Why Cruising?

Your cruise offers you the opportunity to experience the world as you choose. Whether you're looking to spend a few days partying in the Bahamas, or visiting the capitals of Europe, cruising offers a world of opportunity.

When compared to a land vacation, cruising offers a number of benefits:

• Your cruise will be designed to fit your budget, your preferred accommodations, dining arrangements and shore activities. Our cruises already include dining, entertainment, and offer options for even the most discerning traveler.  Some of our cruises include drink packages and other amenities.

• Additional expenses usually include drinks, casino play, spa treatments, shore activities and, of course,  shopping.

• For the travel who expects more, there is more. Most cruises offer additional premium dining options, entertainment and even exclusive spaces, such as spas, pools and restaurants.

• Your cruise will offer you a chance to experience several destinations. In one week, you will see several exciting ports of call, whereas a land based resort only offers the same destination each day.

• When cruising, you have the ability to experience as much, or as little of the world as you prefer. Cruises also complete flexibility in pricing, allowing you to cruise within your budget.

Who Cruises?

Families

About a third of cruise vacations are booked by families with children.  Just about every cruise provides supervised activities for kids, especially during school holidays. If your children enjoy swimming, sports, games, movies and the excitement of discovering new places, they’ll love a cruise. Highly trained youth counselors will help keep them safe, busy and entertained. And our ships offer different types of age-appropriate activities, suitable for toddlers to teens. This is where we can assist you in matching your family with the right cruise vacation.

Singles

Cruising is ideal for people traveling alone because it’s so easy to meet other people. Some ships also have single staterooms and others offer rates designed for single travelers.

Honeymooners

Romance! The perfect setting for people in love: intimate dinners for two, strolling on deck at sunset, dancing the night away, exciting and memorable activities in port, breakfast in bed and ample opportunities to stargaze. And belive it or not, a cruise is a great place to have a wedding.  Kate was married onboard the Voyager for a fraction of the price of a wedding onshore and the wedding party went with them on the cruise.  We can help you plan this and take care of all the details.

How Much Does It Cost?

As far as value is concerned, cruising is the best! There are cruise vacations to fit every budget and taste. The price includes your choice of accommodations, as well as onboard activities and entertainment, meals, plus your transportation to all of the destinations on your itinerary. All included in your price of passage.  Your only extra expenses will be drinks, specialty restaurants, optional shore excursions, spa services, and any other optional incidentals you may choose to purchase while onboard or ashore.

What about Special Diets?

Just let us know when you book with us and we will take care of it.

Who Are My Dining Companions?

Can I sit with my spouse and friends only, or will I have other tablemates?

The trend in cruise dining is towards a more casual experience.  Open seating allows you to dine when, where, and with whom you wish. However, experienced cruisers say they prefer sitting at a table with several other diners; some lifelong friendships have been made this way. Some lines have assigned seating in the main dining rooms, others offer open seating with or without reservations. It is best to choose a line that offers the type of experience that you prefer. And this is   something that you definitely want to discuss with us while choosing your cruise.  But the cruise lines are geared to accommodate each guest’s wishes, and it is possible to request a table for two or four. In the unlikely event that you do wish to change tablemates, speak with the maître d’, who will make every effort to seat you with more compatible dining companions...discretely and politely.

Do I Need A Passport?

CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), your Cruise Line and Knoble Voyage highly recommend that all cruise passengers travel with a passport. While the U.S. Government may not require a passport for sea travel on certain cruises originating in the U.S. or for travel only within the Western Hemisphere, other specified documentation is required. For specific U.S. governmental Passport and Visa regulations visit www.travel.state.gov. Our Cruise Planners at Knoble Voyage will go over your Passport and Visa requirements when you book your cruise with us.

What If There Is A Medical Emergency?

Doctors on board international ships are trained and licensed with at least three years of clinical experience, including minor surgery and emergency care. Modern cruise ships also have sophisticated medical facilities ranging from intensive care units to x-ray suites and laboratories for blood testing.

Covid-19

The Covid-19 protocols are changing on a daily basis and no two cruise lines are alike. Overall, the situation is improving. On most lines no masks are required for vaccinated passengers. We strongly urge you to give us a call and let us provide latest information for each of the cruise lines.

Latest on Covid-19 from CLIA

https://cruising.org/en/cruise-industry-covid-19-facts-and-resources#inthenews

Norovirus

Historic incidence rates of gastrointestinal illness aboard cruise ships are low and the vast majority of outbreaks occur in land-based settings such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. The cruise industry has taken steps to prevent sick passengers from bringing norovirus on board a ship and, in the rare instances of an outbreak, immediately employ numerous practices to mitigate its spread and treat ill passengers and crew.

What Are Some Safety Tips?

Before you go…

• Book all cruise vacations through Knoble Voyage who can assist you through the entire travel planning process or help if there is a problem with your trip.

• Keep a photocopied packet of your passport, credit card information, and insurance information and driver’s license at home or with friends/family where it can be accessed if needed.

• Make an emergency plan with those you are sailing with.

• Purchase travel insurance. Consult with your Knoble Voyage Cruise Planner for all of the details.

While onboard…

• Attend all mandatory safety drills and listen carefully to instructions.

• Familiarize yourself with your surroundings - exits, evacuation stations, stairways, location of life vests, etc.

• Inform the ship’s staff of any special requirements or allergies, etc. you may have.

• Be sure to ask any questions you may have about safety procedures.

• Avoid participation in risky behaviors like excessive consumption of alcohol and admitting strangers to your cabin. Report any concerns to ship security.

• In short, do what you would do at home to ensure your health and safety.

How Do I Book A Cruise?

Leave your contact information with us and we will take care of all the details. A Knoble Voyage Certified Cruise Agent will help you select the cruise that best fits your vacation schedule, preferences and budget. We will make all the arrangements to get you from your doorstep to your ship and back. Our Planners have completed extensive training programs, including sailing on and/or inspecting a vast number of cruise ships across many different lines. You can rest assured that a recommendation from a Knoble Voyage Certified Cruise Planner will be the right one and in most cases, based on their own personal knowledge and experience.

Can I Book A Group Cruise?

Absolutely! Whether it’s a reward for your office staff or your family reunion, many cruise lines welcome groups and may offer special rates depending on the size of the group. Policies vary from line to line. We are here to hold your hand and guide you through the entire process.

What Is An Air/Cruise Package?

A fly/cruise or an air/sea cruise vacation package includes, along with your cruise fare, airfare to and from the ship’s port of embarkation. Be sure to ask us about the options to get you to and from your cruise embarkation port.

How Can I Extend My Cruise Vacation?

Cruise lines usually offer special pre- and post-cruise vacation packages that allow you to extend your vacation in either your port of embarkation or disembarkation. We can always design one just for you.

Are There Different Types Of Cruises?

Of Course! There are cruises designed to suit virtually every interest and personal preference. The choices include: boutique, luxury cruises with globetrotting itineraries; large, contemporary ships with a fantastic array of recreational and entertainment facilities; classic vessels evoking the time-honored traditions of cruising; special-interest or exploration cruises focusing on unique destinations with an emphasis on cultural enrichment; and river voyages into the heart of a destination. Cruise lines offer a wide variety of long, medium and short cruise options.

There are cruise lines that feature soft adventure expeditions to unique frontiers, such as Antarctica, the Amazon Rain Forest or the African Serengeti. You can discover historical legacies closer to home with enlightening itineraries to New England, French Canada, Colonial America, and America’s rivers. For experienced travelers, destination-focused cruises specialize in culturally-rich ports of call with itineraries dedicated to illuminating such historic, world-class treasures as the antiquities of classical Greece and Turkey, the Polynesian paradise of Hawaii, the fabled splendor of Norwegian fjords or the castles and museums along Europe’s rivers.

For many, the perfect vacation is all about the non-stop fun and sun of a tropical resort-style cruise to the Caribbean, where you can sample a variety of island cultures and cuisines in total relaxation.

Plus, many cruise lines create special “themes” onboard, with entertainment ranging from jazz festivals and classical music concerts to golf clinics and murder mysteries at sea. Whether you want to “get your feet wet,” or just relax, you’ll find a cruise to suit your lifestyle.

One thing is for sure…you’ll never run out of things to see or do on a cruise!

What Are My Choices When Picking A Cruise Ship?

Ships range from U.S. and European riverboats, intimate and yacht-like ships, to vessels stretching longer than three football fields. You can sail with fewer than 100 fellow guests or with more than 5,000. Enjoy atmospheres ranging from casual to formal, contemporary to classic. Enjoy the endless activities offered on a contemporary resort-style cruise, or immerse yourself in the culture of a destination on a special interest cruise.

Where Can I Go On A Cruise?

Wherever in the world there is navigable water – and since the earth is 70% water, that’s pretty much everywhere! Cruises visit over 500 ports worldwide and practically every des¬tination accessible by water. You can embark on your cruise vacation from one of the over 30 North American ports or from any of the other ports around the world.

What Can I Do When In Port?

Everything!  You can explore on your own or take a guided tour (referred to as shore excursions). Search ancient ruins or shop for bargains. Ride a raft over river rapids or a horse across miles of hills and beaches. Explore a waterfall or pyramid. Follow in the footsteps of history or in the wake of a waterskiing boat. If there’s still time, improve your golf or tennis game on one of the many famous courses and courts your cruise may visit. Learn how to windsurf. Sun and swim at some of the world’s best beaches. Catch a record marlin. Sail, snorkel or scuba dive. Take a cable car to the top of a mountain. Explore dark catacombs. The list is endless. Cruising is the perfect way to sample a wide variety of new destinations and try all the things you’ve ever (or never) dreamed of doing. See all of the destinations you can visit on a cruise!

Tipping?

Tipping is a matter of individual preference. In general terms, the average (inclusive of stateroom steward/ stewardess, waiter, assistant waiter, head waiter) is approximately $10-$15 per person, per day. Any shipboard personnel can be tipped for special services received or at your discretion. For your convenience, most lines add the standard gratuity to bar service tabs. In most cases, general gratuities may be charged to your stateroom. Some lines include gratuities in the price of your cruise, while others maintain a “no tipping” policy. Your Knoble Voyage Cruise Planner will advise you of the cruise line policy.

What To Wear?

Pack like you would for any resort vacation. Cruise vacations are casual by day, whether you’re on the ship or ashore. In the evening, the dress code varies by ship and by occasion. Some ships may have a Captain’s Gala, for example, and you’ll probably want to wear something more formal, such as a dark suit, or cocktail dress, perhaps even a dinner jacket or gown. Reflecting today’s lifestyle trends, many cruise lines now feature a more relaxed and casual approach to dress throughout the cruise – while on others, formal dinners or parties are part of the fun. But don’t buy a tuxedo just for the trip. Even on the most formal of ships, a dark suit and tie are fine for the dressiest occasions. Check the style of dress for your cruise choice with your Knoble Voyage Cruise Planner.

Special Occasions?

Most cruise lines will treat you to a complimentary special dessert and a chorus of “Happy Whatever” to honor the occasion. Cruise staff can make your birthday or anniversary more festive with champagne, flowers or whatever the occasion demands. You can even arrange for a special private party. All you have to do is advise us in advance, so that we can advise the cruise line.

How Can I Stay Connected While Cruising?

If you must, you can! Most staterooms are equipped with televisions and telephones. You can even use your own cell phone on some ships, where cellular service is available. Many cruise ships are now Wi-Fi enabled, so you can check your e-mail on your laptop in your stateroom or go to the onboard Internet facility – specially designed to meet your online needs onboard. In addition, most ships have a daily newsletter with news, headlines, selected stock quotes and sports scores. Additional charges apply for phone, internet and cellular service; have your Knoble Voyage Cruise Planner check with the cruise line for current rate and information.

What are the smoking policies?

Virtually all dining rooms and many other public areas are smoke-free. Some public rooms have designated areas for smoking. Policies vary by line. Check with us regarding the individual cruise line’s policies.

Is Motion Discomfort A Problem?

Rarely. Popular cruise itineraries sail some of the calmest waters in the world. In addition, stabilizers on modern ships, availability of advance weather information, and development of effective preventive medications have, for the most part, reduced or eliminated the incidence of motion discomfort.

Who Do I Contact If I Have More Questions?

Contact a Knoble Voyage Cruise Planner. Our travel professionals are knowledgeable about all of the options available for your cruise experience.