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Frequently Asked Questions
Cruise holidays often raise alot of questions - it’s difficult not to want to find out more, and more, and more. We’ve laid out below some of the most common questions we receive but if there are questions we’ve not covered, just call our cruise concierges or send us an email to questions@sailfromuk.com and we’ll get back to you straight away.
Booking
- Are there direct flights from my local airport to the cruise departure point?
- Are transfers included?
- I’m not registered as disabled, can I book a disabled cabin?
- My spouse or partner made our cruise booking, can I call you to discuss it?
- What are the cancellation charges?
- When do I receive my booking confirmation?
- When do I receive my tickets?
- Do I need a vaccination?
- What is our flight luggage allowance?
- What type of documents will I need to visit the USA?
- Will I need a visa?
- Can I take my own wheelchair on board?
Cruise Ships
- What are the dining times on board?
- How many formal evenings are there on board?
- How do I pay gratuities?
- At what age are children allowed on board?
- What is the check-in proceedure?
Cruise Topics
- Types of cabin
- Grades of ship
- Luxury cruising
- World cruising
- New to cruise
- Family cruising
- Honeymoons and weddings
Booking
Are there direct flights from my local airport to the cruise departure point?
Many of our partners do offer regional flights from the UK to connect with their cruises, particularly in the Mediterranean. Each cruise line has a different programme, therefore please call for more specific details.
Transfers to and from the port of embarkation/disembarkation are usually provided by the cruise operator when you buy one of their packages (ie cabin or flights). Where they are not included we will notify you at time of enquiry/booking.
I’m not registered as disabled, can I book a disabled cabin?
Disabled cabins are provided on the majority of the major cruise lines’ ships. All are subject to availability and naturally some ships cater better for our disabled passengers than others. Our cruise concierges can assist with others. Our cruise concierges can assist with your choice/availability search.
My spouse or partner made our cruise booking, can I call you to discuss it?
Yes. As long as you have your booking reference we can discuss the booking with you. Amendments however can only be made by the lead passenger, credit card or debit card holder.
What are the cancellation charges?
Should you need to cancel your holiday, please contact us as soon as you are able. Cancellation charges are dependent on the cruise line your booking is with, and how close to departure you are. See cruise line brochure for all charges.
When do I receive my booking confirmation?
You will receive an email confirmation with 24hrs. You will also receive a cruise line invoice and statement within 14 working days from booking.
You will receive your tickets 2 weeks prior to your departure date.
This depends on the itinerary you choose – but yes they are required for certain voyages – your cruise concierge will be able to tell you about the specific requirements for your chosen cruise. If you would like to find out more for yourself, the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) can provide a Health Brief on the countries you intend to visit for a small charge (www.masta.org)
What is our flight luggage allowance?
This is normally 20kg (44lb) but may vary dependent on the airline. Baggage exceeding on airlines allowance limits will be subject to charge payable at check in. Some cruise lines also have baggage limits (usually higher than an airlines allowance eg 90kg).
What type of documents will I need to visit the USA?
The US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit the US for up to 90 days. Only people described as a "British Citizen" on the photo page in their passport qualify to enter the US under the VWP. If you are described as a "British Subject", "British National (Overseas)", "British Overseas Territories Citizen", "British Dependent Territories Citizen", "British Protected Person" or "British Overseas Citizen", you will need a visa. Your cruise concierge will be more than happy to discuss this with you.
When you’ve selected your cruise, your cruise concierge will run through any visa requirements with you. If you’d rather investigate this beforehand go to www.fco.gov.uk for more information.
Can I take my own wheelchair on board?
Yes, you must notify us of your requirements and request wheelchair assistance at the time of booking.
Cruise Ships
What are the dining times on board?
This is dependant on your chosen cruise line. Some cruise lines have "early" and "late" dinner sittings which are reserved when you confirm your booking. Some also have speciality/ a la carte restaurants which you book onboard at your preffered time. Other cruise lines have totally flexible buffet style dining where pre-booked/timed reservations are not necessary.
How many formal evenings are there on board?
Again, this is dependant on cruise line, please ask the cruise concierge for details. Average is 2-3 formal events per week, but some cruise lines are informal throughout.
Gratuities are automatically added to onboard accounts on most of the cruise lines. They tend to be included in the fare on smaller, luxury ships. Your cruise concierge will be able to advise the level and actual procedure for gratuities for your selected cruise line and ship.
At what age are children allowed on board?
Childrens facilities including kids clubs & babysitting services are available on some ships. Each cruise line has age restrictions, please ask your cruise concierge or refer to the cruise line brochure.
What is the check-in proceedure?
Full details of the individual cruise lines check in policies will be provided with your tickets. Most cruise lines require you to board the ship no less than 1-2hrs prior to the scheduled departure time.
Cruise topics
Types of cabins
Most ships have three types of cabin; suites, outside-view cabins and interior (no view) cabins. Sizes of cabin (and so price) vary from 60 square feet to over 5000 sq ft, industry experts suggest a 180 sq ft cabin as a minimum. As a rule of thumb, the higher the deck, the better the service (and the higher the price). Inter-connecting cabins, ideal for families or friends travelling together are available on some ships. Increasingly popular are cabins with private balconies. Facilities vary by ship but typically include showers (baths in larger cabins), multi-channel TV, telephone, twin beds (doubles in larger cabins).
Grades of ship
Typically ships are classified into one of four types
Large resort ships : over 3000 passengers, provide extensive facilities, broad variety of activities, large entertainment venues, numerous dining options.
Mid size ships : 1200 – 3000 passengers, good balance between scale and facilities, easy to get around, more suited to accessing some of the smaller ports in the Mediterranean.
Small ships : 500 – 1200 passengers, less likely to need to queue, ideal for those who want to get away from the crowds
Boutique ships : up to 500 passengers, ideal for a more intimate cruise, fine dining options, more freedom and less structure to the day.
Luxury cruising
Luxury cruising is the purview of cruise lines like Silversea, Seabourn and Crystal. On a luxury cruise you’ll experience attentive and unobtrusive service (with crew to passenger ratios of less than 1:2, and in some cases butler service), gourmet cuisine, connoisseur wines served by trained sommeliers, private verandas off your suite, the finest quality bed linens and branded toiletries, pampering spas and beauty salons, the services of a personal shopper all in the highest quality and spacious surroundings. Characteristically luxury means a small or boutique scale ship which, in turn, means access (and more direct access) to more destinations too.
World cruising
Perhaps the ultimate cruise holiday, or even the ultimate holiday full stop, a world cruise could take you to over 50 different ports across the globe and span over 120 days of pure indulgence. Take in the Americas, Australia, Asia and Europe all in one holiday with a world cruise from P&O, Fred Olsen cruises, Cunard or Holland America. Celebrate crossing the International Date Line or the Equator with a glass of champagne and marvel at the vast of array of iconic sites you will see. Whilst on board attend themed balls, listen to world renowned lecturers, enjoy celebrity entertainers or just watch the world go by – all of it.
New to cruise
Despite the ever expanding world fleet of cruise ships and the destinations they visit, picking a cruise is probably easier than picking a land based holiday. Travel118’s cruise concierges are there to help you work out which itinerary, cruise line, ship and cabin type will work for you individually. We’ll simply ask you about the kinds of things you enjoy doing, who you’re travelling with, what you’ve liked about past holidays and then make some recommendations to you and, crucially, explain why we think they are right for you. We’re dedicated to making sure we find you the right cruise.
Family cruising
If you have children a cruise makes an ideal holiday – it means there’s time for you, time for you and your partner and time for the family as a whole. Parents get a break – no cooking, no driving and no scraping around to find something for the children to do. Children can join in a broad variety of organised activities which can keep them interested and happy all day long – if that’s what you and they want. Children can either share the cabin with their parents or you could consider inter-connecting cabins for older children. And for peace of mind a cruise ship offers one of the safest and securest environments you could find.
Honeymoons and weddings
What could be more romantic than saying “I do” aboard a luxury cruise ship. Many cruise lines now offer a wedding package which takes the pressure off the bride and groom and let’s them enjoy their day – from champagne to the cake, flowers and the photographer, invitations and thank you cards, and a range of reception options, put your hands in one of the cruise lines on board wedding co-ordinators.
If not for wedding, why not a cruise honeymoon? Honeymoon packages can include complimentary champagne, flowers in your suite, private captain’s cocktail party, tables for two in dining room.
