for a flight home.

Yes. Check with your cruise line to be sure you have the correct information for your cruise. In general, though, bathing suits and flip-flops are a no-no for any restaurant. Shorts aren’t allowed in main dining rooms, specialty restaurants, or exclusive restaurants in the evening. For those venues, men are expected to wear a collared shirt and slacks or nice pants, and ladies are expected to wear a dress, skirt with nice top, or pants with a nice top. Ripped jeans are a no-no, as well as T-shirts with offensive or divisive messages. Leave the camouflage-patterned clothing at home, as it is prohibited in some countries.

That depends on how you’re getting to the port. If you’re driving, you can bring as many suitcases as you’d like, but remember that your cabin is small. The smart thing is to pack light. If you’re flying, you are limited by the airline’s requirements.

Most cabins are usually quite nice, much like a small hotel room. All cabins will have a bed (or two), a small seating area (usually), a TV, a counter with drawers beneath and a mirror above, storage space, and a private bathroom with tub and/or shower. Inside cabins, the least expensive, are small and windowless but still nicely appointed. Balcony cabins are somewhat larger, about 200 square feet on average, with a small balcony large enough for a small table and two chairs. Suites are larger, usually between 300 square feet and 2,000 square feet, and may be like a studio or may actually have separate rooms…some are even large enough to have a dining room!

Absolutely. Here’s why .

Only if you don’t participate in any of the many entertainment and activities available onboard. There’s so much to do!

Yes. The larger ships will have at least one doctor and one registered nurse in a medical facility similar to an urgent care center. Smaller ships don’t have the space for large facilities, but may have a doctor or nurse onboard in the equivalent of a doctor’s office.

Yes. There is very little chance of anything happening to the ship. As for onboard safety, you should do the common-sense things: keep your cash and valuables in your safe, don’t leave laptops and other expensive equipment lying around, keep your cabin door locked, don’t drink too much alcohol to where you’re impaired, and otherwise enjoy your cruise.

If you don’t want to stress on embarkation day about a cancelled or delayed flight, or if you’re driving about a flat tire or breakdown on the road, then it’s best to plan to arrive at your port the day before. As for after your cruise, some flight itineraries will only be offered in the morning, which are too early for you to safely make on disembarkation day. In that case, it’s best to plan a night in a hotel after your cruise, then get up early in the morning for a flight then.

We book our cruises a year or two in advance so we can get the best possible price for airfare in conjunction with it (although we can’t book our airfare until 11 months prior to the cruise). Between the time we book and the final payment date, the cruise fare can fluctuate. Keep an eye on it, and if there is a significant savings, contact the cruise line and see if they’ll adjust your price.

If you are driving to your port and don’t have to worry about airfare—and if you’re flexible in schedule—then last-minute fares are the way to go.

A guaranteed cabin is offered (usually at a lower rate) when the cabin category is booked on that ship for that date, but the cruise line feels confident there will be cancellations that will allow them to assign you to a cabin later. The downside is that you will have no control over the location of the cabin, just that you are guaranteed that category (or better).

Cabins above or below the buffet, pool deck, theater, or nightclubs will be the noisiest. Also not optimal are those near the elevators or in the bow near the anchor. Cabins with an obstructed view also aren’t the greatest.

If you drink multiple cocktails a day, plus premium coffees, premium juice, bottled water, etc., then a beverage package makes sense. If you only drink a cocktail or two a day, and aren’t picky about your coffee or juice and don’t need bottled water, then a beverage package probably won’t be a good deal for you.

Bottles of wine (although they may be discounted) usually aren’t included, and neither are wine or beer or alcohol flights or tastings. Check with your cruise line to be sure.

No cruises are truly all-inclusive; there will always be something extra you can purchase, such as shopping or spa treatments or specialty restaurants. But as for the basics—cabin, WiFi, and drink package—some cruise lines like Celebrity and Norwegian offer as an all-inclusive package.

No way! Families with children have a ball on cruise ships with more active entertainment, and couples tend to either enjoy the laid-back cruise ships or the ones with high-intensity nightlife.

Food in the buffets and main dining rooms tend to be anywhere from adequate to quite good, depending on the ship and its staff at the time. Food in the specialty and exclusive restaurants, however, is usually exceptional. Some cruise lines have better food than others.

Not at all. The ship is full of wide, expansive spaces with soaring ceilings. Plus, there are decks with outside spaces too such as pool decks, sundecks, and on some of Celebrity’s ships, a green lawn!

Depending on the itinerary and time of year, you may have some bad weather that would cause the ship to rock somewhat. Most ships these days have stabilizers that help reduce this sensation. For the most part, you’ll most likely even forget you’re at sea, the ride will be so smooth.

After Booking Your Cruise

After you’ve booked your cruise, there are tasks you need to complete to ensure your cruise goes smoothly.

Now the work really begins. You have a lot of decisions to make and reservations to book. Start here .

Some cruise lines offer a program where they will send you an email before your cruise, giving you the opportunity to bid on a better cabin. You’ll be given several better cabin options plus a price range with a minimum and maximum bid. These bids are per person, so keep that in mind. You’ll have to give a credit card number, and if they select your bid, your card will be charged and there’s no going back. You’ll also have no control over where your room will be located on the ship, so if you need an accessible cabin, I wouldn’t recommend using the bidding program. And yes, you can bid on more than one cabin category. Minimum bids used to be successful frequently right after the pandemic, but ships are so full at this point, they probably won’t be as successful.

When you go ashore, you may need local currency for food and beverages, shopping, taxis, excursions (outside of the cruise line’s offerings), and tipping.

Yes. Your cruise line will need specific proof from a parent that the child is allowed to travel with you, as well as to give you permission to get medical attention for the child if needed. Each cruise line has detailed requirements for this documentation, so check with them.

The safe answer is yes, you should always cruise with a passport. In addition, the passport should be valid for at least six months after the end of the cruise.

I would say yes. You can use it to show your boarding pass when you embark, to view the day’s activities, to see restaurant menus, to make reservations, and with some cruise lines, to communicate with others in your traveling party.

Yes to both, although renting a scooter and having it delivered to the ship would probably be easiest. Check with companies like SmartScoot or Scootaround . Also, you need to book an accessible cabin, which will have a door wide enough to accommodate the scooter, as well as space in the cabin to store it.

Contact your cruise line. They will be able to answer your questions and possibly handle your requests over the phone, or you may need to fill out a special needs form. More information about using CPAP on a cruise ship is available here .

Absolutely! Check with your cruise line for their wedding packages and prices.

A burial at sea of cremains is possible but there are certain rules that must be followed. Check with your cruise line for theirs.

It isn’t recommended to book a flight home in the morning of disembarkation day. Your ship can arrive late at the port due to weather, or there may be a problem at customs. Either way, it’s safer to book your flight for after 1:00 p.m. or even later, depending on the distance from the port to the airport.

Depending on the distance from your home and the port, you can either drive or fly, If you fly, you can take a taxi, Uber, or private car to the port.

Packing For Your Cruise

As the time nears for your cruise to start, you’ll want to think about packing. But where to start? Below are a few things you might want to consider while packing your bags.

That’s a complicated question. You need to consider how many days you’ll be traveling, the time of year, the local forecast, and your own needs. Check out my posts on cruise capsule wardrobes and what to pack in your carry-on .

No, it is on the list of prohibited items .

No, towels will be provided for you by the cruise ship.

I created the Ultimate Cruise Planner to help you stay organized. With it, you can put together a cruise notebook, and you can learn how here .

Some cruise lines will allow you to bring aboard a bottle or two of wine each. Check with your cruise line about their policy.

Many cruise lines have both, but the number of outlets and their location in the cabin will vary depending on the age of the ship. Check with your cruise line to determine what your cabin will have.

Most cruise lines charge for bottled water, so they don’t allow you to bring any onboard. Others will allow it. Check with your cruise line about their policy.

Most cruise lines provide a hair dryer in all of their cabins. Check with your cruise line to be sure.

Ultimate Cruise Planner

Need a little assistance organizing and planning your cruise? Our Ultimate Cruise Planner can help!

Cruise Rules

A cruise ship is like a little city unto itself, with its own rules and regulations. Here are a few things you need to know.

No drugs, no flammables, no smoking in your room or on your balcony or any other nonsmoking area, no throwing anything overboard, no sitting on railings, no fighting, and don’t disrespect a crew member.

It depends on the item. If it’s something like an iron, the item will be confiscated and held for you by Security until the end of the cruise. If it’s something dangerous, the item will be confiscated and not returned to you. If it’s something illegal, the local authorities will probably be called.

For all cruises originating in North America or the Caribbean, the minimum drinking age is 21. For other cruises, the minimum drinking age can vary from 16 to 21. Check with your cruise line to be sure.

On most cruise lines and itineraries, the minimum gambling age is 18. Some cruise lines change that age to 21 in some cruise destinations. Check with your cruise line to be sure.

Unfortunately, to keep all the passengers safe the list is a bit long and may vary from cruise line to cruise line. Here’s a list of the most common items prohibited on cruise ships to give you an idea. Check with your cruise line to get their list, as it may differ.

Embarkation Day

Several options are available for traveling from the airport to the ship: cruise line shuttle, taxi, rideshare like Uber, or hiring a private car.

When traveling from your pre-cruise hotel to the ship, you can use the hotel’s shuttle (if they have one that goes to the port), taxi, rideshare like Uber, or hire a private car.

Guests are advised to adhere as closely as possible to their appointed arrival time. However, suites guests are often allowed to embark when they like, usually after 11:00 a.m. Check with your cruise line to be sure.

All bags larger than a carry-on must be checked with a porter at the pier. This is to allow them to be x-rayed prior to being brought onboard the ship. If you bring a carry-on aboard yourself, it will need to be x-rayed before you board.

Adults will need their passport, driver’s license, visas (if necessary), and boarding passes.

Your minor children will need their passport, visas (if necessary), and boarding passes.

If traveling with minor children not your own (e.g. grandchildren), you will need a notarized letter signed by at least one parent. Contact your cruise line for details of their requirements for such a letter.

The first day of your cruise is always overwhelming and exciting at the same time. Knowing what to expect can take some of the stress away. Here are suggested things you should do when you get onboard .

A muster drill is a safety requirement that must be completed by all passengers before sailing. Some cruise lines allow you to watch a safety video and then report to your muster station for a life vest demonstration, while others require you to go to a central location to witness a safety speech and life vest demonstration.

Some cruise lines offer a free tour of the ship on embarkation day. Many cruise lines also offer (either for a fee, or for free for passengers in higher loyalty tiers) a behind-the-scenes tour.

At your first meal on embarkation day, tell your waiter about your allergy. They will alert the galley. A chef may wish to meet with you to go over your dietary needs and see how best they can help you.

The best place to store your empty suitcase is under your bed. If the suitcase is too thick to fit, unzip it, open it like a book, and slide it under.

If you forgot a common item like a toothbrush, ask first at Guest Relations. They may have a supply. If not, check the ship’s gift shops. One of them will surely sell toiletries.

On Embarkation Day, place your phone on airplane mode and turn on WiFi. Select the ship’s WiFi for guests and log on using instructions provided to you. If you have problems, the ship will most like have an Internet cafe with a tech guru who can help.

Life Onboard Ship

First, it is a ship, not a boat.

The front of the ship is the bow; the rear of the ship is the stern or aft.

The left side of the ship when facing forward is the port side; the right side is starboard.

The ship’s kitchen is a galley.

The floor is called the deck.

Your room is called a cabin or a stateroom.

A small boat taking you to shore from the ship is a tender.

The bridge is where the captain steers the ship.

The gangway is a ramp or stairs that lead from the ship to the pier.

Yes, your ship probably offers room service. There may be a fee involved, so check with your cruise line.

No, that isn’t a good idea. The ship will be at sea, en route to its next port, and the wind will push through your cabin and under the door, creating a loud wind tunnel effect in the hallway outside.

Yes, it is desalinated sea water that is safe to drink.

Many cruise lines have world-class spas that offer a variety of excellent services and treatments that are generally more expensive than the same services and treatments on land.

Each day of your cruise, you will see sales announced for various onboard shops. The best prices are generally on the last day of the cruise.

Unless you have a beverage package that includes sodas, then no. Free beverages onboard generally include iced tea, lemonade, water (but not bottled), and regular coffee.

Do you like freebies? Who doesn’t, right? They can be found or won on a cruise ship if you know where to look .

The ship is temperature controlled. Some areas (like restaurants or the casino) may be colder than others, so you might want to bring a sweater, light jacket, or pashmina.

No, the casino must close when it is in port to comply with local regulations. When the ship is at sea, it will stay open late. Ship casinos are not allowed to operate while in Hawaiian waters, but will reopen on sea days.

The U.S. dollar is the accepted currency in most cruise line casinos.

Not unless you want to be billed for it. The items in your cabin are for your use while you’re on the ship, not for you to take home. Some cruise lines have a website, though, where you can purchase everything from their bathrobes to their mattresses.

Room gratuities may be included with the cruise fare or added on later. Some cruise lines, like Norwegian, also charge gratuities for specialty dining and beverages. Additional tipping for superior service (to your stateroom attendant, butler, waiter) is common but not mandatory.

Yes, your ship will have professional photographers aboard who will take photos of you, especially on dress-up nights and at specialty restaurants. There will be stations with backdrops, plus the photographers will be roaming the ship. Be aware that the photos aren’t free, however. To see the photos taken of you, go to the ship’s photo gallery.

Tipping is a personal choice, especially since you are probably prepaying many gratuities already (such as for your cabin, or for drinks or specialty dining). If you choose to give extra gratuities to certain crew members (such as your cabin steward, butler, concierge, waiter, bartender) for exceptional service, the choice is yours. You may also choose to pay as you go (such as when you order a drink at a bar), or to give a gratuity at the end of the cruise.

Two reasons: (1) They hold art auctions daily, which is another form of onboard entertainment, and (2) They are money-makers for the ship.

Some cruise ships allow it and others don’t. Check with yours to be sure. If you do decorate, be sure you don’t damage the walls or door in any way while setting up or removing your decorations.

Yes, it’s called a brig, and you definitely don’t want to find yourself there.

For dinners, yes. For shows, usually, especially for very popular shows, but some shows don’t require reservations.

Yes, just ask your cabin steward.

Most cruise ships have laundry service available for a fee. Some even have self-service laundry facilities.

Cash isn’t needed aboard ship. Instead, you’ll use your key card (or a bracelet) that is linked to your credit card. During the cruise, you’ll be able to see your charges on the cruise line’s app or on the TV in your cabin. At the end of the cruise, you’ll receive a printout of all your charges. Be sure to check it for any errors.

Spotty is the best description I can come up with. Sometimes the WiFi is fine, and other times it isn’t great, no matter whether you have basic or premium WiFi.

Your ship will have a variety of restaurants including a buffet, main dining room(s), specialty restaurants, and exclusive restaurants.

That depends on the cruise line, the ship, the itinerary, and the time of year. During school vacations such as in the summer or the holidays, you can expect to see a larger number of children onboard. Itineraries such as the Caribbean and Alaska are popular with families.

Chair hogs are people who leave their belongings on a pool deck chair to “save” them, then leave for an extended period of time. Some cruise lines ban this practice and remove the items, freeing the chair.

Unless you are on a cruise ship like Norwegian that has freestyle dining, you will be dining at your appointed time. Suites restaurants generally allow their guests to dine anytime, but specialty restaurants require reservations.

Usually. Some ships have extravaganza shows for which they charge admission. Many ships also have dinner shows that will incur a charge.

Most onboard activities are free. However, some do incur a charge, such as arcade games, Formula 1 simulator, go-karts, and other high-interest activities. Wine tastings and beer or liquor flights have a fee, as well as some classes.

Cash is king. U.S. dollars are usually preferred, but local currency is fine too. If you want to do something other than cash, good-quality chocolate and chips are always welcome.

Some ships offer babysitting or group babysitting. The ship’s kids’ club will keep your children busy for many hours during the day.

If it is high in the shower with a matching receptacle, it is a clothesline to hang wet clothing on to dry. If it is near the toilet, it could be an emergency pull cord.

Some ships have a safety feature in their bathrooms that prevent you from using a hairdryer there. If that happens, use the hair dryer in the bedroom. The plug that won’t work with a hairdryer is meant for shavers.

If you are capable of handling your luggage on your own, you may take it off the ship yourself. Be aware that the elevators will be full and you may have to wait longer.

You don’t have to use the cruise line’s excursions. A trusted third party for excursions is Viator , but you risk being left behind if your excursion is late. One way to avoid that is to book an excursion as early as possible that gives you plenty of time to return to the ship once the excursion is done.

Your ship will be in port for as short a time as four hours, but as long as an overnight or two.

You either walk down a gangway, or you tender to the port in a lifeboat or other small boat.

Yes, but it will be taken and held for you until the end of the cruise.

If you are on a cruise-sponsored excursion that is late, the ship will wait for you. If, however, you’re on your own or with a third-party excursion, the ship may wait a short time and then leave without you. If this happens, you are responsible for finding a way to rejoin the ship at its next port, and at your own cost.

Disembarkation Day

Generally, 9:00 a.m. is the very latest you can disembark the ship.

Don’t panic! It will be okay. If you booked directly with the airline, you need to call them and rebook your flight. If you booked with the cruise line or a travel agent, you will need to call them.

Final Thoughts on Frequently Asked Questions About Cruising

Whew, that’s a lot of questions! Hope these answers help you know what to expect on your cruise.

Happy cruising!

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Planning to book a cruise? We have some tips for you .

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Pam and her husband, Myron, travel almost three months of the year, enjoying all the benefits of premium cruising. She's learned a thing or two and has a checklist for nearly everything related to cruising, and enjoys sharing those tips and lists with you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Know before you go.

Here are some answers to many of the questions about the cruise experience. Learn about what to do before you cruise, on embarkation day and during your cruise. Also be sure to understand about the documentation that is required to travel and the importance of travel insurance.

If you still have questions then please free to contact us and we'll be happy to help you.

• BEFORE CRUISE
• EMBARKATION DAY
• DURING CRUISE
• PASSPORT, INSURANCE & IMPORTANT INFORMATION

When can I expect to receive my final documents?

Cruise vouchers will be sent to you via mail or email 2-3 weeks prior to departure. Please note that cruise tickets will not be released by the cruise line until after each guest has completed the pre-cruise registration. Pre-cruise registration can generally be completed after final payment is made.

When will my airline itinerary be made available?

Air arrangements purchased through the cruise line are generally made available about 3 weeks prior to departure. Please note that air schedules are booked at the discretion of the cruise line and cannot be changed. Anyone requiring special itineraries/air carriers must arrange for custom air prior to final payment. The minimum charge for custom air itineraries ranges from approximately $35-$100 per person and additional charges may apply. Custom air should be booked as early as possible to insure flight availability. It is the traveler's responsibility to confirm seat assignments and other special services, such as special meals or wheelchair assistance directly with the airline.

What should I pack?

First and foremost, dress for comfort. Daily life aboard ship and in ports of call is laid-back and casual. You are encouraged to wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable: sportswear, shorts, slacks, sundresses and so on. Warmer temperatures call for clothing made of lightweight, breathable fabrics. For cooler temperatures we suggest casual clothes that can be layered easily. On some days you may need a raincoat and waterproof hat or umbrella. Gloves are a good idea as well. Footwear should include comfortable walking shoes for visits ashore and sandals or rubber-soled shoes for strolling on deck.

In the evening the dress codes varies according to the ship that you are sailing on. Most ships now offer a variety of restaurants to choose from and the dress codes for those restaurants will vary from casual to smart casual to formal. The suggested dress code in the ships' main dining rooms is generally sport shirts and slacks for men and sundresses or pants for women although some guests prefer to dress up for the occasion and are welcome to do so. In specialty restaurants and on the luxury cruise ships, jackets and ties for men are suggested for men and cocktail dresses or a nice pantsuit outfit would be appropriate for women. Tuxedos are no longer the norm for formal nights as even on the most formal of ships, a dark suit and tie are fine for the dressiest occasions. Tuxedos are usually available for rental if preferred. Again, these are guidelines and your evening attire is left up to your discretion.

Can I make restaurant and other onboard reservations in advance?

Many cruise lines now offer a variety of dining options including specialty restaurants. As these restaurants tend to be smaller it is recommended to make reservations in advance during the pre-cruise registration process. Reservations can also be made in advance for the Spa and for some other onboard activities and entertainment venues.

Should I reconfirm my airline reservations?

Most airlines require passengers to check in online on their website 24 hours prior to the flight departure time and to print out boarding passes. At this time you can set your profile preferences to be notified about schedule changes either by email, text or a phone call. Please note that while you need to check in 24 hours prior to your flight departure, boarding passes generally cannot be obtained in advance for international flights as the airlines need to be able to verify the validity of your passport and other boarding documents. Plan to be at the airline counter at least 1-1/2 hours before flight time for domestic flights and 2-1/2 hours before flight time for international flights to account for any possible delays.

Is parking available at the pier?

Parking available at most of the piers and the rates vary by location. Visit our Cruise Port Parking page for links and additional information about the parking facilities for specific ports. Please note that at some piers only cash is accepted.

How do transfers work?

Most cruise lines include transfers between the airport and the pier on embarkation/disembarkation day if you have purchased an air/sea package directly with them. Passengers providing their own air must get their own transportation to/from the pier. Prepaid transfers can be purchased separately from most cruise lines. Flight information must be provided to the cruise line with final payment if separate transfers have been purchased.

What are the boarding procedures?

Generally, you will be allowed to board two or three hours before the ship sails. Keep in mind that you must be on the ship at least one hour before departure, and the gangway will be pulled thirty minutes before sailing.

Upon completion of check-in, you will receive a guest identification card. This card will serve as your identification on-board and will be used as your payment method for all onboard charges. In addition, it will also serve as your identification for security procedures when embarking and disembarking the ship and when making purchases on board.

As you walk up the gangway, a member of the cruise staff will welcome you aboard. Your luggage will be delivered to your cabin shortly after it arrives at the ship. You will only have your hand luggage while boarding so be sure to keep important articles such as medicines, cameras, diapers and other necessary items in your carry-on luggage. It's also a good idea to pack your bathing suit in your carry-on luggage so that you can enjoy the pool area while waiting for your luggage to be delivered. Once you are on board you are free to explore the ship. Refreshments are available during embarkation and most cruise lines offer a nice buffet lunch (depending on the departure time).

What is the visitor policy?

For security reasons most cruise lines have implemented a "no visitor" policy aboard their vessels.

Can I use my hair dryer, shaver or other electronic equipment?

Most ships have 110-volt outlets in the staterooms however nearly all ships now feature hair-dryers in the cabins. While traveling outside of the US a converter and an adapter is usually necessary for most electronic devices. Some ships sailing outside of North America offer both 110 and 220-volt outlets. Most hotels outside of the US only offer 220-volt outlets.

Can we stay in touch with the outside?

• Mass Media: Most ships have a daily newsletter with news, headlines, selected stock quotes and sports scores. Staterooms on most ships are equipped with televisions featuring a variety of news and entertainment channels.
• Telephone: While most ships have telephones in passenger cabins, you can also call someone on shore through the ship's radio operator while at sea. Please note that the costs for ship to shore calling can be quite high. You can make phone calls from most ports and most cellular carriers offer international calling plans as well as Cellular at Sea plans that you can purchase for the specific time period before you depart for your trip. If you plan of making phone calls while abroad then pre-purchasing an international calling plan from your cellular carrier can help save you money. Please note that the Caribbean is considered international and roaming charges will apply if an international calling plan is not purchased. Please contact your specific mobile carrier for detailed information about the calling plans that they offer.
• Fax and Internet: Many ships have fax capabilities and internet access. If you plan on using internet while onboard it is often less expensive to purchase an internet plan. Internet packages vary according to the amount of minutes purchased and can be used by most cell phones, laptops or other mobile devices. Information about specific plans can usually be found in your stateroom or at guest services.

What about tipping?

Gratuities vary by cruise line and are usually added to your shipboard account. A general rule of thumb is to plan for about $12.50 to $15.00 per person per day which includes gratuities for your room steward and dining room staff. On many cruise lines it is now possible to prepay the above gratuities. Certainly, if you have received exceptional service from an employee and want to give an additional tip as a token of appreciation, then cash can certainly be offered. On most cruise lines a 15%-18% gratuity is automatically added to beverage purchases, spa packages and other service related items which you may adjust according to services rendered. Most luxury cruise lines and river cruise lines include tipping in the price and will advise you accordingly.

Will I have a shipboard account?

Most cruise lines have set up a "cashless" system designed to make your life on board as simple as possible. You simply sign a receipt for each of your on-board purchases and then settle your shipboard account at the end of the cruise. Cash, VISA, American Express, MasterCard, Discover, and personal or traveler's checks are accepted as payment on most cruise lines.

What is the shipboard check cashing policy?

Most cruise lines will cash traveler's checks. Personal checks cannot be cashed and cash cannot be drawn from your shipboard account.

Are there laundry services aboard?

Almost all cruise ships have laundry facilities and a great many provide dry-cleaning services. There is, however, an additional charge for professional laundry and dry-cleaning services. Many ships also have self-service launderettes.

Can we celebrate a "special" day?

All cruise lines will make your "special" day special. Most will even treat you to a complimentary cake and a chorus of Happy Whatever to honor the occasion.

Are there medical services onboard?

Virtually every cruise ship (except for some smaller vessels operating in coastal waters) has a fully-equipped medical facility and staff to handle almost any emergency.

Your prescription medication should be kept close at hand in your purse or carry-on bag rather than in your checked luggage. Be sure to bring a sufficient supply of medication and transport it in the original container. It is also a good idea to carry a written list of your medications in case they are lost. The list should include the name of the drug, dosage, and times taken.

Please note that charges are usually incurred for services provided by onboard medical personnel. This is another reason why the purchase of travel insurance is very strongly suggested.

Do the cruise lines offer shore excursions?

Shore excursions can be purchased in advance with the Cruise.com Shore Excursion Department or with the cruise line. Shore excursions will help you make the most of your time in port and provide you with the best transportation and guide services available. Excursions can range from simple walking tours to zip-lining, helicopter rides and even custom shore excursions.

Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance can be purchased through the cruise line or Allianz Global Assistance prior to final payment with Cruise.Com. prior to final payment with Cruise.Com. The price will vary depending on the cost and length of your cruise. The purchase of travel insurance is strongly recommended. Once you are within the final payment period the cruise lines will impose strict cancellation penalties as outlined in their brochures. These penalties will not be waived even for medical reasons. Travel Insurance plans may also provide emergency medical benefits for covered illness or injury that occurs during your trip. Most personal insurance policies, including Medicare, do not provide coverage outside the U.S. Please contact Cruise.Com for further details.

Do I need a passport?

AIR TRAVEL All U.S. citizens including children must present a passport or other approved travel document when entering the United States by air. U.S. citizens can present a passport, NEXUS card at airports with NEXUS kiosks, U.S. military ID with travel orders, or a U.S. Merchant Mariner Document when on official business.

CRUISE TRAVEL U.S. citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, by land or sea, will be required to present one of the travel documents listed below.

U.S. Passport – This is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies a person’s identity and nationality. It is accepted for travel by air, land and sea.

U.S. Passport Card – This is a new, limited-use travel document that fits in your wallet and costs less than a U.S. Passport. It is only valid for travel by land and sea.

Trusted Traveler Program Cards – NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST enrollment cards can speed your entry into the U.S. and are issued only to pre-approved, low-risk travelers. The cards are valid for use at land or sea; the NEXUS card can be used in airports with a NEXUS kiosk.

Note: Cruise Ship Passengers: U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) will be able to enter or depart the country with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents.

U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 16 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.

U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 19 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team, may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.

The group should be prepared to present a letter on organizational letterhead with the following information:

• The name of the group and supervising adult;
• A list of the children on the trip, and the primary address, phone number, date of birth, place of birth, and name of at least one parent or legal guardian for each child; and
• A written and signed statement of the supervising adult certifying that he or she has obtained parental or legal guardian consent for each participating child

These rules, requirements and regulations became effective on June 1, 2009 and replace all previous requirements. Cruise.com is not liable for any fees or penalties if passengers are denied boarding for failure to provide adequate documentation of citizenship.

OUR RECOMMENDATION Cruise.com strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This greatly assists guests who may need to fly out of the United States to meet their ship at the next available port should they miss their scheduled embarkation in a U.S. port; guests entering the U.S. at the end of their cruise; and guests needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship's departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons.

Guests who need to fly to the United States before their cruise ends will likely experience significant delays and complications related to booking airline tickets and entering the United States if they do not have a valid U.S. passport with them.

All Non-U.S. citizens: Any non-US citizen who has previously been admitted to the United States for permanent residence must carry their passport and Alien Registration Receipt Card. All other non-U.S./non-Canadian citizens must have valid passports and any necessary visas. Such guests should verify carefully the existing identification requirements for their particular travel situation, as these requirements may change.

IMPORTANT: ALL guests should carefully verify the existing identification requirements for their particular travel situation DIRECTLY WITH THE CRUISE LINE OR THEIR LOCAL CONSULATES OR EMBASSIES, as these requirements may change. Guests arriving for embarkation without proper documentation may be denied boarding and will not be entitled to a refund.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cruising

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The Cruise Web's Cruise FAQ is a great resource for anyone with a cruise-related question, whether you're new to cruising or a veteran cruiser. Learn about the advantages of cruising versus a land vacation. Find help determining what to pack. Read about various onboard activities and dining options. Discover ways to add even more value and make the most of your next cruise. Browse our most frequently asked cruising questions and call our expert cruise consultants at 1-800-377-9383 if you have additional questions.

Why Take a Cruise?

Is cruising affordable and a good vacation value.

Yes and yes. Cruising is the best value for your vacation dollar and there are cruises suited for any budget. Cruise fares include your accommodations, meals, on board activities and entertainment, and sometimes more. The only additional expenses might be drinks, specialty restaurants, optional shore excursions or personal services such as spa treatments.

Where can I go?

Almost anywhere! Cruises sail to hundreds of ports throughout the world and depart from both convenient North American locations and exotic cities around the world!

Do I need a passport?

Sometimes. Your personal cruise consultant will inform you of any passport or visa requirements. You can also find the most current government regulations at the Department of State's travel website: https://travel.state.gov

How long are cruises?

Cruises come in all lengths, ranging from one night to four months long. This makes it possible for us to find the perfect cruise vacation for any budget and schedule!

Are there different types of cruises?

Yes, there are cruises for nearly every interest and preference, from intimate river cruises to fun-filled, big ship vacations - and our consultants are great at matching you with the perfect option.

How do I book a cruise?

Call our expert Cruise Consultants at 1-800-377-9383. Our highly trained agents provide free guidance to match you with the perfect cruise. You can feel confident that our recommendations are based on personal knowledge and experience. Even if you prefer the “do it yourself” route, we still encourage you to call to take advantage of our non-published deals and make sure you have the best vacation possible.

Do cruise lines accept group bookings?

Most lines welcome groups - often with reduced rates and extra amenities (shipboard credit, private cocktail parties, etc.), depending on the size of the group. Be sure to ask your personal cruise consultant about group advantages.

Who Goes on Cruises?

Do cruise lines welcome families with kids.

Twenty-five percent of cruisers sail with children and a majority of cruise lines provide supervised youth activities. Ships even offer different types of age-appropriate activities, suitable for toddlers to teens. Plus, trained youth counselors ensure safety while keeping kids entertained.

Will there be people like me?

It's hard to define the typical cruise passenger because cruisers come from all walks of life, but our experienced cruise consultants will find the best ship for you, based on your preferences and lifestyle.

Can singles have fun on a cruise?

Of course! Cruises are full of activities that make it easy to meet new people, and most ships host parties for singles early in the cruise. Many cruise lines even provide gentlemen hosts for dinner companions or dance partners. Some ships even have studio staterooms designed specifically for single passengers.

Can we celebrate a special occasion?

Certainly - and most cruise lines will even treat you to a complimentary cake to honor your special occasion. Inform your personal cruise consultant of the special occasion and they'll help you arrange celebratory champagne, flowers and more.

Is cruising right for honeymooners?

Definitely! Cruises provide the perfect atmosphere for romance, from breakfast in bed and couples' massages to beautiful sunsets and dancing under the stars. Some ships even offer special packages for performing a wedding ceremony or renewing your vows.

Do you sell gift cards or cruise certificates?

Of course! Anyone can purchase one of The Cruise Web’s Cruise Certificates . Our Gift Certificate Program enables you to give the gift of a cruise, or cruise related amenity, to friends and family. Certificates are available in any denomination and can be used for anything cruise related. From spa treatments to free cruises, Cruise Web Gift Certificates give you the flexibility to offer that special someone a wide variety of gifts to enjoy on their next cruise.

What to Pack?

What should i pack.

Pack like you would if visiting a resort in your cruise's destination. Cruise ships are casual during the day (whether you're on the ship or ashore), but evening dress codes vary as attire is dictated by occasion. At a specialty restaurant or evening gala, for example, you may want to wear something more formal, such as a dark suit or cocktail dress.

Will I need a tuxedo?

No, but a dark suit and tie may be required on the more formal cruise lines' dressiest of occasions. While many ships still offer tuxedo rental services, most lines now feature a relaxed "country club casual" approach to dress throughout the cruise.

Can I use my hair dryer or shaver?

Most staterooms feature 110-volt outlets, but it's always safest to ask our experienced consultants for the most accurate information. Most ships also provide hair-dryers in each cabin.

Cruise Ship Dining

How good is cruise ship dining.

Verrrry good. You'll enjoy a fine selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts, and each day the options will be different. Plus, you can choose vegetarian or health-conscious options that are just as delicious. Best of all, most meals are included (except for some specialty restaurants on certain ships).

What about meal times?

Most ships offer multiple evening meal times in their main dining room, and many feature multiple restaurants with "anytime" dining. Smaller ships may seat all guests once per night. Ask your consultant for the specific meal times of any cruise line.

Can I get a special diet?

Yes, most ships will accommodate special dietary needs, including diabetic, low-carb, low cholesterol and salt-free preferences. Special diet requests should be made in advance, so make sure to inform our cruise consultants of any such needs.

What about dining companions?

Cruise lines usually assign guests to large tables and make every effort to seat groups together. It is also possible to request a table for two or four. If you wish to change dining companions, you can always speak with the maitre d' who will be more than happy to find you more compatible tablemates.

What about gratuities and tipping?

Gratuity charges vary by cruise line, but are generally around $12 per person, per day. Additional tipping is at the passengers' discretion. Some cruise lines maintain a "no tipping" policy, while others include gratuities in the price. Our cruise consultants can answer any questions regarding your cruise line’s specific tipping policy.

What to Do?

Will i be bored at sea.

Doubtful! Cruise ships are like floating resorts featuring something for everyone. You can find a lounge chair, catch some rays and enjoy the ever-changing views or, for more activity, head to the pool, join an exercise class, hone your golf swing and go for a jog. There are also enrichment opportunities with films, exhibits and lecture series!

What can I do in port?

Tons! You can join a guided tour (known as a shore excursion) or explore on your own. Discover the culture, taste local cuisine, search for wildlife and hunt for shopping bargains. Go horseback riding on a beach, climb a waterfall and sail, snorkel or SCUBA dive. Cruising is a great way to try new things in wonderful destinations, all while under expert supervision!

What's there to do at night?

Cruise ships really come alive at night with live entertainment, dancing, nightclubs, feature films and casino games. Many cruise lines also have their own special events like cocktail parties, scavenger hunts, talent contests, Broadway-style shows and more.

Is there a charge for entertainment?

Most on board entertainment is included in the cruise fare.

Do I have to participate in the activities?

Of course not - it's your vacation! You can do everything or absolutely nothing. The choice is yours.

Are there any special educational programs on board?

Many cruise lines offer extensive on board enrichment programs hosted by experts. These programs focus on a variety of interesting topics, from relevant ports on your itinerary to culinary secrets. You could learn about editing digital photography, arts and crafts, environmental conservation and more.

Ship Accommodations & Services

Are all ships fairly similar.

Actually, no. Cruise ships range from intimate yacht-like vessels to enormous mega-ships, meaning you could sail with fewer than 100 guests or more than 5,000. On board entertainment, activities, dining and accommodations also vary from ship to ship. We’ve partnered with several great cruise lines so that we can offer the best cruise ship for every type of cruiser.

Are there different classes of service?

Most of today's cruise ships provide one class of service for all guests. With the exception of a few exclusive suite villas on select ships, everyone can use all of the ship's facilities. The price of your cabin is based primarily on its size and location, not the service associated with it. Regardless of the category and cabin booked, you'll enjoy the same great service, menus and entertainment as everyone else on board.

Are there non-smoking areas?

Most of the space on any ship is non-smoking, but there are a few smoking sections in the public rooms and on deck. Almost all dining rooms, in fact, are completely smoke-free. If this is a concern of yours, remember to ask your cruise consultant about the smoking regulations of the ship you're interested in.

Are there meeting rooms on board?

Most large ships have conference centers or public rooms to offer as meeting spaces for private or corporate groups. Many even offer dedicated meeting facilities. To plan an event at sea or make meeting or incentive travel arrangements, contact our Events @ Sea department at 1-888-250-7803. They'll help you coordinate schedules and arrange for any special requirements or services.

Can we stay in touch with the outside world?

Of course! Almost all staterooms have TVs and satellite phones. Most ships provide cell service so you can even use your own cell phone, just be prepared for additional charges. While at sea, you can sometimes make calls to shore through the ship's radio officer. Many ships also provide wireless internet. The speeds won't blow you away, but you'll be able to check your e-mail and perform other basic internet activities.

Are there medical services on board?

Yes. Most ships provide round-the-clock medical care (operating under the American College of Emergency Physicians' guidelines). While cruise ships aren't exactly hospitals at sea, they can provide adequate care until guests can be transferred to an on shore facility. We recommend that all cruisers have medical insurance and pack extra supplies of all prescription medication. It's also smart to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions prior to cruising.

Do cruise lines provide laundry services?

Yes, most cruise ships offer laundry and dry-cleaning service while others have self-service laundromats. Check with your consultant to verify any costs associated with these services.

Will I get sea or motion sickness?

Probably not. Cruise ships have stabilizers to reduce motion and modern navigation equipment allows them to navigate around rough seas. There are also plenty of preventative medications that ease or prevent motion sickness.

How can I stay healthy on board?

Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer. It's also smart to pack extra supplies of your basic medication in case you ever feel a little under the weather. But you really shouldn't worry - cruise ships follow very stringent guidelines to maintain the healthiest possible shipboard environments.

Cruise Vacation Add-ons

What's an air/sea cruise package.

These packages typically bundle free or reduced-cost airfare with your cruise fare. These cost-effective packages are offered from many major airports and often include ground transfers between the airport and cruise ship. Ask your consultant about available options.

Can I extend my cruise vacation?

Definitely, we actually encourage it! Many cruise lines offer pre- and post-cruise vacation packages (sometimes called "cruisetours"). Ask our cruise consultants about these add-ons when you call.

What If I Still Have Questions?

Who should i contact if i have additional questions.

Your personal Cruise Consultant at The Cruise Web, of course! You can contact us at 1-800-377-9383 with any questions!

Can I book another cruise while on board?

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57 Must-Have Tips, Advice, and Info For First-Time Cruisers

Taking your first cruise? The only thing that can match the excitement of an upcoming vacation is the overwhelmed feeling that comes with trying to navigate and plan for your first trip.

From embarkation on cruise day to dining to shore excursions, everything you do on a cruise is just a little different than any other vacation you’ve ever been on. That’s why we’ve taken the time to round up a boatload of tips — 57 to be exact — that will help you know better about what to expect come cruise day.

From the basic details of cruising to how to save some cash — and much more — we’ve got everything you need to be confident and enjoy your trip the second you reach the port.

Note:  This article contains links to Amazon that are affiliate links. Should you make a purchase, we receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.

1. Don’t Worry About Cash on Board; Everything Is Paid Through Your Room Key

When you go through check-in, you’ll receive the key to your room. (Check-in online ahead of time? It may be in a sealed envelope at your cabin door.) This “key” is actually like a credit card that you’ll slide into your cabin door to unlock it. But it does a lot more. It’s also linked to your shipboard account, and you’ll use your room key just like a credit card to charge items to your account.

No matter if you’re buying a drink or a souvenir on one of the ships, you’ll use this card to pay. The only time you’ll use cash is when you are off the ship in port. This is much more convenient than having to carry around dollars. Just be sure to keep a close hold on your card!

2. Interior Cabins Are Fine For First Time Cruisers

Wondering if you should get an interior cabin or a balcony room? Don’t sweat it. Balconies are great, but there are some big advantages for interior cabins . As a first-time cruiser, it’s doubtful you’ll be spending much time in your room anyway as you’ll want to be out and about exploring. Having an interior cabin is a cheaper way to get on your first sailing without breaking the bank.

3. Balcony Rooms Are Worth It

As we just said, interior cabins are great for first-time cruisers who are usually out around the ship the entire trip. But if you do decide to spring for a balcony room, it’s well worth it.

This is especially the case if you’re the sort of person who likes to take your time getting ready in the morning while sipping on a cup of coffee or just having your own private space to take in the view. Having the fresh air — and the million-dollar views — from your balcony is worth the extra cost if you want to pay a little more for your trip.

4. There Are No Body-Scanners Like at the Airport

Who isn’t turned off by the intrusive security at airports these days? From having to empty water bottles, to taking off shoes, to raising your hands and being scanned by a machine, it’s awful. Thankfully, cruise security is much more like flying used to be. You’ll step through a metal detector and your bags will go on an x-ray machine. The security process takes just a few seconds. There aren’t highly intrusive screening measures in place (at least yet).

5. Don’t Show Up to Board When It’s Not Your Time

When you prepare for your cruise, you’ll either be assigned a boarding time or you get to choose one. Cruise lines designate a boarding time to avoid having everyone arrive at the port all at once. When boarding is open, many people try to get there as early as possible, leading to long lines to get on the ship. Spreading out passengers helps to keep any person from having to wait too long.

What you don’t want to do is try to show up before your boarding time. Sure, you might be able to board early, but there’s also the likelihood that you’ll be asked to wait until your designated time. That means you’ll just be hanging outside the terminal until allowed inside.

6. Passports Are Better Than Birth Certificates

One nice thing about cruises is that many trips allow you to sail with only a birth certificate and photo ID (if they begin and end in the same port). If you don’t have a passport, you can still leave the country and don’t have to go through the hassle and expense of obtaining one.

Even so, it’s much smarter to sail with a passport. Not only does it come in handy should you need to leave the ship early due to an emergency, but it can also save you time. These days many ports use facial recognition matched with your passport for entering the country. Snap a photo and you’re on your way home. Those with birth certificates sometimes still wait in line to be checked by an officer.

7. Don’t Worry About Changing Money in Port

Headed to the Caribbean? It’s likely you’ll visit several countries — with several different currencies — within just a few days. The good news is you don’t have to think about converting currencies at each port. The ports you visit thrive on tourism and make things easy for tourists. They will all gladly accept U.S. dollars, and often take credit cards. Just bring some smaller bills for your port days and you’ll be all set.

8. Take Advantage of Drink Policies to Bring Things On

When you get on a ship there is no shortage of places to spend money. That’s why we suggest passengers take advantage of any chance they have to save.

Case in point: Carnival and Royal Caribbean — two of the biggest players in cruising — allow you to bring on 12 cans of non-alcoholic drinks . 

Considering that soft drinks are about $2-3 each on a cruise, that can save you a nice chunk of change.

9. Order Multiples in the Main Dining Room

Most people don’t realize it, but the cruise lines will often bend over backwards to make you happy. Case in point: You can order multiple items from the dining room menu.

So say you want an appetizer, but can’t choose between two of them. Don’t choose. Instead, just order them both.

This makes it a great way to try dishes that are out of your comfort zone. If you don’t end up liking it, then there’s no big loss since the dining room food is included.

10. Yes, You Can Bring (Some) Alcohol on Board

Cruise lines know that people want to let loose and have a drink (or ten!) on the cruise. That’s why they charge high prices for their booze. Still, most cruise lines allow you to bring aboard some alcohol when you embark at the start of your trip. It’s very restrictive in that it’s typically only a bottle or two of champagne. Still, we recommend taking advantage as it’s much cheaper than buying drinks once on the ship.

11. Do the Math Before Booking the “All You Can Drink” Packages

If you’ve been tempted by the drink packages, do the math before you buy it. Drink packages seem like good deals, but the rules can make them quite pricey. For instance, many cruise lines force each person in a cabin to buy the package if any passenger buys it. As well, you have to buy the package for the entire cruise.

That means even on days when you are in port (and not on the ship for most of the day), you’re still paying for the package. Finally, with high daily prices, you usually have to drink 7-10 drinks each and every day you are on the cruise to come out ahead.

For many passengers, they are actually better off buying drinks individually . (Use our Drink Package Calculator to see if you’re better off with a package.)

12. Take Your Time, Reduce the Lines

Want to board first? Want to be first off the ship? Great, hope you like standing in line. Today’s ships carry more than 4,000 passengers at a time. That means there are usually lines for everything, especially right when they open like when it’s time to board the ship. We’d suggest simply taking your time and don’t worry about being anywhere right when it opens. It will mean you spend less of your vacation waiting around and more time enjoying your trip.

13. Parking at the Port is Convenient, But There Are Cheaper Options

If you’re driving to the cruise port, then you should know that it doesn’t get any more convenient than with the official port parking lots. They are typically right at the cruise terminal, so you unload and head right to check-in. Of course, they charge for that convenience.

If you search for parking lots near the port , you can usually find independent lots that are nearly as convenient, but at a sharp discount to parking at the port. These lots almost always offer a free shuttle to drop you off right at the ship as well.

14. Many Hotels Offer Free Cruise Parking

Plan to stay in town the night before your cruise? If you’re driving in, look for a hotel that offers a cruise parking special . As an incentive to attract guests, many hotels (especially in smaller port cities like Galveston) offer free parking if you stay a night with them. It’s an easy way to save a bundle, but only if you planned to stay the night anyway. It’s typically not worth it to stay just to get free parking.

15. There’s No Bill to Sign (or Tip to Leave) in the Dining Room

Tipping is a fact of life on a cruise. And cruise lines have included gratuities with your cruise fare or charged daily to your account, so they are taken care of automatically. That means when you eat in the free restaurants on the ship like the buffet and the main dining room, there’s no bill to pay or tip to leave.

It can feel a little “wrong” the first time, but when you are done with dinner you simply get up and walk out.

Now, this doesn’t go for specialty restaurants that are a fee. If you eat there you’re expected to sign the bill, and the gratuity is tacked onto the price.

16. Turn Your Phone On Airplane Mode Once on the Ship

There are horror stories after horror stories of people coming back from their cruise with unexpected cell phone charges. The reason is either they use their phone willingly without realizing they are connected to a “roaming” tower or their phone used data without their knowledge for things like updating apps or downloading messages. No matter the reason, you don’t want to accidentally get dinged with a sky-high phone bill. Put your phone on airplane mode before your cruise leaves the shore.

You should also turn on the wi-fi, which will allow you to connect for free to the cruise line’s app.

17. Yes, You Can Hear Through the Walls (So Keep it Down)

If you’re worried about sounds traveling through the walls, you should be. To be clear, the walls are not paper thin, so you won’t hear the cabin next to you watching a TV at a normal volume. But if you are the type that makes a lot of noise (ahem… enjoying your vacation with your partner, perhaps?), then you should try to keep it down. You’ll also be able to hear people in the halls through the door.

18. The Main Dining Room Serves Breakfast and Lunch

Most passengers will eat their dinner in the main dining room, but they actually serve breakfast and lunch there too. The buffet is quick and easy for these meals, but the quality and freshness is usually lower than what you’ll get in the dining rooms. Head over if you want something a little better.

19. It’s a Ship… Not a Boat

It’s not a big deal, but just so you don’t sound like a rookie cruiser, it’s good to understand the terminology. It is a cruise ship that you are sailing on. Calling it a boat during the trip may get you funny looks. 

There’s no real cut-off on what is a considered a boat, versus a ship — other than ships are known as large ocean-going vessels. There’s no doubt that the size and scale of any cruise ship you sail will definitely put them firmly in the “ship” category.

20. Ports of Call Aren’t Always Disneyland

With everything seemingly so perfect on the ship, it can be easy to think that ports of call are perfect as well. To be fair, ports you visit will be pretty safe, especially in the tourist areas. Venture outside of these spots, however, and it’s just like any other place. There are good parts of town and places where you don’t want to venture.

Odds are you won’t find these spots without looking for them, but be aware of your surroundings at all times and don’t do anything like flash lots of cash or wear tons of fancy jewelry.

21. Cruise Insurance? Always a Good Idea to Have

The fact is that most people will never use the travel insurance that they buy. Still, if something goes wrong at sea, it’s a great thing to have. Travel insurance can help cover costs of getting sick or injured in a foreign country, as well as compensate you for travel delays, lost baggage and more. If you’re on the fence about buying insurance, we’d suggest doing so. You can read more about travel insurance and what it covers here .

22. Be Ready for Itinerary Changes

Have your heart set on Cozumel? Can’t wait for that private island? Just know that cruise itineraries can change for any number of reasons. Whether it be an issue with the ship, weather, or even riots in port (yes, this has happened). Often the cruise lines will try to sub one port for another, but it isn’t unheard of for them just to scrap a stop in port altogether. Keep in mind that this is a fairly rare occurrence, but it does happen.

23. Don’t Use Cruise Line Transfers to the Port; They’re a Lousy Deal

If you’re flying in for your cruise, then you’re going to need a ride to the cruise port. Cruise lines are happy to offer this service, for a price. All the cruise lines will offer a shuttle that runs from the airport to the cruise port, but the catch is they are expensive.

For example, Carnival offers a ride from Miami International to the port for about $23 per person, one way. The trip is only about 15 minutes and an Uber costs about $25 for the trip. In other words, a roundtrip on the cruise shuttle would cost $184 for a family of four, but only around $50 with Uber or Lyft.

24. Don’t Waste Time Searching For a Deal; Fares Are the Same on Every Website

If you think you’re going to find some hidden deal, stop stressing. Every cruise website offers the same fares these days . Here’s the results of a recent search we did for an upcoming cruise, pricing it out across several sites:

Our advice? Book directly with the cruise line to cut out the middleman in case there is an issue with your reservation. If you don’t know what cruise line you want to sail, then an aggregator like Expedia can search multiple lines at once.

25. Yes, There’s a Hair Dryer in Your Cabin

Save the space and leave the hair dryer at home. Each cabin comes with a hair dryer for your use. They usually aren’t fancy, but get the job done. Even better, let the breeze on the top deck dry your hair for you (that’s a joke… sea hair is a real thing!)

You’ll normally find it in the built-in console in the main part of the cabin, not in the bathroom.

26. Outlet Adapters Are a Must-Have

From portable fans to laptop and tablet chargers to nightlights to curling irons, the need for outlets in a cruise cabin is always increasing. That’s why we suggest bringing aboard an outlet adapter like this one to plug in and give you more free plugs.

One thing to know — adapters with surge protectors are forbidden. A simple multi-plug adapter is all you really need, and it’s worth its weight in gold.

27. Cabins Get Very Dark; Bring a Night Light

There’s nothing worse than being in an unfamiliar, dark cabin and having to get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom. Save yourself from walking into furniture and stubbing your toe by packing a simple plug-in nightlight . It’s especially helpful if you’re in an interior cabin where there are no windows to provide outside illumination.

28. Every Cabin Comes With a Safe; Use it

When you leave your cabin, be sure to put any valuables in the cabin safe. No, it’s not perfect, but it acts as a good deterrent from crimes of convenience and provides you with a little peace of mind. The safes aren’t that big, but will hold cash, jewelry, phones and passports with plenty of room to spare.

29. Your Balcony Isn’t as Private as You Think

The cruise line might sell it as a private balcony, but there isn’t a whole lot of privacy. Your balcony on your cabin will have walls that shield you from the adjoining cabins, but the walls often don’t go from the floor to ceiling. They can easily be looked under or above, and someone could look around the side of them if they really wanted to. Keep this in mind if you’re out on the balcony when the mood for romance strikes .

30. Drink in Port to Save Cash Versus on the Ship

We all know drinking is part of cruise culture, but the cost can soar quickly. That’s why it’s a good idea to head to port if you want to get your money’s worth. Most of the party bars near the cruise terminals will have drink specials designed to get you in the door. It’s often much cheaper than drinking at a ship’s bar.

31. Taking the Stairs Is Faster If Traveling Only a Few Decks

With upwards of 20 decks on some cruise ships, going up and down via stairs is time-consuming… and tiring. But with so many people using the elevators, it’s common to have to wait awhile before you get one. That’s why if you are only going up or down three decks or fewer, it’s usually faster to take the stairs. Plus, it will help you work off some of those buffet calories.

32. Don’t Stress: Formal Night Isn’t a Big Deal

No, you don’t have to buy a tux or an evening gown for your cruise. You won’t be out of place if you do, but formal night actually isn’t that big of a deal. On these nights, plenty of people dress up, while others just put on a pair of nice pants and a button-down shirt. Our advice? Just keep it a step above poolside casual  (so no shorts or t-shirts) and you’ll be just fine.

33. Don’t Tip Twice! Gratuity Is Usually Automatic

Grab a drink from the bar? Your bill will typically include a gratuity automatically. Keep this in mind and double-check the itemized receipt before you sign as there is often another line for write-in tips. Unless the service was simply above and beyond, there is no reason to give a second tip on your drink.

34. You Get Sunburned Much More Quickly in the Tropics

Everyone tells you to be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen on your cruise, but they don’t tell you why. At lower latitudes the sun’s rays are more direct. The result is that you can get burned being exposed to the sun for as little as 10 minutes if you aren’t used to it. So yes, wear the sunscreen, as well as a broad-brimmed hat to keep the UV rays off you as much as possible. The last thing you want is to look like a lobster on the second day of a week-long cruise.

35. Cruise on Older Ships to Save Money

News stories always hype up the biggest, newest cruise ships, and the cruise lines charge a pretty penny for sailings on these ships. If you’re looking to save money, look for trips that sail on older vessels. These ships are still in great shape (and are often refurbished), but offer fares that are hundreds of dollars less than a similar sailing on a new member of the fleet.

36. Pack as Much as You Want, But Be Smart

Most of us are used to air travel, where you are charged sky-high fees for checking in baggage. Cruise ships are completely different.

There are no fees for luggage and no hard rules for how much you can bring. It’s a nice change of pace from flying, but don’t go crazy. Remember that even though you can bring more on board, you still have to lug all that luggage around. If you’re bringing more than one large bag for a week-long cruise, then you’re packing too much.

37. Don’t Cruise If You Have a Warrant For Your Arrest

Traffic ticket that you never cleared up? Some other run-in with the law? If you have a warrant, don’t think about taking your first cruise. It’s a well-known tactic by law enforcement to check the passenger manifest against those with outstanding warrants. They often let the passengers sail on the cruise, and bust them when they come back . Get it cleared up before and you won’t have anything to worry about.

38. Certain Cabin Locations Are Better For Seasickness Relief

Most people don’t have an issue with seasickness on a cruise as the ships today ride smoothly in the water. But if you are worried about it, then look for a cabin that is as low and close to the middle of the ship as possible.

The action of the waves causes the ship to pitch up and down the most at the end of the ship, with the middle acting as the fulcrum on a see-saw. There’s no guarantee you won’t feel the motion, but it should be better than getting a room toward the front or back of the ship.

39. Avoid Lines By Visiting Guest Services Late at Night or Early in the Morning

Chances are high you’ll need to visit Guest Services as least once during your trip. If you do have to go to ask something about a reservation or your account, try to time your visit to off hours (the desk is open 24 hours a day). Times like just before dinner can see long lines, when you’d rather be out enjoying yourself. Early in the morning (before 8 a.m.) and late at night (after 11 p.m.) are the best times to see the shortest lines.

40. Wait For People to Exit the Elevators Before Trying to Get In

Elevators are the heartbeat of the ship. With 4,000 cruise passengers trying to go up and down on more than a dozen decks, elevators are constantly busy, no matter the time of day. That’s why you should always wait to enter only after people have gotten out. It’s polite, but it also makes getting on and off much easier. Just stand far enough back to give people plenty of space to exit — especially given the need for social distancing.

41. Pack a Small Fan For Your Cabin

While every cabin has air conditioning, they don’t have fans of any kind. That’s not an issue if you have a balcony and open your door, but any interior room is going to get a little stuffy — especially if you’re the sort of person that’s used to airflow. Luckily, you can bring aboard a portable fan like this one . As a bonus, a fan makes a great white-noise machine to help drown out any sounds from neighboring cabins.

42. Wear Sandals With Thick Tread Around the Ship

If you have a pair of cheap flip-flops that you like wearing around the pool, then it’s time to upgrade. Those sandals usually have slick bottoms that get worn down easy. When you hit a puddle, it’s easy to lose your grip and slip. On a ship, there are way too many places where you can slip and fall — especially around the pool. Upgrade to a pair that has a nice rubberized sole with plenty of tread.

43. Make a Copy of Your Passport Photo Page to Carry On You

Think the most valuable thing you’re carrying is the money in your wallet or your purse? Think again. Potential thieves would love to get their hands on your passport. And even if you just misplace it, losing a passport is a major ordeal. That’s why we like to put our passport in our cabin safe and carry a photocopy of the ID page with us in port or just use a driver’s license.

If you run into a situation where you need a passport (rare), this page can serve as ID until you get back to the ship. Meanwhile, you don’t have to worry about your actual passport getting lost in a port.

44. Your Casino Payouts Can Be Worse Than on Land

If you want to gamble, head to Las Vegas. On the ship the games are the same, but the payouts are usually worse . For example, on most ships blackjack pays 6-to-5 instead of the usual 3-to-2. Craps games heavily limit the amount of odds bets you can make. Head to the casino, enjoy yourself, but don’t think you’re getting a great deal.

45. Always Pack Some Cool-Weather Gear

Even if you are headed to the sunny Caribbean, it’s still a good idea to bring some warm clothes. When the ship is sailing and the sun has gone down, the combination of cooler temps and a strong breeze make it downright chilly on the deck. In addition, many spots around the ship are well air-conditioned, meaning you can be cool indoors as well.

46. Sail During the Summer/Spring Break for Younger Crowds

If you want to hang out with a younger crowd, then the time of year you sail is the biggest factor as to who you will sail with. Ships see younger crowds when school is out — Spring Break, Christmas, and Summer Break.

And if you’re looking to avoid younger folks and have a quieter cruise, then try to sail when school is in session and people are heading back to work. Months of January and February, as well as September and October will see older crowds compared to summer.

47. Save Hundreds By Sailing Off-Season

The rule of thumb is that cruises are most expensive when school is out. That’s because more people are able to take trips, driving up demand. So if you’re flexible with your dates, you can sail during off-season months like January or October and save some considerable money . The same trip sailing in late January can be 50% the cost of the same sailing that departs at the peak of summer.

48. Shorter Cruises = More Party-Like Atmosphere

If you want to have a calmer, quieter cruise, then look for trips that are seven days or more. Shorter cruises, which are less-expensive overall, tend to attract younger and more energetic crowds. That’s not to say it’s going to be like Mardi Gras, but shorter cruises — especially those traveling during the summer months — will definitely be a bit rowdier than what you’ll see from a week-long trip.

49. Invest in a Good Dry-Bag For Shore Days 

If you’re sailing to the Caribbean, the first image that comes to mind is white, sandy beaches and clear water. But what do you do with your cash, wallet, phone, and anything else you don’t want to get wet?

You can either leave it on shore as you swim or risk it getting soaked in the water. That’s why a dry-bag like this one is a great investment. It’s cheap, compact, and keeps all your stuff safe and sound.

50. Go Ahead, Splurge on Shore Excursions (Worth It)

Your first thought when you see the prices of shore excursions is that they are expensive. It’s not unusual for a shore excursion that is just 3-4 hours run more than $100 per person. But we think this is one spot to splurge on your trip.

Excursions give you a chance to do things you won’t have the opportunity to do anywhere else in the world — from exploring ancient ruins to taking a submarine under the Caribbean . After your trip you won’t remember the money you spent, but you won’t forget the experience you had.

51. Be Prepared for Hundreds in Port Fees and Gratuities

Cruise lines advertise ridiculously low fares. Well, just know that they are just the start of what you’ll pay. In addition, you’ll have to pay taxes and port fees, which can run into the hundreds depending on your specific trip. Add to that gratuities, which run about $15 per person, per day. Combined, these fees can add considerably to the cost of your cruise. Be prepared.

52. Keeping in Touch is Expensive (Internet Access)

Want to check email, surf the web, or call/text back home? Prepare to pay. Out at sea, the only communication is via satellite. Every cruise ship will have packages that allow you to call or get web access , but they charge a high price (often around $15-25 per day). There are several work-arounds (such as International plans that will give you cell phone service in port cities or using free wi-fi in ports), but for many people, it might be best just to turn off your device and enjoy being disconnected for a few days.

53. Don’t Even Think About Being Late For the Ship

Check out the video below. Don’t let this happen to you. The departure times for port days aren’t suggestions. You should be back on board by that time and not a moment later. The last thing you want to do is be a “pier runner” or worse, miss the ship altogether.

54. No Habla Espanol? No Problemo.

Many of the ports in the Caribbean and Mexico are Spanish-speaking countries, whereas others may speak Dutch or French. Don’t worry. You don’t have to be multi-lingual to get by. The cruise ports thrive on tourism and they make it as easy as possible for foreign tourists to get around. Practically everyone you encounter will speak English, so you can leave the Spanish dictionary at home.

55. Be Prepared to Have Your Picture Taken

Not the sort of person that likes having your picture taken by strangers? Get ready, because it will start before you even step foot on the ship. It’s big business on a cruise for roving photographers to take pictures of guests having fun. The pictures are then sold in the photo store on the ship.

To be fair, the photographers are great and it’s a nice way to get a professional photo done to remember your trip. If you don’t want a picture taken, you can just politely decline. And there’s no charge unless you decide to buy the picture.

56. Don’t Expect to Drink the Alcohol Bought in Port

If you think that bottle of tequila you just bought in Cozumel will make for a fun evening, think again. Just like on embarkation day, you can’t bring on bottles of booze from ports. Anything bought in port will be held on the ship and delivered back to your stateroom the night before you leave.

57. Be Careful, Cruises Are Addicting

You sure you want to take that first cruise? One thing they don’t tell you in all the brochures is how addicting it can be. A week of being catered to, eating great food, and visiting multiple exotic ports is hard to forget when you head back to work after your trip. In fact, many people book their next cruise while on the ship. But let’s be honest… there are worse habits to have than a cruising habit!

Related Articles:

• The Must-Read First-Time Cruise Guide for New Passengers
• 22 Basic Things Every First-Time Cruiser Should Know
• The 8 Things First-Timers Forget to Pack for a Cruise

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

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My first cruise next week will tender at Phuket with overnight stay. I’m wondering whether tender boat is usually available round-the-clock and will I be able to get back to the ship at midnight on Day 1? Or should I consider booking a hotel onshore? Thank you.

Not sure on that. Only stayed overnight in a port once and there was an “all-aboard” at midnight so they didn’t want you staying out past that time. It will be a cruise line policy, however, so yours may be different.

Where or who do I find out about Port Fees and taxes how much I should budget.

This will all be disclosed prior to buying. You can price the specific cruise online, but normally just factoring in $100-$200 per person is a quick way to figure it.

Ok I’m confused about the alcohol. Because most I have seen allow two bottles of wine per cabin (Either per port or per cruise). But this says you won’t get it until after the cruise?

No, you can bring on bottles of wine/champagne. Anything bought in port will be held until the last day of the cruise and then delivered to your room the last night.

Thank you for explaining that your room key acts more like a credit card on a cruise. My wife and I are planning on taking a cruise at the end of the year as a way to celebrate the coming of the new year. This will be our first time, so these tips you shared will help us make sure we have a great experience during the cruise.

I’m planning my trip first cruise. When choosing a balcony cabin on a large cruise, is it better on the upper decks, middle or lower? There seem to be price differences for different decks. Rom is there no difference? Thank you for infor.

To us it doesn’t really matter. It’s more about where you want to be in proximity to other parts of the ship. For example, most of the indoor amenities (casino, shopping, etc) are in the middle of the ship. Outdoor amenities are on the higher decks. So it’s really about if you mind taking the stairs or elevators to get back and forth.

My favorite part of this article is when you said that booking the balcony room is the best choice. As you mentioned, it is perfect for those who take their time in the morning while drinking a cup of coffee with a view. This is perfect for my husband and me because my husband is way too slow in the morning since he is a night owl. Actually, ever since we were dating, he would never choose to go out in the morning. Thanks!

Wow, it’s interesting that you said that there are no luggage fees in cruises, and we can bring as much as items as we want to. My family and I are going to look for a cruise trip for summer because it has been of our dreams ever since my husband and I got married. Our kids were also very excited when we told our plans with them. We will keep these tips in mind. Thanks a lot!

is there smoking cigarettes on a carnival cruise

Yes there is, but only in designated areas. It’s not allowed in your cabin or on your balcony.

Just returned from our first cruise and I am so glad I read your ‘tips and advice’! They really helped! And yes, they are ‘addicting’! Already booked for this summer out of NYC on a 4 night with new Carnival ship to Bermuda!!! YAY!!

Love to hear you had a great time!

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Top 10 FAQs From Cruise Rookies

By Tammilee Tips

Have you always wanted to go on a cruise but were not really sure if it was for you? Do you have questions about cruising but never knew who to ask?

Well if you answer yes to either of these questions we are here to help!  When we took our first cruise for our honeymoon we had soooooo many questions about cruising. The only people we knew who had really cruised before were my parents. I hate to say it but we instantly thought that meant that cruising was just for old people and we would stick out like nothing else.

After taking over 10 cruises the past five years we have found that these are the top 10 frequently asked questions from non-cruisers.

1. Is it expensive?

It honestly depends on the type of cruise you book. There are cruises in all price ranges. You can find cruises for a few hundred dollars up to thousands of dollars depending on the cruise line, length of cruise and the ports visited.  The great thing about cruising is your room, your regular dining and entertainment is built into the cost. Sure you can add additional cost by purchasing liquor, eating at specialty restaurants or gambling but that is up to you. Trust me no one is going to drag you to the bar and force you to drink a fruity mai tai….that is unless you want them to 🙂

2. Do I have to wear a formal dress every night?

I am happy to say that the majority of cruise lines do not expect you to dress formal every night.  You can go all out and get dressed up nightly if you would like to but it is not a requirement.  You also have the option of dressing casually to eat in the buffet every night of the week. Pre-warning: casual means actual clothes not just your swimsuit.

On Carnival we dress up a tad bit for dinner every night because we love it.  I am not wearing a formal dress and heels but I might wear a skirt, summer dress, or cute top and pants. John wears a button down shirt and nice pants with or without a jacket depending on his mood. We like to treat each night at dinner as a great date night.

3. Will I have fun?

Oh my goodness yes! You get to choose what you do during your cruise. Want to spend the day taking a long nap, watching a movie and ordering room service….go for it. Want to spend the day sitting by the pool soaking up the sun and drinking a fruity cocktail….go for it. Want to take a dance class and learn how to ballroom dance…go for it. Want to play cards with friends all day or dominos….go for it. Want to watch the world go by from a lounge chair in the shade….you can totally do it. How can you not have fun when there are so many options for things to do! We tend to have so much fun that we actually schedule in a nap each day so we force ourselves to relax for a bit.

You get to choose what you do and when you do it on the cruise ship.

4.   Are cruises family friendly or more of a party scene?

If you are looking at a couple day cruise that is specifically marketed for college kids and people in their 20’s you may wind up on a getaway with more partiers than the cruises we’ve taken. Some cruise lines do cater to a certain age group more than others. That said, we have been on a few cruise lines and each time we were more than comfortable. We love Carnival because there is something for everyone on the ship. If you are looking for an adult sanctuary you can visit Serenity for a quiet oasis. If you are looking for a fun area for your kids they can visit the kids camps. Ages 0-99 will have fun!

5. Can I check my emails and Facebook account from sea?

Yes! The ships have internet access available to purchase when you get on board. Each ship has varying prices depending on the amount of minutes you need. The only time we have run into an issue was on a Baltic Sea cruise and we were in the middle of nowhere and the internet couldn’t connect. Everyplace else in the world we have not had a problem.

6. I have dietary restrictions is this a problem?

Not a problem at all.  You can let the cruise line know about your dietary restrictions in your registration. This allows the ship to make sure they have the right food products available during your cruise. Most cruise lines request at least 30 days’ notice so they can make sure the order goes through with your requests. You can also work with the cruise line if you have specific foods you can’t have.

Plan a getaway

Being a vegetarian I have not had any issues on any cruises with finding ample options available at all meals.  We try and visit the steakhouse on the Carnival Cruise Ships and I am still able to find an amazing meal that is vegetarian. The chefs are so great at working with your dietary needs and making sure that you love your meal.

7. What is the safety drill and can I skip it?

The safety drill also known as the muster drill is required of all passengers on each cruise you embark on. It is not an option to skip the safety drill. Each room is checked and guests are counted at each muster station. The safety drills are pretty quick and they are the perfect sign that you are about to embark on an amazing cruise adventure.

8. Do I need to bring cash on board for tips or purchases?

You can bring cash on board for tips but it is not necessary unless you want to. The ship will automatically add your  daily tips to your cruise account  each night. You can tip your servers or room steward at the end of the cruise if you wish too. You do not need cash on board the ship for purchases. All of your purchases will be credited to your onboard ship account.

You may want to bring cash for your days in port. Your ship card only works on the ship so you will need to have cash or a credit card available if you chose to make purchases while in port.

9.  Are there exercise areas available to burn calories?

Well this one is totally up to you…….

You have the choice on the cruise of many options for food and fitness. I will say that the food on the cruise is normally really good! But there are so many options to work off the calories. There is a sports track to walk or jog around, basketball courts, swimming pool, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, dance classes, yoga class and oh yeah a huge gym on board. There are options for everyone to burn off calories and to enjoy amazing food.

You can even play a round of mini golf on many Carnival ships. We make it a point of walking the deck daily on the Carnival cruises we take. It is a great way to meet other passengers and enjoy the amazing weather.

Plus you have the chance of seeing dolphins and other wildlife while you are walking. I definitely don’t get to say that when I am walking at home in Spokane.

10. Are excursions included in my cruise rate?

For most cruise ship excursions are an additional charge. Excursions range from around $30-$300 and up, depending on the activities involved with the excursions. Excursions are a great way to explore a port and not have to worry about transportation, how long you are off the ship or what to do. The cruise ships have vetted out the companies that handle the excursions to make sure they are the best in the area.

We have done some truly amazing excursions on our Carnival cruises. Some of our favorites include driving ATVs and swimming with sharks in Grand Turk, visiting Passion Island near Cozumel , visiting Bayahibe beach in Dominican Republic and touring Key West.

You can find out more about the excursions offered on your cruise by checking the cruise website. Most cruise lines will show the specific cruises that are being offered for your cruise on their site. You can check to see which ones include meals, how much activity is involved and how long each excursion is on their websites.

Please let us know if we can answer any other cruise questions for you!!!! We are huge fans of cruising and would love to share our experiences with you.

This post was created as part of my collaboration with Carnival . As always, all of the opinions, thoughts, and ideas in this post are my own.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I bring alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages onboard?

Revised Policy effective June 1st, 2021

Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages on board for consumption or any other use except as follows:

Guests 21 years and older may bring Wine and Champagne onboard, however a corkage fee of USD $20.00 (which is subject to change without notice) will be applied to each bottle (max 750 ml in volume or less). Limitations apply. Wine brought in quantities deemed to be excessive by the vessel or security will be refused.

Wine purchased during company-sponsored shore excursions that visit local wineries are exempt from the on-board corkage fee (offer limited to one bottle of wine per person).

For voyage that depart from and return to Australia and/or New Zealand, this policy applies to guests 18 years and older. For voyages which depart from and return to Europe, China, Hong Kong, Singapore or Taiwan, this policy applies to guests 18 years and older, and for voyages which depart from and return to Japan, this policy applies to guests 20 years and older.

Items such as sodas, energy drinks or other non-alcoholic items are not allowed on board in any form. Plastic water bottles are not allowed. However, an allowance of six liters, twelve (12) cans or cartons (500 ml in volume or less) or six (6) cans or cartons (1 liter in volume or less) of water are allowed per stateroom.  Any amount in excess of this allowance will be not be allowed onboard. Water in plastic bottles will not be allowed onboard in any quantity, including in ports of call. Guests will be asked to discard open beverages in plastic containers prior to boarding.    

All checked and carry-on luggage will be scanned and any prohibited items, including alcoholic/nonalcoholic beverages will be removed, confiscated, and discarded.  If your luggage is locked, the lock may be removed by security or, alternatively, the luggage will be held by security until you can be present for an inspection and any items in question further identified and/or surrendered.  Holland America Line shall not be responsible for any loss, cost, disappointment or damage of any kind as a result of any luggage lock removal, alcoholic/nonalcoholic items, or other prohibited items removed and discarded in violation of the policy. You agree to surrender alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty free from the ship's gift shop, or at ports of call, to Holland America Line, which will be delivered to your stateroom just prior to disembarking the voyage. Any wine or champagne supplied by the Holland America Line to you is not subject to a corkage fee.  Purified or distilled water in factory-sealed containers (including plastic containers) for use in conjunction with medical device(s) are allowed in checked luggage and must be packed with the device(s). Distilled/purified water in factory-sealed containers (including plastic containers) for the reconstitution of infant formula is allowed in checked luggage for staterooms with infant bookings. Limitations apply. Allowances are subject to change without notice and remain subject to situational assessments by both security and the vessel.

An 18% Service Charge is automatically applied to all Beverage Purchases, Bar Retail Items, Specialty Restaurant Cover Charges and all For Purchase A La Carte Menu Items. Local Sales Taxes Applied where required.

Buying Tobacco & Alcohol

• A traveler may include up to 100 cigars and 200 cigarettes (one carton) in the US$800 exemption from duty. U.S. residents on State Department-licensed travel to Cuba may no longer bring cigars or other goods back with them from their visit. Additional cigars and cigarettes may be brought into the country, but they will be subject to duty and taxes. Cigarettes may also be subject to a tax imposed by state and local authorities. Bidis - essentially flavored cigarettes - are not generally permitted entry. 
• Generally, one liter of alcohol per person may be entered into the U.S. duty-free by travelers who are 21 or older, although travelers coming from the U.S. Virgin Islands or other Caribbean countries are entitled to more. Additional quantities may be entered, although they will be subject to duty and IRS taxes.

Are transfers included?

Hotel Packages

If you have booked your hotel accommodations through Holland America Line, transfers are included between the airport, hotel and ship. Please notify Holland America Line of your air travel schedule no later than 14 days prior to your arrival; otherwise we will not be able to transfer you from the airport. If you booked your air travel through Holland America Line, then we already have your schedule.

Purchasing Transfers

Transfers may be purchased between select major airports and your ship as well as from your ship to select major airports. Transfers operate on the day of embarkation and disembarkation only and are available to Flight Ease® guests and to guests who have independent flight plans. Guests with independent flight arrangements must advise Holland America Line of their flight details at least 14 days prior to departure by completing on-line check-in.

In addition, we offer transfers between select city center locations and Holland America ships in Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, Rotterdam, Rome and Sydney, as well as between airport and hotel in Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Reservations and payment are preferred 14 days prior to departure, but available up to 3 days before departure by calling:

• US: 800-426-0327 5:00 am to 7:00 pm PT Monday-Friday and 6:00 am to 5:00 pm (Pacific Time) Saturday and Sunday.
• UK:  0344 338 8605 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday-Friday and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday. The office is closed on Sunday.
• AU: 1300 987 321 8:30 am to 7:00 pm Monday-Friday and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday. The office is closed on Sunday.
• NL: 0800 724 5425 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday-Friday and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday. The office is closed on Sunday.
• EU: 00800 1873 1873 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday-Friday and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday. The office is closed on Sunday.

Unused transfers are not refundable.

Accessible Transfer Requirements

If you have purchased a transfer through Holland America Line or have booked a Land+Sea Journey and require a lift vehicle, please have your travel advisor communicate with our Access & Compliance Department at 800-547-8493, as soon as possible, so we can arrange a special transfer or lift equipped motorcoach for your Land+Sea Journey. Please reconfirm any special transfer requirements for disembarkation with the Front Office after you board. For cities of embarkation and/or disembarkation, other than in the United States, wheelchair lift vehicles may not be available. Please call Access & Compliance for detailed information.

What happens if it rains on my destination wedding day?

If the weather is unsuitable for an outdoor ceremony, alternate arrangements will be made at the discretion of the coordinator.

What about medications & prescriptions?

Pack enough medication. Refill your medicine prescriptions sufficiently for the duration of the cruise. Keep it with you at all times and remember to leave all medication in its original container. It is also a good idea to bring your immunization records and prescription for eye glasses or contacts.

Keep medication close at hand in your purse or carry-on bag. Be sure to bring enough prescription medicine to last throughout your cruise, as it may not be available on board or in some of the countries visited.

Your prescription medication should be kept close at hand in your purse or carry-on bag rather than in your checked luggage. Be sure to bring a sufficient supply of medication and transport it in the original container. It is also a good idea to carry a written list of your medications in case they are lost. The list should include the name of the drug, dosage and times taken. In case of emergency, Holland America will assist in filling prescriptions. However, please note that additional charges will apply.

Prescription medical marijuana is not allowed on board. Possession of marijuana, even if by prescription, is a violation of US law, may be a violation of the laws of countries the ship may visit, and may result in referral to law enforcement authorities. Prescription Marinol, an alternative to marijuana, is permitted on board.

Are service animals permitted on board?

Holland America Line only permits service animals on board, defined as those animals that are individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. We do not permit our guests to bring pets, therapy/companion animals, and other animals that do not meet the definition of service animals. If you have any questions about whether the animal you wish to bring on board is, in fact, a service animal, you may contact our Guest Accessibility Department.

Your itinerary may include ports of call that have very specific and strict requirements that need to be met prior to your service animal being allowed off of the ship. Please be sure you understand the requirements for a service animal to disembark in each port of call. The best places to obtain specific information on required documentation and immunizations for your service animal are the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website , local customs offices in the specific ports, and from your service animal's veterinarian. All documentation and immunization requirements are established by government authorities and not by Holland America Line. Should you need assistance in locating this information, please contact our Guest Accessibility Department.

To board the ship, your service animal must have current vaccinations. Records confirming the vaccination status should be provided to our Guest Accessibility Department prior to your departure. We also recommend that you carry the immunization records with you in case they are required at any port of call. If you do not have the proper documentation and proof of vaccinations for your service animal required at a port of call, or if there are local quarantine requirements, your service animal will be denied the right to leave the ship. If your service animal is denied the right to leave the ship in a specific port of call, the staff and crew will work with you to determine what actions may be possible to allow you to visit the port without your service animal. Please note that in your absence, you will need to provide for the care and supervision of your service animal. Except in those circumstances where your service animal has been denied disembarkation, you may not leave your service animal unattended on the vessel or in your stateroom at any time.

Important Information for Service Animals on Australian Cruises The Australian quarantine authorities have changed their approach regarding service dogs on-board cruise ships. Unfortunately, their new approach makes it practically impossible for us to accept service animals on domestic or roundtrip cruises from Australia. The Department of Agriculture now considers these cruises to be akin to an international voyage and therefore under ‘biosecurity control’. As a company, we are incredibly disappointed with the Department’s new approach, and we have written to the Federal Minister to ask for a return to their previous way of doing things. At this time guests will not be able to travel with service animals on voyages that end in Australia or call upon a port in Australia after visiting a foreign country. Guests sailing on voyages that begin in Australia will be able to sail with their service animal provided the voyage does not return to Australia after visiting a foreign port. Should you have further questions please contact our Guest Accessibility Department via email at  [email protected] .

What options are available for guests who are blind or have low vision?

To help maximize the cruise experience for our guests who are blind or have low vision, Holland America Line has made the following items available:

• Screen reader computer software in the Explorations Café that allows guests to navigate the web by listening to the text.
• Downloadable daily activities, news, and menus for guests with laptops with screen reader programs. These items may also be downloaded to the screen reader-enabled computer in the Explorations Café.
• With 45 days' notice, large print or Braille menus describing the inspired cuisine offered across dining venues, from the elegant Dining Room to the casual Lido Market.
• A familiarization tour of the vessel upon arrival.

What are the boarding procedures?

Your assigned check-in time is printed on the Boarding Pass page in your Express Docs. Please note that U.S. government security regulations require us to submit certain guest information to law enforcement authorities at least 60 minutes prior to departure. To meet this requirement, we must have the necessary information in our records at least 90 minutes before departure. If we do not have your information by this deadline, you will be unable to sail. Guests are urged to complete the Online Check-in process before leaving home. Guests who wait to check in at the terminal risk being unable to sail even if they arrive at the terminal before the vessel leaves. You will be responsible for all costs you incur to join the vessel at the next port.

Prior to boarding, you will pass through a security checkpoint. Next, you will be required to complete ship check-in formalities. Please note: Except for wine and champagne, alcoholic beverages may not be brought on board during embarkation or in ports of call. Bottles and other containers will be collected for safekeeping and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the voyage.

Your stateroom keycard will be delivered to your stateroom. This card serves as your identification for security procedures when embarking and disembarking the ship and for making purchases on board. It is also your room key. Please have your card and photo identification ready and available whenever getting on or off the ship, as you will need to scan your card at the optical monitors located at the gangway.

IMPORTANT: For this procedure, you will need to present your travel documents and the required proof of citizenship. If you completed Online Check-In, you will need to present your  Boarding Pass. If you were unable to complete Online Check-In prior to your travel, please allow sufficient time to complete the immigration questionnaire (one per person) at the pier.

For more information on this and the documentation you will need to have with you, please review the FAQs under Cruise Preparation. You may also receive arrival documentation from Immigration when arriving at the airport. Please keep these available for check-in. The Front Office on board may require the collection of passports for cruises that travel from country to country to prepare for immigration formalities. You will receive a passport receipt upon collection of your passport, and will be advised on board when the passports will be redistributed.

When embarkation commences, our previous sailing guests will have just disembarked and we will still be in the process of preparing the vessel for your cruise. We anticipate that your stateroom will be ready at approximately 1:00 p.m. Therefore, we kindly ask you not to visit your stateroom until an announcement that the staterooms are ready has been made via the Public Address system. For security reasons, the loading of luggage, which you checked in at the terminal, will not commence until 1:00 p.m. Your luggage will arrive in your stateroom later in the afternoon, via your cabin steward. Please feel free to relax in the Public and Pool Areas. The Lido Restaurant embarkation buffet and the Pool Grill shall open at 11:30 a.m.

Our embarkation procedures are smooth and easy; you carry nothing but your hand luggage, and everything is beautifully organized so you will have no worries. It is truly a suitable prelude to your carefree holiday. Don't miss the sail away festivities with our entertainment staff.

What is the guideline on face masks?

Masks on board are recommended but not required indoors or outdoors. We highly recommend guests wear a mask in the World Stage and other entertainment areas, casino, spa treatment rooms, Club HAL and during other congregate events. Masks are required to be worn during the entire embarkation and debarkation process and on transportation during any Holland America Line organized shore excursions, on tenders to and from ports, and in the onboard Medical Center.    When going ashore guests must be prepared to follow all local guidance regarding masks and physical distancing. The status of local guidelines will be shared with guests prior to disembarkation at the destination.   Health experts advise that guests use a higher-grade mask while indoors (such as KN95 or surgical masks) that have two or more layers, completely cover the nose and mouth, fit snuggly against the side of the face and have a nose wire. Please note that visors and face shields will not be accepted as a substitute for a face mask. Holland America Line will be providing complimentary surgical mask(s) on board with replacements available upon request.

How should I pack for Alaska?

The experts at Holland America Line, the most experienced Alaska travel company, have some tips on packing when you're headed north on a cruise or cruisetour.

Southeast Alaska

On an Inside Passage cruise you will be traveling along the protected waterways of Southeast Alaska, also known as "the Panhandle." The weather here is temperate, with summertime highs usually between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, climbing occasionally into the 70s and 80s.

North Alaska and the Arctic

If you venture farther north you will find the climate to be drier. Summer temperatures in Fairbanks and other parts of the Interior often reach 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. In the Arctic, for those traveling to Prudhoe Bay or Nome and Kotzebue, temperatures are cooler, in the 40s and 50s.

General Packing

Alaska is casual, but be prepared to dress for dinners (see Evening Dress below). The best approach is to bring clothes that can be layered: more layers for cooler, windier weather, fewer layers for warm, dry days.

Be sure to also bring:

• A lightweight, waterproof coat or jacket, as well as a sweater or warm vest for strolling the decks of the ship and for glacier viewing
• A warm hat and gloves
• Women may want to bring two or three pairs of washable slacks or jeans (combined with polo shirts, blouses or light sweaters and accessorized with a belt, scarf or jewelry this basic outfit can be worn just about anywhere. Depending on weather and occasion, add a blazer, cardigan or windbreaker jacket)
• Men may want to add an extra pair of slacks, but they'll find that the same basic dress theme works for them, too (there is no place in Alaska a man cannot go in a sport coat and slacks. Also, a dark suit is appropriate for dinner on board ship)
• Sturdy walking shoes for every day use (two pairs are suggested) both leather, to stand up to rain if necessary, and a pair with a good arch support
• One or two pairs of dress shoes to accompany your dinner outfit

Evening Dress

Evening dress falls into two distinct categories: Dressy attire or smart casual. Most evenings, smart casual is appropriate and can be defined as slacks and sports shirts or sweater for men and a skirt or trousers and sweater or blouse for women. Shorts, flip-flops, swimwear, distressed jeans and men's tank tops are best left to daytime and the poolside. 

Dressy Nights evoke the grand traditions of cruising as guests dress to impress for special events on board, including a five-course gourmet dinner in the Dining Room. Jacket and tie are appropriate for gentlemen, while ladies wear a cocktail dress or gown. On Grand Voyages, many gentlemen choose formal attire.  

The number of Dressy Nights on your cruise depends upon the duration of the voyage. The number of Dressy Nights for collector voyages is based upon the duration of each individual voyage of the ship.

Exercise Clothes

If you're a fitness fan or just like to stroll around the decks be sure to pack your exercise clothes. There are aerobics classes on the ships, treadmills, exercise bikes and other equipment in the fitness center on board each ship. The free Passport to Fitness program has the added fun of a reward at the end of the cruise for participating in onboard activities. Be sure to bring your running or aerobics shoes, swimsuit and a cover-up (for lounging, if not for warming up).

Items You Probably Won't Need

• Bulky or winter-weight sweaters or jackets
• Rain boots and long underwear (outfitters throughout Alaska provide special gear needed for their activities, such as warm "moon boots" for walking on glaciers, waterproof rainwear, boots and life vests for river rafting or sea kayaking)

Don't Forget To Take

• Be sure to take toiletries and prescriptions for both medication and eye glasses to aid in replacement in the unlikely event they become misplaced
• A travel alarm clock (although wake-up calls are offered on all Holland America Line cruises)
• Binoculars if you enjoy bird watching or would like a closer look at wildlife and glaciers
• Your camera film is available just about everywhere you will visit

Laundry Service

Holland America Line has laundry service, dry cleaning and pressing service on all ships.

Can I use the Internet, mobile phones or webcams on board?

Internet Access

Guests can purchase and connect to satellite internet 24 hours a day on each ship in the Holland America Line fleet, either by accessing our wireless network or utilizing the workstations located in the Explorations Café. Internet Plans vary in price to accommodate individual needs and are interchangeable between the workstations in the Explorations Café and your wireless device.

Note that satellite connections may be adversely impacted by physical obstacles such as fjords and inclement weather and the speed is notably slower than shoreside connections.

Wireless Internet Service

Each Holland America Line vessel offers wireless access throughout the ship. Guests may use their laptop computer or other wireless internet enabled device to purchase and connect to the wireless internet service on board.

• Put your device in airplane mode.
• Turn Wi-Fi “on” and connect to your ship’s network.
• Open your web browser and type “Login.com”.
• Within Holland America Line Navigator™, choose “Connect to Paid Internet” from the selection options.

Available Internet Packages :

• Surf (most popular): US $29.99. (Surf your favorite sites including e-mail, news, sports and more. May not allow for audio/video calling and streaming.)
• Premium: US $34.99 (From e-mail to streaming, receive the highest volume of data. Supports audio/video calling and streaming where coverage allows.)
• Stream: US $45.99 (Stream your favorite movies and shows right from your Netflix, Disney+, Prime, Max, and other accounts.)

Keep in Mind:

• Satellite transmissions are inherently slower than shore-side connections.
• You’ll find a select number of free sites under “Complimentary Browsing.”
• For more information please see the Frequently Asked Questions or one of our Guest Relations team members.
• Each package comes with a daily volume of data for a superior experience. Volumes vary by package and subject to change. For a current listing of the daily volume soft caps, see the Internet Plan Selection page.

Powered by The New York Times

The Explorations Café, powered by The New York Times offers a comfortable, coffee house environment where you can purchase and connect to the internet using provided workstations or by using your own wireless internet device, such as a laptop computer, iPad or mobile phone.

AT&T Mobile Packages

Guests with AT&T service may choose from a selection of packages offering discounted rates for international calls, texts and data while on board. Choose from options for calling only, calling and messaging or calling, messaging and data. Click here for complete details on plans and full terms and conditions.

Mobile Phone Service

Holland America, through an agreement with Wireless Maritime Service, proudly offers an advanced roaming network onboard all Holland America ships allowing you to make and receive calls, send and receive text messages and access emails and surf the web while at sea using your own mobile phone and telephone number.

The Wireless Maritime Service system is available for use when the ship is in international waters. When user’s phones pick the shipboard signal, their phone will usually display “cellular at sea”, “Ship Roam”or “901-18”. Depending on the handset and the carrier the user may be required to select “Roam” on the handset.

For frequently asked questions about cell phone service on board, please go to www.wmsatsea.com .

For questions about your service or about billing, please contact your home network customer service.

Holland America Line does not publish webcam information online.

Does Holland America Line offer onboard programs for kids or teens?

Yes, we offer supervised, age-appropriate games, sports and activities on board for kids and ‘tweens while teens can enjoy an exclusive venue and special events.

Do you offer any discounts for kids?

For parties larger than two adults planning to travel in the same stateroom, our reduced fares for kids or extra guests beyond the first and second guest per room offer an exceptional value. Fares vary by departure date and stateroom category purchased, and during select promotions they may be free. (Whether cruise fares are reduced or free for these additional guests per stateroom, the cost of taxes, fees and port expenses per person still applies.)

On board, children 12 or under receive half off in our specialty dining restaurants or can select items from a special kids’ menu for free.

Many of our award-winning shore excursions also offer reduced pricing for kids. 

Do you have staterooms that accommodate families?

Our staterooms and suites come in an array of sizes and configurations to fit your family. Family-friendly options include sofa beds, Murphy beds and connecting rooms. Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam also feature dedicated family staterooms with beds for five guests, extra closet space and two bathrooms — one with a bathtub, shower, sink and toilet and one with a shower and sink.

To learn more about family cruises with Holland America Line here .

For help finding your ideal stateroom, please call us at 1-855-932-1711.

What are my beverage package options?

Try one of our drink packages which offer great value and a convenient way to enhance your cruise experience.

ELITE PACKAGE

Only $59.95 per guest/per day*

Enjoy all the benefits from our Quench and Signature Packages and more! With the Elite Beverage Package you can enjoy all drinks menu priced $15 and under.

SIGNATURE PACKAGE

Only $54.95 per guest/per day*

Our Signature package includes everything from our Quench Package along with your favorite premium beers, spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass priced $11 and under.

QUENCH PACKAGE

(NON-ALCOHOLIC)

Only $17.95 per guest/per day* Quench your thirst with our nonalcoholic package which includes an unlimited variety of premium coffees such as espresso and cappuccino, juices, Coca-Cola™ products, our signature mocktails, Red Bull, and bottled waters 500ml and under.

COCA-COLA™  PACKAGE

Only $8.00 per guest/per day*

The Coca-Cola™ Package includes unlimited fountain sodas for $8.00 per person, per day. On the Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam this package also includes the Coca-Cola™ Freestyle program with more than 100 unique Coca-Cola™ flavors available.

* Prices are per person per day. Please see your server or bartender for a full list of  items included in each package.

All adults of legal drinking age for the respective itinerary that are booked in the same  stateroom must also purchase the package.

The Signature and Elite packages have a daily limit of 15 alcoholic beverages, which  includes all alcoholic beverages with a menu price of $15 or less (Elite Beverage

Package), or $11 or less (Signature Beverage Package). The Quench Beverage Package  includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages and bottled waters 500ml and under.

The packages exclude purchases made in the Mini Bar, Honor Bar, Chocolate Seduction,  In-Room Dining, beverages purchased on Half Moon Cay and any self-service draft beer.

Freestyle Coca-Cola is currently only available on the Koningsdam and  Nieuw Statendam.

Packages are non-transferrable and non-refundable. No sharing is permitted.

Participants may order only one drink at a time and must be of the legal drinking age  for the respective itinerary.

Beverage Management reserves the right to revoke the package if misused. Beverage

Management reserves the right to refuse service for any reason, including refusing  service of alcoholic beverages to intoxicated guests.

What childcare & youth programs are available?

Holland America Line has a youth program for guests ages 3-17. Each ship is staffed with professional Kids Counselors dedicated to making sure children have a great time. Some of the fun-filled activities include arts & crafts, special parties, sports on deck and much more.  An activity schedule for each age group can be found on the Navigator app once on board.

What if you lose or damage my baggage?

If Holland America Line, due to any cause whatsoever, is liable for loss of, damage to or delay of your property, the amount of Holland America Line's liability will not exceed US$250 per bag, per guest up to a maximum of two bags per guest for sailings 14 days or less, or up to a maximum of three bags per guest for sailings 15 days or longer.  Holland America Line's baggage policy is further detailed in the baggage section of your Cruise Contract. Additional coverage is available with the purchase of a Holland America Line Standard or Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan .   

IMPORTANT : Do not pack your passport, medications, cruise documents or airline tickets. Keep them close at hand in your purse or jacket pocket. We also strongly suggest that you carry or otherwise keep with you important items such as perishables, medicine, liquor, cash, credit or debit cards, jewelry, gold, silver and other high value or important items, securities, financial instruments, records or other valuable or business documents, laptop computers, cellular telephones, cameras, hearing aids, electric wheelchairs, scooters, or other video or electronic equipment, binoculars, film, videotape, computer disks, audio disks, tapes or CDs. (Remember that checked baggage might not be accessible at all times.) Holland America Line assumes no responsibility for the items listed above.

What about special dining requests?

Dining requests should be made when you book, in advance of sailing. Upon embarkation you will find a confirmation card in your stateroom indicating your seating assignment and table number (if applicable). Upon embarkation you will find a confirmation card in your stateroom or it will be noted in your ID guest card. The information will advise you of your seating assignment and table number.

Hiring the right people

Every nautical and engineering officer on our ship has a government license either issued or approved by our flag state that confirms they have met the requirements for their position on the size of ships that we operate. These requirements vary by position and, as would be expected, are particularly rigorous for our senior officers. To obtain a license, they must have graduated from an accredited maritime college.

We try, to the maximum extent possible, to grow people within our company. We operate a comprehensive nautical and engineering cadet program whereby young women and men who are enrolled in maritime colleges are able to spend over a year on our ships supplementing their classroom education with onboard training. People who successfully complete their cadetship are offered positions as junior officers and, so long as they continue to demonstrate their proficiency and upgrade their licenses, promoted through the ranks.

All of our crew are appraised by a senior officer at the end of each sailing assignment. These appraisals form the basis for promotion decisions.

Shoreside, many of our people either have spent years first working on our ships or have other maritime experience. Several members of our management teams have joined us after first serving more than 20 years with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Can I receive oxygen deliveries on board?

Guests requiring continuous or intermittent oxygen for chronic conditions must make their own arrangements prior to travel. Holland America Line ships are not equipped to provide guests with these services other than on an emergency basis in the Ship's Medical Center. For security and safety reasons, we have selected Scootaround and Special Needs at Sea as the only outside vendors that we will permit to deliver oxygen supplies to our ships:

Scootaround

Special Needs at Sea

Note: Oxygen and/or oxygen equipment deliveries will not be accepted from any other companies.

Please be advised that all oxygen and oxygen equipment rental arrangements must be made by the guest and the third-party provider. Consequently, you assume the entire risk of utilizing these third-party services subject only to whatever terms or arrangements are made by you or on your behalf with the service provider. Refund issues must be dealt with solely between you and the service provider. We recommend contacting one of these companies to confirm your arrangements as soon as possible in order to ensure the availability of your specific requests.

You are also welcome, however, to bring your own oxygen and/or oxygen equipment from your home. Please note that our staff and crew are not permitted to handle your oxygen and/or oxygen equipment during the embarkation and disembarkation process. Thus, you must be able to handle your supplies if you bring your own. Please contact the Guest Accessibility Department prior to sailing if you will require oxygen while on your cruise.

Please Note : In accordance with FAA regulations, airlines have restrictions concerning traveling with oxygen and oxygen containers. It is the traveler’s responsibility to be familiar with and comply with the regulations of the airline they are traveling on.

How do I plan for transportation to and from the ship?

We recommend booking your flight arrangements through Holland America Line's Flight Ease®.  Benefits include customized flight choices, competitively priced fares, and late arrival protection should you experience delays, along with the support of our team along the way.  It's the easy, hassle-free way to travel to and from your cruise. For more information,  click here .

Ground transfers may be purchased between select major airports and the ship and from ship to select major airports on the day of embarkation and disembarkation only, as well as airport to hotel and hotel to airport in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Transfers are available to Flight Ease® guests and to guests who have independent flight plans. For more information, see Are Transfers Included .

Our commitment to safety and security

For more than 140 years, the safety and security of our guests has been our highest priority. Every decision we make starts with that basic rule.

We have a safety culture throughout our organization, both on our ships and within our Seattle, Washington headquarters. It begins with the design and equipping of our ships. We hire the right people, make sure they receive ongoing training, conduct drills and exercises to practice that training, and perform regular audits and inspections. All of this occurs under a comprehensive regulatory system in which multiple governmental authorities oversee every safety aspect of our operations.

View our  safety and security videos . 

In accordance with U.S. legal requirements, we are providing the following link to the  U.S. Department of Transportation Cruise Line Incident Reports. 

Are religious services available?

In order to serve the spiritual needs of our guests, we provide the following services. 

Catholic: Mass is held daily.

Protestant: An interdenominational service is held Sunday mornings, led by the congregation.

Jewish: A Shabbat Service is held Friday evenings, led by the congregation. On Grand & Legendary Voyages, a minister and rabbi will accompany the resident priest to host services.

How do I protect my vacation investment?

Protect your cruise vacation investment with our Cruise Protection Plan . Our Standard Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP Standard Plan) will allow you, for any reason, to provide written cancellation up to 24 hours prior to the start of your scheduled travel (sea, land and/or air) arrangements made by Holland America Line and receive a refund equal to 80% of the eligible amounts paid (90% if you purchase our CPP Platinum Plan). To add our Cancellation Protection Plan to your new or existing cruise booking, please call us at 1‐877‐932‐4259. NOTE: CPP Standard is available to all guests, regardless of residency (excluding permanent residents of the United Kingdom). CPP Platinum is not available to residents of New York State, Quebec, British Columbia, Puerto Rico or the United Kingdom.

If I require oxygen and/or dialysis during my cruise, may I still travel?

With the removal of the Enhanced Protocol designation on sailings, Medical has given approval to lift the requirement for denial of guests who require oxygen cylinders or are undergoing hemo dialysis treatment on all voyages. Guest using any form of oxygen or undergoing any type of dialysis treatment are allowed on any sailing now and should be advised to submit an SRI to Guest Accessibility for review per standard practice.

How can I arrange onboard gifts?

Make a Holland America Line cruise even more special for your friends and family by surprising them with an onboard gift. Choose from more than 100 items, including a festive bottle of sparking wine, specialty dining package, bouquet of flowers or an onboard credit.

Purchase an Onboard Gift

How do I order beverage packages and cards?

Onboard, Holland America Line offers a variety of beverage packages and cards for purchase as gifts or personal use. Guests can purchase individual items, multi-day wine packages or an array of convenient beverage cards (for alcoholic, non-alcoholic or soda fountain beverages). Try one of our drink packages which offer great value and a convenient way to enhance your cruise experience.

Our Signature package includes everything from our Quench Package along with your favorite premium beers, spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass priced $11 and under.  

QUENCH PACKAGE   (NON-ALCOHOLIC)

Only $17.95 per guest/per day*

Quench your thirst with our nonalcoholic package which includes an unlimited variety of premium coffees such as espresso and cappuccino, juices, Coca-Cola™ products, our signature mocktails, Red Bull, and bottled waters 500ml and under.  

COCA-COLA™ PACKAGE

The Coca-Cola™ Package includes unlimited fountain sodas for $8.00 per person, per day. On the Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam this package also includes the Coca-Cola™ Freestyle program with more than 100 unique Coca-Cola™ flavors available.  

* Prices are per person per day. Please see your server or bartender for a full list of items included in each package. An 18% Service Charge is automatically applied to all Beverage Purchases, Bar Retail Items, Specialty Restaurant Cover Charges and all For Purchase A La Carte Menu Items. Local Sales Taxes Applied where required. All adults of legal drinking age for the respective itinerary that are booked in the same stateroom must also purchase the package. The Elite package has a daily limit of 15 alcoholic beverages with a menu price of $15 or less. Unlimited non-alcoholic beverage. The Signature package has a daily limit of 15 alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks with a menu price of $11 or less. The Quench Beverage Package is limited to 15 non-alcoholic drinks daily. The packages exclude purchases made in the Mini Bar, Honor Bar, Chocolate Seduction, In-Room Dining, beverages purchased on Half Moon Cay and any self-service draft beer. Freestyle Coca-Cola is currently only available on the Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam. Packages are non-transferrable and non-refundable. No sharing is permitted.

Participants may order only one drink at a time and must be of the legal drinking age for the respective itinerary.

Beverage Management reserves the right to revoke the package if misused. Beverage Management reserves the right to refuse service for any reason, including refusing service of alcoholic beverages to intoxicated guests.

You can also order Beverage Packages, Champagne and other onboard gifts for any guest booked on a Holland America Line cruise.  

Order Online Now

If you need to order via phone, please call Ship Services at 1-800-541-1576.

For information regarding bringing your own alcohol, please refer to the ' Can I Bring Alcoholic Beverages Onboard? ' section of our FAQ.

What is the difference between a wedding coordinator, shoreside coordinator and onboard coordinator?

The wedding coordinator is the first person you’ll talk to when you call Royal Ocean Events. They will assist you in choosing a package and completing your contract. From  there, they will help you design all the details for your event. You may contact your wedding coordinator by email or schedule a phone appointment. Once onboard, your  ship’s wedding coordinator will execute all the details of your Symbolic At Sea ceremony in accordance with your contract. If you have chosen an Ashore or Anchors Away  ceremony your shore-side coordinator will assist on the day of your ceremony to ensure all the details per your contract flow smoothly.

How is my stateroom furnished?

Your stateroom is furnished with a ship-to-shore telephone which enables you to easily call anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day (prices are found in your stateroom directory). No-host mini-bars can be found in every stateroom onboard Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam and in the verandah stateroom category and higher for all other ships. Holland America Line does not recommend storing medication in any mini-bar. Please contact the ship's Medical Center for any medication requiring refrigeration.

You'll also find ample closet and drawer space, individually-controlled air conditioning, a television for viewing CNN, movies and onboard features. All staterooms have safes in the stateroom.

All staterooms are equipped with standard U.S. 110 AC and European 220 AC outlets. If your shaver operates on standard 110 AC, by all means bring it (guests with pre- or post-cruise hotel packages may want to bring converters and/or adapters for their hotel stay). You may wish to bring a travel alarm clock as they are not available in staterooms. Hairdryers are available in staterooms on all ships.

For safety reasons travel irons and electric water heaters/kettles may not be used in your stateroom. You may order hot water from our complimentary In-Room Dining service 24 hours a day. Also, full laundry and valet services are available on all of our ships.

Are visitors allowed on board?

Due to customer and security concerns, we have a "no visitor" policy on board our ships, and regret any inconvenience this may cause. However, you can make a Holland America Line cruise even more special for your friends and family by surprising them with an onboard gift. Choose from more than 150 items, including a festive bottle of sparkling wine, specialty dinner, luxurious spa treatment, bouquet of flowers or an onboard credit.

What about same-sex ceremonies?

Same-sex legal weddings are currently offered ashore, in U.S. ports and in ports abroad, where legally permissible. However, symbolic same-sex ceremonies can be  performed at sea or at select ports of call. Please contact your wedding coordinator for a current list of applicable ports.

Can the captain perform our wedding?

The captain can perform your Symbolic at Sea ceremony once on board the ship. The Captain cannot perform legal ceremonies.

To learn more about weddings with Holland America Line click here .

What are your emergency phone numbers?

At some point in your travels you may experience an emergency. With this in mind, the following emergency phone numbers are available for your use. Representatives are on hand to assist you in any way they can, including assistance with travel delays and contacting loved ones. During our regular business hours, please call: 800-426-0327.

Representatives are available from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Pacific Time). Outside of these hours and during holidays, please call 1-800-628-4771 or 1-206-286-3294.*

*This number is for emergency use only; please do not call unless you are experiencing an emergency of a critical nature.

Additionally, you can call the ship directly from the shore. We recommend that you use this for the most critical emergencies only: Connecting to a Holland America Line vessel at sea is simple by using  Ship Dial Service . A credit card is required for all inbound phone calls to a ship. The rate is $USD16.00 per minute and billing begins at the time specified. Please have the ship's name, your party's name and stateroom number before you call. Instructions:

1. Dial 1-800-993-5483 (US). From outside the U.S. access 1-321-837-6106. 2. Listen to the announcement. 3. Listen to the menu and select the number that corresponds to the ship you are calling. 4. If you receive a busy signal or message, please hang up quickly and try your call again.

Please print this page and give it to whomever you wish for dialing instructions.

Where can I find updates about voyages that have been modified or cancelled?

View the  Cruise Updates page  for the latest announcements.

What about airport parking?

Park 'N Fly offers discounted off-airport parking rates through the Park 'N Fly Network offering service from more than 65 major airports nationwide as well as Port Everglades, Florida.

What about telephone, fax & mail usage?

Telephone: Ship to Shore

Direct ship-to-shore telephones are provided in each guest stateroom. You may easily place a call to friends, relatives or business associates during your cruise, reception permitting.

All phone calls, whether inbound or outbound, are charged a satellite tariff. Outbound calling rates are posted near your cabin telephone and will be billed to your on-board account. These charges are applied to ALL calls including calls to 800, 877 and 888 numbers. Please do not use a credit card or phone card; your on-board account will be billed in addition to the cost of the phone card or charges to your credit card. Collect calls are not possible from the ship.

Telephone: Shore to Ship

Connecting to a Holland America Line vessel at sea is simple by using Ship Dial Service . A credit card is required for all inbound phone calls to a ship. The rate is $US16.00 per minute and billing begins at the time specified. Please have the ship's name, your party's name and stateroom number before you call.

Instructions:

• Dial 1‐800‐993‐5483 (US). From outside the U.S. access 1‐321‐837‐6106.
• Listen to the announcement.
• Listen to the menu and select the number that corresponds to the ship you are calling.
• If you receive a busy signal or message, please hang up quickly and try your call again.

Facsimile service is available on board. Please contact the Front Office for cost and other information if you wish to take advantage of this service.

Letters and postcards may be mailed from the ship while in ports of call. Guests may buy stamps in port or purchase them with U.S. cash from the Front Office. All mail is subject to local postal office procedures and rates in the port mailed.

Do you have hotel & vacation packages?

Let us handle the details.  Build your entire vacation, including flights, ship transfers, excursions, and all your hotel needs before or after your cruise, all with one hassle-free phone call.

Enjoy a seamless experience from ship to shore with a high-quality EXC City Stay or Overland Package before or after your cruise, and shore excursions to immerse yourself in your ports of call. These shore excursions, hotel stays, and even Flight Ease™ air travel, can be coordinated by our Personal Cruise Consultants to best complement your journey.

Does Holland America Line offer a Best Price Guarantee on shore excursions?

Holland America Line does offer a Best Price Guarantee for shore excursions. Guests who book shore excursions and then find an identical tour available through a third party will receive a 110% refund of the price difference, in the form of a non-refundable onboard credit. Group shore excursions are excluded from this program. For questions about shore excursions Best Price Guarantee, please contact 800-363-9660 or email us at [email protected] .

What is Flight Ease®?

We are pleased to offer  Flight Ease®,  the easiest way to book flights for your cruise vacation.

Flight Ease® delivers what cruise travelers are looking for: specially negotiated low prices; a convenient, worry-free way to book air travel; late-arrival protection; the freedom to change your flights – with no change fees; and you can earn frequent flier miles with participating airlines.

Flight Ease® is an air booking website similar to other automated sites but designed with your cruise vacation in mind. Flight search options include choice of round trip or one way travel, economy or premium classes, maximum number of stops, airline, and layovers en route if desired. Flight availability and pricing is displayed in real time, along with flight departure and arrival times and duration. Seat selection maps and airline baggage policies and fees can also be accessed where available.

Flight Ease® benefits

Choices:  You may customize your air itinerary with your preferred travel dates, airport, airline, flight, and aircraft cabin class. Select from Flexible or Restricted fares*. Confirm your preferred flights as early as 330 days prior to your return or as late as 4 days before departure. Your flight selections will be confirmed immediately.

Savings:  Our Flexible Fares are competitively priced and often lower than pricing found on other sites – with added benefits not found elsewhere. With Flexible fares, you may change your flights without change fees at any time prior to your cruise final payment date.

Late arrival protection:  In the event your flights are delayed or cancelled by the airline on the day you are en route to or from your cruise, our staff is ready to assist you, 24/7. We’ll even take care of any flight changes if needed to join the voyage at the next available port of call.

Support:  Should you need assistance with your flight selections or during your air travels, you may rely on our support to ensure worry-free travel. Contact your Travel Advisor or call our support line at 1-800-628-4771.

*Flight Ease® offers two booking options:

Flexible Fares  - For those who want greater flexibility. Payment for air travel will be due with your cruise final payment. Provided you have not requested early ticketing, Flexible fares can be changed or cancelled without change fees at any time prior to your cruise final payment due date. After the cruise final payment due date, fees up to the full cost of the ticket may apply.

Restricted Fares  – For those who are sure of their plans. These non-refundable, but generally lower rates, require full payment for the air reservation at time of air booking. Changes to Restricted air reservations will result in cancellation of the entire air booking and cancellation fees up to the full cost of the ticket. Air prices are nonrefundable (no money back).

Flight Ease® Terms and Conditions

Flexible Fares:  Payment is required by the cruise final payment date or at time of booking if created after the cruise final payment date. Provided you have not requested early ticketing, no change fees will be charged for changes and cancellations made prior to the cruise final payment due date. After you make full payment, we reserve the right to pass any price increases to you for charges resulting from increases in airline fuel or other surcharges or government-imposed taxes or fees. Changes to the booking may require cancellation and rebooking of flights. The original schedule and airfare may no longer be available, and a new reservation may need to be created at the current available price. If the current available price exceeds the original airfare, the guest must pay the additional charge. Cancellations after the cruise final payment date will incur a fee up to the full cost of the ticket. Tickets are nontransferable and name changes are not allowed. In some instances, name corrections will not be permitted and will require cancellation and rebooking of flights.

Restricted Fares:  Full payment for air reservation is required at the time of air booking. Tickets are nonrefundable. Any changes will result in the cancellation of the entire air booking. Cancellation of Restricted Air will incur cancellation fees of the full cost of the ticket. The airline may generate a Future Air Credit (FAC) memo in an amount the airline determines. FACs are notations in the booking that show the guest has an outstanding credit with the airline which can be applied to a future Holland America Line air booking with the same airline or redeemed directly with the airline, typically within 365 days. FACs are nontransferable, and nonrefundable. Tickets are nontransferable and name changes are not allowed. FACs only apply to U.S. resident bookings and are not available to guests who have requested refunds under a Holland America Line Cancellation Protection Plan.

Air Rates/Taxes and Fees

Air rates will be quoted at the time of booking. Air rates are for e-tickets, per person and include flight taxes and fees. Some countries impose an arrival or departure tax which cannot be included on an air ticket. In most cases this is paid by each guest upon check-in and may have to be paid in the local currency. Other charges may be directly assessed by airlines or airports and are the responsibility of the guest.

Government Issued Identification:  For security reasons, first and last names on an air booking must match the government-issued identification used for boarding. For guests with Holland America Line’s Flight Ease® plan, name spelling corrections may result in a higher air rate, loss of space and/or change fees. Visit tsa.gov for more details.

Viewing Your Air Information

You may review your air itinerary by logging into “My Account” or “Manage My Bookings” at www.hollandamerica.com.

Please verify the spelling of your full name and date of birth to make sure it matches the identification document that you will be presenting at the airport, for example your passport or driver's license. You do not need to include suffixes on your airline reservation. Contact your travel advisor or our support line at 1-800-628-4771 if you require assistance with name corrections.

The following flight options can be managed by logging into “My Account” or “Manage My Cruise” at www.hollandamerica.com.

• Changes to your already confirmed flights (change fees and differences in fare may apply)
• Seat assignment requests
• Meal restrictions/requests
• Mobility requirements
• TSA information
• Frequent flyer information

Additional travel needs can be requested directly with the airline using your air confirmation code to access your flight reservation.

Seat Assignments

Seat assignments are controlled by the respective airlines but may be requested for most flights in the Flight Ease® system based on availability in the airline's reservation system at the time of booking. Holland America Line has no control over seat assignments. We recommend that guests contact the airline(s) directly once you receive your air confirmation if you require assistance to request specific seats. Seat assignments are not guaranteed and are subject to change at the discretion of the airline without notice due to schedule changes, equipment changes or other unforeseen circumstances. Some airlines charge for seat assignments. Any fees related to seat assignments are collected by the airline directly. Some low-cost fares do not allow pre-assigned seats. Guests without seat assignments prior to the flight date will have seats assigned by the airline at check-in on the date of travel.

Airline Baggage Charges

Once you have booked your flights, please check the airline’s website, or contact the airline directly for information regarding baggage fees and other charges. Each airline has its own baggage allowance policy. You are responsible for all baggage fees, including any excess baggage charges imposed by airlines. We assume no responsibility for loss, damage, or delay while baggage is in the custody of airlines.

Airline Schedule Changes

Airline bookings are subject to flight schedule changes by the airlines. Schedule changes can occur at any time and may affect your flights. Holland America Line is not responsible for airline schedule changes. Holland America Line will assist guests affected by airline schedule changes so that flights booked will meet ship embarkation and disembarkation requirements. Any associated costs related to or caused by an airline schedule change is the responsibility of the guest.

Air Changes/Cancellations

Changes to the air booking may require cancellation and rebooking of flights at the current available rate. Provided you have not requested early ticketing, no change fees will be charged for changes and cancellation made to Flexible Air prior to the cruise final payment due date. Cancelling your cruise/cruisetour booking for any reason will cancel any air bookings associated with the booking, and fees will be applied if applicable. Contact our support line at 1-800-628-4771 if you require assistance with changes.

Late Arrival Protection

If you have booked your air travel through Holland America Line and experience delays on the day you are en route to your cruise due to an airline service disruption, such as a flight delay, cancellation, or re-route, that will cause you to miss your original port of embarkation, Holland America Line will work with the airline to find reasonable alternate flights to the next appropriate port at no additional air cost to the guest. Contact our support line at 1-800-628-4771 to request assistance.

Factors taken into account in determining the appropriateness of a port of call include, but are not limited to:

• where in the original itinerary the port is located
• airport / port infrastructure
• visas and other legal documentation that may be required
• application of the Passenger Services Act to the new itinerary
• comparability of cost, flight connections, and travel time required (any unused value on the original air ticket will be used to offset the cost of the new air ticket)

Note: If you purchase air transportation independently from Holland America Line, you will be responsible for any and all expenses incurred when joining the vessel in progress.

Liability and Relation with Airlines

As the airfares we use are based on capacity controlled, promotional, and group fares, we may limit or close sales without prior notice at any time. If, due to any cause beyond our control, we are unable to arrange for air travel or the air travel we arrange is unavailable or otherwise fails to materialize, to the extent permitted by applicable law, our sole liability will be limited to refunding the air price paid to us. We assume no liability for any acts or omissions of any airline, including, without limitation, those involving cancellation of flights, schedule changes, re-routings, damage to or delay or loss of baggage, flight delays, equipment failures, accidents, pilot or other staff shortages, overbooking or computer errors. The liabilities and obligations of an airline to you, and your rights against an airline, are subject to any and all terms and conditions of the airline's ticket and tariffs and all applicable governmental laws and regulations.

Overnight Hotel Accommodations

It may be necessary for guests to overnight en route to or from their cruise due to airline schedules and/or availability. If necessary, the cost of hotel accommodations is not included in the air price. Guests are always responsible for meals and items of a personal nature.

Ground Transportation

Ground transfers may be purchased between select major airports and the ship and from ship to select major airports on the day of embarkation and disembarkation only, as well as airport to hotel and hotel to airport in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Transfers are available to Flight Ease® guests and to guests who have independent flight plans.

For more information, see details in the FAQ  Are Transfers Included ?

How do I check in online?

For your convenience, and to expedite your departure, we encourage all our guests to utilize the online check-in procedure and start the process as soon as possible. During online check-in, you can securely submit your Immigration, Disembarkation and credit card registration forms. For the most accuracy onboard your ship, please complete the process at least 30 days prior to your departure. If you begin the process and cannot finish due to insufficient information, you may return to complete it at your convenience prior to departure. For a more in-depth look at the check-in process, check out our video walk-through .

When you check-in online, you'll be able to take advantage of the following benefits:

• Boarding Pass : To help expedite embarkation we recommend you do not print your boarding pass until 7-days prior to embarking on your cruise. This will allow time for the boarding barcode to be added to the left side of your boarding pass. (Keep in a safe place along with your cruise documents.) You may also use our Holland America Line Navigator app to access your digital boarding pass once Online Check In has been completed.

To complete Online Check-in for each guest, you will need:

• Full legal name
• Passport, visa or permanent resident card
• Home address
• Home telephone number
• Emergency contact information
• Return flight information
• Credit card you wish to use for onboard purchases

Additional Questions

For a more in-depth look at the check-in process, check out our  video walk-through . For questions and/or help with your Online Check-in forms, please email Holland America Reservations or call 1-800-207-3545. Please be aware that Holland America Line cannot print or fax a guest's Express Docs or Boarding Pass. 

Can I use my personal mobility equipment on board?

For the safety of all our guests and crew and to enhance accessibility, Holland America Line strongly recommends that all personal electric mobility equipment meets the following criteria:

We recognize that for some people, a larger scooter may be essential. If you believe you need a larger scooter, please contact our Guest Accessibility Department so that we can discuss your requirements.

For the safety of all guests and crew:

Scooters and other mobility equipment need to be securely stored and charged in the guest's stateroom; not in hallways or elevator lobbies. Scooters left in hallways and elevator lobbies could restrict people needing to travel through these areas in an emergency, particularly other guests using mobility aids, since they would have no way of getting by a scooter left in a hallway.

Holland America Line is no longer able to provide complimentary wheelchair assistance for any purpose other than embarkation, disembarkation, and emergency situations. Holland America Line wheelchairs are not available for shore excursions or for use on board. If you will require regular use of a wheelchair, we recommend that you bring your own wheelchair with you. You may also make advance rental arrangements prior to your sailing and have a wheelchair delivered directly to the ship for use on board and in ports of call.

Special Needs at Sea and Scootaround are vendors we recommend for delivery of mobility devices. Please contact these vendors directly for pricing and availability. Their contact information is listed below for your information.

Scooter Tips and Reminders (PDF)

Please be advised that all pre-arranged mobility equipment rentals must be made by the guest and the third party provider. Consequently, you assume the entire risk of utilizing these third party services subject only to whatever terms or arrangements are made by you or on your behalf with the service provider. Refund issues must be dealt with solely between you and the service provider. We recommend contacting one of these companies to confirm your arrangements as soon as possible in order to ensure the availability of your specific requests.

What if I have a medical emergency while on board?

If passengers become ill or injured during the voyage and the diagnostic and/or care needs exceed the capabilities of the infirmary, passengers will be transferred to medical facilities ashore. Please note that Medicare and many health insurance plans DO NOT cover the cost of medical care at sea, in foreign countries, or for air evacuation. Guests are encouraged to obtain travel medical insurance prior to travel in order to be reimbursed for services rendered.

What are my ship transfer options?

For individuals with limited mobility, the use of a wheelchair will be the primary mobility assistance aid for getting on and off the ship. Certain ship transfer operations (i.e. during tendering and at the gangways) may not be fully accessible to wheelchairs or scooters. When a ship is unable to dock, guests are taken ashore on smaller boats called tenders. Some guests with limited mobility may find it difficult to embark or disembark the ship at certain times while tendering or while docked due to steep gangways and steps, particularly during low or high tide. Also, please note that scooters and wheelchairs which are more than 100 lbs. without the battery are not allowed to be transferred from the ship to tender and/or from tender to shore. Follow this link to view the Tender list by port.

As to tenders, with the exception of the Volendam , Holland America Line vessels have been retrofitted with a tender-lift system that enables guests to roll directly on and off tenders while remaining in their wheelchairs. However, please be advised that adverse weather conditions such as wind, swells, or extreme tide levels may prohibit the use of the ship's tender lift equipment. Additionally, some port facilities may not be able to accommodate the lift equipment. If you require the use of this equipment, please speak with the Guest Relations Manager upon embarkation for further details or to coordinate specific arrangements.

Situations may occur in which guests with limited mobility may not be able to go ashore at the time they desire or are unable to go ashore at all in certain ports. For the safety of all concerned, the Captain shall make the final determination regarding whether or not it is advisable to provide assistance to guests with mobility limitations, or to carry their mobility assistance device (wheelchair, scooter, walker, etc.), taking into account all appropriate matters including, but not limited to, weather conditions, ship's location, weight of the guest or their mobility device, etc.

What currency is used on board?

On board our ships, U.S. dollars is the only currency accepted. We also accept U.S. travelers checks. A currency exchange service will be available for selected itineraries, such as our European and World Cruise programs. In most ports of call you may easily exchange your U.S. dollars into the local currency at banks, airports and major hotels. In many countries, you can use your ATM card to obtain local currency. Most locations will accept major credit cards and some will even accept U.S. dollars. If you choose to use U.S. dollars, carry smaller denominations--ones, fives, tens and twenties.

Please note: Foreign currencies cannot be accepted or exchanged by the Front Office.

Cash advances are available at the Front Office. All cash advances are subject to restrictions. A 3% service fee will be added to your onboard account for all cash advances.

Learn more about the Greenhouse Spa and Salon

Of all the fascinating places you can visit on a Holland America cruise ship, none rejuvenates and relaxes like the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, featuring heavenly beauty and wellness rituals. Choose the blissful pampering of a facial therapy or let the trained fingers of a massage therapist soothe your muscles while working fragrant oils into your skin. Enjoy therapeutic water treatments as you steam in a thermal suite or bathe in herbs, all the while cruising to exotic destinations and enjoying the indulgences that are a signature feature of luxurious Holland America Line cruises.

Relaxing treatment rooms also offer breathtaking views where guests can enjoy exotic skin, body and hair treatments ranging from hot stone massages and pedicures to hair styling and facials. Facilities include:

• A hydrotherapy pool bubbling with warm, therapeutic sea water*
• Heated ceramic lounge reminiscent of an opulent Turkish bath
• Private treatment rooms, including couple's massage rooms
• Massage therapy inspired by an exotic blend of cultures — from Hawaiian Lomi Lomi to Chinese Tui Na
• The latest exotic skin, body, hair and nail treatments
• Knowledgeable, professional therapists trained to guide you through your spa experience

For rejuvenation through exercise, Holland America Line spas offer fitness classes to help you achieve optimum health and vitality. Yoga, Pilates, Indoor Cycling and cardio circuit training are available for participants at all levels. Take advantage of treadmills, stationary bikes, stairsteppers, rowing machines, weights and weight machines. Staffed with professionals, the tranquil Greenhouse Spa & Salon invites guests to embrace sensory indulgence on a luxurious cruise vacation to remember.

To order Greenhouse Spa products online, visit www.timetospa.com .

*available on select ships only

What is the timing of shore excursions?

Shore excursion departure times coincide with the ship’s schedule as well as other tours, enabling you to take multiple tours if desired with worry-free return to the ship. In the very rare event that your tour is late and the ship must leave, we will arrange at our expense to get you to the next port of call. With independently booked tours, you are responsible for rejoining the ship at the next port of call.

What dining options are available for kids?

Children are welcome in any of our dining venues. A special kids’ menu is available at each venue, and we can accommodate a variety of dining restrictions and preferences. Our kids’ menu includes favorites such as pizza, chicken strips and mac and cheese, as well as salads, soups and fresh fruit. Menu items from the daily menu are also available in half portions upon request. And if your child is celebrating a birthday on board, ask our dining crew for a special, personal-sized cake!

Children 12 or under receive half off in our specialty dining restaurants or can select items from the kids’ menu for free.

Learn more about family cruises with Holland America Line .

For your convenience, a variety of optional beverage packages are available for sale to accommodate the varied needs of your family. You may purchase these in advance of your cruise or after you embark.

Is there a dress code?

A: Yes, some refinements were made to improve consistency and the policy now reads: 

• Most evenings  smart casual attire is appropriate. Shorts, pool/beachwear, distressed jeans and men’s tank tops are best left to the daytime and are not permitted in fine dining restaurants. 
• Dressy Nights  evoke the grand traditions of cruising as guests dress to impress for special events on board, including our five-course gourmet dinner in the Dining Room. For gentlemen, collared shirts and slacks are required in all fine dining restaurants. 

Q: Why the change from “Formal” To “Dressy” night?

A: To many, the “Formal” term was misleading as it implies a specific type of dress (black tie or tuxedo) that has never been a requirement. “Dressy” still implies festive or dressy without misleading guests to bring attire the majority of guests don’t wear. 

Q: What about ladies’ dressy attire? 

A: Dressy attire is appropriate. Dresses, skirts, and slacks are all acceptable. 

Q: Are a jacket and tie required for men? 

A: Jacket and tie is the preferred attire in all fine dining restaurants on Dressy Nights, though it is not required. Guests without a jacket and tie were allowed in the fine dining restaurants before the new wording so this is not a policy change. 

Q: Are jeans allowed? 

A: Jeans without holes, tears or embroidery are welcome on most evenings in all restaurants, but on Dressy Nights jeans are only allowed in the casual dining restaurants. 

Q: Can I wear shorts in the main dining room?

A: Not at dinner. The dining room is considered a fine dining restaurant and shorts are not permitted.

Q: Is the dress code the same on Grand Voyages?

A: Yes. The policy applies to all Holland America Line voyages. On Grand Voyages we also add an occasional Formal night where formal attire is required in table service restaurants.

What are shore excursions?

Shore excursions are available through our partnerships with local suppliers and guides, in the majority of ports we visit. They cover an amazing array of places, landmarks, activities and experiences — from wildlife encounters in the Outback and salsa lessons in Havana to wine-tastings on a French estate and zip-lining in the Costa Rican rainforest. We offer something for every interest, taste and capability level.

What is as you Wish® dining?

From a festive five-course affair to a quick, casual dinner for two, our As You Wish® dining lets you choose the venues and style that suit you.

The elegant main Dining Room

• Luxurious Dining Room, graced with fine art and antiques
• Sophisticated china and crisp white table linens
• Five-course menus with offerings from classic preparations regionally inspired cuisine to vegetarian options
• Your choice of traditional pre-set seating and dining times or a flexible open schedule

The Pinnacle Grill experience

• Intimate dining featuring premium beef and fresh seafood
• Luxurious appointments including custom-made china, stemware and linens
• Extensive wine list featuring many selections rated “Excellent” by Wine Spectator

Other delightful ways to dine

• Fresh, cooked-to-order specialties in the Lido Restaurant for breakfast and lunch
• Complimentary 24-hour Room Service
• The Terrace Grill on deck
• Late-night snack; Chocolate Dessert Extravaganza
• Explorations Café featuring pastries and espresso drinks
• Tea service on port days

Signature touches

• Ice cream bar featuring complimentary treats
• Hot hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour

Special dietary needs, such as vegetarian, diabetic or gluten-free meals, are easily accommodated with advance requests. Kosher meals and a Health Conscious Dining option are also available. To arrange special meals, please contact the Ship Services Department at 800‐541‐1576 at least 60 days prior to departure. As You Wish® dining is currently available on each of our ships.

How do I print a boarding pass?

You can print your boarding pass after Online Check-In is complete. The green Print Boarding Pass button will be available only after the following:

• All 6 sections of Online Check-In have been completed and indicate a green checkmark;
• You have made your final payment more than 24 hours previous;
• Your documents have been processed by Holland America Line;
• It is less than 15 days prior to sailing

If the Print Boarding Pass button is green, but you’re unable to print, try these solutions:

Open or Save As

Click once, pause, then click once more. If a box or bar opens at the bottom of the page that reads “Save or Open,” click “Open.” If the messages says “Save or Save As…”click “Save As” and the Open option should display next.

Blocked Browser Pop-Up Windows

After clicking the Print Boarding Pass button, the screen may read “Loading.” Look to the top right corner. There may be a small white box containing a smaller red box that has an X in it. This indicates a pop-up has been blocked. Click the box and an alert will appear saying the following pop-ups have been blocked. Click the blue link and that will open the Boarding Pass to print.

Clear Cache and Cookies

Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies may also correct the issue. If you are using a PC, hold down the Ctrl+Shift+Delete keys. Then select the two boxes that say Temporary Internet Files and Website Files, and the box next to cookies and website data.

To clear cookies using a Mac, click Safari on the Apple menu bar along the top of your screen and select Preferences. Click the Privacy tab. Click the Remove All Website Data button to delete all cookies currently stored by Safari. (To remove only certain cookies, click the Details button, select the cookies you want to remove and click the Remove button. Click Done when you’re finished.)

To clear your cache on a Mac, select Safari on the menu along the top of the screen and choose Preferences. Click the Advanced tab and tick the Show Develop Menu in Menu Bar check box to add the Develop button to the Apple menu. Click the Develop button and choose Empty Caches to clear Safari’s cache.

What do I need to know about cruising to Alaska?

Download our Alaska PDF for all you need to know about visiting Alaska in 2024, including packing advice and tips for cruisetours, as well as identification requirements. For 2025, please check back closer to the sailing date.

Does Holland America Line offer accessible shore excursions?

Holland America Line is committed to providing safe, easy, and accessible accommodations for all persons with disabilities, to the extent that is feasible. The tours are graded according to their relative level of activity. The activity icons that appear at the beginning of each tour description provide a general idea of the level of activity to expect. It is important to keep in mind that tour operators are subject to the laws of their own country with respect to accommodating the needs of guests with disabilities. In most foreign countries, the laws are not as stringent as those in the United States. We cannot guarantee that all are able to provide facilities that are accessible to individuals with disabilities and third party shore excursion facilities may not be fully accessible to guests with disabilities. For detailed information on accessibility of shore excursions, we strongly recommend contacting our shore excursions reservations department well in advance of embarkation at 1-888-425-9376 (or locally at 206-626-7320). Once onboard, please visit the shore excursions office.

Are immunizations required prior to boarding?

This information is provided as general guidance. Governmental and medical vaccination requirements vary considerably for different areas of the world, and are subject to change at any time. Guests are responsible for verifying the actual requirements and recommendations at the time of sailing. Holland America Line assumes no liability for the guest's failure to do so.

We recommend seasonal influenza vaccinations for all guests. On sailings that require other vaccinations, such as Yellow Fever or Malaria, it is important to obtain your vaccinations in time for them to take effect (6-8 weeks) prior to sailing. Furthermore, you are strongly urged to seek advice from your primary care physician, the Department of Public Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to identify any specific vaccination or health precautions required for each port of call on your itinerary.

An international certificate, approved by the World Health Organization, is the best medium for verification that inoculations and vaccinations have been satisfactorily performed, and is accepted by health officials at all ports of call. Failure to have the proper documents may result in refusal of passage by Customs and Immigration authorities.

Passport to Health

In this video, health experts offer helpful information on getting the right immunizations for safe and healthy travel.

Watch the Passport to Health video .

Do you offer gifts & indulgences?

Among the many delights of a Holland America Line cruise are the thoughtful and unexpected touches that make your cruise vacation especially memorable. With our onboard gift program, we invite guests as well as their friends and family to join us in the spirit of creating special moments. Imagine the smile caused by a bon voyage bouquet; the pleasure given with a "Well-Being" spa package or the appreciation felt for a prearranged romantic dinner for two at the Pinnacle Grill. With our onboard gifts and shipboard credits, you can let someone special know how much you care. We offer celebration packages, flowers, chocolate dipped strawberries, special wine offerings, beverage packages and cards, spa treatments and keepsakes. We also offer shipboard credit, which allows guests to choose their own gifts once onboard.

All arrangements for onboard gifts and spa treatments can easily be made online before the ship departs. Because the Greenhouse Spa & Salon is such a popular destination, we encourage you to book spa appointments in advance (you can also book appointments once on board). Click the Book Online Now button located below to view and purchase gift options. You must have a Holland America Line account to complete your purchase. If you do not currently have a Holland America Line account, please click Register above.

Make a Holland America Line cruise even more special for your friends and family by surprising them with an onboard gift. Choose from more than 100 items, including a festive bottle of sparkling wine, specialty dining package, bouquet of flowers or an onboard credit.

Learn more about the Greenhouse Spa and Salon. To order Greenhouse Spa products online, visit  www.timetospa.com .

Who operates shore excursions?

What if there is an emergency.

View the EMERGENCY Contact section in the Contact Us page for emergency phone numbers and telephone options to/from the ship. Share and review this information prior to leaving for your vacation.

Do you have accessible staterooms?

Yes, our vessels have specially designed staterooms for guests who require mobility assistive features. If you have not booked one of these accessible staterooms but instead will be using a standard stateroom, you need to know about some limitations that adversely impact maneuverability, especially ingress and egress into bathrooms. For example, bathroom dimensions, doorsills, and the height of bathtubs in standard staterooms are often difficult to negotiate for guests who have mobility limitations. Additionally, standard stateroom doors and hallways may be too narrow for a wheelchair or scooter to maneuver into and out of the stateroom. Note: For safety reasons, these mobility devices must be stored and charged in the guests' staterooms. There are three types of accessible staterooms on our vessels.

Fully Accessible  rooms are designed for use by guests with highly limited or no mobility who require regular use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive devices and provide accessible elements including turning space, accessible routes throughout the cabin, and accessible bathrooms are designed for use by guests with highly limited or no mobility who require regular use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive devices and provide accessible elements including turning space, accessible routes throughout the stateroom, and accessible bathrooms. Fully Accessible   – Single Side Approach  rooms are also designed for use by guests with highly limited or no mobility who require regular use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive devices. These rooms provide accessible bathrooms along with an accessible route and clear floor space on only one side of the bed in a stateroom configured to provide one bed and between the beds in a stateroom configured to provide two beds. Ambulatory Accessible  rooms are designed for use by guests with mobility disabilities who do not require the regular use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive devices. These rooms provide some accessible features. Fully Accessible and Fully Accessible Single Side Approach bathrooms in guest staterooms will provide one of three types of bathing facilities: roll-in shower, transfer shower, or accessible bathtub.

Roll-in Showers  provide the turning space necessary for a wheelchair to maneuver within the showering area. Transfer Showers  provide the maneuvering clearance alongside a shower stall to allow for transferring to the shower bench from a wheelchair. Accessible Bathtubs  provide the maneuvering clearance alongside a bathtub to allow for transferring to a seat in the bathtub from a wheelchair. Details regarding accessible rooms on each ship are listed below and can be found on each ship’s Deck Plan.

Fully Accessible These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to both sides of the bed, and a roll-in shower with grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head.

Staterooms I-8033, VB6002, VB6001, J1074, K1012, K1011 are fully accessible. Fully Accessible – Single Side Approach These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to one side of the bed, and a roll-in shower with grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head. Suites SA7057 and SY5002 have wheelchair access on the right side when facing the bed. Suites SA7058 and SY5001 have wheelchair access on the left side when facing the bed. Ambulatory Accessible These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, a shower with no threshold, grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head.

Staterooms VA8119, VA8116, VA8026, VA8025, V6052, V6049, V5140, V5135, V5054, V5051, VA4134, VA4131, H4092, H4089, VA4052, VA4051, D1100, D1099, C1082, C1081 are ambulatory accessible.

Fully Accessible These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to both sides of the bed, and a roll-in shower with grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head. Suites SA7094, A6150, A6148 and staterooms VA8147, VA8145, VA8134, VA8132, I-7108, I-7101, I-6131, I-6116, V5171, V5152, I-5129, I-5112, V5057, V5055, V5054, V5052, V4167, V4146, V4107, V4096, C1134, C1125, C1123, C1121 are fully accessible.

Ambulatory Accessible These rooms provide a shower with grab bars, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head. There is step up into bathroom, threshold into the shower, and standard interior and exterior door sizes. Suites B8101, SA7092 and staterooms K11049, VB11038, CQ10033, VE8142, VD7049, K6185, VC6158, V5051, V5048, FB1172, E1165 are ambulatory accessible.

• Nieuw Amsterdam

Fully Accessible These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to both sides of the bed, and an accessible shower with grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head. Suites SA7058 & SA7057 and staterooms J1074, J1069, K1012, K1011 have a roll-in shower.

Fully Accessible – Single Side Approach These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to one side of the bed, and a roll-in shower with grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head.

Suites SY5001 and stateroom VB6001 have wheelchair access on the right side when facing the bed. The queen bed can be converted upon request to two twin beds if full compliance is not needed.

Suites SY5002 and stateroom VB6002 have wheelchair access on the left side when facing the bed. The queen bed can be converted upon request to two twin beds if full compliance is not needed.

Stateroom I8033 has wheelchair access to twin beds on the left and right side. The beds can be converted upon request to a queen-size bed if full compliance is not needed.

Ambulatory Accessible Unless noted otherwise, these rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, a shower with no threshold, grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head. Staterooms VA8119, VA8116, VA8026, VA8025, V6052, V6049, V5140, V5135, V5054, V5051, VA4134, VA4131, H4092, H4089, VA4052, VA4051, D1100, D1099, C1082, C1081 are ambulatory accessible.

Stateroom J1063 is ambulatory accessible with narrow doors, a step up into the bathroom and a low threshold into the shower.

Nieuw Statendam

Fully Accessible These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to both sides of the bed, and an accessible shower with grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head.

Suites SA7094, A6150, A6148 and staterooms VA8147, VA8145, V5055, V5054, V5052, VH4107, VH4096 are fully accessible with a roll-in shower.

Staterooms VA8134, VA8132, I7108, I6116, I5112, V5057, C1134, C1123, C1121 are fully accessible with a transfer shower.

Fully Accessible – Single Side Approach These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to one side of the bed, and an accessible shower with grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head.

Staterooms I7099, I6131, I5133 have wheelchair access on the left side of a queen bed when facing the bed and a transfer shower. The bed can be converted upon request to 2 twins if full compliance is not needed.

Staterooms V5175, V5152, VH4146, VH4167 have wheelchair access between two twin beds and a transfer shower. The beds can be converted upon request to a queen-size bed if full compliance is not needed.

Stateroom C1125 roll-in have wheelchair access between two twin beds and a roll-in shower. The beds can be converted upon request to a queen-size bed if full compliance is not needed.

Ambulatory Accessible These rooms provide a shower with grab bars, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head. There is step up into bathroom, threshold into the shower, and standard interior and exterior door sizes. Suites SA7085, B8101 and staterooms K11049, VB11038, VQ10033, VE8142, VD7049, K6185, VC6158, V5048, V5051, FB1172, E1175 are ambulatory accessible.

Fully Accessible These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to both sides of the bed and accessible bathing facilities with grab bars, accessible seat, accessible controls and hand held shower head. These rooms have 2 twin beds convertible to a queen-size bed unless otherwise noted below. Accessible bathtub only: Suites SC6175 & SC6164

These suites have a king-size bed convertible to 2 twin beds.

Bathtub with separate accessible transfer shower: Suite SS6108, SY5002 & SY5001

SY5002 & SY5001 are set up with queen bed only to meet compliance spacing. The bed can be converted upon request to 2 twins if full compliance is not needed.

Roll-in Shower: Staterooms J1074, K1011 & K1012

Fully Accessible – Single Side Approach These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to one side of the bed and accessible bathing facilities with grab bars, accessible seat, accessible controls and hand held shower head. Bathtub with separate accessible transfer shower: Suite SY8068 This suite is set up with queen bed only to meet compliance spacing with wheelchair access on the right side when facing the bed. Bed can be converted upon request to 2 twins if full compliance is not needed.

Roll-in Shower: Staterooms VB6003, VB6004, C1082, C1081, D1100, I-8037

VB6003 is set up with queen bed only to meet compliance spacing with wheelchair access on the left side when facing the bed. The bed can be converted upon request to 2 twins if full compliance is not needed.

VB6004 is set up with queen bed only to meet compliance spacing with wheelchair access on the right side when facing the bed. The bed can be converted upon request to 2 twins if full compliance is not needed.

C1082, C1081, D1100, I-8037 are set up with 2 twin beds only to meet compliance spacing with wheelchair access between the beds. The beds can be converted upon request to a queen-size bed if full compliance is not needed.

Ambulatory Accessible These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, a shower with no threshold, grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head.

Staterooms VA8032, VA8031, VA6049, VA5140, VA5137, VA5054, VA5051, VA4132, VA4131, H4090, H4089, VA4052, VA4051 are ambulatory accessible.

Fully Accessible These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to both sides of the bed and accessible bathing facilities with grab bars, accessible seat, accessible controls and hand held shower head. These rooms have 2 twin beds convertible to a queen-size bed unless otherwise noted below. Roll-in Shower and bathtub: Suites SC6175, SC6164, SS6108, SY5002 and SY5001. Roll-in Shower: Staterooms VB6004, VB6003, J1074, K1012, K1011

Fully Accessible – Single Side Approach These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to one side of the bed and accessible bathing facilities with grab bars, accessible seat, accessible controls and hand held shower head. Bathtub with separate roll-in shower: SY 8068 has wheelchair access on the left side when facing the bed. Roll-in Shower:C1082, C1081, D1100, I-8037

C1082, C1081, D1100, I-8037 are set up with 2 twin beds only to meet compliance spacing with wheelchair access between the beds. The beds can be converted upon request to a queen-size bed if full compliance is not needed

Ambulatory Accessible Staterooms VA8032, VA8031, VA6049, VA5140, VA5137, VA5054, VA5051, VA4132, VA4131, H4090, H4089, VA4052 provide wide interior & exterior doors, a shower with no threshold, grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head. Staterooms J1067 and J1063 have a step up into bathroom, threshold into the shower, and standard interior and exterior door sizes.

Fully Accessible These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to both sides of the bed, and an accessible shower with grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head. Transfer Shower: Suite A6150 and staterooms VA8149, VA8147, VA8134, I-7099, I-6131, V5175, V5152, I-5133, V5055, V5054, VH4165, VH4144, VH4105, C1134, C1123, C1121

Roll-in Shower: Suites SA7094 & A6148, and staterooms VA8132, I-7108, I-6116, I-5112, V5057, V5052, VH4094, C1125

Ambulatory Accessible These rooms provide a shower with grab bars, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head. There is step up into bathroom, threshold into the shower, and standard interior and exterior door sizes. Suites SA7085, B8103 and staterooms K11049, VB11040, VQ10033, VE8142, VD7049, K6185, VC6158, V5048, V5051, FB1172, E1175 are ambulatory accessible.

Fully Accessible These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to both sides of the bed, and a roll-in shower with grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head. Suites B7088, B7087, B6228, B6225 and stateroom EE3429 are fully accessible.

Fully Accessible – Single Side Approach These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to one side of the bed, and a roll-in shower with grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head. Staterooms C6104 and H1805 have wheelchair access on the right side when facing the bed.

Suite SA7034 and stateroom H1804 have wheelchair access on the left side when facing the bed.

Ambulatory Accessible These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, a shower with no threshold, grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head. Staterooms EE3396, EE3391, HH3431, HH3430, E2702, L2700, J2555, J2554, G2500, FF1964, FF1955, G1807, G1806 are ambulatory accessible.

Fully Accessible These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to both sides of the bed and accessible bathing facilities with grab bars, accessible seat, accessible controls and hand held shower head. These rooms have 2 twin beds convertible to a queen-size bed unless otherwise noted below. Roll-in Shower and bathtub: Suites SC6175 & SC6164. These suites have a king-size bed convertible to 2 twin beds.

Bathtub with separate accessible transfer shower: Suite SS6108, SY5002 & SY5001.

SY5002 & SY 5001 are set up with queen bed only to meet compliance spacing. The bed can be converted upon request to 2 twins if full compliance is not needed.

Ambulatory Accessible These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, a shower with no threshold, grab bars, shower seat, accessible shower controls, and hand held shower head. Staterooms VA8032, VA8031, VA6049, VA5140, VA5137, VA5054, VA5051, VA4132, VA4131, H4090, H4089, VA4052, VA4051 are ambulatory accessible.

Fully Accessible These rooms provide wide interior & exterior doors, wheelchair access to both sides of the bed and accessible bathing facilities with grab bars, accessible seat, accessible controls and hand held shower head. These rooms have 2 twin beds convertible to a queen-size bed unless otherwise noted below. Roll-in Shower and bathtub: Suites SC6175 & SC6164 These suites have a king-size bed convertible to 2 twin beds. Bathtub with separate accessible transfer shower: Suite SS6108, SY5002 & SY5001 SY5002 & SY 5001 are set up with queen bed only to meet compliance spacing. The bed can be converted upon request to 2 twins if full compliance is not needed.

What is it like to go cruising?

Cruising really is the perfect way to travel the world. No other vacation experience offers you the all-inclusive convenience and pleasure of multiple destinations , beautiful scenic cruising, wonderful shore excursions , and a wide array of onboard activities.

Holland America Line has a long and proud history of delivering extraordinary vacation experiences, a tradition that began in the Netherlands more than 137 years ago. Today, cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers than any other travel experience.

Your mid-sized ship serves as your luxurious hotel, featuring spacious public spaces with fresh floral arrangements and multi-million dollar collections of art and antiques, award-winning restaurants and elegant staterooms—most with ocean views or private verandahs. Most meals and entertainment are included in your cruise fare, which makes a Holland America Line cruise the best vacation value.

Should I confirm my flight?

Since arrival and departure times are subject to last minute changes by the airlines, we recommend that you call your airline(s) 24 hours before your initial flight departure to verify all flight numbers, departure and arrival times shown on your ticket and provide a telephone number contact. (Reconfirm international flights 72 hours prior to your departure from home.)

Plan to be at the airline counter at least two hours before flight time for domestic flights and three hours before flight time for international flights. Also, have your identification, travel documents and ticket information readily available. Holland America Line cannot confirm or reconfirm flights, seat assignment requests and other special services, such as special meals or wheelchair assistance, from onboard our vessels. Your travel advisor, however, may assist with these arrangements.

Viewing Your Air Itinerary

 Additional travel needs can be requested directly with the airline using your air confirmation code to access your flight reservation.

What if I need to change or cancel my flights?

Cancelling your cruise/ cruisetour booking for any reason will cancel any air bookings associated with the cruise/cruisetour booking, and fees will be applied if applicable.

Flexible Fares:  Provided you have not requested early ticketing, no change fees will be charged for changes and cancellations made prior to the cruise final payment due date. Changes to the booking may require cancellation and rebooking of flights. The original schedule and airfare may no longer be available, and a new reservation may need to be created at the current available price. If the current available price exceeds the original airfare, the guest must pay the additional charge. Cancellations after the cruise final payment date will incur a fee up to the full cost of the ticket, per ticket. Tickets are nontransferable and name changes are not allowed. In some instances, name corrections will not be permitted and will require cancellation and rebooking of flights.

Will travel insurance be provided? Can I purchase independent coverage?

Given the current global travel and health environment, all booked guests are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance prior to departure to protect against losses. For eligible guests, CPP Platinum insurance that provides a broad range of benefits, including for COVID-19-related expenses, subject to the plan terms. Guests can also purchase third-party travel insurance as well and should check with the provider for specific details on their coverage terms and policies. While highly recommended, travel insurance is not required to cruise.

Can I bring my pets on on board with me?

With the exception of qualified service animals for guests with disabilities, animals or pets are not allowed on board our ships. If you plan to bring a service animal, you must call our Guest Accessibility Dept. at 800‐547‐8493 or 206‐626‐7044. You will need to provide proof of current vaccinations for the animal. Please talk to your travel advisor about this requirement.

SAFETY ADVISORY: Samsung Galaxy Note 7

SAFETY ADVISORY : Samsung Galaxy Note 7

Recently, Samsung announced a global “stop sale” and voluntary recall and exchange program on certain Galaxy Note7 smartphones. Such phones, with particular lithium-ion batteries, can overheat and catch fire, posing a burn hazard. As such, please be advised that all guests in possession of a Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone must take the following precautions, pursuant to the safety advisory notice recently issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

• Turn off the device
• Disconnect the device from any charging equipment
• Disable all applications that could inadvertently activate the device (e.g., alarm clock)
• Protect the power switch to prevent its unintentional activation
• Keep the device on your person or nearby in carry-on baggage (Do not place in checked baggage)

As our guest, please follow the above precautions while traveling on any of our ships, and if possible, please refrain from taking these devices with you on board.

How do I plan for an early arrival?

If you've purchased a Holland America vacation package or hotel accommodations you will find information in your documents. Be sure to keep your documents on your person or in your carry-on bag so you can access them easily.

What if I have food allergies?

For guests with food intolerances or allergies that are not life-threatening, please contact our Ship Services Department at (800) 541-1576. For guests with life-threatening food allergies, we ask that guests provide detailed information to our Guest Accessibility Department by completing a Special Requirements Information (SRI) Form. Guests should indicate on this form which foods may potentially cause a severe reaction.

Guests with a variety of severe food allergies sail with Holland America Line regularly. Our galley staff on board is accustomed to and experienced in dealing with these types of needs. The galley itself has many different areas of food preparation, which can help reduce the possibility of cross-contamination. It is important to note, however, that meals are prepared in mass quantities on board, thus there is always the possibility of some cross-contamination. As such, Holland America Line cannot guarantee that a guest will not come in contact with those items. Although our Guest Accessibility Department will provide the ship with an advance notice of all food allergies detailed on an SRI submitted to them, it is recommended that guests also contact the Dining Room Manager upon boarding to review the details of these special dietary needs.

Are laundry facilities available on board?

For your comfort and convenience we offer full laundry and dry cleaning service on each ship in the Holland America Line fleet. In your stateroom you will find laundry bags and price lists conveniently located in your closet.

Please note: For safety reasons, travel irons, steamers, and electric water heaters/kettles may not be used in your stateroom.

What if a member of the wedding party or a guest has special needs?

Wheelchair, restroom and changing room accessibility vary by ship and by port. Contact your wedding coordinator for location specifications.

Where do I meet my airport transfer?

On days of sailing, Holland America representatives will be stationed in the airport baggage claim area or outside the customs area (depending on local customs regulations), to greet guests and assist those who are eligible to be transferred to the pier. You will recognize our representatives by their Holland America signs. If you don't see our representatives, please have one paged. Please note: This service is available only on days of sailing.

How and when do I pay my deposit?

Deposits are required and are generally due within five days after you’ve made your reservation. 

The per person, per cruise deposit requirement will be advised at time of booking. A second deposit is required for all Grand Voyages.

You may want to take advantage of Holland America Line's Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) because it is designed to help protect your vacation investment from loss. Be it illness, family matters, unforeseen work events - anything, CPP enables you to cancel your vacation plans before you leave for any reason and receive a refund. CPP is available on Holland America Line Cruises and Land+Sea Journeys and is offered as a Standard Plan or a Platinum Plan.  If desired, CPP may be purchased at time of deposit or at any time prior to the date on which cancellation fees begin to accrue. Payment is due at time of purchase and is non-refundable. NOTE: CPP Standard is available to all guests, regardless of residency. CPP Platinum is not available to residents of New York State, Quebec or Puerto Rico.

Final payment is generally due no later than 90 days prior to departure although some cruises have different final payment date requirements. Please consult the Holland America Line brochure for the final payment date applicable to your cruise. Once final payment is received by Holland America Line and Online Check-in is completed, travel documents with your vacation details will be available approximately 15 days prior to your voyage date. Travel documents, however, are only issued after final payment has been received by Holland America. Travel advisors should make checks payable and send to:

Holland America Line Attn: Cash Applications 450 Third Ave. W Seattle, WA 98119

Payment by American Express, VISA, MasterCard, Discover Card, JCB, UnionPay, and Diners Club is accepted.

Please note: For credit card payments made in Australian Dollars (AU$), a charge of 1.1% will be applied. The charge does not apply to payments made by debit card.

For faster processing, please include a confirmation number on your check.

Travel advisors please note that MCOS will not be accepted.

Travel advisors or consumers outside the U.S. and Canada should make payment by wire transfer or passenger's credit card.

Wire Transfer Information:

• US FUNDS: BENEFICIARY - HOLLAND AMERICA LINE N.V. US Bank of Washington 1420 Fifth Avenue, 11th Floor Seattle, WA 98101 Routing #19-10 ABA# 125 000 105 Swift Code: USBKUS44SEA Account # 153595240877
• CANADIAN FUNDS: BENEFICIARY - WESTMARK HOTELS OF CANADA LTD. DBA: HOLLAND AMERICA LINE NV 450 THIRD AVENUE WEST SEATTLE, WA 98119 BANK OF AMERICA NA, CANADA BRANCH 181 Bay Street, Suite 400 Toronto, ON M5V 2V8 Routing/Transit #: 024156792 Swift Code: BOFACATT Account # 48613202
• EURO FUNDS: BENEFICIARY - HOLLAND AMERICA LINE N.V. JPMorgan Chase Bank, London Sort code: 60-92-42 Swift: CHASGB2L Account # 23585110 - for Bookings Correspondent Bank: JPMorgan A.G. Frankfurt, Germany Swift: CHASDEFX Favor: JPMorgan Chase Bank, London
• EURO FUNDS (Dutch Bookings Only): BENEFICIARY - HAL SERVICES B.V. JPMorgan Chase Bank, Amsterdam 3035 Strawinskylaan, 1077 ZX Amsterdam Swift: CHASNL2X Account # 0671132881 - for payments within The Netherlands IBAN Account # NL87CHAS0671132881 - for International payments Favor: JPMorgan Chase Bank, Amsterdam

Please send a proof of payment to  [email protected]  per wire transfer/transaction to make sure your (deposit) payment is correctly and received and applied on your booking(s).

Regulatory framework

Cruise ship safety is governed by numerous international, federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations. At the international level, regulation of our industry begins with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency focused on the safety and security of shipping that is comprised of almost all of the countries in the world that have ships operating under their flags. The IMO, through its many assemblies, committees, boards and administrative offices, sets international standards that all passenger and cargo ships must comply with.

One of the most important set of rules that is established and enforced by the IMO is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, referred to as SOLAS. SOLAS, which is regularly updated, establishes standards for constructing, equipping, manning and operating all passenger and cargo ships.

In addition to IMO requirements, every ship operates under the maritime laws of a specific country, referred to as the ship’s flag state. The ships of Holland America Line all fly the flag of the country of Netherlands and meet the standards established by that country for its vessels. To ensure that both the IMO and flag state rules are complied with, every ship is also required to be registered with one of the internationally-recognized Classification Societies; in the case of Holland America Line, it is Lloyds Register. The Classification Society carries out a full ship inspection once a year plus does additional surveys of important safety and other ship equipment on a set schedule that ensures this equipment is regularly examined and tested.

There are further inspections conducted by many of the countries that our ships visit. For example, any ship calling in a U.S. port is subject to a semi-annual Control Verification Inspection by the United States. Coast Guard during which almost an entire day is spent by Coast Guard personnel examining our lifesaving, nautical and other operating systems including observing mandatory emergency lifeboat drills. Additional safety, security and health inspections are carried out by other U.S. agencies including Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Agriculture.

Similar inspection programs exist around the world with particularly rigorous inspections performed throughout Europe and South America as well as in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries. These inspections ensure compliance with both IMO requirements as well, in the case of the United States, with a detailed set of special requirements under U.S. law that apply to ships calling in U.S. ports.

Do I need a passport?

Each country has its own entry requirements, and guests assume personal responsibility for having the necessary documents when boarding. Holland America Line highly recommends that all guests carry a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the completion date of your travel. Having a passport will enable you to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event you miss your scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if you need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.

Passports are normally surrendered to and held by the pursers on board to facilitate clearances in ports of call. It is prudent to photocopy the identification page of your passport and pack it separately, in case of loss or damage to the original.

Your name on your travel documents (passport, Alien Resident card, birth certificate, etc.) must be identical to those on your cruise documents. Otherwise, proof of name change (e.g. a marriage license) with a valid driver's license (or other government issued photo ID) must be presented. Any discrepancies may prevent travel.

PLEASE NOTE:  In addition, visas or other documents may be required, depending on your citizenship or residency and the itinerary. It is your sole responsibility to obtain all necessary documents for all ports of call on your itinerary. Requirements for your voyage may be found on Holland America Line's website or by calling your travel advisor, Holland America, or a visa advisory service. Boarding may be denied or fines may be levied against those guests without proper documentation. Payment of any fines levied is the responsibility of the individual guest.

For U.S. and Canadian Citizens:

Travel by Land or Sea: Travel document requirements vary based on cruise itinerary and whether international flights are required. Passports or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant documents are required for cruises to Alaska, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico. U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 16 and above may present one of the following valid WHTI-compliant documents:

• Passport (recommended travel document) (valid for travel by air, land and sea)
• Passport Card (valid for land and sea border crossings only)
• U.S. or Canadian Issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) – (valid for land and sea border crossings only, not valid on Yukon Land+Sea Journeys due to air travel included in the journey)*
• Other documents approved by the Department of Homeland Security

For a list of approved documents visit:  https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative .

*The EDL driver's license, or non-driver photo identification, is offered in the U.S. states of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington and in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, to applicants that can prove identity and citizenship.

Please note the EDL is not the same as an Enhanced (or Endorsed) Commercial Driver's License.

U.S. citizens on U.S. roundtrip or "closed-loop" cruises:  U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present a valid US passport, U.S. Passport Card, Enhanced Driver's License or Trusted Traveler Program Card such as Nexus, Sentri or Fast Cards.

However, in the absence of any of the documentation listed above, U.S. citizens can present a government issued photo ID, along with proof of citizenship (an original or certified copy from an authorized authority of his or her government issued birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). A passport is still the preferred document.

PLEASE NOTE:  WHTI-compliant documents are only acceptable for entry or re-entry into the United States. You may be required to present additional or different travel documents, such as a passport when entering foreign countries, including some countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Birth certificates from Puerto Rico issued prior to July 1, 2010 are not valid forms of proof of citizenship that is accepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Guests from Puerto Rico either need to present a WHTI-compliant document or a government-issued photo identification with a validated birth certificate issued after July 1, 2010.

Children:  U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 traveling on a closed-loop cruise (a cruise in the Western Hemisphere which originates and ends in the same U.S. port) will be able to present their government issued birth certificate or other proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card to sail. Birth certificates can be an original or certified copy from an authorized authority.

Passport requirement when minors travel with one adult on voyages governed by U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)  (includes travel within Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, United States): When minors are traveling with only one adult 21 years of age or older, Holland America Line requires that all guests must be in possession of a valid passport. Holland America Line has implemented this requirement so that you all remain together should an emergency arise that requires one or more in your party to be disembarked in a non-U.S. port. Holland America Line cannot guarantee that all members of your party will be allowed to disembark with only a WHTI-compliant document or birth certificate.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with you, you must present an original letter signed by at least one of the child's parents. The letter from the child's parent must provide contact information and authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise.

For more information regarding passports and WHTI-compliant documents, please visit  https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative or call the National Passport Information Center toll free at 1-877-487-2778 or TDD/TYY at 1-888-874-7793.

Travel by Air:  Passports are required for all international air travel to and from the United States, regardless of age or citizenship. This includes air travel to and from Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Mexico.

FOR NON-U.S./NON-CANADIAN CITIZENS:  Holland America highly recommends that all guests carry a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the completion date of your travel. Please carefully verify the existing identification requirements for your particular travel situation.

In addition, non-U.S. citizens who have previously been admitted to the United States for permanent residence must carry their Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), commonly known as a Green Card. Resident aliens not in possession of this must obtain one at the nearest office of the U.S. Immigration Service.

Holland America Line: Committed to serving everyone

Holland America Line is committed to providing safe, easy, and accessible accommodations for all persons with disabilities, to the extent that is feasible.

Holland America Line is dedicated to offering the finest cruising experience to our guests, including those with disabilities. Our ships provide a quality of service and a variety of accessible features to make your voyage a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

The Importance of Planning Ahead

Holland America Line does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of disability. We seek, to the extent feasible, to accommodate guests with disabilities. However, some needs require adequate time to prepare for a guest's arrival. It is recommended that guests make every effort to contact our Guest Accessibility Department and to submit a Special Requirements Information (SRI) Form well in advance of the departure of their cruise and/or Land+Sea Journey. We recommend submitting an SRI upon booking or a minimum of 45 days prior to departure.

Guests who are unable to care for their basic needs (e.g. dressing, eating, and attending safety drills) MUST have a capable traveling companion. The medical staff on board is not available for daily care unless an individual is hospitalized in the ship's Medical Center. In limited situations (either on board or ashore), we may find it necessary to ask the individual to make alternative travel arrangements, such as if an individual with a disability is unable to satisfy certain specified safety and other criteria, even when provided with appropriate auxiliary aids and services.

What are the cancellation policies for shore excursions?

Cancellations for pre-paid tours are allowed up to 3 days prior to cruise embarkation and will be refunded to the credit card used for the purchase. If within 3 days of embarkation, all changes/cancellations must be done onboard the ship and refunds will be applied to your onboard account. If the credit is not fully utilized during the cruise, the balance will be paid to that passenger by the ship's Purser at the end of the voyage. If cancellation occurs onboard after the cancellation deadline for specific shore excursions, a 100% cancellation fee will apply. The ship's shore excursions office will be able to advise you of the cancellation deadline applicable to each tour. Optional shore excursions during the land portion of a Land & Sea Journey are non-refundable within 3 days of your Land & Sea Journey departure date. Group shore excursions cancelled within three days prior to embarkation (sail) date are nonrefundable. Custom tours may have different cancellation deadlines which will be stated in the proposal. In the rare instance that tours are cancelled by Holland America Line or the tour operator, the full amount will be refunded within four to six weeks after the voyage ends.

Is motion discomfort a problem?

Rarely. Cruise itineraries ply some of the calmest waters in the world. In addition, stabilizers on modern ships, availability of advance weather information, and development of effective preventative medications have greatly reduced the incidence of motion discomfort.

What are the procedures for disembarkation?

At the beginning of the cruise each guest will receive a disembarkation form that will allow them to coordinate transfers and baggage handling arrangements. Please fill out the form and return it to the Front Office as soon as possible.

Guests in each stateroom receive a disembarkation package near the conclusion of their cruise, which includes luggage tags, an assigned disembarkation time, and details about customs formalities, baggage handling, travel arrangements, and other important information regarding disembarkation.

On the last night of your cruise you will need to place your baggage outside your cabin before you retire. Please do not place your baggage over the emergency floor lighting. Please make sure that the appropriate baggage tags are affixed to your baggage, because the tags include your departing flight information.

Important : Holland America Line recommends that each guest keep all personal identification, airline tickets, customs forms, medications and other important items along with the clothes and shoes he or she intends to wear the last day. Place them in a carry-on bag or keep them with you so you can access them easily. Please remember that important items such as perishables, cash, credit or debit cards, jewelry, gold, silver or similar valuables, securities, financial instruments, records or other valuable or business documents, laptop computers, cellular telephones, cameras, or other video or electronic equipment, hearing aids, electric wheelchairs, scooters, binoculars, film, videotape, computer disks, audio disks, tapes or CDs should not be placed in the baggage you placed outside your stateroom.

On the morning of disembarkation, each guest must have settled their onboard account. Promotional credits are non-refundable. Cash deposits can be made on the last day of the cruise.

The ship's estimated arrival time at the port of disembarkation is shown on your cruise itinerary.

Generally, the ship is subject to certain government procedural requirements upon arrival. Once completed, all guests will be allowed to disembark. Disembarkation is usually completed within two to four hours after the ship's arrival. All guests are required to disembark the ship at this time. Outbound flights should be scheduled with plenty of time for transfers from the ship to the airport. The amount of time you allow to transfer from the ship to the airport will depend on the disembarkation port.

Please Note: The Signature Express Baggage service is the most relaxing and hassle free disembarkation Holland America Line offers.

Who do I contact for more information regarding accessible cruising?

For additional information on the ship's facilities or ability to accommodate guests’ needs that may not be covered in this section, please feel free to contact the Guest Accessibility Department at:

For post sailing questions or concerns please contact our Guest Relations Department at:

For information regarding the Transportation Security Administration’s Screening Tips for Persons with Disabilities, please visit the Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions section of their website .

The ADA Responsibility Officer for Holland America Line is Paul McClelland, Vice President Governance and Ethics & Compliance Officer.

Can guests under 21 travel alone?

Guests under 21 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone that is at least 21 years old; one adult chaperone is required for every five people under the age of 21. Infants must be at least 6 months of age at the time of embarkation in order to sail. Children must be at least 12 months of age at the time of embarkation to sail on trans-ocean crossings and remote itineraries, where there are more than 2 consecutive sea days.

Guests must be 21 years of age or over to purchase or consume alcohol onboard. For voyages that depart from and return to Australia and/or New Zealand, Europe, China, Hong Kong, Singapore or Taiwan, this policy applies to guests 18 years and older. For Voyages that depart from and return to Japan, this policy applies to guests 20 years and older.

Minors under the age of 18 traveling to foreign countries must be accompanied by both parents or have a notarized letter of consent signed by the parent(s) not traveling. If the other parent is deceased or the child has only one legal parent, a notarized statement must be obtained as proof.

All minors under the age of 18 must travel with all proper identification documents in addition to the signed letter of authorization. Minors who are U.S. citizens should have an original, photocopy or certified original of their government-issued birth certificate or another form of proof of citizenship. Children 16 or older are also required to have a photo ID. If traveling outside of the Western Hemisphere, a passport is required for guests of any age. Your travel advisor can provide additional information about this requirement.

Please Note : In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry and exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child’s travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian if not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry or departure. For specific information regarding the country to which you are traveling, please visit U.S. State Department website for country-by-country information.

Parents, guardians and chaperones are responsible for overseeing the conduct of minors in their care. As such, minors may not be left unsupervised on board the ship. Minors should receive the same oversight that would be provided when visiting locations such as a large resort or theme park. A parent or legal guardian MUST accompany all children under the age of 18 on all tours for safety and liability reasons. For activities and programs for children age 3-17, please refer to the CLUB HAL YOUTH PROGRAM section.

Minors Going Ashore

Parents and guardians are responsible for deciding whether or not minors under age 16 are allowed to go ashore without adult supervision. If you want to permit a minor traveling with you to go ashore without an adult companion, please discuss this in advance with the ship's Security Officer so that they can make a notation of this in our gangway control system software. Absent this approval, our security personnel will generally prohibit minors from leaving the ship without an adult companion although we cannot provide absolute assurances in this regard. It is ultimately the responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure that minors traveling with them act in accordance with their instructions.

What kind of holiday celebrations can be enjoyed on board?

We celebrate a variety of holidays on board and offer special holiday voyages on every ship in late December. Leave the cooking, cleaning and stress behind and join us on an unforgettable cruise over the holidays!

For Christmas, there are festive decorations; caroling and singalongs; Catholic Mass and interdenominational services; and a special visit from Santa Claus. During each night of Hanukkah, a celebration and candle lighting is held for Jewish guests, and latkes are served daily for lunch in the Lido Market. And on New Year’s Eve we ring in the New Year with festive dining, sparkling wine toasts, live music and dancing — it’s truly a Dressy Night to remember. 

To learn more about Holiday Cruises with Holland America Line click here

Are shore excursion prices the same for children and adults?

Children's prices, where applicable, will be listed on the individual tours shown for each destination featured on the web site. These prices generally apply for children aged 12 and under. Children 13 and over will be charged full adult fare on tours. Lap children aged 2 and under may be allowed to accompany parents or guardians on some tours at no charge. Generally, lap child rates are not available on flights, watercraft and modes of transportation other than motor coaches and taxi vans. 

What activities are available on board the ship?

There's so much to see and do onboard. Our award-winning Up Close presentations showcase the unique stories and culture of the places we visit. Every cruise has a Sports Director who offers Pickleball instruction for players of all experience levels as well as a variety of other activities to keep you moving. To stimulate your creative side, our Art & Craft Instructors host classes for painting, coloring, folding origami and more. Put your knowledge to the test at daily trivia sessions or cheer along at an evening game show. Pamper yourself with one of many signature spa treatments or salon services at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon®. Take a class or work out in the Fitness Center or take a relaxing dip in our pools and hot tubs. Those looking for some casino action can find games for all levels of experience as well as complimentary lessons. At Kids Club, children ages 3 to 12 can enjoy an array of exciting activities while supervised by professionally trained staff. 

Is help available for non-English speaking guests?

Our experienced, award-winning English-speaking staff and crew will do everything to make your cruise an unforgettable experience. Depending on the ship and itinerary, multi-lingual staff may also be available to assist our guests.

What is the Orange Party and what should I pack for it?

Learn more about this unique Dutch celebration and prepare to get your orange on.

What’s the Orange Party?

Orange is the color most associated with the Netherlands and the House of Orange, Holland’s royal family. In keeping with our proud Dutch heritage, we invite you to a new onboard celebration inspired by the Netherland’s national holiday, King’s Day: The Orange Party. Just wear your favorite orange clothes and accessories, or purchase Orange Party essentials in our shops, and get ready for the time of your life.

What happens at the Orange Party?

Enjoy Dutch-inspired appetizers, beer, cocktails, live music and more, plus a festive display of national pride with a sea of orange!

When and where is the party?

Holland America Line is hosting the Orange Party on board each of our ships on one evening every cruise.

What attire should I pack for the Orange Party?

Pack some orange clothing and/or accessories to wear for this special celebration!

What can I do in port?

You can explore on your own or take a guided tour (referred to as shore excursions). Holland America Line offers a wide variety of shore excursions to fit your lifestyle, ranging from easygoing activities to high adventure. Search ancient ruins or hunt for shopping bargains. Ride a raft over river rapids or a horse across hills and beaches. Climb a mountain or a pyramid. Or sun and swim at some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Each of our tours provides the highest level of quality, safety, convenience and value. Once you have booked your cruise, you can easily book your shore excursions online; we recommend you book early for the best selection.

Can I change my itinerary once the cruise begins?

With very limited exceptions (such as our Panama Canal cruises), U.S. law prohibits a person from beginning their cruise in one U.S. port and ending it in a different U.S. port. For this reason, voyages originating and ending in the same U.S. port will not allow embarkation or disembarkation in an alternate U.S. port. If you do not adhere to the cruise itinerary and, as a result, violate this law, any resulting fines  will be your responsibility. If the fine is assessed due to a flight delay, we will pay the fine if you were participating in our Flight Ease® program. Please note that this is a U.S. government regulation over which Holland America Line has no control.

What are my dining options?

Throughout your cruise vacation, you may enjoy delicious and innovative menus across a broad range of dining venues . On your Holland America Line cruise you're free to dine As You Wish®, from a casual bite poolside to a formal five-course affair in our classic main Dining Room, where you can choose traditional pre-set seating or a flexible open schedule. Take advantage of 24-hour room service on your verandah, or enjoy a sophisticated meal in the elegant Pinnacle Grill. The choice is always yours.

What are my luggage delivery options?

Luggage direct.

Luggage Direct offers you the opportunity to receive your airline boarding passes and check your luggage in to your flight while still onboard your Holland America Line ship. TSA approved airline representatives will take your luggage directly from the ship and deliver it to your outbound aircraft. You will then claim your luggage when you arrive at your final airport destination.

Luggage Direct is available in selected departure ports and for selected ships, detailed below. Once onboard, a letter explaining the eligibility requirements will be sent to you.

Holland America Line is offering Luggage Direct in:

• Fort Lauderdale
• Los Angeles
• Vancouver (canceled for 2014 Season)

On the following eight (8) vessels only:

Please note the following general information about Luggage Direct:

• Cost is $19 per person at all ports
• Airline assessed baggage fees will be applied to guests' onboard account - fees vary by airline and all pricing is communicated directly from the airline to our partner company, BAGS, Inc. These fees are collected onboard and are then distributed to the airlines.
• Guests are able to check no more than 2 pieces of luggage per person.
• Upgrade Requests, Seat Assignment Requests, and Flight Changes cannot be accommodated onboard.
• There are restrictions established for each homeport city. Restrictions include: participating airlines, earliest and latest flight times, and citizenship requirements.
• All flights must be Domestic (inclusive of U.S. Territories).

Luggage Forward®

Luggage Forward® is the premier provider of luggage delivery worldwide. With just one call to Luggage Forward, our exclusive luggage delivery partner, your luggage will be picked up at your home and delivered to your onboard suite. No more checking luggage at the airport. No more excess luggage charges. And no more baggage claim. You can just board your flight and meet your Holland America Line ship. And for US residents, traveling internationally, Luggage Forward even handles customs clearance for you. For more information visit luggageforward.com/hollandamerica or call Luggage Forward directly. From the US dial 1 877-466-2247, from the UK dial +44 (0)203-375-4769 or +1 617-482-1100 if calling from any other location.

We do not require that our Guests participate in a baggage service, however for your convenience we do offer two recommended options for luggage delivery services.

How do I book shore excursions?

Choose from city tours, culinary explorations, shopping outings, outdoor expeditions, cultural activities and more. We recommend you book early for the best selection, as our excursions and tours have limited capacity and fill up quickly. Shore excursions may be easily booked online in advance of sailing on the book shore excursions page. If tour details are not yet finalized, please check again closer to your departure date. Shore excursions may be booked and prepaid online up to three days before sailing. Your Digital Tour Tickets will be available under My Account in Navigator. Please download the Navigator app prior to boarding. You will also be able to request tours on the ship at the shore excursion Office.

Many tours have limited availability, and booking tours in advance reduces the chance of disappointment. All tour bookings are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.  Prices are subject to change without notice. Tours are booked and paid with a credit card and a confirmation will be sent to your email address.

If a tour is sold out, many tours offer a waitlist option. If a tour is waitlisted and space becomes available, an email notification will be sent to you at which time you will have 72 hours to book and confirm the tour.  Your credit card will be charged once you have confirmed your tour.

Can I still cruise if pregnant?

Women cannot have begun their 24th week of pregnancy at any time before or during the cruise. If you are pregnant or sailing with a guest who is pregnant they must provide a physician’s letter stating the expected due date, medical fitness to travel and the pregnancy is not high risk. Please also include your name, booking number, ship and sailing date.

Please fax your letters to our Guest Accessibility Department at 800-577-1731. Or email them to  [email protected] .

We urge you to have the letter faxed in as soon after making your reservation as possible.

Is wheelchair assistance available shoreside?

Airports and/or Train Stations

Wheelchair assistance that is requested for airports or train stations must be done directly through the airline or rail station. Holland America Line is not able to arrange for wheelchair assistance at airports or train stations.

Land Tours and/or Shore Excursions

Because facilities in ports around the world vary significantly, wheelchair accommodations may not be available for some land tours and/or shore excursions. Furthermore, many transportation vehicles around the world do not have wheelchair lifts. Thus, it may be necessary for Holland America Line to make alternate transportation arrangements such as a sedan vehicle. This requires that a guest who uses a wheelchair be able to transfer from his/her wheelchair to the front or back seat of a sedan. Additionally, when lift equipped vehicles are available, many do not have the facilities for the safe transport of mobility scooters in the passenger compartment. Therefore if you are using a mobility scooter you may be asked to disembark your scooter and enter the coach by the front steps and ride safely in a regular coach seat, transfer to a provided boarding chair and take the lift onto the coach and transfer to a regular coach seat, or ride the lift on your scooter and then transfer to a regular coach seat. In some cases, it may be possible for your scooter to be stowed in the luggage compartment for use in the ports of call. If your scooter must be stored in the luggage compartment of a motorcoach it may be necessary for someone traveling in your party to load the scooter into the luggage compartment; the policy as to whether or not the coach drivers are able or allowed to provide assistance is that of the Tour Operator and not Holland America Line. The ability to provide assistance may depend on certain factors such as the weight or dimensions of the scooter. If you are unable to transfer from your mobility scooter and alternative arrangements are required, please advise Holland America Line at the time of booking or as far in advance of your sailing as possible. Please be assured this is for your safety.

Due to the limited number of lift-equipped vehicles in foreign locations, guests may incur additional costs for transportation related to airport transfers, shore excursions, and tour/hotel packages. Please note, lift equipped transportation within the United States may be arranged without additional costs. For information on alternative transportation arrangements and associated costs please contact our Guest Accessibility Department. Please advise Holland America Line as far in advance as possible of any special needs for transfers. This will help to ensure availability of the appropriate vehicle(s) and for Holland America Line to provide an estimate of additional associated costs.

Guests should be aware that certain third party shore excursion facilities may not be fully accessible to guests with disabilities. Although we endeavor to make sure these companies comply with legal requirements, we cannot guarantee that all are able to provide facilities that are accessible to individuals with disabilities. For detailed information on accessibility of shore excursions, we strongly recommend contacting our Shore Excursions Department prior to embarkation at 1-888-425-9376 (or locally at 206-626-7320) or visiting the Shore Excursions Office on board.

Holland America Line website accessibility

Holland America Line welcomes all guests to explore our cruise vacation offerings. Our websites follow the official guidance of the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). To ensure our websites are as easy to use as possible we incorporate assistive technology including Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA).

Due to web accessibility standards, users may experience slight variations according to the browser used. We recommend that visitors to Holland America Line websites who require screen reader software use specific combinations of screen reader and browser. For Microsoft Windows, NVDA and the Google Chrome browser are recommended. For OSx, MacOS and iOS systems, VoiceOver and the Safari browser (with Safari's support for keyboard shortcuts enabled) are recommended.

Is smoking allowed on board?

All Holland America Line's public areas, staterooms, suites, and verandahs are non-smoking* areas with the exception of designated smoking areas and casinos on select ships.  

*Smoking (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vaping devices, and e-cigarettes) is only permitted in designated smoking areas.

Designated Smoking Areas

Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Zuiderdam

• Sea View Bar area*

Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam, Zaandam

• Casino-smoking is allowed in designated areas for active players and only when outside of 12 nautical miles from the Netherlands
• Sports Deck, outside Crow's Nest
• Casino-smoking is allowed in designated areas for active players an only when outside of 12 nautical miles from the Netherlands

*In the Sea View bar area, the smoking section should be away from the bar and any outdoor dining. Onboard management has the flexibility to designate specific areas (port/starboard) adjacent to the Sea View bar. Visible signage must be placed in the smoking area.  Please comply with ship signage.  

Holland America Line reserves the right at any time to modify the smoking policy onboard or alter the locations where smoking is permissible.

What should I pack?

Pack as you would for any resort. Cruise vacations are casual by day, whether you're on the ship or ashore. The suggested attire for most evenings is resort casual; slacks and collared shirts for men, and casual dresses, slacks and informal evening-wear for women. On Dressy Nights women usually wear a suit, cocktail dress or gown and men wear a jacket and tie, dark suit, or tuxedo.

In the event of unexpected travel delays and emergencies, please remember to bring additional prescription medication for at least 2 weeks beyond the length of the cruise. Also bring a list of the names, strengths and dosages of all medications in case refills are required.

Is cruising good for families with children?

Cruising is for everyone, and we welcome and cater to families with children. Holland America Line provides youth and teen activities and facilities for younger guests, such as Kids Club. Plus, kids and families love the wide selection of food choices available when dining on board Holland America Line ships.

What medical facilities & services are available on board?

Each Holland America ship has an onboard Medical Center staffed by licensed physicians and critical care nurses. While not a full-service hospital, the Medical Center is well equipped to handle most emergencies and routine medical procedures.

A customary fee will be charged for services and medications dispensed. Motion sickness medications are available for purchase onboard. If you become ill or injured during the voyage and your diagnostic and/or care needs exceed the capabilities of the medical center, you will be transferred to medical facilities ashore. Please note that Medicare and many health insurance plans DO NOT cover the cost of medical care at sea, in foreign countries, or for air evacuation. Guests are encouraged to obtain travel medical insurance prior to travel in order to be reimbursed for services rendered.

If you have a chronic medical condition, please bring a recent report from your physician. The medical staff on board is not available for daily care, unless you are hospitalized in the Medical Center. You must be able to care for yourself, including dressing, eating and attending the ship's safety drills. If you are unable to function independently in these areas, you must bring a caregiver with you. Because of the limited medical facilities, infants 6 months or younger at the time the cruise commences and women who will be 24 or more weeks pregnant during the course of their travel are not permitted to participate in the cruise. If you are pregnant, please provide a medical note from your physician stating your expected due date and medical fitness to travel.

Infants must be at least 6 months of age at the time of embarkation in order to sail. Children must be at least 12 months of age at the time of embarkation to sail on trans-ocean crossings and remote itineraries, where there are more than 2 consecutive sea days.

Do you offer babysitting on board?

Babysitting service is not offered on board.

What about airport taxes?

Some countries impose an arrival or departure tax, which cannot be included on an air ticket. In most cases this is paid by each guest upon check-in and may have to be paid in the local currency.

Prohibited items

The following list is provided to assist in determining what items are not allowed onboard without a valid, lawful reason.

This is not an all-inclusive list, and there may be other items found at the Security screening area that may be dangerous and that should not be allowed onboard.

• All firearms  including non-firing weapons. An exception to this rule is law enforcement agents acting in an official capacity and certified armed security guards acting in an official capacity (with full permission of the ship’s Master).
• All forms of ammunition,  explosive materials and propellants, projectiles of all kinds, cartridges. 
• All imitation or replica weapons  including de-commissioned weapons, those not capable of being fired and realistic imitation/toy weapons.
• Air/Pellet guns  or any other variety of projectile firing weapon.
• Stun Guns,  Tasers or any other electroshock device.
• All explosives  and explosive device components including but not limited to military, civilian and safety devices, detonators, detonation cords, blasting caps, smoke cartridges, grenades, mines, imitation explosives/devices.
• Fireworks, Flares and Pyrotechnics
• Knives  (with a blade over 6.35 cm (2 ½ inches), or 1.25 cm (½ inch) at widest point). bladed weapons, sharp pointed weapons, daggers, sabers, swords, axes, ice axes, hatchets, straight razors (shaving safety razors are allowed), razor blades not in a cartridge, box cutters, ice picks, meat cleavers, and utility knives, (unless specifically authorized for personnel who in the normal course of their duties on board the ship require to be in possession of a knife with a more substantial blade i.e. Gallery Staff and Deck Ratings).
• Flick knives, gravity knives, switchblades or lock knives. Small locking pocket-knife with blade lengths less than 6.35 cm (2 ½ inches) and widths ½ inch or less are allowed. 
• Concealed bladed weapons  such as belt buckles knives, cane and umbrella knives/swords, pen knives and credit card knives.
• Recreational Diver’s Knives  unless accompanied by other diving/snorkeling equipment and a valid diving ID card/license (must be held in the custody of the Security Officer). Dive knives may be checked out/in by the owner for dive excursions during the cruise whereby 24 hours’ notice is provided.
• Diver’s spears  and spear guns/slings.
• Ceremonial knives/swords  as well as entertainment props are at times permitted with prior notification from the Fleet Security Department (must be held on-board in the same manner as dive knives).
• Scissors  with blades longer than 4 inches.
• Telescopic or regular truncheons/ batons/clubs/coshes/nightsticks/billy clubs/blow pipes/ASPs and or any other item made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon.
• Archery  equipment including crossbows and bolts.
• Martial Arts Equipment  including flails, throwing stars, nunchakus/nunchucks, kubatons, bostaff, etc.
• Knuckle dusters , brass knuckles, or any other item constructed for use as a weapon in hand-to-hand combat.
• Stun Guns , Tasers or any other electroshock device.
• Items containing Incapacitating Substances  such as gas guns, tear gas sprays, pepper/mace cartridges, phosphorus, acid and other dangerous chemicals that could be used to maim or disable.
• Flammable liquids  and hazardous chemicals/substances including gasoline/petrol, cooking fuel, acid, spill able batteries (except those in wheelchairs), phosphorous, oil, lighter fluid (common lighters are permitted), methylated spirits, paint thinners, acid, turpentine, spray paint, chlorine, bleach, spray paint and any other dangerous chemicals that could burn, maim, incapacitate or disable.
• Compressed gas  bottles/cylinders including propane tanks and aerosol cans (except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities). Dive Tanks are not permitted, empty or full. Medical gas bottles are allowed in connection with a certified medical condition but cannot be packed in baggage. Oxygen cylinders must be delivered to the Purser’s Office and stored in a designated safe area. Oxygen cylinders are not x-rayed.
• Drones  also referred to as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or Remotely Piloted Aerial Vehicle (RPA), and any other remote-controlled aerial devices/toys. (The exception is when permitted for company sponsored events when approved in advance by Fleet Security).
• Any other item made, adapted or intended for use as a weapon.
• Hookah and Water Hookah Pipes , candles and incense, strike-anywhere matches.
• Items brought on board the vessel and not supplied by the Company containing any kind of heating element, such as but not limited to: immersion heaters, heating blankets, flat irons, water heaters, coffee machines with heating / hot plates, etc.
• Alcohol  in violation of the company alcohol policy.
• All illegal drugs , , including medications without proper prescriptions. • This includes legal intoxicant synthetic or “designer” drugs also known as “Legal Highs” such as Lysergamides, Opioids, Methoxetamine, Synthetic Cannabis, Betel Nuts or Kava (Cava).
• Medical Marijuana
• Noxious Items
• Baseball bats, hockey sticks, cricket bats,  lacrosse sticks, pool cues, ski poles, and skateboards.
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons  (EPIRB), Ham radios, transformers, lasers, laser pointers.
• Bicycles, including electric bicycles.
• Tools of trade/hobby  including any type of hand or power tool. This includes hammers, drills, drill bits, crow bars, saws, power saws, chef/cooking knives/utensils, tools greater than 7 inches in length such as screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers (unless prior authorization is provided by Corporate Headquarters and strict controls are maintained on-board).
• Surfboards  - (Boogie boards no longer than 42 inches in length are allowed).
• Boats/canoes/kayaks.
• Exception : if the cooler is larger and contains baby food/formula, kosher food/special dietary food or medication - these must be hand-carried. Coolers cannot be accepted as checked baggage. Whenever there is doubt an embarkation supervisor or shipboard personnel can be contacted to make the decision.
• Scooters  (only permitted if used for mobility), Segway’s (only permitted ashore if used for mobility limitations – cannot be used onboard the ship), Heely Shoes, Hoverboards/self-balancing scooters.

*    Electrical devices such as small fans, multi plug box outlets/adaptors, power strips/extension cords with surge protectors.

The above list is not exhaustive. 

The SSO/Staff Captain are authorized to make a professional judgment as to the legality of any item declared, detected or discovered on board.

Will boarding times be assigned to guests?

Guests will be assigned a check-in time to report to the terminal, which will be provided approximately 14 days prior to sailing. Please download the  Navigator mobile app for access to tour digital boarding pass and more. In order to ensure a smooth embarkation process we ask guests to arrive no earlier than 20 minutes prior to their assigned check-in time.

What is there to do during days at sea?

Cruises feature extensive on-board enrichment programs and activities every day. Play board games with friends, lounge by the pool, practice yoga or work out in the fitness center, or pamper yourself with a spa treatment and indulge in world-class luxury shopping. You can also choose from a variety of group activities such as art and craft classes, pickleball instruction and tournaments, bridge play and team trivia to name a few. It's entirely up to you.

Do I have to participate in the activities?

Every day aboard a Holland America cruise ship brings a wealth of cruise activities and indulgences, along with the freedom to partake in as many — or as few — as you please. On a Holland America Line cruise, you do what you want, when you want. You can do everything or absolutely nothing. It's your choice. We recommend that you explore our wide-range of activities to find those that appeal to you.

Where can I go?

Holland America Line cruises visit over 320 ports worldwide, and practically every destination is accessible by water. You can embark on your cruise vacation from a wide variety of ports close to home, or exciting, exotic locations worldwide. An African safari, a Mexican fiesta, the Alaskan wilderness, a Japanese shrine, a European adventure... the choice is yours. Explore more possibilities on our Cruise Destinations page and experience the world with Holland America Line.

What are the EZPAY Payment installment options? 

Holland America Line's EZpay option makes it a breeze to budget for a dream cruise vacation and pay it off over time. Once you’ve made a deposit, set up EZpay and the rest of your cruise balance will be spread over equal, automatic monthly payments with no interest charges or additional fees. 

EZPay options are available in specific markets. To set up EZPay, please contact your travel advisor or Holland America Line at

• United States/Canada: 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425)
• Australia: 1300‐987‐322
• United Kingdom: 0344 338 8605

What are the benefits of EZpay?

EZpay gives you the flexibility to pay for your cruise at your own pace. Budget your payments over time, with the convenience of a single set-up and the ability to opt out at any time without penalty. You can also add extra funds to any payment and the remaining balance will be recalculated into equal amounts.

What cruises are eligible for EZpay?

Nearly all of Holland America Line’s worldwide itineraries are eligible for EZpay, as long as they are not within the final payment deadline.

When can I sign up for EZpay?

Once your deposit has been made, you can sign up for EZpay any time a month or more in advance of your final payment date.

When will my credit card be charged each month?

You have the option to choose what day of the month you would like your credit card to be charged. Your credit card will automatically be charged each month on that day, and you will receive an email confirmation.

The credit card on file and payment day of the month can be updated at any time.

Are there any additional fees for using EZpay?

No, there are no additional fees associated with EZpay. You’ll pay the same amount for your cruise, spread over time!

May I bring guests to my wedding? If so, is there a limit?

For shipboard ceremonies, the maximum will depend on the capacity of the venue. For shipboard ceremonies taking place on the first day of sailing at the port of  embarkation, up to 100 of your guests (out of your 150 total guest allotment) may be “non-sailing guests” that attend the ceremony but depart the ship before it sets sail. For shore-side ceremonies, you may add guests, but capacity may be limited, depending on the location. Additional transportation, entrance and site fees will apply. Contact your wedding coordinator for specifics.

What about fares, taxes & surcharges?

In addition to your cruise fare, you will also be charged an amount for Taxes. That term, as used by Holland America Line, refers to certain taxes, fees and charges imposed by governmental or quasi-governmental authorities, including port authorities, relating to any aspect of your cruise or tour. If governmental action results in any element of Taxes exceeding the estimates used by Holland America Line for purposes of computing the quoted amount, we reserve the right to pass through the extra amount. Similarly, Holland America Line reserves the right to impose or pass through security surcharges or similar incidental surcharges. No right of cancellation exists under either of these circumstances.

Holland America Line reserves the right not to honor any published prices that it determines were erroneous due to printing, electronic or clerical error. Holland America Line shall have the right to refuse or cancel any bookings made at an incorrect price whether or not the order has been confirmed and your credit card charged. If your credit card has already been charged for the purchase and your order is canceled, Holland America Line shall immediately issue a credit to your credit card account in the amount of the incorrect price. Fares quoted are those currently in effect. If cost factors dictate the need for fare increases, Holland America Line may do so at any time prior to departure. Guests can cancel (without paying a cancellation fee) rather than accept a fare increase. This right does not apply to increases in Taxes or to Surcharges.

How should I pack for the cruise?

Holland America Line cautions against the use of garment bags with hanger hooks protruding from the top. We also suggest that you consider placing articles in clear plastic bags inside your luggage to minimize handling by airport security screeners. Pack shoes on top of other contents in your luggage to expedite the screening process. Finally, make sure that you label the inside of your carry-on and checked luggage with your name and contact information. Bear in mind that the screening process for any point of embarkation is similar to that at an airport. As such, all weapons and dangerous devices are prohibited and may result in denied boarding. For complete, updated information regarding travel, please check the official website of the  Transportation Security Administration .

Please Note: Firearms, explosives, fireworks and illegal drugs of any kind  are prohibited without exception. For safety reasons hoverboards, drones, or similar devices/toys  are not allowed  on board our ship. View the complete list of  prohibited items .

Important: Do not pack your passport, medications, cruise documents or airline tickets in your checked luggage. (Remember that checked luggage might not be accessible at all times.) Keep these items close at hand in your purse or jacket pocket. We also strongly suggest that you carry or otherwise keep with you important items such as perishables, cash, credit or debit cards, jewelry, gold, silver and other high value or important items, securities, financial instruments, records or other valuable or business documents, laptop computers, cellular telephones, cameras, or other video or electronic equipment, hearing aids, electric wheelchairs, scooters, binoculars, film, videotape, computer disks, audio disks, tapes or CDs. Holland America Line assumes no responsibility for the items listed above. If Holland America Line, due to any cause whatsoever, is liable for loss of, damage to or delay of your property, the amount of Holland America Line's liability will not exceed US$250 per bag, per guest up to a maximum of two bags per guest for sailings 14 days or less, or up to a maximum of three bags per guest for sailings 15 days or longer.  Holland America Line's baggage policy is further detailed in the baggage section of your Cruise Contract. Additional coverage is available with the purchase of a Holland America Line Standard or Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan. 

What if my flight is delayed?

From time to time, guests encounter transportation delays in getting to their cruise ship. If it is your day of sailing and this happens to you, please follow these guidelines: First, advise your airline at the earliest opportunity that you are a cruise guest destined for a sailing that day. Working directly with the carrier is important as the airlines are usually able to arrange alternate flights. If you believe a delay will cause you to arrive in the port of embarkation less than two hours before the ship's scheduled departure or if you are concerned for any reason that the ship may leave before you arrive, our representatives may be able to advise you of arrangements to minimize disruptions in your vacation plans. Ask the airline to immediately advise our Air/Sea Department, or call us yourself at 1-800-628-4771. Air/Sea representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. This number is provided for emergency use only; please do not call unless it is your day of departure and you are experiencing a delay. All other questions and concerns regarding air arrangements should be directed to your travel advisor. For further information on our relationship with airlines, please refer to your Cruise Contract.  If you have purchased air transportation independently from Holland America, you will be responsible for any and all expenses incurred when joining the vessel in progress.

What options are available for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing?

To help maximize the cruise experience for our guests who are deaf or hard of hearing, Holland America Line has made the following items available:

• Stateroom kits that include a visual and tactile alert for someone knocking at the door, the phone ringing, or an alarm.
• Stateroom televisions capable of showing closed captioning (some satellite feeds do not transmit with captioning, so this feature is available only when the signal the ship receives has captioning).
• Telephones with amplified sound or an amplification attachment for telephones in staterooms.
• Assistive Listening Systems with portable receivers in the show lounges to assist guests who are hard of hearing to hear the shows.
• Written safety information and a copy of the lifeboat drill safety speech.

Will my kids be able to go on shore excursions with Holland America Line? 

Yes, you’ll find a range of experiences to suit the interests and activity levels of everyone in your family. Our family-friendly shore excursions give you new ways to discover destinations together.

Click to learn more about family cruises with Holland America Line .

What do I need to know about using Express Docs?

Preparing for your Holland America Line cruise is now easier, faster and more convenient. With Express Docs you can access comprehensive, up-to-date information on all aspects of your cruise. You can review your personalized information, print only what you want and have convenient access to everything you need for your cruise in one place. And it’s easy to email — or leave copies of — your itinerary and important information with friends and family. No more waiting for mailed documents.

The Express Docs notification arrives electronically approximately 45 days before departure (after your final payment has been made).

Express Docs are a part of our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation.

Q — What is the difference between paper documents and Express Docs? A — Paper documents are the traditional printed documents presented in the blue pouch and are received in the mail approximately 45-30 days prior to departure. Paper documents are issued only for the Grand World and/or Grand Voyage bookings. All other voyages will receive Express Docs

Express Docs provide the same information in electronic format and are available for you to access at your convenience for each person on the booking. Express Docs are available online 24/7, approximately 45 days prior to departure at www.hollandamerica.com.

Q — What are the benefits of having Express Docs? A — There are several benefits to having Express Docs:

• You may access Express Docs online 24/7 at your convenience, approximately 45 days prior to departure.
• You may print selected pages or the entire Express Docs form.
• Each person on a booking can have his or her own set of Express Docs.
• It’s easy to leave copies of your itinerary with your family or friends.
• There is no need to wait for documents to be reissued when you add a package or make a change to your booking.
• There is more time to review your itinerary for accuracy.
• There is no charge to have Express Docs reissued.
• While you are online, it is easy to view your Personalized Shore eBrochure, or customize your cruise itinerary by scheduling shore excursions, dining experiences and spa treatments.
• Express Docs are a more environmentally friendly option.
• With Express Docs, international guests no longer run the risk of document delivery delays at the border.

Q — Are Express Docs available for all cruises? A — Grand Voyages will receive traditional paper documents due to the extensive itinerary detail required for these complex and longer voyages. Express Docs are provided for all other cruise products, including Land+Sea Journeys.

Q — When will I be able to access my documents? A —Once Online Checkin is complete, the booking is paid in full, and the cruise is approximately 45 days prior to departure, you may access your Express Docs online 24/7.

Q — How will I know when Express Docs are ready for my booking? A —Once the booking is paid in full and the cruise is approximately 45 days prior to departure, Holland America Line will send an email to each guest booked to notify you that Express Docs are ready.

Q — What does the email notification from Holland America Line look like? A — The email from Holland America Line has the Booking Number in the subject line. A separate email is sent for each booked guest.

Q — I have not received the e-mail notification for my Express Docs. Can you re-send it? A — The email notification cannot be re-sent; however, reminder notices are scheduled to be sent at approximately 30 days and 14 days prior to departure for those guests who have not yet completed their Online Check-in. If the booking is paid in full and within 45 days of travel, you may go to www.hollandamerica.com and select the links for Online Check-in.

Q — What if I do not have an email address or do not wish to provide my email address? A — In order for us to provide notification that your Express Docs are ready, all guests must provide their email address to register & complete their online check-in. We will also send a notification to your travel advisor.

Q — Why is a notification sent to each guest booked? A — It is a requirement that each guest complete the Online Check-in process and review the cruise contract to access his or her Express Docs.

Q — I find some of the wording on my Express Docs is too small on the screen to read comfortably. A — Express Docs are presented in a .pdf format that can be easily enlarged by clicking on the zoom-in tool in the toolbar.

Q — With Express Docs, how will I receive luggage tags? A — We have two convenient ways for you to obtain your luggage tags:

• Printable luggage tags are available at the Online Check-In start page and include your name, stateroom and departure date. You may select to print up to 10 additional tags at a time.
• Luggage tags are available from Holland America Line staff at the pier or at the port city airport. Your luggage will follow normal processing and loading on to the ship from this point.

Q — Why does my luggage tag have a box with a number and letters in it next to the stateroom number? A — This box indicates the deck number and general location of the stateroom to facilitate delivery of your luggage to your stateroom at embarkation.

Q — Do the luggage tags need to be printed in color? A — You may print either in color or black and white.

Q — Why are my luggage tags printing with the wrong stateroom number? A — Sometimes having multiple Adobe files open at the same time can cause information to display incorrectly. If this happens, try closing and reopening the browser. This should correct the problem.

Q — Will Express Docs include flight, hotel and transfer information? A — Yes, all the required information is contained in Express Docs, including flight itineraries, hotel and transfer details.

Reviewing Your Air Information Please verify the spelling of your full name and date of birth to make sure it matches the identification document that you will be presenting at the airport, for example your passport or driver's license. You do not need to include suffixes on your airline ticket. Flight options can be managed by logging into your cruise profile at www.hollandamerica.com.

Flight options include:

Some flight options can also be managed directly with the airline locator to acess your flight details.

The Reservation number can be found in your Express Docs on the air travel and arrival information page. Since arrival and departure times are subject to last minute changes by the airlines, we recommend that you call your airline(s) 24 hours before your initial flight departure (72 hours for international flights) to verify all of the flight numbers, and departure and arrival times shown on your ticket. Plan to be at the airline counter at least two hours before flight time for domestic flights and three (3) hours before flight time for international flights. Guests are responsible for arranging special air travel related service requests such as, advance seat assignments, in-flight meal requests, wheelchairs and any other airline services. Baggage fees are the guest’s responsibility. Holland America Line and its onboard staff are not able confirm flights from on board our vessels.

Q — Do I need vouchers for my transfers? A — Holland America Line has gone voucher-less for most services. There are a few limited services that will still require vouchers. If vouchers are needed, they will be included in the Express Docs.

Q — I have opted for a guarantee stateroom. When will my Express Docs show a stateroom number? A — Guarantee staterooms may be assigned at any time prior to travel and up until embarkation day. Express Docs will show a stateroom number if it has been assigned but will otherwise show \"To be assigned\". If you have printed your Express Docs prior to the stateroom assignment, you may wish to check back prior to departure to see if a stateroom has been assigned. Otherwise, there will be staff available at the pier to advise you of your stateroom number as you fill out your luggage tags.

Q — Is information regarding what I should know before I depart for my cruise still available with Express Documents? A — Yes, the Know Before You Go document provides details on topics such as General Information, Cruise Preparation, Last-Minute Checklist, Arrival Advice, Shipboard Life, and Disembarkation is available online as a link at the bottom of the Online Check-in start page. This can be accessed at any time after the booking has been made. It is also available in the For Booked Guests section of the web site.

Q — Where can I locate information regarding the accessibility I need while on my cruise? A — This information can be located in the Know Before You Go document available online. Information for guests with disabilities can be found within the General Information section, while details regarding accessible transportation needs for transfers can be found under the Arrival Advice section. You may also find information about accessible cruising in the For Booked Guests section of the website.

Q — If I make a change to my booking, will I be charged a fee to reissue the documents? A — We will not charge document reissue fees for Express Docs. Your updated Express Docs information will be available online. Air fees and Cancel Policy fees may apply. If you have any questions at all, please call the travel advisor with whom you made your booking.

Q — Is there a deadline for completing the Online Check-in process and accessing my Express Docs? A —In order to have the most accurate information available onboard your voyage, we recommend that you complete the Online Check-in process at least 30 days prior to departure.

Q — If I did not fill out my immigration forms online prior departure, do I need to check in early at the pier? A — We recommend that you arrive at the pier approximately three (3) hours prior to ship departure time to allow sufficient time for pier-side check-in.

Q — Can I print out my Express Docs without completing the Online Check-in? A — We do require that the Online Check-in be completed before the Express Docs can be printed. If the Online Check-in is still incomplete three (3) days prior to ship departure, Express Docs will still be available for printing; however, you will need to provide this information again at the pier.

Q — Do I need to print the entire Express Docs packet for each person traveling with me? A — To expedite the checkin process at the pier, we recommend that guests print out one full copy of their Express Docs for their party along with the first page and any applicable vouchers for each guest traveling. Guests who are cruising together but have opted for different hotel or tour packages should also print out one full copy of their Express Docs for each traveler.

Q — How do I select only the pages I want to print in Internet Explorer? A — After completing Online Check-in, your Express Docs will be displayed. Click on the Printer Icon. Under page range you may select which pages you would like to print. Select “All” to print all pages. The “Current View” and “Current Page” options allow you to print just the page that is pictured to the right.You may also select specific pages you would like to print by typing the page numbers in the box next to “Pages”.For example if you just want to print pages 2 and 3. After you select the pages you would like to print, click on the “OK” button to complete printing.

Q — I have a Mac® computer and am having trouble printing my Express Docs. What can I do to get them printed? A — If you are using an Apple® Safari® browser, you may need to upgrade to a newer version of Safari or install a Firefox® browser. Another option is to install Adobe® Reader® and set it to be the default reader for the Internet.

Q — How do I set up “My Account” with Holland America Line? A — Go to https://www.hollandamerica.com / and click the MY ACCOUNT — LOGIN and follow the easy registration process. (See screen shots below)

Q — What information do I need to register? A — You will need to enter your name, a valid email address and a password.

Q — How do I access my Express Docs? A — On https://www.hollandamerica.com/ , go to the Check-in link and start the CHECK-IN AND BOARDING PASS process (see below).

Q — Where do I enter my Holland America Line Booking Number and Last Name? A — Once you have clicked on the Online Check-in button, enter the booking number and name in the designated fill-in boxes. (See below) Then click CONTINUE.

Q — Is it possible to check in for both my travel companion and myself at the same time? A — Yes, check the 'All Guests' button, then click the 'Continue' button.

Q — I am taking a Land+Sea Journey. Will I receive paper documents? A — We now provide Journey guests with Express Docs. This allows you the same convenience of accessing your documents online as you have for cruise only bookings.

Q — Will I need vouchers for my Land+Sea Journey? A — Holland America Line has gone voucherless for most services. If vouchers are needed they will print in your Express Docs.

Q — Do I need special luggage tags for my Land+Sea Journey? A — You will receive any necessary luggage tags for your land tour while on your tour. For details regarding the Journey luggage program, please refer to the Alaska Land + Sea Journey tips document available at the Online Check-In start page.

What about cruising for children with special needs?

At Holland America Line we do not discriminate against individuals on the basis of disability. We seek to the extent feasible to accommodate the needs of all individuals with disabilities, including children. However, due to the sensitivity of caring for any child, with or without a disability, we must first determine what the child's specific needs are so we may properly evaluate and determine the best and safest way to meet the child's needs. We encourage families to contact our Guest Accessibility Department prior to their cruise, to evaluate and determine what the child's specific needs will be and how best to accommodate those needs.  Kids Club is unable to accommodate children requiring one-on-one care into programming.  Special needs participants who meet eligibility requirements and require one-on-one care must have a parent or guardian present.

Should I bring a carry-on bag?

Holland America Line recommends that each guest keep all personal identification, airline tickets, customs forms, medications, jewelry, money, credit and debit cards and other high value or important items, along with the clothes and shoes you intend to wear the next day, separate from your tagged luggage. Place these items in your carry-on bag or keep them with you so you can access them easily and keep them secure.

Do not pack your passport, medications, cruise documents or airline tickets in your checked luggage. (Remember that checked luggage might not be accessible at all times.) Keep these items close at hand in your purse or jacket pocket. We also strongly suggest that you carry or otherwise keep with you important items such as perishables, cash, credit or debit cards, jewelry, gold, silver or similar valuables, securities, financial instruments, records or other valuable or business documents, laptop computers, cellular telephones, cameras, or other video or electronic equipment, hearing aids, electric wheelchairs, scooters, binoculars, film, videotape, computer disks, audio disks, tapes or CDs. Holland America Line assumes no responsibility for the items listed above.

Our extensive and award-winning shore excursions program helps you make the most of your time in port and provides you with the best transportation and guide services available. Choose from city tours, culinary explorations, shopping outings, outdoor expeditions, cultural activities and more. We recommend you book early for the best selection, as our excursions and tours have limited capacity and fill up quickly.

Shore excursions may be easily booked online in advance of sailing on the Book Shore Excursions page. If tour details are not yet finalized, please check again closer to your departure date. Changes or cancellations may be made online up to 3 days prior to your scheduled cruise departure date. Shore excursion vouchers will be delivered to your stateroom on the day of embarkation. You will also be able to request tours on the ship at the shore excursion office. However, please note that requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests for excursions which are fully booked are placed on a waiting list.

We have created a broad range of shore excursions with options available for every desired activity level. Each shore excursion will show a corresponding activity level icon; use the icons as a general guide to the level of activity involved. Please note that wheelchair lift vehicles are not available in some ports. Please check with the shore excursion staff on board for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Holland America Line and our local agents have spent much time in the selection of shore excursion tours. Please be aware, however, that although every effort has been made to present you with the best available facilities in the countries we visit, some of these tours may not have amenities such as air-conditioning and toilets on buses.

Please note: No refund or allowance can be made to any guest who might, for any reason (including medical), cancel, deviate from, or otherwise not utilize all of the services scheduled to be provided by any excursion. Guests on any excursion, who elect to leave the automobiles or motorcoaches in the shopping area, or elsewhere, must provide their own transportation, at their own expense, back to the port.

What is there to do at night?

Nighttime on a cruise ship can be as engaging or relaxing as you’d like. An energized nightlife beckons: dance the night away in B.B. King’s Blues Club or Rolling Stone Lounge; treat yourself to exciting shows featuring award-winning talent on the World Stage; try your luck in the casino; or enjoy a cocktail while singing along to your favorite song in Billboard Onboard. You can also relax in the privacy of your stateroom and enjoy a curated selection of over 150 on-demand movies. The choice is yours.

Is there a customized brochure of shore excursions available for a specific cruise?

To download a voyage specific eBrochure, go to www.hollandamerica.com and select Already Booked then Book Shore Excursions. You will be prompted to enter your Email or Mariner ID along with your password. Go to Explore Shore Excursions then select Download Personalized eBrochure.

Can I extend my cruise vacation?

Yes. Holland America Cruise Line features special pre-or post-hotel packages that allow you to extend your vacation in either your port of embarkation or debarkation. Some of the world's greatest travel highlights are within reach, both before and after your cruise. Why not plan a little extra time and extend your experience even further with an expertly guided tour? Or explore at your own pace, with a premium hotel as your home base.

What are the benefits of booking on board?

The best time to book your next cruise is while cruising with Holland America Line. Book your next Holland America Line cruise while on board and you will receive up to $400 per person shipboard credit, good for your next Holland America Line cruise.

Limited time offer, Savings for On Board Bookings Only Book on board and you can reserve your next cruise at a reduced deposit. (If you choose to take advantage of Holland America Line's Cancellation Protection Plan , this payment will also be due at time of initial deposit.) No additional deposits will be due until final payment. Should you need to cancel your reservation, your reduced deposit will be applicable to another Holland America Line cruise within the next four years. Your reduced deposit will be subject to cancellation penalties if the booking is within the published penalty period.

Double Your Onboard Spending Credit Now you have two ways to receive Onboard Spending Credit on your next cruise. You can purchase a Future Cruise Deposit (FCD) and decide on your cruise later or you can make your booking while on the ship with the Future Cruise Consultant and earn double the Onboard Spending Credit! You will receive a reduced deposit, Onboard Spending Credit up to $400 USD per person and the best available rates. Visit your onboard Future Cruise Consultant for the latest sales and promotions, which are fully combinable with the Onboard Sales Program. You can even make arrangements for family and friends to sail with you on your next cruise, even if they are not currently on board with you. Your Future Cruise Consultant will handle all the arrangements on board and your travel advisor will assist you, and receive full credit for your booking, when you get back home.

Book the Stateroom or Suite You Want When you book on board, you have a much better opportunity of receiving the stateroom or suite that best suits your traveling style; this includes preferred accommodations on our most popular and unique itineraries. That's because your Future Cruise Consultant has immediate access to Holland America's reservation system and can view all availabilities on all sailings. The time to reserve your desired stateroom, suite and dining preference is now.

Your booking will be credited to, and finalized by, your preferred travel advisor.

We appreciate the relationship you have with your travel advisor and want to assure you they will be credited for bookings made onboard, just let us know. In addition, Holland America Line will honor any pricing or amenities that your travel advisor extends in addition to your onboard offers.

To book, or for more information, simply visit your Future Cruise Consultant .

(*Not applicable for charter voyages.)

Can I use my credit card on board?

All onboard purchases and services in US Dollars are charged to your account by using your stateroom keycard. Cash is not accepted for individual transactions, e.g. bars, the shops, spa, shore excursions. Cash is accepted in our casinos.

Registering a credit card(s) (Visa®, Mastercard®, American Express®, and Discover®) as part of your pre-cruise check-in process activates your keycard. The day you board, Holland America Line places an initial hold on your credit card for $30 per person per cruise day. Once you’ve spent the initial hold amount, we will authorize your card for the total of your onboard purchases to date plus an additional $30 per person per day for the remainder of your cruise. Please note that there may be multiple authorizations throughout your cruise, and that some banks may keep the hold in place for up to 30 days. Please keep in mind to change travel settings for your credit card to ‘World’ prior to the start of your cruise, even if your cruise is within Europe.

If you do not want to use a credit card, on the day of boarding, you will need to visit Guest Services and deposit $30 cash per person per cruise day (applies to all guests 18 years of age and over). Any excess deposit will be refunded to you at the end of the cruise. Traveler's checks may be cashed at Guest Services. Personal checks are not accepted on board.

At the end of your cruise, you will be able to retrieve a final statement from Navigator, and your card will be charged only for the actual amount of your purchases. Refunds for purchases of onboard products and services will be credited to your onboard account whether purchased prior to or during your cruise. The final amount billed may take up to 24-hours following disembarkation. For questions about how long the hold remains in effect or how your available credit is affected, please contact your card issuer.

Please Note:  There is not an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) available on board.

Do you have cribs, high chairs and other infant / toddler items available on board?

A limited number of cribs, high chairs and booster chairs are available on board at no charge. For safety reasons, all infants sleeping in a crib must weigh 30 pounds or less, with a maximum height of 34 inches. Cribs will be supplied with sheets and a blanket and do not require bumpers, as they have mesh siding. In addition, we have select infant supplies available for purchase by advance order, including diapers, baby wipes, formula and baby food.

We recommend requesting a crib at booking or by contacting Ship Services at (800)541-1576. For additional requests and advance orders, please fill out our Infant Request Form and email it to

HAL_Ship_ [email protected].

REQUESTS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 90 DAYS PRIOR TO SAILING

We cannot guarantee fulfillment of any items ordered less than 90 days prior to sailing. 

Do I need baggage insurance?

Although we try to handle your bags carefully while they are in our possession, please be aware that Holland America Line cannot guarantee there will be no loss of, or damage to, your luggage or belongings. If Holland America Line, due to any cause whatsoever, is liable for loss of, damage to or delay of your property, the amount of Holland America Line's liability will not exceed US$250 per bag, per guest up to a maximum of two bags per guest for sailings 14 days or less, or up to a maximum of three bags per guest for sailings 15 days or longer. Holland America Line's baggage policy is further detailed in the baggage section of your Cruise Contract.  Additional coverage is available with the purchase of a Holland America Line Standard or Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan. Your travel advisor can provide you with additional information if you are interested in this option.

Will I still be able to enjoy the buffet?

Yes, our teammates will serve you at all times. Line monitors will also manage guest flow.

What about upgrades?

Holland America reserves the right to upgrade a guest or guests to more expensive category accommodations at no additional cost.

Is there crew appreciation (gratuity/tip)?

Crew Appreciation is a daily (adjustable) amount added to your onboard account and pooled in order to recognize the many team members throughout our fleet who contribute to the guest experience. For all sailings departing prior to February 14, 2024 as well as the 2024 Grand World Voyage and the 2024 Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage, the daily Crew Appreciation is $16.00* per guest per day for non-suite stateroom guests and $17.50* per guest per day for suite guests. For sailings departing on or after February 14, 2024, the daily Crew Appreciation is $17.00* per guest per day for non-suite stateroom guests and $19.00* per guest per day for suite guests. The Crew Appreciation charge is paid to Holland America Line team members and represents an important part of their compensation. An 18% service charge is automatically applied to all beverage purchases, bar retail items, specialty restaurant cover charges, all for-purchase a la carte menu items, and all Spa & Salon services. Local sales taxes are applied where required.

*The charges are subject to change without notice.

What do I need to know about customs?

In order to make returning home as smooth and easy as possible, please take note of the following tips. For more information, consult your Customs Agency. Guests returning to the United States can also check the official website of U.S. Customs and Border Protection at https://www.cbp.gov .

Registering Your Valuables

We strongly recommend that you register your valuables with Customs before leaving home. This should be done well in advance of travel at a Customs office near your home. Items that should be registered generally include those not manufactured in your country. If you cannot prove that you owned an item prior to departure, Customs officials may charge you duty to bring it back into your country. Customs pays particular attention to cameras (including special lenses and video equipment), binoculars, radios, laptop computers, foreign-made watches and other similar appliances. Customs officials will not be available at the ship during check-in to register valuables.

Transportation of Currency

You may take as much currency or as many monetary instruments as you wish on your trip. However, if you take out or bring into the United States more than US$10,000, you are required by law to file a report with the U.S. Customs Service. Please remember that many other countries have a similar policy when going ashore and you will be subject to their currency allowances at the current exchange rate.

Customs Allowance

Each U.S. resident is usually allowed a duty-free exemption of US$800; it may be more or less depending upon your itinerary and recent travel outside the country. An additional US$1,000-worth of articles may be brought in and taxed at a reduced flat duty rate. After an absence of seven days or more, Canadian citizens may bring back to Canada up to CA$750 worth of duty-free merchandise, which may include a maximum of 40 ounces of liquor or wine and 200 cigarettes. Guests who are neither U.S. nor Canadian citizens should check with the Customs agency in their country for allowance information before departing. Additional information concerning Customs matters will be provided during your cruise.

Regulatory Framework

Visa service provider.

Holland America Line provides guests with the following link to CIBTvisas as a service to assist with any visa requirements and/or the collection of necessary documents:  https://cibtvisas.com/hollandamericaline . Guests may, if they prefer, use another visa service or complete the process on their own. Be sure to advise that you are traveling with Holland America Line and that you are traveling by sea. Your visa requirements may be different to the standard information given for air travel. In addition, you may also miss out on certain discounts given to Holland America Line guests that go through CIBTvisas. Applications and additional information may be downloaded from their website.

You can also reach them by phone:

U.S. & Canada residents: 866-935-8472

Netherlands residents: 0800-2524632

Germany residents: 800 3202233

Australia residents: 1300 964 164

United Kingdom residents: 0800 1218239

Belgium residents: 0902 150 45

Singapore residents:  6603 1096

Spain residents: 902 113 829

Switzerland residents: +41 (0) 22 884 18 70

France residents:  0144107272

You can also reach them by email:  [email protected]

Ship design

All of our ships comply with and in many cases exceed the applicable SOLAS safety standards. Each Holland America Line ship has a double hull and is constructed with a collision bulkhead located near the bow of the ship to withstand significant impact. Our ships are subdivided into multiple watertight compartments separated by watertight doors that can all be closed from the ship’s bridge as well as at the door itself. The ships can sustain flooding in up to two adjacent compartments and still remain afloat. To maximize fire safety, our ships have sprinkler systems throughout passenger and crew areas together with enhanced fire suppression systems in machinery spaces. In addition, every ship is divided into fire zones that are separated by fire screen doors that can be operated from the ship’s bridge and fire-rated bulkheads in order to minimize the risk of fire spreading beyond one fire zone.

Each ship has several fire teams that drill together so they are prepared to respond to a fire. In these drills, our teams are trained to be assembled, suited up and in place to enter a fire area within minutes of an alarm being sounded. During these drills, the firefighting teams practice implementing plans that have been developed to provide guidance for fighting fires in the different parts of a ship. We also conduct live fire drills at training facilities around the world and have expert trainers on our full-time payroll who regularly visit all of our ships several times during the year.

Every ship has a stand-by emergency diesel generator located on one of the top decks that is automatically connected whenever there is a main engine room failure. The emergency diesel generator is tested regularly and ensures that critical safety systems and lighting can be maintained in the event of a power loss. Every ship is equipped with damage control equipment that enables the ship to effectively respond to a hull breach should that occur.

Holland America Line ships contain the latest safety technology and safety systems including but not limited to:

• Structural stability software programs which ensure the weight of fuel, wastewater and other onboard supplies are properly distributed to maintain structural integrity.

State-of-the-art navigational systems:

• Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to precisely locate our position on the sea.
• Radar to precisely locate other vessels along our path.
• Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) that enable our ships to be located and identified should there be a communications failure.
• Echo sounders for measuring the depth of water.

Fire safety systems include:

• Automated fire detection systems.
• Sprinkler systems throughout the ships
• Hi-Fog systems in the Engine Room and Incinerators
• CO2 or Similar Fire Suppression Systems
• Fuel System Shut-Off Valves in the Engine Control Room
• Audible smoke alarms in all staterooms and public areas.
• Kitchen exhaust fire-suppression systems.

What about luggage tags?

For guests who have Holland America Line’s Express Docs:

• Free printable luggage tags are available at the Online Check-In start page. You may select to print up to 9 additional tags at a time.
• Consider purchasing durable tags that can be used for your vacations for years to come! Choose from 2 elegant designs: Holland America Line Luggage Tag Store

For guests who have paper documents:

• Luggage tags can be found in your document wallet that you received.

Please Note: Luggage tags will be also available for you at the airport on the day of sailing and the pier prior to your final check in. The luggage tags are clearly marked with your ship name. Please attach a tag to each piece of luggage you will be checking on the cruise. There is a space on the tag for you to print the following information; Name, Stateroom Number, and Sailing Date.

Are there any vaccination requirements?

Do i need a visa.

Some countries require that you obtain and carry with you official documentation, called a visa, before entering that country. It is your sole responsibility to obtain and have available the proper travel documents necessary for your travel, including all associated costs related to obtaining your travel documents. Boarding may be denied if you arrive at the pier without the proper travel documentation, and in that case you would not be eligible for a refund. Visa and documentation requirements vary by nationality and destination. Please review your itinerary and verify your specific travel requirements. Because governmental travel requirements change periodically, you should check with a visa service or the consulate of each country you will visit no later than three (3) weeks prior to sailing to verify travel documentation. Visa processing can vary by destination and submission location. It may also be longer during peak seasons or when embassies are closed. We recommend that you obtain all visas as early as possible to assure you are prepared to travel without interruption. As a courtesy, Holland America Line provides some information as to necessary travel documents and visas. Guests are still obligated to verify such information with the appropriate authorities. The information provided on this site was correct at the time of publishing and is subject to change at any time. You may also contact your travel advisor, CIBTvisas or other local visa services for assistance in determining which visas will be required for your specific cruise based on your nationality.   For CIBTvisas contact information visit Visa Service Provider

Grand Voyages

If you are sailing on a Holland America Line Grand Voyage please visit Essential Information (hollandamerica.com  for visa information.

Traveling to the United States

If you are a foreign national entering the United States you may require a visa or ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) if you are a national of a country eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

We suggest that guests visit  www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta  for additional information regarding the ESTA and VWP. ESTA eligible guests will need to print and carry their ESTA application response as it will need to be presented at the pier along with your passport. An ESTA will need to be completed for each family member traveling on the cruise. Travelers who have not obtained ESTA approval should expect to be denied boarding on any air carrier bound for the U.S.

Traveling to Canada Affecting all Alaska sailings, Alaska tours and Canada & New England sailings that visit or transit Canada: Guests who are not citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, may require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit or transit Canada. You will be DENIED BOARDING without compensation if you do not hold the proper VISA documents. Canadian officials WILL NOT allow guests to remain onboard while in a Canadian port without proper documentation. If you are a NON-US or NON-Canadian citizen and are arriving to Canada by air, you may require an Electronic Travel Authority (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada even if you do not require a TRV. To verify whether your nationality requires a Canadian visa or eTA, please contact your local Canadian consulate or visit this  Canadian immigration Web site , which may be useful to determine what is required. Guests who have committed or been convicted of a crime may not be allowed into Canada. Almost all convictions (including DUI, DWI, reckless driving, negligent driving, misdemeanor drug possession, all felonies, domestic violence [assault IV], shoplifting, theft, etc.) make a person inadmissible to Canada, regardless of how long ago they occurred. It is recommended that persons who have been charged in the past or who have past convictions obtain the necessary documents before attempting to enter Canada. To learn more about applying for these documents we strongly recommend you visit the following website for details:  Read more about applying for these documents

Where are kids allowed on board the ship?

We have a variety of entertainment options, daily activities and dining venues for everyone in your family to craft their ideal day. However, there a few age restrictions on board.

Guests must be 18 or older to use our SeaView Pool and 16 or older to use the fitness center, hot tubs and steam rooms. Children wearing any type of diaper, including swimming diapers, or who are not toilet trained are not allowed into the swimming pool and whirlpool areas.

Children are welcome at our World Stage shows but must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and must be 18 or older to sit in the first two rows. 

What are your recommended luggage shipping services?

For your convenience Holland America Line has partnered with two luggage transport services for your convenience. Luggage Direct and Luggage Forward® two different services offering a variety of services with the sole purpose of easing your travel! By taking the handling of your luggage out of the equation you will proceed much quicker through the check-in process and save a considerable amount of time.

1. Luggage Forward

Luggage Forward is a worldwide door-to-door service allowing you to have your bags picked up at your home and delivered to your stateroom. Upon disembarkation, your bags are delivered directly back home.

Luggage Forward offers:

• International service
• Ability to bypass unpredictable checked baggage fees
• No risk of airlines losing luggage
• Full money back plus $500 on-time guarantee

Book online at www.luggageforward.com/hollandamerica or call Luggage Forward directly. From the U.S. dial 1‐866‐416‐7447, from the UK dial +44 2033 754769 or +1‐617‐482‐1100 if calling from any other location.

*Expert Advice: Luggage Forward is a great way to avoid lugging formal wear for pre- or post-cruise hotel/land packages — send baggage ahead of you that won’t be needed for that portion of your trip in order to more fully enjoy your journey.

2. Luggage Direct

Luggage Direct offers you the opportunity to receive your airline boarding passes and check your luggage in to your flight while still onboard your Holland America Line ship. Our TSA-approved partners will take your luggage directly from the ship and deliver it to your outbound aircraft. You will claim your luggage when you arrive at your final airport destination.

If you want to make your trip home even easier, sign up for Bags VIP luggage delivery and eliminate having to deal with your luggage completely.* (See section for Bags VIP Luggage Delivery below for details.)

Luggage Direct offers:

• Ability to enjoy your final hours in port at your leisure without having to stand in line at the airport.
• Avoid lines at disembarkation as you are invited to be the first to disembark
• No need to locate your luggage or wait for a porters assistance in the terminal
• Avoid lines at the airport — with boarding pass in hand and no luggage to check you can proceed directly to Security.
• Copenhagen — NEW — our first international option (available for Lufthansa and SAS Airlines only)

For more information, or to sign up go to www.maketraveleasier.com/Holland or call 1‐877‐847‐0045 to speak to one of our customer service representatives.

• Cost is $19.95 per person / $29.95 for Copenhagen
• Airline-assessed baggage fees will be applied to guest’s onboard account when applicable as per your airlines rules.
• Guests may check no more than 3 pieces of luggage per person.
• Upgrade requests, seat assignment changes, and flight changes cannot be accommodated onboard.
• Restrictions for each homeport city include participating airlines, earliest and latest flight times, and citizenship requirements.

3. Bags VIP Luggage Delivery

Bags VIP luggage delivery allows you to bypass the baggage claim and begin making the most of your vacation right away, without the burden of luggage. With Bags VIP luggage delivery service, you can skip baggage claim and head directly to your ship upon arrival. A Bags VIP agent will retrieve your luggage from baggage claim and deliver it straight to your ship, where it will be waiting in your stateroom.

On the return trip, Bags VIP luggage delivery can deliver your luggage from baggage claim at your destination airport to your home or hotel, just like the service delivered your bags to the ship when you arrived. The service is available in more than 250 U.S. airports. By combining Holland America’s Luggage Direct onboard airline check-in and Bags VIP luggage delivery services, you can check your luggage on the final day of your cruise and not have to deal with it again until it is delivered to your door!

Service starts at only $29.95 for 1 bag and $39.95 for 2!

Luggage will be delivered within four hours from the time the bag arrives at the baggage carousel, or within six hours for delivery destinations more than 40 miles from the airport.

For more information, or to sign up go to www.maketraveleasier.com/Holland or call 1‐877‐847‐0045 to speak to one of our customer service representatives

Is there a minimum age for cruising on Holland America Line?

Infants must be at least six months of age at the time of embarkation. On longer cruises, such as transoceanic, South America, Asia, South Pacific or Hawaii voyages, infants must be a minimum of 12 months of age at the time of embarkation.

Guests under 21 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone who is at least 21 years old. One adult chaperone is required for every five people under the age of 21.

To confirm the minimum age for a cruise, please call 1-855-932-1711. 

How far in advance do I have to book my Symbolic at Sea Ceremony?

All ceremonies at sea must be booked at least 60 days prior to sailing but we strongly encourage you to book as far in advance as possible. Additional fees may  apply if booking within 60 days.

What are my suite amenities?

Suite Features

Queen-size bed: Vista suite, Signature Suite 1

King-size bed: Signature Suite 1 , Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Sofa/Murphy bed for one extra guest 2 : Signature Suite, Neptune Suite 1

Sofa/Murphy bed for two extra guests 2 : Signature Suite 1 , Pinnacle Suite

Spacious verandah: Vista Suite, Signature Suite, Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Floor-to-ceiling glass doors: Vista Suite, Signature Suite, Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Large sitting area: Vista Suite, Signature Suite, Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Whirlpool bath: Vista Suite 1 , Signature Suite 1 , Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Living area: Pinnacle Suite

Dining area: Pinnacle Suite

Verandah Whirlpool: Pinnacle Suite 1

Complimentary mimosa with in-suite breakfast: Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Complimentary laundry, pressing and dry cleaning: Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Welcome glass of sparkling wine at dinner on embarkation day: Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Premium in-room dining breakfast menu: Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Premium bathrobes: Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Exclusive tote bag: Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Suite Amenities and Complimentary Services

Binoculars for use during your voyage: Vista Suite, Signature Suite, Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Fresh flowers: Vista Suite, Signature Suite, Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Choice of firm, medium or soft pillows: Vista Suite, Signature Suite, Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

No-host mini-bar: Vista Suite, Signature Suite, Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Expanded line of Elemis Revitalise-Me bath amenities: Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

In-suite coffee/espresso machine: Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Bose® SoundLink® Mini Bluetooth® audio system: Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Priority Access

Cocktail party with the Neptune Lounge Concierge: Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Club Orange private dining venue: Neptune Suite 1 , Pinnacle Suite 1

Breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill5: Neptune Suite 1 , Pinnacle Suite 1

Priority check-in/disembarkation: Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Priority boarding for tendered ports: Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

Priority dining and seating requests: Neptune Suite, Pinnacle Suite

1 On select ships.

2 Not all suites within each category feature accommodations for extra guests.

3 Whirlpool baths are not available in Signature or Vista suites on Nieuw Statendam or Rotterdam, or in Vista suites on Koningsdam.

4 Club Orange private dining venue is open for breakfast and dinner on Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam. Neptune and Pinnacle suite guests on all other ships receive priority seating in the Dining Room for breakfast and dinner with an expanded menu.

5 On Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam breakfast is available for Pinnacle and Neptune suite guests in the Club Orange private dining venue.

What is Onboard Credit and how can I use it?

Onboard Credit is spending money to use on our ships. If you receive an Onboard Credit, you can use it for almost anything on board, including a pampering massage or other spa service, specialty restaurant meals, shore excursions, coffee and alcoholic beverages, and boutique purchases, like clothing or jewelry. Onboard Credit may be used to pay for Crew Appreciation, Service Charges and Additional Tip.  Depending on the type, the Onboard Credit may not be refundable at the end of your cruise. Only non-promo Onboard Credit can be used for cash withdraws and Casino play (cash/chips).

How do I know what routes are accessible on board?

For individuals using a wheelchair or scooter, accessible route maps for each ship are available by selecting the links below:

Eurodam Koningsdam Nieuw Amsterdam Nieuw Statendam Noordam Oosterdam Volendam Westerdam Zaandam Zuiderdam

Are there restrictions on how much luggage I can bring?

Airlines, limousines and other transfer vehicles have luggage allowance policies which may limit the amount and/or weight of luggage you may take with you and/or impose excess luggage charges. You are responsible for complying with the policies. Please keep this in mind when packing.

Traveler advisory - Baggage fees and other charges may be directly assessed by airlines or airports. Once you are notified of your flight details, please contact your airline.

How long are cruises?

Cruises can be as long or short as you choose. Cruise itineraries range from two days to 112 days and can vary among long days at sea, short trips to nearby destinations, or more port-intensive trips. Whatever itinerary you choose, and for however long your cruise may be, you will enjoy some of the most spacious and comfortable ships at sea, along with award-winning service, five star dining, extensive activities and enrichment programs, and compelling worldwide itineraries.

Are there any age restrictions for shore excursions?

Guests under 18 years of age will not be able to participate in shore excursions unless accompanied by a parent or responsible adult 21 years of age or older. Children's prices, where applicable, are listed on the individual tours shown for each destination featured on HollandAmerica.com. These prices generally apply to children aged 12 and under. Children 13 and over are charged full adult fares on tours. Children aged two and under may be allowed to accompany parents or guardians on some tours at no charge, though this is not typically the case with excursions that include flights, watercraft or modes of transportation other than motor coaches and taxi vans.

What if I need to cancel my cruise reservations?

Refunds (except for amounts paid for CPP) will be made in accordance with the following Cancellation Policy for written cancellations received prior to the date on which you are to commence travel by air, rail, sea or otherwise.

For bookings made in the United Kingdom, Gibraltar, Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey and Isle of Man, submit written cancellations to Holland America Line, 100 Harbour Parade, Southampton.SO15 1ST or [email protected] .

For bookings made in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark, submit written cancellations to Holland America Line, Otto Reuchlinweg 1110, 3072 MD, Rotterdam or [email protected] .

For bookings made in Australia, submit written cancellations to Holland America Line, Level 5, 465 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, NSW, 2067 Australia or [email protected] .

For bookings made in the United States and all other countries not listed above, submit written cancellations to Holland America Line, 450 Third Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98119 or [email protected] .

Cancellation fees apply to the entire cruise booking, including cruise fare, air add-ons, ground transfers, pre-cruise and post-cruise hotel and tour packages. Guests who cancel within the dates shown below for any reason, including medical or family reasons, are subject to the following per-person cancellation fees: View Cancellation Policy

If you have purchased a specially priced promotion that is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment, you are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation or credit whatsoever of your gross fare if you cancel your booking.

Given that the resale of cancelled space will likely result in a lost opportunity to sell other space, these fees are due regardless of resale. Fees incurred as a result of cancellation cannot be applied to future bookings. Refunds will normally be made to your travel advisor. Travel advisors may impose their own cancellation fees. Agency fees of any nature are a matter to be decided on solely by the agency and guests.

Name changes require the prior approval of Holland America Line and may not always be possible. Cruise contracts are nontransferable. Name changes and departure date changes are considered reservation cancellations and are subject to cancellation fees.

updated 05/11/2022

What are your company audits and inspections?

Governmental inspections are always supplemented by internal audits and inspections conducted by internal personnel. Our goal is to identify any potential issues ourselves and address these immediately rather than leave it to regulators.

To ensure that happens, we have appointed a Designated Person who operates under the standards established by the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention, commonly referred to as the ISM Code. The Designated Person, together with his/her staff, conducts multi-day, annual inspections of every ship. Furthermore, the Designated Person is given 24/7 direct access to our Chief Executive Officer to ensure that the necessary attention and resources can be brought to bear on any serious problem that might be identified.

In addition to our Designated Person inspections, we maintain an Audit Services Department that conducts its own audits and reviews of our ships. These audits include both total ship and focused audits. The results of those audits are reported both to our Chief Executive Officer as well as to a Committee of our parent company’s Board of Directors that was specifically created to ensure that audit findings are timely and effectively addressed by management.

It is also part of our operating practices that our senior management visits and sails on our ships as much as possible. Our senior management team operates under a “trust but verify” philosophy which means going on the ships and ensuring that our practices meet the requisite standards.

We also maintain a rigorous investigation program in our Seattle office that enables us to review safety incidents that need review, determine the root cause and implement corrective measures.

Finally but maybe most importantly, our onboard management teams, starting with the Captain, conduct regular inspections and self-audits throughout the entire ship. We have monthly safety and environmental self-audits that are performed on all of our ships. Furthermore, every senior officer inspects their area of responsibility on a regular basis. Our people understand to never assume that everything is being done as it should be. They are required to check and re-check.

Shore excursions may be easily booked online in advance of sailing on the Book Shore Excursions page. If tour details are not yet finalized, please check again closer to your departure date. Changes or cancellations may be made online up to 3 days prior to your scheduled cruise departure date. Shore excursion vouchers will be delivered to your stateroom on the day of embarkation. You will also be able to request tours on the ship at the Shore Excursion Office. However, please note that requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests for excursions which are fully booked are placed on a waiting list.

We have created a broad range of shore excursions with options available for every desired activity level. Each shore excursion will show a corresponding activity level icon; use the icons as a general guide to the level of activity involved. Please note that wheelchair lift vehicles are not available in some ports. Please check with the Shore Excursion staff on board for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Is there a dedicated resource I can speak with about shore excursions?

 The shore excursion reservation office is available to assist you Monday-Friday, 7 AM to 4 PST. Guests may call 1(888)425-9376 to speak directly with an agent.

What requirements must be completed prior to boarding?

It's now easier than ever to prepare for your cruise. Follow the steps listed in our  Prepare for Your Cruise Checklist  to get ready for your cruise vacation.

What are the current COVID-19 Health Protocols?

There are currently no known required Health Protocols regarding COVID-19. If there is a Health Protocol change for any of our destinations, we will send guests and travel advisor partners an Emergency Notification via email. For more information, please visit Travel Well . 

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Here's when you need (and don't need) a passport to cruise.

It's the type of sailing – closed-loop or open-loop – that largely determines whether or not you need a passport to cruise.

Do You Need a Passport for a Cruise?

Getty Images

A passport isn't always required for cruising.

To determine whether or not you need a passport to cruise, you first need to figure out if the itinerary is closed-loop or open-loop (also known as open-jaw).

Closed-loop cruise: A closed-loop cruise typically doesn't require a passport since it begins and ends in the same U.S. port (though there are some exceptions to this rule).

Example: Royal Caribbean International 's seven-night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise stops in several countries – the Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti and Grand Cayman – but the itinerary is considered closed-loop because it starts and ends in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Open-loop cruise: An open-loop cruise begins in one U.S. port and ends in a different U.S. port.

Example: Carnival Cruise Line 's 16-day Panama Canal from Seattle itinerary is not considered closed-loop because it departs from Seattle and completes its journey in New Orleans.

All of the above regulations have been determined by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: a plan by the departments of State and Homeland Security that determines which documents are acceptable for proving identity and citizenship when entering the United States.

Where to cruise without a passport

There are several destinations where you can cruise without a passport on a closed-loop sailing. They include the following:

• The Bahamas

When looking at cruises to these locations, be mindful of the home ports. The Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Canada are all foreign ports, which means they only qualify for the passport exception if they are a stop along your cruise itinerary . If the cruise originates in any of these countries, it is likely you will need a passport.

Since Alaska, Hawaii and New England are all U.S. destinations, any closed-loop routes departing from these locations will not require a passport. However, keep in mind that it can be hard to find closed-loop cruises originating in Hawaii or Alaska.

To find closed-loop itineraries for a Hawaiian voyage or Alaskan cruise , try searching for sailings departing from major cities on the West Coast, like Seattle or Los Angeles . By contrast, quite a few closed-loop cruises leave from New England ports, but they are often marketed as Canadian cruises.

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When you need a passport for closed-loop cruises

Some cruise itineraries include foreign ports that require a passport for disembarkation. This is most commonly an issue for travelers on a closed-loop Caribbean cruise. Barbados , Guadeloupe , Haiti, Martinique , St. Barts , and Trinidad and Tobago all require U.S. citizens to present a valid passport to disembark and enter the country, despite WHTI regulations not requiring a passport for these destinations. Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private island , is an exception and does not require a passport despite its location in Haiti.

If your itinerary includes a country requiring a U.S. passport, your cruise line will require you to have the passport at check-in. Note that your passport must not expire within six months of your arrival in a foreign country or else it won't be considered valid for international travel.

Read: The Easiest Way to Renew Your Passport

Acceptable forms of ID

All travelers – U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike – must present documents that show identity and citizenship when entering the United States. A U.S. passport can show both. If you don't have one or don't want to bring one, be aware that you may need to present more than one document.

U.S. citizens 16 and older

If you're a U.S. citizen age 16 or older sailing on a closed-loop cruise without your passport, you will need a government-issued photo ID like a driver's license. In addition, you must present a document that proves your U.S. citizenship. These include:

• Passport card
• State-issued enhanced driver's license (EDL)
• Government-issued birth certificate
• Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST)
• American Indian Card (Form I-872) or Enhanced Tribal ID Card

The Trusted Traveler Programs are risk-based programs to facilitate the entry of travelers who have been vetted and preapproved. Most of these programs will provide you with a machine-readable card that allows you to pass through border checkpoints quickly. Keep in mind, some of these IDs are only available to travelers 16 and older.

Read: TSA Precheck vs. Global Entry

U.S. citizens younger than 16

U.S. citizens younger than 16 are only required to present proof of citizenship, such as one of the following documents:

• Original, notarized or certified copy of their government-issued birth certificate
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by U.S. Department of State
• Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Read: How to Get a Passport for Kids

Non-U.S. citizens

If you are a lawful permanent resident (or LPR) of the United States, you are required to present a permanent resident card or other valid evidence of permanent residence status.

Non-U.S. citizens, with the exception of Canadians and Mexicans, are not subject to passport exceptions, so a valid passport will need to be provided. Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, Enhanced Driver's License or Trusted Traveler Program card. Mexican citizens must present a passport with a visa or a Border Crossing Card.

Unacceptable forms of ID

While most common forms of identification are accepted, there are a few exceptions. U.S. military identification cards and U.S. Merchant Mariner documents are valid forms of identification, but only when traveling on official orders or in conjunction with official maritime business, so it is unlikely they will be accepted when traveling on a cruise.

Here are some other documents that will not be accepted as proof of citizenship:

• Voter registration cards
• Social Security cards
• Baptismal papers
• Hospital certificates of birth (for anyone older than a newborn)

It is important to note that many of the permitted forms of identification, such as a passport card or EDL, are only accepted at land and sea border crossings. Unforeseen circumstances, such as a medical air evacuation, may cause you to return to the U.S. by air travel. In this case, these documents won't be accepted when you try to reenter at the border crossing.

To avoid extra delays in your return to the U.S. following unforeseen travel complications, the Department of State recommends that everyone taking a cruise from the United States carry a valid passport book in case of emergency.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Erin Vasta has traveled extensively to international destinations, gaining a deep knowledge of travel regulations in the process. Her expertise in this area has saved her family and friends from unnecessary travel delays and ensured stress-free trips through border security in nearly 15 countries. To write this article, Vasta used her international travel experience and research skills.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Passport Holders
• Cruise Packing List: Essentials to Bring
• Safe at Sea: The Best Cruise Insurance

Tags: Travel , Travel Tips

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That's Viral Now

Cruise Ship Facts That Are Rarely Talked About

Posted: December 14, 2023 | Last updated: December 14, 2023

A Morgue Lurks Within Every Cruise Ship

Cruises are supposed to be about letting loose and having fun but there is often a dark side to cruises that passengers don't really see. Because a large portion of cruise goers usually tend to be older it's actually not uncommon for people to pass away while on ship.

One former crew estimated that around three people pass away every month on a cruise. Due to this, all cruise ships are required to have a morgue on board and usually has room for around three to six bodies.

It Might Sound Creepy but Crew Members Keep Record of Everything That Guests Do

The requirement that crew members be as hospitable and nice as possible to passengers, they don't usually get a chance to say everything they'd like to say. For this reason, cruise ships keep a log where they write down everything that happens while on a trip. These logs keep everything from something as big as a fire or injury to something as minimal as a comment a guest made.

It sounds weird but all of that information helps an incoming crew best prepare and spot potential hazards and how to manage them best. This log can also be used as a venting outlet for crew.

The Eerie Hidden Pools of Cruise Ships

If you have ever seen pictures from a cruise you will have noted that the pools are often the most crowded areas on the ship. Even though the ship is floating on water, people just gravitate toward the pools anyway. It turns out that most cruise ships have "secret" pools reserved for their staff only. Because these pools are dedicated to staff they are often much less crowded.

Guests can however be invited and of course, a guest would have to make quite the impression on the crew in order to be invited to the secret pool. The invite is actually harder to secure than you would think, considering some of the rules on board.

The Crew Speaks in Code to Keep Guests in the Dark

Passenger safety on board is paramount and maintaining that safety is not an easy task. Crew are sometimes forced to speak in code, so they don't incite panic while still being able to act quickly during an emergency. Some of these codes are used for dealing with medical emergencies, reacting to a fire, or responding if someone falls overboard. If you ever wondered about what code word is usually used for someone falling overboard, then it's "oscar."

This really makes a lot of sense since the last thing you really want is to terrify your passengers or cause a panic making it harder to do your job.

Gambling Rules on Board Aren't as Legal as You Think

Many cruise ships have casinos on board, and since most of the time you are traveling through international waters, it's completely legal. This also means that the cruise ship isn't necessarily subject to a single area's laws concerning gambling. The rules onboard will occasionally change depending on whatever country is closest.

Cruise ships might switch up the number of decks they use for blackjack, etc. and your odds of winning can change dramatically depending on where you are. Just be aware that the rules governing their games aren't set in stone, and can change.

Even Cruise Ships Are Vulnerable to Mysterious Accidents

The buck stops with the Captain at all times while on board which is a fantastic system when it works, and it typically does. It makes sense that one person with experience should calling the shots during an emergency. The last thing you would want is two or more people wasting time arguing over a decision in a crisis. That being said, even captains make mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes can be disastrous for a ship or its passengers.

It's not often that it happens which is why when it does it usually makes headlines. A few cruise ships have even been sunk due to a captain's decisions.

Sometimes Passengers Go Missing at Sea

Strange things happen while at sea, and one of those things is when people go missing. It sounds weird but people really do go missing on ships. Approximately 165 people reportedly went missing while on a cruise from 1995 to 2011.

There is speculation that the number is possibly higher. This is separate from passengers that fall overboard. We're talking about people who have just disappeared without a trace and were never seen again.

"I'm the Captain Now" - There's a Risk of Pirates Coming Onboard

On occasion you will hear about pirates taking over cargo ships or something like that but you don't often hear about cruise ships being boarded. Still, it does happen, and because of that the crew is trained for it.

In 2005 a cruise ship was targeted, and the crew used some kind of acoustic weapon to assault the pirates' eardrums. The attack was thwarted, and everyone on board went about enjoying their vacations.

No Fraternization With Guests

Where there are often hookups between crew members, they are strictly forbidden to fraternize with passengers while on board. This rule is mainly in place to protect the crew from being accused of anything inappropriate but it is also to protect the cruise company from being sued by a passenger.

The cruise company will have a much easier time cleaning up in-house than it would feilding a public lawsuit with a passenger.

You're Under Arrest

You have surely heard of the brig before but did you know there is one on a cruise ship and you don't have to be military to be thrown in it. It's a sort of jail cell on a ship, and it's reserved for passengers that break the law' get a bit too rowdy or in any way threaten the safety of other passengers or crew.

There is no judge or jury on a ship so if you're thrown in the brig, you'll most likely spend the rest of your vacation there or until the ship makes port and can offload you to the authorities. Sometimes this leaves you in a different country than the one you sailed from.

Rescuing Passengers Who Went Overboard Is Complicated

It's never good when someone goes overboard but on a cruise ship it can be especially complicated to initiate a rescue. If a passenger goes overboard during a cruise, you may see crew members throwing stuff over the side in order to mark where they are in the water.

There aren't any landmarks in the ocean, meaning your brain doesn't have anything to refer to when trying to locate an overboard passenger from the top of a very high cruise ship.

Crew Members Are Drinking All Day on Cruises

If you have ever noticed your crew is especially happy or chatty it may be because they have had a couple of drinks themselves. Crew members get great discounts on alcohol and although most cruise lines say they randomly test their employees to ensure that they're not drinking while on the job, they still manage to sneak a few drinks here and there.

According to former crew members, it happens more than from time to time. Some former crew members have also come out and said that drinking among crew members is much more common than some cruise companies would have their passengers believe.

Disease Outbreaks Are More Common Than You Think

We all heard about outbreaks onboard cruise ships curing the 2020 pandemic. They got big news coverage as essentially floating petri dishes. Due to thousands of people situated together in a tight space the outbreaks seem to spread faster.

Even before the pandemic there were plenty of outbreaks. For example in 2014, around eight cruise ships and many of their passengers were hit with the norovirus. As a result there have been strict procedures and rules to limit the spread of sickness during an outbreak but the risk is always going to be there.

Crew Members Are Mostly From Outside of the USA

There are a lot of reasons that cruise lines don't tend to hire American workers and one of the reasons is that Americans wouldn't put up with the long hours required on a cruise ship. The typical work week in America is around 40 hours, compared to the sometimes 100-hour long work week on a cruise ship.

Together with different and less generous overtime rules as well as lower pay, it's not hard to see why there aren't as many Americans in the cruise industry.

Medical Care Can Be Spotty

Cruise ships aren't really required to operate to the same standards as other companies located on land in the U.S. and because of that the medical care available to passengers can sometimes be hit or miss.

It's common for cruise ships to hire doctors from countries with lower medical standards than in the U.S. and also have the facilities on board a cruise ship to be not quite as great as you'd find on land. Together with the fact that doctors on cruise ships basically can't be sued for malpractice, it leaves something lacking in the care like on a lot of cruise ships.

Where Does All The Waste Go?

Where does all the human waste go when you're on a ship and out at the ocean? It goes exactly where you might expect it to go, in the ocean. Cruise ships simply dump waste when they are around 12 miles from shore. They are required to treat it first but it still isn't great for the environment and it's quite gross.

Not all countries have the same laws either and this means that sometimes cruise ships will discharge waste when they're closer to shore in a country with more lax laws like recently when Canadians complained about U.S. cruise ships dumping near British Columbia.

Tight Quarters for the Crew

It goes without saying that rooms for crew members are much different than the rooms for guests on cruise ships. Crew quarters are very cramped in comparison and for the most part rooms are shared by multiple crew members.

That being said, crew members do have their own break areas and even have crew-only events, classes, and a pool for staff only. On the downside they don't really get to enjoy all of that stuff very often because they work such long hours.

Cruise Ships Wait For No One

You would think there would be some kind of system making sure every guest is accounted for when they cruise pulls away from port but there isn't. The cruise is not going to wait at port for a couple of passengers who failed to get back in time. If you're late getting back to the ship there is a good chance you will be watching from shore as your ship sails away.

That's why it's important that you always remember to get back to the ship well before it's scheduled departure. It's also a good idea to carry your documents and passport with you just in case you're left behind in a foreign country.

Preparing the Kitchen Is Done With Military Precision

To keep things running smoothly while feeding thousands of guests, it's no surprise that most cruise ship kitchens run their operations with military-like precision. With that many mouths to feed they have to ensure that they have enough food on board for everyone and stay within a budget working hard to eliminate waste.

Some kitchens are so precise that they can predict consumption down to a margin of two meals for a week. Sometimes crews even change up how much they order based on the nationality of their guests. For example, a ship with many Americans might order more ketchup than one with a majority of other nationalities.

Hiding Drinks Isn't Easy

Alcohol is always the most expensive part of any trip for good reason. There are really good margins for alcohol sales so it makes sense that there would be strict rules regarding their biggest money maker. Cruise lines force you to use the bars on the ship and for this reason, people have figured out how to smuggle their own booze onto cruises.

For these reasons guests get really inventive with the way they smuggle on alcohol. One way of sneaking alcohol on board a cruise ship involves filling a plastic bladder with booze in an effort to evade x-ray detection. People have also resorted to filling mouthwash bottles with alcohol and adding food coloring to dye them a specific color.

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