Planning Your First Cruise?

It’s hard to know exactly what to expect when you are cruising for the first time, so here’s some advice!
    For me, one of the most useful pieces of advice is if you are on social media, join some groups dedicated to the cruise line you are traveling with, and even the specific cruise you are traveling. You can get a lot of information about the rules, the ports, the perks and more just by reading others’ posts and questions. For my first cruise with one cruise line, I learned so much about the boat, the perks levels, and what I could expect from the room and the boat. I even knew that the ship was arriving later than anticipated days before the cruise line notified us. It was so useful, and it even taught me some things I would use for planning future cruises with that line. If you plan to cruise anytime in the future, I recommend joining some of the unofficial groups dedicated to several cruise lines to figure out what may work best for you! Be warned though, people vocalize complaints more than compliments.
   When choosing a cruise, don’t forget that you have to get to the port! If it is within driving distance, that’s super convenient, but if you have to fly, make sure you check out prices for flights to that location. Consider coming in a day or two early and staying at a hotel in case there are any flight delays. Make sure your return flight leaves you plenty of time to get to the airport after the cruise docks because it will take a while to get off of the boat.
   Check out the different cruise lines. Each has its own price point and vibe. Some are more common with an older, sedate crowd. Others have a more party vibe. Some are great for kids and offer lots of activities and vibrant kids clubs. Figure out what kind of traveler you are first, then seek a cruise line to suit you and the trip you are taking.
​   Select a room that is suitable for your cruise expectations. Are you budget conscious and plan to do nothing but sleep in your room? An inside cabin might work great for you. Do you love lingering in the morning with coffee and a book overlooking the ocean? A balcony might be better. Do you want to be pampered and waited on? You might want to try a special class of room most ships have, but they have a different name for it on each line.
   Make sure you know what is and is not included in your room. On some cruise lines, drinks are included, but not all of them. For some cruise lines, you need to pay for a drink package, but that may have some limitations, too. If the buffet is your favorite, you don’t need to worry much about specialty dining, but if that is important to you, check to see what’s included or how much it will cost to add it.
   Investigate the types of excursions available at your ports. Make sure to book popular ones in advance, so they don’t sell out. If you take a cruise line excursion, the ship will wait for you, but if you are late getting back from one you purchased from an independent party, you may miss the boat, so be mindful of times.
    Be sure to make reservations for specialty dining and shows in advance or you might miss them!
   One last tip: a good travel agent can help you navigate all of these decisions, make reservations for you, and send you reminders without costing you a dime!
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