The short answer: check your documents for every country on the route, put your phone in airplane mode at sea, know how the on-board account and service charge work, take insurance that covers cruises, and remember that the captain can change the route. Each guide below explains one of these in detail.
Choose a topic
| Topic | What the guide covers |
|---|---|
| Documents and visas | Passport validity, visas for every port, new entry systems in Europe and the UK, children's documents |
| Internet and phone | Why roaming at sea is expensive, Wi-Fi packages, staying in touch for less |
| Money and tips | The cashless on-board account, the daily service charge, currency and cards |
| Travel insurance | What a cruise policy should cover, medical care at sea, cancellation |
| Cancelled port or missed ship | Why ports are skipped, what you get back, and what to do if the ship leaves without you |
A short checklist before you leave
- Documents: a passport valid long enough, visas or travel authorisations for every country on the route, booking documents printed or on your phone.
- Phone: airplane mode at sea, the cruise line's app downloaded at home.
- Money: a card for the on-board account, a little cash in the local currency for ports.
- Insurance: medical cover abroad, including evacuation, and cover for cancellation.
- Return times: the all-aboard time for each port, written down.
New to cruising? Start with our first cruise checklist. Travelling with a baby, elderly parents or limited mobility? See our special situations guides.
Common questions
What do I need to check first after booking a cruise?
Your documents. Check that your passport is valid long enough and that you have any visas or travel authorisations needed for every country the ship visits, not only the departure port.
Are tips included in a cruise?
On many cruise lines a daily service charge per person is added to your on-board account automatically. Check how your line handles it before you sail.
Will my phone work at sea?
It may connect to the ship's own mobile network, which is charged at expensive satellite rates. Use airplane mode at sea and the ship's Wi-Fi or the local network in port.
How the club fits in
For any sailing, the club's familiar ways of paying apply: the member price (INsider Pricing), about 17% below the retail price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the price of qualifying bookings. They do not add up in one booking. Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search. More about booking with points.
General information, not legal advice. Entry rules, charges and policies differ by country and cruise line and change often, so check the official sources and your booking before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.