FAQ - Booking Information

1. How early can I book my cruise with CruiseNow.com?
2. Why would I choose CruiseNow.com versus other online travel websites?
3. What are the deposit and final payment requirements?
4. How do I make my final payment?
5. My credit card statement shows a charge from the cruise line and not CruiseNow.com. Why?
6. Can I add a passenger to my cabin at a later date?
7. What are the taxes and port charges?
8. What Proof of Citizenship do I need for my vacation? Do I need a passport?
9. Can I book multiple cabins at once?
10. I am planning my honeymoon. Since I'll be newly married at the time of travel, should I use my married name or my maiden name when making a reservation?
11. Can I travel while pregnant?
12. Will my infant be charged the full cruise fare?
13. What is a fuel surcharge?
14. Should I purchase the CruiseNow.com Cruise Protection Plan?
15. When will I receive my cruise documents?
16. What is an Air/Sea package?
17. If I purchase air from the cruise lines when do I know my schedule?
18. What if I have to cancel my cruise after payment?

How early can I book my cruise with CruiseNow.com?

Most cruise lines can be booked with CruiseNow.com 18 months prior to their departure. We do recommend booking early, as cruise lines normally increase their rates as the ship begins to fill.

Why would I choose CruiseNow.com versus other online travel websites?

This is an easy one. We’re the best! Seriously, we try and treat every customer’s vacation like it was our very own. Our staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. We want you to have a pleasant experience booking your vacation, whether it’s online or direct with one of our personal cruise consultants. Either way we hold your hand throughout the process. Also because of our size and reputation in the industry we have access to the absolute lowest cruise rates. Great service plus the guaranteed lowest prices! A perfect combination, give us a try and let us impress you.

What are the deposit and final payment requirements?

Deposit requirements will vary based upon your proximity to travel, cost of the trip and the cruise line your vacation is booked through. At a minimum, deposits are generally around $200 per person. In many cases, greater amounts may be required at time of purchase, which will be disclosed during the booking process. Final payment requirements also vary depending on the cruise selected. Due dates range anywhere from 60 days prior to departure to 150 days prior. Your CruiseNow.com invoice will tell you when your final payment is due.

How do I make my final payment?

As a convenience for our customers a CruiseNow.com customer service representative will make your final payment automatically using the same card you used for your initial deposit. If you wish to use another credit card please contact us before your due date.

My credit card statement shows a charge from the cruise line and not CruiseNow.com. Why?

This is very simple. CruiseNow.com does not charge your card. We charge the card through the partner cruise line. This is just another level of protection for our customers.

Can I add a passenger to my cabin at a later date?

You may be able to add another passenger, depending on the cabin’s passenger capacity and the point at which you decide to add the passenger; however, there is no guarantee that the person can be added, or that the price will stay the same. If you would like to add another passenger to an existing reservation, please call your CruiseNow personal cruise guide.

What are the taxes and port charges?

In addition to the standard cruise fare, all cruise lines charge port taxes and government taxes. The port charges include taxes and fees assessed by governmental and other agencies, costs to entering and leaving ports such as smaller ship pilots, costs incurred while in port such as stevedoring, waste removal, and payroll for port-related functions. Taxes associated with flights, if you have purchased any, would also be included. At CruiseNow.com we always inform you of all port charges and taxes before you purchase the cruise from us.

What Proof of Citizenship do I need for my vacation? Do I need a passport?

This is a tricky situation, as the US government seems to be changing the rules every year. ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. LAND AND SEA TRAVEL. The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website. CURRENTLY: U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (available in spring 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. LATER: As early as June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document. Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. Non-U.S. citizens should contact the consulates or embassies of the countries visited regarding the proper documentation necessary for travel. We recommend all travelers confirm the entry requirements for all countries prior to departure. The following website may assist you in verifying the required documentation for travel:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Please be advised that knowing, securing and bringing the required identification is solely the responsibility of the passengers. Also CruiseNow.com is unable to provide refunds for clients who do not possess the necessary documentation.

Can I book multiple cabins at once?

Currently, you cannot book more than one cabin at a time online at CruiseNow.com. If you require two or more cabins, you must complete one reservation, and then begin the process again to book the next cabin. Or, you may call one of our personal cruise guides and have them book multiple cabins for you.

I am planning my honeymoon. Since I'll be newly married at the time of travel, should I use my married name or my maiden name when making a reservation?

Depending on whether or not you can obtain a copy of your marriage certificate prior to departure, you may do one of two things: You may reserve your vacation in your maiden name and carry Proof of Citizenship that reflects your maiden name, OR you may reserve your vacation in your married name and carry Proof of Citizenship that reflects your married name. Please note that if you carry several types of identification reflecting your married and maiden names, it is suggested that you also carry a copy of your marriage certificate to document your name change.

Can I travel while pregnant?

Yes, but many cruise lines have a specific timeframe in which they will allow you to travel. Most cruise lines will allow travel up to 24 weeks of pregnancy; however, each cruise line does set its own policy and they do reserve the right to deny boarding to any passenger who is further along than their policy states. In some instances, a cruise line may require medical documentation indicating fitness to travel. Please contact your CruiseNow.com Personal Cruise Guide for specific policies for your cruise line.

Will my infant be charged the full cruise fare?

Unfortunately, yes. We realize that does not seem fair but, because cruise lines base their rates on the number of passengers in a stateroom rather than on the age of the passenger, infants are usually charged the full cruise fare. There are a few cruise lines that may only charge port taxes and government fees for infants under a certain age, however this is not the norm throughout the cruise industry. Please note if your infant is the 3rd or 4th passenger in your stateroom they would normally pay less than the first two passengers in the same cabin.

What is a fuel surcharge?

This is a fairly new phenomenon. Several major cruise lines have implemented fuel surcharges in response to increasing fuel costs. The specific terms of the surcharge, including amount and implementation date, vary depending upon the cruise line. With the exception of Princess Cruises, all fuel surcharges will appear in the “Taxes and Surcharges” line on your cruise statement. The Princess surcharge is reflected in the quoted price. Please note that many lines continue to monitor fuel prices and may remove these surcharges in the future.

Should I purchase the CruiseNow.com Cruise Protection Plan?

Whether or not to purchase our Cruise Protection Plan is an individual decision. However, it is highly recommended that you purchase the plan to protect your vacation investment. If you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason (including injury, sickness, or death of you, a travel companion, or an immediate family member), you’ll be protected against losing your entire investment. The Cruise Protection Plan also protects you against any emergencies while you are on your cruise.

If you do purchase the Cruise Protection Plan and must cancel your cruise, a cancellation penalty per cabin will apply. In addition, the cost of the plan is nonrefundable. Please be sure to read complete CruiseNow.com Cruise Protection Plan details before you make the decision whether or not to purchase it.

When will I receive my cruise documents?

Most cruise lines are now using edocs for your cruise documents. They are normally available for you soon after your final payment is confirmed. A CruiseNow.com representative will send these to you via email. Some cruise lines do still utilize paper tickets and those are normally sent 2 weeks prior to your departure.

What is an Air/Sea package?

An air/sea package is when you purchase your airline arrangements through the cruise line, in conjunction with your cruise reservation. A cruise line's air/sea package works very well for most passengers. Booking airfare with your cruise package provides two important advantages: 1. In the event of a flight delay or cancellation, the airline is responsible for your transportation to the next port of call. 2. Your airfare cost typically includes roundtrip transfers from the airport to/from the ship (except for all Costa Cruises, Princess cruises, and select Holland America cruises). We normally recommend booking air as a package with the cruise, but that choice is completely up to you.

If I purchase air from the cruise lines when do I know my schedule?

Cruise lines generally assign flights approximately 3 weeks before your sailing. Only then will you know your airline and flight schedule. You may request to customize your flights for an additional fee, plus any additional airfare costs. Without doing so, we are unable to guarantee seat assignments, non-stop flights, specific flight times, or a specific airline. In addition, we are unable to guarantee the same flight schedule if more than one cabin is booked and are traveling together. If these are important to you, we recommend customizing your flights with a CruiseNow.com service agent. In some cases, custom flight itineraries may not be an option.

What if I have to cancel my cruise after payment?

Of course we hope you don’t have to do this. If you do, cancellation policies vary between cruise lines and they typically increase incrementally as the travel date approaches. During the reservation process, you will be advised of the cancellation policy applicable to your specific cruise or vacation package. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to be familiar with the penalties assessed for cancellation. In addition to any fees assessed by the cruise line, we will apply an administrative fee for all cancellations. To protect yourself from penalties for canceling due to medical reasons, we encourage you to purchase our CruiseNow.com Cruise Protection Plan. You’re Personal Cruise Guide or our Customer Service Department is always available to answer any questions regarding these policies.