Questions we get asked
Straight answers, including the ones where the honest answer is “it depends, and here is what it depends on”.
Working with us
- What does it cost to use BestCruising.com?
- Nothing. Cruise lines pay us a commission at the same fare you would pay booking direct, so our service costs you nothing and does not raise your price.
- How does booking actually work?
- You tell us what you are after, an advisor comes back with sailings that fit, and if one works we book it for you. There is no online checkout — cruise bookings involve cabin assignment, deposits and payment schedules that are worth a person handling.
- Are you a licensed agency?
- Yes. BestCruising.com is operated by Oceanic Travel LLC, registered in California and a CLIA-certified cruise agency.
- What if the fare drops after I book?
- Before final payment, most lines will honour a lower published fare or offer onboard credit. Tell us if you spot a drop and we will put the request in. After final payment it is at the line’s discretion and usually declined.
Before you sail
- Do I need a passport for a closed-loop cruise from the US?
- For most closed-loop sailings — leaving and returning to the same US port — a birth certificate plus government-issued photo ID is accepted. A passport is still strongly recommended: without one, flying home from a foreign port after a medical issue or a missed sailing becomes very difficult.
- How early should I arrive at the port?
- Be on board at least two hours before departure. Arriving three to four hours early makes check-in painless. Ships do not wait.
- Do I need travel insurance?
- For a cruise, yes. Standard health insurance rarely covers treatment aboard a ship or medical evacuation at sea, and evacuation costs can run into six figures. Trip cancellation cover also matters given the deposit schedules.
- When is the best time to book?
- Six to twelve months ahead for the best cabin selection, or inside ninety days if you are flexible and hunting price. Both work; they optimise for different things.
- What should I pack for the Caribbean?
- Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, casual daywear, a light layer for aggressively air-conditioned dining rooms, comfortable walking shoes, and one smart outfit. Most lines have relaxed formal nights considerably.
Cabins and cost
- Is a balcony worth it?
- On Alaska, yes — the scenery arrives early and you want it to yourself. On a port-heavy Caribbean itinerary you will be ashore all day and use it twice. It depends on the itinerary more than the ship.
- What is the difference between oceanview and balcony?
- Oceanview has a sealed window. A balcony has private outdoor space. The gap is typically $400 to $700 per guest on a seven-night sailing.
- What is a guarantee cabin?
- You book a category rather than a specific cabin and the line assigns it later, usually at a discount. You can be upgraded, but you can also end up under the pool deck. Fine if you are price-driven, risky if you are a light sleeper.
- Are drink packages worth it?
- The arithmetic is simple: divide the daily package price by the average drink price. If you would order more than that number most days, it pays. Under three or four drinks a day, it usually does not.
- What is included in the fare?
- Cabin, main dining rooms, buffet, most entertainment, pools and kids clubs. Extra: drinks beyond water, tea and basic coffee, speciality restaurants, excursions, spa, Wi-Fi and gratuities.
- Are gratuities included?
- Most mainstream lines add a daily automatic gratuity per guest, typically $16 to $20. Some premium and luxury lines include it in the fare. Worth checking, because it adds up across a two-week sailing.
On board
- How do I avoid seasickness?
- Book midship on a lower deck, where movement is least. Take medication before you feel unwell rather than after. Fresh air and a fixed horizon help. Modern stabilisers make most itineraries very calm.
- Can I use my phone at sea?
- Keep it in airplane mode and use the ship Wi-Fi package. Cellular roaming at sea bills through a maritime satellite provider and can run to several dollars a minute.
- Is the Wi-Fi any good?
- On ships with Starlink, genuinely good — video calls work. On older satellite systems, expect enough for messaging and email, not streaming. Ask us which system your ship has if it matters to you.
- Can I bring alcohol on board?
- Most lines permit one bottle of wine or champagne per adult at embarkation, sometimes with a corkage fee. Spirits are almost always confiscated and returned at the end of the sailing.
- What is the muster drill?
- A mandatory safety briefing before departure covering your lifeboat station. Most lines now run it through the app plus a short in-person check-in.
- Do ships have medical facilities?
- All major ships have a medical centre with a doctor and nurses, equipped for urgent care rather than complex treatment. Bring your own prescriptions — the shop will not have them.
- What is the dress code for formal night?
- Far more relaxed than it used to be. A cocktail dress or a jacket without a tie covers almost every mainstream line. Some no longer hold formal nights at all.
Excursions and ports
- Should I book excursions through the cruise line?
- Independent tours are usually cheaper. The tradeoff is real, though: if a ship excursion runs late, the ship waits. If an independent one does, it does not. On tight port calls, book through the line.
- Can I bring my own snorkel gear?
- Yes, and many regular cruisers do — a mask that actually fits makes a large difference. Fins are usually provided on excursions.
- How do I get from the airport to the port?
- Cruise line transfers are simplest and they track your flight. Ride-share is cheaper. If you are flying in the same day, take the transfer — it is the one situation where the premium buys something real.
Something not covered?
Ask an advisor. If the answer is “don't book that one”, that is what you will get.
Ask an advisor