If you’re about to set sail on your first cruise or power catamaran, you should check out this blog first. If this is something you’re worried about, you’ll be happy to know there are ways to ensure your cruise trip will be amazing. Here are 10 important first-time cruising tips you should know before you go.
Tips for first-time cruisers
Going on a cruise can be a lot of fun. But if you’ve never been on a cruise before, you might not know how to get the most out of your trip.
In fact, if you keep reading, you’ll learn 10 important first-time cruise tips you need to keep in mind if you want to have the best cruise possible.
Let’s begin!
1. Find A Route You Like
If you want to have the best possible cruise trip, you need to find a route that is going to make you happy. The best way to do this is by studying the routes that different cruises take.
Some cruises might go around the Caribbean. Others go around the Mediterranean. You need to figure out what kind of locations you want to visit and then book accordingly.
2. Learn About the Stops
Once you’ve picked a route, it also helps to take a look at all the stops that are going to be on that route.
In some cases, you will have only a short period of time, to visit these locations. If you plan well ahead of time, you will be able to experience some of the great bits of the trip, without fear of missing out.
3. Look for Deals
Cruises can be expensive, for sure. Finding cruise deals can be challenging at times. But if you manage to find a good deal you might be able to keep the costs down. It’s a lot easier to find a good deal when you know what you’re looking for. So if you haven’t narrowed down the route you want, do that first.
You’ll want to check all the travel websites on offer. Some websites might provide you with a unique deal if you reach out to them over the phone.
4. Find out What Is on the Actual Cruise Ship
If you want certain forms of entertainment during your cruise, you will need to think about finding a ship that aligns with your needs. Not all cruise ships are the same.
A lot of the time, you will be able to identify what is on a cruise ship, by asking the company promoting the cruise. If the ship in question does not meet your needs – ask them if there is another ship to choose from.
5. Learn About the Dress Codes
Some cruise ships will have certain dress codes you need to stick to. If you do not stick to these dress codes, you might not be able to enjoy everything on the ship.
Or, you might not be able to fully enjoy some of the ‘themed’ parties. There may be a party that asks you to dress in a certain style, perhaps a ‘Great Gatsby’ party. If you are struggling to pack your clothes, read up on some cruise packing tips.
6. Look for Ways to Save Money Ahead of Time
For some cruise ships, you will tend to find that there are special offers you can buy ahead of time.
Some cruise ships might offer a beverage package, which means you can buy a set amount of drinks before the journey even begins. Purchasing such a package is a good idea because it allows you to save money. Buying the same amount of drinks individually would likely cost a lot more.
7. Does the Cruise Promoter Provide Any Special Activities?
When you go to a certain location, you will be free to invest in some of your own entertainment. But, certain cruise promoters already have relationships with companies in that region.
Because of this, they will be able to provide you with access to certain activities, for a much better price. This might include snorkeling or even some kind of scuba diving activity.
8. What Kind of Room Do You Want?
When you go on a cruise, you get to choose the kind of room you want to stay in. You will have the ability to choose from a wide variety of rooms, but remember that prices will vary too.
Some of the best rooms on a cruise ship are the balcony rooms. If you are going to have a balcony room, remember that they tend to cost a bit more than the average room.
9. Think About Parking
If you are driving to the cruise ship, at the start of your journey, you will need to think about where you are going to leave your car.
Fortunately, most cruise promoters have relationships with locations that provide car parking spaces. These Cruise Parking spaces can range in cost, so it’s worth asking during booking if they’ll throw in your parking for free.
10. Invest in Insurance
Cruise ships are generally safe places to be. But you should still think about investing in some kind of travel insurance. You will find that there are companies that provide specific kinds of insurance for cruise trips.
If you want to get the best price, make sure you compare prices from many different insurance companies. You should also be certain about what is going to be covered by the insurance, so you do not get caught out.
Ready to Put These First-Time Cruise Tips Into Action?
A cruise trip can be an exciting adventure. But if you do not know much about the world of cruising, you need to do your research. In doing so, you will be able to enjoy your trip as much as possible.
In this post, we’ve taken a look at some first-time cruise tips you can use to help you have a pleasant journey. You need to think about all the stops on your cruise journey, the activities, and the cost.
If you want to be protected in case something goes wrong, think about investing in special cruise travel insurance. Paying the relatively small costs for insurance upfront can help in a big way if something happens to go askew.
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