Frequently Asked Questions

Cruising is a form of travel that caters to all ages, whether it is a married couple, a group of friends, a young family or a family from grandparents to grandchildren - anyone can enjoy a cruise together

Destinations are another reason for the renaissance in cruise travel. Chances are that wherever you want to go in the world, there is a cruise to take you there. Whether for escape, adventure or a thirst for knowledge, visiting exotic destinations is a collective fantasy that appeals to everyone.

Yes! There are cruise holidays to suit every budget, from the cost-conscious to the most luxurious. Even more important, a cruise offers the best travel value for your money. Your fare includes all meals, your cabin, onboard daytime activities, night-time parties and entertainment, so you'll know what your vacation will end up costing you before you go.

An example of value for money onboard a cruise is the dining experience. With more cruise ships than ever sailing, the array of inclusive food options is extensive. From the fine dining experience of the main restaurant to pizza and burger bars and everything in between. Cruisers are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining onboard.

Almost everything on a cruise is included at a fixed price that you know in advance. Here is what is typically included in the cost of your cruise at a price that is generally lower than a comparable land-based holiday:

There are a number of expenses that are not generally included in the cost of your cruise which you also need to be aware of. These include gratuities which can be either pre-paid prior to departure for most cruise lines or paid onboard at the end of the cruise (each cruise line has different amounts they recommend which can be viewed prior to departure), shore excursions (discussed below), applicable visas and items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, casino and boutiques.

As long or short as you want. There are cruise lines that offer itineraries from three days to three months. Whatever your schedule, we will do our best to find the cruise for you.

Anytime is the best time to take a cruise, but it also depends on where you would like to go. The Caribbean is fantastic year round however, some of the more exotic destinations are seasonal. For example, you can only cruise to Alaska between May and September; to Europe between April and November; to Bermuda, between April and October; the Panama Canal, between September and April.

Another common title about the best time to take a cruise is around hurricane/typhoon seasons. There are no fixed calendar months that can be clearly assigned as hurricane/typhoon seasons. As with spring, summer, autumn and winter, such conventions should be interpreted as probabilistic rather than absolute.

Today's ships are equipped with state of the art weather equipment that keeps the Captain and the crew fully aware of a storm's position and if they feel that there is any danger to the passengers, crew, or vessel the Captain can simply "move" the ship to safer waters.

So, you see, no matter what time of year it is, it's always a perfect time to cruise.

Where do you want to go? Cruises visit practically any destination accessible by water - the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Bermuda, Europe, Hawaii, the Greek Isles, the Orient, Australia, Tahiti, the Galapagos Islands, South America, India, the Panama Canal and more. If you can name it, we can probably get you there by ship and the list is ever-expanding.

For a domestic cruise where the itinerary is wholly within Australia, a passport or a valid Australian driver’s licence is sufficient to travel.

For international cruises, only a passport will be accepted as a valid document to travel.

Most cruise lines organise visas for countries on the cruise itinerary onboard where necessary and will charge the visa fees to your guest account. You should confirm the visa requirements for the passport you will be travelling on prior to travel. Your travel consultant will be able to assist with this.

Far from it. Ships range from under 200 feet to over 1,000 feet. Experiences range from casual to formal, classically simple to ultra-deluxe. You can even choose between traditional propeller-driven craft, sail-assisted cruise ships or even a paddle-wheel riverboat. There is a ship and cruise for everyone!

The best cruise line for you might not be the best line for someone else because everyone has different priorities, interests and expectations.

Some of the things you need to consider when making a choice on which cruise line to travel with are price, the ship (size, accommodations), itineraries offered and passenger demographics (interests, ages, etc.)

Fortunately, there is a lot of information available to the public these days. One of our expert latitude33 agents will be glad to help you. There are also cruising guides, magazines, recommendations from friends and one of the most important - the cruise brochure and cruise line website.

A common title asked is “where is the best cabin located?”. This is a title of personal preference although most guests prefer a mid-ship cabin. The most desirable cabins are usually the most expensive so a mid-ship cabin will more often than not be more expensive than a cabin located on the same deck but towards the front or back of the deck.

Now more than ever there is more choice when it comes to cruise fares available to guests. Whether price is your focus or a more inclusive fare, there is something for everyone.

Most cruise lines now offer their best priced cabin fare without the bells and whistles (whilst still including all the courteous service, menus, activities, and entertainment that are standard on a cruise).

For a more inclusive fare, there are promotions throughout the year for fares inclusive of added extras such as drinks packages, included gratuities or additional dining at specialty restaurants.

One of our expert consultants will be able to assist with guiding you to the fare that suits your needs the most.

Wi-fi is available onboard most ships for a fee although the signal can be interrupted dependant on the ships location at sea.

All ships have some form of laundry facilities, either self service or for a fee.

On a majority of ships a self-service option is available. Laundrettes with washing and drying facilities will be located on certain decks throughout the ship and is at no cost to guests.

Where there are no self-service options onboard, your cabin steward can organise for your laundry to be done back of house for a fee to be charged to your onboard account.

One of our cruise consultants will be able to advise what laundry facilities are onboard a particular ship.

Most cruise lines allow a small amount of alcoholic beverages (usually 1 bottle of wine or sparkling per guest) to be brought onboard the cruise on boarding day. This varies between cruise lines. Please ask your cruise consultants to further details

Most cruise lines prefer guests not to use their own electrical appliances onboard except electrical shavers and approved medical equipment. Any electrical equipment brought on board such as power boards, chargers and extension cords may be subject to review and, if deemed unsafe, can be confiscated by staff to be stored until the end of the cruise.

Generally items containing any kind of heating element, such as but not limited to: immersion heaters, heating blankets, flat irons or kettles are not allowed onboard under any circumstances.

Depending on the cruise line you sail with and itinerary the dress code will differ. Generally dress codes onboard can be broken down into 3 types below (specific requirements for your itinerary can be found in your individual documentation):

The number of formal nights will be dependent on the number of nights on your cruise itinerary

Hardly. Being at sea gives you a feeling of freedom few places can offer. There's plenty of room! It will probably take you two or three days just to discover what's onboard plus you get the added adventure of exploring new and exciting ports of call.

You can be by yourself and lie back in a lounge chair, breathe in the sea air, soak up the sun, read good books, or watch the ever-changing view. Alternatively, you can join in exercise classes, dance classes and other organised deck activities.

You can go for a swim, stretch out in the sauna or work out in the gym. You can also see a feature movie or attend a lecture by renowned experts and that's just when you're on board!

So much that you will have a hard time choosing! In most ports you can go off on your own or take a guided tour offered by the cruise line. From exploring ancient ruins, shopping at the local market for a bargain or visiting the world famous landmark of that area, the options available at each port are numerous and varied.

Ship tours are usually well organised and well worth the money. We know sometimes you can do it cheaper on your own, but remember that you are also paying for a guide, admissions, transport, etc - not to mention peace of mind as the ship won't leave until all the tours organised by the cruise line are back. If you go on your own you may have to build in extra time to be sure you won't miss the ship.

On a cruise, you do as much or as little as you want to. You can do everything offered or lie back and do absolutely nothing - it's your holiday and completely up to you.

Night is when a cruise ship really comes alive. There's dancing, production shows, live entertainment in the bars, nightclubs, discos and lounges, feature films and parties with all your new friends. There's also late night shopping and casinos!

There are  special events which vary by cruise line which can include events such as the Captain's Cocktail Party, Passenger Talent Night and the Masquerade Parade. The night can go on as long as you want even until the spectacle of sunrise at sea.

A cruise ship is a great place to make new friends because everyone is so friendly. The atmosphere is cordial and relaxed. At dinner. At cocktails. Around the pool. Or along the promenade rail. Don't be surprised if you find yourself making arrangements to meet them onboard a ship again next year.

No matter what you have heard to the contrary, there's no such thing as a typical cruise passenger! All kinds of people take cruises of all ages and from all walks of life - singles, couples and families. Passengers can vary from ship to ship and cruise to cruise. Just ask your latitude33 agent for advice on the best ship for you, based on your tastes and preferences.

32% of cruise holidays are booked by families with children. Most cruise lines make a special point of providing supervised activities for youngsters, especially during school holidays. If your children enjoy swimming, sports, games, movies, and the adventure of new places, they will love a family cruise.

You will find the kids adapt to shipboard life with ease, and you won't have to wonder what they're up to every minute. The cruise staff will help keep them busy and entertained. Best of all, children generally travel at a substantially reduced rate.

Cruising is ideal for people travelling alone because it's so easy to meet other people. In fact, most ships have parties just for singles early on, so you can start to be involved right away. Most ships also have single cabins as well as single rates for double staterooms.

Without a doubt. Cruising offers an atmosphere that's just right for romance...cosy dinners for two, strolling on deck at sunset, dancing the night away (even under the stars) and so much more to remember forever. Most cruise lines provide special services from Sunday or Monday departures to welcome champagne and breakfast in bed.

Also, some ships offer special programs for performing a marriage ceremony or renewing your marriage vows in port.

All cruise lines have implemented stringent health and safety measures in the last few months. You can find detailed information on each cruise lines policies and measures on their respective websites.

Modern ships have hydraulic stabilisers, which regulate the movement of the ship at sea to create more balance and less motion. However, the sea is one of the greatest forces in nature and, during rough seas, even the largest cruise ships can be subject to motion. There are many over-the-counter, non-prescription medications available to help avoid or eliminate seasickness. Dramamine, Marazine, and Bonine to name a few, have all been time tested and are effective for most people.

In the event of seasickness, most ships are equipped with modern medical facilities and a ship's physician. Lest we emphasise the negative, let us say that for most passengers aboard cruise ships, seasickness is very rare, especially on the new generation of superliners. One is barely aware of movement on the larger ships.

Believe it or not - there is a secret, it’s called attitude. I believe that if you go in with a positive attitude   you will have a good time. We have found that a cruise is what you make of it. The cruise line provides the resources, and it is up to you how to use them.

Get to know the crew members, dining room staff, cruise director, your cabin steward, etc. It makes a difference if you show some interest and the cruise staff are from all corners of the world so it is often fascinating to hear their stories and experiences.

The internet is a vast repository of information making it an ideal tool to use in the quest for further information. Browse the various cruising websites and cruise company homepages to familiarise yourself with what to expect and encounter. There is also print media such as magazines, newspapers and journals.

However, there is no substitute for experience and we at latitude33 are passionate and eager to provide our customers with answers to any queries they have regarding cruising. The best option would be to call or email us, whereupon our travel consultants will be delighted to assist you with any queries.