Choosing the Right Cruise, with Confidence

If you are a seasoned cruiser, it can be very easy to settle on what cruise is the perfect fit for your next trip.  While there are still many things to consider, you probably already have several in mind and if you’re like me, there are literally hundreds (if not more) possibilities that you can’t wait to explore….but  there are some that you loved so much you would do them time and time again, given the chance, too.

If you have never been on a cruise and just don’t know where to begin, you are definitely not alone.  There are so many options in cruising and it can feel overwhelming, at times, making it hard to decide what might be the right fit for you - and there’s no worse feeling in the world than spending your hard earned and saved money on a trip that you found to be lackluster or, even worse, that you just didn’t enjoy. 

So, what should you consider?  Get a pen and paper and let’s start making decisions! (yes, I’m old fashioned - I still love my pen and paper when I have things to work out and make sense of) Jot down your answers as you go and, in the end, you should have one or two really good directions to start preparing to book your first cruise!

And since I’ve just mentioned it, I’ll just say it:  more important than anything I’m going to tell you from this point on is know your budget.  Louder for the people in the back: 

KNOW YOUR BUDGET!

Have it in mind before you go any further.  While it definitely makes or breaks some of the  cruise options, that you will sort through below, you won’t know for sure until you have decided all of the other information and start getting quotes for your trip.  From there, you can choose to reprioritize some of your wishes or save a little longer.

Itinerary

Some of you may be thinking, but wait, there are too many options!  But in the early stages be broad in your thinking; think more region or area.  Are you interested in Alaska, New England, Caribbean, Pacific, Asian, European, Mediterranean, Panama Canal, or a river cruise?  There are several cruise lines that offer all of these and some that offer only one or two…see why we start here?

Cruise Length

Some people are hesitant to pull the trigger on their first cruise because they, or the person they would travel with, are afraid that they will feel “trapped” on a ship or that they just simply wouldn’t enjoy it.  In this instance I would suggest starting on a shorter cruise.  There are several options starting at just three nights, which can be the perfect way to test the waters (pun intended); however, the itineraries for such short cruises can be limited and expand as you increase your sailing length.

Cruise Line

Now that you have an idea (or two or three) about what sort of place(s) you would like to visit, and how many nights you want to commit, it’s time to think about the cruise lines and what they have to offer.  There is a ton to consider, here, and it can be daunting, so I’ll cover the high points, and while I’m naming some cruise lines, specifically, there are many more to explore and consider -  this is where a travel advisor can really help you hone in on the final decision.

Kids

Are you looking to make this a multi-generational family trip? Or one geared to focus on children? Or are you looking to get away from kids – yours and anyone else’s?  While Disney Cruise Lines definitely caters towards families of children, Virgin Voyages has a strict 18+ policy, and Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, etc. are a great fit for families with children and adults traveling kid free, alike.

Food

This is one area that you can find much debate on since good food is such a matter of personal taste (pun not intended, this time).  Cruise lines like Oceania, Viking, Regent Seven Seas consistently rank among the highest rated in the food (among other) categories, the overall cost of those cruise lines don’t necessarily fit into every cruise goers budget. Norwegian, Celebrity, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean all offer a wide array of choices that just about anyone can find enjoyment in ranging from burgers to beef wellington and everything in between and most cruise lines now offer, in addition to the included-in-your-fare main dining room, buffet, and quick services options, premium dining for an additional cost.   Premium dining is definitely not necessary in finding great food on any ship; while there are some that I enjoy and will pay for whenever I can (like Royal Caribbean’s 150 Central Park or Jaime’s Italian), I never feel as though I have missed out if those are not options on my ship or if the additional cost is not within my budget.  I would be remiss if I didn’t mention, here, that Virgin Voyages does not charge an additional price for any of its dining, so this may also make a difference in your choice of cruise lines if food is a deciding factor.  

A quick Google or YouTube search of cruise line and ship menus will give you a very good idea of the offerings and whether or not they come at an additional cost.

The itinerary, food, kids, etc., may whittle down your options pretty quickly.  For example, if you’re looking to do a river cruise, you will be limited to very specific cruise lines.  If you want adult only, again, whittled down yet again.  

Embarkation City

This is where your budget comes in, in a big way.  If you live in Florida but want to take a Mediterranean cruise, you have to first get to the Mediterranean.  While the cost of the cruise, itself, isn’t typically much different from a Caribbean cruise, you will have to add to that cost the international airfare, as well as at least one night hotel stay in the embarkation city. 

If you are able to cruise to a destination that strikes your fancy and it’s within driving distance or at least domestic airfare distance, your budget will go much further.

Ships

I debated, for a while, on whether or not to even include this, since you really do need to decide all the above before looking at the ships, themselves; in fact, all the above will dictate to you what ships are even options, but ships are part of the decision-making process, too.  Let’s say you have an unlimited budget, are looking for an upscale dining experience, and want to do a European river cruise….well, if you also want a ship with water slides, surfing, go carts, and roller coasters, you’re really going to struggle, mainly because of the size ship these activities require vs what can sail the river ways.

Cabin

I left this for last because while the cabin type is important, you can find just about the same cabins on each ship and with each cruise line.  Of course if you’re looking at a luxury cruise line, some offer what standard cruise lines classify as suites as your standard cabins.   The classification names can vary, slightly, from cruise line to cruise line, but what you generally need to decide between are the cabin classifications of:

·      Interior – no windows or views of the outside world (unless you happened to book a cabin with a window overlooking the promenade deck or one that has a virtual balcony).  A standard interior room is the first choice for a large number of cruisers for a multitude of reasons – they get perfectly dark, which can be great for sleeping at any time of the day, and they are generally much more affordable than other cabin classes.

·      Ocean View – offering a porthole or window view of the ocean.

·      Balcony – as the name implies these have a balcony from which you can take in the views – and sounds – of the ocean or if you’re on some Royal Caribbean ships, the boardwalk and central park.

·       Suite – the suite options are endless, from Junior Suites that just offer slightly larger cabin space to elite suites that offer private butler service.

Each of these cabin classifications come in different pricing options determined by size, location on the ship, etc.

I know, this seems like a lot and oh so little at the same time, especially on your first go round and while you can absolutely book on your own (people do it every day), I highly recommend that you work with a travel planner, especially one that’s well versed in cruising, to help guide you through the process.  And yes, I am a travel advisor that focuses on cruising, so I’m sure that sounds like a sales pitch or pressure, but hear me out:  While I would be thrilled to help you on your journey, I really want you to find someone that you can connect with and you’re comfortable with, that understands what you’re looking for and that will be honest with you - sometimes what you’re looking for is just not possible with your budget and they can help find you that happy compromise.  A good travel advisor will also stay in touch with you, from beginning to end, making sure you are fully prepared to enjoy the trip.

Now, take the notes you’ve made and either reach out to your travel advisor or start looking into your options on your own. Your first cruise is much closer to reality than you may think.