There has been a bit of a summertime gap in my series on cruising and I am sorry for that. There has been so much theme park news going on that I needed to share that instead. I’m back now with the third installment in this series, How-to Choose the Best Cruise Line for You. What is exciting to me, since starting this series back in May, I have become a travel agent and I have trained with several cruise lines so while this post has been delayed, I feel the information will be much better now that I have undergone that training.
So far in this series we have discussed the Top 3 Reasons to Try a Cruise and Deciding Where to Go on Your Cruise. Once those decisions have been made, you need to decide which cruise line suits you best. I believe that decision is based on length of trip, destination, budget and lifestyle.
Length of Cruise
Cruises average from 3-14 nights with some even longer. Things to consider are how long can you get off from work? Travel time to and from the port is also a key factor. Living in Florida I can get to 5 major ports in 4 hours or less so that isn’t a big deciding factor for me. If you have to fly to the port it is best to fly in the day before your cruise starts to allow for any delays or baggage problems. Disney and Carnival offer mostly 3-7 day cruises so if you are looking for a shorter cruise you may want to check these lines first. Personally I don’t like to cruise for less than 7 days. On shorter cruises I feel like I am just getting comfortable finding my way around the ship and then it is time to get off.
Destination
In a previous post we talked about where you would like to go on your cruise. That also makes a difference on the length of the cruise because, of course, it takes longer to get to some destinations than it does others. In addition some cruise lines focus on different destinations. If you want the eastern or western Caribbean there are many to choose from. Alaska, Hawaii, New Zealand, New England, the Mediterranean…are all viable destinations and vary by season and cruise line.
Budget
Budget is often the first thing we think about when planning a vacation. While a cruise vacation is a great deal because your lodging and basic food and entertainment are included in the price remember you will still need to pay for gratuities, beverages, upgraded dining fees (depending on the ship), and shore excursions. The base price of the cruise is just the starting point. Also remember most cruises are priced double occupancy, a minimum of two people in a room. If you are a solo traveler you will pay almost double! Another item that effects your budget is the type of cabin. An interior lower deck cabin costs significantly less than an upper deck cabin with a verandah. All of these thoughts go into seeing what kind of cruise fits your vacation budget. Carnival and Royal Caribbean are known as more budget conscious cruise lines with Celebrity on the more expensive end.
Lifestyle
Are you cruising as a couple, family with young children, teens or some singles out for a fun vacation? Do you want lots of fun in the sun, or educational offerings? Do you want to dress up for dinner or would you rather be casual all the time? Families with children love cruising Disney, Carnival and Royal Caribbean. All of these cruise lines are known for their amazing kid’s and teen clubs. Looking for something more quiet and romantic? Check out Princess, Norwegian, or Celebrity.
Yes, it is true, a cruise vacation is what you make of it. There is a lot to consider when choosing a cruise and this is why I recommend that you contact a travel agent to help you navigate the cruise planning process. You want the best vacation for your money and by letting a vacation planner know what you want from your vacation, they can help guide you to the best options for you.
I’m here to help you plan your next cruise vacation just fill out this form and let me get started on the trip of your dreams.
Other Posts You Might Like:
Top 3 Reasons to Choose a Cruise
Deciding Where to Go on Your Cruise
Good information. I don’t have the money to go on a vacation right now but your posts are definitely preparing me for day when I am able to go on a vacation.
Mary Collins recently posted..Jake and Jesus: New Picture Book Nudges Children To Friendship With the Savior
Thank you for this post, you’ve given me a lot to consider. I took my first cruise this past January and I loved it. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect but I really enjoyed it. I was on the Klove cruise (not sure if you’ve heard of it or not). In fact I enjoyed it so much I will be going back again January of 2016.
The one things I strongly agree with was the length of time you spend on the cruise. Last year it was 4 days and by day 4 I was just starting to get somewhat comfortable with the layout.
Next year we are adding a day but it will be on the same ship so I have that advantage. I will keep you in mind if I ever decide to go with another cruise line 😉
Michelle, I bet the K-Love cruise was amazing!
I would love to go on a cruise one day.
Melanie recently posted..[Book Review] Saving Amelie
This makes me want to take a cruise today! Saving for our next vacation planning!
Victoria Osborn recently posted..Reclaiming My Mornings: My New Approach to a Workable Morning Routine
Good information. My husband and I are going on a cruise for our 40th anniversary. But we are waiting until after his dissertation is completed. He’ll enjoy it more then!
Pamela recently posted..My Children are His!
These are great suggestions for choosing the best cruise line for us. We hope to go on a cruise in the next few months so this will come in handy!
Jonathan Key recently posted..Make Your Blog Mobile Ready [Day 6 of 31 Days to Build a Better Blog from Problogger]
Glad it is helpful Jonathan. I’d love to help you plan your cruise.
I didn’t even know there were still travel agents working. I’m glad to know! I would LOVE to go on a cruise someday.
–Gena
Gena recently posted..Why We Changed our History Curriculum for Homeschool High School to Tapestry of Grace