Going on a cruise? Let our cruise guide give you the best tips on making
the most of your trip. Looking to sneak
alcohol on the cruise? Jump straight to that section of the guide!
And if you have a minute, please support this site by clicking on
some ads. Thanks!
Step 1: Cruise Line Selection
While each of the major cruise lines listed below service many of the
same exotic locales, each has their own special flavor appreciated by
different types of cruise vacationers. Below is a quick blurb letting
you know some generalities about each major line. Also available is
Expedia's Cruise Line Reviews.
Carnival -
Typically, Carnival services a younger clientele and offers
the very well known and very popular "Fun Ship" targetted towards this younger
crowd. If you're seeking a quiet cruise, it's possible, but try a ship not
billed as a "Fun Ship." [More Information]
Celebrity -
Before merging with Royal Carribbean in 1997 (but still
operating as its own entity), it was one of the youngest major cruise lines
when it started business in 1989. Their claims to fame are their
commitments to fresh food, all inclusive spa and fitness packages, and
innovation.
[More Information]
Princess -
Remember The Love Boat? Well that was a
ship in Princess' fleet, the Pacific Princess. Since 1965, they've been
sailing the seven seas and they claim to be the most recognized cruise line
in the world (Love Boat probably didn't hurt). They offer Personal Choice
Cruising® which is the ability to customize every aspect of your trip
from dining location and time to flexibility in entertainment choices. [More Information]
Royal Caribbean -
The second largest cruise operator in the world,
it services more than the Caribbean including Europe and Mexico.
[More Information]
Step 2: Timing the Cruise
Here is where the most money can be saved for your trip. You basically
have two options when it comes to the cruise itself, far in advance or
at the last minute. A good deal is to get a cruise to cost less than
$100/day, which is easier the longer a cruise is. A great deal is if you
can get that cruise for less than $80/day which is essentially less than
$100/day after tips and gratuities. If it costs more than $200/day, you're
paying more than a premium to be cruising, find something else unless its
absolutely necessary. Remember to include port fees and assorted taxes in
that calculation.
EaseOf Tip: Cruises are most expensive around
Christmas/New Year's (but generally have special event celebrations)
and cheapest right before it. Compare rates for the first two weeks of
December and the last week, they will differ considerably.
Last Minute - All of the major travel sites have last
minute cruise listings but there are also sites that specialize in
last minute bookings. Always go to the special last minute sections and
not do cruise searches with last minute dates, they don't include
special pricings. The downside is airfare may be much greater and may
offset cruise price savings.
Expedia - They are operating a Wave Sale
with up to 60% off cruises and lots of incentives like shipboard credit
and upgrades. You can find a last minute tab at the top of any Expedia page.
In Advance - What a majority of cruisers prefer, this
gives you the chance to anticipate the cruise, do all your research,
and generally have a good time counting down until you set sail. The worst
thing in the world is to prep for a cruise, wait until the last minute
and find its unavailable. If you book far enough in advance (10 months is
more than enough) you can typically get good enough deals.
EaseOf Tip: If you purchase far enough in advance, the line
may bump you up for free. Why? If all of the cheapest rooms are taken, they
will bump you up so that the cheaper rooms are available to cruisers who
may not be willing to purchase the more expensive cabins. But if you're not
already booked, you can't get bumped.
The beauty of those sites is the wealth of information they provide you, most importantly
the average cost of the cruise. You may do even better through a travel agent who can
offer even cheaper cruises. I would suggest locating a local travel agent and trying
to bargain, knowing in the end you can book online at set prices. It never hurts to ask
if they can do better, chances are they can because they want the commission and are
sometimes willing to take a little pay cut to make a sale. Travel agencies have been hit
hard by the introduction of bargain search sites like Expedia and Travelocity.
Cabin Selection
Your choices come down to these:
Inside vs Outside - Inside cabins won't have a window and so you
won't have sunlight to give you an indication of what time it is. Outside cabins with
windows will give your body an idea of when to get up, they also may have a balcony
which is nice whenever you're having breakfast or an afternoon rest. Higher vs Lower - This refers to the level the cabin is at. Higher
cabins are more expensive but are more luxurious.
EaseOf Tip: Lower inside cabins are better for those who may
get seasick because it's close to the ship's center of gravity. You will sleep
better and enjoy it more (if you are easily seasick) in a lower inside cabin,
plus you'll also be paying less.
Step 4: Preparing/Packing for your Cruise
Items to Bring: Of course remember all the typical vacation items
(toiletries, underwear, bathing suits), but here are a few things you should have that
you wouldn't think of:
Alarm Clock - So you know when to wake up and don't waste too much time asleep. Some
cruises have clocks with an alam, some don't, don't miss an expensive shore excursion
because of it.
Cell Phone - It won't work in Cancun or St. Maarten, but if you have some US destinations
such as Key West, it'll work. Plus if you forget an alarm clock, it could double as it.
It doesn't take much space anyway.
Beverages - Some cruises will allow you to bring non-alcoholic beverages on board
which means lots of soda for the kids or lots of mixers for the 21+'s. Check in advance
so you don't have to dump it. You can try sneaking in alcohol in the carry-on. More
on sneaking booze on later.
$1 bills - While there isn't any pressure to tip, when you do want to its nice to tip
in $1s and not $5's, esp. to the baggage handling folks when you first get on the ship.
(Remember to tip room service, it is "free" after all)
Seasickness Pills - Sometimes the waters get choppy, don't miss a nights rest or
a meal because of it. The stuff isn't expensive anyway.
Read the Reviews: There are several popular cruise review websites that
have very recent reviews and very well written reviews. A site I really like is CruiseReviews.com especially those written by Tom and Mary Milano. The
major cruise package sellers also have their own review sites.
EaseOf Tip: You can order as much food as you want (at least
until you feel embarassed, which the staff will never make you feel) so order
a couple appetizers and a couple entrees and definitely a few desserts. If you
end up not liking it, don't eat it!
Excursions: These can get expensive if booked through the ship. You can
book them on the island you are at with local operations but there is additional risk
because you don't have the reputation of the cruise line behind it. These are all a matter
of preference and I suggest reading some reviews on which shore trips may be worth the
money and which may not be. (There's a Carnival excursion where you ride through "simulated"
Mayan ruins, definitely don't do that one, "simulated" means "fake")
Spa/Fitness: The Spa usually costs money, lots of money but the service is
usually pretty good. The fitness center is worth going to because when will you be able to hit
the treadmill and be staring out into the ocean? Throw up some weight and watch the sun rise?
If you hate treadmills, the ship may have a track on one of the decks with real track rubber
which is nice.
Nighttime Entertainment: Usually there is some sort of Las Vegas-type show
or a magician/comedian (and maybe even a "dirty" one). Go because it's free and because its
better than blowing your money at the casino. If you don't like it, sneak out the back.
Casino: It's a casino with slot machines and table games. There will be some
tournaments during the course of your cruise that you might want to compete it if you're inclined
for some fun.
Step 6: Disembarking
Customs
If your cruise stopped at a port outside the United States, you will have to go through
customs on the way back in. This is what is permitted per person (as
of November 2002 for your personal exemption (the rest is taxed):
$1200, $800, $600 (depending on which islands you visited, $1200 is for multi-island cruises)
1 Lt. of alcohol
200 cigarettes (value is considered part of $ exemption)
100 cigars (value is considered part of $ exemption)
All purchases exceeding the personal exemption are subject to customs tax.
You will find that your cruise will have a special customs area on the ship the morning
over your disembarkation to take care of your customs tax. You go in and fill out a customs
form, they assess the customs, and you pay a cashier. If you enter the United States and
do not pay the tax, they can seize the goods by law and probably prosecute you. While we
aren't advocating breaking the law, it is possible that you will not be selected at random
for a check, especially on a short cruise, but then again the tax isn't very high and the
agents are generally very accommodating. On a Carnival cruise, I declared 15 liters of hard
liqour and was taxes $15. Each liter cost less than $9 on average.
Transportation
If your port of call isn't close to your airport, you can bet your money the cruise line
operates a shuttle from the port to the airport. The shuttles will probably cost around $15
but it's much better than a taxi and much more dependable (because they know when the ship
docks).
Step 7: Giving back to the Cruising Community
This is probably a step you didn't think you'd see, it's called giving back to the cruising
community, a community you just joined by taking your first cruise. You've used the
forums that have helped you prepare for all aspects of your cruise and they've probably
helped you a great deal, it doesn't hurt to go back to those sites and drop them a
review (even if it's less than a page) about your experience so others may learn from it.
Thanks and enjoy your cruise!
Library:
This library includes not only some great books but also a free magazine or two depending on
when you are reading this: Free Magazines
