Planning

From daydreaming about sipping tropical cocktails by the pool to researching once-in-a-lifetime excursions, planning a cruise vacation is exciting! However, before you can get too excited, you must set a budget. 

It's not too late to book a cruise for 2025. While cruise fares have increased over the last few years, you can still find a great deal by booking in advance, choosing less popular travel dates, or being open to last-minute deals. 

Certain times of the year, such as the shoulder and off-seasons, see more competitive pricing due to less demand. For example, those looking to stretch their budget as far as possible will want to browse early spring or fall sail dates rather than the peak summer months.

Many cruise lines offer cruises to the Bahamas year-round, so choosing the perfect one can be difficult. 

Most are either 3- or 4-night cruises that depart out of Florida. You can, however, opt to take a longer Bahamas cruise that leaves from a port further north, like New York or Baltimore.

Everyone's preferences are different, and you might be looking for a quick weekend getaway! On the other hand, you might not want to fly all the way to South Florida just for 3 or 4 nights. 

With mega-ships like Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas and Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras calling Port Canaveral home, it's no wonder that over six million cruise passengers visited here in 2023, making it one of the world's busiest cruise ports. 

However, unlike Miami or Fort Lauderdale, the closest airport isn't just down the road. If you have to fly to Florida for your cruise out of Port Canaveral, it'll likely require more planning. 

Wondering how much an Alaska cruise costs? 

Unfortunately, there's no cookie-cutter answer. Some can cost as little as $500 per person for a seven-night cruise in an inside cabin on a mainstream line, or upwards of $10,000 per person for a week in a suite on a luxury cruise ship. The price varies greatly depending on the cruise line, ship, departure date, and itinerary.

Plus, you will need to factor in airfare, hotel stays, shore excursions, and other costs to determine the total price of an Alaska sailing. 

First-time cruisers will face the hardest decision of their planning process early on: choosing the right cruise line. With hundreds of ships and dozens of cruise lines, from budget-conscious options to luxury experiences, finding the perfect fit can feel overwhelming. 

Cruises make the ultimate family vacation. From included youth programming to adult-only sun decks and adrenaline-pumping activities for teens, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Still, not all ships are built equally. Before booking the same cruise your co-worker raved about, it's essential to do your own research to see which ship will suit your family's needs. 

Though cruise ships are destinations in and of themselves, many travelers book cruises to explore different ports of call across the globe, from the tropical Caribbean to the culturally rich Mediterranean. 

Unless cruising with an ultra-luxury line like Regent Seven Seas, excursions come with additional costs that can add up quickly. Moreover, with some tours costing hundreds of dollars per person, you want to make sure you're getting the best bang for your buck. 

Cruising offers a unique experience that differs from a land-based vacation. As such, it's natural to have tons of questions about life at sea, from the dining experience to the onboard accommodations and entertainment options. 

When it comes to planning a cruise, there are no dumb questions. In fact, the more questions you have, the more likely you are to perfect your cruise vacation. Booking a cruise without doing enough research could lead to grave disappointment and a newfound hate for cruising!