Top Eight Things to Consider When Booking a Cruise

Cruising can be fun, but a cruise can have a costly learning curve.  Here are my eight things to consider when going on your first cruise.

1.   Location, location, location.  When booking a cruise keep in mind that old real estate truism.

Supply and demand rules cruising, just like any other trip.  Where you want to go and when influences cruise prices. When much of the US is shivering from winter cold, visions of a warm Caribbean sun and blue water tempt many to travel. So prices tend to go up then.  You’ll see a similar effect on the prices of cruises when schools let out for summer vacation and when most spring breaks occur.  Consider avoiding those times if possible.

You can save some money by traveling during the spring or fall months.  I recommend checking out the average temperature and rainfall where and when you are considering traveling.  Once you have picked a timeframe and location, then it’s time to move into checking out where the cruise lines are sending their ships at those times.  Look at the itineraries available and their prices.

For places like Alaska, you do need to keep in mind that if you want to have the best weather then the crowds and higher prices are unavoidable. It’s simply a matter of spending wisely to get the experience you want to have.

2.   Know what you want to do.

Seriously consider what you want from your cruise. Are you someone who wants to spend time onboard relaxing, soaking up some sun, and enjoying the ship?  Are you someone who likes variety and wants to visit many places?

If you are a person who like to lounge around, needs to recuperate from working, enjoys sampling varied onboard activities (such as sushi classes, entertainment shows to belly flop contests, and play trivia), or lounging by the pool, then choose a cruise with more at sea days.

If you are easily bored, like to be on the move, like exploring new places, like a variety of activity choices, or shopping, then choose a cruise with many ports to visit.

3.    Find the company that fits you.

Once you know about where you want to go and when along with what you would most enjoy, consider what cruise line and which ship to choose.

I always recommend a first time cruiser stick with the larger lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, or Princess.  They know how to package an experience that meets the needs of most people across all ages.  They offer popular destinations and a good variety of cruise lengths consisting of both at sea and in port days.

These cruise lines also offer a good variety of ships to choose among.  They go to many different places with each offering a fun variety of onboard entertainment.  

If you think you’d like a really big ship with plenty to do on board, Royal Caribbean offers the largest cruise ships afloat.  Their really big ships can carry as many as 6000 of your closest new best friends, but the ships are designed to spread out the crowds between activities, pools, and different eateries.

Carnival offers fun slides and play areas.  Norwegian says dress casual and enjoy multiple choices every day for dining.

For some of the best prices, consider the medium sized ships carrying around 3000 to 4000 passengers.  These size ships are a nice mix between size and amenities.  Big enough to offer lots of onboard activities and still small enough to fit into many different ports.

Some of the smaller ships, carrying 2500 guests or less, are known for their beautiful sea views, wonderful service, and the convenience they offer of sailing out of close to home ports such as Galveston, Texas or Baltimore, Maryland. Still remember that some smaller ships can be quite expensive since they carry fewer passengers.

4.   Select your itinerary and your ship.

Once you know what you would most like to do, then it’s time to consider an actual itinerary and your ship.  Knowing what you would most like to see or do helps you decide which line and ship to pick.

For Alaska, remember you will want to be able to see the outside easily and be outside often. You want a ship with lots of windows and ample deck spaces for everyone to use while viewing the scenery and wildlife. You want to go mid-June through the middle of August.

If you want to go swimming and sailing, then the Caribbean has many different beautiful beaches to choose from.  You can go most any month, but during the winter months it is usually expensive since everyone wants a winter break. Early fall is hurricane season, but that can mean price drops.  For time on a beach at a good price, consider a stop at a cruise line’s own private island.  Such a stop offers the beach experience with little to no extra cost as long as all you want is a beach and some sun.  Lunch on the island is usually included, but you can always return to your ship to eat.

If you want to explore North America, Europe, or elsewhere, cruises offer journeys where you can explore without having to pack, travel, and unpack at each stop.  Consider your cruise an opportunity to sample places.

5.   Booking Process Decisions.

To book a cruise you can book directly with the cruise line or you can go through a travel agent.  My recommendation is use a travel agent.  There are many that specialize in cruises.  Go with a local agency (get your friend’s recommendations and the agent’s credentials first) or go through an online travel agency.

There are many online travel agencies that specialize in cruising so check them out.  Most big warehouse stores offer travel services online.  Even if you don’t book through them, some online cruise travel agencies have good websites providing easy to view ship itineraries and pricing. These can often be easier to use when looking for what ship is going where and when, than the cruise companies’ own websites.

6.   Cabins Types.

One thing to consider before actually booking is what kind of cabin you want on your cruise.  The cabin you pick greatly impacts your cruise cost.

Four basic cabin types are: 1 - inside (no outside window or view); 2 - outside view (there’s a window, small to large depending on the ship and deck); 3 - balcony (from small with two chairs to larger) and a junior suite (just a larger floor or balcony space than a typical balcony cabin); and 4 - higher end suites (these cost the big bucks – only you can decide if you need the space, services, and perks a suite can provide).

All of these cabins come with their own positive and negative aspects.  Inside cabins are less expensive, but small. The balconies and suites have more room, but cost more.

So you’ll pay more for space and any view.  You’ll also often pay more for a higher deck and to be in the ship’s middle as well.  It all comes down to how much you want to pay versus your cabin’s location. 

7.   Three C’s – Cabin Costs Considerations.

Picking the right cabin, its size, location, and cost, is a very personal matter.  If you want to go as cheaply as possible, then book an inside cabin on the lowest public cabin deck.  It will be small, not have any window (some Royal Caribbean inside cabins do offer a virtual outside view on a wall of the cabin), and very dark when the lights are turned off. 

Even the cheapest cabin puts you on the ship with full access to facilities and activities that everyone can enjoy.  It will have a room steward to clean it (not you - you’re on vacation remember), a private bathroom, a comfortable bed, TV, and many varied spaces to store your stuff.  You can travel on a ship quite comfortably in an inside cabin if you are not claustrophobic.

If you do need that outside view, then consider booking an outside window (ocean view) cabin. Such cabins often have a small window, a larger (usually round) window, or even on some ships a floor to ceiling window. They cost more, but do offer a chance to see what is happening outside your cabin.

Ocean view window cabins are often on decks two or three, but can be higher depending on ship design.  Some of these cabins are located at the front of the ship below the bridge (ship steering area).  Be aware you may experience more ship motion there than in other ship locations.  If you do tend to motion sickness, it is best to go with a lower deck cabin in the middle of the ship since motion is usually felt less there.

Many people like to book a balcony cabin.  That’s why you see so many of the newer ships built with multiple decks of balconies.  A balcony cabin allows you to open a door and step out onto your own private outside space.

A balcony cabin can significantly add to your cruise cost so consider carefully if you think you will use it enough.  A balcony can be a great place to get away from the crowds and have that drink, snack, or read mid-afternoon in private.  Remember that if you travel at cooler times, you may not be able to get much use of the balcony.  That view may still be worth it to you, only you can decide that.  If you are traveling south along the coast from New York or Boston during late fall, winter, or early spring it will be a day or two before it is warm enough to really enjoy using the balcony.

A suite usually costs double to triple the cost of an outside or balcony room.  It also comes with more space, a bigger balcony and some perks like special pool or shows seating areas, a suite guest club lounge, and/or special restaurants just for suite guests.

If extra space is needed, then check out the price of a suite against the price of two or more cabins. Sometimes a junior suite or above size suite can be more affordable for a family instead of paying for more cabins.

Before leaving the topic of cabins, it is worth mentioning that some cruise lines are offering some interesting alternative options these days: solo cabins, some even with a small balcony, for solo travelers; and family cabins that have separate bunk bed areas for children.

If you are traveling as a solo, then check on the solo cabin offerings as they mean you won’t have to pay a single supplement price to occupy a double occupancy cabin (the price standard for cruise cabins).

If you are traveling with children, consider booking two adjacent cabins with a connecting door.  That gives a family two bathrooms and some privacy when the connecting doors are closed.  Connecting cabins may be found in inside, outside, and balcony cabins.  Some families even like to have an inside cabin for the kids across the hall from a balcony cabin as this still provides two bathrooms, some privacy, and a balcony to share at times.

8.   Book That Cruise!

Now that you know where you want to go, when you want to go, what kind of cabin you want, and the amount of time you have to vacation, it is time to book that cruise.

Book through your travel agent as the agent can help you find the best deal for your needs.  The travel agent is likely to offer you an incentive as a “reward” for using the agent.  Often it is some OBC (onboard credit – money the travel agent provides so you can purchase things or services onboard). It is a nice perk and is another reason to use a travel agent to book.  If you get OBC, either from the cruise line and/or from your travel agent use it up before leaving the ship.  It’s not hard to do as there are so many ways to spend it once on board.  If the travel agent you use does not mention any type of perk or reward for booking through them, then ask about it.

Two other reasons for using a travel agent for cruise bookings: one, they know about cruise ships and itineraries and want to share that knowledge to your benefit; and two, they can help you when you need to change something or something goes wrong.

Usually my recommendation when traveling is to research it yourself and explore your own bookings, but cruising is different.  You have to book a cruise trip through either the cruise line direct or through a travel agent. The cruise line is interested in getting your booking, but not necessarily in what is best for you.  The travel agent wants to help you get the best cruise you can afford and want. They work for you to have the best cruise possible.

One last thing to consider about your cruise - trip insurance. How boring and not necessary you say?  What happens if you break your leg outside the US and have to get treatment? Often your medical insurance will not cover such expenses. That means if you break your leg or worse happens, any medical expenses must be paid in full on the spot. Trip insurance is cheap and can help cover such needs if an emergency happens.