Firstly, congratulations on booking a cruise! Now is the time to enjoy yourself and plan your perfect itinerary to ensure that you get to experience everything that you want to! Cruising has numerous advantages over traditional holidaying and with a wide breadth of information out there, you can be overwhelmed by all of the potential options!
Thus, planning your cruise poses a number of questions related to drinks packages, activities, excursions, tipping and more. There are numerous cruise cabin hacks and tips to learn once you have booked your cruise to ensure that you have the best time!
Here are five tips for your first cruise holiday that will ensure that you get to see everything that you set sail to see!
1) Book Through A Specialist Agent
If you are a first-time cruiser, it is better to book through a specialist agent as they will be able to help you find the best ship for you. There are a number of agents that are closely affiliated to the cruise lines industry and you can locate these easily and swiftly.
Larger travel agencies may push specific cruise lines that they have commissioned relationships with, however, you should always ask for a wide range of recommendations before booking your first cruise.
Travel agencies that are specifically tailored to selling cruises are your best bet as they are far more likely to have the best knowledge of cruising. A good agent will take time to get to know your individual tastes before presenting a range of options for you to consider. Of course, you can do your own research prior to booking to assist you in the process of choosing the best cruise liner.
2) Research Into Your Fellow Passengers
For first-time cruisers, it is important to ascertain the age range of those who you will be cruising with. For instance, if you want to select a cruise liner that is child-friendly, then you should ensure that you are choosing a cruise that has an abundance of activities for children. Alternatively, if you want to go on a child-free excursion, then you should select an adult-only cruise.
Cruises offered by Virgin are often tailored to younger people, however, there are numerous cruise liners available for you to choose from.
3) Select A Cabin That Works For Your Needs
The best cabin to choose is the one that is tailored to your budget and holiday requirements. You should not select a cabin with no window just because it is the cheaper option. Instead, you need to consider the length of time that you will be spending on the cruise and allow this to guide you accordingly.
If you will be cruising around warmer-weather destinations, then choosing a balcony cabin is the best option. Whereas, these cabins are not favored by those who want to stay out of the heat or who prefer to remain by the pool. Therefore, you should carefully consider what type of cruise cabin is best suited to your individual tastes, needs and requirements.
4) Try A Mini Cruise Prior To Committing To An Extensive One
If you are less inclined to commit to a longer cruise, then trying a mini-cruise is your best option. You should also consider the locations that you want to visit. There are cruises that operate for five nights and this is perfect for those who want a short-break. Within the Mediterranean, there are also cruises that offer a short itinerary where you can call at stunning locations like Mykonos, Rhodes, Heraklion, and Santorini.
5) Try Not To Select A Cruise Just For One Port of Call
While cruise ships will have specified itineraries that are dependent on the time that you book, these are not conclusive. Hurricanes can mean that your cruise may have to change its direction. Bearing this in mind, you should not select a cruise just because you want to visit one specific location. Instead, you should choose a cruise where you are interested in visiting more than one port on the itinerary.
This will inherently ensure that you are not spending money on a cruise that you are not interested in being on and that you make the most of your vacation by choosing locations that excite and stimulate you.
Conclusion
To conclude, this article has outlined five key tips to follow when booking a cruise for the first time. I hope that you have found it to be insightful and informative. Thank you for reading.