There are no dumb questions, even when it comes to cruising. However, if you’ve ever asked a question in a cruise Facebook group, you know that some of the responses can be less than helpful.
If you’re a first time cruiser, there are many things that aren’t obvious. After all, taking a vacation onboard a cruise ship is quite different than taking a land vacation. That said, once you take your first cruise, you’ll get your sea legs.
In this post I answer some common and less common rookie cruise questions. If you ever feel like you have some “dumb” cruise questions, this post is for you.
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First Time Cruise Passenger Q & A (basic, unique & silly)
1. On disembarkation day, can I vacate my cabin, have the cruise ship store my luggage, and stay onboard the cruise ship, since I have a late flight?
No, this is just one way cruises are different than hotel stays. All passengers need to vacate their staterooms and disembark from the cruise ship in the morning.
Not only do crew need to clean and turn over the guest staterooms, but they need to get the entire ship ready for the next group of guests. As well, the cruise ship needs to be cleared of all passengers before the new passengers can embark.
2. Is the main dining room “free” on a cruise?
Yes, the main dining room is “free” ,or included, on a cruise. Many first time cruisers assume that only the buffet is complimentary. However, there are many places to eat on a cruise that are included.
Each cruise line and ship will have some differences. However, typically in addition to the dining room and lido buffet, you’ll have casual food included. This is often poolside pizza and burgers, a cafe with various pastries and savory bites, soft ice cream and more.
3. Is there free coffee on a cruise or do I need to purchase a beverage package?
Cruise drink packages can be confusing. While you can purchase a beverage of specialty coffee package, free coffee and tea will be available on your cruise.
Basic drip coffee is can be found in the cruise ship buffet and usually in the main restaurant or dining room.
4. Is food included on the cruise line private island?
Yes, when you visit your cruise line’s private island, like Perfect Day at CocoCay or Half Moon Cay, lunch is included. While options can vary, you’ll typically find beach bbq style foods like burgers, hot dogs, ribs, and a variety of salads.
Make sure to check the hours, as they are often limited.
5. How easy is it to fall off a cruise ship?
Can you fall off a cruise ship or go over the balcony railing? First time cruisers often have this concern, especially since we do hear of cases where people have gone overboard.
However, these cases are extremely rare. Balcony railing heights are quite high, as are the other railings on a cruise ship.
Sadly, based on news reports and video footage, most of these cases are people who are doing this intentionally. There are also accidental cases, where people have done very dangerous things including climbing on or over balcony railings.
Related: 10 Things to Never Do on a Cruise Ship Balcony
6. Can I make phone calls from a cruise ship?
While technology on cruise ships has come a long way, phone service is not the same as when you are on land. Cruise passengers are advised to put your phone on airplane mode, and purchase a cruise ship wifi package if you want to communicate while at sea.
If you want to know more about cruise wifi and internet while at sea, I share answer more questions in this post: 15 Cruise Wifi Tips, Secrets & Mistakes to Avoid
7. Is the water safe to drink on a cruise ship?
Yes, cruise ships actually have a water filtration plant on the cruise ship and the water is safe to drink. You’ll find water stations in the cruise ship buffet where you can get free water. As well, some cruise ships have water refill stations near the pool.
Tip: Bring a refillable water bottle on your cruise packing list.
8. Do I have to share a bathroom with other cruise passengers?
While cruise ship cabin bathrooms are small, thankfully you won’t have to share with other cabins. Every standard stateroom has it’s own bathroom with a toilet, sink and shower. Higher category cabins, like mini-suites, often have a bathtub as well.
9. Is there a TV in the cabin and will I be able to watch my regular shows?
Yes, your cabin has a TV. However, channels are usually limited on a cruise ship.
10. What is a Guarantee Cabin (GTY) and is it bad?
A guarantee cabin is a cabin that is unassigned at the time that you book your cruise. When choosing a guaranteed cabin, you’re agreeing that the cruise line will choose your cabin for you.
The benefit is that guarantee cabins are usually priced lower than an assigned cabin, which is one way to save money on a cruise.
So, are guarantee cabins a bad choice or the worst cabins on a cruise? Not necessarily. There are many reasons why the stateroom is available, including that someone canceled their cruise and now that cabin is free.
However, if you are more comfortable knowing the exact location of your stateroom, you probably will want to skip booking a guarantee cabin.
11. What are pullman beds?
Pullman beds on a cruise look similar to bunk beds. Cruise ship cabins may have pullman beds that come out of the ceiling or wall, which can accomodate third and fourth passengers in a room.
These pull down beds are a way to maximize floor place in cruise staterooms.
12. Why do experienced cruisers communicate with strange acronyms?
It’s true. Cruise passengers and those who work in the cruise travel industry seem to have a language all their own. Avid cruisers will often use acronyms or abbreviations, when talking about cruising.
While there’s an entire cruise glossary, there are a few common acronyms to know:
- MDR – main dining room
- TA – travel agent or trans-atlantic cruise
- OBC – on board credit
- B2B – back to back cruise
- GYT- guarantee cruise cabin
Related: Cruise Terminology All Cruisers Need to Know
13. What happens if my cruise is overbooked or at over 100% capacity?
Cruise ships can reach 100% capacity at double occupancy. However, there are allowances for some 3rd and 4th passengers who are sharing a cabin. It’s not uncommon for cruise ships to sail at over 100% capacity, especially during school breaks.
If a cruise is “overbooked”, cruise lines typically send out moveover offers, which will tempt some cruise passengers.
14. Do I need to bring towels on a cruise?
Towels for use in your stateroom, at the pool or on shore excursions, are provided by the cruise line for you to use during a cruise. Remember to bring them back when you return on a port day.
15. Is there a hairdryer in the cabin?
Yes, cruise ship cabins usually have hairdryers, which can usually be found in a desk drawer or in the washroom. The hair dryer quality will be similar to one found in a hotel room, so plan accordingly.
Silly Questions Cruise Passengers Ask Crew Members
Crew members have some funny tales about some silly or “dumb” questions asked by cruise passengers.
16. Does the crew sleep on the cruise ship?
Of course, crew can’t sleep at a hotel on land while the ship is sailing. Yes, crew sleep onboard in cabins, often on the lowest decks.
17. Can these elevators take me to the front of the ship?
Elevators only go up and down, just like on land.
18. How does the code on the cabin microwave work?
You won’t find a microwave in your cabin. Instead, there is a small safe that might resemble a microwave, but it can’t heat anything up.
19. Why was I given a view on the parking lot, when I payed for an oceanview balcony cabin?
This is a funny one & I can actually imagine it happening! When cruise passengers look out of their oceanview balcony on embarkation day, they may get a view of a parking lot! Of course, this is only until sailaway.
20. Is the toilet water fresh or salt water?
I won’t claim to be an expert on this one, but apparently cruise ship toilets use potable water. Either way, you’re not going to drink it…
21. What happens if you flush the toilet while sitting on it?
While a cruise ship toilet makes a big flushing sound that seems vacuum like, from everything I read, it’s unlikely for anything harmful to happen.
In case you were wondering, this (along with other bathroom questions) is actually a question that’s asked on google, quora and reddit, so I guess people want to know.
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Final Thoughts on Rookie Cruise Questions You Might Be Embarrassed to Ask
There are no dumb cruise questions and no one should ever feel embarrassed if there’s something they don’t know. In reality, most cruisers are friendly and helpful. You’ll likely find this while you’re onboard your first cruise.
A great cruise tip is to ask crew or other passengers if there’s anything you’re unsure of while on your cruise holiday.
Do you have any other rookie cruiser questions? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy cruising!
Ilana
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