I’m so thrilled to share my travel tips with you. My goal is these suggestions will give you topics to think about when planning your adventure and the confidence to book and go!
Travel is an adventure, so it’s impossible to know everything ahead of time. The more you travel, your confidence will grow, and a sense of wonder develops as you set out on your journey, because you know you’re capable of dealing successfully with any unforeseen issues.
Cruising is an excellent way to travel to unfamiliar countries, because you have the support of the ship crew and arrive at new locations without having to figure out how to get there.
5 Tips for Choosing the Ship Right for You
1. Use an Internet search of a general cruise site to learn the cruise lines and destinations available where you’d like to visit. I utilize the Vacationstogo.com site to do research on departure port, itinerary, dates of sail, price, and how long the ship is in port. There are many sites that provide this information, if you type in discount cruises into the search bar. Cruisecritic.com is a site I also use. The site offers many reviews of cruises, (reading reviews is always helpful when making travel decisions) as well as provides a variety of other information helpful when choosing a cruise.
2. Determine your budget and the time of year you’d like to travel. Personally, I’d rather travel than stay home, so I travel with the budget I have. Think about what is important to you when you travel.
Cruise ships have different categories of rooms that vary greatly in price. Regardless of your room category, you will visit the same ports and have access to the same experiences. Rooms which are the least expensive are smaller, do not have a window, and may be on the bow or stern (front or back end) of the ship. The more expensive rooms are centrally located, are bigger and have outdoor (verandas or balconies) area attached to the room.
I’ve stayed in interior rooms (no window), oceanview (window does not open), and balcony rooms (which also come in a variety of square footage) with a sitting area outside the room. Cruise ships have many community spaces both inside and outside to enjoy the sights if your budget only allows for an interior room. If possible, I choose a balcony room in the center of the ship, but it’s not necessary for a great experience.
3. Do not choose the least expensive cruise line. I prefer to have high quality food, great service, and beautiful surroundings when I cruise. The more expensive the cruise, the more likely this is to be true. I’d rather have a lower cabin category on a more expensive cruise line. The middle of the pack in cruise line price, is the lowest I’ll go.
Research what is included in the price. Some cruise lines offer alcoholic drink packages and gratuities included in the price. Read the fine print, so you are comparing apples to apples. If you drink alcohol, I like having a drink package purchased ahead of time or included, so I don’t worry about a big bill at the end of the cruise.
4. Research how big the ship is and the last time it was refurbished. Larger ships will usually be less expensive than smaller ships because there are more cabins to sell. Larger ships have more entertainment, restaurants and amenities offered. Go to the website of the cruise line and search the name of the cruise ship and access the details about the ship. I prefer a newly refurbished ship (within the last five years). My favorite cruises are those with 700 or fewer passengers, but the cost is often prohibitive. Smaller cruise ships can go to more ports and dock. Larger ships often times have tenders (small boats) to take you to shore. Again, I’d rather go, than not go, so if a large ship is newer, or newly renovated, and has an itinerary I want, I book.
5. Utilize a travel professional (or cruise travel company) to book your cruise and you will get an added bonus for the booking. Research the cruise travel agency for the best offerings. These bonus offers are usually money to spend on-board the ship. The amount you receive is based on the total cost of your cruise. Sometimes the bonus is in a Visa card upon return. Costco travel offers a Visa card to be used at Costco. I have booked directly with the cruise line as well as with cruise agencies. If you book with an agency, any changes to your booking are done through the agent. (It is nice to have ship credit to use onboard for shore excursions or a spa treatment.)
Cruising is a social experience. When I cruise, I meet fun, interesting people with whom to share the cruise experience. Cruising often provides an opportunity to dine with others whom you get to know throughout the meal. Often, those dining pals become friends for the week. Cruising offers many opportunities for a variety of experiences on the ship as well as on shore. You will find “your people” with whom you share similar interests and explore and enjoy!
Happy Travels!
Carol