I've been cruising since I was five years old. While I don't remember every aspect of my weeklong Disney cruise, I remember the excitement of boarding the ship and wanting to explore every nook and cranny.
Over the years, my love for cruising has grown into a full-fledged obsession. On any given day, I can be caught browsing at least one cruise line's website, trying to fit another vacation into my busy schedule. Or, at least, trying to convince my partner that one more cruise wouldn't break the bank.
As a travel writer of over three years, I've honed my cruise planning skills, learning the ins and outs of different cruise lines, ships, itineraries, and cabins. Although I'm not perfect and can still make silly mistakes, my experiences — good and bad — turn into practical tips that I love sharing with fellow travelers and cruise enthusiasts.
That said, planning your first cruise can feel intimidating. How long should the cruise be? What's the best itinerary? Which cabins should you avoid? What's the best cruise line?
It's okay to take a deep breath and know you don't have to figure out everything in the next 30 minutes. There's a lot to learn, sure, but it's not as overwhelming as you may think — I promise!
Here are my 10 best tips when planning a cruise, as someone who has been on over 30 sailings.
Book with a travel agent
Booking with a travel agent doesn't mean giving up control over your vacation. If you find a good one, you'll benefit from their valuable expertise and convenience.
My travel agent, for example, has saved me thousands of dollars on cruise fares with their exclusive rates. However, she's also been a great resource when I'm stuck between cabins, itineraries, and ships.
Rather than spending time researching, she provides me with the information I need to make the best decision for my vacation.
First-timers can especially benefit from an agent, as they can help you understand the nuances of booking a cruise you might not think about.
For example, they can walk you through the different types of dining (traditional vs. flexible) and help you choose the right add-ons, such as drink packages, shore excursions, and spa treatments, based on your preferences.
Understand each cruise line's target demographic
Cruise lines aren't created equally. As such, it's important to understand each line's target demographic. For example, are you planning a multigenerational vacation with aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, etc., or do you want a short getaway with your girlfriends? Is it a couples-only retreat?
Understanding what each cruise line is known for will make sure your trip is everything you want it to be. It's crucial to pick the line that best aligns with your travel style to save you potential frustrations once on board.
Royal Caribbean, for instance, is a great choice for families and multigenerational vacations because its fleet features ships with kid-friendly activities, spacious suites, award-winning youth clubs, and adult-only spaces, including the casino, spa, and exclusive sundeck.
Comparatively, Princess Cruises has far less for children to do, as their ships focus on curating a premium, adult-focused experience — think craft cocktail bars, world-class cuisine, unique itineraries, and a more relaxed, refined atmosphere. That said, Princess could be a great choice for adults seeking a port-intensive cruise in Europe or Asia.
Research the cruise ship
Once you've narrowed down the right cruise line for your upcoming trip, you must sift through its fleet. Though certain aspects of the experience will be similar on every ship within a certain cruise line, each vessel has its own quirks and unique features, especially if you're comparing newer and older vessels.
For example, sailing on Carnival Jubilee is a different experience from cruising on Carnival Elation. The latter is the line's smallest ship, and though the 71,909 gross-ton ship features waterslides and a mini-golf course, it doesn't have the same state-of-the-art amenities and dining options as the newer Jubilee.
The same is true for lines like Royal Caribbean. Although the cruise line is known for having the world's largest ships, the fleet comprises vessels as small as the 73,817 gross-ton Grandeur of the Seas. Booking a cruise on Grandeur would be disappointing if you are expecting a massive waterpark, zip-line, ice skating rink, escape room, or skydiving simulator.
I'm not saying you should avoid sailing on older cruise ships. However, it's important to be aware of what each offers so your expectations match reality.
Older cruise ships have a certain charm and intimacy that newer mega-ships simply can’t replicate. Moreover, they often visit more unique ports of call, as many destinations can't accommodate vessels like Oasis or Icon of the Seas.
Don't necessarily pick the cheapest cruise cabin
If I had an endless supply of money, I would only book cruise balcony rooms. However, as someone who cruises at least ten times per year, booking veranda cabins on every sailing isn't realistic.
That said, if you have a flexible budget, you may not be happy with the cheapest room on the ship. Tiny inside cabins aren't for everyone. Because they lack a window, there's no natural light. Plus, they're typically the smallest rooms on board.
On vacation, you should make sure that you are comfortable and happy with your space. In other words, if a dark interior cabin is going to be a point of contention, you will want to consider higher room categories. Oftentimes, the price difference isn't as significant as you might think.
For many, balconies are a must-have on a cruise, especially if you're sailing somewhere scenic like Alaska or Norway. There's something special about having a private veranda to sit on as you cruise through the open waters of the Caribbean, too.
Before booking the cheap interior stateroom, think about whether you'd be happy calling that home for 4 or 7 nights. If you enjoy afternoon naps in the cabin or waking up to the sight of a new destination, a balcony (or at least an ocean-view room) may be worth the extra money.
Book your cruise activities as soon as possible
Unless sailing on an ultra-luxury (and ultra-expensive) line like Explora Journeys or Regent Seven Seas, your mainstream cruise fare will not be all-inclusive.
Cruise fares include a lot to make them justifiable compared to many land vacations, but there are certain extras you may want to budget for. Things like drink packages, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and spa treatments should be taken into account when planning your cruise.
Once you have placed your deposit, you can access your cruise line's online planning portal to browse all the options. One of the best ways to ensure availability and get the best pricing on add-ons is to book them before your cruise.
Some cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, are known for great pre-cruise sales, where you can sometimes save up to 40% off the price of onboard drink packages.
Earlier this year, for example, I pre-purchased a drink package for a 7-night cruise on Icon of the Seas for $70 per person, including the 18% mandatory service charge. Comparatively, the onboard price was advertised at $110 per day.
Prebooking is also smart to secure your spot on popular tours and for specialty restaurants with high demand. Hibachi restaurants and limited-seating Chef's Table experiences, for instance, tend to sell out quickly.
Determine if a drink package will save you money or not
Personally, I've never regretted buying a drink package. I prefer the convenience of having my beverages prepaid while on vacation, rather than keeping a close eye on my spending account. However, cruise drink packages aren't for everyone.
Beverage packages are controversial add-ons because of their price. Some cruise lines, such as Carnival, charge over $80 per day by the time the mandatory service charge is added.
For travelers who prefer the occasional cocktail or glass of wine with dinner, the cost can outweigh the convenience. Rather, those who think they'll drink fewer than five cocktails per day may benefit from buying drinks as they go.
Alternatively, you can purchase a non-alcoholic drink package. Although you will have to pay extra for alcoholic drinks, things like soda, specialty coffee, and mocktails are included, making it a great option for those who want to enjoy a variety of beverages throughout the day without feeling restricted.
Plus, they are cheaper than alcoholic drink packages!
Read more: I bought the cheapest drink packages on two different cruise lines
Prepare to spend more
Even if you pre-purchase your add-ons, you will want to have a budget for incidentals during the cruise, ranging from airport or terminal parking to souvenirs, gambling in the casino, snacks while ashore, and professional photographs.
Small expenses can quickly add up, and having a little extra cash or wiggle room in your budget ensures that you won't feel stressed about miscellaneous spending during your vacation.
Don't overpack
A recent article shared on Royal Caribbean Blog's website revealed that many cruisers regret packing too many clothes and pairs of shoes for their vacation.
Overpacking is a rookie cruise mistake. Cruise cabins are smaller than standard hotel rooms, and although they're typically cleverly designed with smart storage options, space is still limited.
For example, rather than coordinating outfits for each night of the cruise, it's okay to rewear dinner outfits to save space in your suitcase.
Additionally, you want to bring travel-sized products for the bathroom. More often than not, I've seen cruise ship showers have one tiny shelf for toiletries, including shampoo, conditioners, face wash, shaving cream, and body wash.
Full-sized products will quickly take over the limited space.
Fly to your embarkation port the day before
As a cruise writer living in North Carolina, I feel like I'm at Charlotte's airport every other week. Unfortunately, CLT doesn't have the best reputation in the travel world. I've had plenty of flights delayed and cancelled, throwing off my otherwise meticulously planned itineraries.
As such, I've learned never to fly into my cruise embarkation port on the day of departure. Even if you're flying out of a reliable airport, last-minute weather disruptions or crew scheduling hiccups can derail your plans — and cruise ships don't wait for stragglers.
You may think that your flight arrives early enough, but you must account for the time it will take to deplane, collect your luggage at baggage claim, and drive to the terminal.
By arriving at least the night before my cruise, I'm not plagued with embarkation day anxiety over whether I'll make the ship. Plus, I'm often able to enjoy more of the local area before my cruise, even if it's just a lively dinner on the beach in Fort Lauderdale.
Prioritize rest
It's easy to fall into the mindset that if you don't do everything, you aren't getting your money's worth. However, as I've gotten older, I've learned that could not be further from the truth. One of the best things you can do for yourself on a cruise vacation is factor in time to rest, whether that's a quick afternoon nap or skipping a port and staying on board.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of trying to see and do everything, especially on ships like Icon of the Seas and MSC World America, but taking time to relax is part of what makes cruises so enjoyable.
For instance, staying on the ship for a day allows you to appreciate all the amenities with fewer crowds compared to a busy sea day. Likewise, budgeting in time for an afternoon nap can help you fully enjoy the evening's entertainment line-up.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
