The popularity of cruises has exploded in the last few years. Major cruise lines like Disney, Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, Carnival, and Norwegian are meeting the demand with a plethora of new private island destinations, ships, and onboard experiences. If you’ve done the theme parks and desire a new type of vacation, now’s the time to consider a cruise! Whether you’re looking for the ultimate family vacation or want an adult-only getaway, there’s a cruise for you! Not sure where to start with planning your first cruise? Check out our cruise tips for beginners below!
Pick Your Cruise Line
Our first tip for beginners planning their cruise is to choose your preferred cruise line before deciding on a specific itinerary. Most cruise lines offer a variety of cruises to places like Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean. If you attempt to pick a cruise simply based on where it goes, you will be overwhelmed with all the options. Every cruise line has a unique identity, so the best cruise line for you will depend on what you envision for your vacation. Do you prefer a tranquil, relaxing getaway or a lively adventure exploring exotic locations around the world? These questions will help you pick the best cruise line for your vacation. Here are some of the most popular cruise lines we book:
- Disney Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Virgin Voyages (adults-only)
Choose a Cruise Ship
Cruise ships are more than just the ports of call they visit—they’re destinations themselves! Once you pick the cruise line you’d like to sail with, research the ships in their fleet to determine which offerings you’d like to experience on your cruise vacation. Each ship class offers unique attractions, from top-tier spas to theme-park-worthy rides. With so many options, our team at Wishing On A Star Travel® can help you decide which cruise is best based on your desired itinerary, vacation preferences, and cruise length. Call us today at 1-888-678-TRIP to get started!
Finalize Your Budget
There is a cruise to fit every budget—you just need to know when and how to look! We keep up with the latest deals and promotions, so you can rest assured you’re always getting the best price for your cruise. If a deal becomes available after you book, we can add the promotional value to your cruise rate. Major cruise lines offer various promotions throughout the year, such as kids sail for free, 50% off your second sailor, free onboard credits, and drink package upgrades. Some promotions are only available when you book your cruise through a designated travel advisor, which is another great benefit of working with a travel agent.
Accommodations
The variety of lodging options on cruises is just as plentiful as the number of ships to choose from! Every cruise line offers various stateroom categories, but they generally fall into one of these room types:
- Interior / Inside—rooms located in the inside portions of the ship. These rooms don’t offer porthole viewing or balconies and are generally the least expensive room category.
- Oceanview—These rooms offer outdoor views through a porthole.
- Balcony—A more spacious stateroom type with private balconies or verandas.
- Suites—Suites on cruise ships are the top-tier room category, offering spacious accommodations and beautiful views. Many cruise lines also provide exclusive amenities for suite-level guests, such as expedited embarkation and debarkation, access to suite-level bars, pools, lounges, and dedicated concierge services.
Drinking and Dining On Board
While nearly all cruises include food in your cruise fare, cruise lines have different policies about drinking. For instance, Disney Cruise Line fares include non-alcoholic drinks such as tea, coffee, soda, and juices, with alcoholic beverages sold separately. Royal Caribbean fares include tea, lemonade, water, and coffee, with additional drink packages for sodas and alcoholic drinks. Virgin Voyages includes all food and non-alcoholic beverages in your cruise fare, and you can purchase “sailor loot” for bar purchases.
A wide range of dining options are offered onboard, from formal dining rooms to all-day buffets, snack kiosks, and lounges. In addition to the included restaurants and dining locations, several cruise lines offer specialty fine dining locations you can reserve separately.
How and when you dine varies by cruise line. Some cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian, offer dinner at select times in a traditional formal dining room. You’re typically assigned a dinner seating time when you arrive onboard. Many cruise lines also offer a flexible dining option where you can arrive at the main dining room any time during dinner hours. Disney Cruise Line offers rotational dining, where you rotate to one of three themed dining locations each night of your cruise.
Excursions and Extras
No matter where your cruise travels to, exciting adventures await at the ports of call you’ll visit! Whether you want to learn how to make a local delicacy or explore a famous landmark, cruise excursions offer you the opportunity to learn and discover destinations all over the world. Each cruise line has different policies, but most require that you have at least paid your deposit before booking an excursion. For example, Disney Cruise Line allows first-time cruisers who have paid in full to book excursions 75 days before embarkation day.
We highly recommend booking excursions through your cruise line. Excursions offered through the cruise line are vetted and chosen for their high-quality experiences. These companies have a strong relationship with the cruise line and work diligently to ensure you enjoy your excursion while arriving back at the ship promptly before it departs the port.
Loyalty Programs
Many cruise lines offer incentive programs to book another cruise. You’re often automatically enrolled in that cruise line’s loyalty program after your first cruise. These loyalty programs provide various benefits, such as booking new itineraries before the general public, onboard discounts on drinks and merchandise, and streamlined check-in processes.
Book Your Cruise with Wishing On A Star Travel!
When you need a travel guide to help book your cruise, Wishing On A Star Travel® is here! We’re avid cruisers and can help you pick the right cruise line, ship, and itinerary. We plan cruises with all major cruise lines, and most of our services are free to you. What are you waiting for? The sea is calling! Get your cruise quote today!
