What Are Megaships?

If you're deciding what kind of cruise ship you'd like to travel upon, you may have come across the term "megaship."

So, what is a megaship?

Well, it's a very big cruise ship. Okay, you want more than that.

The term megaship came into common usage in the late 90s, and it refers to ships that are at least 80,000 GRTs. (GRT stands for gross registered tons, a figure that includes the enclosed, interior, revenue-producing areas on a vessel; 1 GRT represents 100 cubic feet of space). Today today cruise ships can be up to twice that size.

Megaships carry from around 1,750 to 3,000 passengers.

They are designed to give you the all-entertainment-available mega-resort feel with all sorts of activities for families, couples, singles, and just about anybody who enjoys mainstream festivities. These ships usually include fitness centers, swimming pools, casinos, multiple dining venues, theaters, and more.

Most of the ships belonging to the popular cruise lines (Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Disney, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess, and Royal Caribbean) are megaships. In short, these are the big boys you see in the television commercials.

Where Can You Cruise Without a Passport?

Wondering if there is anywhere in the world you can cruise to without needing a passport?

As I mentioned in "Do You Need a Passport to Cruise," in this era of heightened security, there aren't too many options left. Basically, if you choose a cruise that doesn't leave the waters of your own country, you won't need a passport (you will still need photo ID to board the ship).

For U.S. citizens, an example is Norwegian Cruise Line's Hawaiian cruises that start and end in Honolulu and never leave the islands. However, if you're from the U.S. and you're planning a cruise that visits Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean Islands you will need a passport as of this year.

Fortunately, it isn't hard or expensive to get a passport. Here is a government site that tells you how to get a passport (in the U.S.).

It does take a little time, so make sure to get started well before your cruise departs.

Do You Have to Pay to Work Out on a Cruise?

A lot of things are included in the price of your cruise, but there are a lot of things you have to pay extra for too. If you're a first time cruiser with an interest in fitness, you may be wondering out if you'll have to pay to use the gym or go to fitness classes. Here's the lowdown:

Fitness/Gym Costs on a Cruise

The good news is that just using the gym (including weight equipment and cardio machines such as treadmills) is absolutely free.

Fitness classes, on the other hand, can be a different story. Many of the basics are free on a lot of the ships (i.e. stretching and basic aerobics classes), but expect trendier programs to come at a price.

For classes such as spinning, yoga, boxing, tai chi, self-defense, or Pilates, you can expect to pay $10-12 per session. If you're an avid exerciser, you may want to save money by buying a week-long unlimited-fitness-classes pass (available on many cruise lines).

If you're a novice to the gym (or it's been a while since you changed your fitness routine), you may even want to hire a personal trainer. (Hey, you never know when those huge free meals will convince you that it's time to start working out!)

Costs for a personal training session run around $75 to $85. (Now, there's a job I wouldn't mind having... personal trainer on a cruise ship; that's gotta beat working at 24 Hour Fitness.)

So there you have it: while classes and personal trainers cost money, you can hit the gym for free. There's no excuse to gain 5 pounds on your cruise!

How Much Luggage Can You Bring on a Cruise?

Wondering how many suitcases you can bring on a cruise? (Or maybe how many bags of goodies you can bring home from all the shops you'll visit?)

Each cruise line has it's own policies, and you can usually find out an exact amount by visiting the cruise line's FAQ page (most of them have one on their websites). But I've done the work for you for some of the more popular lines:

Amount Allowed for Suitcases/Luggage on Popular Cruise Lines:

• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) allows up to 200 pounds of personal luggage.
• Princess says most of their cruises require flight so they just tell you to stick within airline policies for suitcases and weight restrictions (when you book, they tell you what the rules are for the accompanying flight).
• Carnival Cruise Line doesn't have a luggage or weight restriction per se but also reminds you that airline restrictions will come into play if you're flying to your port.
• Royal Caribbean allows 200 pounds of personal luggage per person.
• Holland America has no weight limit but again reminds you that you need to comply with airlines, limousines (boy, wouldn't I like to take a limo to my cruise ship), etc. you may use on the way to the ship.
  

No Casinos on Cruises to Hawaii?

If you've signed up for a Hawaiian cruise, hopefully you're not a big gambler.

On most cruises, casinos are a part of the entertainment offered, and they are quite popular with some guests.

You won't find casinos, however, on Hawaii cruises, at least not if you book with NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line). They are the only outfit that does trips that start and end in Hawaii and focus on visiting the islands (usually four separate islands).

This is because the state of Hawaii has a law that says no cruise line can start or end a voyage in Hawaii if it has gaming equipment aboard.

If gambling is important to you, you can book a cruise on another line, but the other lines start on the mainland and sail across the Pacific (a long trip with more days at sea than visiting the islands).

Pay for Ship's Shore Excursions or Find Independent Tours in Hawaii?

When you take a cruise, the price includes your meals and cabin, but if you want to go on shore excursions, you'll pay extra.

In Hawaii, you probably don't want to miss the good stuff either. We're talking about luaus, helicopter tours, mountain biking down volcanoes, rainforest hikes, cultural center excursions, and all sorts of fun adventures. But the prices can add up.

So can you save money by avoiding the cruise line's shore excursions and signing up on your own? After all, tourism is huge in Hawaii, so equivalents of all those tours must be available for folks who aren't arriving via a cruise ship, right?

Yes and yes.

Here's what a Hawaiian native suggested (someone who has been on 12 Hawaii cruises, so she knows her stuff!):

"Enjoy your cruise (likely with Norwegian Cruise Lines) it is a great way to see each of our islands. Be sure to check out the same shore excursions that they offer direct with the tour operator on line before leaving. Just FYI, like the Old Lahaina Luau is about $100. through the ship and $50.00 direct. Same luau, same seats, etc. Remember, NCL is not a non-profit company they make money where they can. Most all shore excursions can be purchased individually, don't let NCL scare you that only they will get you back to the ship on time. That's silly, these guys do this 3 times a week, they know when the ship sails, it's their business. "

Low Season Offers Good Deals and Fewer Crowds for Hawaii Cruises

If you've ever wanted to go to Hawaii, a cruise can be a great way to see the islands.

When most people visit Hawaii, they often just go to one island (often Oahu, home of famous Honolulu and Waikiki Beach), due to the hassle of flying between the islands. With a cruise, you'll get to see three or four islands, including spots that are much less crowded than Honolulu.

If you're looking to get a good deal on a Hawaii cruise, booking during the off or "low" season can be a great move. In Hawaii, the low seasons are considered late August, late November, February (minus holiday weeks), and May.

The lovely tropical climate means any time of year is great for sailing in Hawaii. Though months (i.e. January) are rainier than others, the temperatures are always warm, averaging in the 70s even in winter. Winter is a great time for whale watching, too, and since the kids are back in school, you're more likely to find the cruise ships themselves to be a peaceful retreat.