plan to go on a cruise

Everything to Know Before Booking Your First Cruise

By Mark Ellwood and Ramsey Qubein

Approaching how to book a cruise for the first time has always been somewhat daunting, with a dizzying assortment of itineraries, companies, destinations, and ships to choose from. How can first-timers  book a cruise without going wrong? We asked three  Traveler -approved experts for their seasoned advice: Gene Sloan is cruise editor for  The Points Guy ; Jason Leppert is cruise editor for  TravelAge West ; Carolyn Spencer Brown is  Cruise Media’s chief content officer. All three are industry experts that have decades of experience across various types of cruises.

What’s the ideal cruise length for a first-timer?

A week or so is the  sweet spot for most first-time cruisers , which will offer three to six ports. Three-day sampler itineraries won’t allow you to explore more than one or two destinations, and you can’t decompress as thoroughly, either. Still, Leppert suggests a weekend trip could be enough for those that just want to try out cruising for the first time to see if you like it. 

While that’s  a good idea for some, Sloan also points out that cruise lines don’t always put their best ships on shorter runs. The ships on these itineraries can sometimes be older and have fewer of the bells and whistles that draw people to cruising in the first place. He says it is not exactly representative of the latest cruising has to offer, and the destinations on super-short cruises are not always the most unique offerings.

What’s the best way to book a cruise?

Many may wonder: Is it cheaper to book a cruise direct? Sure, you can  book a cruise online—but it’s a rookie mistake. Smart cruisers know the best place to book a cruise is with a  travel agent . Though agents’ roles have diminished in the mass-market travel biz, they remain crucial for cruising. Not only can specialists offer seasoned advice, but they can also wrangle deals and promos: Ask them about shipboard credit, which is the ocean equivalent of a gift card to spend onboard—$100 or so is a standard bonus. They may also have access to group rates, according to Sloan. Even if their prices are similar to those when booking direct, the volume of business agents do with cruise lines means you are more likely to score perks like a cabin upgrade or welcome bottle of Champagne when using one.

As the industry reinvents itself in the wake of the pandemic, it’s never been more important to have expert counsel, adds Spencer Brown. “At the end of the day, you’re going on this trip to relax, have fun, learn something, and get away from your everyday world. I want that support system.”

If something goes wrong, an agent can help rectify the situation faster than you may be able to if you go it alone. You won’t be paying more for their service, either. Most make their money via commissions from the cruise lines. Leppert calls it “the best of the best” advice to go with a travel advisor. 

What’s the best time to book a cruise?

If you're looking to leverage new cruise deals, the best way to  book a cruise is by starting early since prices continue to be robust. “There’s so much pent-up demand. People haven’t traveled for a year or more, so they’re spending more money on the trips they’re going on—upgrading to a nicer suite, perhaps,” says Spencer Brown. This could make it harder to secure the cabin you want on the sailing you want.

Leppert highlights  Wave Season (January through March) for booking a future cruise since this is when cruise lines typically announce their best deals although last-minute bargains always pop up. Like Spencer Brown, he says that demand is outpacing inventory so it is best to book as soon as possible.

Sloan agrees and says people  book cruises much further in advance than a hotel or flight, which means that inventory can get gobbled up quickly. Many cruise lines open up their reservation window as far as two years in advance, which means certain cabins can get snatched up. Don’t forget that many travelers are looking to use leftover credits they have from the pandemic, which further compounds the demand.

Most major cruise lines offer the equivalent of a price adjustment—if the cost of your cruise drops after you pay a deposit, but before the final payment, you’ll be protected, and refunded the difference. This means there is little penalty to reserving as early as possible.

What are the best types of cruises for first-timers?

Opt for a winter sun trip in the  Caribbean . It’s easy and affordable to reach the boarding port, and shuttling between the clusters of islands offers a compact, convenient way to experience a multitude of cultures. “Think of a cruise as a tapas menu,” says Spencer Brown—it allows you to sample destinations to which you might later return for a longer visit. Even handier, when on a Caribbean cruise almost every island accepts payment in dollars, so there’s no need to juggle currencies. The waters also are largely calm, keeping seasickness to a minimum.

River cruising is another smart first-time choice, adds Spencer Brown. “You can literally walk off the ship into town, go to a park or ride a bike, or just sit on the top deck breathing the air—it’s marvelous,” she says. 

Sloan offers another take saying that your travel budget should lead the way. If you are prepared to drop $1,000 a night on a cruise, start out on an upscale line with smaller ships like Silversea Cruises or Seabourn. These will give you a taste of cruising with fewer passengers, and often to smaller, less-frequented ports. 

If the budget leans more toward the $100 per-day price point, try one of the newer mega-ships from Norwegian Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean. These newer ships can have a bustling resort vibe that will keep you busy no matter what your cabin type.

Seasoned cruisers know that ship amenities are often less buys while at port.

Understanding cabin categories

There’s a dizzying array of options (and pricing) for staterooms, especially on larger ships. First-timers who simply want a place to crash often book the cheapest category, an interior cabin with no window or balcony. 

Steph Koyfman

Shannon McMahon

Charlie Hobbs

If you fall for the trappings of a bargain-basement deal, that cheapie stateroom might be right across from the service area, with a door slamming shut 24/7 or underneath the kitchen, with heavy carts rolling at 6 a.m. Avoid cabins below frequently used passageways on the top decks where footsteps and the sound of deck chairs moving frequently can be annoying. Even higher category cabins can be one deck below the main deck so it is wise to ask about this when reserving.

There are several websites with exhaustive cruise deck plan maps that offer advice and user-generated feedback, almost like a sea-going counterpart to SeatGuru’s airline seat maps. These can be a lifesaver when choosing a cabin type.

The scoop on shore excursions

For a first-timer, these can be confusing. Details aren’t often added to an itinerary until six months or so before sail date; check back regularly, snap up a place on any excursions that are of interest, and book early—popular options can reach capacity long before sailing. 

Still, some travelers choose to go off-menu and arrange private excursions, using independent companies, which can often be cheaper than the line's options. Just keep in mind that when taking an independent excursion, the ship won’t wait for you if you’re late. Staying with the cruise line’s jaunts may be more expensive, but is a safer bet if you are not sure of a new destination.

Sloan says that it really depends where the ship is going. In some ports like Barcelona or Venice, it is easy to venture off on your own without an excursion. Others, however, may require longer drives or special access passes making excursions a safer bet.

Another consideration is to use port days to spend more time on the ship. Leppert notes that onboard amenities like pools, buffets and waterslides are less crowded when most people are ashore. If a particular destination doesn’t appeal to you (or perhaps you have been many times before), it’s ok to enjoy the ship instead.

What is a sea day?

Transits, when the ship is en route between ports, are known as sea days (like the term shore excursions, it's more  cruise lingo ); passengers, obviously, remain on board. Many newbies fret about wasting time at sea rather than exploring, but they’re often a fun chance to explore the ship itself, as well as decompress between ports. Some travelers actually  book cruises that have at least one or two sea days, especially if it’s a larger ship with loads of amenities like water parks, race car tracks, zip lining, and multiple shows. 

What's the best first cruise for a family?

The mega ships are always primed to be the best first choice for families, whether Norwegian’s 4,200-passenger  Escape or the newest Oasis class of ships beginning with the  new  Wonder of the Seas . Their emphasis is on activities like adrenaline-rushing water slides, surf simulators, and three-tiered race tracks.

Disney Cruise Line is an obvious place to start for families, but it has a surprising number of activities and experiences for adults, too, including adults-only areas on board. Still, this isn’t the line for an adult-only vacation unless you’re a hard-core Disney fan.

How much does it cost to book a cruise?

You may be wondering how much does a 7-day cruise usually cost? The answer is that it depends. The time of year you travel (avoid school holidays, for example), the destination, and the ports of call can affect the overall cost. 

Many travelers enjoy, for example, taking repositioning cruises. These happen typically as the seasons change and cruise lines move their ships from one region to another (between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, for example). Sometimes, these cruises visit islands that are rarely frequented making them more expensive. Many experts say that they are not ideal for first-time cruisers, however, as there may be many sea days. 

Shorter cruises that rely on drive-market travelers typically come with a lower price point than those in far-flung destinations. Special deals and repeat traveler discounts can also affect the overall cost.

What is the cheapest cruise ship to go on?

These are generally the shorter sailings from Miami or Port Canaveral, for instance, using the larger brands like Carnival, Princess Cruises, or Royal Caribbean, according to Sloan. The best deals are generally in the fall (the low season for Florida departures). Cruises to the Bahamas or the Caribbean tend to be more affordable than those to places like Europe or Alaska.

West Coast travelers can find great bargain deals on cruises to Mexico, too, adds Leppert.

What to know about cruise insurance

Don’t skimp on  cruise insurance . Cruise vacations can easily fall prey to flight disruptions or storms that can snarl plans. Check online for insurance policies from places like VisitorsCoverage and Seven Corners, which have reasonable prices for comprehensive coverage.

If you’re flying to the embarkation point, plan to arrive the day before—even the most perfect cruise won’t wait if you’re stuck in air traffic congestion all morning. Yet another reason to ensure you’re insured.

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How To Plan A Cruise For The First Time

First-time cruiser how to book a cruise vacation like a pro.

By Chantae Reden | Published on June 5, 2023

Longtime cruisers know how exciting and yet relaxing a cruise can be. World-class entertainment, scrumptious dining options and adventure activities are just steps away from your stateroom. Out at sea, the stars are brighter than they are on land, and when you open your eyes in the morning, you're often in a new destination. If you're dreaming of a trip that's bound to be memorable, here's how to plan a cruise for the first time.

How To Choose The Right Cruise For First-Time Cruisers

With hundreds of ports of call around the world spanning from the Caribbean to Europe to the South Pacific and beyond, the options of where to go for your first-time cruise are nearly limitless. If you're not sure where to begin, one of the best first-time cruise tips is to look at how much time you have to travel. If you're searching for a quick getaway, a short cruise to Mexico , the Caribbean  or Catalina Island  might be within reach. Or, if longer escapes are more your style, embark on a seven-night (or longer) cruise to Europe , Asia , the South Pacific  and beyond. There is bound to be a cruise that fits your dream destination and ideal length of time.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Once you book your cruise, select the shore excursions  you'll want to do during your trip. These range from shopping trips, walking tours, cooking classes, cultural performances, zip lines, ATV rides, scuba diving and snorkeling trips and countless other activities. Your shore excursions will help you decide what to pack on your trip, so it's wise to think about them before you set sail.

What To Expect On Your First Cruise

Your cruise will depart from a port where you'll check in and board the ship. As far as cruise tips for first-timers go, it's always recommended to give yourself as much time in a destination as possible. It's worth arriving a night or two before your cruise departs so you have time to enjoy the activities and scenery that the port city has to offer. It's like a mini vacation before a vacation! Before my cruise from Miami, my friend and I went to museums, buzzed though Everglades National Park and enjoyed the thrum of the city's nightlife.

Once it's time to board your cruise, you'll check in with your luggage, which will be taken to your stateroom. This is a great time to explore the ship and discover your soon-to-be favorite lounge spots, the dining areas, the entertainment rooms, spa, shops and more. For a laid-back start, pack a bathing suit and change of clothes in your carry-on bag to enjoy the sunshine from the get-go.

Cruise days are spent either at sea or at a port of call. While the ship is at sea, take advantage of all the activities, entertainment areas, dining venues, spa treatments and more, or spend the day in the shade with a drink in one hand and a book in the other. Once the ship arrives at port, you'll venture out on any shore excursions you have planned or venture around the destination on your own.

First-Time Cruiser Packing Tips

When you're packing for your cruise, consider the destination you'll be traveling to and the weather it'll likely have that time of year. Lightweight, airy fabrics that easily layer are ideal for cruises to the Caribbean, while jeans, a blouse and a jacket might be more suitable for an autumn cruise to Europe. No matter where you're going — or how long you're going for — grab pieces of clothing that are comfortable, versatile and are easy to mix and match. Many itineraries have a formal night onboard, and it's a fun experience to go all out if you wish.

Multifunctional pieces are wise to bring along on a cruise no matter the destination. A sarong can act as a scarf in chilly weather, a lounge towel on the beach and a cover-up for a night on the town. Sporty sandals with tread will carry you from the pool deck to jungle trails. Meanwhile, a button-up is great for protecting your skin against sunshine and wind and can be dressed up or down. If you're planning plenty of adventure excursions, pack plenty of athletic attire. If you'll mostly be exploring city streets, embrace a stylish yet comfortable ensemble. The great thing about a cruise is you only have to unpack once, no matter how many ports of call  you visit.

First-Time Cruise Checklist

Your first-time cruise checklist should include; identification documents, your wallet, toiletries, medications, sightseeing clothes, swimming attire, a formal outfit, socks and undergarments, sun protection, a camera, binoculars (for wildlife watching), a dry bag, sandals, closed-toe shoes, sunglasses and a hat.

Get To Know The Ship

The ship will be your home away from home while you're on your cruise. Ships such as Royal Caribbean's fleet of Oasis Class ships have multiple world-class dining venues, thrill-seeking rides, theaters, lounge spaces, pools and entertainment areas onboard. One way to take advantage of the ship's exciting features is to learn about each ship before your trip online on the Cruise Ship Hub . Here, you'll find an overview of the ship's highlights, deck plans, things to do, room options and trip details. Don't be surprised if you find yourself choosing a ship and then the destination you'll cruise to based on upcoming itineraries. A cruise is an experience unlike any other.

Written By CHANTAE REDEN

Chantae Reden is an adventure writer and photographer who rarely strays far from the coastline. She is a freediver, surfer, scuba diver, and has a mild obsession with sharks. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Escape, ScubaDiving.com and she's a guidebook author for Moon Travel Guides. Discover more of her stories on her travel website, TheSaltSirens.com. 

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How to Plan a Cruise in 6 Steps

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Whether you’re jonesing for an epic Antarctic holiday or an extended weekend in the Bahamas, cruises can be a good way to let someone else take the reins for your vacation. But planning a cruise can be confusing, especially when there are several types of cruises, destinations and price points.

When planning a cruise, you’ll want to consider a variety factors, especially if you’re dealing with limited time or a tight budget.

Let’s look at how to plan a cruise, from your budget to booking, and what to expect along the way.

1. Establish a budget

The first step in planning a cruise is deciding how much money you want to spend. Costs for a cruise will vary based on a number of things, including:

Cruise line.

Destination.

Cruise length.

Number of guests. 

Onboard spending. 

Offshore excursions.

If price is top-of-mind, consider a budget-friendly cruise line. These cruise lines tend to be less glamorous, and you’ll likely be paying for more optional add-ons, such as drink packages and excursions. But you’ll still find plenty of activities to keep you entertained, no matter who you’re cruising with.

You may find deals for as little as $40 per person per night, not including gratuities or any onboard spending. For example, we found a deal for a four-night cruise from Long Beach, Calif., to Ensenada, Mexico, for $169 per person on Carnival.

On the high end, you’re looking at costs as high as $90,000 per person — though these cruises tend to be much longer (nearly six months!) or feature exotic destinations and itineraries.

For example, a 168-night cruise on luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas — with dozens of stops in ports around the globe — costs more than $97,000 per person.

Of course, your budget will likely fall somewhere in between these low- and high-end examples. The bottom line is that it’s important to plan for a cruise that fits your budget. With such a wide variety of options, odds are you’ll find a price point that's comfortable for you.

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

2. Decide on cruise length

Once you’ve decided how much money you’re willing to spend, you’ll need to see how much vacation time you have available.

If you live far from a port, be sure to factor in the time it takes to get to and from the departure city. Add that to the length of the cruise, and that's how many vacation days you'll need.

To optimize your time off, you'll probably want to try to leave from the closest port possible. If you're on the East Coast, for example, leaving from Miami would require far less travel time than leaving from L.A.

If you’re taking a week-long vacation, a five-night cruise would give you the time to arrive in the port city the day before departure and then return home without feeling rushed.

» Learn more: Are cruises worth it?

3. Choose a destination

How can you plan for a cruise without giving some thought to the destination? The cruise industry is worth more than 7 billion dollars and includes routes all over the world.

If the number of destinations seems a little overwhelming, remember that you've already narrowed down your options by establishing your budget and cruise length.

Many search engines will allow you to look for cruises using these parameters — in addition to helpful filters like departure port and desired departure date.

Your cruise dates will likely affect your destination options. For example, if you want to depart in February, you likely won’t find any cruises going to Alaska . And booking a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season might result in a rerouted itinerary — or even a canceled cruise — if a hurricane forms in the Atlantic.

» Learn more: How to get the best deal on your next cruise

4. Compare cruise lines

Different cruise lines cater to different clientele. Some are geared toward those who want to travel in luxury, while others are designed for spring-breakers or families.

If you’re looking forward to a quiet getaway in the Caribbean but choose a Carnival cruise in the middle of April (i.e. prime college spring break time), you may not have much fun when the pool party gets going.

Do some research on the demographics each cruise line attracts. For a family-friendly cruise, sailing with Disney or Royal Caribbean might be a good choice. Those looking for a calm, adult-only atmosphere may want to choose an itinerary on Viking Cruises.

» Learn more: The best cruise lines

5. Book your cruise

There are several different ways to book a cruise, including reserving directly with the cruise line, using an online travel agency or even working with a travel agent.

Each method has its advantages. Booking through an online agency can save you money. Compared to booking directly through the cruise line, though, it may not be as easy to make changes or cancel your reservation if something comes up. If you book through a travel agent, you have the advantage of being able to arrange your cruise and airfare at the same time.

It’s a good idea to compare cruises across all available platforms, because pricing and special add-ons vary. Last-minute cruises can get you serious discounts, as can stacking cash-back opportunities with shopping portals such as Rakuten .

6. Complete your documentation

Once you’ve booked your cruise, you’ll need to submit some documentation, such as an ID, a health declaration, and a credit card to keep on file.

Most of the time, you can also choose to pre-book activities and excursions, though this may depend on the cruise line you’re sailing with.

You’ll want to find out if you need a passport or any visas for your cruise — this will depend on where your cruise is departing from and where it will stop. Be sure to verify this soon after booking your cruise, as obtaining or renewing a passport can take time.

Planning a cruise recapped

Cruises can be an exciting way to visit multiple destinations in a single trip.

When planning a cruise, you’ll want to decide how much you’re willing to spend, where you want to go and the amount of time you have available.

Aside from that, consider what types of cruises you’d like to go on and the people you want to be around. Once everything is taken care of, all that's left to do is enjoy!

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11 Expert Cruise Planning Tips

By Elissa Garay

Last updated: November 9th, 2021

• Find a Cruise

Ready to book your dream cruise vacation? Terrific! Now for the hard part: With hundreds of itineraries to choose from, among countless other cruise planning considerations (such as choosing between port vs starboard for your stateroom), the prospect of booking a sailing can feel overwhelming, especially for those who are new to cruising. And while serendipity can lead to some memorable moments in everyday life, in the cruising realm, the most rewarding vacation experiences are almost always reserved for those who have committed to good planning.

From choosing a destination and the best time to sail , to nabbing travel insurance and packing your bags, this list of expert cruise planning tips will help ensure that you leave your worries back on land when it comes time to pull out of port. Because in the end, a little careful cruise planning will go a long way to help ensure that your trip is nothing but smooth sailing.

1: Decide on Your Dream Destination

Apart from the ship you pick, there’s probably no bigger variable for determining the outcome of your vacation than the destination you choose to cruise to. There are hundreds of itineraries to contemplate all around the globe—whether beaching-bumming in the Caribbean, city-hopping in Europe, exploring the wilderness of Alaska, or soaking up ancient culture in Asia is more your vacation speed.

For those of you just getting your feet wet on cruising, a fairly close-to-home voyage to the ever-popular Caribbean—or perhaps to the Bahamas , Bermuda, or Mexico—certainly won’t disappoint, where beautiful beaches come paired with distinct cultural experiences.

Read: Reasons to Visit Bermuda for Your Honeymoon

Miami, Florida

Another major factor in deciding upon a cruise destination is your embarkation port . Keep in mind that if you are looking to start your voyage at a specific U.S. port (perhaps one that’s set within easy driving distance), your options will be limited to whatever ships sail from there—so that’s a good place to start your research.

Note that you’ll have to fly some distances for cruises departing further afield, like for Europe or Australia. While sailings in these regions can be altogether rewarding, don’t overlook factoring in that extra travel time and international airfare.

2: Research the Best Time to Sail

Once you determine where you want to sail, the next big question is when to go. Every cruise region around the globe has its own sailing season. For instance, the winter months are the high season for Caribbean cruises , while summer is prime time for cruising Alaska and Europe.

Due to supply and demand, sailing outside of the peak periods means that if you’re willing to sacrifice the most ideal weather conditions, you’ll enjoy less-crowded ports. There will generally be more crowds and higher prices at other times of year when the kids are out of school.

3: Determine How Long to Sail

Celebrity Edge Rooftop Garden

Cruise itinerary lengths vary widely, from quick weekend getaways to multi-day sailings across the ocean. Most options, however, tend to run around the weeklong mark, but if you’re new to cruising, opting for a shorter sailing might be a good move.

You’ll find plenty of three- to five-night itineraries for close-to-home locales like the Bahamas, Caribbean, or Mexico, for instance. However, keep in mind that shorter cruises mean fewer ports of call and less time to unwind and get oriented on the ship, which could ultimately take away from an optimized cruise experience.

Remember that if you are planning a cruise to a far-flung locale, you’ll need to factor in the travel time to and from the port into your overall vacation duration.

Read: What Are the Longest Cruises You Can Take?

4: Arrive at the Port Early

Most seasoned cruisers will tell you that arriving at your cruise’s embarkation port with plenty of time to spare is essential to a stress-free trip. If you’re flying to meet your cruise, especially to an international port, that means at least a day before departure. It is well worth the peace of mind to (literally) not miss the boat on your cruise vacation should there be a flight delay.

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

Plus, you’ll have an extra day to explore the port city without simply heading straight from the airport to the cruise port, which is bound to offer some interesting things to see and do.

However, if your embarkation port is set within driving distance, you might plan to arrive on the day of departure, since you can set your own schedule. Still, do allow for plenty of extra time for stops and traffic delays.

Know that if you’re late, the ship will leave without you—and you’ll have to figure out the logistics of joining the voyage at the next port of call (if that’s even a possibility), on your own dime.

5: Choose Your Stateroom Carefully

Celebrity Flora Suite

Once you’ve chosen a cruise itinerary , you’ll select your accommodations, which can vary widely in features and cost. From simple “inside” (meaning interior and windowless) staterooms to lavish suites, one size does not fit all: The stateroom you pick should closely match both your personal vacation style and budget.

Cruise ship staterooms generally fall into one of four basic categories—inside, ocean view, veranda, and suite. If you relish lazy days lounging in your stateroom, enjoying coffee or nightcaps on your own private balcony, upgrading to a veranda stateroom or more spacious and sumptuous suite might be worth the splurge. Suites come with plenty of extra amenities like priority boarding, concierge services, and access to exclusive venues.

Tip: If you are prone to seasickness , request a stateroom that’s located mid-ship on a lower deck where there’s less movement on the ship should rougher seas emerge.

Read: How to Choose the Best Stateroom on a Cruise

6: Don’t Forget Incidentals

Berlin, Germany

While your upfront cruise fare covers a lot of the biggies—like accommodations, meals, entertainment, and transport from port to port—you’ll need to consider incidentals, too.

Some common additional charges to prepare for include shore excursions , bar drinks, specialty restaurant dining, spa services, internet packages, select onboard activities (like wine tastings), and gratuities.

7: Consider Booking with a Travel Agent

Catherine Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia

In this digital age, many travelers like to book their vacations independently. But when it comes to cruising, working with a cruise-specialized travel agent can be one of the best ways to book a cruise .

That’s because travel agents can oftentimes use their industry expertise and connections to pinpoint excellent sales, negotiate great prices, and/or throw in some value-add amenities, like stateroom upgrades, onboard spending credits, or prepaid gratuities. Not to mention that they can offer plenty of cruise planning insight and seasoned advice to help guide you through different types of cruises , including destinations and details like staterooms and travel insurance.

Plus, they can help you keep tabs on important dates (like when payments are due or advance reservations for shore excursions open up), as well as assist in ironing out any other details.

8: Get Travel Insurance

Experts agree that protecting your financial investment and personal health while vacationing is always a wise move. Pick up a cruise travel insurance policy for peace of mind; insurance comparison sites are a good place to do some policy browsing, though if you work with a trusted travel agent, they can help you pin down a well-tailored policy, too.

Read: How We’re Keeping You Healthy at Sea

9: Gather Necessary Travel Documents Well in Advance

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

Don’t wait until the last minute to ensure that you have all of the identification and documentation that you’ll need to embark on your cruise vacation. While a travel agent can help guide you on the specifics, it’s ultimately your responsibility to get all of your paperwork in order, and to do so well in advance of your trip. If you’re traveling internationally, this will usually mean a valid passport and any necessary travel visas (and sometimes, vaccination and inoculation certificates, too).

Read: Do You Need a Passport for a Cruise?

Note that minors sometimes require special permission letters for travel in the absence of both accompanying parents, so keep that in mind (a scenario that might pop up for grandparents wanting to take their grandchildren on a cruise, for instance).

Read: How to Prepare for a Cruise

10: Prebook Shore Excursions and Specialty Dining

Nobody wants to spend the first days of their cruise vacation in lines to book shore excursions or to nab a preferred dining time at a specialty restaurant. Happily, advance bookings for both are available in the months leading up to the trip.

Research the ports and excursions well in advance to have first dibs on your preferred shore excursions, because many of the most popular ones can and will sell out. (Bonus: On Celebrity, you can pre-book spa treatments, salon appointments, and fitness classes, as well.)

Read: What to Do on a Cruise

11: Know What to Pack

Icefields Parkway in Jasper, Canada

With all of your cruise planning now in order, there’s only one thing left to do: Pack for your cruise! Packing for a cruise comes with several considerations, including what the shipboard atmosphere is like (noting any onboard dress codes), what kind of weather you can expect, and the types of excursions you are planning in port (are beaches or museums more your speed?).

Research your destination—and our blog—for destination-specific packing information.

Read: Expert Cruise Packing Tips

Feel like a cruise planning pro now? Excellent—you’re ready to book your cruise vacation and set sail for a vacation of a lifetime! Our 14 ships cruise to more than 300 destinations around the globe— browse our itineraries for some instant inspiration and to book your dream cruise today.

Elissa Garay

Modern-day explorer, perpetual seeker, and diligent travel scribe Elissa Garay has traveled to and reported on 60-plus countries and 30 cruises, contributing to major national publications like Condé Nast Traveler , CNN Travel , AFAR , and Fodors  along the way. When not out globe-trotting, Elissa resides in Kingston, NY, with her husband and young daughter.

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Taking Your First Cruise: Everything You Need to Know (Complete Guide)

First time taking a cruise? There’s no doubt that you have questions on how to prepare.

Sure you’ve seen all the pretty pictures on the cruise line website and all the glossy photos in the marketing brochures. But what is it really like to take a cruise?

What sort of things are there to do on the ship? What’s the first day of a cruise like? How do you board the ship? Or tip a waiter? Or get a drink?

Note: This article focuses primarily on sailing the Caribbean/Mexico/Bahamas. If sailing Alaska, then we suggest our article here .

If you’ve never taken a cruise before, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Every year cruise lines around the world welcome millions of new passengers. That means you won’t be alone on the ship in being a first-timer, and the staff will always be happy to help with any questions you have.

As well, no two cruise lines are the same. So even if someone has sailed a number of times on one line, they may still feel like a rookie the first time sailing a different cruise line.

The bottom line? There’s no reason to feel like you’re going to be the only one who isn’t quite sure what to do on the ship. Don’t let the worry of being unsure what to do make you feel self-conscious.

Beyond that, we’ve laid out everything you need to know about taking your first cruise… and how to sail like a pro.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. Cruzely earns a commission for purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you.

In This Article...

Overview of Taking Your First Cruise

While we will get into all the details of your first cruise below, let’s start with a general overview. The specifics might vary from line to line, but the general aspects of your trip will be similar.

So what is cruising like?

Truth is, it can be whatever you want it to be. If you want it to be a wild party time with lots of sun, booze, and entertainment, then it can be. If you’re looking for something relaxing and quiet, it can be that too.

Today’s cruise ships are large enough — and offer enough things to do — that no matter what sort of trip you are looking for, you’ll be able to have it on a cruise.

It’s no exaggeration that you’ll find everything from newlyweds on a honeymoon to couples celebrating their 50th anniversary. You’ll also find families, bachelorette parties, and just folks looking to get away for a bit. (Note that some cruise lines cater to different crowds, such as Virgin Voyages, which is adults only.)

While the major cruise lines cater to a wide audience, one thing is for certain. You can expect a lot of people on the ship. Modern ships typically carry around 3-4,000 passengers, with the largest ships carrying 6,000 plus. That means the ship is usually buzzing with activity. But don’t think you can’t get away. Ships are huge, which means there are always quieter spots on the ship if you prefer.

Your Cabin While on the ship, the cabin on the ship is your home away from home. First-time cruisers are always surprised at the size of a cruise cabin. Put bluntly, they are small. The image below is a rather large cruise cabin.

Even so, a cabin will have everything that you need. From your bed to a television, from a closet to a full bathroom (shower only, no tub unless you opt for much larger suites), it offers anything a normal hotel room will have, albeit in a much cozier space. (This also includes things like an in-room fridge, a small safe, and a hair dryer.)

For two adults the size is plenty, but for more than two adults and a kid, we’d suggest looking into two cabins — even though most say they can accommodate up to four people.

Many passengers opt for a balcony cabin , and it’s hard to argue with that plan. While it is a little pricier than the cheapest interior cabins, having your own private balcony is a nice feature. Balconies are normally small, but enough for two chairs and a small table. One other nice feature is that having a balcony gives you access to fresh air, unlike interior or oceanview cabins.

During the trip your cabin will be serviced by the room steward. Each day they will make up the room and deliver things like the daily schedule. They tend to work at the times that most passengers are out of the room (e.g. dinner time), so as not to disturb people. 

The steward will introduce themselves on your first day on the ship, and you can let them know anything you might need. Don’t hesitate to ask if you want something to make your cruise better, or if you have any questions about how things work. They are always more than happy to help.

Food and Drink on a Cruise What’s a cruise without food? And it just doesn’t feel right to hang out poolside without a drink in your hand. On a cruise, there is no shortage of food or drink.

Hungry? These days cruise ships have lots of restaurants — in some cases up to a dozen different places. These range everything from the buffet to the formal dining room to specialty restaurants. There is also usually a 24-hour restaurant or café where you can get something to eat no matter the time.

What’s confusing for many first-timers is that some food is free, and some places are a charge to eat. Apart from the buffet and the dining room, most sit-down restaurants on cruise ships these days have an extra charge for eating there.

Speaking of the buffet and dining room, these spots are where most people will eat their meals. The buffet is open for all three meals. You simply walk in when you’re hungry and grab a plate.

The dining rooms normally assign a dinner time, but many also have “anytime” dining where you just show up and you’ll be seated. Here you get the white tablecloth dining experience. Expect it to take about an hour and a half to eat. (Many people don’t realize you can also eat breakfast in the dining room as well. The food is fresher than that you’ll find in the buffet, with smaller crowds.)

Specialty (extra charge) restaurants offer up more intimate dining, with smaller venues and usually need reservations. Just like on land, the specialty restaurants can vary from Asian to Mexican to Italian, and of course, the ever popular steakhouse.

Thirsty? Alcohol is big business on a cruise, and you’ll know it right away. That’s because there are bars everywhere on the ship. The casino, the pool, the center atrium, and all throughout the ship. You are never more than a few steps from a bar.

While many things are included in your cruise fare, alcohol is not (unless you book a special package). Instead, you will need to buy drinks, and they can be pricey. It’s normally $6-8 for a beer and about $10-14 for a cocktail. One other thing to remember is that gratuity is added (normally around 18%) to the price of each drink.

If you plan on drinking a lot, then cruise lines also sell alcohol packages . These deals allow you to pay one set price each day and drink your fill.

Non-alcoholic drinks are typically a charge too. This includes soda. You can get water, juice, and tea complimentary in restaurants.

Entertainment and Activities Remember how we said that your cruise can be anything you want it to be? That’s because there is always something going on, and it’s a wide variety of things to do. From evening shows in the theater to belly-flop contests by the pool, there’s lots happening. The good news is that it’s often included in your cruise fare.

The most popular entertainment might be the evening theater shows. Some nights this might be a Broadway-style show. Other nights it can be a live game show (spin-offs of “The Newlywed Game” are especially common). But there will be some big event in the theater almost every night.

The theater, however, is just a drop in the bucket of the things to do. There are pools, hot tubs, the casino, spa, waterslides, shopping, sport courts, and more. Newer ships will often have more things to do, including things as crazy as go-karts and a roller coaster or zipline.

In addition to all of those, the staff puts on activities throughout the day. These range from trivia contests to dance parties and everything in between. You’ll get a daily schedule of everything going on delivered to your stateroom the night before or you can view it on the phone app for your cruise line.

Want to just do your own thing? Of course, that’s always popular. Spend some time at the pool, grab something to eat, take a nap… it’s your vacation. Just because there is a schedule of activities doesn’t mean you have to follow it.

Visiting Ports of Call One thing that might surprise first-time passengers is visiting ports of call. For instance, on a 7-day cruise you might have three or four ports of call. But each stop is usually only about eight hours long. In other words, the vast majority of your time is spent on the ship .

When it comes to ports of call, they can vary widely. Cruise line private islands are popular as they are completely for the use of passengers. They have many of the amenities you’d expect on the ship, including loungers, bars, and activities, and many of these items are included for free with your fare. Have a drink package? They usually extend to cruise ship private islands.

Other ports of call are your chance to experience another country. They are completely separate from the cruise ship, and you are free to explore as you please.

Looking for something to do? Cruise lines offer excursions that you can book on the ship (fees apply). Excursions can range from everything from beach days to snorkeling to cultural activities. Or you can simply head out on your own.

One thing to note is that many ports of call have welcome areas right at the end of the dock. This often includes shops, restaurants, and spots to book excursions if you haven’t already. If you don’t feel like going anywhere, these spots offer something to do off the ship.

No matter where you are visiting, be sure to bring your cruise keycard (more on this in a moment), some ID, and a little pocket money.

What to Expect at Embarkation (Boarding)

Embarkation — a fancy word for when you get on the ship — is filled with excitement. So what can you expect as a first-time cruiser?

First, there are a couple of ways that you can start. Many are choosing to check-in online ahead of time. In fact, this is what we recommend if possible. Doing this allows you to fill out required forms, attach a credit card to your account, and more ahead of time. It will greatly speed up the time in the terminal and allow you to board faster.

For those that choose to check-in the traditional way, it will take a little longer, but not too long.

No matter what you choose, when you book your cruise you will have an arrival time. These days many cruise lines have moved to staggered check-in where you are given a 30-minute boarding window to arrive at the port. This helps spread passengers out over time instead of having a big rush right when the ship opens for passengers. Some cruises may simply have a boarding window of several hours, allowing you to arrive at any time you like within that period.

As you arrive at the terminal, there will be a place to check your bags if you want. Porters will load bags onto the ship, and the staff will deliver them to your room later. As a general rule, large heavy bags are good to check, but always have a carry-on with important items like medicines, your passport, and a change of clothes for the first day.

When you enter the port terminal, the first thing you’ll do is enter and show your boarding pass and ID. From there, you will pass through security. Cruise ship security is similar to going through an airport, but not as invasive. After having your documents checked, you’ll place your carry-on bag on an x-ray machine and then pass through a metal detector.

From there, you’ll meet with an agent that will tie up any loose ends needed before boarding, such as a photo tied to your account. If you’ve checked in online, your room keys will likely be waiting in a sealed envelope at your door.

These cards not only act as your room key while on the ship, but also as a credit card linked to your account. Other than the casino, you don’t use cash on a modern cruise ship. Instead, if you want to by anything onboard, you simply swipe your keycard. The bill is settled up at the end of the cruise.

After meeting with the check-in agent, you’re ready to head to the ship as long as the staff is ready to start boarding. If you arrive early, you might have to wait in the terminal until the ship is ready.

Your First Day on a Cruise

The first day on a cruise is actually a bit of a misnomer. The first “day” is more like the first afternoon and evening as boarding generally starts around noon.

For most people, the first stop is to the cabin to drop off their bags and get settled in. This is a chance to find where your room is on the ship and get acquainted with where you’ll be living during your cruise. Note that if boarding early in the day, your room may not be ready yet.

From there, many take the chance to grab a drink and explore the ship a bit. There are also restaurants open where you can get a bite to eat. If you know that you want a drink package, or to reserve your spot in a specialty restaurant, it’s a good time to get those taken care of if you didn’t do so online ahead of time.

On the first day the big event on the ship is the muster drill. By law, cruise ships have to perform this safety drill. These days, it’s largely moved to digital, making it more convenient.

You’ll watch some safety information on your cabin TV or on your phone via the cruise line app. Then, you head to your muster station to check-in and watch a demonstration of putting on a life jacket.

In total the drill takes only a few minutes, and then it’s back to the fun. Don’t try skipping the drill; you sign in with your card and the staff will know who doesn’t show.

Activities are planned throughout the evening, including the sailaway party that’s held on the pool deck. The ship’s casino will open up once the ship is far enough offshore, and of course, bars will have the drinks flowing.

Want to hit the pool? Or grab dinner? The ship is now wide open for you to use. Your vacation has officially started.

What’s Included — and Costs Extra — on a Cruise

One of the most confusing things for first-time cruise passengers is what’s included with your cruise fare. Some people think that cruises are all-inclusive. That’s not usually the case on most lines. In fact, most people spend a substantial amount of money once on the ship. 

The extras you can spend money on range everything from alcohol to restaurants to gambling to souvenirs from the gift shop.

Even so, there are a number of things that are included. Below, we’ve highlighted the major things that are included with your fare, and what’s not.

Note: Some lines have started offering more “all inclusive” fares like NCL’s “ Free at Sea ” that include things like drink packages and wi-fi with your cruise.

What’s Included

Cabin: Of course with your cruise fare, the cabin is included. On the cruise the cabin is your home away from home. While small, it has everything you need for a week or so at sea. As well, you’ll get daily (or twice daily) steward service.

(Most) Food: Along with your cabin, food is the other major item that’s included on a cruise. What’s a little confusing is that not all food is included on most ships. Things like the buffet and main dining room and snacks are free of charge. Specialty restaurants, however, cost extra.

Entertainment/Activities: For the most part, things to do on the ship are included with your fare. So for the evening shows in the theater, just come in and find a seat. The same goes for most other activities onboard. There is a trend toward charging for some special activities like go-karts on Norwegian Cruise Line. As well, things like gambling and bingo obviously have a charge associated.

Amenities on the Ship: Except in a few rare cases, you have full run of the amenities on the cruise ship when you pay your fare. Want to go hang by the pool? Or maybe you want to work up a sweat in the gym? Or just enjoy many of the public spaces on the ship that are perfect for people watching? They are all available.

Room Service Breakfast: Room service used to all be free, but is trending toward being a charge. Even so, most lines will let you order breakfast for free.

Not Included Gratuities: So far we haven’t mentioned gratuities , but they are a big expense for a cruise. Cruise lines charge a daily set amount per passenger that is then passed on to people like the room steward and the waitstaff in the dining rooms. Amounts vary by cruise line, but normally gratuities run around $16 per person, per day. So a couple sailing for a week would pay about $200+ in gratuities. This amount can be prepaid when you buy your cruise, or it is charged daily to your onboard account.

Specialty Restaurants: While plenty of food is free, ships these days have a number of specialty restaurants that charge extra for you to eat. These are smaller restaurants that focus on one type of food. While the lineup varies by line and ship, the restaurants that charge are usually the sit-down eateries, with the exception of the main dining room.

Room Service: As mentioned above, you can normally get free room service breakfast, but cruise lines are moving toward charging for other items. So if you want a late-night snack or just want lunch in the cabin, expect to pay. (Don’t forget to tip the person bringing your food a couple of bucks.)

Drinks: Apart from tea, coffee, water and juices, expect to pay for drinks. This includes non-alcoholic beverages like soda, as well as beer, wine, and cocktails. Some cruise lines let you bring on a small amount of non-alcoholic drinks and a bottle of wine/champagne , so be sure to take advantage to save money.

Internet: The good news is that the Internet is available on cruise ships, so you can check email, keep up with social media, and in some cases even stream Netflix . The bad news is that it can be pricey. There are different service levels available, but it’s not unusual to pay $15-25+ a day for wi-fi access.

Excursions: Want something to do when the ship is in port? That’s an extra cost. Excursions can be booked before you sail, or you can wait until you get on the ship. There is always a spot where you can go and ask questions about different offerings and book your outing.

What to Pack for Your First Cruise

What to bring with you on a cruise is always a big question. In fact, we’ve covered it in detail on Cruzely with the following articles:

• 39 Useful Things to Pack for a Cruise
• Cruise Packing Checklist: 85 Items to Bring (Printable)
• What to Pack for an Alaskan Cruise

We will assume that you know to pack a swimsuit and a toothbrush for your cruise. Here are a few other things that first-time cruisers might not think to bring but are helpful on a cruise…

Outlet Adapter On your first cruise, it won’t be on your mind about plugging in electronics. But it will be after you sail. While the problem isn’t as big on newer ships where more outlets are included, many older ships have only one or two spots to plug anything in. So if you want to charge your phone and use a hair straightener, then it’s one or the other.

The solution is to pack an inexpensive outlet adapter that provides several plugs in a single space. They can be bought for about $5 on Amazon and are a lifesaver on a cruise.

Nightlight Cruise cabins — especially interior rooms with no windows — can get extremely dark at night. Combine that with an unfamiliar space and you’ll no doubt be bumping into things if you need to get up to use the restroom in the middle of the night.

Instead, pack a small nightlight that you can plug in to provide a some illumination. They aren’t big and won’t take up much room in your luggage.

Poo-Pourri Ok, let’s get real for a moment. Whoever you share a cabin with, you’re going to know them very well after your cruise. Cabins are small and the smells from the bathroom can linger.

That’s why it’s a good idea to bring some air freshener or some Poo-Pourri . This spray isn’t an air freshener, but instead you spray it over the water in the bowl before you go. Your cabinmate will be thankful that you brought it.

Copy of Your Passport/Birth Certificate For sure you need your real passport or birth certificate with you. But we suggest keeping them in the cabin safe during your trip so that they are secure. Instead, make a color copy of the front page of your passport or your birth certificate and bring this into port with you when you go.

You typically don’t have to show your documents in port. Instead, your cruise keycard and a photo ID (like a license) are asked for. Having a copy of your passport or birth certificate are simply nice to have in case you need it. They will provide something to show any officials in a pinch, and you can keep your real documents safe on the ship.

Towel Clips Towel clips are cheap and worth their weight in gold. If you cruise, you’ll no doubt spend some time catching some sun. But many people don’t realize that when the ship is underway there is a constant breeze as the ship moves. That means your towel will be whipping around.

Clips help secure the corners of the towel down instead of flying around at your feet and around your face.

Wrinkle-Release Spray Pack anything into a suitcase — even if only for a few hours — and you’re going to get wrinkles, no matter how careful you fold. As well, due to fire risk, irons aren’t available in cabins. You’ll need to send your items down to the laundry room to get them pressed. 

Instead of that hassle, just pack some wrinkle-release spray . You simply spray it on the wrinkles, smooth them out, and they vanish. 

OTC Medicines First, any cruise ship will have a small store where you can pick up small items that you might have forgotten at home. But they are expensive (we’ve seen cold medicine for $17 a bottle) and not open around the clock. So if you have a stomachache in the middle of the night or a headache, you don’t want to have to wait… or pay tons of money. 

Instead, bring a little of all types of over-the-counter medicines so that you have whatever you might need no matter what comes up.

Hand Sanitizer Unfortunately, it’s a new world we live in. Even without the pandemic, things like . Even so, you should take matters into your own hands, literally.

There will be sanitizer stations all around the ship, but bringing your own means you’ll always have it ready.

Click here for more on what to pack for a cruise .

Disembarkation at the End of Your Trip

Unfortunately, the saying is that all good things must come to an end. That includes your cruise. Don’t think, however, that disembarkation — getting off the ship — is as simple as just hopping off when the ship returns home. There’s a procedure to get thousands of passengers and luggage off the vessel, and it can take a couple of hours from when the ship arrives.

Actually, the disembarkation process begins the night before your cruise. At that time you’ll want to put any bags (with the provided luggage tags) you won’t carry off yourself outside your room. The staff will pick them up, and your bags will be waiting for you in the terminal when you get off the ship the next morning.

On the morning that your ship arrives in port, the ship will first be cleared by the officials. Only then will the ship allow passengers to leave. From there, the ship will call groups to disembark, typically starting with those that are carrying off all of their luggage.

The pace of disembarkation depends on what is going on in the terminal. Passengers need to go through the return process, which involves showing citizenship before they are allowed to leave.

In recent years technology — including passport scanners and facial recognition software — have made this faster at ports that have the latest devices. Even so, those sailing with a birth certificate or ports that still require manual checking of documents can take longer.

In all, the time to get off the ship can vary widely. Some people will get off within 15 minutes of the ship letting passengers exit while others might not get their turn to leave until 2-3 hours after arrival.

Helpful First-Time Cruise Tips

Need tips for your first cruise? We have dozens and dozens aimed at first-time cruisers here . As well, we’ve included some of our favorites below.

Take Advantage of Drink Policies Some cruise lines (such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival) allow you to bring on a small amount of non-alcoholic drinks with you when you board . So you can bring on some sodas, juices, teas, or anything else that you like. Take advantage. If your favorite drink isn’t something that’s sold everywhere, then it may not be on the ship. You can also save some money versus buying your drink of choice on the ship.

As well, cruise lines allow you to bring on bottles of champagne or wine (usually one bottle per adult) free of charge. If you’re a wine drinker, there’s no reason not to bring on a bottle to avoid the bar prices.

Know the Ins and Outs of Drink Packages Before Buying Alcohol is big business on a cruise, and it’s not unusual to spend hundreds on it during the course of a sailing. To help you budget, cruise lines offer “all you can drink” packages. With these deals, you pay one set amount each day and then get to have (almost) whatever you want from the bar.

But before you jump at the deal, you should know some of the details. Most importantly, if you buy the package, you have to buy it for the entire cruise. If there is a day that you don’t want to drink or you are in port (packages only work on the ship and on some private islands), then you likely won’t get your money’s worth.

As well, many cruise lines make every adult in the cabin buy the package if one adult does. This is likely to limit “sharing” of packages (which is against the rules). But if you have one person who drinks and another that doesn’t, then it could waste a lot of money to get the package.

For more on drink package rules, see our article here .

Many Hotels Have Free Cruise Parking One of the big attractions to cruising is that many people live within driving distance of a port. Instead of having to fly for a Caribbean vacation, you can drive to the port and then hop on a ship.

Of course, that means you need a place to park your car. Parking is always available at the port, but can be expensive. Instead, many hotels near cruise ports offer free or cheap parking if you stay with them the night before your cruise. It’s an easy way to save $100 or more if you plan to stay the night before anyway.

See our list of hotels with cruise parking here .

Don’t Go Naked on the Balcony First-timers (and frequent cruisers for that matter) often have the same idea — why not enjoy the fresh air on the balcony… everywhere?

It’s tempting with your own private space and a million-dollar view to maybe get some sun on places where the sun doesn’t shine, but just know that balconies aren’t as private as you think. Cabins are close together and there is only a small wall separating each balcony. As well, glass railings can actually reflect the view of one balcony to another.

If you do decide to fully enjoy the balcony on your first cruise, it’s best to wait until night… and make sure the lights are off.

Pack a Passport, Not a Birth Certificate One good thing about cruising is that you can visit a foreign country with only a birth certificate and a government-issued ID . If your cruise leaves and returns from the same port, then you can likely sail without a passport. That can save you the time and money of getting one.

However, it’s much smarter to sail with a passport. Not only does it give you more flexibility if something happens and you have to fly home in the middle of your cruise, but it can also save you time.

Many homeports are moving toward passport scanning to help passengers disembark more quickly. You walk up, scan the passport, take a picture and then head on your way home. But if you have a birth certificate, you still need to wait in line to meet with a Border Patrol agent, which can take half an hour or more.

Pack Sandals With Tread Those cheap foam flip-flops that cost about $3 and wear out in two weeks? Toss ’em. Instead, be sure you wear something that has a decent tread.

You’ll spend a lot of time walking on the pool deck of your ship where everything from kids splashing to passing rain showers can make the walk slippery. The last thing you want to do is hurt yourself on your vacation. Making sure your sandals have some grip is an easy way to avoid accidental slips on the ship.

Always Pack a Little for Cool Weather Of course cruises go everywhere, but the Caribbean is the biggest cruise hot spot in the world. And when you think about sailing there for the first time, you likely picture tons of sun, warm water, and swimsuits.

But at night on the ship, it can get cool. As the sun sets things cool off, but also the ship will be sailing at night, adding a stiff breeze. Even indoors the air conditioner can be chilly. It’s smart to pack something for those breezy nights like a light jacket and some long pants. If you only bring tank tops and shorts, you’re going to get cold.

Get Back to the Ship Early Whenever you head into port, the staff will make it very clear when the “all-aboard” time is for your return. This isn’t a suggestion. YouTube has tons of videos of “pier runners” — people running back to the ship as it is about to depart. Cruise ships have a tight schedule, and if you think you can arrive fashionably late to get back on the ship, think again.

Instead, always be back to the ship half an hour before the all-board time. This gives you a little extra cushion should something come up, but also ensures you should be back well before the ship departs and you turn into a YouTube viral video.

Try not to Schedule a Flight Home Before Noon Each year millions of cruise passengers fly into port cities to start their cruise. That means they will also be flying back home.

Now, no one wants to spend hours and hours just waiting in an airport, but it’s important that if you are flying, try not to schedule your flight before noon . Yes, it is possible that you will make a noon flight in plenty of time, but you don’t want to risk missing your plane home.

Cruise ships arrive back in port early in the morning, but it can be several hours before everyone is off the ship. As well, you then have to get to the airport, get through security, and find your gate. A departure time of noon or later gives you plenty of time so you don’t have to stress if there is a delay getting to the airport.

Formal Night Doesn’t Mean Tux (But It Can!) Formal night poses one big question: What do I wear to dinner? The answer is likely much more lenient than you expected.

First things first, if you want to wear a tuxedo and a formal evening gown, you won’t be out of place. Some people do. But if you want to simply wear a nice shirt/pants (men) or a nice blouse (women), then that’s perfectly acceptable and won’t be out of place.

In fact, the only rules are things like shorts and tank tops aren’t allowed. 

Don’t want to get dressed up on your cruise? That’s ok, too. Formal nights are only a couple of nights on a week-long cruise . If you don’t want to participate, you can just eat somewhere other than the main dining room during those nights. While you’ll see people dressed up around the ship, formal night only applies to dinner. You’re not expected to be dressed up if you are just around the ship. ( See more details about formal night here .)

Things That Surprise First-Timer Cruisers

When you sail for the first time, there is so much that is new. At the same time, cruising is very different from any other vacation. Combined, that leads to plenty of surprises.

See our full list of things that surprise first-time cruisers here .

Gratuities on Every Service We’ve discussed the daily gratuities that are charged to your account. But there are other gratuities on the ship. Any time you buy a drink, or a meal, or get a spa service — any sort of service that’s delivered by a staff member — you can expect an extra charge on top of the menu price.

This extra charge normally runs 18-20% (rates vary by cruise line) and is automatically applied. So if you order a cocktail with a $10 menu price, expect it to actually cost you about $12.

One other thing to note is that even after this gratuity is applied, your receipt that you sign will have a line for an additional tip. You aren’t obligated to give more, but if you’re happy with your service, it’s there to show your appreciation.

How Stable the Ships Are On the Water Worried about seasickness? It impacts some people, but if you are thinking the ship will be rocking and rolling the entire time, think again. Most days you’ll likely not even notice you are on the water.

Thanks to the size of cruise ships and stabilization features, the sailing is normally smooth. There are definitely times when you feel the ship move, but apart from a few outlying cases, chances are it will be clear sailing for your cruise.

Still, it’s a good idea to bring along some sort of seasickness remedy if you’re worried. It’s better to have it and not need it than to be without.

How You Can Get “Lost” On the Ship Cruise ships are big, and the first couple of days you’ll likely be turned around trying to navigate the ship. Even to veteran cruise passengers, new ships can be a maze to figure out until they get their bearings.

The good news is there are maps everywhere around the ship to help you find your way. They are usually located near stairwells or elevators. As well, the cruise line apps on your phone always have maps of the ship as well. Don’t be embarrassed to stop and look for directions. You definitely won’t be alone!

All the Sales Pitches You’ll See If you think that you’re done spending money once you buy your ticket to cruise, think again. Cruise lines depend on the money that passengers spend on the ship, and they have lots of pitches throughout the cruise.

You’ll get announcements about sales over the ship’s loudspeaker. You’ll get flyers on your door telling you about offers. And the daily schedule will also highlight daily deals.

If you haven’t cruised before, the advertising can be surprising. Just be prepared.

You Can Still Find Quiet Spots on the Ship For all the thousands of people on a cruise ship, you might think that it would be shoulder to shoulder the entire trip.

It couldn’t be further from the truth. In general, cruise ships are no more crowded than a busy shopping center or restaurant. And that’s only certain places at certain times. For example, hit the casino at 10 p.m. and it will be buzzing with activity. But during the afternoon, it will be largely empty.

No matter what time of day, however, you’ll be able to find quiet spots on the ship. The promenades on lower decks tend to be less busy, as do the outdoor areas at the ends of the ship. The pool deck in general is also largely quiet in the evening and nighttime.

Frequently Asked Questions About Your First Cruise

What do I do if I have an issue on the ship? Have bad service? Or maybe an incorrect charge to your account? Or anything else under the sun? Head to Guest Services.

Every ship will have a Guest Services desk that is staffed 24 hours a day. They can help with any issue you have, or at least point you in the right direction. Keep in mind that the lines can get long at the start and the end of the cruise (when people have the most questions about their accounts), so going during off-peak hours will ensure you don’t spend your vacation in line.

When should I schedule a flight back? As mentioned above, if you are flying home then we suggest not booking a flight before at least noon. Ships get in early, but it can take several hours to get thousands of passengers and their luggage off the ship and through customs. Add to that the time it takes to get to the airport, through security, and to your gate before boarding begins.

If you schedule for noon, there’s always the chance you may arrive earlier, but it’s not worth the risk. Having some extra time will make debarking the ship much less stressful instead of having to constantly check your watch.

Do I have to get a passport to sail? For many cruises, a passport is not actually required. Most of your standard cruises that begin and end at the same port — such as a five-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas and back — are known as “closed loop cruises.” These trips fall under a provision that allows you to sail with just a birth certificate and a photo ID (ID is required for passengers 16 year or older).

Even so, it’s a good idea to get a passport. Passports can allow for faster re-entry into the U.S. but are also helpful in the event that you need to head home in the middle of the cruise. You’ll have to jump through bureaucratic hurdles if you need to fly home from a foreign country without a passport.

What’s the difference between cruise lines? Every cruise line does things a little differently, so no two lines are exactly the same. But in general, we find that the experience is largely the same when it comes to the mass-market lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and the like.

These lines have broad appeal, with ships that have something for everyone. There are kids clubs for the little ones, spas, casinos, pools, hot tubs, theaters, and more. Put frankly, if you can’t have a good time, it’s your own fault.

While each cruise line has their devotees, we think you’ll be happy with any of them.

For the differences between each line, you can read more here .

How do I pay my bill at the end of the trip? Ah, the bill. You get to have all the fun on a cruise… but then you have to pay.

When you check in for your cruise, you’ll use a credit card (or cash deposit) to attach to your account. Then, spending on the ship is done via your room keycard, which you use like a credit card on the ship.

At the end of the cruise, you’ll get an itemized bill. Assuming there are no issues, the amount will be charged to your credit card after the cruise. If you do have issues, be sure to see Guest Services before you leave.

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How To Plan A Cruise (Cruise Planning Made Easy)

Are you planning a cruise and wondering where to start?! I know exactly how you are feeling. It can be so overwhelming! Planning for a cruise is no joke! 

I am going to break down how to plan a cruise for you! But I have to warn you, once you get the hang of cruise planning, it might become addictive.  Cruising is the kind of vacation people love to repeat over and over again.  

In this post, we are going to help you plan a cruise vacation. I will teach you the basic things you need to know on how to plan a cruise.   I will also give you cruise planning tips you probably wouldn't even think of. 

Not only is this post great for cruising for beginners, but it will also help anyone come up with a cruise plan. 

Let's learn how to plan a cruise trip and make cruise planning easy! 

If you would like to save this information for later be sure to pin this to Pinterest. 

This post may contain affiliate links (Including Amazon)  that will give me a commission at no additional charge to you.

Best Time of Year to Plan a Cruise

The first thing you need to think about when planning a cruise is the time of year you would like to go. 

There are a lot of factors that go into deciding the best time of year.  For example, Alaska cruises are from May – September.  The best times are June and July but if you want to save money booking early in the season or at the end of the season will be less expensive.  

I actually created a document that breaks down the best prices, the most popular months, weather considerations, and my personal recommendations for the most popular areas to cruise.  

I can email you a free copy! 

This document is awesome! It is a great resource as you start to plan a cruise! 

How Far In Advance Should I Plan a Cruise?

Planning for a cruise 6-12 months in advance is perfect.  Here is the deal, if you are going on a longer or more expensive cruise booking early gives you the time to pay off the cruise! 

Some people suggest booking as early as 18 months in advance.  I don't think this is the best advice because the cruise lines typically haven't added all of the cruise ships and itineraries to their site that early.  

Last Minute Cruise Planning

Last-minute bookings are an option.  A lot of cruise ships have last-chance deals.  What I have found however is that the closer you get to the cruise date, the fewer choices are available and prices tend to get higher.  Interior rooms tend to be sold out leaving you with a higher-priced balcony option. 

How to Plan a Cruise Step by Step

We are going to break down the steps on how to plan a cruise. 

• Determine Your Budget
• Plan a Cruise Destination
• Plan Your Cruise Dates
• Pick Your Cabin
• Pick a Cruise Line
• Select a Ship
• Choose an Itinerary 
• Book Your Cruise
• Booking Specialty Restaurants 
• Booking Shore Excursions
• Booking Entertainment and Shows

These cruise planning steps will help you know exactly how to plan a cruise! 

1. Determine Your Budget

A cruise plan budget is one of the most important things you need to do before you start planning for a cruise. 

One thing to keep in mind is that cruises are all-inclusive.  It is so nice to just pay one price which includes, food, lodging, and entertainment.  You know exactly how much your vacation will cost without too much guesswork.

How to Plan a Cruise and Save Money

Shorter cruises are typically less expensive.  Florida seems to have lower-priced cruises compared to California.  But here is the thing, if you live closer to California it might be less expensive to drive or fly there even if the cruise is a little more.  

I mentioned early that certain times of the year are less expensive to cruise.  Sometimes adding 4 people in a room will save you money. There are always deals available.  We will talk about those later.  

If you book early enough, you can easily create a monthly cruise plan budget to pay off the cruise before you go on it. 

Cruise Planning Tips

One of the things to know about cruises is how gratuities work. Make sure you include enough funds in your cruise plan budget for gratuities.  At the end of the cruise, you will be asked to tip the staff.  This is so important for these workers.  They work extremely hard. 

These tips are about $100 per day per cabin.  So a 7-day cruise could incur another $700 in tips. 

2. Plan a Cruise Destination

You probably already have an idea of what cruise destination you would like to go to.  If you haven't thought about it yet no big deal. Most major cruise lines go to the same locations. 

If this is your first cruise I imagine you are looking more in the USA, maybe Europe, or possibly Asia or Australia.  Picking your destination is an important step of planning a cruise.  I will list the top cruise ports in these destinations. 

Top Departure Cruise Ports in US/Canada

• Port Canaveral (Orlando)
• New Orleans
• Galveston, TX
• San Francisco
• Hawaii 

Top Departure Cruise Ports in Europe

• Ravenna 
• South Hampton (London)
• Netherlands

Top Departure Cruise Ports in Asia/Australia/New Zealand

• Toyoko 

Once you pick your departure port you can see what itineraries are available so that you can choose your cruise stops.  You will also want to think about what airports are near each port and how easy or difficult it will be to get to the port. 

3. Plan Your Cruise Dates

When planning a Cruise consider the prices by date of departure. Here is the deal, typically the same ship sticks with the same itinerary for an extended period of time.  This allows you to see week after week of options.  

If you don't have a set date I would explore which date is the least expensive.  What I have found is the prices are pretty similar maybe a few hundred less for certain dates. (with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas)

Planning a Family Cruise

I would get a copy of the best times to cruise PDF I created to get you started.  Remember that families with children in school can only travel during certain times. Typically those times are a little more expensive. (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and Summer)

If you can go during an off-peak time you will be saving money.

4. Decide on a Cabin Type

In most cruise ships you have a few options for cabin types.  Different cruise lines may call these room types slightly different names but the most common are:

If you are new to cruising, interior rooms are typically the cheapest and provide 0 outside light.  Oceanview rooms have a window, and the Balcony rooms have a walk-out balcony.  Suites are typically much bigger and typically come with more perks. 

Which Part of the Ship is Good to Book my Cabin? 

Once you pick your room, you will then have to decide what part of the ship you would like to be in.  Your choices are the back of the ship, the middle of the ship, and the front of the ship.

Cruise Planning Tip 

The more centered and lower you are the less rocking you will feel.  Midship is great especially if you tend to get seasick. If you want a balcony room just book the lowest balcony level available.   

Our Experience

We have stayed in both a balcony room and an interior room.  Honestly, I really did not mind the interior room.  It was really dark and great for sleeping! I would book an interior room again.

The balcony room was nice as well.  We liked hanging out on the balcony and enjoying thing fresh air.  As you are planning for a cruise decide what makes sense for you.

5. Pick a Cruise Line

I have done a ton of research on different cruise lines. Plus it helps that my parents are cruise addicts and go every three months! There are some amazing cruise lines.  I am only going to list the best cruise lines for first-timers below. 

Disney Cruise 

Disney cruise line caters to families.  Think 5-star quality and service and unfortunately prices. I have never met anyone that has said they didn't love their Disney Cruise. You will find lots of families with young kids on Disney Cruises. 

• Fantastic Entertainment
• Private Island Castaway Cay 
• Caters to Families 
• Disney Cruises are Expensive! 
• Ships are Smaller
• Some of the Ships are Older (but well-kept)
• Shorter Itineraries

My best advice for a Disney Cruise is to go through a professional Disney Planner like GetAwayToday .  They know everything about how Disney operates. 

We used a travel agent to book everything.  It is nice to have someone who can help you navigate everything for you. We went on the Disney Wish.  It was really awesome! We had a lot of fun.

I think the ideal age to go on a Disney cruise is about 7. My kids ranged from 8-16.  We really loved it, but felt like Royal Caribbean was a good competitor.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean is another family-friendly cruise line .  Their ships are huge with lots of entertainment options for all ages.  Royal Caribbean caters to a lot of demographics. You will find kids and the elderly alike. 

• Lots of New Ships
• Phenomenal Entertainment
• Great Prices
• Variety of Itineraries 
• Good Food Options
• Private Island CocoCay ( Thrill Water Park )
• Smaller ships do not have as much entertainment but usually have great itineraries. 
• Some ships are Older (make sure to look at dates)

We have been on 2 Royal Caribbean cruises. If you are planning a family cruise this is a great option! We did a family reunion with 22 people and had a fantastic time. We went on the Allure of the Seas.   It is very similar to the Oasis of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas.  We loved how much 

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival is a budget cruise line.  Typical you will find a good price.  Carnival also has a reputation of being a party ship.  A lot of young adults and college-age kids love Carnival.  However, I know many families who have gone on Carnival and loved it. 

• Less Expensive
• Great Itineraries
• Party Scene 
• Good For Families
• Older Ships
• Party Scene

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian is another great cruise line that caters to families.  The ships have fun entertainment options.  They have a variety of ships both big and small.

• Variety of Itineraries
• Great Dining Options
• Fabulous Entertainment
• Everything Cost Extra on Ship 
• Crowded Areas

Princess Cruise Line

Princess has a fabulous reputation! It is one of the best cruise lines to go on if you are headed to Alaska because they have amazing land excursions for before or after your cruise.   

• Military Cruise Benefit
• Movies Under the Stars
• Piazza is Beautiful
• Great Service
• Hot Tubs are Small
• Food is Okay
• Internet is Horrible  

Celebrity Cruise Line

Celebrity is a higher-end cruise line.  It is a little more expensive but offers a different experience than some of the other cruise lines.  Kids are welcome but Celebrity caters to couples 35 and older.  My parents just got back from one and absolutely loved it!  

Pro's 

• Pristine Cleanliness 
• Food is Fabulous
• Heated Pools
• Beautiful Ships
• Non-Smoking Casino
• Older Demographic
• More Expensive
• Not Great for Kids

MSC Cruise Line

MSC is a well-established European cruise line.  It is another budget-friendly option like Carnival. Recently, they have added more itineraries in the US.  I haven't been on an MSC cruise but have talked to a few people that have said you pay for what you get. 

• Inexpensive
• Food Options are not Great
• No Soft Serve Ice Cream
• Not A Lot of Activities for Kids
• Lots of Upcharges on Ship
• Can not Connect a Credit Card to Ship Card

6. Select at Ship

Another important step for your cruise plan is to pick your ship. If this is your first time cruising, you might not even know where to start when picking a ship.  It really matters! If you haven't picked a cruise line narrow it down to 2-3.  This will help you in the cruise planning process.

Things to Look at When Picking a Ship

• New Vs. Old
• Small Vs. Big

New Vs. Old Ships

When picking your cruise ship look at the age of the ship and if it has been refurbished.  The newer the ship the nicer it is going to be.  (like USB's in the room instead of plug-ins)  It really makes a difference.  Everything feels nicer on new ships. 

Amenities on the Ship

Look at the entertainment options when choosing your cruise.  Cruises are full of fun stuff like water slides, pools, race tracks, mini golf, escape rooms, laser tag, bowling, sports facilities, Flo Riders, and rope courses. 

Also, look at what shows are being offered. Typically cruises will have a Broadway show, magic show, comedy shows, and ice skating shows.  Explore your ship to see what is available. 

Bigger Ships vs. Smaller Ships

Bigger ships typically offer more amenities.  They have a lot of fun activities to do onboard. Some bigger ships are limited to where they can port because of the size of the ship.  

Smaller ships typically have really nice itineraries.  It is more about the destination than the ship itself.  Some of the smaller ships are older but just check refurbished dates and you should be good. 

All of these considerations are important when you plan a cruise. 

7. Choose an Itinerary

One of the best things about planning a cruise is picking your itinerary.  There are amazing itineraries all over the World. 

Some popular itineraries include visiting all the Caribbean islands, Mediterranean cruises, Alaska cruises, and Mexico cruises.

Does the Cruise Ship have a Private Island?

Most cruise lines have private islands.  These islands are awesome.  They typically have activities and food that are included in the price of your cruise. 

Royal Caribbean's island has lots of free options plus some fun Cococay excursions including Thrill Water Park . Disney's Castaway cay is amazing as well. 

When planning your cruise itinerary look to see if a cruise line private island is included. 

My Experience Cruise Planning

I have been looking for a Mediterranean cruise for a while.  I knew I wanted to visit Spain, France, and Italy.  Most cruise lines offered these stops in the itinerary.

So I moved on to find a ship that offered amazing amenities. I narrowed it down to my top 3.  And finally, I found the dates that would work for me. If the dates did not line up with my ships they would get eliminated.  

It is really important to write down your top 3 choices, dates, and itineraries.  It will just help you plan a cruise and stay organized. 

8. Check for Cruise Deals

Who wants to find a good deal?!  ME!!!!  I love getting a good deal.  Most cruise lines offer deals throughout the year.  Some offer kids sail free or some are 30- 50% the price.  I have seen free drink packages or free internet.  

These deals are great but in the end,  be prepared even with these discounts cruising is expensive!  I think these promotions are there to help you feel better about spending money!  But I bet you are wondering if can I save any more money….  the answer is YES! 

Once you have viewed the current promotions for the cruise line you would like to book with head to 3rd party travel agents.  Seriously! I love booking directly with a company but if you want added bonuses travel agents are the way to go. 

You will typically get up to $1000 or $2000 onboard spending credits.  These credits can go toward shore excursions, specialty dining, and spa services.  

I know Priceline always has additional offers on top of what the cruise line is already offering.  My mom likes to book through Priceline.  

CruiseDirect is another great option and GetawayToday is great for Disney and Royal Caribbean Cruises. 

8. Book your Cruise

Once you feel comfortable with the date, itinerary, and ship, you can move forward with your cruise plan and book your trip.  

Dining Time

When you book your cruise you will be able to select your preferred dining time.  Each night you can dine in the main dining room which is included in your cruise.  There is typically an earlier dining time and a later dining time. 

Cruise Deposit

When you book and plan your cruise trip you typically need to put a deposit down. You then can make payments and pay the rest of the cruise off over time.  I love this option.  It is so nice to have your cruise paid for before you even step foot on the ship.  It makes it so much easier to relax on vacation!  

9. Specialty Restaurants on Cruise Ships

Many of the dining options onboard are included in your cruise, however, there are some specialty restaurants that are not included.  

You can use your onboard credits to dine at these restaurants or just pay an additional amount. You will want to make reservations ahead of time.  

When to Book Specialty Restaurants

If you would like a little more variety than what is included in the cruise price, booking a specialty restaurant is a good idea.  These restaurants give a variety to your dining options, especially if you are on a longer cruise. 

10. Booking Excursions

Once you book your cruise you will be able to book excursions at the destination ports you are going. You can download the cruise line app to make this easier. 

If you are given onboard credit you can use this for shore excursions.  Be aware, some of the excursions do sell out.

Booking Excursions Through the Cruise Line 

There is safety in booking through the cruise line.  If you book an excursion through the cruise line and the tour is running late, the ship will wait for you to return. 

If you book a tour through a third party and it is late, the ship will leave you!!!! 

I think if it is a small excursion, it isn't really a big deal to book through a third party like renting jet skis or swimming with dolphins.  But if you were going from Cozumel to Chichen Itza and it was an 8-hour tour I would book through the cruise line. 

We used Viator to book some of our cruise excursions.  It was so much cheaper that we were willing to take the risk and it really worked out perfectly.  We booked a trip to see the ancient ruins in Costa Maya and a zip line tour in Honduras .  Both tour companies were fabulous and we had no problems completing our tours and getting back on the boat. 

11. Booking Entertainment

Are really important cruise planning tip is that you need to book your entertainment on most cruise lines.  This means keep checking your app!  These shows are included in your cruise but you still have to reserve them. 

All of the shows will require you to have a reservation for the date/time of the show.  I have found that on shorter cruises you did not need to do this but on longer cruises it is essential. On big ships like Oasis of the Seas it is important to book ahead.  

Part of the fun of cruising is the entertainment.  Be ready to book these shows. 

12. Get Excited About the Cruise!

You pretty much have all the information you need for how to plan a cruise! Now is the fun part! 

There are a few ways to make this cruise vacation exciting! Getting a few cruise gifts for those who are coming with you can make it extra special.  

A cruise countdown is a fun item to purchase.  There are lots of fun options! I also love purchasing matching shirts especially when we go on big family reunion vacations.   

Are you Ready to Plan a Cruise?

Hopefully, now you know how to plan a cruise! There are lots of components to consider when cruise planning!  

Spend some time in front of your computer and create a cruise plan. Narrow down the best options for planning a cruise vacation that will be perfect for your family. 

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If you have any questions be sure to join my  Planningaway Travel Community  on Facebook.  This is a place where I post travel deals, and you can ask any questions about your upcoming trips!

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14 Comments

There is so much planning for a cruise. You did a great job breaking it down not to miss anything.

Thanks! Once the planning is done you can really relax when you go on vacation!

This is a fantastic breakdown of what to do to plan for a cruise! I’ve never been on one (yet) but will definitely be referring to this post once I get to planning stages….always nice to have something to look forward to!

Great tips on how to plan a cruise. We are planning a river cruise next year. So helpful!

That will be so cool!

Great tips on planning for a cruise.

These are excellent tips for going on a cruise. I’ve yet to do a cruise. I feel most drawn to a river cruise in Europe.

That would be awesome!

Great tips for planning a cruise. There are so many different kinds of cruises, it’s fun to investigate which one is best for the way you travel.

There are so many great cruise lines that cater to certain groups of people!

My husband and I have wanted to do a cruise for some time now, but haven’t the money or time. That and we have two cats who really don’t cope when we’re not here. BUT, with that being said, we are putting away money for a time when we can go on a cruise – be it next year or five years from now!

We waited a long time to go on our first cruise, for the same reasons. I will warn you once you go on one, you most likely will want to go on another!

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How to Plan a Cruise

Last Updated: February 22, 2022 References

This article was co-authored by Angela Rice . Angela Rice is a Luxury Travel Specialist and Co-Founder of Boutique Travel Advisors, a luxury travel advising business in Phoenix, Arizona. Angela specializes in consulting and curating highly customized and unique travel itineraries for clients seeking luxury, group, and multi-generational family travel. Angela studied at Arizona State University and The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. She has prior consulting experience in accounting and business, which helps her run her business behind the scenes. Angela has been featured in The Washington Post, Reader's Digest, Travel Weekly, USA Today, Travel Market Report, Phoenix Magazine, and MSN. She is also a frequent guest on WBBM News Radio 105.9 FM's Travel Tuesday show. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 30,142 times.

Cruises combine the excitement of travel, the relaxation of a guided vacation, and the value of the price. Cruising is also a wonderful way to sample the locales of an entire region, rather than have to stick to one city. By planning in advance, finding good deals, and packing properly, you and your family will be able to enjoy a wonderful, stress-free cruise vacation.

Picking Your Cruise

• The best year-round destinations are Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Riviera Maya (Mexico), South Asia, and the South Pacific. [2] X Research source
• Some of the most popular first-timer destinations include the Mexican Riviera, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, Bermuda, Canada, Europe, and Hawaii. [3] X Research source

• If you choose to fly, you will need to budget in the extra cost of flying to and from the port, as well as the cost of a hotel if you want to stay the night before departure and the night you get back.

• Do you want more city or countryside stops?
• Would you rather have more days at sea or stops at ports?
• Also take into account the types of off-ship excursions that the stop will offer. Do you want more adventurous or relaxing excursions?
• Almost every cruise includes one full day at sea, so that is likely a given.

• Take into account who you want to share the cruise with. Traveling with like-minded passengers can make the experience far more enjoyable. Do you want to cruise with fellow partiers, families, or seniors?
• You should also consider size. Do you want the intimacy of a smaller ship or the anonymity of a larger ship?

Booking Your Tickets

• Some cruise lines offer incentives to book early, such as prepaid gratuities or a free dinner in a specialty restaurant, so planning ahead could save you some money.

• Cruise lines also sometimes offer special short-notice deals and incentives for cruises that haven't filled completely.

• You can often find good deals when booking directly through the cruise line.
• Travel agents often offer special perks and discounts like on-ship credit and prepaid gratuities. [10] X Research source

• If you do choose to go with an agent, make sure they know what you want and your budget. Ask lots of questions and don’t let them push you into anything you aren’t completely happy with. [12] X Research source

• If this is your first cruise, choose a midship cabin located on a lower deck. If you find out that you do tend to get seasick, this will be the best place for you as it experiences the least amount of movement.
• If you’re on a tighter budget, look into windowless rooms and “guarantees,” which may let you upgrade to a better room for free if one is available.
• If you have a bit more freedom with your budget, consider booking a balcony room with amazing views of the scenery as you cruise by.

• Consider what kind of excursion you're drawn to--active or sightseeing activities, full or half-day tours, guided or free time, and highlights or in-depth. [14] X Research source

Packing for the Cruise

• Generally, cruise lines will expect you to dress nicely on and off the ship, so remember that swimsuits and extremely casual wear are only allowed around the pool area and when participating in active excursions.
• In the cruise restaurants and main areas, you are expected to dress nicely and modestly. [16] X Research source
• Coming to a port in scruffy clothes is considered disrespectful, so take time to dress well on days on shore as well. [17] X Research source

• For example, when traveling in certain Middle Eastern countries, you’ll need to dress modestly and women will need to bring scarves to cover their head and shoulders. [18] X Research source

• Bring books and magazines, as the ship's library may have some options but likely won't be extensive.
• For wildlife-focused excursions, bring a pair of binoculars.
• If you're traveling with kids, consider bringing some inflatable water toys.
• If you plan on snorkeling often, bring your own gear and avoid rental fees. [20] X Research source

• This is especially important when cruising in cold climates, such as Alaska. You may even need to bring fleece jackets, hats, and gloves.

Expert Q&A

• Ask friends about cruises they have been on and what they enjoyed and did not enjoy about the cruise. Sometimes friends and family members are your best resource as to which cruise line you should choose. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
• Search for problematic cruise lines on the Internet. Customer reviews will help you determine the pros and cons of any cruise line. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Contact your local travel agency if you need help or have any questions. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• If your cruise is scheduled for a spring or summer month to an area where hurricanes are common, keep a close eye on the weather before making your voyage. Cruise ships do a great job of avoiding such inclement weather but it will definitely put a damper on your vacation. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Keep in mind that if there is any unrest or rioting in a port stop, the cruise line may choose to skip that stop. This clause is written into the cruise contract, so you will have to miss that stop and gain another day at sea. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Angela Rice. Travel Specialist. Expert Interview. 18 September 2020.
• ↑ http://www.fodors.com/cruises/news/photos/the-everything-guide-to-planning-a-cruise#!3-where-can-i-sail
• ↑ https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=54
• ↑ http://www.fodors.com/cruises/101/planning-your-cruise/booking-your-cruise
• ↑ https://blog.wa.aaa.com/travel/cruises/how-to-pick-and-plan-your-first-cruise/
• ↑ https://magazine.northeast.aaa.com/daily/travel/ocean-cruises/cruise-faq-how-to-book-a-cruise/
• ↑ https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=79
• ↑ https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=76

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Find the best cruise vacation for you

How can i find a cheap cruise.

Cheap cruise deals are fairly easy to find in most cases, and you can begin by considering what kind of features and itinerary you want. The more simplistic the experience is, the cheaper it is in general. On Expedia.com, you can filter for specific features and sort your results by price. By mixing and matching certain features, unforgettable experiences may be available with discount cruises. For example, booking a cruise with stunning restaurants and live performances while opting for an inside cabin without an ocean view window or balcony could be ideal for a traveler who doesn't plan on spending much time in their cabin anyways

What is the cheapest month to take a cruise?

The cheapest month to take a cruise varies based on your destination and the cruise line company that runs the ship. A Caribbean cruise , for example, is generally cheapest in the late summer and early fall since it's the local hurricane season.

Can I cancel my cruise booking?

Yes, you can cancel, but there may be fees for canceling depending on how far in advance you cancel and what kind of booking you have. You can check the specific cruise lines’ cancellation policies in your itinerary on Expedia.com.

Are river cruises worth the money?

River cruises are quite relaxing, with much more varied scenery than you'd experience on an ocean cruise. These ships often also feature several stops along the river, so passengers can enjoy a greater variety of destinations to explore. Viking river cruises are especially adept at providing this unforgettable experience.

What cruises are best for families?

The best family cruises in 2024 / 2025 tend to be Disney cruises with plenty of offerings for kids and adults alike, though MSC cruises are known for their iconic Children Cruise Free promotion. Disney cruises, specifically, are essentially a Disney theme park on a boat with live shows, rides, and attractions with your kids' favorite characters.

How much does a cruise ship cost?

Cruise prices can vary quite a bit, with cheap cruises and especially luxurious all-inclusive cruises available. Budget lines can offer cruise tickets as low as $50 per night in some cases, while the more high-end experiences can reach up to $1,000 per night and more.

What are some of the best cruise lines?

Several different cruise lines have a lot to offer, such as Viking cruises , which are known for traversing oceans and rivers with a style that blends outdoor and indoor splendor. Celebrity cruise line is more upscale with luxurious features like WiFi, included beverages, champagne, and suites with panoramic views. Other top cruise lines include Royal Caribbean International , Carnival Cruise , Disney Cruise , and Norwegian Cruise .

How far in advance do you need to book a cruise?

It's generally best to book a cruise about 6 to 12 months before your cruise departure. That's the safest way to balance availability and affordability. Technically, you can book earlier or later than that, with some last-minute cruise deals occasionally available up to a weekbefore cruise departure.

Are cruise trips affordable?

They can be, and it's especially simple to search for more affordable cruises with Expedia.com. Not only can you filter by cruise length, cruise line, and cabin experience, but you may also sort your results by price to put the more affordable options first on your search results page.

What is it like to go on a cruise?

A cruise is generally designed to offer the most relaxing experience possible. Despite the size of the ship, it's possible to feel the wave. Many passengers report that the movements help them sleep. Additionally, many fun cruises offer live stage performances, several restaurants, and shopping opportunities. When the ship is in international waters, you may even be able to enjoy a bit of tax-free shopping.

Are cruises a good way to travel?

Cruise travel is great if you're looking for some varied fun. Compared to a plane or a train, cruises have their own attractions and can be considered an integral part of cruise vacations. Plus, a cruise can hit several different destinations as well, with plenty of time to enjoy the cruise and scenic locales. It's certainly worth it for a unique experience no other method of travel can match.

Which cruise line is the cheapest?

The actual cheapest cruise available depends on a variety of different factors. Still, Carnival Cruise tends to be very affordable overall, most of the time with great options like the Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Horizon . Royal Caribbean is also another fantastic cruise line offering great deals if you are watching your budget.

How can I get the best cruise deals in 2024 / 2025?

If you're looking for some of the best cruise deals, booking through Expedia.com makes it easy since you can sort your cruise search results by price and have access to special deals. One Key members can earn  OneKeyCash  on all eligible bookings and get instant discounts with Member Prices. Sign up today!

What do I need to know when I book a cruise?

To book a cruise, you'll need to know where you'll be setting off from and where you'll be going, in addition to how many people will be with you and the features of the specific cruise you book. Keep in mind that you'll want to factor in spending money in your budget for the cruise's restaurants and shops in most cases.

Where should I go on a cruise in 2024 / 2025?

Plenty of incredible cruise destinations are accessible such as cruises to the Bahamas and cruises to Mexico . You may also be interested in cruises to Alaska or cruises to Europe for something outside of the Caribbean.

What countries are best to visit by cruise ship?

A lot of countries are accessible via a cruise, but the best include a cruise to Australia . However, a cruise to Australia is quite a long trip at sea and really allows you to take in everything the cruise ship has to offer.

Can I get last-minute cruise deals?

Yes, last-minute cruise deals are often available, and you can find them on Expedia.com by inputting your travel dates in your search and sorting your results by price. The deals will automatically be applied to the price estimates so that the cheapest estimates will show up first on your search results page.

Are cruises all-inclusive?

Cruises aren't always all-inclusive, but they can be. If you're interested in all-inclusive cruises, you can activate a search filter for it to ensure your search results only show cruises that meet your all-inclusive standard.

Is food free on a cruise?

Food is sometimes free on a cruise, but there are often specialty restaurants that aren't included with the general booking that you'll have to pay for separately. Check the details of each cruise before you book in the "What's included" section after clicking the cruise on your search results page.

What cruise lines are adults only?

Several lines offer adults-only cruise experiences, including Viking cruises , Carnival cruises , and Princess cruises . With an adults-only cruise, you can relax in a tranquil and laid-back setting without kids running around and enjoy all the cocktails you want.

What cruise lines are considered to be the most luxurious?

Viking cruises are considered exceptionally luxurious, with smaller ships and larger cabins that make them feel more exclusive, but Celebrity cruises offer luxury cruise lines too. Booking a luxury cruise means you can expect high-end amenities including gourmet restaurants, sizable suites, top-tier performances, massive pools, and much more.

What are the best cruises for couples?

Viking Cruises have much to offer for a more romantic experience. Holland America Line cruises can be quite refined and romantic as well, with an adult-oriented experience that's sophisticated rather than rowdy. Romantic cruises offer exceptional service as well as cozy suites for you and your partner to enjoy that's complemented by delicious food often themed around the cruise destination.

Why should I go on a cruise for my honeymoon?

Going on a cruise is a great way for you and your new spouse to be pampered with luxury while also being able to explore a new destination. Whether you're taking a cruise to Hawaii or a cruise to Bermuda , a particularly romantic experience is almost guaranteed thanks to the sheer number of things to do.

Are there any Christmas cruises?

Yes, quite a few cruise lines operate around Christmas, and you can find them easily by entering travel dates around Christmas into your 2024 cruise search. Some of the most popular Christmas cruises are available with Carnival and Disney.

Do I need a passport to go on a cruise?

Whether or not you need a passport depends on where you're going and the kind of cruise it is. Any US territory like Bermuda and Puerto Rico won't require a passport, of course, but you also don't need one if you're on a closed-loop cruise. This is a cruise that begins and ends at a US cruise terminal, even if there are stops in other countries on the way.

Why should I book a cruise with Expedia.com?

Booking a cruise with Expedia.com makes it easy to find a cruise type that works best for you. You can use the cruise finder and sort by cruise line, type, destination, length, and itinerary. One Key members also earn OneKeyCash on all eligible bookings that can be used to save on future eligible trips.

What happens if a cruise is canceled?

Every cruise has a different cancellation policy, but generally, passengers are entitled to either a full refund or a credit for a future cruise at a later date. Remember that they may automatically change your booking to their rescheduled date, so you may have to contact them if that date doesn't work for your schedule.

*OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia,  Hotels.com  and Vrbo.

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How To Plan A Cruise To The Caribbean: Your Step-by-Step Guide

By Lisa Wells August 23, 2019 Updated: December 22, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Do you have your heart set on a Caribbean cruise? You're not alone. This is one of my favorite ways to enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Here's how to plan a Caribbean cruise – everything from researching destinations and shore excursions to planning your cruise packing list.

If you love being on the water, beautiful beaches and warm Caribbean sunshine, there's nothing like a Caribbean cruise. But whether you're a first-time cruiser or an experienced cruise traveler, there are so many little details that go into planning the perfect Caribbean cruise vacation.

You'll need to consider when you want to travel, your destinations, what you'll do at your ports of call, where you want your room to be, what you'll pack, and even  the dos and don'ts for your cruise line .

To search for the best cruises to the Caribbean, click here.

Your Step-By-Step Guide To Planning A Caribbean Cruise

If you've never been on a cruise, this guide will walk you through how to book a cruise for the first time.

This is the three-part process I use for planning my Caribbean cruises. I'll walk you through everything from researching your destinations and cruise lines to planning your cruise packing list .

Let's get started.

Part 1: Planning The Details of Your Caribbean Cruise

This is quite possibly the most important (and most fun) part of planning your Caribbean cruise. During this part of the planning process, you'll be figuring out when you want to travel, how long you'll travel for, where you're traveling, which cruise lines cater to your needs, and where you'll embark on your cruise. 

Decide When You'll Go On Your Caribbean Cruise

First things first, it's time to decide when you'll be traveling. Since you've set your sights on a Caribbean cruise you'll want to take the following details under consideration.

In the Caribbean, hurricane season officially lasts from June 1 to November 30, but the peak of the season is seen in early September. This is when you'll also see the lowest cruise fares, so it's important to be aware that the fare, in this case, is reflecting the risk of traveling at that time. I tend to avoid cruising to the Caribbean during this window of time.

If you have the flexibility in your schedule, planning your trip during a shoulder season or off-season can help you save on both cruise fare and any necessary airfare. I've found particularly good deals on repositioning cruises – this is when they move a ship from one departure port to another (Buenos Aires to Fort Lauderdale or the Mediterranean to Miami, for example). I took one from San Juan to New York. We visited several Caribbean islands then sailed into New York harbor past the Statue of Liberty. It was quite the experience!

You'll see the highest fare rates during peak holiday and cruising seasons. This means that you will typically pay a premium if you're sailing during the December holidays as well as from late January through to the spring break period (which usually falls around Easter).

Decide How Long You'll Travel To The Caribbean

After you've decided when you'll travel, you'll want to determine how long your cruise will be. Some might be surprised to learn that you can find cruises as short as a couple of days, though most will last one week...or longer!

You'll notice that most short cruises departing from the US will remain in the Western Caribbean area or the Bahamas , Florida, and Mexico). On the other hand, taking a longer cruise will allow you to see more varied areas within the Caribbean. 

Pro Tip: Don't forget to account for the transit time you may need in order to travel to and from your embarkation port. I usually leave one to two days on either side of my cruise for that additional travel time or port city exploration. For example, if you decide that you'll take a week vacation, that may only result in a 5 or 6-day cruise. 

Decide Where You're Going In The Caribbean

This is my favorite part of the research phase in planning a Caribbean cruise. Where are we going to go?! While the Caribbean region is covered by many cruise lines, you'll notice that Caribbean cruise itineraries are usually split into Western, Eastern, and Southern cruises. It's important to note that your desired destinations might be serviced by only particular types of ships. 

Depending on your cruise line, your itinerary may also include a stop at the cruise line's private island beach. For example, Carnival Cruise Lines  owns Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays in the Bahamas and Royal Caribbean owns Labadee in Haiti and Royal Caribbean Coco Cay in the Bahamas.

Here's an overview of each of the primary cruising regions within the Caribbean.

Western Caribbean Cruises

Western Caribbean cruises typically include destinations like Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Cozumel, and Costa Maya, Mexico. You might also see ports of call in Belize and Roatan on longer cruises.

You should find lots of selections in choosing an itinerary for this region. Practically all of the big-ship cruise lines cover this area. And while you'll primarily see one-week itineraries , this is also your best bet for finding a short itinerary if you've decided to cruise for only a couple of days.

You can expect plenty of sunshine and beautiful sandy beaches on a western Caribbean cruise. Of course, if your itinerary allows, you might also squeeze in a visit to some ancient Mayan ruins and temples. Your choice of excursions in this area is varied – you'll see everything from off-road ATV adventures to glass bottom boat tours to snorkeling and beach days. Perfect for a larger group with a variety of interests!

Pro Tip: A western Caribbean cruise might be the perfect choice for you if your dream destination list includes Bahamas, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Grand Cayman, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Belize, Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti, or Turks and Caicos .

Eastern Caribbean Cruises

Eastern Caribbean cruises  typically cover areas like San Juan, St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands , Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, and St. Maarten. (I have a soft spot for St. Maarten – it's one of my favorite islands with both Dutch and French sides to explore.)

Much like the western Caribbean cruises, there are a number of cruise lines covering this area. You'll see the majority of itineraries in the range of 5 to 7 nights, but there are (of course) others that run longer. You won't typically find short cruise itineraries for this area of the Caribbean.

While you'll find a nice mix of rich colonial history, sandy beaches and beautiful views, most of these itineraries stop at only the most popular ports. If you'd like to venture off the beaten path, you'll need to book excursions to nearby islands. The unspoiled beauty of St. John's, for example, is a short boat ride from the bustling port of St. Thomas but feels like it's world's away. You can also look at smaller luxury and adventure cruise lines if you're in the mood for a trip that's a little more exotic.

Pro Tip:  Explore eastern Caribbean cruises if your bucket list includes destinations like Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Virgin Islands (both British and US), Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, St. Bart's, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, Anguilla, as well as Bahamas, Dominican Republic, or Turks and Caicos.

Southern Caribbean Cruises

Last but not least are the southern Caribbean cruises . These are probably my favorite itineraries with islands like Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, Aruba , and Curacao. These itineraries tend to be longer, due to the distance from US mainland ports of embarkation. But if you have the time and budget to allow for a longer cruise vacation, you'll be rewarded with a more exotic and unique Caribbean cruise experience.

You'll find that both larger cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean, as well as smaller cruise lines like Windstar and SeaDream Yacht Club, offer itineraries in this area of the Caribbean . Many of these itineraries require that you travel to a Caribbean port for embarkation (like San Juan). Keep in mind that if you're hoping to leave from a US embarkation port, your choices will be limited. Typically, you'll only see 10+ night itineraries setting sail from Floridian ports.

Southern Caribbean cruises offer a wide variety of port excursions. You'll see everything from eco-adventure options like a jeep safari to visit some of Aruba's natural pools to Sugar Beach in St. Lucia .

Pro Tip: Southern Caribbean cruises are a great choice if your must-see travel list includes countries like Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent, Bonaire , Curacao, Grenadines, Martinique, Nevis, Saba, Venezuela, as well as Grenada, St. Bart's, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Anguilla, Puerto Rico, Antigua, St. Maarten, the British and US Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Colombia, Dominica, or Barbados.

Research Caribbean Cruise Lines

Caribbean cruises are popular, so you should have plenty of cruise line options no matter where you cruise. Deciding on a general area of travel within the Caribbean will often help you eliminate certain cruise lines from consideration. That said, if you're set on traveling with a specific cruise line, you may want to flip this step and the previous step around.

In this stage of planning, you'll want to consider the type of experience you want on your vacation. For example, if you travel on a mega-ship with cruise lines like Carnival or Royal Caribbean  you might have a wide variety of onboard amenities but find limitations in the ports of call that you visit. If you're after a bit more variety in your destinations, you'll want to look at smaller ships and luxury cruise lines.

RELATED: Carnival Cruise Tips You Need to Know Before Booking

Consider Your Available Cruise Embarkation Ports

While most Caribbean cruises leave from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, or Tampa, you might also find itineraries setting sail from US ports in Galveston, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Charleston, Baltimore, and even New York. I've sailed to the Caribbean from most of the Florida ports, as well as from San Juan in Puerto Rico.

Keep in mind that if you're traveling on a smaller ship, you'll likely see embarkation ports within the Caribbean. The major advantage of leaving from within the Caribbean is that your itinerary will often cover more ground. Of course, this will also often call for more expensive and complicated travel plans in order to arrive at your embarkation port with time to spare before you set sail.

Pro Tip: If you're looking for a wide selection of on-shore excursions, try looking at southern itineraries leaving from San Juan. They generally have fewer sea days and more island ports of call.

Part 2: Book Your Caribbean Cruise

You've done your research and settled on a travel timeline, duration, destination, and cruise line. It's time to start booking your Caribbean cruise!

Finalize Your Cruise Ship & Dates

Now is the time to narrow down your choices and do a final price and itinerary comparison. For example, if you want to do a week-long Western Caribbean cruise on Carnival leaving from Miami in February, you'll find there are several options to choose from.

With this cruise search tool you can customize where you're going, the date range, departure port, cruise length, and cruise line and it will show you all the cruises that fit your criteria. And from there you can see all the details about the ship, the exact itinerary (which islands and how many sea days), and pricing for each cruise option. 

Choose Your Cabin Type & Location

Much like booking a seat on a plane, you’ll pick your exact cabin on the ship map when you book your cruise. As you might have guessed, you'll want to carefully consider both the type of room and its location to make sure you have an enjoyable trip on board.

When it comes to the types of rooms, you'll typically see a choice of inside room, exterior room, and suites. It's important to note that while they are budget-friendly, those inside rooms have no windows. If you need a little bit of sunlight to get you up and moving in the morning, an inside room may not be a good choice for you.

Exterior rooms will have windows or a balcony. I always get an exterior room with a balcony – preferably an extended balcony. It’s one of my favorite places on the ship to watch the waves!

Pro Tip:  Most cruises have room service included. Order breakfast to enjoy on your balcony while watching the ship pull into port.

The other consideration you'll want to look at is the location of your room. You'll see options of midship, forward, or aft, as well as higher or lower deck. Your best bet is to consider the restaurants, pool, spa or other amenities onboard that you plan to use and choose a room that's relatively close by.

Pro Tip: Look for forward (front of the ship), aft (back of the ship) or corner rooms as they will often have more space or an extended balcony. Or conversely, the center of the ship will have the least motion so choose a midship cabin closer to sea level if you’re concerned about seasickness.

Plan Travel Arrangements For Your Embarkation City

Your embarkation port will determine your necessary travel arrangements. For example, if you're leaving from San Juan, you'll likely need to give yourself extra time and budget to allow for traveling to Puerto Rico. At this point, you'll also want to decide if you'll stay overnight in your embarkation city before or after your cruise. 

Pro Tip: My rule of thumb is the further I'm traveling for embarkation, the longer I'll give myself in the city itself. The breathing room in your itinerary is great for alleviating stress in the case of any travel mishaps.

Booking Your Caribbean Shore Excursions

It's time to figure out what you're going to do while you're cruising! Yes, we're talking about shore excursions. If you're a beginner cruiser, "shore excursion" refers to a wide variety of activities and tours that you can enjoy at each port of call.

As you might imagine, shore excursions vary from spending a day at the beach to zip-lining through Mayan ruins. No matter which type of shore excursion you choose, this is a great way to get out and experience the various destinations you'll visit during your Caribbean cruise vacation.

Port stops are typically in the range of 8 to 10 hours long, but you'll want to double-check that with your ship's itinerary. That's where you'll find both your arrival and departure times for each port of call.

It's important to keep in mind that, while some luxury cruise lines include shore excursions in their cruise fare itineraries, most cruise lines do not include them. Shore excursions can range anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred dollars. It all depends on the type of tour you choose and the port of call you're visiting. Bottom line? You will pay extra for these experiences, so be sure to save a little room in your vacation budget!

The 4 Main Types of Shore Excursions During Your Caribbean Cruise

There are 4 main types of shore excursions that you'll want to consider when researching your options. Let's take a closer look.

Adventure Tours in the Caribbean

These are the tours for thrill-seekers! You'll find a wide range of activities falling into this category. They tend to be on the pricier side, but you won't want to miss these if you're an adrenaline junkie.

Here are a few adventure-style shore excursions to consider:

• Roatan eco-walk, zip-line & beach tour
• 4 x 4 island safari in St. John's
• Harrison's underground cave tour

Sightseeing & Historical Tours in the Caribbean

The Caribbean has a rich history. If you're a history junkie, you'll want to schedule in at least a couple of these tours during your cruise vacation. These can range from a bus tour to a walking tour, and everything in between. Be sure to consider your own physical abilities when booking these tours – injuring yourself isn't a fun way to spend a vacation!

Here are a few historical shore excursions to consider:

• English Harbour & Nelson's Dockyard tour in Antigua
• Lamanai Mayan site tour in Belize
• Guided tour of Bermuda's East End

Cultural Tours in the Caribbean

There's no better way to get a taste of your surroundings than with a cultural tour. These shore excursions vary from cooking classes to wine tours, and even a craft class or two. This is a fun way to experience your port of call's culture and meet locals living in the area.

Here are a few cultural shore excursions to consider:

• Cook like a Bajan cooking class
• Mount Gay rum tasting tour in Bridgetown
• Grenadian morning market shuttle

Leisure & Beach Days in the Caribbean

Pack your reef-safe sunscreen – it's time for a day at the beach! I always make sure to spend a couple of shore excursions at the beach. These are typically more relaxed days and may even allow you enough time to wander through the local city. This category also includes tours like snorkel catamaran cruises and grabbing a day pass for a local resort.

Here are a few leisure excursions to consider:

• Reef snorkel & beach day in Costa Maya
• Lunch cruise & small-group snorkeling
• Private beach club & city tour in Roatan

How To Book Your Shore Excursions

The first thing you'll need to do in planning out your shore excursions is deciding how long you want to be onshore. From there, decide how much of that onshore time will be allocated to a shore excursion. It might help to keep in mind that most excursions run for between 3 to 5 hours, though you'll likely see some that are full-day excursions as well.

Once you've decided on your shore excursions, there are a couple of ways you can go about purchasing them. Here are the 3 main ways to book your shore excursions:

1. Book directly with your cruise line. 

Typically you'll be able to book shore excursions once you've paid a deposit on the cruise. This is done directly through your cruise line's website. You can also book your excursions onboard at the excursion desk once you've checked in.

This is the easiest way to book – and it's particularly great for new cruisers. Tours are easy to find and typically sorted by type, which makes it quite quick to hone in on your preferred travel style.

You might pay a bit more for these tours, but the big advantage of booking this way is that you're guaranteed to get back on the ship. Your ship will wait for you if you happen to be on a delayed cruise line-arranged tour.

2. Book through a third-party shore excursion vendor.

Of course, you're not required to book directly through your cruise line. There are also a handful of third-party vendor websites that will help you purchase shore excursions. These vendors include sites like Shore Excursions Group, Viator, or Resort for a Day.

If you're worried about getting back to your ship in time, these operators will often guarantee that they'll get you back on time or pay for travel arrangements to your next port of call. Just be sure to read the fine print before you confirm your booking, so you understand what's covered (and what's not!).

The big advantage of booking with these companies is that they are typically running smaller tours with fewer travelers. Overall, this typically gives you a more varied experience at your destination.

3. Book your shore excursion directly with the tour company.

There's nothing stopping you from booking directly with a local tour company. This is perhaps the riskiest of the three options and I would only recommend it to experienced cruisers.

If you book your shore excursion using this method you will not have any protection from your cruise line or a third party vendor. It will be vital that you carefully read your fine print and the company policies about cancellations, payment methods, and travel guarantees for returning you to your ship on time.

As with all shore excursions, pricing will vary. The biggest advantage in booking directly is that this is typically the best way to partake in local experiences at lower costs. That said, booking using this method may not always save you money. These shore excursions can still be quite expensive and you will also have to factor in travel arrangements to and from the ship, such as a taxi or ferry.

Tips & Tricks To Keep In Mind While Planning Your Shore Excursions 

Here are a few of my best tips and tricks for planning shore excursions.

1. Research Your Ports of Call

Your best bet for a great day in your port of call is to plan ahead. There may be some ports where you can just walk from the dock to the town to explore. But others will be miles from anything to do and you will be disappointed if you haven't planned an excursion. 

Research your destinations and decide what you're most interested in doing at each port of call. For example, if you're port of call is particularly well-known for its beautiful sandy beaches, you may want to consider a beach day excursion. 

2. Set A Budget

Touring at every port can very quickly bust your vacation budget. I recommend reserving a percentage of your total vacation budget specifically for your shore excursions. I know others use $100 per person per port of call as their rule of thumb for setting the shore excursion budget. Whatever you decide, make sure that you plan your budget properly.

3. Decide Whether Booking In Advance Or Waiting Is Best For You

While I've covered a number of ways that you can book your shore excursions in advance, you don't need to go this route. You can always wait to see how you feel once you're onboard. 

Here's what I would recommend for deciding whether you'll book in advance or wait:

Book limited-availability excursions and must-do tours in advance. Do not wait to book the excursions you would be heartbroken if you missed.

Wait to book excursions that you're uncertain about or you would be happy with a variety of options. This allows you to adjust accordingly for the weather and your own energy levels.

Part 3: What You Should Do After You Book Your Cruise

Now that you've finished planning the bulk of your Caribbean cruise, it's time to start thinking about those little details that make your travels smooth and stress-free. These are things like holding your mail, planning for the care of any pets or plants, and (my favorite part) deciding on your Caribbean cruise packing list!

Ensure Your Vaccinations & Travel Documents Are Up-To-Date

When it comes to vaccinations and travel documents, it's always best to plan early (check here for State Department cruise recommendations). It's hard to rush these details, so thinking ahead will save you plenty of stress.

You'll want to have all of your vaccinations up to date by about 2 weeks before departure. It's best to have your vaccination history on hand and research your port destinations to better understand what you'll need prior to your visit with your travel doctor.

And, of course, don't forget your passport! You might not be required to show your passport if you board in the states, but most cruise lines require you to have your passport on hand. And even if they don't, it's a good idea to have it handy for port excursions or in case of an emergency.

For example, if you run into bad weather, like a hurricane, you may want to fly out earlier than you had initially planned. Without your passport, you will not be allowed to fly out of whatever country’s airport is closest. Likewise, the same applies if you get hurt (or sick) and need to seek medical help off the ship in another country. 

Pro Tip: It's also a good idea to make sure you have cash in different denominations. Most countries with cruise ports accept US dollars, but it's likely that you will receive it back in the currency of that country. Carrying a variety of denominations helps ensure that you will limit the amount of loose foreign currency you're carrying during your travels.

Arranging Care for Your Home, Pets & Plants

Of course, you'll need to make sure that your home, as well as any pets or plants, are cared for while you're traveling. The first thing you'll want to do here is to consider how long you're cruising for.

If you're setting sail for a short trip (up to 4 days), you may not need anyone to check in on your place or plants. Of course, you may still need to arrange for a pet sitter or boarding.

If you're traveling for a longer period of time (upwards of 4 days), you'll likely need to arrange for someone to check in on your home, water plants, or you may even want to have someone housesit.  Depending on how you arrange for the care of your home will help you decide how your pets will be cared for.

Pro Tip: I like to start planning these details at least a month before departure. You may need a longer lead time if you're traveling during the holidays or peak travel seasons.

Create Your Caribbean Cruise Packing List

Whether you're traveling in a carry-on only , or with a larger suitcase, you'll want to carefully consider the weather you're likely to encounter and the excursions you've planned during your vacation. Along with these factors, you'll also want to confirm dining attire while you're sailing – some cruise lines offer formal dinners or theme nights! Knowing this sort of information in advance will allow you to make the most of all the fun your cruise line has to offer.

If you're still feeling a little stuck on what to include on your packing list, you should check out these packing resources:

• What to Pack for a Cruise
• How to Pack for a Beach Vacation in Just a Carry-on (Packing List Included!)
• Essential Beach Gear for a Day at the Beach

Pro tip:  Even if you've decided to travel with a larger suitcase, you'll still want to plan your carry-on carefully. When you arrive at the ship your suitcase will be checked and you likely won't see it again until just before dinner. Make sure to pack what you need for the day in your carry-on so you can start enjoying the ship immediately!

Now You're Ready To Start Planning Your Caribbean Cruise

That's it. This is how I plan my Caribbean cruises and how I recommend that you plan yours. With a little planning and research, you're sure to have a fantastic time soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the beautiful blue water of the Caribbean!

Ready to start planning your Caribbean cruise? Start searching for the best cruise vacations here.

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Welcome to Consumer Rescue

Fiascos and Fixes

Planning a cruise in 2024? Here’s your guide to avoiding common mistakes

Michelle Couch-Friedman

Consumer reporter and ombudsman

January 1, 2024

Over the years, I’ve mediated hundreds of requests for help from distressed cruise line passengers. Many of these cruise fiascos were the result of passenger mistakes that could have been avoided by following some simple guidelines. With wave season just beginning, now is the perfect time to review Consumer Rescue’s ultimate guide to planning and taking a cruise in 2024.

Here’s all the information you need to know about planning and taking a cruise.

3 ways to book a cruise

The first thing you need to consider when you decide to take a cruise is how you’ll book the journey. This decision is more critical than you may realize. The primary ways to book your cruise are:

1. Directly with the cruise line

This is not a booking mode that we recommend for novice cruisers. If everything goes well, you’ll probably be fine. But we’ve seen time and again that the “consultants” the cruise lines hire are often transient employees. The agents often lack the training to be professional travel planners. Many times, we’ve seen these cruise “consultants” cause more harm than good for their clients with their mistakes.

• This is what happens when a consultant makes you miss your cruise

2. Use a third-party booking agent

There is no shortage of online booking agents who will sell you discounted cruises. If getting a bargain is your primary goal, then this may be the way to book your cruise. But what will happen if you encounter problems before, during, or after your trip? The personalized assistance that a third-party cruise booking agent will provide is frequently minimal ( Especially if they make a mistake and then quit! ). And when you’re in distress, you want to be able to speak to a human who can help you. For these reasons, we recommend door number three when you book a cruise.

3. Use a professional travel advisor

A travel advisor can be your guardian angel when things go wrong during any vacation. An experienced agent will provide you with personalized attention as you plan your cruise and follow through with you until you’re safely back home. They may even be able to snag you some perks that aren’t available to other cruisers. You can find a travel professional who specializes in cruises through the American Society of Travel Advisors’ website .

Online booking agents and even the cruise lines themselves make booking your cruise look simple. Always consider what will happen if things go wrong. You’ll want someone you can speed-dial to get swift, personalized attention. You have the best chance of that happening by choosing to use a professional travel advisor to book your cruise.

Do you need a passport to cruise internationally?

Let’s cut to the chase. The answer to this question is “yes” — if you want to make certain that you don’t get stranded abroad.

The industry has lobbied to allow passengers to cruise internationally without a passport on closed-loop itineraries*. But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. It isn’t.

*A closed-loop cruise is one that begins and ends in the same U.S. port.

On closed-loop cruises, passengers may board with a passport card, an Enhanced Driver’s License , or a regular driver’s license with an official birth certificate. (Note: Do not make the mistake of confusing an Enhanced ID with a Real ID as these Carnival customers did or you will miss your cruise completely.)

But many of these passport-less passengers don’t even realize the precarious situation they’ve placed themselves in.

Fact: It isn’t possible to fly internationally with a passport card, Real ID, or birth certificate.

You should never plan to take a cruise that will enter international waters unless you possess a passport book. A passport book is the only identification that will allow you to fly home from an international destination.

I know what you’re thinking: “Michelle, I don’t need a passport because I will not be flying anywhere internationally. I’m on a closed-loop cruise!” 

But I’m here to tell you that unexpected situations can and do happen that make having a passport critically necessary. 

Passengers miss the boat 

Passengers like Natalie Durflinger. She got the shock of her life when MSC’s Divina sailed away without her in Cozumel as she was enjoying dinner after a shore excursion – in full view of the ship.  She was left behind in her bathing suit and flip-flops, but luckily for her, she was carrying her U.S. Passport and was able to fly home. But without that passport, her troubling situation would have been much more complicated. You can read her dramatic tale here:

• My MSC cruise ship left me behind in Mexico! Will I get a refund?

And she’s not the first cruiser whose plea for help landed on my desk after getting left behind during a cruise. Long-time readers of my column will remember the tale of NCL passenger Kevin Rohrer who got an unexpected shock when he showed up at the pier in Havana after a shore excursion. NCL’s Sky was nowhere to be found. Kevin had neglected to review the change in departure times when he left the ship – and it sailed away without him.

Emergency situations during the cruise

And consider what will happen if you or the ship encounter an emergency that prevents your return to the U.S. via the cruise. If you don’t have a passport, you’ll have significant hurdles to jump to get home. Specifically, you’ll need to go to the U.S. embassy wherever you are and apply for an emergency passport, which can be quite expensive.

Missing the embarkation of the cruise

Another consideration: If you miss the cruise at the onset and you don’t have a passport, there will be no way for you to fly and catch up with the boat. Earl Wentzel and his family found this out when they hit heavy traffic on the way to the port for their Mexican adventure aboard Carnival’s Splendor and missed embarkation.

They missed the cut-off for boarding, but Carnival was willing to fly the family south of the border to meet the ship. Unfortunately, not all members of the family had passports, so it was impossible. Instead of relaxing on the deck sipping tropical drinks at the end of the day, the group found themselves on a flight back to where they started.  The family’s full story is here:

• This is what happens when you miss your cruise without a passport

How to get a U.S. passpo rt

You can avoid all of these unpleasant outcomes by getting yourself a passport. The State Department provides detailed instructions for you to apply for a passport book. The cost is $145 for a first-time adult applicant, and it’s good for ten years.* That’s a small price to pay for the security it will provide to you.

*Expert tip: Although your passport book is technically valid for ten years, make sure that you don’t wait until the last minute to renew. Many countries will reject you for entry if you have less than 3-6 months available on your passport before expiration.

• How did this simple passport mistake end in a $17,776 travel disaster?

As we enter 2024, the expected wait time for renewing a U.S. passport is about 6-8 weeks for standard service. An expedited passport application will cost an additional $60, and you should receive it within 2-3 weeks.

If you’ve waited too long to apply, you may still be able to get an Urgent Travel appointment at a regional passport office. But these appointments are quite difficult to obtain. The first step is to call the U.S. National Passport Service at 1-877-487-2778 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. (Eastern), Monday through Friday. You can read more about how to get a passport fast in Consumer Rescue’s guide.

Will a visa be necessary for your cruise?

Novice travelers may not be aware that a passport is not the only required documentation needed to enter some foreign destinations. A visa might also be necessary to take your cruise , and if you don’t get one beforehand, you’ll be out of luck.

• This is how to get removed from your cruise – no refund included

Fortunately, the internet makes it simple to find out what identification you need to cruise to ensure that you don’t get left behind as the ship sails away.

• This family got left on the dock! Is the cruise line responsible?

The U.S. State Department maintains a database of information about every country in the world — and it’s easily available to you.

You can find everything you need to successfully navigate the globe via the State Department’s website . You can check the passport and visa requirements, safety concerns, health issues and much more for all the destinations listed on your cruise itinerary.

Another great resource for travelers as they research the documents they’ll need to take their cruise, is a tool provided by the  International Air Transport Association (IATA). The Timatic personalized passport, visa and health tracker can decrease your chances of a denied boarding fiasco going down at your port of departure. You enter all of your personalized information into the program and the system tells you exactly what documents you need for your travels. The professional version of this tool is what the airlines use to determine if passengers have the correct identification for their journey.

Will I need a health test or vaccine?

Depending on your cruise line and destination, you may need to have a note from your doctor that you’re healthy to travel or possibly a vaccination of some type.

• I flew to New Zealand and got denied boarding my $8,154 NCL cruise

It’s imperative to check with your cruise line well before your sailing to determine the current health requirements – or you could end up missing the cruise completely.

• This cruise ship passenger arrived just in time – to be denied boarding!

Passengers should be aware that being quarantined for coronavirus infections and close contact is still possible even as we head into 2024. We’ve continued to receive complaints from passengers who have missed most of their cruise because of being quarantined on the ship.

This leads us to our next topic: travel insurance for your cruise.

Do I need travel insurance to take a cruise?

Yes, you will likely need travel insurance to keep yourself protected on your cruise .

Travel insurance doesn’t just cover the cost of your vacation should you need to cancel. It can also pay for any medical expenses that happen abroad.

It’s important to remember that most domestic health insurance policies will not cover you after you enter international waters. In fact, your standard Medicare policy will cease to provide coverage once you reach six hours out into the open sea. Unfortunately, Maureen Niland and her husband didn’t know this when they set sail on Holland America’s Eurodam. When her husband suffered a cardiac arrest and died soon after embarkation, HAL sent Maureen a giant bill. She was stunned to find out that Medicare would not cover it, and a horrible situation turned much worse for the grieving widow.

• Can you cruise with just Medicare? She has a painful warning for you

Medical treatment aboard a cruise line can hit your pocketbook hard. For peace of mind, you’ll want to make sure that you have a medical insurance policy that will protect you should you need medical assistance while cruising.

Remember, no matter which trip insurance policy you purchase, you’ll typically have 10-14 days to review all its details. During that time, make sure to read the entire document and ensure you’ve purchased the coverage you need. If you haven’t, you can return it during that look-over period and start over with your search.

Note : If you have a pre-existing condition, you will likely need to contact the travel insurance company directly for more information.

*Coronavirus cancellation coverage: Unfortunately, we’ve not seen any insurance companies cover coronavirus cancellations unless the passenger actually contracted the virus. In fact, many of the policies we’ve reviewed have specifically excluded pandemics as covered events. You’ll need to speak to your travel insurance provider directly to discuss your options if you wish to cancel because of a fear of a resurgence of the virus.

Should I fly on the same day as my cruise begins?

In a word: No. You should never schedule your flight on the same day as the cruise’s scheduled embarkation.

Flying on the same day as your cruise is an unnecessary risk. Over the years, we’ve seen countless passengers miss their entire vacations because they pushed their luck and booked flights to arrive just hours before embarkation.

• This is what happens when you fly on the same day as your cruise

Remember, the Department of Transportation does not require an airline to reimburse you for delays. If you miss your cruise because your flight is delayed or canceled, you’ll be on the hook for the consequences.

Is an airline required to reimburse me for expenses if it cancels my flight and I am forced to miss my cruise, honeymoon, wedding, concert, or other activity?    No.  Airlines are not required to reimburse you for any trip costs affected by the cancelled flight, such as a prepaid hotel room, a cruise , a vacation, concert or other tickets, or lost wages. U.S. Department of Transportation

It’s essential to know that even insurance that covers flight delays may not cover your missed cruise. If you’ve booked the flight too close to embarkation, your insurance policy may have a clause that allows the company to reject your claim.

So you must give yourself plenty of buffer room when you’re scheduling your flights as you plan your cruise. The wisest decision you can make is to schedule your arrival at least one day before the beginning of your cruise.

Warning: The consultants for the major cruise lines routinely book their clients on same-day flights. If you choose to use one of these booking agents, be forceful and refuse a same-day flight.

Should you buy a food or beverage package?

If you’ve decided to cruise on a line that is not all-inclusive, you have some decisions to make. A la carte food, specialty meals, and drinks can become quite pricey onboard your cruise ship. The good news is that the cruise lines offer promotional packages that can turn your vacation into more of an all-inclusive one.

We’ve received some controversial and unusual requests about some of these packages. Joan Barrett shocked our team when she asked us to mediate her complaint with Princess Cruises. The cruise line had put a 15-drink-per-day limit on her beverages package, and she wanted the limitation lifted. Joan believed that the restrictions had been placed after she purchased the package.

• Help! I’m being limited to 15 booze drinks per day on my cruise!

Although you’re likely not looking to seal the deal on a plan that will allow you to drink endlessly on your cruise, a dining and beverage package is something you might want to consider.

Check your cruise line’s website for all the current pre-booking drink and dining packages. If you have special dietary restrictions, you’ll want to make sure that the cruise line will be able to meet your needs. Contact guest services well in advance of your journey to confirm.

Depending on the cruise line, you might be permitted to bring some drinks aboard with you. Some cruise lines forbid this practice. To make sure you don’t run afoul of the contract of carriage and get booted off the vessel, review that document.

Your travel advisor can provide additional information and guidance on the food and drink possibilities onboard your cruise.

Tip : Join an online community of cruise enthusiasts like Cruise Critic . It’s a great way to gather first-hand information and insight into your cruise line and its onboard policies.

Booking shore excursions

One of the exciting parts of going on a cruise is planning your shore excursions.

The same options that are available for booking your cruise are available to book your shore excursions. Each of these options comes with some pros and cons.

• Book directly with the cruise line These shore excursions are often more expensive than if you booked through a third party. However, when you book your adventure with the cruise line, you’ll have the peace of mind that should your excursion get delayed, the ship will likely not leave without you. Or, at the very least, if the ship must go without you, you can be confident that the cruise line will arrange for your group to catch up to the boat.
• Use a third-party booking agent or local provider The internet makes shopping for independent shore excursions simple. Companies such as Viator (TripAdvisor) have endless options for day trips during your next cruise. One caveat: Avoid nonrefundable trips. Cruise line itineraries are always subject to change. If yours changes, you’ll want to be able to easily cancel any shore excursions you’ve planned.
• Ask your travel agent Here’s where a professional travel agent who knows your style of vacationing can provide tons of guidance. As they likely have booked many other clients on these excursions, that person will have invaluable insight for you. Your agent can book you directly with the cruise line or through a third-party agent. He/she can also help you should you encounter any problems during your adventure.

Tipping crew members on your cruise

One of the most hot-button topics to familiarize yourself with is the subject of tipping on your cruise. More specifically, the practice of auto-tipping is the most controversial topic.

What is auto-tipping, you might ask?

It’s the practice of a cruise line telling you that tipping is not required. However… “for your convenience,” a certain fee per person is added to your invoice each day. That is unless you opt out of automatic tips for your cruise.

Every cruise line that participates in auto-tipping lists the suggested gratuities in your contract. The problem is that many cruisers do not read through that lengthy document. As a result, more than a few passengers have been blindsided at the end of their cruise by the auto-tips.

• This is what happens when you don’t want to tip on your cruise

Remember, cruise ship passengers are free to adjust these suggested tips up or down — or opt-out entirely. However, you must decide about auto-tipping before you disembark from the ship. You can visit guest relations at any time during your cruise to make these adjustments.

Whether you prefer to pre-pay, tip in cash, or maybe not even tip at all is a personal choice. But it’s critical to understand your cruise line’s policy so you don’t get sticker shock at the end of your journey.

How to make sure you don’t end up without clothes on your cruise

Unfortunately, many cruisers have come to us with terrible tales about cruising without their clothes. Whether by airline, cruise line, or passenger error, the results are all the same: a distressed traveler with no clothing.

• Holland America put our luggage on the wrong ship! Now what?

You can cut down on the chances of ending up in this situation by:

• Making sure that your bags have identification tags on the outside and the inside
• At the airport, ensure that the airline agent has tagged your luggage to the correct destination.
• At your arrival city, keep your eyes on your bags. Don’t leave your belongings with airline or cruise line porters unless you receive a receipt. Ask for clear instructions about where your bags are going.
• Never pack your passport in your luggage — unless you don’t mind the possibility of missing your cruise entirely.
• Don’t assume someone else will bring your baggage to the port.
• Be aware that the cruise lines’ lost and damaged luggage liability limits are very low. Passengers should always purchase travel insurance which includes primary coverage for misdirected baggage. That way if the worst happens and your clothes don’t make it to the ship, you’ll be able to buy replacement items and receive reimbursement later. Make sure to keep all receipts.

If your cruise plans involve an overnight stay at a hotel before embarkation (which hopefully they do), make sure you understand how your luggage will get to the port.

Remember, unless a hotel specifically tells you that it’s transferring your suitcases to the ship, it won’t. Bring your bags to the hotel shuttle and ensure they’re in the vehicle with you. When you arrive at the port, collect your luggage, and check in for your cruise.

Pamela Shane wished someone had given her this information before she left her luggage with a bellhop before her cruise. She thought her bags would be delivered to MSC’s Seaside, but the hotel had no such service. As a result of this misunderstanding, Pamela took a cruise without her belongings.

• I went on my cruise, but my clothes did not!

Don’t let that happen to you. Make sure that you do not leave your luggage anywhere unattended. You can be sure that if you do, you’ll likely be cruising “clothes-less.”

But if you do happen to find yourself onboard a cruise, separated from your clothing, contact your ship’s guest relations. That team can help track down your missing luggage and often can provide you with some loaner clothes until your belongings are located.

Expert Tip : It’s a good idea to pack a change of clothes, your bathing suit and some toiletries in your carry-on. That way, if the worst-case scenario happens and your checked bags get delayed, you’ll be able to enjoy your cruise while you wait.

Bonus Tip: Take photos of everything in your baggage before you head to the airport. That will help should you need to make a claim with the airline or your travel insurance company later. But you’ll want to make sure that you don’t aim too high with that, or it could be rejected entirely. Check your contract of carriage and insurance policy for liability limits.

The cruise line changed my itinerary! Can I get a refund?

One aspect of cruising that never fails to shock novice cruisers is the fluid nature of itineraries.

Fact: When you book a cruise, you’re booking a trip on a ship — not a journey to a guaranteed destination.

If you don’t believe me, check your cruise contract. The information is all there. You should never book a cruise based on a must-see destination. Cruise itineraries can change at a moment’s notice. Some of these changes can be minor — but there is no guarantee against a massive change in your itinerary. For instance, you may be planning for the Caribbean, but if a hurricane rolls in, you might end up going to Canada instead.

And the bad news about cruise itinerary changes? Passengers have no recourse in these situations. Your cruise contract explains that your itinerary can change for any reason the captain sees fit. International maritime law supports this policy.

Iris Fennel found this out in the most unpleasant way. For years, she planned for an unforgettable birthday cruise through the Baltic sea. It turned out unforgettable, alright — but for all the wrong reasons. Unfortunately, ongoing lousy weather made the entire cruise a dud. She missed most of her much-anticipated ports of call.

• These cruise itineraries ruined my trip. I want a refund!

To avoid such terrible disappointment, consider purchasing insurance that covers cruise itinerary changes.

Avoid impulse buying during your cruise

One more frequent complaint I’ve received is from passengers who’ve made expensive and impulsive purchases during their cruise.

• You should not buy jewelry during a cruise. This is why

From jewelry to pricey art work to timeshares and more, the story is always the same — the cruiser wasn’t prepared for the hard sell they encountered during their excursion. It’s never a good idea to impulsively buy any expensive item you didn’t thoroughly research and plan for. Unexpectedly spending thousands of dollars on something that wasn’t in your budget can quickly ruin an otherwise lovely vacation.

Be aware that during a cruise excursion, salespeople might try to lure you into a store. They might invite you in for a free bracelet or cold drink. These breadcrumbs are all part of the sales pitch.

Once you’re inside the store, the goal is to get you to make a purchase — and the bigger, the better. These salesmen know they have a limited amount of time to seal the deal. The sales tactics can be overwhelming for some cruisers not familiar with the song and dance. And although some consumers who have purchased thousands of dollars worth of jewelry have reported feeling intimidated during these shopping excursions inside upscale diamond shops , it’s important to remember there is no physical danger

The best way to handle aggressive salespeople is to avoid them altogether. If you’re not in the market for a piece of jewelry or art, etc., decline the invitation. Just keep walking past the shop. If you’re already inside the store when you’re feeling the pressure, get up and walk out. Under no circumstances should you hand over your credit card and buy something to ensure your release. Just leave.

Can women cruise while pregnant?

The answer to this question is “it depends.” Women who are pregnant can cruise, but only until they reach 24 weeks. After that, the terms and conditions of every major cruise line prohibit cruising.

This 24-week cut-off is not a suggestion. Because of the lack of full service, advanced medical care onboard a ship, if you’re 24-weeks pregnant or beyond you will be prevented from boarding any cruise ship.

Unfortunately, many pregnant women are not familiar with the rules of cruising for moms-to-be and end up with a big shock at embarkation.

If you are or are trying to become pregnant and are simultaneously planning a cruise, it’s critical to remember the 24-week rule. Although you can’t buy travel insurance to cover a pregnancy-related cancellation after you’re already pregnant, you can purchase a policy beforehand. That way, if you do become pregnant and are forced to cancel your cruise, it will be covered by your insurance policy.

Note: If you are close to 24 weeks or look particularly advanced in your pregnancy, it’s a good idea to bring along a doctor’s note.

How to make a complaint before, during, and after your cruise

If you have a complaint during your cruise, you should avail yourself of the guest services department onboard the ship. Those professionals dedicate themselves to resolving any problems you might encounter while you’re on your trip. They can also answer any questions you might have about the vessel and any other aspect of the cruise.

If the issue appears after you’ve disembarked, you’ll want to review all the tips in Consumer Rescue’s problem-solving guide . That article provides step-by-step instructions to take your complaint to executives within the company who can help you. 

If that doesn’t solve your problem, you can request mediation through the Federal Maritime Commission.

And, of course, if all else fails, you can always submit your request for help to the Consumer Rescue team. Three hundred sixty-five days a year, the Consumer Rescue team is here to help — always friendly and always free.  ( Michelle Couch-Friedman , Consumer Rescue)

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Cruise payment plans: All you need to know about paying for a cruise

You're going on a cruise! You've spent time researching and narrowing down your destination, ship and sailing dates, and now it's time to book. But what can you expect in terms of cruise payments? What's the best way to pay for a cruise? Will you have to cough up the full fare upfront, or can you put a cruise on layaway?

Here, I'll answer those questions by discussing cruise payment schedules, different methods of paying for a cruise and the pros and cons of paying in full versus putting down a deposit and paying the rest later.

Note: Payment methods and schedules vary by cruise line and booking outlet. Not all options are offered by all lines or via all booking methods. Check with your cruise line or booking outlet for availability before making a reservation.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

How to pay for a cruise

You can pay for your voyage in multiple ways. Most passengers put the charges on a credit card , which is often the quickest and most convenient method. Additionally, you can use gift cards (either cruise line-specific or those from major credit card issuers that aren't tied to a specific retailer), future cruise credits from your cruise line or even cash if you book in person through a travel agent .

Other options include payment by electronic check, PayPal or Apple Pay (depending on how you book) or points and miles on a third-party platform . You can also redeem free cruise certificates from cruise lines that award them for things like casino play , reaching a high loyalty status tier, winning high-stakes bingo or even cruises gone wrong .

You can choose to pay in full at the time of booking, which could earn you additional perks or savings, or make an initial cruise deposit with subsequent payments until anywhere from two to three months before your sailing date.

Specific financing and payment plan options vary by cruise line. For example, Carnival Cruise Line uses EasyPay to allow interest-free autopayments to be charged to you at regular intervals in order to pay off your cruise before you set sail. Princess Cruises' and Holland America's EZpay program offers a similar interest-free setup.

Carnival also offers Uplift as an option. Although some passengers are approved for no down payment and/or 0% interest, interest rates will apply for other cruisers, and under the program, your voyage doesn't have to be completely paid off before your embarkation date. Royal Caribbean allows passengers to finance their cruises using Affirm, with both interest-free and simple-interest options available. Some lines also allow payments through the popular payment app Klarna, which has different payment options, both with and without interest. (Check with your cruise line for details on its specific payment plans.)

Here are the pros and cons of paying over two different time periods.

Paying all at once

If you have the funds to pay for the entire amount of your sailing right away, feel free. It means you won't have to remember to make additional payments. Plus, as an incentive, some cruise lines extend additional perks or discounts to entice travelers to lock in their plans at the time of booking.

For example, wave season deals often include incentives to pay in full. At the time of publication, Emerald Cruises was discounting cruise fares by thousands of dollars for anyone paying in full at the time of booking. Scenic was allowing passengers to choose from additional savings, free airfare or free pre- or post-cruise land tours for paying in full right away. Silversea was slashing fares for pay-upfront voyages by 10%-20%.

The drawback, however, is that you part with a lot of money upfront if you decide to pay immediately. For many cruisers who book a year or more ahead of time, that money could be more lucrative sitting in a bank account that earns interest instead of providing an interest-free loan to a cruise line.

Paying incrementally, with an initial minimum deposit

Alternatively, you can pay a deposit — a portion of the cruise fare for each person on your reservation — to lock in your cabin. Then, in the months leading up to your sailing, you'll make additional payments, according to your cruise line's payment schedule, until you no longer owe anything. If you don't pay off the remaining balance by the final payment date — usually two to three months before embarkation day — the cruise line will cancel your reservation, and you won't be allowed to sail.

Incremental payments are a better choice if you're unsure whether you can or want to sail but want to lock in an attractive fare or snag a cabin on a new ship or unusual itinerary while you decide. If you pay off your cruise early, you can get your money back (except for certain discounted fares and nonrefundable deposits) should you cancel before the final payment deadline. However, it can be a hassle to go through the refund process and wait for the cruise line to return your funds.

Another obvious draw of this method is that it costs less upfront. You can pay over time instead of draining your savings or putting the full amount on a credit card and then incurring fees if you can't pay off your card in full.

Generally, there is no interest or penalty for paying over time if you go the deposit route, so in most cases you won't be charged more if you opt for a payment plan. Plus, you can always pay the balance off early or in larger amounts than are required by your cruise line.

One drawback is that you'll have to remember to make additional payments on time to avoid cancellation of your reservation. Plus, you might not be able to take advantage of a cruise line's cheapest fares if you're not willing to pay in full at the time of booking.

Note that if you book a last-minute cruise after the final payment date (typically, two or three months prior to sailing), you must pay in full; there is no deposit option.

How much is a cruise deposit?

The amount of the deposit required varies by cruise line, but typically you can expect to shell out a couple hundred dollars per person to reserve a cabin with most major cruise lines. It's based on several factors, including the length of the sailing, the overall cost of the voyage, the type of accommodations booked and whether or not the line is running a promotion. Sometimes, as a booking incentive, lines will waive deposits completely or heavily discount them.

At the time of publication, as part of their wave season promotions , Carnival Cruise Line and Costa Cruises were touting deposits as low as $50 per person, while Princess Cruises was offering them for $100 per person. Disney Cruise Line also slashed its required deposits by half — a big deal for a line that rarely offers discounts. Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line and UnCruise Adventures also were offering deposit reductions.

The next section outlines the specific deposit amounts for the most popular cruise lines.

Cruise payment schedules

Below are the payment schedules and deposit amounts for each of the "big eight" cruise lines.

Note: Deposits are per person and refundable prior to the cruise line's final payment deadline, unless otherwise indicated. For cruises booked after the final payment deadline has passed, payment is required in full at the time of booking.

Carnival cruise payment schedule

For most sailings, Carnival requires a deposit of $100 per person for two- to three-day sailings, $150 for four- and five-day sailings and $250 for six- to nine-day sailings. Longer cruises and voyages to Alaska, Europe and the Panama Canal, as well as ocean crossings, require a deposit of $400 per person.

Deposits for Carnival bookings are generally nonrefundable unless cruisers specifically purchase fully refundable fares.

Final payment is required either 76 or 91 days from the sailing date, depending on the destination, cabin type and length of cruise booked.

See Carnival's website for more information.

Celebrity cruise payment schedule

For Sky Suite cabins and lower, Celebrity charges $100 per person for cruises up to five nights, $250 for six to eight nights and $450 for voyages of nine nights or longer. Those prices double, per person, for Celebrity Suites and above.

For Galapagos sailings, deposits for non-suites at the time of booking are $450 per person; suites are $900 per person.

Deposits for Celebrity bookings are generally nonrefundable at any time unless cruisers specifically purchase fully refundable fares.

For cruises of four nights or fewer, final payment must be made at least 75 days prior to sailing. For voyages of five or more nights, final payment is due at least 90 days in advance.

Galapagos sailings must be settled further in advance, with final payment due anywhere from 120 to 180 days in advance, depending on the ship.

More information can be found on Vacations To Go 's website.

Disney cruise payment schedule

Disney Cruise Line 's fine print states that deposits are determined at the time of booking, so they vary.

For non-suite and non-concierge voyages of five nights or fewer, the line requires final payment 90 days or more prior to embarkation day; for sailings of six nights or longer, payment must be made 120 days or more in advance. For suites and concierge-level accommodations, final payment is due 91 days or more prior to sailing.

You can read more in the line's terms and conditions .

Holland America cruise payment schedule

Holland America 's deposit amounts vary widely, requiring passengers to pay anywhere from $350 to $2,900 per person, depending on the sailing.

For Alaska, Bermuda, Caribbean, Canada/New England, Europe, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal and long Hawaii voyages, final payment must be made no fewer than 75 days prior to sailing. For all other cruises — including holiday voyages, voyages longer than 30 days and segments of voyages longer than 30 days — full payment must be received at least 90 days before embarkation.

Find more specifics on Vacations To Go's website .

MSC cruise payment schedule

Deposits for MSC Cruises are $99 per adult for voyages of four nights or fewer, $199 for five to 14 nights, $300 for 15 nights or longer and an amount equal to 15% of the overall price for world cruises. Additional deposits are not required for children sailing as the third and fourth passengers in a cabin.

For cruises of four nights or fewer, bookings must be paid in full at least 75 days before the sailing date. Those of five to 14 nights must be paid off 90 days or more ahead of time, and bills for any voyages 15 days or longer must be settled at least 110 days prior to departure. For world cruises, it's 120 days.

You can read more on MSC's website .

Norwegian cruise payment schedule

Deposits for Norwegian Cruise Line bookings vary greatly, ranging from $100 to $5,000 per person, based on cabin or suite type booked and the length of the sailing.

Norwegian's deposits are fully refundable, but all voyages, regardless of length or cabin type, must be paid in full at least 120 days in advance. That's earlier than what other cruise lines require for basic cabin types and standard-length sailings.

To learn more, see the chart on NCL's website .

Princess cruise payment schedule

When you book a Princess cruise, you'll owe a deposit of $100 per person ($200 for suites) for sailings of five days or fewer, $200 ($500 for suites) for voyages of six to nine days or $400 ($800 for suites) for cruises of 10 days or longer. For world cruises, you'll have to pony up 30% of the overall cost of the sailing.

For voyages of five days or fewer, you'll have to pay in full at least 75 days before your vacation. Cruises of six to 24 days require full payment 90 days or more ahead of time, and for world cruises, your bill is due 120 days or more before you set sail.

Check out the breakdown on Princess' website .

Royal Caribbean cruise payment schedule

Deposit amounts vary by sailing and the number of people in each cabin for Royal Caribbean bookings. Generally, passengers can expect to front $200 per stateroom (rather than per person) for sailings of five nights or fewer, $500 per cabin for six- to nine-night voyages and $900 per room for cruises of 10 nights or longer.

Deposits for Royal Caribbean bookings are generally nonrefundable at any time unless cruisers specifically purchase fully refundable fares.

For sailings of four nights or fewer, the final payment is due 75 days or more prior to the embarkation date. For five-night voyages and longer, the cruise line must receive all money no fewer than 120 days from sailing. The deadline for world cruises is at least 180 days prior to departure.

Read more on Royal Caribbean's website in the line's FAQ section .

Bottom line

Travelers have many options when it comes to paying for a cruise. You can pay in full at the time of booking or choose cruise payment plans that allow you to make a deposit for each person in your party and then pay off the balance over time.

Additionally, payment methods may include credit cards, third-party payment systems, gift cards, cruise certificates and cash.

Ultimately, the best way to make cruise payments is whichever one works best for you and your specific circumstances. What matters most is that you pay the cruise line in full by its designated final payment date, so your reservation is confirmed and you can set sail on departure day.

Have more cruise questions? TPG has answers:

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• What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
• What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
• What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
• What is the Jones Act and how does it affect cruise ships?
• What is a lido deck on a cruise ship?
• What's a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money?
• What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?

Protect Your Trip »

The best time to cruise to alaska in 2024.

Plan your bucket list adventure to explore the extraordinary beauty of the 49th state.

The Best Time to Cruise to Alaska

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Alaska's astounding beauty and vast wilderness are unlike any other destination in the U.S. – and even in the world. While you can plan land-based trips to the state, many of Alaska's majestic snowcapped mountains, pristine forests, glacial waterways and abundant wildlife are in remote locations, only reachable by plane or by boat. That's just one of the many reasons why Alaska is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world.

If you're ready to stop dreaming and start planning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to The Great Land, here are tips on the best times to cruise Alaska.

Best Overall Time: Shoulder Seasons

Best time for warmer weather, best time for wildlife viewing, best time for salmon fishing, best time for the northern lights, best time for shore excursions.

If you want to score a deal and have fewer crowds, travel during the shoulder seasons: May and September. In these months, cruise fares are typically lower and ships are not as full, offering more cabin availability. However, with changes in the global climate bringing more moderate temperatures to Alaska, and the cruise season now extending into April and October, cruisers can also expect to find deals in April and October. There will be fewer sailings to choose from, but you may find lower pricing and avoid the peak-season crowds on the ship and in the ports.

In addition, select shore excursions may be available at a discount in the spring and fall. If you're planning on exploring Alaska on your own before or after your cruise, you'll also find cheaper hotel rates at the beginning or end of the cruise season.

Alaska's weather can change dramatically, especially the further north you go, no matter the month or season. While the weather may not be as predictable in April as in the middle of summer, Alaska can be beautiful in springtime with temperatures in the mid-40s, according to Tyler Hickman, senior vice president of Icy Strait Point, an Alaska Native-owned port in Hoonah and a port of call in Southeast Alaska. Hickman says there are long stretches of sunny days and crisp, clear evenings, offering the opportunity for late-season viewing of the northern lights . He also adds that April is one of the favorite times of year for local Alaskans.

If you're interested in cruising to Alaska in April, Norwegian Cruise Line has a few options, including weekly sailings on Norwegian Bliss beginning April 6. The line also offers Alaska itineraries through the end of October. Other lines sailing the extended season in Alaska in late April include Princess Cruises , Holland America Line , Royal Caribbean International , Carnival Cruise Line , UnCruise Adventures and Lindblad Expeditions.

If you prefer to travel in the fall, early October temperatures are usually in the 50s, while the end of the month brings snow in the higher elevations. The days are longer and there are no crowds, so it may be an ideal time to visit if you're not interested in the summer outdoor experiences. Norwegian, Holland America and Seabourn Cruise Line offer sailings in October.

Read: The Best Alaska Cruise Deals

If you'd prefer warmer weather for your cruise, the summer season in Alaska runs from mid-May to mid-September. During that period, daytime temperatures typically range from 60 to 80 degrees, though they can drop into the 40s overnight. You can expect to have between 16 to 24 hours of daylight in the warmer season. May is considered the driest month, with around a 25% chance of precipitation, but the rain becomes more frequent throughout the summer.

Alaska.org, a website run by local Alaskans that provides travel information and recommendations, advises that the best time to visit in summer is from June 15 to July 15. This 30-day period is regarded as the peak season for warm, dry weather – and it's the perfect time for outdoor activities such as wildlife viewing, fishing and hiking. If you want to experience the most "midnight sun," plan to cruise a few weeks before or after the summer solstice – the longest day of the year – which falls on June 20 in 2024.

Come September, the days are generally shorter, rainier and cooler – but not always. You might get lucky with some unseasonably warm days amid the beautiful fall foliage ; as a bonus, September also means no bugs and fewer crowds.

If you have school-age children, you'll probably need to travel midsummer, during peak season. However, if you're flexible on dates, there's really no bad time to visit this magical destination. Mountain peaks shrouded in clouds or misty days cruising Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in late April are as beautiful as sunny days hiking through Tongass National Forest or whale watching on an excursion out of Icy Strait Point in July.

Read: The Best Places to Visit in Alaska

According to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, one of the top destinations on the Inside Passage itinerary, wildlife viewing is possible year-round, especially if you have your binoculars at hand. When you're not watching for turquoise ice calving in the bay from the glaciers, you might see humpback whales as long as 65 feet or black and brown bears up to 10 feet tall – as well as orcas, harbor and Dall's porpoises, sea otters, harbor seals, mountain goats, sea lions, seabirds, and bald eagles soaring overhead. And that's just what you can view from the ship.

During cruises through the park, rangers board the ships to offer commentary and information about the marine and terrestrial wildlife. They also help spot whales or other animals along the way. One of the highlights while cruising slowly through the park is to go outside on the bow of the ship – or even out onto your veranda – to listen to the incredible silence of this otherworldly place. You may hear nothing at all, or perhaps you'll be treated to the sounds of birds in the distance or the swoosh from a whale's blowhole before it dives down below the water's surface.

It's possible to view certain animals and marine life throughout the year, according to Hickman. "Whale sightings are consistent from May through September, with fewer occurring in April and October as they migrate from or to Hawaii for the winter," he says, adding: "Even on a foggy day when you can't see the whales, you can still hear them and feel their presence – and that's almost as incredible as seeing them from a ship or along the coastline."

If you're interested in spotting brown bears, here is Hickman's advice: "Bear sightings in the spring will depend on the snowpack and when they are leaving hibernation. This year we had very good bear viewing along the Spasski River starting in May when the coastal brown bears emerged from hibernation."

He adds, "They feed on the grass of the valley and eat skunk cabbage roots in May and early June. As the berries start to emerge in June, it holds many of the same bears, and as we get into mid-July, the salmon start heading upstream. There is a constant food source from May through September at Spasski. Many of the other bear viewing areas do not have the same features we have, and it leads to people thinking that bears are only around when fish are in the rivers."

Chichagof Island – the location of Hoonah and Icy Strait Point – was given the nickname "Bear Island" by National Geographic. The island boasts one to two brown bears per square mile, making it one of the largest brown bear populations in the world. Hickman says you're nearly guaranteed to see bears on one of Icy Strait Point's bear-watching tours. Icy Point Strait also offers whale watching adventures and other treks into the wilderness.

Alaska.org points to May through September as the best time for wildlife viewing, though you can spot some animals year-round, like moose or orcas. The website also advises that fly-in bear viewing starts in May but is at its best in July.

Looking to book a cruise to see Alaska's wildlife? See the top cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

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If you are an avid angler – or just want to watch the bears fish for their supper – then visit Alaska during the peak salmon runs, from May to September. King salmon season begins in May and goes through the end of July. The silver salmon run lasts from July up until the end of November. Red salmon are available between mid-June and mid-August, while you can catch pink and chum salmon in the brief window from mid-July to mid-August.

If you prefer halibut or just want to get out on the ocean, the best time for this wild Pacific species is from May to September. You can also seek out many other river and ocean species, such as rainbow trout, arctic char and northern pike. Cruise lines offer fishing excursions, or you can arrange for a private or group charter in an Alaskan town like Ketchikan.

If you want to see brown bears during the salmon run, book a bear-viewing excursion in one of the ports, such as Icy Strait Point. Or, extend your trip by combining a visit to Katmai National Park and Preserve and the renowned Brooks River with a stay at Brooks Lodge. Brooks Falls is the site for iconic photos of bears catching salmon that are jumping over the falls, and you may be able to view the bears feasting in salmon season when the property is open, from June through mid-September. The lodge is accessible by floatplane from King Salmon. You can also add a flyover tour during your stay to see the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, an area in southern Alaska transformed by ash from the 1912 Novarupta-Katmai volcanic eruption.

Aurora season – the best time to see the northern lights in Alaska – runs from mid-August to mid-April. While some passengers cruising the Inside Passage may catch a glimpse of the phenomenon in late summer and early fall, it's not guaranteed. As southeast Alaska typically has more precipitation and clouds since it's a temperate rainforest, you likely won't find optimal conditions for aurora viewing here.

Your chances to see the lights are better the further north you go, so you may want to look at booking a cruisetour: a land and sea package that's usually offered by some of the major cruise lines from May through September. These combined trips generally include the cruise, overnight accommodations in lodges, railway journeys and motorcoach travel between destinations.

With these tours, you'll be able to visit the vast landscape of Alaska, where you can explore cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks or spend time in Denali National Park and Preserve – and you'll have a better chance to view the northern lights. Lines that offer cruisetours include Norwegian, Celebrity Cruises , Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean.

Since 2024 is projected to be one of the best years to view the aurora borealis in Alaska, you might want to extend your trip to venture above the Arctic Circle or into Alaska's interior for a prime viewing opportunity. Fairbanks and the Arctic region are under the auroral oval, which is where the northern lights activity is concentrated. You can watch the forecast for the aurora borealis online at Explore Fairbanks' Aurora Tracker and the Geophysical Institute's Aurora Forecast .

Read: The Top Places to See the Northern Lights

Some of the excursions offered on an Alaskan cruise may be the most expensive tours you've seen on a ship, but they're also probably some of the coolest things you've ever thought about doing while on vacation.

Note that the probability of a tour being canceled for weather is almost the same for all tours offered between April and October, as the weather in Alaska can be unpredictable. Some of the more extreme tours, however, may not be available early or late in the season. If you want the best chance for optimal weather, consider the advice from Alaska.org and book your cruise between mid-June and mid-July.

If you're looking at splurging on a bucket list adventure while in Skagway – like Alaska Shore Tours' flightseeing helicopter adventure, which includes a dog-sledding experience on a glacier – you should check to make sure it's available the month you'll be cruising. This particular tour may not be open for booking before May or after September due to the conditions for the sled dogs.

Another over-the-top excursion dependent on optimal weather conditions is the Heli-Hike and Rail Adventure that begins in Skagway. This tour includes a helicopter ride from town that flies over glaciers and mountains, then drops you off for a roughly 5-mile guided hike to view Laughton Glacier and learn about the natural history of the area. After the hike, you'll board the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad at Glacier Station for the scenic journey through the mountains back to Skagway.

If you're interested in the Misty Fjords Flightseeing tour in Ketchikan, this thrilling ride is also best on a clear day. This Alaskan bush plane tour soars over the Misty Fjords National Monument, which has more than 2 million acres of pristine lakes, waterfalls, ancient forests and snowcapped mountains.

Tours that include activities like mountain climbing or navigating suspension bridges might also be best when done on a sunny day. The prime time for wildlife viewing and fishing, as mentioned above, will depend on what animals you're interested in seeing and which species of fish you want to catch.

The ship's excursion desk, local guides or tour providers can offer the best advice on how to plan your activities. No matter which tours you opt to take, be prepared for the ever-changing weather patterns by wearing layers – and make sure to bring a waterproof rain jacket. Before booking, you should check the individual tour operator's cancellation and refund policy.

Read: The Best Alaska Tours

The Bottom Line

If you're flexible as to when you can travel to Alaska, you may be able to take advantage of lower pricing, travel incentives and added perks in the shoulder seasons – and you'll have fewer crowds than in the busy summer months.

If your goal is to view wildlife, then most of the cruise season, especially from May to September, will offer ample opportunities to see bears, humpbacks whales, bald eagles and other amazing animals – depending on the itinerary and excursions you choose. You'll also be able to catch Alaska's prized salmon throughout much of the cruise season.

And if extreme adventures are going to be the highlight of your vacation, then be sure to check with the tour providers to make sure your top picks are offered when you're planning to travel. Not all tour providers operate the full seven months of the season.

No matter when you decide to visit, a cruise to The Great Land will be one of the most memorable vacations of your lifetime.

Planning a cruise to see Alaska? See the top cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

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Gwen Pratesi is a U.S. News contributor and an avid travel adventurer who fell in love with Alaska on her first visit to the state many years ago. She's returned several times on land trips and by ship to seek year-round outdoor adventure, view wildlife and chase the northern lights in one of the best places on the planet to view them. She's even considered moving to The Great Land as a full-time resident. Pratesi used her deep knowledge of Alaska and the cruise industry to write this article.

You might also be interested in:

• Alaska Cruise Packing List
• The Top Alaska Cruise Lines
• The Top Luxury Alaska Cruises
• The Top Things to Do in Alaska
• Do You Need a Passport to Go on a Cruise?

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How to Plan a Disney Cruise on a Budget

I f you're looking at your Family Vacation Budget and wondering if you have enough for a Disney Cruise, let's take another look. Is it possible to Plan a Disney Cruise on a Budget? While you may be thinking that a Disney Cruise is an expensive vacation, you may be surprised to realize that this kind of all-inclusive vacation actually may be budget-friendly. Dare we say it's often cheaper than the parks? Here are all the things to consider when planning a Disney Cruise on a Budget and ways you can Save Money on Your Disney Cruise. 

Okay, before we dive into how much a Disney Cruise costs, and what's included and what's not, let's level-set. First, be sure to check out the ways you can Save Money on a Disney Cruise . That post gives you tips about buying discounted gift cards ( automatically saving you 5%), choosing the best rooms, and booking during special offers. Remember, that, unlike other vacations, Disney Cruises are often the cheapest when booked a year or more in advance. Blame it on inflation, but Disney Cruises rarely get cheaper closer to the sail date. It's helpful to know that there are options for getting your final cost down once you see what you're paying for. So, how do you Plan a Disney Cruise on a Budget?

Disney Cruise Budget

A Disney Cruise Budget includes the following line items. From the basic Disney Cruise Vacation Package itself to all the EXTRA things you can pay for, if you want. Know that everything in addition to the package is up to you. You can easily explore port towns without booking cruise excursions . And you can easily get coffee from the drinks stations or at the restaurants. You don't need to spend the extra 6 dollars a day for that. So, keep that in mind. A Disney Cruise without all the extras is still a pretty great cruise if you're on a tight budget. 

Disney Cruise Vacation Package

• Specialty Drinks
• Port Excursions
• Specialty Classes
• Nursery Childcare Services
• Specialty Dining
• Specialty Services
• Tips on a Disney Cruise
• Transportation
• Tips for Tour Guides at Port

Paid ahead of time, your Disney Cruise Vacation Package includes the bulk of everything you need to pay for on your cruise. For those NOT doing excursions at the port, drinking fancy coffees, or alcoholic drinks, utilizing the nursery service, or using spa services onboard, the package cost will be your entire cost for the cruise. No extra money is needed. Your Room, Food, and Entertainment are all included in this package. 

There are some factors that affect your Disney Cruise Package Cost. Your room type, for example, is a huge factor in the overall cost of your room. As such we recommend reading up on How to Choose Your Disney Cruise Itinerary and Stateroom for an overview of options. And if you're on a tight budget, it may be best to consider a Guaranteed Stateroom on a Disney Cruise instead, which allows Disney to choose your room for you. While that may seem risky, it is one of the cheapest ways to take a Disney Cruise. 

Destination

Another factor is the destination. Obviously, a transatlantic 14-day cruise is going to be pricier than the 4-day Caribbean Cruise. That said, consider your itinerary wisely. If you're on a budget, one of the cheapest Disney Cruises to take is to the Bahamas. A great cruise, you get one day at port and one day at Castaway Cay or Lighthouse Point. Plus, you're still getting the experience of a Disney Cruise with excellent service, entertainment, food, and characters, for much cheaper than other destinations. 

Time of Year

The time of year also plays a huge role in the cost of a Disney Cruise. The cheapest times to go on a Disney Cruise are mid-to-late January and  early February , due to being low travel season. Also, you can find good deals for Cruises sailing in early May, ahead of the summer vacation crowds. The best and cheapest time to take a Disney Cruise tends to be September . And if you're looking to take advantage of the Halloween on the High Seas Cruises or the Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise , both early November and early December see lower prices than later in each month. 

Disney Cruise Extra Costs

Here we'll dive into the MAIN THINGS that will cost extra during your Disney Cruise Vacation. So, as you're planning your Disney Budget, be sure to have a piece of paper, with these things jotted down. This will help you decide how much you want to allot for each. To get an idea of what a Disney Cruise includes, check out our Disney Alaska Cruise Itinerary for a full picture of days at sea and days on shore with a Disney cruise. 

When you Plan a Disney Cruise on a Budget the biggest expense outside of the Disney Cruise Package Cost are the Port Excursions . Offered at your Port Destination, there are excursions worth taking, and others you can skip. Most port towns are walkable, and near enough to the cruise ship that you can simply get off the boat and explore. No extra cost is needed. However, consider your location when making the choice to choose, or not choose excursions for your port days. However, keep in mind that often combining both shore excursions and free time at port can give you the best kind of vacation at a smaller cost.

Certain Excursions, like those on a Disney Cruise to Alaska , are often once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that offer a glimpse into the history of the location, or the marvels of the area. While Skagway, Alaska was very walkable, and we didn't need an excursion, our White Pass Railroad and Scenic City Tour gave us so much Gold Rush History, that it would not have been the same without it. In the Bahamas, on the other hand, we had no interest in visiting Atlantis and were content exploring the churches, pirate museum, and beach. 

Port Excursions are not included in your Cruise Package and are added to your Cruise Folio during your cruise, to be paid before disembarking. Often an attached credit card to your Disney Cruise account will simply be charged the day of your excursion, so be sure to have one attached. If adding excursions, be sure to peruse the excursion options before your Disney Cruise Port Excursion Booking Window opens. 

From specialty coffees made at Cove Cafe, to any of the Coffee Bars on the Disney Wish , you can expect to pay about 5 dollars plus tip for your fancy coffee. While we love grabbing these when we cruise, if you're buying coffee daily or for a couple of people in your family, the costs can add up. So, if we're on a tight budget, we just skip this, and head to the drinks station instead for a Homemade Mocha, of the free coffee and hot cocoa. 

Alcoholic beverages and specialty mocktails are also NOT INCLUDED in your Disney Cruise Package. This includes the drinks of the day and any drinks your order from the bars and Disney Lounges. Again, while we love trying the specialty drinks onboard, on trips where we need to save money, we just skip these and happily carry around our refillable tumbler instead. 

Specialty Classes and Bingo

Another extra expense on a Disney Cruise is the specialty classes offered onboard. While almost all the Entertainment, Trivias, Craft sessions, and classes like Towel folding and Anyone Can Cook are FREE, there are some that come with a cost.  Specialty Classes are found in the Disney Cruise Navigator App, and are able to be added to your cruise before your sail, or while you're onboard. You'll know that these classes require a charge because you can have to register for them. They include Wine Tastings, Mixology Classes,  Drink Samplings, and more. 

Bingo is another add-on you can play or not. Often about $40 for the base-level bingo cards, if you're hoping to strike it rich while onboard the Bingo games can often pay out between 5k-10k dollars for the avid players. Mind you, if you're planning to play, add this to your budget.

The "It's a Small World" nursery onboard Disney Cruise ships is a godsend to many parents. There is, however a fee for using these services. Typically about $9 per child for one hour, if you know you'll be utilizing this during your cruise, read up on all the "it's a Small World Nursery" details before you go, so you can plan accordingly. 

On a Disney Cruise, your food is included in your Disney Cruise Package Cost, with a couple of exceptions. On a Disney Cruise, meals at any of the Rotational Dining Restaurants, and any of the quick service counters on the pool deck, as well as Cabanas and Marceline Market are INCLUDED. This means your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are all covered. 

Food NOT INCLUDED  on a Disney Cruise can be found at Palo and Remy, both Signature Dining Experiences that need to be booked in advance and paid for separately. And anything served at the Disney Lounges on a Disney Cruise is also not included. As such, meals, drinks, and appetizers at the specialty dining locations will be added to your Cruise Folio as an extra charge. 

Internet 

Ahhh, the joys of cruise Wi-Fi. It may come as a surprise, and disappointment to realize you DO NOT GET FREE WI-FI on a Disney Cruise. While this is devastating, we try to look at it as a good way to ensure we're vacationing on our vacation, and not working. Still, it's a darn nuisance to not have access to Wi-Fi. As a result, you can buy a Wi-Fi Package while onboard. Ranging from $15 to $90 typically, the Wi-Fi packages get you very sub-par Wi-Fi, which is MB based. Meaning, if you hoped to watch videos, play games or do anything more than send emails, and do some light internet searching, you may need another option. 

Certain services onboard like Spa Services, Hair and Nail services, massages, consultations, etc. all cost extra. Many need to be booked ahead of time, so you'll be aware before you go, of just how much everything is going to be, plus tips of course. If you're trying to save money, we'd recommend skipping these as many are more expensive than if you were to book similar services at home. 

One of the relatively mandatory extra expenses you are billed is tips. This is in addition to the amount of your Disney Cruise Package. Keep in mind that some tips, like the ones for the baristas at the coffee shop, and the spa service staff, are decided by you the moment you sign the credit card receipt and write that tip down. The mandatory tips, however, are tallied for you throughout your trip. This is helpful because it shows you the cost of the tips your Room Host, Server, Assistant Server, and Lead Server will receive.

Once you have this in hand, you can adjust those tip amounts as needed. But, the amounts given are industry standard, and if you don't make modifications at the customer service desk, your card on file will be billed for those amounts before you disembark. Check out the Cost of Tips on a Disney Cruise for estimated amounts per night. 

Your transportation to and from the port is not included in your Disney Cruise Vacation Package. As such be sure to read our post on Transportation with Disney Cruise Line. This will give you a good idea of the cost if you're combining a land and sea vacation, or parking and sailing. 

If you have booked a Disney Port Excursion during your Disney Excursion, be sure to plan for Tour Guide Tips. No matter which port excursions you take, there is someone who is sharing their knowledge, time, expertise, and help during your time with them. While tips for guides vary depending on the type and length of the tour, people typically aim for between $5-$20 per tour guide. This varies depending on the role of the guide. And some tours have multiple guides that may need to be tipped. As such, we recommend making a list of any excursions you're taking, and plan to have cash on hand accordingly. 

There's always something to buy on a Disney Cruise. And depending on what kind of vacationer you are, this may be a budget item you take or leave. Since we've been on several cruises, and plan to go on several more, there is never a feeling of a "Must Have" for certain items in Disney Cruise Gift Shops. That said, if you're heading to a unique destination, like a Disney Cruise to Alaska , then there are exclusive items for that cruise, you may want to get. Consider this when planning your budget. Are you going to get the $20 mug? Or a $60 blanket? If so, add it to your budget plan. 

What is Not Included in the Price of a Disney Cruise

When planning your Disney Cruise Budget, it's important to consider how much extra you NEED to spend, above and beyond your cruise package. On our first cruise, we spent about $100 dollars on Tips. As Cast Member Tips were the only thing we "needed" to cover, we felt that vacation was a bargain. Mind you, we didn't have anything special. No specialty drinks, dining, or service. We only had one day in the Bahamas and didn't buy excursions. And simply skipped the other things that required more money. Here are the things not included on a Disney Cruise, that you may, or may not want to include in your budget. Check out our post on What's Not Included on a Disney Cruise to help drive this list home. 

What is Included in the Price of a Disney Cruise

As mentioned before the things included in your Disney Cruise are your stateroom, all your dining, and entertainment. When you consider that any Disney parks vacation never includes food, that alone could give you pause. Especially as dining at a Disney park typically runs about 80-100 per person per day, that adds up. Luckily, on a cruise, all your meals are included in the price of the Disney Cruise Vacation. With the exception of specialty dining, alcohol, and fancy coffees.  Read more about What's Included in the Price of a Disney Cruise.  

Disney Cruise Cost

Okay, so how much does a Disney Cruise Cost? You may think this is a Disney Vacation out of reach but think again. If you're planning out your Disney Cruise on a Budget, we can get you started with round figures. However, we highly recommend, just playing on the Disney Cruise Website , so you can add a number of people, preferred dates, destinations, and more to see what potential costs may be. 

How Much is a Disney Cruise Per Person?

The price of a Disney Cruise depends on the number of people, room chosen, destination, and time of year. That said, on average the cost of a Disney Cruise per person ranges from $300-$600 per person, on average . Of course, suites and concierge levels are higher. This cost per person includes the room, food, and entertainment onboard. Check out What's Included on a Disney Cruise for everything you're Cruise Package includes. 

Do you need extra money on a Disney Cruise?

That depends. Are you getting anything extra? The only "mandatory" extra charge you need to incur is the Tips for Cast Members we discussed early. And these are automatically taken out of the card you have on file. If you're taking port excursions, drinking alcohol, buying souvenirs, etc. then yes, you need extra money. 

Do you Need Cash on a Disney Cruise?

While you will not need cash or a credit card onboard a Disney Cruise Ship, it is beneficial to have for your ports of call. Mainly for tipping tour guides or paying for souvenirs. On board a Disney Cruise, everything is attached to your card on file, so if you charge anything to your room, it simply is added to your folio. Read all the details about Cash and Currency on a Disney Cruise . 

Disney Cruise Budget Totals

Okay, now for some number crunching. We're going to throw some figures together so you can see what your budget number may look like. Keep in mind these estimates will be "estimates" based on what is on the Disney Cruise Website at the time of this writing. Also, these are retail rates and could be less if you book at a discounted rate or special offer. Estimated based on 4 PEOPLE room occupancy, Sailing in September, ( the cheapest month to sail). Be sure to check out the Disney Cruise Costs for Extra Activities so you're prepared before you go. 

• Disney Cruise Vacation Package ( 4 People, Sailing in September)
• 3- Night Bahamas from Miami- $3500
• 5- Night Western Caribbean from Miami- $4500 
• 7-Night British Isles from Southampton, England- $5100
• 7-Night Eastern Caribbean from Port Canaveral- $5500
• 7-Night Alaska from Vancouver, Canada- $6400
• $7-$16 per drink, on average. 
• $50- $4000 per person, depending on what you book. 
• $40- $120 per person, depending on what you book. 
• $9 for the first child, $8 for any additional children, per hour. 
• $45 per person ( Brunch at Palo)- $125 per person ( Dinner at Remy) not including Chef's Table, or Specialty Menus.
• $12-$36 per day. More for each device. Can be purchased for the length of the cruise. 
• $24- $499 depending on service. Ranging from a haircut to the Spa Suite Experience. 
• $14.50 USD per night, per stateroom Guest, including infants and children. 
• $39 per person, each way from Orlando International Airport ( MCO) to Port Canaveral.
• Disney Cruise Ground Transporation Rates  
• $5- $20 per tour guide
• $10 and up.

Planning a Disney Cruise Budget

As you can see, you have quite a bit of control regarding your Disney Cruise Budget. Skipping the extras can easily make this a budget-friendly vacation. Even just being mindful about choosing excursions, or which souvenirs you buy can have a huge impact. Whatever your plans we hope this post has given you a jumping-off point for planning. Be sure to read through all the ways you can Save Money on a Disney Cruise to help you get your best deals before and during your next Disney Cruise Vacation. 

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IPO watch: Cruise line operator Viking to go public as it looks to cash in on baby boomer buzz

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Viking Holdings ( VIK ) is expected to price its IPO next week and begin to trade. The ocean and river cruise company is planning to sell 44M shares priced between $21 and $25 per share in the initial public offering, which would raise just over $1B at the mid-point of the range and value the company at around $10B.

The company disclosed in an SEC filing that in 2023 it reported a loss of $1.85B on $4.7B in revenue as cruise operating expenses increased by 33% to $2.85B. Adjusted EBITDA loss widened to $1.09B from $367M in 2022 and the adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 35.5% from 18.4% the year prior. As of December 31, Viking ( VIK ) had $1.3B in cash, $11.4B in total liabilities, and free cash flow of -$673 for the preceding 12-month period. Viking ( VIK ) started in 1997 with just 4 river cruise ships but has expanded to 84 ships in operation with 650K passengers in 2023.

The IPO is generating some positive buzz from investors due to the niche aspect of the company's business. Notably, Viking ( VIK ) caters to older cruise line customers looking for a quieter, high-end experience. Viking cruises do not allow children under 18 and have no casinos. Instead of promoting a party atmosphere, Viking proclaims to be a global leader in experiential travel by exploring all seven continents, all five oceans, and more than 20 iconic rivers. Crucially, Viking said its single-brand focus has helped with customer retention.

"We also leverage our strong brand loyalty for future product launches, with over 60% of bookings for each of the inaugural seasons for Viking Ocean, Viking Expedition and Viking Mississippi made by past guests. Our guests know they can expect a consistent, excellent experience on each voyage they take with us, which has allowed us to expand our travel platform successfully with new destinations and experiences. Our repeat guest percentage has steadily increased over time from 27% for the 2015 season to 51% for the 2023 season."

In Viking's F-1 SEC filing, the company also noted that demographics are working in its favor.

"The U.S. population aged 55 years and older comprises 30% of the total population, has the largest spending power of any demographic based on annual expenditures and holds over 70% of U.S. wealth as measured by the U.S. Federal Reserve. The U.S. population aged 55 years and older is also the fastest growing segment of the population, with expected growth from 98 million people in 2020 to 110 million people in 2030, according to the Congressional Budget Office."

In general, strong revenue growth and positive booking trends have not been enough to allay fears of high debt loads and elevated interest rates. However, Royal Caribbean's conference call update on the exceptional demand during the Wave Season could serve as a rising tide for its peers Carnival ( CCL ), Norwegian Cruise Line ( NCLH ), and Lindblad Expeditions ( LIND ).

More on Viking Holdings

• FOMC Meeting, Jobs Report, And Apple Earnings Headline Big Week
• Viking Holdings Hopes To Cruise To A Successful U.S. IPO
• IPO Roundup: UL Solutions, PACS Group, and more
• Financial information for Viking Holdings Ltd

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