First Time Cruising

Choosing your first cruise can be a very daunting task as there are so many available. Cruise vacations are great value for money, but they are not only for budget conscious travelers. There are cruises to suit every budget. And the days of cruises being the vacation of choice for retirees are long gone.

1. Price. The first thing you need to decide is how much you want to spend, including getting to and from the port and possible overnighting. Remember that everything is not included in your up front cost – on board “extras” include alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, on board shopping, some dining options, and port taxes. When you see a cruise advertised for $99, that is the basic cost only. These “extras” are automatically charged to your credit card – look out for special deals offering “on board credit”.

2. Length of Cruise. How long do you want to spend on your cruise vacation, including travel time to and from the port. Cruises are available all year long worldwide in anything from 3-day breaks to multi-week adventures.

3. Type of Cruise. Having got those decisions out of the way, now you can think about the type of cruise vacation you’re looking for – a great party time, a family focus, an intimate/romantic cruise, a themed cruise or something with a little bit of everything. All the cruise lines offer many different forms of onboard entertainment, including separate entertainment areas for kids, teenagers and adults. A general rule of thumb is that the larger the ship the more on board activities available to passengers.

4. Destinations. Some people take cruises because they enjoy the cruise experience, however, for some people the ports of call are important. Cruises are available all over the world and remember, they are not limited to the oceans – fabulous river and lake cruises are also available throughout Europe, Asia and South America.

5. Size of Ship. The size of the ship and therefore the number of fellow passengers may be of significance. If a more intimate cruise sounds like your cup of tea, then a smaller ship would be your best bet. Bear in mind that the smaller ships also tend to be more expensive but offer a greater crew to guest ratio, and the cost usually includes more “extras”.

6. Which Cabin. Most ships, particularly the larger ones, offer interior and exterior cabins, plus cabins with balconies and spacious suites. This decision may be based entirely on price. Basic amenities are similar in each cabin with a balcony or suite providing more space. Most ships have cabins that are handicapped outfitted, so remember to check that out if it is a requirement for you.

7. What to Pack. Most ships/cruise lines do not have a dress code for regular daytime wear, but there will be at least one formal/semi-formal dinner. Restaurants that are “extras” and some of the more expensive cruises require more elegant attire for dinner. Dress requirements are included in the welcome pack that you will receive at the time of booking.

8. Medical/Seasickness. With stabilizers on modern ships, seasickness is not usually a problem, however, if you aren’t sure or are very sensitive, you should pick up something from your pharmacist beforehand, as most remedies must be started before your cruise. All cruise ships have basic on board medical care, but emergencies and more serious issues are usually dealt with at the next port of call.

9. Fine Print. Remember to read the fine print when booking your cruise as it will details inclusions and exclusions, plus cancellation terms and other relevant information. You don’t want to get home and find a huge credit card bill waiting for you with unexpected charges.

I have been asked several times on how to decide whether to book in advance or wait for a deal in the last minute. The answer mostly depends on how flexible you are, how often the particular cruise you want takes place, and how popular it is. Here are some tips on deciding when to go after a last minute deal

Do you need your cabin to be in a specific location?

The longer you wait to book your cruise, the less control you will have on deciding where your cabin is located. Usually, most of the cabins available when booking a last minute cruise are guaranteed cabins. This means, they guarantee the type of room you request or better but you cannot choose the specific room or location, they pick it. So if you tend to get seasick and need a centrally located cabin, then book in advance when you still have a good selection on rooms to choose from. But if you don’t mind where your room is, you will have a much better chance in getting a good last minute deal.

Do you need a specific type of room?

When you book a guaranteed room, you may end up with a different type that you requested. For example, you book a guaranteed inside cabin. When the rooms are assigned and there isn’t an inside room available, they will put you in an oceanview or, if you’re lucky, in a cabin with a balcony. This may be a good thing since they always do the same or better than you booked, never worse. But if you’re set on a type, this may not be good for you. Also, keep in mind that some types of cabins sell better on some cruises than others. For example, it is not difficult to grab a good last minute deal on an Alaskan cruise unless you want a balcony or a suite. Balconies are very popular due to the spectacular views and abundance of wildlife sightings you experience on an Alaskan cruise. These sell out first and have the least of being drastically cut in price.

Is the cruise you want common?

If you find that the cruise you want is offered on several other dates you will have a better chance of getting a good last minute cruise deal. You will also have a better chance if other cruise lines are offering a similar cruise at similar dates. Good cruises to try for a last minute deal are the ones in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska. Exceptions to these are cruises that take place during a holiday since less people have to work or go to school during these days.

How flexible are you?

If you can easily change your plans to go in a later week, you will have a better chance at getting a deal. Of course, this is easier if you are not restricted by work and if you live close to where the cruise is leaving from so you don’t have to look for a last minute flight. If you live too far to drive to port or take a train, sometimes the cost of a last minute flight outweighs the savings of a last minute cruise. So being able to change your date to be able to get a good price on your cruise and your flight is a big help.

A cruise is very different from any other type of vacation. If you’ve never been on one before, you’ll want to know what to expect and what to be prepared for. With a little knowledge on how to avoid hassles, a cruise can be the getaway of a lifetime.

The most important thing you should familiarize yourself with is every level of expenses. What is included with the basic charge and what isn’t. Some cruise lines will include free room service and other luxuries for free, so make sure you’re not missing out on anything. Also know what isn’t included, so you’ll know how much extra money to bring. All cruises have different policies so be sure to do your homework.

Another big thing to be ready for is sea sickness. This is especially true if you’ve never been on a ship before and don’t know whether or not you’re affected by sea sickness. There are many medicines for this and you can ask your doctor what would be best for you. One of the more popular options is a sea sickness pill, but one of the major side effects is drowsiness so be careful when you take it. Patches are also popular.

The weather will play a huge role in your cruise experience. This will depend entirely on where you cruise is chartered and what time of year it is. Most Caribbean cruises will be fairly warm year-round. Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses. But a cruise to Alaska will be cool and sometimes downright cold. So pack accordingly.

Consider what kind of events you will be going to on the cruise when packing your clothing. Some cruises will have formal events, others won’t. You’ll want to know this in advance and be prepared for it.

Remember that cruise ships can be extremely crowded sometimes. Have designated times and locations where you and your group will meet-up later in the event that you get separated. Avoid areas that can become overcrowded easily, like elevators. Some cruise lines will have elevators that you can use to get from one level of the ship to another, but these are often so over-used that they take forever and should be saved for the older passengers.

Some cruise ships can be a pretty intense party experience, especially if you don’t have children in your group. Be sure to pace yourself when drinking. Getting drunk on a rocking ship can be a bad combo. Also, on the subject of drinking, be sure to check to see if your cruise line does automatic tips on the bill. Some cruises charge you a 15% tip automatically with alcoholic drinks, so don’t pay the tip twice by mistake.

Another important expense to note is phone calls. Your best option is to wrap up all your business, both professional and personal before you head off on your cruise, so you’ll have no need to call back and check-up on things very often. Cells phones will not work on some cruise lines. You will likely have a phone in your room, but it can actually cost up to fifteen dollars per minute to talk to someone back on land. If you must make phone calls, make them when the ship stops to make port.