How to Choose the Perfect Cruise

By: Mike Franks, Owner-Operator, Cruise Planners-Orange Park, FL

By: Mike Franks, Owner-Operator, Cruise Planners-Orange Park, FL

So, you’ve decided to take a cruise for your family vacation next year. Great! Did you know there are literally thousands of cruises to choose from? Choosing the right cruise depends on a number of factors requiring you to answer some basic questions to get started.

Length of the cruise and dates you want to cruise.  It may not always work out that way, but if you can give your travel planner a date range, he or she can shop for the best fares.

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As with most of these choices, some flexibility could be the key factor in determining the best fit for your needs and wants. You could also save money if you are willing to be flexible with your sailing dates. For example, a cruise leaving on Saturday may be significantly less expensive than one leaving the following day. Or, you may find that prices vary substantially from one week to another.

When determining the length of the cruise, remember to factor in time to get to your embarkation port and enough time to get home. If you are traveling a long distance to get to the ship, I recommend you plan to arrive a day early so any snag in your travel plans, especially if flying, won’t cause you to miss the ship.

If this is your first cruise and you’re still not certain if cruising is right for you, start small with a 3 to 5-night cruise. That way, if it’s not your cup of tea, you haven’t invested too much time or money. On the other hand, veteran cruisers often choose 2 to 3-week cruises and expand their travel horizons to include trans-ocean trips or even back to back cruises extending the trip on another ship.

Budget: A good travel agent should always ask you how much you have budgeted for the cruise. It’s not because they want to spend all your money, it’s because there are so many options available.  This helps filter through the options that fall within your budget, rather than presenting possibilities outside of your ability or desire to pay.

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Cruises are touted as almost all-inclusive, but there are always incidental expenses to consider such as travel to and from the departure port, off-ship excursions, specialty dining, gratuities, etc. Include everything you can think of in your budget so that you don’t ruin the vacation by being faced with unanticipated expenses.

Are you interested in a lot of activities or are rest and relaxation what you desire most?
The great thing about cruising is you can find both on a cruise ship. If it’s rest and relaxation, a cruise ship is perfect. You can sleep as late as you want, hang out by the pool or enjoy a relaxing massage in the ship’s spa. Food, drinks, and snacks are always available, and if you are a Shopaholic, you can hit the shops on board.

If you are the more active type, many ships provide workout facilities, running tracks, rock-climbing walls and even zip-lines. Your travel agent will inquire as to what activities you are interested in order to find a cruise that offers all or many of them.

On board Amenities

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are an important part of choosing the right cruise. Matching what you desire in the way of dining, accommodations, stateroom services, etc.

Make sure you choose a cruise that fits the entire family or those traveling in your group. Cruise ships usually offer something for everybody, but there are differences. If you have children or teenagers, check out the attractions and activities available for them. The key is to find a cruise that everyone will enjoy.

For Excursions - you can expect a dozen or more pre-planned activities in each port of call. They will include excursions provided by the cruise line and travel agents who have partnered with vendors to give their guests additional choices. Most of them are not included in the price of the cruise, so make sure you include excursion expenses when you plan your budget.

You will be provided a list of available excursions when you consider a particular cruise. They will include some very strenuous endeavors like hiking or zip-lining, along with more passive and relaxed activities such as a guided tour or organized shopping. The cruise lines try to plan something to suit each guest’s taste, but if you don’t see something you like or have a special request, tell your travel agent and let them do the research. Planning excursions are just as important as onboard activities and may make a difference in which cruise or cruise line you choose.

The departure port, or port of embarkation in cruise lingo, is another important consideration. There are five cruise ports in Florida alone, and not all ports serve all cruise lines. For example, Jacksonville currently only hosts one cruise line, Carnival, and one ship with three different itineraries, so obviously you don’t have many choices sailing out of Jacksonville. If you want a variety of cruise lines and destinations, look for ports such as Ft. Lauderdale or Miami. Tampa and Port Canaveral. These ports are good choices for a variety reasons and are somewhat easier to get in and out of.

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Busy cruise ports are like airports that can add stress to your trip. Make sure you have done all your pre-cruise check-ins and given yourself plenty of time at the port. Most cruises leave in the late afternoon but are available for boarding around noontime. Let your travel planner arrange for transfers if you are flying in or staying at a hotel in the area the night before. It makes travel a whole lot more enjoyable and less stressful.

So many decisions and so little time! Let your travel agent handle the legwork while you get ready for your adventure.  Remember, a good travel agent books the cruise for you. A great travel agent asks the right questions and does their homework to find the perfect cruise that you will enjoy, tell your friends about and come back next year or anytime you need help with vacation plans.

What is your dream vacation destination? Chances are there is a cruise ship going that way!

Visit my website www.landorseatravel.com or call me 1-844-TRAVEL and discover the allure of cruising!

Mike Franks is an owner/operator of Cruise Planners in Orange Park, FL. Cruise Planners specializes in ocean and river cruises, land tours and resort vacations.