Imagine waking up to the soothing sound of waves lapping against your cabin window, the sun casting a warm glow on crystal-clear waters. As you step onto the deck, the salty breeze fills your lungs, and you’re greeted by the endless horizon stretching out before you.
Cruises offer a unique blend of adventure, relaxation, and exploration that makes them a favorite choice for travelers seeking unforgettable journeys.
From luxurious ocean liners to intimate river cruises, we’ll delve into the different types of cruises available and provide insights that will help you choose the perfect cruise for your preferences and interests.
We’ll also share tips and secrets to make the most of your cruise experience, ensuring smooth sailing from the moment you step aboard to the final farewell on your return.
15 Cruise Secrets Everyone Should Know
Here are the 15 “insider” secrets to successful cruising that we think everyone should know.
Booking & Travel
You can guarantee about 80% of the success of your cruise vacation by taking a good amount of time to research and thoroughly plan for your trip in advance.
- Choose the Right Ship for You
Choosing the right ship is the most important step in determining how successful your cruise vacation will be and just to know, not all ships are created equal! Take the time to research the amenities of the exact ship you will be cruising on, not just the cruise line.
To avoid the cost of airfare, look for ports within driving distance, whether it be Florida, New York, New Orleans, California, or Seattle. Cruise Critic has an extensive searchable database of cruises where you can sort by destination, ports, special interests and more during specific travel dates.
Or, if you are looking for a top rated cruise line, Conde Nast Traveler has an annual Gold List with the best cruise ships based on their readers’ choice ratings.
- Check for Special Interests
Whether you are interested in a romantic trip for two or a trip the whole family will love, look into cruises that fulfill your and your guests’ special interests. Many cruise lines offer themed cruises or special events for singles, families, music lovers, etc. Carnival is now even offering big name concert events on some of their ships.
This concert series, aptly named Carnival Live brings in some of the biggest names in classic rock and country music to do on-board concerts. For just $15 a ticket you can see big names like Lady Antebellum, Daughtry, Chicago, Kansas, and many more. (For $100 you can get a VIP ticket that gets you a front row seat and a chance to meet the band!)
- Book at the Last Minute
If you are willing to be flexible with your travel plans you can get some amazing deals on last minute cruises! One of the smartest way to book a last minute cruise is to first find out how close to the departure date a traveler can cancel their reservation without a penalty. This time is typically 2-3 months prior to departure, and it is the exact time you will want to call and check back for better deals.
Cruise lines will often try to sell any available space at this time by reducing fare. If your cruise is already booked, this is also a good time to call to check for cabin upgrades.
- Ask for Special Discounts
It doesn’t hurt to ask, and more than likely it will be worth the time it took to ask the question. Just like hotels, cruise lines have incentives for different travelers… seniors, teachers, military, FL resident, etc. Cruise lines master accommodating all types of passengers and love to incentivize you to cruise with them over their competitors.
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- Compare Prices
When you are shopping for a cruise, there are numerous sites such as Priceline that you can use to search for best rates. Find a great deal? Call the cruise line directly to get an even better deal! Sellers will compete to get your business and can often discount the price you see online or give other perks such as on-board credit, free wine at dinner, or priority boarding.
And remember, even after you book, keep checking back for additional deals or upgrades!
- Check in After 2 pm
Most cruisers are eager to get on the ship as early as possible, which means that the cruise terminal can be really busy–and more than a little stressful–during the first few hours of boarding (generally from 11 m-2 pm). And while you may be able to get on the ship that early, chances are you won’t be able to get into your cabin until later in the afternoon, which means your first few hours on board will be spent hauling your stuff around.
Not exactly the most relaxing start to a vacation! Instead, avoid the rush and the crowds by waiting to check in until after 2 pm (assuming your ship sets sail at 4 pm or later!) You’ll be able to walk right on without waiting and then go straight to your cabin.
- Pick the Right Time to Go
Want to get a great deal on a cruise? Book your cruise for just after Labor Day when kids are back in school–the 2nd week in September offers some of the very best deals of the year. Coming in at a close second is the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, a time when most people are too busy to travel.
Cabins
Once you decide on the ship that’s right for you, look into room options that best accommodate you and your guest(s). Then, plan what to bring with you carefully and make yourself at home once you’re there.
- Spring for a balcony
Room options are typically either Inside (no windows), Outside (window/porthole view to the outside), Balcony (a room with a balcony on the outside of the ship), and Suite (a larger cabin often with separate living and sleeping areas and more amenities).
If you plan on taking advantage of in-room dining, have kids who will be taking naps or typically get seasick, you will really appreciate the extra space and killer view you get from a balcony room or suite.
- Make the most of an interior cabin
If cost is your primary concern, plan on spending most of your awake time enjoying the ship and excursions, making the time spent in your room mostly for sleeping and getting ready. To avoid seasickness, keep the TV turned on to the ship camera which will create the illusion of having a window when you have an inside room.
- Don’t Take Too Much Stuff!
Make a list of clothing you need on the trip. Then cut that in half! While ship cabins do make the most of a small space, they are still small, especially when you are traveling as a family!
No one cares if you wear the same clothes over again, and all ships offer laundry service if necessary. Find out ahead of time how many “formal” nights the cruise has, if any, and also how strict the dress code is. If you don’t like dressing up, you can always choose room service or Lido dining those evenings to avoid having to pack a tux or formal gown.
- Bring Magnetic Clips
An often forgotten detail about cruise ships–they are made out of metal! These handy magnetic clips make it easy to hang important items, such as your ship card, dining menus, reminders, and even notes to your family and friends if you split up for the day.
- Take Time to Unpack
Though you’ll see many destinations while on your cruise, you only have to unpack once! Do unpack. Whether you are on a cruise for 3 days or 3 weeks, making yourself at home by unpacking will make your trip (and getting ready for each event) so much more enjoyable.
Room stewards are experts finding out-of-the-way places to stash suitcases, and even the smallest cabins have a surprisingly large number of drawers and closets.
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- Keep Things Tidy
Even “large” quarters on ships are a much smaller space than you are used to living in. Take a few minutes each time you come back to the cabin to keep things tidy in order to avoid feeling like the walls are closing in on you.
Food & Drinks
Cruise ship cuisine is pretty spectacular! It is best enjoyed when you know all of your dining options and take advantage of them.
- Don’t be Afraid to Order What You Want
You are on vacation! Many first time cruisers don’t realize that even in the main
dining room, you can order as many entrees, appetizers, or desserts as you please.
And if you have special dietary needs, there are always healthier options you can mix in with the meal of your choice. Ask for a special diet menu that may include lower sodium and lower fat options.
- Drink Smart
While cruising is mostly all-inclusive, drinks are not generally included!
A tip for wine drinkers? Bring your own wine. You may be charged a cork fee but it will be significantly cheaper than buying a full bottle on the ship. For non-alcoholic drinks you can typically purchase a drink card that will give you access to unlimited soda.
Checkout https://www.cruises.com/ for the newest cruise tours.
A cruise isn’t just a vacation; it’s a voyage of discovery, relaxation, and adventure. It’s a unique way to explore the world, indulge in luxury, or seek out thrilling new experiences.
So, if you’ve ever considered embarking on a cruise, don’t hesitate; it’s time to set sail and explore the world, one port at a time. Bon voyage!
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