Traveling is something many of us look forward to all year long. When booking a cruise there are a few factors you will want to consider when beginning the planning stages. We’ve laid out some areas you will want to focus on when completing this task.
Deciding on the Destination
Cruising is a unique experience, so choosing an area may be a little more difficult than choosing your average travel destination. There are a few things to keep in mind when embarking on this task.
Working with a travel advisor when booking your cruise can be the difference between a mediocre vacation and the vacation of your dreams. Even if you’re a seasoned DIY traveler, advisors are a great resource to take advantage of. They will be able to give you insight on specific cruise lines, deals and more.
Another point you should consider when choosing where you want to cruise is the time and season. This can affect the weather you will be experiencing and the conditions of the waters. Both of these factors will impact your vacation greatly and are worth taking some time to research.
After all that, you will want to look into your ports of call. Although cruise lines and destinations are plentiful, the stops and itineraries for them may vary greatly. Make sure you spend some time looking through these schedules to find one you’ll enjoy.
Choosing the Right Room
Once you and your advisor have settled on a cruise line and destination, you should start considering what type of room you want and where on the boat you want to be located. Certain areas of the ship are better or worse, depending on the time and location of travel.
Finally, consider what is located on the floor you will be choosing. Although being close to the dining room may entice you, consider the number of people that may be walking past your door at all hours of the day unaware of their volume. Additionally, choosing a room close to entertainment halls has a high probability of reverberating noise from musical instruments or speakers.
Look at the deck plans of the boat you’ll be sailing on and choose wisely.
Pre-Booking Excursions and Drink/Food Packages
Excursions are a great part of the cruising experience. The ports you will be visiting have much to offer and you will want to explore. By looking into the excursions offered at each stop, you can get an idea of what you may want to do with your time in that place.
Although there are certain dining spots and beverages that are included in your booking price, there are also items you may want to add. Most cruises have specialty dining opportunities and beverage packages that include soda and alcohol.
Protect Your Plans
All of this leaves you with a big financial investment in this trip after booking your cruise and adding on all of these extra indulgences. Just like most vacation planning, we do our best to think of anything that could go wrong and prepare for it in advance, but sometimes things are out of our control. Protect your travel plans with trip protection.
