Cruise holidays are super popular among tourists currently. For many, it is convenient, easy to book and more comfortable than land-based trips. But here’s the thing: it’s only after you’ve booked a cruise and are on board that you realise cruising is a whole other ballgame in the vacation paradigm. Most first-time cruisers feel lost since they do not know ship basics, the budgeting, types of cabins, port disembarkation and more. Not knowing these can lead to cashing out extra money than your budgeted finance and even downplay the thrill you were so eagerly looking forward to on your cruise experience. As someone thinking about a cruise vacation, you would need to update your know-how on what to keep in mind before booking your sea getaway. It’s not the same as booking a regular vacation. So, first-time cruisers! You are in the right place! Here’s a guide to give you the common things to know before booking a cruise.
Most Common Things to Know Before Booking a Cruise
Type of Cruise
First things first. Don’t just decide on taking a cruise to a destination you love and book the first cruise ship you come across. Not all cruise liners are the same. Some are themed cruises, some best suited for families, some are culinary-inspired, while some exude adventure and party vibes. Get clarity as to what kind of cruise experience you are looking for. For families with kids, Disney Cruise liners are the best. For relaxation retreats, Royal Caribbean is a top pick in the industry and quite well-known for its CocoCay Island breaks. Want a luxurious, adult-only voyage, look no further than Virgin Voyages. Similarly, Not all ships with the cruise line you plan to book are the same. The experiences you get onboard can surprisingly differ from ship to ship. For instance, if you want a surf simulator or water slides, then you should definitely opt for cruise vacations on newer cruise ships. You should also take into consideration the duration of the cruise, whether you prefer a short cruise or a long sea journey.
Time
On a cruise vacation, the term ‘time’ has a few different angles. When we say ‘time’, it can be:
- The time of the year you book a cruise: The best time to cruise varies greatly depending on where you are heading. Weather and crowds also vary by season. Prices fluctuate as per peak season. Summer and holidays cost more, while off-season months are the cheapest months to book a cruise. So, you need to be clear about when you would like to go on a cruise vacation. Plus, some months also offer great deals on future departures if booked in advance.
- The time onboard the ship: Your time gets split between sea days and port days on a cruise voyage. Pay close attention to the cruise ship itinerary while browsing cruise vacation packages. See if the trip has more time onboard the ship (sea days) or on the shores(port days). This will help you to choose a cruise that aligns with your vacation desires. Want to go exploring? Pick a route with more port stops. Prefer relaxing? Choose a cruise holiday with more sea days to enjoy pool time, spa and onboard fun. Check those cruise planners! They are super useful for balancing your time and making the most of your experience. Also, the time onboard the ship and the time on port destinations are different. So, here’s one of the handy cruise tips for beginners: wear a watch that shows the ship’s time. Change your phone’s time setting to align it with your destination on port days.
- Boarding time: When you book a cruise, you get a boarding time that must be met with punctuality. You are expected to be there for embarkation at least 2 hours before the sail away time(the time when the ship starts its journey). Pay close attention to the “all aboard” time when in port. The ship will not wait for you once you miss your ‘all aboard’ time. If you’re flying in from somewhere else to the departure city, then plan to arrive a day early.
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Cabin
Onboard a cruise, your cabin is your hotel room – a home away from home for the entire stretch of your voyage. So understanding different categories of cabins is quite essential. Otherwise, you might end up feeling way too cramped, have no windows, and are near places which are bustling and noisy most of the time.
For claustrophobic travellers: If you are someone who feels suffocated in small spaces, steer clear of inside cabins. These rooms lack windows and have minimal natural light. That’s one of the reasons they are cheaper.
For those who have sea sickness: Cabins at lower decks and mid-ship tend to experience less motion, which can be better options for such guests.
For those who desire fresh air: A balcony or veranda cabin is worth the extra investment as it offers a private outdoor space to enjoy the scenery.
For those with a higher budget: Consider booking suites if you can splurge on your cruise getaway. These offer extra space and often come with cool additional perks.
Also, take into account how many people are on the cruise holiday to book sufficient and spacious rooms that suit the convenience of all.
Cruise Lingo
On a cruise ship, it will quickly dawn on you that you need to learn some cruise language. The terminology used could be confusing if you aren’t familiar with the cruise lingo. For instance, what you call a floor on land becomes a ‘deck’ onboard, and your ‘room’ is a ‘cabin’. If you ask where a certain restaurant is on the ship, you may be told that it is “on such-and-such deck, towards the aft.’ You might get bewildered if you don’t know what ‘aft’ means. Knowing this lingo is key to easily finding your way around the cruise ship. So, to get you started, here are a few terms you can get acquainted with:
Bow/Forward – front of the ship
Aft: The rear of the ship.
Midship-centre of the ship
Starboard: Right side of the ship
Port: Left side of the ship
Tender: lifeboat
Lido: main deck with pools
Packing
A ship’s standard cabins are smaller than hotel rooms. So, it is wise to pack compact with absolute essentials. However, that doesn’t mean downsizing the quality of your wardrobe! Pack for different occasions when it comes to clothing. Bring along casuals for daytime chilling, swimwear for pools and a few elegant formal wear for fancy nights. Comfy shoes and outfits for exploring during port days are a must too. Toss a light jacket as well in your luggage for chilly evenings or air-conditioned ship areas. Don’t forget chargers, non-surge-protected power cords and adapters, essential medications, and travel docs and passports. Finally, pack a small carry-on with the stuff you’ll need right away until your checked luggage finally makes it to your cabin.
Gratuities
Gratuities in layman’s terms are tips for all the awesome service you get on your cruise. Most cruise lines automatically add a per-person, per-day gratuity charge to your onboard account to cover staff like cabin stewards, dining room waiters, and busboys. Typical per-day amounts can vary depending on the cruise line and cabin category. Some cruise lines also add a service charge. It’s usually auto-charged to the onboard account but check the gratuity policy. Some cruises let you prepay or adjust at the end. Make sure to check your bill before settlement on disembarkation day to make sure there are no hidden cruise ship charges included.
Add-Ons
The cruise fare is just a base price for your journey. Once you start your journey, you will realize that many cool stuff are not included in your cruise price. For example, cruise ship WIFI is not free. It’s often added to your bill. So, you probably would need to buy an additional data package if you want to stay connected online without any hiccups. Only some cruises like Virgin Voyages offer free WIFI onboard. Similarly, add-ons like flights, fitness classes, speciality dining, gratuities, drinks, liquor or shore excursions pile up your budget costs. So, while booking a cruise, understand what’s included in a cruise and what’s not. There are plenty of free things to do on a cruise. Apart from those, carefully consider which amenities you would require on your sea sojourn and keep a buffer in your budget to accommodate them. Keep an eye out for deals on these add-ons when you’re booking your cruise vacation.
Carrying Alcohol
If you plan to chill with your favourite booze on a cruise ship, you are in for a bit of disappointment. All cruise liners have strict alcohol policies. Most cruise lines allow you to bring one or two bottles of wine or champagne, usually around 750ml per cabin when you first board. This has to be carried in the hand luggage. Now, if you happen to pick up other types of alcohol – whether it’s from shops, duty-free, or during a port adventure, the cruise staff will keep it safe and give it back to you on the day you leave. Interestingly, Disney cruises make a slight exception, allowing you to bring on board six beers, as long as each is within a six-ounce limit.
Embarkation day and Disembarkation day
Not all days are relaxing on a cruise vacation. Two main days that see a lot of buzzing activity are embarkation day and disembarkation day. On these days, there are protocols to follow. So be prepared for a hectic day. Honestly, just count these two days out of your vacation mode as you won’t be getting anything else done other than tacking formalities, baggage handling getting settled in your cabin etc. Likewise, on disembarkation day, the preparation starts the day before itself. Plan ahead about whether you would self-disembark or opt for assisted disembarkation. This way, you can be prepared for the last day of the cruise and have a smoother disembarkation process.
Cruise Liner App
Take advantage of the digital age! Most cruise liners have their dedicated apps. You should definitely download it on your mobile phone and use it extensively. These apps give you all the updates on shows and activities. Plus, there’s a cruise planner that clearly shows you what’s happening on sea days and port days. With the app, you can also manage your onboard spending, pre-book your meals, drinks and internet packages, check deck plans and more. Royal Caribbean Cruise’s app even acts as a digital key, so you might not even need to carry your cruise card around all the time to unlock your room!
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Conclusion
Planning a cruise vacation can feel like diving into a sea of unknown information. Not knowing essential details can leave you feeling unprepared for your sea sojourn and even wasting hard-earned money unnecessarily. So, go through some cruise tips and hacks to smartly travel. Getting to know a bit about cruise vacation’s ins and outs goes a long way to making your sailing experience smooth and stress-free. If you are just figuring it all out for a cruise vacation, we hope this guide has made it a tad bit easier for you to plan your dream cruise vacation.
FAQs
1. What should one consider when choosing a cruise?
There are several aspects to weigh before deciding to book a cruise. Essentially, you should check out if the cruise destination, cruise ambience activities and amenities match your vibe and travel interest.
2. What’s included in a cruise holiday?
All cruises offer cabin stay for your entire journey, meals in the main dining hall and buffet area and basic onboard fun like pools, fitness areas etc in your cruise package. Some cruises offer a selection of beverages as well. But it’s always better to read the fine print of what’s included in the cruise than assuming it and then paying extra.
3. Is cruising safe for families?
Look at the Disney Cruise line and you would stop worrying about the doubt of ‘Is cruising safe for families?’ Cruising is absolutely safe for families. Cruises like Royal Caribbean have decks designed with spaces especially for kids and teens to play and for parents to relax.
