Find the cruise that fits you

Can I book my cruise here?Yes. Every “See fares & book” button on these pages goes straight through to live fares on Trip.com, the Guild’s booking partner — real dates, real cabins, and the Guild is credited when you book, at no extra cost to you. Trip.com carries Carnival, Disney, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, Cunard, MSC and Costa. Two lines it does not sell are Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages — book those with the line or your travel agent. We also book the hotel for the night before you sail and in every port you walk off into.

Should I fly in the day before my cruise?Yes, and it is the single best piece of advice in this book. A delayed connection is the most common reason people miss a ship, and the cruise line owes you nothing if you booked the flight yourself. Come in the night before, sleep near the port, and start the holiday calm. Our port guides list hotels near each terminal for exactly this.

Do I need a passport to cruise?For any cruise that flies you to or from a foreign port, yes. On a closed-loop sailing that leaves from and returns to the same U.S. port, U.S. citizens may be permitted to board with a birth certificate and photo ID — but that will not fly you home if you have to leave the ship early, and some destinations require a passport whatever the itinerary. The Guild's advice is to carry one. Confirm the current rule with your cruise line.

What is not included in the cruise fare?Usually: gratuities, drinks beyond water, tea and basic coffee, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, wi-fi, the spa, and anything on a private island beyond the beach and the buffet. Gratuities are the one that surprises people most — they are charged per person per day and add up over a week. Read what your line includes before you compare two fares, because the cheaper one is not always cheaper.

Which cruise region should I pick first?If you have never cruised, the Caribbean or the Bahamas: short, warm, close to home, and forgiving if you discover you do not love it. Alaska is the one people describe as the trip of a lifetime, but the season is short and it is not a swimming holiday. The Mediterranean is the most rewarding and the most tiring — a different city almost every day. The Cruise Finder at the top of this page will point you at one in about a minute.