Top 10 Essential Questions for Your Cruise Planning

Planning a cruise vacation can be a challenge for those who either haven’t traveled much or who haven’t taken an organized tour or vacation. How do you plan that first cruise? Families and friends often get together to discuss travel plans. You might have heard enjoyable cruise tales and seen cruise vacation pictures or read about how much fun (and economical) cruising can be. If you want to “take the plunge” and go on your first cruise, where do you start?

First-time cruisers should find a good travel agent who is experienced in cruise bookings. However, before contacting the travel agency or cruise line, it is essential to answer the ten questions covered in this article.

After answering the following ten questions, you will be ready to work with a travel agent to select a cruise line and cruise ship.

01 of 10: Who Is Going on the Cruise?

This should be the easiest question, so let’s start with it. All age groups are welcome and catered for on a cruise ship. You can find a cruise that accommodates any age group, from toddlers to great-grandparents. Families with teenagers often feel it to be the best family vacation yet. If you don’t have kids or prefer not to be around them on vacation, some cruise ships cater mostly to adults.

02 of 10: How Much Are You Prepared to Spend?

Let’s discuss minimums. There are no set maximums for cruise spending. A common guideline suggests budgeting around $100/day/person (exclusive of airfare). This rule remains reasonable, although many cruise lines now charge extra for items that were once included. Nevertheless, you can lower your budgeted cost by considering several strategies:

• Having more than two persons per cabin.
• Booking early (more than nine months in advance).
• Taking a risk and booking late (less than two months in advance).

The minimum price on a “mainstream” cruise line for a Caribbean or Mediterranean cruise appears to average about $600 – $1000 per week. Alaska and Northern Europe generally cost more due to a shorter cruise season.

03 of 10: How Long Is Your Vacation?

If your vacation is less than a week, you are likely restricted to the Bahamas, Mexico, parts of the Caribbean, or a “cruise to nowhere,” which allows passengers to cruise for a long weekend into the ocean and return without making any ports of call. A week’s vacation opens up the Caribbean and, depending on your location, you might even get to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, or the South Pacific.

If you can manage ten days to two weeks, you will have even more options—including all seven continents.

Keep in mind that the longer the cruise, the more you’ll need to pack or consider doing laundry while away.

04 of 10: When Do You Want to Travel?

Cruise prices tend to be lower in the spring or fall, primarily due to supply and demand. Kids are in school during these periods, and weather can be unpredictable. Winter has traditionally been considered the “high” season for tropical locations like the Caribbean, although summertime costs are also high because of families with children and college students.

Certain destinations have brief cruising seasons; for example, if you want to go to Alaska or Northern Europe, cruise options are available between May and September. However, if you’re planning a trip to Antarctica, the season runs from November to February.

Tropical cruising is somewhat more forgiving, as temperatures remain fairly stable year-round, though rainfall differs. Most tropical locations like the Caribbean and Hawaii have a dry season during summer and a rainy season during winter.

If you plan to visit the Mediterranean, brace for high-season crowds in the summer, though some ships operate year-round.

05 of 10: Where Do You Want to Cruise?

Choosing a cruise destination can be challenging for potential cruisers. It’s essential to remember that over 75% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water, meaning cruisers can visit every continent and many countries. Landlocked regions like Central Europe, Russia, or the Yangtze River in China can often be accessed through river cruises.

Each cruise destination boasts its own unique atmosphere and natural diversity. The weather or the cruise ship can influence what you need to pack for your journey.

06 of 10: What Types of Things Do You Like to Do?

One of the greatest benefits of a cruise is the variety of activities available. You can choose to relax on the deck and take in stunning views, or you might prefer more active pursuits like hiking, biking, zip-lining, scuba diving, or other water sports.

European cruises frequently offer city or museum tours along with cultural opportunities. Ships dock in Europe’s major cities for visits that allow passengers to explore marvelous historical and cultural sites. Although outdoor excursions such as hiking are sometimes included, most European cruises focus primarily on the significant cities.

Tropical destinations, like in the Caribbean and South Pacific, usually provide opportunities for island tours and beach activities. Historical or museum tours are typically less emphasized.

Many cruise lines offer shore activity lists prior to departure, either through their website or travel agents. Although decisions regarding shore activities aren’t obligatory before boarding, booking shore excursions early is advisable as they can have limited availability.

07 of 10: What Type of Cabin Do You Want/Need?

Selecting a cabin typically depends on your budget. Interestingly, many cruisers opt for the least expensive accommodation initially, reserving funds for shopping or shore excursions later. Most cruise lines offer deck plans in various formats, allowing you to view them online or obtain hard copies from travel agents. Early bookings sometimes result in better cabin upgrades, and cabins located mid-ship on lower decks generally offer a smoother experience in rough seas compared to cabins closer to the bow or on upper decks.

On a one-way Alaskan cruise, opting for a cabin on the shore side can enhance your experience. Nonetheless, expect the captain to navigate the ship around glacier-filled bays, providing everyone with breathtaking views.

Balcony cabins have gained popularity in recent years, and many newer ships now include private verandahs or balconies. Price-wise, these cabins are becoming more accessible. Be sure to factor the cabin price into your overall cruise budget; the investment might be worthwhile.

08 of 10: When Do You Like to Eat Dinner?

Dinner times can vary by cruise line, typically falling into three categories: early seating (about 6:00 pm), late seating (about 8:00-8:30 pm), or open seating (anytime within a specified timeframe). Some larger ships have introduced additional fixed seating options.

Early seating offers a chance to enjoy post-dinner entertainment, although it may require an earlier start for those on shore excursions that run late. Late seating provides ample time to prepare for dinner, although finishing after 10:00 pm could mean missing evening shows or activities.

Open seating is a common option on many cruise lines, enabling guests to dine at their convenience. If this is important to you, be sure to express your preference to your travel agent at the time of booking.

Furthermore, when dining at assigned seating, you can typically indicate your preferred table size, with options generally ranging from two to ten. Remember, if you specifically want a small table for two, it’s wise to communicate this preference early.

09 of 10: Do You Like to Dress Up?

Mainstream cruise lines traditionally included one or two “dress-up” nights on seven-day cruises where passengers would don formal or semi-formal attire. However, there’s been a shift toward more relaxed dress codes; now some lines embrace “resort casual” or “country club casual” attire every night.

While some ships maintain traditional dining expectations, if you wish to avoid formal wear, consider smaller sailing ships or dining in casual buffets. Always be sure to review brochures and online resources for the specific dress codes of the ships you are considering.

Women often enjoy dressing up for dinner but dread the extra packing involved. To comply with airlines’ luggage weight restrictions, it may be prudent to bring only a couple of versatile evening outfits and mix and match as needed.

10 of 10: How Will You Get to Your Cruise Ship?

Travelers commonly choose between flying or driving to their cruise’s embarkation point. While driving provides flexibility, it may not be feasible unless you are within a day’s drive of the port.

Most cruise lines offer “fly-cruise” packages that simplify the process, but it is wise to compare these prices with independent flights. Such packages typically cover transfers from the airport to the ship, which can be beneficial for those who pack heavily.

Additionally, booking through cruise line flights allows for shared delays; if flight issues arise, your ship departure time may be adjusted accordingly. For independent flight bookers, arriving a day early can reduce stress related to potential travel complications.

Now that you’ve answered these ten questions, you are prepared to call a travel agent and select a cruise line and ship. Bon Voyage!