Passports (with more than 6 months validity from the date of return) and applicable visa(s) for country visits are required by all passengers.

After your final payment, you will receive an email from Our Vacation Center and/or your cruise line to complete online check-in. Please be sure to have your Booking ID ready. You will be able to reserve onboard add-ons like specialty dining, beverage packages, spa services & more. Cruise e-tickets are generally issued between 30 to 14 days before departure.

The cruise lines have no limitation for onboard luggage. You will receive luggage tags with your cruise documents. Please complete them and attach the tags to your bags prior to arriving at the pier. If you have e-Documents or Pier Pick-up Documents, the porters at the pier have extra baggage tags and will help you complete them when you arrive.

Your baggage will be delivered to your cabin within 2 hours after you board the ship. It is highly recommended that each person brings a carry-on bag with a change of clothes, medication, sunscreen, bathing suit, camera, etc. to have until your bags arrive.

Generally speaking, cruise lines offer a traditional dining experience in a main dining room with the option of two seating times. Early Seating typically begins between 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm and Late Seating typically begins around 8:15 pm. Some cruise lines may have other specific seating times & schedules.

You can order from a set menu that changes daily. For most cruisers, this is one of the highlights of the cruise experience and gives them an opportunity to meet new people from all over the world and develop a relationship with a wait staff who has learned how to cater to their individual needs.

Many cruise lines now offer alternatives to this more structured dining experience. This not only includes casual dining venues like buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and pizzerias; but also, specialty gourmet restaurants offering Asian, French, Italian and Southwestern cuisine. Depending on your tastes or mood for the night, you can eat anywhere you want, including room service, which is available on most cruise ships 24 hours a day.

You can eat all you want on a cruise ship without having to pay for a meal. However, if you prefer to dine at a more intimate, upscale specialty dining restaurant, you can make a reservation for an additional fee.

These "reservations-only" restaurants are smaller dining bistros that cater to a limited number of guests every evening. They offer passengers a chance to break the normal routine and have a nice, romantic dinner for two without the kids to enjoy each other's company. Many of these specialty restaurants are comparable in quality to the world’s finest restaurants. The additional charges range from $10 - $20 per guest depending upon the cruise ship and the restaurant.

These restaurants book very quickly, so you should make your reservations as soon as you board your ship.

Most ships can accommodate salt-free, Kosher, gluten-free, vegetarian, or other diet preferences. However, this request must be made in advance, so be sure to advise the cruise line of this requirement when you book your cruise.

Soft drinks, bottled water, beer, wine and spirits are usually not included in your cruise fare. Many cruise guests opt to purchase a beverage package to help lower the cost of onboard expenses. While inclusions vary by cruise line, most beverage packages include beer, wine by the glass, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails, soda, juices, nonalcoholic cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees and most bottled water. Limitations related to drink cost & gratuity charges may apply.

Cruise lines offer a wide variety of inclusive onboard activities and entertainment. Most outdoor activities such as waterparks & waterslides, recreational sports games and mini-golf are free of charge. Live music, game shows, nightclubs & select performances are also usually included in your fare. Larger attractions may have an additional fee and require reservations. Please visit your cruise line site to learn more about specific onboard activities & entertainment.

Most cruise lines offer youth clubs for guests under 18-years-old at no extra cost. To have the most up-to-date information, check on the cruise line site to find any updates to kid club times/rules/availability, as these may be different by cruise lines and some cruise lines may not have those typical options available at this time.

Each program is organized by age groups and is supervised by certified cruise personnel. The minimum age for a child to participate in the program varies but is usually 2-3 years old and must be potty trained.

Please keep in mind that luxury cruise lines and specialty cruises may not offer facilities for families traveling with children.

Due to heightened security and screening measures, it is mandatory that you arrive at the port no later than 120 - 90 minutes (about 2 to 1.5 hours) prior to departure to board the ship. Should you wish to arrive on the same day as cruise departure, you are best advised to arrange flight arrival time a minimum of 6 hours prior. This should provide ample time to collect your bags and transfer them to the ship, even if the port is an hour from the airport. By arriving early, you are planning for unforeseen flight delays and increasing your chances of meeting the ship on time.

If you booked your airfare on your own, you are responsible for your transportation from the airport to the pier. This may include taxi and shuttle services to the pier, which is available at all major airports, or you may purchase transfers from the cruise line.

In the event you need to postpone your cruise vacation, we strongly encourage you to reschedule your cruise to a later date, rather than canceling. To reschedule your cruise, contact your Our Vacation Center cruise expert.

To find information on cancellation policies for your specific cruise line, please refer to Cruise Line Health & Safety below.

Generally, cruise lines have a flexible cancellation policy, most offering refunds in Future Cruise Credits.

AMA Waterways - https://www.amawaterways.com/protocols
American Queen Voyages - https://www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com/health-and-safety/
Avalon Waterways - https://agents.globusfamily.com/on-trip-assurance
Azamara - https://www.azamara.com/booked-guests/before-you-board/explore-well-at-sea
Celebrity Cruises - https://www.celebritycruises.com/health-and-safety
Cunard Line - https://www.cunard.com/en-us/the-cunard-experience/sailing-with-confidence
Hurtigruten - https://www.hurtigruten.com/expedition-practical-information/health-and-safety/
Norwegian Cruise Line - https://www.ncl.com/sail-safe
Oceania Cruises - https://www.oceaniacruises.com/sites/default/files/2021-12/sailf-safe-health-program-v24.pdf
Paul Gaugin Cruises - https://www.pgcruises.com/travel-advisory
Ponant Cruises - https://us.ponant.com/sail-with-confidence
Princess Cruises - https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/
Quark Expeditions - https://brochures.quarkexpeditions.com/view/135136856/
Regent Seven Seas Cruises - https://www.rssc.com/HealthSafetyProtocols
Royal Caribbean International - https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center/getting-ready-to-cruise
Seabourn - https://www.seabourn.com/en_US/health-safety.html
SeaDream Yacht Club - https://seadream.com/health-safety-protocols/
Silversea Cruises - https://www.silversea.com/health-and-travel-notice.html
Star Clippers - https://www.starclippers.com/files/documents/travel-notes/Health-Hygiene-Protocols-On-Board-ENG-updated-Mar-17-2022USDOM.pdf
Viking Cruises - https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/my-trip/health-and-safety/health-and-safety-program.html
Virgin Voyages - https://www.virginvoyages.com/voyage-well
Windstar Cruises - https://www.windstarcruises.com/health-safety/overview/