Luxury Cruising Editorial

If you have young kids, you’ll know to never go anywhere without snacks. A hungry child can turn into the Tasmanian Devil far faster than you can find the nearest shop when you’re out and about. Ain’t that the truth?

And it’s not just kids who need snacks. Whether you’ve got a medical condition such as diabetes, you’re pregnant and suffering from morning sickness, or you just have a tendency to get ‘hangry’ without warning, you may be wondering if you can bring food off the cruise ship when you visit ports of call.

The answer to this question is not straightforward. It very much depends on the country you’re visiting and the type of food you plan to take off the ship.

Cruising in Europe

Europe is the most laid-back of all places when it comes to taking food off a cruise ship. In most European countries, you can feel free to make your kids a packed lunch from the ship’s breakfast buffet and bring it ashore with you.

My kids are super-fussy eaters, so if we didn’t take healthy food off the ship they would be limited to chips, bread and ice cream when eating out. When cruising in the Mediterranean, I like to take a small plastic container and fill it with fruit, raisins, dry cereal, bread, cheese and boiled eggs.

As an adult, it’s generally wise to sample the local cuisine of the places you visit if you have the chance. But some countries, such as Norway can be incredibly expensive.

If you’ve just about managed to afford a cruise and don’t have a lot of extra money to spend, then you could either make yourself a sandwich to take with you or head back to the ship for lunch.

Cruising in the Caribbean

Bringing most types of food into the Caribbean is illegal. If you take fresh food off your cruise ship, it will be confiscated. Bags are often checked and there may even be sniffer dogs who are trained to check for food.

If you deny having fruit or vegetables and then you’re caught with them, you could face a hefty fine. This is because Caribbean islands have delicate ecosystems so you can’t risk bringing anything that could cause harm to the natural balance.

If you need to carry snacks in the Caribbean, then you should opt for pre-packaged food only. Depending on the ship, you may find mini boxes of cereal at the breakfast buffet, which are good for kids. If you need something like energy bars, you’re best to bring that from home.

When you get off the ship, keep any packaged food unopened and in your bag. If it’s in your hand, the staff could take it off you even if it’s technically allowed as their instructions could just be to confiscate any food that they see people with.

Cruising Elsewhere

Each country has different rules about whether you can take food off a cruise ship into the port. Australia and New Zealand are extremely strict in prohibiting food to enter the country. Chewing gum is illegal in Singapore. In Brunei, it’s illegal to import meat that isn’t halal.

You should check the rules for the countries that you’re visiting before your cruise. Once on board, take a look at your daily cruise programme. If there are any rules prohibiting bringing food ashore, they should be listed there.

Can You Bring Drinks Off a Cruise Ship?

Taking a bottle of water with you when you explore ashore is always a good idea and there are no rules to stop you from taking water off a cruise ship.

Many cruise ships have water dispensers where you can fill your bottle before you leave the ship and take it with you.

It should also be fine to take coffee or soft drinks with you. However, taking alcohol ashore is not a good idea.

Many port cities and towns ban drinking in public places, so if you want a drink you should find a nearby bar, or stay on the ship and drink there.

Can You Bring Food and Drinks on to a Cruise Ship?

There are some rules about exactly what kinds of food you’re allowed to bring on to a cruise ship when you embark and when you board in each port of call.

You can read more about this here: What Can You NOT Bring On a Cruise?

If you’re wondering about what drinks you can bring on the ship, then the rules are different for each cruise line. Some let you bring any kind of alcohol, some only a single bottle of wine and others don’t let you bring anything, even water.

You can read more about this here: Can You Take Drinks On a Cruise Ship?

Related Posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Choosing the right cruise can be tricky. Whether you’re going on a cruise for the first time, or have cruised before but want to try something a bit different, picking the best cruise is vital.

There are over 300 cruise ships to choose from and over 1,200 ports of call across the world. You’ll also need to know when to travel for the best weather, which cabin type to choose, and whether to opt for extras like a drinks package.

With so many important decisions to make, picking the best cruise can take a LOT of research. To make things a whole lot easier, this article will tell you how to pick a cruise in just seven easy steps.

1. Decide Where You Want To Go

The first thing to decide when choosing a cruise is roughly where in the world you want to go. Notice the word ‘roughly’. You don’t need to know which ports you want to visit, but it’s a good idea to know if you want to cruise in Europe, the Caribbean or somewhere else.

• Want somewhere hot? Go for the Mediterranean in summer or the Caribbean in winter
• Want somewhere cheap? Try a transatlantic cruise, Europe in winter or the Caribbean in hurricane season (June to November)
• Want amazing scenery? Head to Norway, Alaska or Iceland
• Want somewhere exotic? How about Asia or South America?
• Want a hassle-free cruise? Depart from your closest port without flying

Suggested read: The Best Cruise Destinations for Families

Once you have an idea of roughly where you want to go, you can move on to step two…

2. Choose the Best Cruise Line

Next, it’s time to find out which cruise line is the best for you.

It’s not the case that Royal Caribbean cruises go to the Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line cruises go to Norway. You can cruise to most destinations around the world with each cruise line, although you may find that some cruise lines have more ships in particular regions.

If you’re planning a cruise with children, there are seven cruise lines that you should consider.

The best cruise lines for families are:

1. Royal Caribbean
2. P&O Cruises
3. MSC Cruises
4. Disney Cruise Line
5. Carnival Cruise Line
6. Princess Cruises
7. Celebrity Cruises

Which cruise line is the best for your family will depend on the age of your children, your budget and the destinations you want to visit.

Each cruise line has its own unique offering and they are quite different, so it’s a good idea to read up on each one before deciding.

Read more: The Best Cruise Lines for Families

3. Choose the Best Cruise Ship

Each cruise line has a number of ships. Whilst small cruise lines tend to have only a handful of ships, others can have upwards of twenty.

If you’ve already chosen your preferred destination and your favourite cruise line, then choosing a ship should be fairly straightforward. For example, if you know that you want to cruise from the UK with Royal Caribbean, then your ship will be Anthem of the Seas because there’s only one ship that does that – until 2025 anyway, where Independence of the Seas takes her place.

However, if you decide that you want to cruise with Royal Caribbean from Florida, then you’ll have more research to do because there are many ships cruising in that region.

Are Big Ships or Small Ships Better?

Cruise ships tend to carry between 1,000 and 6,000 passengers and you’ll find that the experience is a little different on a big ship compared to a small ship.

The biggest ships tend to be newer with more facilities and a larger price tag to match. Big ships rock less, so you’ll be less likely to get seasick. Smaller ships tend to be older, with not as much to do onboard. But, they can be much cheaper.

To decide which size of ship is right for you, think about whether you’re most looking forward to exploring different ports of call, or having fun on the ship.

If you love exploring ashore, then it’s better to choose a smaller ship which offers more port-intensive itineraries. If you’re most excited about being on board and love waterslides, zip lining, go karting and generally being active, then a larger ship will have more to offer.

Suggested read: The Best Cruise Ships for Families

4. Select the Date for Your Cruise

There are a lot of things which can influence the date that you choose for your cruise. Choosing the right date can make the difference between a fantastic cruise, and no cruise at all!

Here are some of the times I picked the completely wrong date for my cruise:

• I booked a Bahamas cruise to depart on the peak day of hurricane season (2nd September). There was a hurricane and it was cancelled
• I booked a cruise to sail on Friday 13th December. The ship suffered a technical fault and the cruise was cancelled
• I also booked a last-minute cruise to depart on 30th March 2020. It was only £12 per person per night for a balcony cabin because cruising was about to be paused due to the global shutdown. Of course, this cruise was cancelled too.

I’ve had my fair share of bad luck when it comes to cruises being cancelled (and that’s even before cancellations became the norm!) But, some of this can be avoided by choosing dates carefully.

You’ll also want to think about…

School Holidays

If you have children of school age, you’ll generally want to travel in the school holiday periods. Like all travel, cruises in these weeks can cost more because of the increased demand.

You’ll also find that special offers such as ‘kids sail free’ don’t apply during the school holidays.

To get around this problem, take your school term calendar and compare it to the school holidays for the rest of the country and for other countries. If you can find any sweet spots where your kids are on holiday but others aren’t – those are the best dates to plan your cruise for.

Suggested read: How To Find Really Cheap School Holidays Cruises With P&O Cruises

Weather

Hot weather and cold weather cruises are pretty different, both in terms of the atmosphere on board and the price.

Different ships are built for different climates, so if you plan to cruise when it’s cold, you’ll want to choose a ship with lots to do on board. Indoor swimming pools and hot tubs are a real hit when cruising with kids in the winter.

How Far in Advance Should You Book a Cruise?

As a general rule, the best time to book your cruise is as soon as the itineraries go on sale. This can be 18 to 24 months before the departure date.

After this point, prices are likely to rise steadily, dropping at the last minute only if there are remaining cabins that need to be filled.

Prices sometimes drop around 12 weeks before departure when balance payments are due. You can book up to a few days before the cruise sails, but you aren’t guaranteed to get a good deal by waiting so late. And you may end up with no cruise at all if you’re unlucky.

Cabins that sleep three or four people tend to sell out really quickly, as do the cheapest inside cabins. Therefore, if you’re travelling with kids or want a cheap deal, it’s vital that you book your cruise at least 12 months in advance.

Read more: When to Book a Family Cruise for Cheap Deals & Free Child Places

5. Pick Your Cabin

Cruise ship cabins fall into four categories:

• Inside cabins
• Outside cabins (with a window)
• Balcony cabins
• Suites (with a separate living area and bedroom)

Which Cabins Are Best on Cruise Ships?

Each type of cabin has its pros and cons:

Choosing a cabin is a matter of personal preference. For me, I would always go for an inside cabin, unless I were cruising somewhere particularly scenic such as Norway or Alaska when I feel that a balcony would be worth the extra cost.

Read more: Why I (almost) always choose an inside cabin for a family cruise

One Cabin or Two for a Family?

If you’re cruising as a family of four, it can sometimes work out the same price or even cheaper to get two cabins with a door between them than to all cram into one cabin.

This is because:

• If kids are charged the full adult fare and there’s no discount for third and fourth passengers in a cabin, you might as well get two cabins for the same price as one.
• If there’s a special offer such as second passenger cruises for half price, you’ll only have one ‘second passenger’ in a cabin of four. Book two cabins and you have two ‘second passengers’, which means two half-price tickets!

It’s important to look out for cabins with adjoining doors. Without these, most cruise lines do not allow kids to stay in a cabin without an adult. The age requirement for staying in a cruise cabin without an adult could be between 12 and 18 years old, depending on the cruise line.

If you’re cruising as a family of five, your cabin options will be limited. There are some cruise cabins that sleep five, but they tend to be booked up quite early, so don’t hang around.

Read more: The best cruises for a family of 5

Choosing Your Cabin Number

Choosing your cabin number means that you can avoid undesirable locations like above the nightclub or by the toilets.

For a full list of the best and worst cabin locations, get my free checklist and you can choose the best cabin with ease. Just pop your email address in the form below and it will be sent to you instantly.

6. Decide Who to Book It With

There are many different ways to book a cruise. You can book it directly with the cruise line or via a travel agent. Then, you have the choice of booking online, over the phone or face to face. But which is the best?

The decision to book a cruise through a travel agent or direct often comes down to two things – price and service.

Price

It should always be cheaper to book a cruise with a travel agent than direct with the cruise line. This is because travel agents have access to special rates, and the more cruises they sell, the better the rates they can get. Also, you can sometimes haggle with travel agents to secure a better price.

For the best price, choose a large travel agent brand. Click here to see which travel agents offer a best price guarantee.

Service

If you choose a good travel agent, you should receive a better level of service than when you book directly with a cruise line. If you’re not sure which cruise line to choose, a knowledgeable travel agent who specialises in cruises can help you to decide which is the best. Plus, if anything goes wrong, the travel agent will sort everything out for you.

For the best service, choose a specialist cruise travel agent.

Should You Book a Cruise Online?

No. I know many of us (me included) would rather press buttons than speak to a person, but it’s not always the best idea to book your cruise online.

Unless you’re booking a cruise only (with no flights) and you know all the ins and outs and things to look out for, then booking a cruise online is a bad idea.

There are so many choices to make with a cruise and it can definitely help to speak to a human who can guide you through them.

7. Find the Best Deals

If, like me, you love to cruise for cheap, then you’ll find incredible value in learning how to find the best cruise deals. I learned all about cruising by spending five years working in marketing for a cruise travel agent.

To find great deals, it’s wise to sign up to the email lists of several cruise lines and cruise travel agents. That’s where they’ll offer the cruises that they really need to sell.

Of course, looking through all of those takes time. I do it myself, and whenever I spot a particularly great deal, I send it to my email list.

So, be sure to sign up to get my free emails and I’ll let you know when I spot a really great deal.

Before You Book!

Choosing cruising holidays should be much simpler for you now. But before you book your cruise, there are some important tasks that you should tick off. Read the pre-cruise checklist here, or grab yourself a free printable version below…

Related Posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

On the vast majority of cruise lines, you are asked to pay gratuities to the crew that have been helping to make your trip special.

Well, I say you are asked to – the cruise line will add these gratuities to your account automatically, and you will be expected to pay them. In some cases, you may need to pay for them upfront if you want a particular type of dining service.

Yet what if you don’t want to pay the gratuities? Is it right that cruises try to enforce this on you, and is it possible to refuse to pay them? And also, instead of having a lump sum added to your cruise fare, can you not instead pay tips directly to the people who have served you best, using cash?

In this guide, I’ll explain why it’s possible to opt out of paying gratuities on your cruise – and also, why not paying cruise gratuities is a bad idea.

How Much Are Cruise Gratuities?

The cost of cruise gratuities varies by cruise line, but it is typically in the region of $6 to $20 per person, per day. That’s per person as in per passenger, not for every single member of the crew on the ship! Some cruise lines include gratuities in the fare.

Your gratuities are worked out based on how many people are staying in your room, and how long you are sailing for. In some cases, especially on cheaper cruise lines like Carnival, you might find that your gratuities cost as much as 50% of your overall cruise fare, or potentially even more if you’ve managed to get a great deal.

This can make the gratuities feel expensive. If you’re only paying $400 per person for your cruise, and then you get another $200 or so added on top for the crew tips, your ‘great deal’ suddenly feels a little less great.

I could understand some frustration at paying the gratuities – especially if you’re from a culture like that in the UK where tipping is not a big thing.

Here’s a quick look at the cost of gratuities on some of the bigger cruise lines:

There are also a number of cruise lines that don’t automatically add gratuities to your account, and instead include them in the cruise fare you pay.

Cruise lines that include gratuities in the fare:

• Azamara
• Celestyal Cruises
• P&O Cruises
• Marella
• MSC (When booked in the UK)
• Saga
• Silversea
• Regent Seven Seas
• Virgin Voyages

Which Crew Members Get Gratuities? And Which Don’t Get a Share?

Most of the crew that man the ship you’re sailing on will be paid an hourly rate, which can be very low – just a few dollars an hour. The gratuities then top up this pay, and in some cases (such as that of the Royal Genies), it can represent as much as 95% of what the staff take home!

The crew that tend to get gratuities paid to them include your waiters, your room stewards, those working behind the scenes to do the laundry for your bedding or if you’ve paid for a laundry service, cleaners and so on.

There are some crew who won’t get a cut of the tips. Bartenders usually don’t, because they’re paid tips in a different way (more on that below). Crew who work in the stores on a ship, particularly if they are third-party stores that may be manned by someone working for the retailer, also wouldn’t qualify.

Typically, though, the more senior positions on a cruise ship are salaried and, therefore, don’t get included in the gratuity payments – so your officers, your doctors, and your hotel and cruise directors onboard.

But that still leaves the majority of the workers on the ship relying on gratuities to make up the majority of what they earn, and a large portion of those work behind the scenes.

“I will never take the gratuity off my bill. After a personal tour from Nelson the hotel director of the Gem, I saw first hand how the staff works behind the scenes. I also give my steward, wait staff and of course the best bartenders extra throughout the cruise. They Work hard!!!!!”

Anonymous cruiser

Are Gratuities Mandatory on a Cruise?

Gratuities are never mandatory on a cruise, unless they are included in your cruise fare. When they are, you can’t ask for them to be removed in order to get a discounted fare.

Where they are not included in your fare, they are still automatically applied to your account, but you can have them removed.

There may be some situations where gratuities become mandatory and can’t be removed – usually, this is when you select a certain dining plan for the main restaurants, and gratuities must be included to guarantee this level of service.

One such example is My Time Dining with Royal Caribbean. If you want to avoid having a traditional dining sitting, giving you the option of visiting the Main Dining Room at a time that suits you instead, you have to prepay your gratuities in full.

Can You Opt Out of Cruise Gratuities?

When a cruise line adds gratuities to your cruise fare, you can usually ask for them to be removed. You would just need to visit the Guest Services desk and explain your decision, and the cruise line will remove them for you.

You may be asked for your reasoning. This isn’t to apply pressure to you to retain them, but just so that it’s clear you understand the impact that removing the gratuities has on the crew. 

So don’t be offended if you are asked – the team just want to make sure there’s nothing they can do to resolve any issues, and that you’re aware of what it means for all of the crew, including those behind the scenes.

There are some gratuities that you won’t be able to opt out of, and these work differently to the main gratuities added to your cruise account. Some gratuities are added on a per-payment basis, for things like drinks bought at the bars or reservations for speciality dining restaurants.

These are typically a percentage gratuity, so it might be in the region of 15-18% for every purchase you make. And you can’t have these removed.

If you don’t like the idea of paying a tip every time you order a drink, you might prefer to get a drinks package – you’ll still likely be charged a gratuity fee for the package, but at least it’s a one-off payment and then all of your drinks will be included.

What Happens If You Don’t Pay Gratuities on a Cruise?

If you choose to have your gratuities removed from your cruise account, your cruise won’t be impacted in any other way. The crew aren’t told which passengers have refused to pay gratuities, and so the level of service you receive won’t change.

However, what’s more important is that members of the crew will lose out on money they really need to top up their hourly salary. And yes, on a ship with thousands of passengers, the impact of one guest removing gratuities won’t be huge.

But as soon as it becomes commonplace for a guest to remove gratuities, it can become a domino effect and it can seriously impact the earnings of the people who have worked so hard to make your cruise go smoothly.

If You Are Looking to Remove Gratuities Because You Want to Tip in Cash…

It’s important to remember that the gratuities that are added to your account are split between a large number of the crew, including many who work behind the scenes.

Choosing to remove them from your account and pay in cash means that a lot of people will miss out – people who you just won’t see. And while some cruise lines might leave envelopes for you to leave cash tips, even those may not include all of the crew members who would otherwise receive your gratuities when paid on your account.

If you want to tip in cash then it’s best to do this as well as paying your main gratuities. Rewarding excellent service (or encouraging a little bit of special treatment) is best done above-and-beyond the typical gratuities you pay.

If You Want To Remove Gratuities Because You Feel Let down by Service…

It isn’t possible to remove gratuities for one member of the crew, or one particular group of workers. So if you remove gratuities, you’re punishing all of those other crew members just because you feel the service in one area wasn’t good enough.

The best thing to do in this case is to speak to Guest Services about the issues you’ve had. 

Don’t complain, just raise the problems with the service and ask for ways in which they can be improved. That way, you should enjoy the service you feel you deserve and that can justify the gratuities, rather than removing them.

There are always people who disagree with automatic gratuities, though.

Can Cruise Lines Force You To Pay Gratuities?

Cruise lines generally can’t force you to pay gratuities unless you decide to leave it too late to have them removed. Cruise lines will add the gratuities to your cruise account at different times, but it is often only added to your account on the second-to-last day.

You then have the time to ask Guest Services to remove them, but once you have disembarked the ship you can’t challenge them and have the gratuities removed.

They will have likely been charged to your credit or debit card by this stage already – you generally get charged before you leave the ship – but in theory, you could get them refunded if you were still onboard.

However, once you leave the ship, the payment is considered final.

Before that, the only way cruise lines can force you to pay gratuities is by making them a mandatory part of your cruise fare. If they are charged separately, then you can’t be forced to pay them unless the cruise line’s terms state they can’t be altered – which is rare.

What Does Prepaid Gratuities on a Cruise Mean?

Most cruise lines will offer you the chance to prepay your gratuities. This means paying for them upfront, before you depart, instead of waiting for them to be added to your cruise account during your sailing.

There are a number of benefits to doing this – you lock in the gratuities at the lowest possible cost (because they typically do rise every year), and you can budget for your cruise more effectively since one more thing is ticked off in advance.

But it isn’t always the best option, especially if you plan on using any onboard credit you have for your sailing to contribute to your gratuity charges.

Read more: Should You Prepay Gratuities On Your Cruise?

FAQs

Final Word

So, do you have to pay gratuities on a cruise? Technically not, but I really can’t state this enough – you shouldn’t remove gratuities from your cruise, because it unfairly impacts many of the crew on the ship.

You may disagree with their salary structure relying on tips, again especially if you are from a country where tipping is not the norm. Yet this is how it works and so removing your tips will have a serious impact on how much the crew earn.

If you want to tip in cash, do that as an extra bonus. If you’re unhappy with any service levels, speak to the Guest Services team to rectify problems. But make sure to pay the gratuities so that all of the crew – including those you don’t see – get their fair reward.

Related Posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

While most people are comfortable paying for their cruise fare, there are a couple of additional fees that can cause some confusion and concern. One of those is port fees, and the other is gratuities.

With gratuities, people generally have a good idea of what they’re paying for, but there is still uncertainty over the best way to pay for them – a lot of cruise lines will let you prepay your gratuities, but is that something you should do? What if the service is terrible?

I would almost always recommend prepaying your gratuities, but there are a few exceptions. In this guide, I’ll explain why.

How Gratuities Work On Cruise Ships

Gratuities are the tips that are paid to cruise ship crew members. These make up a large chunk of their salary. Gratuities are typically added to your cruise account automatically, but can also be prepaid. Some cruise lines include them in the cruise fare instead.

Most of the crew on a cruise ship are paid an hourly salary, which tends to be quite low. That salary is then supplemented with gratuities – a service charge that is applied to every guest on the ship (except, usually, for children under a certain age).

There are some cruise lines that include these gratuities in your cruise fare, so you don’t have to worry about them.

There are also some other cruise lines which may offer special deals where gratuities are included – look out for these when you book.

Typically, though, if you’re cruising with another line not listed above, your gratuities will be added to your account during the sailing, and you’ll then pay them off when you settle your final bill on the last day of your cruise.

But most cruise lines also give you the option to prepay your gratuities – paying for them in advance. You can sometimes add this option as you book your cruise, otherwise, you would log into your account with the cruise line and add them on once the booking has been made.

What Do Prepaid Gratuities Cover?

Prepaid gratuities cover the standard daily service charge that is added to your cruise account. They do not cover any additional service charges which may be added for one-off purchases when you’re on your cruise, such as drinks or speciality dining reservations.

It’s important to be clear on the distinction – there are two main types of service charge when you cruise. The first is the standard charge, which is the daily amount charged to every passenger on the ship.

The second type is a service charge applied to certain purchases you make either during your cruise, or in advance of your cruise. Typically ranging from 15% to 20%, this is automatically added every time you buy a drink, or reserve a speciality dining restaurant. It can also be added to drinks packages too.

If you prepay gratuities on cruise holidays, you are paying for the standing daily charge only. You are not excluding yourself from the additional charges levied against drinks or dining reservations – you’ll still need to pay those!

Why Prepay Gratuities?

There are a couple of key reasons why it makes sense to prepay your gratuities, and a third reason which applies only to some cruise lines.

1. Prepaying Gratuities Helps You to Budget

When you prepay your gratuities, you’re making it much easier to manage your spending budget onboard the ship. After all, it’s one less thing you have to pay for.

Some cruise lines, like Carnival, add the gratuities in one bulk charge towards the end of your cruise. If you’ve forgotten about them, you might get a nasty surprise when it comes to the time to settle your bill!

Paying in advance means you don’t need to set aside funds to cover your tips for the crew, and you know that you only need to pay for the drinks and other purchases you make during the cruise itself.

2. Prepaying Tips Locks in the Price

Cruise gratuities are not a permanently fixed price, and for most cruise lines they typically rise every year.

Prepaying your gratuities, when you are cruising more than a year in advance, could therefore save you money since you can lock them in at the older rate, before any rise is pushed through.

Once a price rise is announced, anyone who has not yet prepaid gratuities will be subject to the higher rate if they are sailing after the increase date.

But if you have already prepaid, you won’t pay extra, even if the costs do increase before you sail. The cruise line won’t tell you to pay the difference between what you’ve prepaid and what you would pay with the new pricing.

3. Prepaying Gratuities May Unlock More Dining Options

With some cruise lines, prepaying your gratuities is required for certain flexible dining options.

The Royal Caribbean prepaid gratuities are the most well-known example. If you don’t want a traditional dining time, and you want the flexibility to eat in the Main Dining Room at a time that suits you, you’ll need to choose MyTime Dining.

But to do that, you need to prepay your gratuities.

Why You Might Not Want To Prepay Gratuities

There are three main reasons why you might not want to prepay gratuities. One of those is absolutely valid, but I disagree with the other two.

Let’s start with the valid one though…

1. You May Want To Use Onboard Credit To Pay for Your Tips

Some cruise lines, like Carnival and Royal Caribbean, may have special offers where you get a set amount of onboard credit to enjoy during your cruise. You can also get onboard credit for some cruise lines if you’re a shareholder.

This credit can usually be applied to your tips, but only during your cruise. You aren’t given the onboard credit in advance (the clue is in the name – “onboard” credit) so if you want to use it for gratuities, you have to wait until you’re on the ship.

2. You May Prefer to Tip in Cash

Some cruisers prefer to remove gratuities from their cruise account and instead hand out cash to crew members that they feel are most deserving of it. This may be in an envelope on the last day, or with a $2 bill for each drink.

However, I strongly believe that you should always pay your tips through your cruise account, either on the ship or by prepaying.

If you choose to pay in cash instead, you’re missing out on tipping many of the crew who work behind the scenes to keep everything running perfectly during your cruise.

Trust me, you might think you can track down all of the crew who have made your vacation special, but you can’t. There are so many people you don’t see who work tirelessly, and are equally deserving of your gratuities.

3. You Might Not Be a Fan of Tipping at All Unless the Service Justifies It

If you’re someone who isn’t a fan of tipping in general, you should understand that these crew members rely on tips for their salary. Tips are not really a reward – they are essential, and if you choose to avoid paying tips you’re essentially saying the crew shouldn’t be paid.

Whenever you have an issue with poor service, ask for help from Guest Services and they can probably resolve any problems quickly. That way you don’t need to worry about withholding gratuities from crew members who really do deserve them.

Read more: Can You Refuse To Pay Gratuities On A Cruise?

Is It Better To Do Prepaid Gratuities on a Cruise?

It is normally better to prepay your gratuities for your cruise. The only exception is where you’re able to apply onboard credit against your gratuity charges, and where you don’t intend to spend that onboard credit on other things.

Prepaying your gratuities just makes everything easier – you know how much you need to spend before you sail, and then you don’t have to worry about it.

Yes, if you have onboard credit it might make sense to put that towards gratuities instead. But if you intend to buy drinks, or spa treatments, or reserve seats at a speciality restaurant, you might be better off leaving your onboard credit to cover those purchases instead, and then prepaying the gratuities still makes sense.

Is It Cheaper To Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise?

There are no cruise lines that offer cheaper deals on gratuities if you pay them in advance. However, it can be cheaper to do so anyway, as it can mean avoiding any price rises if you’re booking at least a few months before you sail.

For example, in January each year, Carnival typically announces a hike in their gratuity charges, which will come into effect from the April or May of that year.

If you’ve booked a cruise after this announcement is made, you’d have to pay the new rate.

But if you had booked your summer cruise in the prior December, and prepaid your gratuities before the increase was announced, you’d still only pay the old rate even though your sailing was taking place once the price increase had happened.

So if you’re inclined towards prepaying your gratuities, do so as soon as you can, to lock in the price before it goes up.

What Does ‘Free Prepaid Gratuities’ Mean?

If a cruise line offers free prepaid gratuities, it means that your gratuities are included in the special deal and don’t need to be paid by you. You’ll still have to pay any additional service charges for drinks or dining reservations though.

Cruise lines that always include gratuities in their fare don’t generally call it “free prepaid gratuities” – they just say that the tips are included in what you pay. So if you see “free prepaid gratuities” it is more likely to be a sale or discounted offer.

How To Prepay Gratuities

You can prepay your gratuities at any time before your cruise. The exact process will vary by cruise line, but generally, you should log onto your cruise booking on the cruise line’s website.

There’ll be an option to add extras to your booking, one of which will be prepaid gratuities. If you can’t find it, or you have any problem adding it to your account, you should call the cruise line to find out more.

If you’ve booked with a travel agent, speak to them and they should be able to arrange to have the gratuities added to your account in advance.

Advice for Each Cruise Line…

Check for your specific cruise line below for what you need to know about prepaying gratuities…

Final Word

In most cases, it makes sense to prepay your gratuities where you can. Having one less thing to think about on the ship is a blessing, and means you can focus on budgeting for things you actually want to buy.

If you don’t prepay, make sure you are still paying through the account – it really isn’t fair on the background crew if you remove the gratuities and pay in cash.

Related Posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Norwegian Cruise Line’s drink packages are some of the most confusing of all the cruise lines! It can be really tricky to work out if a drink package will offer good value or not.

The drinks packages are also some of the most expensive at sea – They can cost upwards of $160 per person, per day!

Even if you get the option of a ‘free’ Norwegian Cruise Line drink package with the Free at Sea promotion, you should know that this will increase the overall cost of your cruise – so you might actually be better off declining the deal.

To help you work out whether you should get an NCL drink package, and which one, I’ve written this detailed guide. Here, you can discover what drinks are included in the packages, which drinks aren’t, and which drinks are always free.

I’ll also explain the drink gratuities and other hidden charges that you need to be aware of when you decide to buy an NCL drinks package…

NCL Drink Package List

There are five different adult beverage packages available on Norwegian Cruise Line cruises. These are:

Wherever you live in the world, you will always pay for your NCL beverage package in US dollars. Read on to see what’s included in each package…

NCL Premium Beverage Package

Formerly known as the Ultimate Beverage Package, NCL’s main drinks package is now called the Premium Beverage Package.

The Premium Beverage Package entitles guests to a wide selection of beers, wines by the glass, cocktails, spirits and soft drinks up to $15 value.

This is what you’ll get as the NCL Free at Sea drink package if you use that promotion – more on that below.

Cost: $109 per person, per day.

NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package

Next up is the Premium Plus Package. For those who enjoy specific drinks that aren’t included in the standard drinks package, an upgraded drinks package is available for an extra $29 per person per day compared to the Premium Package.

Cost: $138 per person, per day.

NCL Soda Package

The soda package is great for kids or people who choose to avoid alcohol. It offers unlimited fountain soda.

Cost: $9.95 per day.

NCL Hawaii Beverage Package

For those cruising to Hawaii onboard the Pride of America cruise ship, the drinks package is slightly different. Similar to the Premium Beverage Package, it includes a wide selection of drinks priced up to $15 each.

Costs: $109 per person, per day.

Unlimited Starbucks Package

Love your Starbucks coffee? You can get an unlimited fix if you choose this package, including all the speciality beverages served at the on-board coffee shop. It doesn’t include snacks, unfortunately!

Cost: $12.95 per day.

NCL Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package Removed

There used to be another drinks package available with NCL, known as “Corks and Caps”. The package cost $65 per person, per day and included beers, wines and soft drinks. It was removed in late 2022.

NCL Beverage Service Charge

When considering the price of the NCL drink packages, it’s important to also think about the service charge or gratuity that’s added.

Norwegian Cruise Line automatically adds a 20% service charge to each drink package at the checkout.

NCL Drink Package Prices Including Service Charge:

• Premium = $109 + 20% = $130.80
• Premium Plus = $128 + 20% = $165.60
• Soda = $9.95 + 20% = $11.94
• Hawaii = $109 + 20% = $130.80
• Unlimited Starbucks = £12.95 + 20% = $15.54

On the face of it, Norwegian Cruise Line drinks packages seem pretty expensive. For two people on a seven-night cruise, if you purchase the Premium Plus package you can expect to pay $2,318.

You can’t deny that’s expensive, especially as it doesn’t include things like your minibar or room service.

However, the reality is that most people DO NOT buy an NCL drink package. They get it for free with a special offer. Read on for more info on that…

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea promotion gives guests access to up to between two and five free offers, depending on the stateroom category that they book.

1. Premium Drinks Package
2. Speciality Dining Package
3. Internet Package
4. Shore Excursion Credit
5. Free or $99 Kids Places

Depending on the current promotion available, the Free at Sea may be included in your booking at no cost, or you may have to pay an extra fee of around $149 to access it.

The number of Free at Sea inclusions also varies. Sometimes you may only get to choose two of the five with an inside cabin, at other times you may get access to all five perks.

There’s also a Free at Sea Plus package that gives you even more.

Why the Free at Sea Promotion Isn’t Really Free…

If you live in the United States and choose the free drink package as part of the NCL Free at Sea promo, you will get the package for free but you will still be charged for the gratuity. The cost of that is $21.80 per person, per day.

So, for two adults on a seven-night cruise, you will pay $305.20 for your ‘free’ drinks.

If you’re cruising with kids and they get the Soda Package as part of the Free at Sea promotion, you’ll be charged $1.99 per child, per day for the soda.

The same logic applies if you go for the free speciality dining package. You’ll be charged between $8.99 and $25.80 per person, depending on the length of the cruise.

If you live in the United Kingdom and you get the Free at Sea promo, you will not be charged the 20% gratuity.

So Why the Difference Between the US and the UK?

In the UK, we’re usually asked to pay around £149 per person for the Free at Sea (based on a 7-night cruise), but in the US it’s usually free.

This actually works out at around the same. You’d pay $137 in gratuities in the US or £149 as an ‘upgrade’ in the UK. The cost is close.

The difference is purely for marketing purposes. Most Brits get turned off by the idea of gratuities as we’re not used to paying them. We’re generally happy if the amount is called an ‘upgrade’ as we feel like we’re getting something for our money.

So Is the Free at Sea Promotion a Good Deal?

When considering whether the open bar that you get with the Free at Sea promo is worth it, you’ll need to consider how much drinks would cost without the open bar.

Then, you can work out whether you would spend more with or without the package.

• Premium Drink Package = $130.80 per person, per day (including gratuity)
• Premium Drink Package with Free at Sea = $21.80 per person, per day

The price of the Premium Drink Package without Free at Sea is kind of irrelevant as barely anybody buys it. The Free at Sea promo is almost always on.

What it comes down to is, if you would spend more than $21 per person, per day on drinks, then the Free at Sea Open Bar is worth it.

So, that leads us on to the question of how much are drinks on Norwegian Cruise Line. And importantly, which drinks are free, even with no drink package.

NCL Drink Prices

Here’s a rough breakdown of the prices you can expect to pay for your drinks on an NCL cruise:

• Cocktail: $11 – $14
• Glass of wine: $9 – $10
• Pint of beer: $9
• Bottle of beer: $6 – $7
• Liquor: $10 – $17
• Soft drink: $3.50
• Energy drink: $6.50
• Coffee: $3 – $4
• Large water: $6

So, as you can see, it’s really easy to spend $20 per day on drinks if you purchase them individually. Even one glass of wine, one beer and a couple of soft drinks per day would be enough to make choosing the free drinks on the Free at Sea offer worthwhile.

However, you must remember that most coffees and bottled water are not included in the package. You’d need to pay for those separately.

Next, let’s take a look at what drinks you can get free of charge on Norwegian Cruise Line ships, whether you have a package or not…

What Drinks Are Free on Norwegian Cruise Line?

The following drinks are available free of charge on NCL ships:

• Tea and coffee
• Lemonade
• Iced tea
• Water and flavoured water by the glass
• Fresh fruit juices (at breakfast)

It’s important to note that these free drinks are only available in the buffet and restaurants. You won’t be able to get any free drinks at the bars aside from tap water.

NCL Drinks Package Calculator

Working out whether the NCL drinks package or Free at Sea deal is worth it can be tricky.

To help you out, I’ve built a cruise drinks package calculator that will work out how much your Norwegian Cruise Line bar bill would be without the drinks package. Then, you can see if the drinks package is worth it.

Just enter your email address in this form and the calculator will be sent straight to your inbox…

Norwegian Cruise Line Drinks FAQs

If you still have any questions in your mind about drinks on NCL cruises, then I have answered lots of them below for you…

Can 18-Year-Olds Drink on Norwegian Cruise Line Cruises?

Being an American cruise line, the Norwegian Cruise Line drinking age policy states that the minimum age for drinking alcohol is 21 years. However, when the ship is at least 3 miles from the coast, guests aged 18 and over can consume beer or wine.

International waters

Guests who are 18 to 20 years of age can purchase and consume beer or wine when the ship is in international waters (3 miles from land). The parent or legal guardian must be on board the sailing with the young adult and present themselves at the Front Desk so they can sign the form allowing the consumption of beer and wine only.

Please note, that this only applies to beer and wine and that temporary guardianship for the purposes of sailing isn’t allowed; only a permanent legal guardian can sign the form.

Mediterranean cruises

On NCL cruises embarking in a country where the legal drinking age is lower than 21, those aged 18, 19 or 20 are generally not permitted to consume alcohol. However, there may be exceptions to this rule.

It all depends on the laws of each country and the agreements in place with the cruise line. Specific information for each cruise can be obtained from Norwegian Cruise Line.

Suggested read: How old do you have to be to drink on a cruise?

Can You Bring Your Own Alcohol on NCL Cruises?

Norwegian Cruise Line permits guests to bring unlimited bottles of wine onboard. This is subject to a corkage fee of $15. You may drink your wine wherever you like on the ship. No other drinks are permitted to be brought on board, with the exception of purified water for medical use.

Suggested read: Can you take drinks on a cruise ship?

Are NCL Drinks Packages Available on Short Cruises?

Norwegian Cruise Line drinks packages are only available on cruises of three days or more.

Can We Share a Drinks Package?

NCL does not allow sharing of drink packages. If one person has a drinks package, all adults in the stateroom must have the same package and children must have a soda package.

If one guest cannot drink alcohol for any reason such as pregnancy, health or addiction, you should contact NCL to ask if the

Is Water Safe To Drink on Norwegian Cruise Line?

The tap water on NCL ships is perfectly safe to drink and tastes fine. The only real downside of drinking the water from the tap in your room is that it’s not cold. You can get iced water for free from any bar or restaurant on the ship.

Is Bottled Water Included in the NCL Drink Package?

Bottled water is included in NCL’s Premium Plus Beverage Package, but not in the Premium Beverage Package. Water by the glass is always available free of charge.

Is coffee included in the NCL drink package?

NCL doesn’t have a separate coffee package and coffee is not included in the standard drink package, only included in the Premium Plus Beverage package (the most expensive package). You can get coffee free of charge in the buffet and on many ships, there’s a coffee machine in your stateroom.

Is Starbucks Included in the NCL Drink Package?

All food and drinks from Starbucks in chargeable on Norwegian Cruise Line cruises, unless you buy the Unlimited Starbucks Package.

Is There a Limit on the NCL Drink Package?

The NCL drink package does not have a daily limit on the number of drinks that can be ordered, although guests who are visibly intoxicated may not be served. The maximum value per drink is $15 and each person can order two drinks in each transaction.

What Happens if I Order a Drink That Costs More Than $15?

With The NCL Premium Beverage Package, if you order a drink that costs over $15 you will be charged the difference. So if your drink costs $16, you will be charged $1 to your onboard account.

Where Can You Use the Drinks Package?

You can use your drinks package in all bars, lounges, restaurants and on one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s private islands, Great Stirrup Cay, but not on the other island, Harvest Caye.

Can I Get Bottles of Wine With the Drinks Package?

Bottles of wine are included in the NCL Premium Plus Beverage Package, but not in the Premium Beverage Package.

The Premium Beverage Package gives a 20% discount on all bottles of wine purchased on board. But honestly, you’d be better just to ask for it by the glass.

Can You Take Drinks in the Pools and Hot Tubs?

On NCL cruise ships you are generally allowed to take drinks into the swimming pools and hot tubs as long as they’re in plastic glasses.

Final Thoughts

Individual drinks and drinks packages are pretty expensive on Norwegian Cruise Line.

However, this is mostly irrelevant, as the Free at Sea programme allows you to get a free drinks package (plus other benefits like dining or free kids’ places) at a slightly lower cost, when you consider everything included.

If you don’t drink much alcohol and prefer bottled water, tea, coffee and lemonade, you may be better off declining the drink package or open bar that comes with the Free At Sea promotion.

Related Posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

If you’re planning to take a cruise (or even a ferry) from Newcastle’s Port of Tyne, then it’s a good idea to plan your car parking in advance.

Parking at the Port of Tyne is easy, but it can be quite expensive. However, I do have some options to save you some money.

In this guide, I’ll show you all of the options for parking near Newcastle Cruise Terminal, so you can decide which is the best for you.

Where Do Cruise Ships Dock in Newcastle UK?

In Newcastle, cruise ships dock at the International Passenger Terminal in North Shields. This is located 9 miles from Newcastle City Centre, on the north bank of the River Tyne.

Here’s a map…

As well as handling cruise ships such as Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral and Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition, the International Passenger Terminal also handles ferry passengers heading from Newcastle to Amsterdam with DFDS.

Now, let’s take a look at the three options you have for Newcastle port parking for a cruise…

1. Parking at Newcastle Port

The most convenient place to park your car when you cruise from Newcastle is the Port of Tyne car park. This is located just a few minutes walk from the terminal.

Car parking at the Port of Tyne costs £12 per day.

You cannot reserve or pre-pay for parking at the Port of Tyne. You must pay by credit or debit card or in cash when you return. There are pay stations inside the terminal and at the car park entrance.

You’ll want to make sure that you keep your ticket safe during your cruise, as lost tickets are charged at £15 per day.

If you book Fred Olsen cruise parking Newcastle, then it’s Port of Tyne where you’ll be parking your car.

Indeed, cruise lines such as Fred. Olsen and Ambassador Cruise Line can sometimes arrange Port of Tyne parking at a discounted rate. It may be worth asking your cruise line (or travel agent if you used one) whether they can arrange parking for you.

2. Cheaper Car Parking Options

Car Parks Near the Port of Tyne

If you don’t want to shell out £168 to park your car for a 14-night cruise, then you’ll be pleased to know that there are some cheaper car parks near Newcastle Port.

Using websites such as JustPark.com and YourParkingSpace.co.uk to look up the nearest car parks to the port, I was able to find secure parking within one mile for £21 for 14 nights. That’s a saving of £147!

Even on shorter cruises, there are some good savings to be made.

You can filter your search results to show only parking spaces that have features such as CCTV, electric vehicle charging and disabled access.

Some of the cheapest options are to park on private driveways for hire, although you’ll find lots of secure car parks on these websites too.

Remember that depending on where you park, you may need to factor in the cost of a taxi or Uber to get to the port.

As these two websites feature different car parks, I always like to check both to find the best deal.

Parking at Newcastle Airport

Many cruisers like to park at Newcastle International Airport because the car parking at the official airport car park is extremely secure with barriers, CCTV and 24-hour staff patrols. It’s also surprisingly cheap, especially when you book it through a site such as HolidayExtras.com.

Using this site, I found parking at Newcastle Airport for 14 nights for only £86. That’s a saving of £82 compared to parking at the cruise port.

The airport is 14 miles from the cruise port, so you’ll need to factor in the cost of a taxi, Uber, or Metro ride.

The nearest Metro station to Newcastle Cruise Terminal is Percy Main. This is 1.2 miles away, so it would take around 25 minutes to walk to the port.

Free Parking on Residential Streets

Locals have reported that there is lots of free parking on the residential streets around Meadow Well metro station. This is about a mile, or a 20-minute walk, from Newcastle cruise port.

While it’s not illegal to park your car on a residential street for long periods of time, you may wish to think twice about doing this, particularly if you’re worried about your car being damaged while you’re away. You may also wish to check that this is covered by your car insurance.

3. Hotels With Parking Near Newcastle Port

If you plan on driving for more than a couple of hours to Newcastle, then it’s a good idea to stay in a hotel the night before your cruise. This will enable you to wake up fresh, ready to start your holiday, without worrying about tackling the rush-hour traffic around Newcastle.

A hotel and cruise parking deal can actually work out much cheaper than parking at the port, meaning that your hotel stay is essentially free!

The nearest and best hotel near the Port of Tyne is the Premier Inn North Shields.

Depending on your dates, you can get a double room for less than £50, with free parking.

Some hotels offer a shuttle service to take you to the cruise terminal, but even if you have to pay for a taxi, this can still be a good deal.

If you’re considering this option, I recommend that you check out my full guide to The Best Hotels Near Newcastle Cruise Port With Parking.

Parking Recommendation for Cruises from Newcastle

Which is the best parking in Newcastle for your cruise depends on what your priorities are.

If the price isn’t of concern and you just want the easiest option, then the on-site Newcastle cruise terminal parking costs £12 per day.

While the cheapest option would be to park on the road for free, this probably isn’t a great idea. So use JustPark.com and YourParkingSpace.co.uk to find the cheapest secure parking spaces nearby.

If you’d like to stay in a hotel before your cruise, Premier Inn North Shields is the nearest as it’s within walking distance from the port. On-site parking is free, but you’ll want to call the hotel to check that it’s available throughout your cruise and to get a quote.

How To Get to Newcastle Cruise Terminal

Here are the driving directions to reach Newcastle Cruise port…

FROM THE SOUTH

1. Head north along the A1(M) and onto the A194(M)
2. Continue under the A184 onto the A194.
3. At the junction with the A19, turn left towards the Tyne Tunnel
4. At the next roundabout take the first exit into the Tyne Tunnel. There is a charge of £2.20 per car which you pay on your phone – don’t forget or you’ll get a fine!
5. When you exit the tunnel, keep right and pass through either of the two toll booths furthest to your right. Keep right onto the roundabout for the A187
6. Take the first exit at the roundabout and the third exit at the next roundabout
7. Continue ahead at the next roundabout and take the second exit at the next roundabout onto Coble Dene
8. Continue ahead at the roundabout and take the third exit at the next roundabout
9. The International Passenger Terminal is situated at the end of this road

FROM THE NORTH

1. Exit the A1 southbound at junction 80. At the end of the slip road turn left onto the A19
2. Remain on the A19 over three roundabouts. Then, leave the A19 following signs for Royal Quays. At the end of the slip road take the first exit onto the A193
3. At the next roundabout take the third exit and continue on to the next roundabout, taking the first exit onto the A187
4. Continue ahead at the next roundabout and take the second exit at the next roundabout onto Coble Dene
5. Continue ahead at the roundabout and take the third exit at the next roundabout
6. The International Passenger Terminal is situated at the end of this road

Related Posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

There are many cruises that offer sailings exclusive to the LGBTQ+ communities. These companies are dedicated to providing a cruise experience purely for gay, lesbian and queer guests, often chartering ships to destinations including the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and further afield.

The most popular companies which offer sailing experiences where the whole ship is for these communities are listed below. These bring comfortable, inclusive environments where you’ll feel free to be yourself.

Are There Any Gay Cruises?

There are lots of cruise companies and travel companies which provide itineraries just for gay people. Some companies offer cruises exclusively for gay men, while others also include lesbian, bisexual and more.

There aren’t really any ‘gay cruise lines’, so to speak – no cruise line offers only cruises for a gay cruise. Instead, the best gay cruises are arranged by travel companies who will either charter an entire ship or will at least make a block booking so that most of the people onboard are gay.

Many of these are marketed as a gay singles cruise but there are just as many designed for couples, and also a smaller number of family cruise options.

Key companies to consider for an all-gay cruise are listed below.

The Most Popular LGBTQ+ Cruises

1. Atlantis Events

Since launching in 1991, Atlantis Events has grown to become the biggest travel company in the world offering holidays for the gay and lesbian communities.

With over 20,000 guests annually, the company provides sailings with inspiring itineraries visiting destinations including South America and the Cayman Islands.

The company provides all-gay cruises in its offering, chartering mega-ships from cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

This offers guests the chance to enjoy incredible activities, dining experiences and accommodation. Each cruise features special events unique to the Atlantis Events sailings such as motivational speakers, drag performances and LGBTQ+ movies available on demand in your stateroom.

2. La Demence

Another exclusively gay company for travel is La Demence, an agency specialising in custom, tailored gay travel.

The cruise elements are aimed at gay-only passengers and involve chartering ships from popular cruise lines to sail to destinations.

Aspects of the sailings include shore excursions in intimate groups, DJ sets onboard and a nudist deck for nude sunbathers looking to relax discreetly.

The company is powered by the popular gay nightclub in Brussels, Belgium, with which it shares the same name. Primarily catering to a European crowd, most passengers on board are male.

3. GaySail

GaySail (and its accompanying business – GayNudeSail) is one of the world’s leading specialists for gay cruise holidays.

With over 30 years of experience in the travel business and chartering 45 cruises, plus 15 private sailings, each year, they are a market leader to gay men of all nationalities.

Exploring destinations including Greece, Croatia, the Caribbean, South Pacific, and Thailand, to name a few, all guests as well as crew on board the ships are gay – so passengers feel completely at ease to be themselves while on holiday.

Sailings vary from 10 to 14 guests aboard chartered yachts or catamarans. All sailings include the service of a skipper and accommodation, with specific itineraries also including dining, harbour fees, taxes and more.

4. Pied Piper Travel

A premier agency for gay and lesbian cruises, Pied Piper Travel offers an extensive variety of cruise destinations and ships for all members of the gay and lesbian communities. With over 32 years of experience and some of the most competitive rates, the company arranges small, intimate getaways up to large ocean ships.

Trips span the globe with a portfolio of group sailings already planned through to 2025, Pied Piper Travel brings cruisers to destinations such as Alaska, the Mediterranean, the Panama Canal and Australia, along with the British Isles. The company charters ships from the likes of Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises.

While aboard the ships, guests can enjoy cocktail parties, all meals and entertainment, special events and activities as well as your exclusive Pied Piper Host.

5. Out Adventures

Catering mainly to gay men, Out Adventures provides gay cruisers with the chance to explore the world in small groups.

Often only 40 people per getaway, the cruises are situated on luxury yachts and riverboats which provide fine dining and excellent service while you explore hidden and often unreachable destinations.

Typical guests are between 40-55 years and North American, with a mix of singles and couples on board. Depending on your vacation, drinks, dining, taxes and fees may or may not be included as packages vary on location and time of year.

6. Olivia Travel

Olivia Travel is one of the biggest travel companies specialising in trips for lesbians. Having organised vacations for over 350,000 women, the company is a specialist in hosting exciting travels for women in these communities.

From river cruises to large-scale ocean cruises, Olivia Travel charters full ships so that guests on board can be completely relaxed and comfortable in themselves.

Life encompasses much of the same activity as standard cruising such as workshops, dance parties and karaoke, as well as specialised programs and meet-ups unique to the company.

7. Source Journeys 

Source Journeys, formerly known as Source Events, is a great choice for those seeking LGBTQ+ travel opportunities. While not exclusive to gay-only sailings, cruises are LGBTQ+ friendly and aimed at the luxury market of travel. 

The company has over 20 years of experience in travel for LGBTQ+ guests and has undertaken charity work and support for human rights and social justice throughout that time, being true advocates for the LGBTQ+ communities.

Packages include sailing to Antarctica, a Galapagos cruise, and Mediterranean sailings, and each itinerary varies in destination and experience so there is something for everyone.

8. VAYCAYA

VACAYA is one of the largest adult-only holiday businesses which caters to the LGBTQ+ communities. The company charters entire ships, including Carnival, Celebrity Cruises and Holland America, which bring an indulgent, relaxing experience to those seeking a world-class, gay-friendly cruise holiday.

Destinations you can visit include South America, the Seychelle Islands, the Caribbean and Alaska, with life on board including pop-up concerts, themed deck parties and fitness classes. Fares include accommodation, meals, entertainment, sports and staff assistance.

9. OUTBound

OUTbound offers ocean and river cruises to those in the LGBTQ+ communities with one size that doesn’t fit all ethos around travelling the world. Specially crafted experiences offer an authentic encounter to all destinations the company visits, from the Danube River in Budapest to the plains of Africa.

The company partners with local, often LGBTQ+ tour operators, to ensure that this experience is continued while ashore and assist guests with connecting further with the wider communities. Exclusive experiences in art and culture, history and natural beauty all combined to make OUTbound an exciting choice for those who choose it.

10. RSVP Vacations

With a contemporary vibe and exciting onboard activities, RSVP Vacations are tailored to gay cruise guests. Having sailed with over 150,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight-allied customers since beginning in 1985, the company is a great option for those looking for full-ship charters.

RSVP Vacations charters full ships from some of the world’s mega-ships to small river cruises, with cruise lines including Holland America Line, MSC Cruises or AmaWaterways. On board, the company creates its own rules with pool games, famous T-dances, bingo, costume contests and more to ensure everyone has a fantastic experience.

11. Brand g Vacations

Specialising in river and ocean cruises as well as land tours, Brand g Vacations brings an intimate travel experience to LGBTQ+ explorers and allies. After being founded in 2011, the company set out to offer worldwide itineraries for groups of up to 200 guests, though this expanded with the move to luxury ocean cruises in 2023.

Though not exclusive to gay cruisers, the company offers a much closer experience with fellow guests thanks to the smaller capacity. Guests also include more mature demographics, usually 40+ in age. This means there’s more of a relaxed vibe on board and often a more all-inclusive experience with transfers; upscale hotel stays; unlimited beverages; curated entertainment and more included in your cruise fare.

12. R Family Vacations

The first LGBT family travel company, KelliGregg Travel (formerly R Family Vacations) provides opportunities for LGBTQ+ families to set sail, connect and share in the joy of travel while feeling confident and comfortable.

Being a leader in these vacations for over 20 years, the company works with some of the biggest cruise lines in the world, including Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, to offer Broadway shows, comedy, dance parties and special family dinners catered to the LGBTQ+ audience.

The company has also recently expanded into adult-only, small-ship sailings for passengers seeking a quieter, more luxurious getaway,

LGBTQ+-Friendly Cruise Lines

People of the LGBTQ+ communities should feel comfortable on any cruise ship and any instances of that not being the case will be extremely rare.

Many of the top cruise influencers such as Gary Bembridge from Tips For Travellers and Ben and David from Cruise With Ben & David cruise very regularly. I have never heard them report any issues associated with their sexuality, aside from beds being made up as singles despite a request for a double, which although annoying, has always been quickly rectified.

Alongside companies exclusively for LGBTQ+ travellers, there are also companies and cruise lines that promote an inclusive environment as one of the reasons why you should choose them.

A few of these are highlighted below…

13. Virgin Voyages

One of the newest cruise lines in the industry, Virgin Voyages has shaken up the cruise industry since launching in 2020. The brand has always been well known for its celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and the Virgin Voyages line is no different.

Only guests aged 18+ are allowed aboard the ships, where you’ll find a tattoo parlour, risque entertainment and resident drag queens. No to mention dining and live shows which are next level.

The cruise line has received positive reviews from the LGBTQ+ community, praising its gender-neutral bathrooms, drag shows and diverse staff as some of the ways it’s supporting the community.

14. Royal Caribbean

As a member of the International LBGTQ+ Travel Association and a popular cruise line used by Atlantis Events, one of the biggest all-gay travel providers, Royal Caribbean provides one of the most welcoming and inclusive experiences for LGBTQ+ guests.

From attentive staff and especially-organised meetups to entertainment options and features catered to the community, the cruise line offers the chance for LGBTQ+ guests to meet like-minded travellers and relax feeling comfortable on board.

In 2016, the line was also one of the first cruise lines to earn the Gay Traveller Approved title from GayTravel, further showcasing its support to the LGBTQ+ community.

15. Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises has long been a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating Pride Month with extravagant annual parties and offering daily activities and gatherings of LGBTQ+ guests aboard their ships.

The line has also won many prestigious awards in recognition of its support including the best cruise line for LGBTQ+ passengers, which is why its included in this list.

However, in this video, gay couple Ben and David commented that in their experience, Celebrity Beyond wasn’t as diverse as they might have expected.

Here’s the video, starting from around 30 minutes in when Ben made the comments about their experience as a gay couple…

However, he did also say that this was their first cruise with Celebrity, so it might not be the same on all cruises.

Gay Cruise Vacation FAQs

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Virgin Voyages, one of the newest cruise lines in the world, has created a new Scarlet Summer Season Pass for anyone who wants to work from a cruise ship.

The pass is aimed at remote workers who are able to embark on a month-long cruise in the Mediterranean, so that they can still fulfill their work obligations but do so with all the luxury of a cruise around it.

The pass is available for June, July, August or September 2024 on the Scarlet Lady and includes a four-week cruise itinerary that will visit ports such as Palma de Mallorca, Cannes, and Civitavecchia for Rome.

Guests will have access to Premium WiFi with the package, which offers speeds of 1.5 Gbps, as well as a host of other extras such as a wash and fold laundry service, a daily coffee credit, and you’ll be given RockStar access, which includes an extra support team onboard and access to Richard’s Rooftop, a private lounge with Moet happy hours.

There’s also a dedicated concierge service available prior to sailing to help guests plan their month-long working adventure.

The pass, which is designed for two people sharing, costs $9,900 per person. This includes Central Sea Terrace accommodations, early booking access for restaurants and shore excursions, and a Champagne welcome onto the ship.

I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to do my work from anywhere. When I started Virgin, I was actually working out of a houseboat. I’ve never thought of work and play as two different things; it’s all just living.

We want to give sailors that same opportunity, so we came up with this idea to have them travel the world while working aboard our beautiful ships.

Richard Branson, Virgin Group founder

Related Posts

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me