Your guide to the most frequently asked questions by our customers

What will I receive from 1st4cruising and when?
You will receive your Confirmation Invoice within 14 days of making your booking.

Please check all your personal details and cruise details as soon as it arrives and let us know as soon as possible of any discrepancies. It may be too late to change without amendment fees being charged.

Payment reminder
If you have not paid in full, payment reminders will be sent out three weeks before the due date. If you choose to pay by cheque or debit card (Switch/Maestro/Delta) issued by a UK bank there will be no fee on the amount due. If you choose to pay your balance by credit card (Visa/Mastercard) there will be a fee of 2.5% added to the payment or 2.75% for American Express.

If you do not make your full payment by the due date stated on your confirmation letter the cruise line reserves the right to cancel your cruise or charge amendment fees as per its terms and conditions.

When will I get my travel documents?
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.
If you have provided us with your email address, your documents will be in the form of e-tickets which you will be able to print at home for which you will require a printer. If you do not have an email address or access to a printer just let us know and we will send your documents by mail. These are sent to us approximately 14 days prior to your departure.

What are e-tickets?
Many cruise lines now have the fantastic facility for you to print tickets and luggage tags from their website, which makes ticketing more efficient. Simply go to the cruise line’s individual website and complete their online check-in facility. After completing the fields you will be given the opportunity to print your cruise ticket and in some cases flight tickets. Any flight tickets that cannot be accessed through the cruise line’s website will be sent to you via 1st4cruising.

What if I need to amend or cancel my cruise?
If you need to change your cruise plans or are unable to travel and it is within approximately 90 days before sailing you will have the option to transfer to an alternative sailing date. Please note that the cruise line may levy an administration charge to complete a transfer and further conditions may apply.

If you cancel your booking before your balance due date you will lose your deposit.
If you are post balance due date this may result in further cancellation charges, as per the terms and conditions of the individual cruise line. Further charges are calculated on notice given (in days) before departure date. In this instance we would refer you to the cruise line’s terms and conditions.

Do I need travel insurance?
It is essential that you have travel insurance cover and that the policy is adequate for your needs. You may have already taken insurance with us, if not please call us to add it to your booking.

If you decide to obtain your own insurance please make sure this has sufficient coverage and please advise us of the details including the insurance company name, underwriter’s name, policy number and emergency telephone number prior to travel. 1st4cruising insurance is valid for UK residents only.

What are the passport requirements?
It is your responsibility to ensure all guests in your party have the correct passports and visas. As a general rule, passports MUST have at least six months validity left on them from your arrival date home. Passengers who do not have the correct documentation may be refused carriage or entry into any country. If you are not in possession of a valid passport please be aware that it may take up to six weeks for a new passport to arrive.

Children must have their own passports to travel abroad. A child passport is valid for five years. When it runs out you can renew it for another five years, and so on. Directgov  www.direct.gov.uk provides all the information you need to apply for or renew a child passport.

What are the visa requirements?
We try and offer advice when visas are required, and we will help as much as possible, however we cannot be liable for visa information as this is issued by individual embassies. For all holders of passports other than UK passports, we suggest that you contact the individual embassies of the countries you will be travelling to as they will be able to offer specific advice. For UK passport holders, you will normally be covered by the ship’s manifest visas while visiting ports of call and we will advise you when additional visas may be required. The exception to this is for ALL travel to or through the United States. For this you must apply for an ESTA prior to travel.

What is an ESTA?
An ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), is an automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.

If you do not have the appropriate personal documentation, including specific passport requirements, US Immigration will not allow entry. Full advice is available from the US Embassy website on  www.london.usembassy.gov or by telephone on 0207 499 9000. There is currently a charge of $14 USD per person for this visa and they will last for 24 months or until your current passport runs out (whichever is sooner). Please note that these need to be arranged at least 72 hours before you depart the UK. The website to apply for your ESTA is https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Please note there are other websites that are not the official site, so please be very wary of this.

What health precautions and vaccinations do I need to consider?
All information on health precautions and vaccinations must be given by a qualified medical professional, and therefore we must ask you to contact your personal doctor before travelling. Medications may vary per individual and we therefore cannot comment on what may or may not be required.

What is a cruise personaliser?
To make your cruise experience as easy as possible, many cruise lines now have cruise personalisers on their websites. This means that you can log in and update your details, complete boarding documentation, book excursions and arrange dining reservations and spa treatments all in your own time. You will be given login information with your booking confirmation.

How do I book my free car parking provided by the cruise line?
If you wish to take us up on an offer of free car parking please have your car details at the time of booking. We will require the make, model, colour and registration number of your car.

If these change please advise us immediately. Cars will be parked in secure parking at your departure terminal offering you easy access.

Can I pre-book or upgrade my flight seats?
The majority of airlines offer an upgrade service at a premium. Depending upon where you are 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. If you would like to upgrade your flight please contact us on 0844 871 5999 or email us at service@1st4cruising.com

Am I able to upgrade my cabin?
If you would like to upgrade your cabin please contact us on 0844 871 5999 or email us at service@1st4cruising.com and we will check availability for you. If you have booked with P&O, Cunard or Princess  you will have been asked at time of booking if you would like to be added to the automatic upgrade list. If you selected this option the cruise line may at their discretion upgrade you to a higher grade of stateroom.

You will not be able to make any special requests/ pre-determine the stateroom or stateroom location. Once an upgrade has been assigned you will be unable to decline this new cabin as your previous cabin will no longer be available to you.

How do I book an overnight stay before my cruise?
You can pre book your pre- or post-departure port or airport hotel at over 20 UK airports and ports including Gatwick, Manchester, Heathrow and Southampton at a reduced rate, with 3, 4 and 5 star hotels available. You can select a room only basis or alternatively hotel packages are also available to include parking and added extras such as breakfast and dinner packages, spa packages and transfers. Hotels can be booked as a package to include parking for the duration of your cruise voyage and also to include transfers to and from the cruise terminal as an extra convenience and comfort.

How do I pre-book shore excursions?
Every cruise line organises a range of trips from each port of call that will help you make the most of your time ashore. They range from transfers to city centres, to guided tours of historic sites. There will be a fee charged for these shore excursions, and prices vary by trip and cruise line. You do not have to take an organised excursion but can go ashore under your own steam. Most cruise lines will send you details of available shore excursions and their prices approximately seven 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.

Please note: If you are not on an organised tour and you are late back from an excursion the ship will not delay its departure.

How do I extend my holiday?
If you wish to extend the holiday you have booked with us please contact our Call Centre on 0844 871 5656 or email us at enquiries@1st4cruising.com who will be happy to assist with your request.

What will happen if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Regrettably, occasionally flights are delayed or cancelled. In the event that your travel arrangements are affected by flight delays and cancellations we aim to provide you with real-time information and updates.

If you have a fly/cruise package booked with the cruise line, contracts are usually confirmed with the cruise line around 6-9 months before your departure date and you will be notified as soon as possible if there are any alterations made or schedule changes.

In the event that your flights are affected by a natural occurrence such as the disruption caused by the volcanic ash cloud in spring 2010 or strike action by the airline/airport staff, for fly/cruise passengers the cruise line will ‘re-protect’ your flights and where possible arrange alternative flight options.

Unfortunately the cruise lines cannot offer the same protection to those passengers who have booked a cruise only package.

Can I book with confidence?
As members of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents), ATOL (Air Travel Organisers License) and ACE (Association of Cruise Experts), you can be assured that 1st4cruising is fully bonded and your payments are fully protected.

How do I make payments on board?
You will be required to register a debit or credit card. Most cruise lines accept all major cards however some are unable to accept switch, maestro, solo, visa electron or pre-paid credit cards. Cruise lines operate a ‘cash free’ system where you simply sign for purchases using your cruise card which is provided at check-in. Once on board your cruise, you will be given a small plastic ID card the size of a credit card. This is used for access on and off the ship, to pay for drinks at the bar, and to pay for any on board extras such as shops, bars, alternative dining, spa, shore excursions, photography, art auctions and bingo. Casinos are normally cash operations.

Should you wish to settle your account with cash, you can do so once on board however a credit card must still be registered when you check in but will not be debited.

What is on board credit?
This is a sum of money given to you as part of a promotion to spend on board a ship and has no cash equivalent. This is credited to your on board account and will be deducted from your on board bill automatically. The onboard credit can be used for spa treatments, excursions, gifts etc.

What are pre-paid gratuities?
Some cruise lines offer a facility to pay gratuities in advance of your holiday. Where this applies, if you have chosen to pre-pay the service charge or gratuity at the time of booking you will find vouchers to show that you have chosen to pre-pay your service charges left in your stateroom approximately two days prior to disembarkation. These vouchers and envelopes will be provided for you to hand to the Stateroom Attendant, Waiter, Assistant Waiter and Head Waiter. These vouchers are non-transferable and will not be refunded.

Which gratuities are included?
Some ships have gratuities included and some are paid on board at your own discretion. As a rule, they are approximately £30.00 or $50.00 per person per week. If paying onboard you will be given a guide in your cabin, and envelopes for specific staff such as waiters and cabin stewards. A 15% gratuity is normally added to bar bills and spa treatment bills. However, please feel free to tip whoever else you may choose if they have offered you good service.

What is the dress code on board?
Dress code varies by company, but often on a seven day cruise there will be two formal nights and on a 14 night cruise three formal nights. Traditional British companies are more formal than their American equivalents. Details will be shown with your cruise line booking confirmation.

Can I celebrate a special occasion at sea?
If you have a special celebration when you are away, please let us know. There are packages available to book online via the cruise personaliser or directly through us. For birthdays and anniversaries, the cruise lines will normally present you with a cake. For everything else the cruise lines are able to arrange anything from fresh flowers to a champagne breakfast.

Booking shore excursions on board
Most cruise lines encourage you to pre-book your excursion in order to guarantee your place. You will however have the opportunity to book on board if you prefer. Please be aware that popular excursions fill up quickly so we always recommend pre-booking.

What are Future Cruise Downpayments (FCD)?
Whilst you’re on your cruise, if you decide you want to take another holiday with the same cruise line, the Future Cruise Downpayment (FCD) scheme lets you pay £200 per person deposit for your future cruise holiday. In return, you will be able to take advantage of any on board booking incentives an offer for confirmed bookings.

The added benefits that are provided when making a Future Cruise Downpayment vary by cruise line as each supplier is different and you will be advised as to what these include whilst on board.

You will then have one calendar year from the date that an FCD is made to apply it to a future cruise booking.

If your questions have not been answered please feel free to call our helpful team on 0844 871 5999.