To make life a little easier for you, we have compiled a list of questions and answers that may help to put your mind at rest when booking your cruise holiday.

Q – When can I book my shore excursions?
A – Each cruise line offers a wide range of shore excursions to help you make the most of your time ashore. You will be sent details of available shore excursions approximately eight to ten weeks before departure. It is recommended that you reserve your preferred excursions in advance of sailing directly with your cruise operator, either by post or online by visiting their website.

Q – When can I expect my tickets?
A – Your final holiday documentation, including luggage labels, can be expected approximately one to two weeks before departure. You will need to produce your tickets, together with your valid passport, plus any required visas, for embarkation.

Q – What clothing should I pack?
A – All cruise lines provide their own dress code, and will include details of these with your travel documents for guidance. Clothing during the day is usually casual, with shorts, skirts, casual shirts and beachwear recommended for warmer climates. For going ashore make sure you bring flat, comfortable footwear, and don’t forget your sunscreen, sun hat and sunglasses too. Back onboard the restaurants often adopt a dress code during the day. The following definitions will help with your packing:
Informal – For ladies, tailored trousers, a skirt or a dress is suitable, and gentlemen can wear trousers and a smart shirt, or a jacket and tie.
Formal - A great opportunity to dress up! Ladies can wear anything from formal evening wear, such as a long dress/gown, a tailored suit, or cocktail dresses, while gentleman are expected to wear a dinner jacket, tuxedo, or often a dark suit and tie.
Smart Casual – For a more relaxed evening it is recommended that you wear stylish leisurewear, such as separates or a dress for the ladies, and open-neck shirts and trousers for men. (No shorts or sportswear are to be worn in the evenings).
Some cruise lines, such as Ocean Village Holidays for example, adopt a more relaxed dress code throughout their ships, which may also include jeans.

Q – How much luggage am I allowed?
A – Your luggage will vary depending on what type of cruise you have booked. On cruises sailing to and from the UK, you will generally find there is no restriction as to how many bags you take, but you may be asked to limit the weight to a maximum on 30kgs per item for handling purposes. Also bear in mind space may be limited in your cabin.
For fly/cruises your luggage allowance is imposed by the airline. You will find this information printed on your flight tickets. For guidance, many economy flights usually provide between approximately 20-25kgs per person, and 5kgs hand luggage.   

Q – Can I pre-book or upgrade my flight seats?
A – The majority of airlines offer an upgraded service at a premium. Depending upon where you’re flying to and with which airline, you can enjoy benefits such as extra legroom seats, enhanced meal menus, additional luggage allowance, even flat beds to make your flight more comfortable, all subject to availability. Most charter airlines do not allow you to pre-book seats in advance. Enquire for details.
 

Q – How do I get to the port/airport?
A – Bolsover Cruise Club can get your holiday off to a stress-free start with Holiday Extras, our preferred partner for all your holiday essentials. For fly/cruises, we have excellent rates on airport and port car parking, pre- or post-cruise port and airport hotel stays – ideal for early or late departures, and even airport lounges where you can sit back and relax in style. Visit our homepage for further details.
If you’re sailing from the UK, many cruise lines provide a coach or rail service to take you to/from the port with specially negotiated rates. You can also pre-book car parking at the port direct with most cruise lines. Details of these can be found on their own website, and they will be sent with your travel documentation. 

Q - How do I find my way around the ship?
A – It is easy to find your way around, as you will see large ship maps conveniently located all around the ship, and often you may also find a pocket-sized map in your cabin to keep. Some ships will provide guided ship tours for first-time cruisers to help you find your feet.

Q – Can I smoke on board?
A – For the safety and comfort of all passengers, most ships do still allow smoking on board, but you will find this is restricted to designated areas around the ship. You will need to check with the individual cruise line for further details.

Q – What if I have mobility problems?
A – Passengers who are not fully mobile are welcome aboard most vessels, usually providing you are travelling with an able-bodied companion. We will need to know at the time of booking if you will be using a scooter or wheelchair during your holiday as the number of these on board are limited for health and safety reasons. There are also a small number of cabins on each ship adapted for disabled passengers, but again these are limited and require early booking.  

Q – What if I have a special diet?
A – Diabetic, fat-free, vegetarian and gluten-free meals can be provided very easily. You will need to advise us of any special diets or allergies at the time of booking, so we can inform the ship in advance to cater for your needs wherever possible. We also recommend you meet with the Maitre D’ on arrival to further discuss your dietary requirements.  

Q – What dining options are there for children?
A – Children can dine with parents for breakfast, lunch and dinner on all family-friendly cruises, but we understand some parents may enjoy a little time alone too, so many ships will lay on children’s meals at an earlier dining time in the evenings. Babies are catered for too on most ships, with a selection of baby foods. Let us know what you will need and we can inform the ship in advance to ensure they stock up for you. 

Q – Are the children’s club staff qualified? 
A – Young cruisers can enjoy a boatload of exciting onboard activities. You will find dedicated children’s clubs, which are staffed by fully trained personnel who are ready to ensure our young sailors stay happy all day long. Each of the youth personnel has extensive experience of looking after children, and hold relevant qualifications. See individual cruise lines for details.

Q – Can I be contacted on the ship?
A – Yes you can. You will be provided with contact details to pass to your family/friends with your travel documents. When telephoning they will be asked for their credit card number and expiry date, plus your name and cabin number so that their call can be directed to your cabin. Call costs vary from cruise line to cruise line.

Q – What if I become ill or seasick?
A – For your peace of mind most ships have a medical centre on board staffed by fully qualified doctors and nurses. There is a charge for medical services, so it is recommended you have sufficient travel insurance for such purposes.
You will find the majority of ships are fully stabilised, and should rough weather conditions occur, while most people will be unaffected, those who are can be treated by the ship’s Doctor with either tablets or an injection. Alternatively, take your own supply of tablets with you. 

Q – What currency is it on board?
A – The type of currency depends on the cruise line, but you will find nearly all ships operate a ‘cash-free’ system on board, meaning you will sign for all purchases made and these will be charged to an account opened by you on embarkation. You will be provided with a swipe card to use for this purpose. At the end of your stay you will be given a statement detailing purchases made and the total amount due. You may be asked to provide a credit card when opening your account, or alternatively you can often pay with travellers cheques. 
For going ashore, money can usually be exchanged for foreign currency at the Reception Desk (although please note that not all currencies are held on board). Further details can usually be found in your cabin, or by visiting the Reception Desk. Enquire for details.

Q – What is the tipping policy?
A – Again, this varies on each ship. As a way of saying ‘thank you’ for the service you have received on holiday, tipping is recommended on the majority of cruises. Some ships will leave tips to your discretion, or provide guidelines as to how much and to whom you should tip (varying from approximately £2.00 - £3.75 per person per day), while others will automatically add a daily amount to your shipboard account so you don’t have to worry about it. Other cruise lines, such as Silversea Cruises, Swan Hellenic, and Ocean Village Holidays, already include gratuities in the fare. You will find details of this within your holiday documentation.  

Q – What do I do on the last night?
A – On your last night you will be asked to pack your case and leave your luggage outside of your cabin door, usually by midnight, so that the staff can take your luggage ashore ready for disembarkation. Your cabin steward will have left coloured luggage labels in your cabin for you to attach to your luggage. You will need to keep an overnight bag in your cabin including suitable clothing and personal effects for the actual day of disembarkation.

This information is for guidance only. For specific information relating to your cruise, contact Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819, or refer to the individual cruise operators Terms and Conditions.