Cruise booking is a big deal. You’ll be saying yes to a full week out on the sea, or on the ocean, where you’ll be at the mercy – good or bad – of the cruise line you booked with. It’s important to do your homework before you put the money down on your cruise vacation. You want to have a blast, not get blasted, with a disappointing vacation.
There are a few smart cruise booking tips I have collected from the numerous family cruises we have booked and taken. So, I thought I’d share them with readers in hopes that they enjoy the experience as much as we do every single time we hit the amazing cruise ship waterslides and the buffet. KNOW before you go and use these fun cruise booking secrets to make for smooth sailing on board.
Cruise Booking Secrets for the Uninitiated
For first time cruisers, the cruise booking process can be a bit daunting. There are several cruise lines, and they all look great in their commercials. Of course, the travel agent wants to make a sale, as well. When you go through this process, you want to ask your friends and family for reports on what they liked about different cruise lines. You need to google reviews and check TripAdvisor and other sources. I scan Pinterest and check in with a group of travel influencers I trust. Here are some of the more important things to watch for.
Pricing
Shop around for pricing, and don’t take the first thing that comes along. Many of the sites used for hotel deals like Priceline, Orbitz, Expedia, and the like also have cruise rate sections as well. Before anything else, hit the travel sites and research deals. You can save a ton of money. I have found some excellent deals, even last minute. Of course last minute flights these days will eat up your savings so be cautious there too.
Ports of Call
You’ll want to make sure that the cruise you take fits your style both on and off the ship. Research ports of call to ensure that the excursions offered on the cruise match up with your interests. We often choose cruises based largely on the ports of call we want to see. The last Norwegian cruise vacation we took was based on the ports of call and also price, and the many amenities offered on board.
Amenities
Not all cruises are created equal or created for the same demographic. Be sure to inquire about the amenities and atmosphere when cruise booking. For example, if you have children, you probably don’t want to go on a cruise without kid friendly features like play areas, game rooms, kids’ dining, and the like. The same holds true for a couples’ cruise. Water slides? Yes please. We book cruises with our family and I always pick ones with kickbutt features. I love waterslides and so do my kids. On our last cruise there was also a rocking kid’s club, a mini golf, a high and low ropes course, walking track, many shows and a zip line plus a pirate’s plank that extended you over the sea and then swayed wildly. My husband loved that!
[tweetthis]What do you look for when you choose to cruise? #travel #cruising[/tweetthis]
Ratings
Always, always, ALWAYS look at ratings and reviews for the cruise you’re thinking of booking. Look on travel sites and other community-centric sites to find the best and most accurate ratings for your prospective cruise. You can’t beat real life experiences to help you make a decision.
Types of Cruise
Related closely to amenities and atmosphere are types of cruises. Cruises come in a lot of variations from everything like musically themed cruises to celebrity cruises and the standard family cruise situation. When cruise booking, make sure to find the one that fits your family in the same way that you’d check for amenities.
Cruise Booking – The First Step is the Most Important
Cruise booking is the single most important part of your seafaring adventure. If you pick the wrong cruise or pay too much for it, your entire trip and all the memories associated with it will be marred. Don’t let that happen! When cruise booking, do some homework, take your time, and be patient. Those are the keys to a successful cruise and a vacation to remember.
We happen to love cruises and have done a couple of brilliant ones together as a family. The excursions are amazing and the food and service top notch. Read more about why I love Cruising.
Although we’ve never taken a cruise, we have done some research. These are good tips and we’ll put them to use as we make plans for our first cruise.
We have cruised a lot and this post hits the nail right on the head! The first thing for us is how many ports of call then the price and then dates. Everything you mentioned here is right on!
These are great tips for someone looking to cruise. I haven’t cruised before, but now I know what to look at when booking!
Great tips! I have always wanted to go on a cruise, but I’ve not been yet. One of these days…..
This sounds like a great list of things to do when booking a cruise. I have never been on one, but would love to take a cruise!
These are great tips! I’m actually going on my first ever cruise in three weeks so this post couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m so excited!
These are definitely some things I’d have to consider. It would just be my boyfriend and I so I’d look into the types of shows and events on the ships.
Love this! I am really dying to go on a cruise. I wanted to plan one for next winter, so this is great. I know nothing!
It is on my bucket list to someday take a cruise with my family. I haven’t really looked much into so these tips are a great start!
Cruising is one of the things I would love to do. It’s nice they would have a lot of packages you can vary.
I love your tips when booking a cruise. You can never get another reminders when sailing. So helpful!
Cruising is our favorite way to travel! Thanks for these tips! My husband and I are getting ready to start planning our cruise, so this is extra helpful!
Oh wonderful to hear that! I am always getting ready for another cruise.
I have always wanted to go on a cruise. Hoping to someday in the future, great tips!
I have never tried cruise travel before. If my family ever gets to this point, this is a great resource for us to use!
This is right on time, my family is wanting to plan a Family Reunion Cruise. I’ve never been on a cruise so I don’t know what to do and how to do it. Thanks for getting me right.
I have cruised a lot and these are great tips for some one looking to cruise! Love this!
I haven’t been on a cruise because I have fear in water. Thanks for sharing these tips.
i’ve never been on a cruise before, so i would have had no idea where to begin booking. thanks so much for all the helpful info.
Great tips! I’ve never been on a cruise before so I would have no idea where to start!
Thanks you for the tip. I have never been on a cruise but is is on my bucket list.
My hubby and I were lucky enough to take a cruise once and keep saying that we would love to go again someday. Expensive, though.
I dream of going on a cruise some day!! On my bucket list for sure!! Thanks for the tips when the time comes 🙂
I’ve been on 4 cruises and absolutely loved the experiences, we have cherished memories from all of them. Your informative tips are perfect for everyone planning to go on a cruise!
Great tips. I always look first to see what’s included in the cruise price (gratuities, etc). Because add-ons can add up quickly.
I have had the chance to enjoy one cruise in my life and it was just an amazing vacation experience!
One day I hope to take a cruise trip. Thank you for sharing these great tips!
These are great tips! I’ve never been on a cruise before but it looks fun!
Great tips! I’ve never been on a cruise before so I would have no idea where to start!!