Planning

Are you curious as to how many people will be onboard your cruise ship? 

Maybe you are hoping to score a last-minute upgrade or just want to relax on the lido deck with fewer people around. 

It is pretty common for cruise ships to sail at full capacity, even if you are sailing during the shoulder season. In fact, you should not be surprised if your ship is actually sailing over capacity, as some cabins are able to accommodate more than two guests. 

Some cruises offer sailings with more sea days, while others are more port-intensive, meaning that you get to spend more time exploring different ports of call. 

Depending on what type of traveler you are, you might prefer one type of itinerary over the other. Maybe you are looking for a vacation that allows you to relax and sit by the pool with a cocktail.

On the other hand, you may find sea days to be boring, especially if you have two or three in a row, and would rather spend the majority of your trip in a new place each day. 

Unlike a traditional hotel, you cannot just arrive at your cruise ship's terminal and expect to board whenever it's convenient. 

Although hotels have check-in times, they'll often allow you to store your luggage while you explore the area and wait for your room to be thoroughly cleaned. 

With cruise ships, however, if you arrive too early, you may be stuck sitting in the terminal until it's your allotted boarding time. 

Is a balcony the right choice for you on your next cruise?

While not as expensive as suites, balcony staterooms are more expensive than interior and ocean view rooms. You might be wondering if they are worth the splurge or not. 

In the end, it depends on your vacation budget, needs, and preferences. Some may be able to justify booking a balcony cabin, while others would prefer stretching their vacation budget as far as possible by booking an interior stateroom. 

Sometimes, you may be presented with the opportunity to upgrade your cruise ship cabin. At first thought, why wouldn't you want to move from an interior room to an ocean view or from a balcony to a suite?

While some cruise lines will simply email you an offer, others -- such as Royal Caribbean -- allow you to place a bid for a nicer cabin. Usually, you will pay less for the nicer stateroom than you would if you were to book it outright. 

Packing for your first-ever cruise can be overwhelming! You want to make sure that you have everything that you will need without going overboard. 

Stateroom storage space is pretty limited, especially if you have three or four people sharing one cabin. If everyone packs too much, it is easy to run out of space an create a cluttered "home away from home." On the other hand, you don't want to encounter a situation where you forget a must-have item. 

These days, it seems like there's the perfect themed cruise for every traveler. Do you love Broadway and want to sail amongst Tony Award winners? Perhaps you are interested in Comic Con and want to cosplay at sea. 

While on most cruises, clothing is required, there are some sailings that encourage passengers to be comfortable in their own skin and show off their birthday suit. 

Have you ever wanted to take a clothing-optional cruise? If so, you might want to consider a nude cruise!

Congratulations on deciding to book your first-ever cruise! Like with any vacation, you will want to do enough research before placing a deposit. With over seven different mainstream cruise lines and 100 ships sailing worldwide, choosing your first cruise can seem overwhelming. 

When most people think of cruising, they think of a family vacation where they can create memories and spend time with loved ones. 

Cruises, however, make for a great solo trip, too! With so many scheduled activities, it is easy to show up and strike up a conversation with fellow passengers. Plus, you get to explore new places around the world, so you know you will always have something to talk about with others.