Cruises can be a ton of fun for the whole family, or even for couples or groups of friends. Not only are there cruises to nearly any destination in the world, but there are cruises to fit any budget or travel style, too.
Still, some specifics of cruising make this kind of vacation difficult for beginners to book. For example, it's hard to know which cruise line might suit you best if you have never cruised before and you don't know what to expect, and choosing an itinerary can be equally challenging. There are also problems that can arise if you don't travel to your cruise port early enough, or if you plan too many (or too few) activities to keep your group content.
If you're considering a cruise for your next vacation, the decisions you make before you book can be just as important as the ones you make after. This list of cruising do's and don'ts highlights some of the best tips for booking a cruise along with major pitfalls to avoid.
Do: Use a Travel Agent
Feeling overwhelmed with your cruise options? In that case, working with a travel agent who is versed in cruising is one of the best moves you can make. These experts usually offer their services for free since they get paid a commission when you book a cruise, and they tend to know the ins and outs of different cruises and how they compare.
Your travel agent can advise you on the type of cruise and itinerary that might suit you best, and they can even shop around to find you the best possible deal.
Travel advisor and happy clients. (Photo Credit: Dragana Gordic/Adobe Stock)
Don't: Book Blindly
While a travel agent's advice can be priceless when it comes to finding the right cruise, the opposite is also true. If you book your trip blindly based on an ad you saw or something a friend told you, you could easily regret it. After all, not all types of cruises are made for every person or their travel style.
Here's an example: Imagine you're angling for a relaxing luxury trip but you book a weekend cruise from Florida to the Bahamas without knowing any better. Instead of enjoying a few days of quiet and meditation, you become an unwitting participant in a party that never stops.
Do: Plan to Arrive Early
There's more that goes into planning a cruise than selecting a cruise line and itinerary. You must also make plans for your arrival and your departure, and it always pays to plan ahead of time and arrive as early as you can.
For the most part, this means booking a hotel near your cruise port for at least one night before your departure. If you're traveling internationally for your cruise, you may even want to fly into your departure city two days before your cruise.
Don't wait too long to get to the cruise terminal. (Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean International Media)
Don't: Fly On The Day You Cruise
Some people decide to book a flight to their cruise departure destination the day of their cruise, but this is always a mistake. If the flight is delayed by even a few hours, it could mean missing the entire cruise vacation. And, what happens if your bags are lost by the airline or delayed in transit? This could mean boarding your cruise with little more than the shirt on your back.
Whatever you do, never fly for a cruise on the day your trip departs. Always travel at least one day early, even though that means shelling out money for a hotel stay.
Do: Plan Fun Activities
Most cruises have built-in entertainment options like Broadway-style shows, live music, party games, bingo and more. These are activities you can take advantage of when you're at sea, yet you'll also want to have a plan for when you're in port.
Researching each port your cruise stops at is a great way to figure out what you want to do at each destination. From there, you can decide on excursions to book, or whether you want to get off the ship and explore on your own.
Save room for spontaneous activities. (Photo Credit: Cunard)
Don't: Overpack Your Schedule
Cruise excursions can definitely be a lot of fun, but they can become "too much of a good thing" if you're not careful. If your cruise has a stop planned every day and you book a lengthy excursion for each port, you can end your cruise exhausted and wishing you had built in some downtime.
Our advice? Plan some fun excursions and outings for your cruise vacation you know you'll enjoy, but make sure to leave free time in your itinerary just in case.
Do: Pack Clothing and Essentials
Cruising is different from land-based travel since you can't just run out to the store to pick up items you forgot. You'll spend part of your trip on your ship with nowhere to go, and you may or may not be able to find essential items in your ship's onboard store.
Ultimately, this is why you'll want to bring most things you'll need along on your trip. While there are all kinds of helpful cruise packing lists to browse, some must-have items to bring include medicines you need to take, sunscreen and toiletries you use daily.
Pack smart for your cruise. (Photo Credit: Adobe)
Don't: Bring More Than You Need
Overpacking for a cruise can be a major problem, especially since space is so limited. If you end up bringing multiple suitcases full of "stuff" you don't need for your cruise, you'll have to find a place to store these extra items and a place for your extra bags.
You should bring all the clothing and supplies you need with you since you may not have the opportunity to buy items you forget, but you need to be careful not to bring too much.
Do: Shop Around for a Good Deal
Shopping around for the best deal on a cruise always makes sense, and keeping an eye out for sales early makes it easier to strike when the iron is hot. Most major cruise lines have different sales and promotions that change over time, and you can often lock in a great rate by booking a cruise at least one year in advance or at the last minute.
A good travel agent also knows which cruise lines are offering the best deals for various travel dates, so don't forget to ask.
Don't: Book Whatever is Cheapest
Searching for a good deal is one thing, but that doesn't necessarily mean booking the cheapest cruise you can find. There are vast differences between cruise lines and the various ships they have to offer, just as your experience will differ based on the cabin you choose.
For the most part, you'll be better off figuring out the cruise lines and vessels you prefer first. Once you narrow down your cruise options to fit your travel style, you can focus on getting the best price.
The cheapest cruise may not be the best cruise. (Photo Credit: Adobe)
Do: Consider Different Cruise Lines
You can (and should) consider different cruise lines when you're booking a cruise, even if you're fairly loyal to your favorite cruise brand. There are so many excellent cruises to choose from, although they all do things differently and have their strengths and weaknesses.
For example, luxury cruisers who typically travel with upscale brands like Silversea or Oceania Cruises could always try something new like MSC Cruises Yacht Club. Conversely, cruises who love a mature vibe with these luxury brands could always give adults-only Virgin Voyages a try.
Don't: Book Without Enough Research
Trying different cruise lines is probably worth it in the long run, but you should only do so after you have read up on each company you're considering. If you don't, you may wind up stuck on a cruise that doesn't suit your style or tastes at all. This could leave you wasting time off work and the money you spend on your trip.
Before you switch up your cruise plans for something new, you should spend some time reading cruise line reviews and researching different ships. If you don't, you could live to regret it.
The most important thing to do is to have fun. (Photo Credit: Adobe)
Do: Plan On Having Fun
Cruising has remained popular for decades for a reason. It's fun to spend a few days (or even a few weeks) on a floating resort with entertainment, meals and snacks offered around the clock, and you get to visit new destinations along the way.
If you begin your cruise with a positive attitude and an expectation for fun, you will have a great time. If you board the ship without any intention to sweat the small stuff, you could be in for an even better time.
Don't: Have Unrealistic Expectations
While cruises tend to set the bar high as a vacation option, always keep in the back of your mind that some things may not go exactly to plan. Your ship may have to skip a port or head to a new one based on inclement weather, or you may not love all the ports you visit in the first place.
Maybe you don't actually enjoy a specialty restaurant meal you looked forward to for weeks, or perhaps your cabin isn't as spacious as you hoped. Whatever the issue is, being flexible and keeping your expectations in line with reality can help you have an incredible cruise experience you won't forget.
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