Tips, hacks & tricks for the perfect cruise vacation gateway
We have compiled the ultimate guide to choosing, planning, preparing and enjoying your cruise – with everything from where to go, to what to pack (checkout the Cruise Vacation Packing List) and how to stay healthy while on board.
- How to choose - Which cruise is right for me?
Choosing the Right Cruise in 2024
1. Identifying Your Ideal Cruise
In 2024, there are countless cruise options catering to various interests and travel styles. Whether you’re dreaming of a luxurious floating resort or an adventurous exploration of exotic locales, selecting the right cruise involves understanding your preferences and needs. Cruises can range from family-friendly and luxury-focused to destination-specific adventures.
When choosing your cruise, consider:
Passenger Demographics: Different cruises cater to different groups, such as families, couples, or luxury travelers. Research cruise lines and ships that align with your travel style and expectations.
Ship Size: The size of the ship significantly impacts your cruise experience. Large ships offer extensive facilities and activities, often at more affordable prices, while smaller ships provide a more intimate atmosphere and potentially higher costs.
Destinations: With over 1,800 ports worldwide, the choice of destinations can be overwhelming. Decide what type of experience you seek: sunny beaches, historical cities, wildlife adventures, or cultural exploration. Popular options include Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaskan, and Antarctic cruises.
2. Selecting Your Itinerary
Your cruise itinerary will dictate the places you visit and how often you dock. Consider whether you prefer frequent port stops with short visits or extended “sea days” with fewer stops. For instance:
- Caribbean Cruises: Ideal for sun-seekers with beautiful beaches and warm weather.
- Mediterranean Cruises: Perfect for history buffs wanting to explore ancient cities and cultural landmarks.
- Alaskan Cruises: Great for wildlife enthusiasts and those seeking dramatic landscapes.
- Antarctic Cruises: A unique adventure for the truly adventurous.
What’s Included on Your Cruise
1. All-Inclusive Benefits
A cruise package generally covers your cabin, all meals, entertainment, and transportation between ports. Most cruise lines offer various dining options, including snacks, afternoon teas, and midnight buffets. However, certain amenities like alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, and spa treatments may incur additional charges.
2. Airfare and Transfers
Airfare might not be included in your cruise package. Many cruise lines offer air/sea packages that include flights, but you can also book cruises without flights and arrange your own travel. Compare both options to find the best deal.
3. Family-Friendly Features
Many cruise ships provide excellent facilities for families, including kids’ clubs, daytime supervision, and evening babysitting. Modern ships also offer high-speed WiFi, making it easier to stay connected.
Understanding Cabin Options
1. Types of Cabins
Cruise ships offer a variety of cabin types:
- Inside Cabins: Located within the ship, these are typically the most budget-friendly but lack windows.
- Outside Cabins: Feature windows or portholes, offering natural light and potentially better views.
- Balcony Cabins: Include a private balcony, perfect for enjoying fresh air and scenic views.
- Suites: The most spacious and luxurious cabins, often with separate living and sleeping areas.
2. Choosing the Right Location
Consider the cabin’s location for stability and convenience. Lower and central cabins tend to experience less motion, which can be beneficial for those prone to seasickness. Proximity to amenities such as elevators and dining areas can also enhance your comfort.
Onboard Activities and Entertainment
1. Fun and Recreation
Cruise ships are like floating resorts, offering an array of activities such as water slides, zip lines, and ropes courses. Engage in classes ranging from dance and cocktail making to cultural lectures. Most ships have multiple dining venues, bars, nightclubs, and spas.
2. Shore Excursions
Excursions provide a chance to explore destinations off the ship. These can range from a few hours to full-day trips. Depending on your itinerary, you might have more or fewer opportunities for on-shore adventures.
- What's included on a cruise?
You will pay an all-inclusive rate which includes your cabin, all meals, entertainment, parties and the transport between all ports on the cruise’s itinerary. “All meals” doesn’t just mean breakfast, lunch and dinner either – all cruise lines offer between and after meal snacks such as afternoon tea and even a midnight buffet which are also included in the package rate. Although it depends on the ship, generally alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, meals in specialty restaurants and optional shore excursions are charged at additional costs.
Airfares may or may not be included in the package price – most cruise lines offer an air/sea price which includes the airfare to and from the cruise port, and cruise-only prices which does not include airfares- be sure to ask for both rates to make a comparison!
For families, many cruise ships also have a range of facilities especially for kids with activities, daytime supervision and night time baby-sitting, often included in the cost of the cruise. Modern cruise ships are very high-tech these days are you can expect to have good WiFi on board (you might have to buy a WiFi package if not offered as part of all-inclusive deal).
- Different types of accommodation on a cruise
There are many different types of cabins, or rooms, on a cruise ship, sometimes also referred to as staterooms. Very similar to a hotel room, though usually much smaller (space is premium on a ship after all), cabins are split into different categories and you will need to choose which category you want when you book your cruise.
Although there may be as many as 20 categories of cabin on one cruise ship alone, they are essentially divided into four main characteristics: inside, outside, balcony, and suite. As it sounds, inside cabins are on the inside of the ship, and so have no window. They are also usually the smallest sized room, and are the cheapest option. Outside cabins have some kind of window or porthole, and can be a similar size or a little larger than the inside cabins. Balcony cabins have their own private balcony to enjoy the views and fresh air, and a suite is the largest and luxurious type of cabin, often with separate living and sleeping areas.
Other factors to consider when booking your cabin are stability – those cabins in the lower and central parts of the ship will feel less of the ship’s motions, which will be important for those who suffer from motion sickness – and proximity to facilities on the ship such as elevators, the sun deck and entertainment hubs.
- What activities you can expect on a cruise
There is always plenty to do on a cruise ship – it is essentially a floating resort! Cruise ships have a lot of fun features like water slides, zip lines, ropes courses and other amusements. Cruises also offer a range of classes with everything from dance classes to wine/cocktail classes and historical and cultural lectures.
All cruise ships provide a range of restaurants and bars to enjoy, and many have night clubs and game clubs. Most ships also have one or more on board spas where you can enjoy a massage, facial, or other beauty treatment.
Of course, you will also be able to enjoy on-shore trips to fantastic and fascinating locations – from paradise islands to historic cities, depending on the itinerary you choose. On-shore visits vary from a few hours to a full day, and their frequency throughout the cruise varies also depending on the ship’s itinerary – some ships have a higher proportion of ‘sea days’ while others move from port to port almost daily.
See our Cruise Vacation Packing List Next
Celebrity EDGE Tour & Review by Cruise Fever
Cruise Vacation Packing List
What you should pack will of course vary depending on your getaway destination – A cruise through the South Pacific will have quite a different packing list to one through Alaska, obviously!
However, here are some essential items you should include in your suitcase when packing for a cruise and here is our Cruise Vacation Packing List suggestion:
- Passport
- Travel documents, such as copies of your travel insurance policy
- Cruise luggage tags
- Magnets (great for hanging up items in your cruise cabin)
- Towel clips (to make sure your towel doesn’t blow away from the sun-lounger when at the pool)
- Medication
- Backpack/day pack for shore excursions
- Phone charger (and chargers for any other electronics you plan to bring)
- Reusable water bottle
- Laundry bag
- Bathing suit and cover ups
- Sanitary products
- Sunscreen (even if cruising a colder climate, you will be spending a lot of time on deck admiring the view!)
- Travel game
- A good book (or three!)
Clothing:
- Mix of day time outfits
- Casual nighttime outfits
- 1-2 formal outfits
- Packable raincoat
Toiletries:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Shower gel
- toothpaste, etc…
- Hand sanitizer
First aid:
- Band-aids
- Neosporin
- Pain Killers (Tylenol, Advil, etc..)
- Antacids, etc…
If cruising in a warm or tropical destination, such as the Caribbean, you should also pack:
- Sunglasses
- A broad-brimmed hat
- Insect repellent
And that’s all regarding your Cruise Vacation Packing List
- How to prepare
You will need to have a valid passport for all cruises traveling internationally (first item on your Cruise Vacation Packing List). For cruises in the US, you will not necessarily need a passport, but some kind of proof of citizenship is required. A passport is the best form of this, though as a US citizen you can also present a certified copy of a birth certificate and a driver’s license or government-issued photo ID. For non-US citizens departing from or visiting US ports on their cruise, you will need to make sure you have a valid tourist entry (ETSA) visa prior to arrival – this can be arranged online at the US Department of Immigration site.
Be sure to check out your ship’s dress code – all ships have one and these can usually be found on their website – to make sure you pack appropriate clothing. Also consider how much luggage you will be allowed to bring, which will be limited by whether you have connecting flights to your cruise port, and the baggage restrictions of the airline you are traveling with. You may also want to check with your cruise line if they have a limit to the amount of luggage you can bring on board, although this is not generally the case.
Some cruise lines offer group transfers or airport shuttle to and from the port, however it is advisable to arrange your own private transport, to avoid long waits. This is particularly important if you have a connecting flight – you do not want to miss it because you were waiting for the group shuttle to depart! Booking a limo or private black car service is ideal in this situation – your professional driver will meet you at the port or airport and make sure you get to where you need to go! See recommendations for private car services here.
- Tips for saving money
One of the myths about going on a cruise vacation is that it is very expensive. In fact, once you factor in everything which is included in your cruise package, it can be cheaper than many hotel or resort based vacations, especially if you follow these handy tips.
The first thing you can do to say money on your next cruise vacation getaway is to make sure you book as far in advance as possible. Booking your cruise 8 months to a year or even more in advance can mean significant discounts compared to booking at the last minute. This usually has the additional advantage that you can choose whichever cabin you like! The time of year you choose to book your cruise is also important – like many other types of vacation, prices vary significantly across high and low season, so you can make great savings by booking for off-peak times. For example, a Caribbean cruise in January can be much cheaper than one in July, with the added bonus of escaping the cold winter weather back home!
Big savings can also be made by booking at non-refundable rates, which are generally much cheaper than flexible options. Depending on your travel plans and lifestyle, this may not be an option for everyone, but if you can be firm in your plans you will feel the benefit! Also keep in mind that different cabin types are cheaper than others – inside cabins (those on the inside of the ship and so without a window) are much cheaper than outside and balcony cabins. There are so many other great areas with spectacular views to spend time in on a cruise ship, does it really matter whether your room has a view? You can also earn discounts through loyalty schemes – if you become a regular cruiser, many cruise lines offer special deals and on board discounts for repeat customers.
Because of the all-inclusive nature of a cruise ticket, with accommodation, meals, activities and entertainment all included at one price, cruises can be one of the best value ways to go on vacation getaway. However there are some hidden costs on board that you should be aware of, and being vigilant on these will help you save money. For example, on many cruise line meals and snacks at the main restaurants is included whereas eating at the alternative restaurants or through room service is not – so be sure to be careful where you eat! Shore excursions are another example, with cruise lines often charging an inflated rate for (optional) tours to their various ports of call along the cruise. You can save money by going on shore and booking a tour with a local tour operator at the port of call.
Saving Money on Your Cruise
1. Booking Tips
Book early to secure discounts and the best cabin choices. Rates vary by season, so off-peak travel can lead to significant savings. Consider non-refundable rates for lower prices if your plans are firm. Loyalty programs with cruise lines can also offer additional discounts.
2. Avoid Hidden Costs
Be aware of potential extra costs like specialty dining, excursions, and on-board purchases. Eating at main dining venues and booking excursions independently can help manage expenses.
- Managing health concerns when on a cruise
Sea sickness is something which will affect some passengers which strongly, while others are barely effected at all. Some people are more sensitive to the movement on board a ship due to an imbalance in the inner ear, and will suffer from sea sickness even when the sea is calm. Luckily, there are many things you can do to manage and even completely avoid sea sickness while on a cruise, even as someone who is prone to this condition.
Firstly, make sure you choose the right ship – newer, larger ships are equipment with stabilizers which reduce the instance of sea sickness for those who generally suffer it. You may also want to opt for cruises which spent a greater number of days in port and less sea days, such as Southern Caribbean cruise or Mediterranean cruises. Additionally, choosing an outside cabin with either a window or a balcony will help manage sea sickness by being able to focus on the stationary horizon.
Once on board, you can reduce the effects of sea sickness by acclimatizing to the movement of the ship – this is best done within the first few hours of being on board. Spend some time outdoors in the fresh air, and use the horizon as a reference point, while avoiding staring at stable objects like your smart-phone or iPad. Drink plenty of water and avoid deep fried or highly spicy foods which may upset your stomach, at least at first! For severe cases, you can also pack accessories and medication such as the Sea Band, a wrist band which works by putting slight pressure on acupressure points which reduces nausea from motion sickness.
One of the great advantages of going on a cruise is that you will visit a range of exotic destinations. This also means you should make sure you have all the required vaccinations for each of these places – be sure to ask your doctor what vaccinations you need for your specific itinerary at least 6 weeks before you travel. Any form of travel means you are coming in contact with a large number of people from all over the world (and their diseases), and this is particularly true on a cruise ship. So you should also make sure you are up to date with all routine vaccines such as influenza, varicella (Chickenpox) and measles/mumps/rubella.
Thinking about going on a cruise while pregnant? This should not be an issue in the first two trimesters of pregnancy as long as you do not have any health complications, so check with your doctor before embarking of course. Most cruise lines will not allow passengers to travel in their third trimester of pregnancy, as they do not have the medical facilities on board to deal with an early delivery or emergency medical treatment associated with late-term pregnancy complications. No matter your stage of pregnancy, cruise lines will generally ask for a letter from your doctor to confirm you are OK to travel, so make sure you prepare this in advance.
Finally, just make sure and triple-check you’ve got all and enough of your medications and make it a priority on your cruise vacation packing list.
Final Thoughts
Cruising in 2024 offers a fantastic way to explore the world in comfort and style. By following these tips and preparing well, you can ensure a memorable and enjoyable cruise experience. For more information and booking details, visit our Cruise Vacation Packing List and get ready for your adventure!
Embrace the open seas and discover new horizons with confidence, knowing you’re fully prepared for an unforgettable cruise vacation!
