FAQ - Getting Ready For Your Cruise

1. What types of clothing should I pack?
2. What else should I bring or not bring?
3. Is there a dress code on cruise ships?
4. How much money should I bring?
5. How much luggage can I bring onboard?
6. Will I have cell phone service while at sea?
7. Do I need a doctor's note to bring medication onboard?
8. How do I get from the airport or my hotel to the ship?
9. How early can I arrive at the port and board the ship?
10. Do I need to bring my own wheelchair?

What types of clothing should I pack?

Ah, one of the most important questions. Keep both your destination’s climate and the cruise ship’s dress code in mind when deciding what clothes to pack. If you’re traveling to Alaska, be sure to bring protective rain coverings for Alaska’s and Canada’s rainy days. If you’re traveling to the Caribbean, be sure to bring plenty of cool clothing and sunscreen for warm days. Also it’s important to know the itinerary (ports) you’ll be visiting. If you’re visiting ports with lots of site seeing opportunities make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes, etc.

In addition, if your ship has formal nights, men should bring a dark suit or tuxedo, and women should bring a pantsuit or cocktail dress. If you don’t own these items, no worries: Most ships have casual dining venues to cater to those who aren’t interested in dressing up, and some ships also have formal wear rental shops.

What else should I bring or not bring?

It’s advised to pack lightly, depending on your destination. Be sure to pack your passport/travel documents, comfortable shoes and clothing, and formalwear, although renting formal clothing onboard is also an option. It is also recommended to bring a small bag with you and not check it with the ships porters. In this bag you should bring items you may need that first afternoon (bathing suit, suntan lotion, etc). Many times your luggage does not reach your cabin until late in the afternoon on your first day. If you wish to bring items requiring electrical outlet usage, such as hair dryers or cell phone chargers, note that most cabins are equipped with U.S. standard 110-volt outlets. Some cabins are also equipped with European standard 220-volt outlets.

The following items are not permitted onboard most cruise lines: firearms, alcoholic beverages, weapons of any kind, explosives, or animals (except service animals with permission from the cruise line).

Is there a dress code on cruise ships?

No not really. Different ships have different dress codes. Most ships suggest "resort casual" attire during the day, which includes shorts, pants, blouses, and shirts; skirts and slacks are appropriate for evening attire (except on formal nights, when women wear evening gowns or pantsuits and men wear suits or jackets and ties). Generally, shorts and jeans are not allowed in the main dining rooms while swimwear is not permitted in any onboard dining rooms, including casual buffet-style restaurants. There are some ships that do suggest casual attire, including Norwegian's "freestyle" ships, which follow a "dress up or not" guideline and Windstar ships, which still request "casual elegance" from their guests. For more information on dress codes please contact a CruiseNow.com representative.

How much money should I bring?

This subject is all over the board. It really depends on your spending habits. In port and on the ship, you will have many opportunities to enjoy duty free shopping. Depending on your itinerary, there may be a limit to the amount of duty-free merchandise allowed per guest. Also many guests enjoy taking advantage of the ships casino. Major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, so you will not have to bring much cash (except for some shore side purchases). In fact, it is strongly recommended that you bring a credit card, since it will make your onboard registration very quick and easy. Prior to boarding, you will set up a charge account with your credit card. All onboard purchases you make, from cocktails to gift shop items, will be charged to this account. For non-credit card purchases, we encourage you to bring traveler's checks.

How much luggage can I bring onboard?

Luggage allowances vary by cruise line. If there is a set limit, passengers may typically bring up to 200–250 pounds of luggage per person onboard. Most cruise cabins have decent storage space, but be careful not to overpack, you may be sleeping on your extra luggage.

Will I have cell phone service while at sea?

Cell service at sea is getting more and more popular. Norwegian, Carnival, and some Royal Caribbean ships are the only cruise lines to offer onboard cellular service at present, however more ships are likely to offer the service in the future. In the meantime, in-room telephones and onboard Internet facilities help you stay in touch. Keep in mind however, that such services require additional fees. While internet access is typically reasonable, ship-to-shore phone calls are generally quite pricey. Also check with your cellular carrier before you leave, they may know if your ship has cell service. Be careful there is a higher charge than normal when using your cell phone on a cruise ship.

Do I need a doctor's note to bring medication onboard?

As long as your medication is still in its original bottle, you are not required to bring a doctor’s note. However, you do need a doctor’s note if you will be carrying syringes. Also, please let the cruise line know ahead of time if you have special medical needs.

If you need to take your medication regularly, we suggest that you carry it with you rather than leave it in your checked luggage, just in case there is a delay in delivering your luggage to your cabin. In addition, though commonly used medications (like aspirin) may be purchased from the ship's doctor, you may not be able to get additional supplies of prescription drugs. Therefore, be sure to bring an adequate supply with you.

How do I get from the airport or my hotel to the ship?

If you booked cruise line airfare, you may be met at baggage claim by a cruise line representative who will provide transportation from the airport to the pier. Please check your travel vouchers for details.

If you booked your own airfare, you will be required to get yourself from the airport to the pier. When you receive your cruise packet or edocs, your ticket will provide the name of the pier from which your cruise departs. The service department at CruiseNow.com can assist you with directions to pier. Most taxi drivers will be familiar enough with the area to easily transport you to the pier.

How early can I arrive at the port and board the ship?

Most cruise lines allow you to board the ship around 12:00 pm. We recommend arriving around 11:00 am so you can easily breeze through embarkation. Lunch is ready for you in the upstairs buffet upon arrival, so check into your cabin and head up to lunch.

Do I need to bring my own wheelchair?

Wheel chairs are available for passengers who are injured after they get on board. Most cruise lines suggest that you bring your own collapsible one if you will need it throughout the cruise. Holland America Line has in the past provided a wheel chair throughout the cruise if it is requested in writing 30 days prior to departure. All major cruise ships today are completely wheelchair accessible.