Cruising is such an amazing way to travel. You get to see multiple destinations in one trip, and you were surely never bored with plenty to do on the ship during sailing days.
When scrolling through possible cruises you could take, there are tons of different factors that can play into your decision, including the ship you travel on, the destinations you travel to, how long the cruise is and of course, your budget.
If scrolling online for cruises is causing you stress, fear not. I’ve got you covered with plenty of tips to make a decision you can feel good about.
Think about your budget first
Before you start looking at cruises, think about how much you want to spend. One great thing about cruises is there are so many expenses already worked into the price, but beware, the number you see as your total isn’t the entire price you’ll pay.
When thinking about your budget, you’ll want to factor in the costs of possible excursions you’d like to take, tips for the crew (which you’ll be charged at the end of your stay), any special dining you’d like to reserve, wifi and the drink package. All of these things can spike the price of your trip.
If you are flying to the cruise port, don’t forget to add the price of flights to your budget. Also consider booking a hotel the night before your cruise. Even though this could possibly add a few hundred extra dollars to your trip, it’ll be worth it. It’s risky to fly the day of your cruise, as if your flight is delayed, you’re pretty much out of options.
Once you have your budget of how much you’d like to spend on your trip, you can begin looking at cruises that fit within that amount.
Make a list of what’s most important
Next step is to think about what is most important to you in regard to your cruise. These priorities can vary for everyone.
Do you want to be on the newest ship? Is there a certain destination you absolutely want included in your trip? How long do you want your vacation to be? When would you like to travel?
Once you have decided what’s most important to you, you can set up filters that will only show your cruises that fit your interests.
For example, if you really want to travel on a certain ship, set a filter so only cruises on that specific ship are shown to you.
This will save so much time and will avoid you being overwhelmed with so many options.
Decide on room type
The type of cabin you choose for your cruise could have a huge impact on the overall price.
In general, you’re going to be met with three main options; an interior stateroom, ocean view staterooms, balcony staterooms and suites.
An interior stateroom is pretty much exactly what it sounds like…inside the ship, with no windows.
These staterooms are the cheapest on the ship. I have stayed in an interior stateroom on multiple occasions, and while it’s such a luxury to have a balcony right beside your bed, I think that it’s important to note that you can get those ocean views your craving with just a quick elevator ride to the pool deck, track or several other locations throughout the ship.
Your stateroom can simply be used as a place to sleep, not necessarily to hang out. If you decide to opt for an interior stateroom, you’ll likely be able to go on a longer cruise, or one on a newer ship that fits in your budget, versus a short one with a better room.
If you want ocean views, but don’t want to pay the hefty price for a balcony room, you can get an ocean view stateroom. These rooms have a window, so you can see the ocean outside.
Then, you have your balcony staterooms. There are numerous types of balcony staterooms on a cruise ship. Some overlook the ocean, while others overlook an indoor area of the ship, such as the promenade.
Typically, the balcony staterooms that provide ocean views are the more expensive of the two options.
Lastly, you can choose to stay in a suite. These staterooms are by far the most luxurious, therefore the most expensive of the options.
Compare and contrast
Once you have narrowed down your options by coming up with a budget, filtering your search by your preferences and deciding on your room type, you can compare and contrast the options left in front of you.
If you are flexible with your travel dates, you may find that certain dates for specific cruises boast less expensive prices.
Make a list of all your possible options, and weigh each against one another until you are left with your exciting vacation ready for your booking!
Once you book, you’ll be left with an option to either choose your stateroom yourself, or get assigned one by the cruise line.
Then, you’ll need to submit a deposit to secure your spot, and you’ll be left with the remaining balance and the date at which that payment is due.
Make sure that you plan accordingly and are prepared to pay the full amount by the due date to lock in your vacation.
After this, keep an eye out for deals on excursions, wifi and the drink package, if any of those mentioned are of interest to you, so you can get the best price for you and your travel party.
Signed,
Ashlyn
