Frequently asked questions

Choose a sailing and cabin on our website and send us a booking request, or contact us by phone, WhatsApp or email.

A booking request is not yet a confirmed booking. A Whitestar cruise specialist checks availability and the price with the cruise line, then contacts you to confirm the details before anything is booked. You don't pay anything on the website.

No. Prices shown in South African rand (ZAR) are indicative until your specialist confirms them. Many cruise lines price in US dollars, euros or pounds, so the rand amount can change with exchange rates, availability and the fare on offer.

The price is only fixed once it is confirmed in your quote or booking confirmation.

Deposits and balance due dates are set by each cruise line and depend on the fare and the sailing. Your specialist will give you the exact amounts and dates in your quote, and they are confirmed when your booking is made.

Your specialist will explain the payment options when your booking is confirmed. Only pay using details your Whitestar consultant has given you. If you receive payment details you weren't expecting, or a message saying our bank details have changed, call our office on a number shown on this website to check before you pay.

Changes and cancellations are subject to the cruise line's terms, which depend on the fare type and how close to departure you are. Charges may apply. Contact us as early as possible and your specialist will explain your options. See our booking terms for more.

Yes, you'll need a valid passport. Many countries require it to be valid for several months after you return and to have blank pages. Visa requirements depend on your nationality and on every country your cruise visits, including where you embark and disembark.

Passports, visas and other entry documents are the traveller's responsibility. Please check the requirements with the embassy or consulate of each country well before you travel.

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance from the time you book. Check that your policy covers cruising, cancellation, medical treatment and evacuation at sea, and any activities you plan to do ashore.

We show prices in South African rand (ZAR) by default, and you can change the display currency on the website. Onboard accounts are usually charged in the ship's own currency (often US dollars, euros or pounds), which varies by cruise line.

Ask your cruise specialist. We can often help arrange flights, pre- or post-cruise hotels and transfers as part of your cruise holiday, depending on the sailing.

We book 12 cruise lines, from ocean liners and river ships to expedition voyages and yacht charters:

• Cunard
• P&O Cruises
• Celestyal
• Seabourn
• Viva Cruises
• Norwegian
• The Moorings
• Explora Journeys
• Azamara
• Hurtigruten
• HX
• Amadeus

Each line has its own page on this website with its ships, sample voyages and key booking facts.

It depends on the cruise line and the fare. In short:

• Cunard: Included in the fare: Main dining, Afternoon tea, Entertainment. Not included: Taxes, fees & port charges, Gratuities / daily service charge.
• P&O Cruises: Included in the fare: Main dining, Evening entertainment. Not included: Taxes, fees & port charges, Gratuities / daily service charge.
• Celestyal: Included in the fare: Main-restaurant meals, Soft drinks with meals, tea, filter coffee & water, Wi-Fi, Entertainment, Port fees, Gratuities. Not included: Greek sustainability fee, Shore excursions (packages available).
• Seabourn: Included in the fare: All dining, Drinks, including premium spirits, All-suite accommodation, Taxes, fees & port charges, Gratuities.
• Viva Cruises: Included in the fare: All-day drinks, including alcohol, Full board, Wi-Fi, Selected excursions. Not included: Port fees, Other excursions.
• Norwegian: Not included: Taxes, fees & port charges, Gratuities / daily service charge.
• The Moorings: Included in the fare: The yacht & charter fees. Not included: Skipper or cook, Provisioning.
• Explora Journeys: Included in the fare: Dining, Unlimited beverages, Wi-Fi, Taxes, fees & port charges, Gratuities.
• Azamara: Included in the fare: Dining, Select beer, wine & spirits, An AzAmazing Evening, Laundry, Taxes, fees & port charges, Gratuities.
• Hurtigruten: Included in the fare: Full board, Tea & filter coffee, Wi-Fi, Lectures by the Expedition Team, Beer, wine, spirits & soft drinks, Taxes, fees & port charges. Not included: Alcoholic drinks on Coastal Express voyages, Shore excursions.
• HX: Included in the fare: All meals, House wine, beer & spirits, Wi-Fi, Expedition jacket, Small-boat landings, lectures & Science Centre, Walking poles on loan, Connecting flights & a pre-cruise hotel night, Gratuities. Not included: International flights, Travel insurance, Kayaking, camping & snowshoeing, Spa treatments.
• Amadeus: Included in the fare: Full board, Wine, draught beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner, Coffee & tea around the clock, Wi-Fi, Bicycles to borrow, Port fees, Gratuities. Not included: Shore excursions (singly or in packages), Transfers & flights, Travel insurance.

Your quote lists exactly what your fare includes and what is charged on board.

Typical deposit terms by line. Your quote confirms the amount and the dates for your sailing and fare:

• Cunard: 20% deposit; the balance is due 90 days before departure
• P&O Cruises: 20% deposit; the balance is due 90 days before departure
• Celestyal: 20% deposit; the balance is due 60 days before departure
• Seabourn: 25% deposit; the balance is due 120 days before departure
• Viva Cruises: 20% deposit; the balance is due 45 days before departure
• Norwegian: 20% deposit; the balance is due 90 days before departure
• The Moorings: 25% deposit; the balance is due 60 days before departure
• Explora Journeys: 25% deposit; the balance is due 120 days before departure
• Azamara: 25% deposit; the balance is due 120 days before departure
• Hurtigruten: 20% deposit; the balance is due 90 days before departure
• HX: 25% deposit; the balance is due 90 days before departure
• Amadeus: 10% deposit; the balance is due 120 days before departure

Yes, on most sailings. Each cruise line sets its own minimum ages:

• Cunard: Infants must be at least 6 months old when the voyage starts (12 months for transatlantic crossings and voyages with 3+ consecutive sea days). Guests under 18 must travel with an adult.
• P&O Cruises: Infants must be at least 6 months old when the cruise starts (12 months on transatlantic and longer ocean voyages). Guests under 18 must travel with an adult.
• Celestyal: Infants must be at least 6 months old on the day of embarkation. Guests under 18 must share with an adult.
• Seabourn: Infants must be at least 6 months old; at least 12 months on trans-ocean or remote voyages with more than 2 consecutive sea days; at least 6 years on expeditions.
• Viva Cruises: VIVA welcomes children; the minimum age and any child fare are confirmed by your specialist.
• Norwegian: Infants must be at least 6 months old on the first day of the cruise (12 months for transatlantic, Hawaii and some other itineraries). Guests under 21 must share with a guest aged 21 or over.
• The Moorings: Children are welcome aboard; count everyone, including infants, towards the yacht's maximum.
• Explora Journeys: Infants must be at least 6 months old (12 months on some ocean crossings). Explora is adult-oriented; there are no kids' clubs.
• Azamara: Infants must be at least 6 months old (12 months on some itineraries). Guests under 21 must share with an adult aged 21 or over.
• Hurtigruten: There is no minimum age. Children under 12 must travel with an adult, and cots are available for a small fee.
• HX: Children must be at least 5 on Antarctica and Galápagos voyages. Under-12s join small-boat landings only with the captain's agreement. Children aged 2–15 sharing with two adults get 50% off the cruise portion of the fare. Antarctica guests complete a medical screening form.
• Amadeus: Children under 15 need prior approval from Amadeus. Guests aged 17 and under must share a cabin with an adult over 21.

Tell us every guest's age when you request a booking and your specialist will check the rules for your sailing.

Yes. When you choose your sailing on this website, tick the wheelchair-accessible option, and describe any mobility or medical needs in the guest details.

Your specialist checks accessible cabins and any requirements with the cruise line before anything is booked. Availability depends on the ship and the sailing.

Upgrading to a balcony cabin on your next cruise unlocks a world of possibilities. Imagine waking up to a sunrise over the horizon, savouring a romantic dinner beneath the stars, or simply relaxing on your private verandah with a good book and the calming rhythm of the waves. Balcony cabins offer a connection to the sea, transforming your cruise from a voyage to a truly immersive experience. Plus, they provide much-needed extra space, a haven of tranquillity when you crave a break from the vibrant shipboard energy. So, for an unforgettable cruise filled with fresh air, breathtaking vistas, and the ultimate in relaxation, set sail with a balcony cabin.

Cruise upgrades can be tempting, but consider these points before splashing out:

• Cost vs. Value: Weigh the upgrade cost against the benefits. A balcony is more important in scenic destinations such as Alaska and the Fjords giving you access to places not easily visited by land, where you may only cruise by these natural attractions only seen from the ship. A balcony is less useful on a shorter city escape, for example. Think about how much you’ll use the extra space or perks (like priority boarding) to justify the price tag.
• Your Priorities: Do you crave more space and a private balcony for relaxation? Or are you happy with a basic cabin and prefer to spend more on shore excursions or onboard activities? Decide what matters most to you.
• Upgrade Type: Not all upgrades are created equal. A balcony might offer more return for your investment, or offer more tangible and visible benefits, while a slightly larger interior cabin might not be worth the extra cost, unless you’re planning on spending a lot of time in the cabin. Research the specific cabin categories before deciding.

Upgrading your cruise cabin after booking is usually possible, and there are a few ways to accomplish it.

• Contact Whitestar Cruise & Travel or your Travel Agent who you initially booked with: This is the most straightforward approach. Contact them and request upgrade options and pricing. They can check availability in higher cabin categories and provide you with the necessary information. Lower fares have more restrictions and less flexibility, but upgrades can be requested and are subject to availability.

The best cabins are usually found in the prime locations on board. The best cabin may be a matter of personal preference, which will also take into account the size of the ship. Midships is usually considered the most stable location, and located on a mid-level to higher deck is often favoured. Ocean views are most popular, while balcony cabins and suites generally give you access to private balconies allowing for ocean views and fresh air. Depending on your specific requirements and budget, the best cabins are also cruise line specific, example:

• Cunard’s highest cabin categories are the Queen Grill Suites
• NCL’s highest cabin category is the Haven Penthouse

Our consultants are available at these times (South African time):

• Mon – Thu: 08:30 – 17:00
• Friday: 08:30 – 16:00

You can also email info@whitestar.co.za or send a WhatsApp message to +27 64 527 3392.

We have offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town:

• Johannesburg: Augusta Building, Ground Floor, Fourways Golf Park, 32 Roos Street, Fourways, 2191, Johannesburg · 011 463 3293
• Cape Town: 021 100 3300

For urgent problems outside office hours, for example while you are travelling, call our emergency number: +27 82 659 3503. It is not for new enquiries; for those, contact us during office hours.

Whitestar Cruise & Travel is a member of ASATA (Association of Southern African Travel Agents).