Cruise FAQ

Your cruise fare includes your stateroom, all meals in the main dining room and buffet (open almost 24/7), most onboard entertainment (shows, pools, deck activities, fitness center), and port fees/taxes.

Typically NOT included: specialty restaurant dining, alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, photos, spa services, and gratuities. Many of these can be pre-purchased as packages at a discount before you sail.

Absolutely — it's one of the best values in travel. When you factor in that your hotel, meals, entertainment, and transportation between destinations are all bundled into one price, a cruise often costs less than a land-based vacation of similar length. A family of four can sail for under $1,500 all-in on shorter itineraries. That's our whole mission at Homeschool Voyages.

Modern cruise ships are massive — think floating cities. They have stabilizers that significantly reduce motion. Most people are completely fine. For open-ocean sailings or rougher itineraries (like Alaska), we recommend bringing Dramamine, Sea-Bands, or asking your doctor about prescription patches. The ship's medical center can also help if needed. If you're prone to motion sickness on cars or planes, chat with your doctor beforehand.

For all international itineraries (Mexico, Caribbean, Alaska), we strongly recommend passports for every traveler, including children. A Passport Book is ideal; a Passport Card works for most Caribbean closed-loop cruises from US ports but is limited.

⚠️ Your legal name on the reservation must exactly match your passport. Maiden names vs. married names can cause issues at check-in — use whatever name is on your current passport.

Yes! The Lido Deck buffet is open almost around the clock and offers enormous variety — pizza, tacos, salads, Asian cuisine, a deli, desserts, and more. Hungry kids are never a problem on a cruise ship.

Interior: No window. Smaller and most affordable. You'll mostly be out of your room anyway! Great for budget-focused families.

Oceanview: Adds a porthole or fixed window. Natural light makes a big difference, especially for longer sailings.

Balcony: Private outdoor space with a sliding glass door. Watching the sunset over the ocean from your own balcony is one of the best parts of cruising. Most popular choice — and well worth it if the budget allows.

Suite / Penthouse: Significantly more space, premium amenities, priority boarding. Available on request.

Yes! Most cruise ships have cabins that sleep 3–4 guests, using a combination of beds that convert or fold down from the wall. Standard cabins are small (think a cozy hotel room), but you'll spend most of your time outside your cabin. For more space and sanity, some families book two adjacent connecting cabins.

Cruise lines price cabins per person, not per cabin. The more people sharing a cabin, the lower each person's cost — that's why families often get great deals! On our voyages page, you'll see prices listed by occupancy (2, 3, or 4 travelers per cabin). To find your total cabin cost, multiply the per-person rate by the number of people sharing that cabin.

Yes — all major cruise lines we work with (Carnival, MSC, Royal Caribbean) have supervised kids' clubs grouped by age. These are usually free during sail days and port days. Carnival's Club O2, MSC's Doremi Club, and Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean are all excellent. Kids often beg to go back.

Age eligibility varies by club — that's why we ask for kids' ages on the inquiry form.

That's the whole point! We organize informal meetups at sea — a reserved section at dinner, a group gathering by the pool, and sometimes coordinated shore excursions. The goal is community: kids making friends, parents connecting, and everyone sharing the experience. Details for each voyage are shared after you book.

Most cruise lines require infants to be at least 6 months old (12 months for longer sailings). Toddlers are welcome but keep in mind that kids' clubs typically start at age 3. Port days with a toddler can be tiring, but sea days on the ship are excellent for little ones. Come prepared with swim gear, sun protection, and snacks.

We're a licensed travel agency. You fill out our inquiry form, we hop on a quick call to confirm details, then we make your reservation directly through the cruise line. You get the same (or better) pricing you'd find on the cruise line's website — plus personal support, group perks, and community on board.

We don't charge booking fees. We earn a commission from the cruise line when you sail.

Deposits typically run $100–$250 per person and are due at booking to secure your cabin. The remaining balance is usually due 60–90 days before sailing (varies by cruise line and voyage). We'll walk you through every payment milestone so there are no surprises.

Cancellation policies vary by cruise line and how far out you cancel. Most are fully refundable up to 90 days before sailing, with escalating penalties closer to the sail date. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance — it's relatively inexpensive and covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and more. We can help you find the right policy.

Yes! Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC, and most major lines have past-guest loyalty programs. If you've sailed with them before, you may be eligible for exclusive pricing or onboard credits. That's why we ask about past cruise experience on the inquiry form — so we can check for available discounts before booking.

Essentials: Passports, any required medications, sunscreen (reef-safe for some ports), swimsuits, comfortable walking shoes for ports, and one "smart casual" outfit for dinner.

Nice to have: Over-door shoe organizer for cabin storage, a power strip (no surge protector), reusable water bottles, seasickness remedies, portable fan for interior cabins.

Skip: Bulky formal wear (unless you love it), beach towels (provided by the ship), and expensive jewelry.

Cruise lines typically charge a daily gratuity per person ($16–$22/day depending on the line) that covers your room steward, dining staff, and other crew. It's usually added automatically to your onboard account. You can prepay it before sailing or have it charged daily during your voyage. Some lines include gratuities in their promotions — we'll let you know what's included when we book.

Yes, but it's not cheap and not fast (especially in remote areas like Alaska). Expect $20–$35/day per device, or packages around $100–$200 for the full voyage. For most families, we recommend a "partial disconnect" — use port Wi-Fi when ashore and limit ship Wi-Fi to essentials. Your phone will charge roaming fees at sea unless you put it in airplane mode.