Cruising can be a fabulous way to see the world but only if you choose the best cruise for you. There are hundreds of cruises and many cruise lines, it is not a one size fits all kind of vacation. You have to research and do your homework, the same as you would with any other type of vacation. You have to be realistic about your expectation and budget. Here are a few tips to help you choose your perfect cruise.
Where do you want to go?
Deciding the destination of your cruise is probably the most important decision you need to make. Once you know where you want to go, you will be able to determine what your departure port will need to be. There are many destinations for a cruise. In the Caribbean you can choose, eastern, southern and western. There are also cruises to the Bahamas either alone or in combination. The Caribbean is one of the most popular cruise destinations especially if you are not from the west coast. If you are on the west coast, Mexico is a good choice as are Alaska and Hawaii.
If you want to go farther afield there is the Baltic, the Mediterranean, and canals in Europe. There are some rivers that make for a great cruise including The Rhine, the Danube, and the Nile. Cruises can take you to China, Southeast Asia, Australia and even Antarctica. Keep in mind that if you choose a departure port at a distance from your home, you will need to add the price of the flight into your total budget.
Do you want to have a lot of ports of call?
Do you see yourself getting off the ship often and visiting ports of call? Do you want a relaxing cruise where you just have one stop at the end of the cruise? Take a look at all the excursions that are available for any ports that you are thinking of visiting. Most ships are a destination on their own and it isn’t necessary to get off the ship to have a great cruise.
How active do you want to be?
Some cruises are non-stop activities and others are more about quiet pampering. Knowing how you see yourself spending every day of your cruise will help you to make an educated choice when it comes to choosing not only the cruise but the cruise line. Some cruise lines specialize in adventure and others are more luxury oriented. Read a lot of reviews about different ships and different cruise lines to find one that will give you the perfect experience.
How long are you comfortable being on a cruise?
Cruises can be several days to several weeks and even more. If you want a cruise that lasts just a week, then don’t even look at the longer ones. If you have to fly to your departure point, take that into consideration when figuring the time.
What is your budget?
Prices differ greatly between cruises. You may be able to find a discount if you are willing to travel a little off the most popular times or are not afraid of bad weather. Check for any discounts that you may be eligible for.
What is the average age of passengers?
Some cruise lines are geared toward families and others to seniors. There are also cruises that have a reputation as party ships. If you are traveling with your family you want to know what provisions that the ship has for children. Do they offer activities for children and teens? If you are looking for a romantic cruise, you may not want to take one filled with children.
How structured do you want your cruise?
Some cruise lines advertise their policy of letting you dine whenever you want. Others have set dinner times. There are pluses for both options, it is a personal choice. I prefer set time because you have the same waiter every day and in my experience, you get better service.
Will you get seasick?
If you choose to travel on seas that are liable to be rough the chances of you getting seasick will increase. The safest thing to do is to just take an anti-nausea medication every day from the start of your cruise. Why take a chance, especially, if you are not sure if you are prone to seasickness? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and who wants to lose precious days from your cruise being sick in your cabin. I prefer Bonine and have never been seasick or drowsy.
Once you have answered all of these questions you will be better able to pick the right cruise line and finally the perfect cruise for your dream vacation.
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