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Every year more and more people discover why cruises are the ideal vacation. A cruise ship is basically your giant buffet of wonderful experiences, with a wide selection of cuisines and cultures, activities in the sun and spas to pamper your every indulgence, destinations to exotic locales and a million ways to relax. The newest Royal Caribbean ship, the Oasis, is an example of a ship being the destination! You can do it all or do absolutely nothing - the choice is yours.
To book the perfect cruise for you and your family, simply follow these helpful guidelines. Booking your next vacation should be as relaxing as the vacation itself.
Chart Your Course! Pick the Cruise That's Right for You
Where in the world do you want to go and for how long? The length of your trip largely depends on how much you can afford. Cruises offer everything from one or two-night excursions out to sea and back to journeys that take you around the world in 100 days. Three-day weekend, four-day midweek, week and two-week cruises are the most popular.
With 70 percent of the planet covered in water, the next question should not be where to go to but where to go to first. Cruise ships visit more than 1,800 ports around the world, providing you with rare glimpses into many cultures all in one eye-popping vacation.
Many first-time cruisers choose the Caribbean or Mexican Riviera, where you pleasantly float from one island paradise to the next. Soak up the sun, learn a water sport or discover a new flavor of margarita – the tropics never disappoint.
For a local alternative try Alaska, where you'll experience calving glaciers and curious whales while following either the Inside Passage or the Gulf of Alaska route. Or, take a fall cruise to New England and Canada, where you'll be introduced to our neighbors of the north while watching the leaves turn on shore.
Aim for Europe with cross-Atlantic trips to Paris or Rome, Mediterranean cruises to the likes of Italy, Greece and the French Riviera, or tour the Scandinavian capitals from the sea, where historic cities like Copenhagen and Helsinki reign with centuries of heritage.
Finding a Good Rate and the Right Cabin
Paying the brochure rate for a cruise is like paying full sticker price for a car. To lessen the sticker shock, book early - generally 120 days prior to the sail date - and be flexible about your travel plans, for just like the rest of the travel industry, off-season cruises are typically cheaper.
A great tip: aim for a four-day cruise in the middle of the week instead of the popular three-day weekend cruise. You might get that extra day at a great rate!
The most significant factor in determining the price of your cruise will be the size and location of your cabin. Depending on the ship, cabins range from cozy closets to spacious suites with a hot tub. And they are priced accordingly.
If you plan to spend significant time in your cabin, choose the biggest room you can afford. Standard cabins have twin beds, which can usually be converted into a queen-sized bed, while bunk beds in other rooms cannot be converted.
The most-expensive and least-expensive cabins are likely to sell out first, so book early if you have set your sights on either. Cabins are listed as inside (no windows) or outside (with windows), or verandah (balcony), with outside cabins naturally higher priced. If you are booking a cabin with window or balcony, check with your travel agent to ensure that your view is not obstructed by equipment such as a lifeboat.
Cruise Specialists - Your New Best Friend
For the most thorough advice and the best deals, find a cruise specialist. Travel agents are often certified cruise specialists, and they know which low Internet offers to avoid and which ports of call can make a great cruise unforgettable.
A good cruise specialist may offer you group rates, free upgrades, shipboard credits and other amenities or discounts. They will clarify the need for passports and visas, explain your dining choices and advise the cruise line of any special dietary requests, check periodically to see if the price of the cruise has dropped, book your air and hotel and review your documents and reservations to make sure that everything is in order.
Travel Insurance - Better Safe Than Sorry
Travel insurance is a small price to pay for peace of mind. A policy is not only for trip cancellations but also can cover missed connections, lost or delayed baggage, emergency medical and dental expenses and emergency legal assistance.
Some cruise lines offer cancellation waiver insurance, which is different than trip cancellation or interruption insurance. Waivers apply to cancellations made several days prior to the scheduled start of the trip. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance will cover you from the time that you purchase your cruise until you return from the trip.
You can purchase travel insurance through your travel agent, the cruise line or through your usual insurance provider. If you're not sure if travel insurance is right for you, please consult your travel agent for advice.
Passports and Documents
Your ticket packet information will give you specific instructions regarding the necessary forms of identification or other travel documents for your voyage. Most cruise lines require at least a state-issued picture I.D., even if your cruise will stay in U.S. territorial waters.
If your cruise itinerary involves ports in foreign lands, bring a passport or a birth certificate with a raised seal and a government issued I.D. such as a driver's license.
What's Free and What Costs Money?
The price of your ticket will include your cabin, on-board entertainment and food. Other items to consider when budgeting your trip include the following:
- Taxes, surcharges and fees, including airport fees, handling fees, departure taxes and port charges. You should verify which fees and port taxes are included in your cruise rate.
- Alcoholic beverages, bottled water and occasionally soft drinks. Some ships offer "soda packages" that feature unlimited sodas during the cruise for about $15-$20 per day.
- Cost of reaching the ship, airline tickets not booked as part of the package, shuttle service or in-port parking fees, if not included.
- Cost of staying at port before or after the cruise, such as hotel, transportation and meals.
- Shopping purchases made both on and off the ship.
- On board extras, such as gambling, spas, massages and ship-to-shore calls.
- Tipping.
Your Final Port of Call—Home
A cruise ship is a luxury hotel with a different view every day. There really are no limits to where you can cruise nowadays, as every ocean and river can be explored in style and luxury. And when compared with the cost of a land-based holiday, cruising offers excellent value with everything you need wrapped into one package.
With a little travel-sense and the helpful advice of a trusted travel agent, your next cruise will be the "best vacation ever!" Bon Voyage!
