Over 30 million people went on cruises in 2019. Though 2020 may have thrown a wrench in some people’s cruising plans, the year ahead is looking bright.
If you’re thinking about planning a cruise sometime soon, you need to know some things beforehand. Keep reading to find our tips to help make cruise planning a fun and easy task.
1. Book Early
Though you can often find great last-minute deals on other types of trips, book cruises sooner than later. When it comes to going on a cruise, the earlier you’re able to book, the better. Cruise lines tend to offer their best rates as soon as the trip is available for purchase.
What happens more often than not is that as the ships begin to fill up, the cruise lines begin to raise their prices. You don’t want to wait too long and miss out on affordably priced trips.
You can even book your next trip while you’re aboard. Cruise lines often offer great discounts for people already using their services.
2. Set Sail at the Right Time
Before booking a cruise, you need to decide where you want to go. Where you decide on going will determine the best time of year to cruise.
The winter months are usually the best choice for any Caribbean cruises. If you have your heart set on Alaska or Europe, the summer months are best.
If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to consider cruising outside of peak sailing periods. The shoulder season won’t have as nice weather, but the ship will be less crowded and you may be able to save money.
3. Be on Time
Make a point to be on time for all your departures. The last thing you want is to be left on land as you watch your cruise ship set sail.
Punctuality doesn’t only matter on your initial day of departure, though. If your ship will be docking in port cities, give yourself plenty of time to get back to home base before it departs.
4. Plan Your Time
One of our favorite (and most fun) cruise tips is to plan how you’ll spend your time in advance. This doesn’t only apply to the activities you’ll be partaking in onboard, either. Plan your days out ahead of time if your ship will be stopping along the way.
If you plan on doing shore excursions, book them well in advance of your trip. You can also book them aboard the ship if you prefer to wait.
If you are a bit more adventurous, choose to DIY your time spent onshore. Excursions are often very expensive, so it can be hard to fit all you want to do into your budget. You can save money by creating your own itinerary, booking your own shore transportation, and living like a local.
Cruise Planning Made Simple
Cruise planning should be a fun and exciting undertaking. We hope our tips have you’re feeling less than thrilled about going on a cruise.
Keep reading our blogs for more travel tips and inspiration.
