Cruising 101
A First-time Cruiser Guide

Here's the book on cruising: It's the top way to vacation if you're looking to visit the most extraordinary destinations around the globe at an incredible value, without the need to fly or drive. Climb aboard one of many world-renowned fleets and you'll never go without exceptional dining and service, world-class entertainment, plus loads of more fun and exciting activities fit for all types of passengers. Add a shore excursion to your plans, and now you've just about scored 2 trips for the price of 1.

MileagePlus Cruise Awards offers many U.S. departure ports, so if you're looking to begin your journey close to home, you've come to the right place.
 
What's Included?
  • Stateroom or suite accommodations
  • Transportation to 1 or more ports
  • Gourmet dining
  • Supervised kids programs
  • Vegas- or Broadway-style shows
  • Entry to nightclubs, piano bars & more
  • Activities like yoga & basketball
  • Gym, pool & hot tubs
  • Port charges
 
What's Not Included?
  • Gratuities
  • Airfare
  • Spa treatments
  • Casino gaming
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Shopping
  • Shore excursions
  • Nominal fees at some specialty restaurants
 

What Special Features Might Be On the Ship?
  • Rock-climbing wall
  • Ice skating rink
  • Martini & champagne bars
  • Teen discos
  • Wave pool
  • Bowling lounges
  • Zip line
  • Ice bar
  • Casino gaming
  • Cooking/enrichment classes
  • Spiral waterslide
  • Planetarium
  • Shops & boutiques
  • Butler service
  • Miniature golf
  • Poolside movies
 
  • All-oceanview or all-suite accommodations - many staterooms include a balcony
 
Where Can I Cruise From?
With 21 cruise ports located throughout the United States, chances are at least one of them is within driving distance. Forget paying for flights and dealing with the hassle of the airport - explore the wide variety of cruise itineraries available from a port near you. Check the map below for port locations and click the city nearest you to find a great cruise from close to home.
To browse voyages from the port nearest you, simply click on a city below.
Sail From the East Coast
 

Sail From the Gulf Coast
Cruise to the Caribbean, Mexico, the Panama Canal, and South America.

 

Sail From the West Coast
Exotic destinations include Hawaii, Alaska, the South Pacific, and Mexico.

 

Where Can I Cruise To?
The possibilities are (almost) endless. Whether you're looking for a tropical escape to Bermuda or the Caribbean, a voyage to Europe or Alaska, or an off-the-beaten path sailing through the Panama Canal or to French Polynesia, you can take your pick from hundreds of itineraries to find the one that suits you best. Keep in mind that if you are only looking at cruises from close to home as mentioned above, your destination options may be limited (for example, Alaska cruises never depart from the East Coast).
Terms & Conditions
Price is in miles per person based on two people staying in the same stateroom. Price does not include a non-refundable miles processing fee per booking. All offers are for selected dates only, are subject to availability, are limited and apply to new bookings only. Your exact price depends on the time of the actual booking. Additional restrictions may apply. All prices and dates may not be available at the time of booking. Passengers receiving special rates based on residency or age will be required to show a government-issued form of identification (passport, or birth certificate and driver's license) at the pier to validate state of residency or age prior to boarding the cruise ship.. Fees or charges incurred after booking must be paid in money. Full Terms & Conditions. Best Price Guarantee restrictions and instructions apply; see our Best Price Guarantee Policy. For promotional offer terms and conditions, see offer description.

Special requirements
If you or a guest is pregnant or traveling with an infant child, or if there is a need to communicate a request for special meals, medical conditions or physical challenges, we ask that you please call 800-474-2052. Cruise Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will do everything we can to meet your needs and answer all of your questions.

Minimum age requirements may apply.

Mileage Plus Holdings, LLC has engaged World Travel Holdings, Inc., a third party provider, to host this cruise award redemption website and to provide certain members of the MileagePlus Program with the ability to redeem MileagePlus miles for cruise awards through the site. MileagePlus reserves the right to establish eligibility criteria for redemption of awards. All award orders are subject to availability. Each member must have sufficient miles in his or her MileagePlus account to complete the transaction. Your miles will be deducted at the time of purchase. In the event that miles have not been properly debited from your account at the time of redemption, miles can be debited by MileagePlus at any time. Miles redemptions may only be made from a single account per transaction. You may not combine miles from two or more accounts on a single transaction. In its sole discretion, MileagePlus may permit members to purchase cruises using a combination of award miles and money for a limited number of awards. Not all members will be eligible to make purchases using miles and money. The amount of miles or miles and money necessary for a transaction will be set by MileagePlus in its sole discretion, are subject to change and may vary by member. Any money portion of any purchase must be paid with a major credit card. Any money portion or redemption fees or charges will appear on your credit card statements as "e;MileagePlus Cruise Awards"e;. No MileagePlus award miles will be awarded in connection with any transaction made using MileagePlus miles or a combination of miles and money as the form of payment. Miles accrued, awards, and benefits issued are subject to change and are subject to the rules of the United MileagePlus program, including without limitation the Premier® program (the "e;MileagePlus Program"e;), which are expressly incorporated herein. United may change the MileagePlus Program including, but not limited to, rules, regulations, travel awards and special offers or terminate the MileagePlus Program at any time and without notice. United and its subsidiaries, affiliates and agents are not responsible for any products or services of other participating companies and partners. United and MileagePlus are registered service marks. For complete details about the MileagePlus Program, go to www.united.com. NONE OF UNITED AIRLINES, INC., MILEAGE PLUS HOLDINGS, LLC, THEIR AFFILIATES, OR ANY EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS OR AGENTS OF ANY SUCH PARTIES SHALL BE HELD LIABLE FOR, AND EACH MEMBER HEREBY WAIVES ANY CLAIM AGAINST SUCH PARTIES FOR ANY LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY , ANY INJURY TO PERSON, OR ANY OTHER LOSS OR DAMAGE CAUSED BY REASON OF ANY DEFECT, FAILURE, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER WRONGFUL ACT OR OMISSION, OF ANY OF WORLD TRAVEL HOLDINGS, INC., ITS AFFILIATES OR AGENTS, ANY CRUISE LINE OR, ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY PROVIDING SERVICES UNDER THE CRUISE AWARD REDEMPTION PROGRAM, OR ANY EMPLOYEE OR AGENT THEREOF. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES.
Free upgrade!

Book an eligible stateroom on any qualifying sailing and receive a free upgrade! In some cases, you'll be upgraded to a more desirable location aboard your ship. In other instances, you'll be upgraded to a stateroom with extra space and/or a better view. It's also possible that you might receive all of these benefits. Select your sailing date to see which upgrades are available.

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