Taking a cruise is perfect if you’re looking for a no-hassle vacation. You won’t have to worry about where you’re going to eat next and what activities you’re going to do. You’ll also get the best advice on where to shop, eat and explore from people who have made a lifestyle of their travels.
A cruise can break you out of a vacation rut and create a whole new experience for your family. If this sounds like the kind of vacation you’re looking for, then there are a few things you need to know about planning a cruise, packing for a cruise and enjoying the cruise experience.
Tips for planning a cruise
Not all cruise lines are created equal. Some are better for singles or couples, some are better for families. When selecting a cruise line, you need to make sure that they’ll have activities and programs that best accommodate you and where you are in life. You also need to check their destinations to make sure that they’re going to ports you want to visit.
While every cruise line offers some sort of kid’s day program and night babysitting, there are cruise lines that are better at it than others. Carnival has wonderful children’s programs and family activities. It is also known as a more family-oriented cruise line. Disney Cruise Lines are also very popular for families. They are extremely child-oriented. If you’re planning on a big family vacation where your kids are the focus, these are both great options.
If you want to go on a cruise for your honeymoon or travel with your significant other, there are many romantic cruise lines to choose from. The Regent Seven Seas Cruises are affordable romantic getaways where every room has a balcony. Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises and others are great getaways for you and that special someone.
Single and looking to meet someone? Pretty much any cruise line offers singles great opportunities to mix and meet others. You’ll want to stay away from the family-oriented and honeymoon cruise lines like Carnival and Regent Seven Seas. There are many singles organizations that plan cruises and have their own activities. Many of these organizations are great options for those who want a little more structure in their vacation.
How many days should I cruise?
A great length for a cruise is seven days if you’re going with a loved one or your family. Shorter cruises are great for singles or couples. Short cruises are also good for groups of friends going out on the high seas to have some fun and blow off steam. The three- and four-day cruises are also money-saving options. They can enable those who otherwise couldn’t afford a cruise the opportunity to go on one.
When selecting a cruise length, make sure you consider the amount of traveling you have to do to get to the cruise port. If you have a lot of traveling to do to get to your port, you might want to consider a seven-day cruise so you actually have time to unpack and relax before it’s time to get packed up and on the road again.
Packing for a cruise
Packing for a cruise isn’t difficult. It just requires some thought and planning! The most important thing to remember is that your cabin will be very small. Imagine the average size of a hotel room – your cabin will be about a third of that. You’ll have a closet and some drawers to put your clothes into. But you’ll need luggage that can either fit easily under your bed or in the closet, or something that can fold down. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck in a cramped cabin filled with luggage.
Cruises usually have formal nights, and dinner is almost always a nice-casual dress affair. You usually can’t wear shorts, t-shirts or sandals into the formal dinning rooms. So make sure you pack nice clothes to wear to evening meals. You’ll also need to pack travel-friendly formalwear for formal nights.
Other than your dress clothes, you’ll need a bathing suit, and lots of t-shirts, shorts and tank tops. Keep in mind what sorts of activities you’ll be doing at your ports. That will help you plan for what clothes, shoes and outerwear you’ll need to be comfortable.
Above all, try not to over-pack. Having too much in your cabin can make the cruise a little less enjoyable. Plus, it will make packing and unpacking take longer, and you want to enjoy more time out and about on the cruise ship!
Port activities
While you can plan your own activities at your destination ports, you can also select activities that the cruise line endorses. Cruise lines usually partner with businesses in the destination ports. They act as a travel agent between you and the business. The benefit to using the business the cruise line has partnered with is that you know they are trustworthy and you won’t get ripped off. This is especially wise if you’re going to a port with a less than stellar reputation.
Make sure you include your port activities in your overall cruise budget. You don’t want to end up spending more than you had planned. Port activities are usually not very cheap, so it’s important to select activities carefully and stick to your budget!
Most importantly – make sure you plan your time at ports accordingly so you can get back to the ship in time for disembarking. If you don’t make it in time, the ship will leave you, and then it’s up to you to find an airport and get a plane to the next port of call.
On-cruise beverages
For those over the age of 21, one of the benefits of a cruise is the constant bar service. If you plan on making use of the bar, or just having a lot of sodas, then you should check out the bar and soda charges before you leave for your trip. Most cruise lines offer a special deal for those who will be drinking lots of soda, juice and other non-alcoholic beverages. It’s important to budget for these expenses. They can add up and surprise you!
If you’re going to be drinking on your cruise, you should also budget for your alcohol consumption. Make sure to check your bar balance every day or so to make sure you’re not going to get a surprising bill.
Cruise tipping
While many cruise lines do not require it, it’s always good practice to tip those who wait on you. Toward the end of your cruise, you’ll receive an envelope in your cabin with tipping suggestions. Every cruise line has different suggestions, but a general rule of thumb for cruise tipping is $3.00 per day, per guest for your cabin steward and waiter and $1.50 per day, per guest for your busboy. Normally a 15% gratuity is automatically added to your bar bill.
Enjoying your cruise experience
Here are five cruise travel tips you need to know in order to fully enjoy your cruise experience:
Going on a cruise is a great vacation! With planning, budgeting and an adventuresome spirit, you can make your cruise a no-hassle vacation. You’ll be planning your next cruise before your first one is even over.
