You want to take a cruise, but don’t know where to start. No worries. This post is the first in our Cruising 101 series. How to choose the best cruise for you and your family. This series provides everything you need to plan your vacation and have a smooth sailing experience!
Cruise 101: How to Choose the Right Cruise
The cruise industry is taking note of the growing popularity of cruise vacations. Major cruise lines now offer theme cruises as well as cruises with varying lengths. They also have an unprecedented number and variety of ports. There are so many choices, and there is a price to suit just about every budget. So…. It’s not surprising that the first step in choosing the best cruise for your family is to determine your budget. Once you’ve decided on a budget, it is time to choose the right cruise for your family.
1. When do you want to travel?
Cruise travel is expensive during peak seasons (June-August), holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Easter break), and off-season (September to October, early November, December to January). A cruise departing Port Canaveral in Florida on December 1, 2014 costs $150.44. The same cabin, sailing on December 22, costs $3124.44. The exact same cruise is more than twice as expensive!
Cruising in the off-season can help you stretch your budget. Cruising in the off-season has only two “drawbacks”.
- Hurricanes are more likely to occur in September and October.
- Winter months bring cooler temperatures, particularly at night.
- * Ship staffing training. With new crews joining in the off season, service may be inconsistent (but friendly),
- Some cruise lines offer fewer amenities. Last November I went on a cruise with Royal Caribbean during the off-season. We didn’t receive chocolates on pillows during turn-down, nor did we get new pool towels. The crew was fantastically attentive, and we had lots of fun …. It was about half of what it would have cost at Thanksgiving. I don’t think I need to spend an extra $200 on those chocolates for bedtime.
2. Which Cruise Line and Ship is Best?
Disney Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean cater to families with extensive programming for children, sports activities, and entertainment. Norwegian Cruise Lines and especially their newer ships focus on families. Some cruise lines like Holland and Celebrity cater to adults.
Compare cruises and make sure to know exactly what amenities are on each ship. Recently, I cruised on the Carnival Fantasy, which is the oldest ship of the fleet. It has been upgraded to include a splash park and children’s clubs, but doesn’t feature all of the features that are shown in the flashy Carnival advertisements. It’s just too old and small to have all that. The two kids I met were disappointed to find that there was only one water slide on the ship, and not a large water park.
Before booking, ask yourself these questions:
- * What cruise is best for you? Disney has consistently been the most expensive cruise company geared towards families. All cruise lines provide a range of cruises at different price points and lengths, giving guests a wide variety of choices. A shorter cruise (4 night) to the Bahamas is the most affordable, regardless of the cruise line.
- * What cruise line has the experience that you are looking for? A rock wall, ice rink or other entertainment is available on newer ships. Check the ship to confirm it has all the amenities that you desire!
- * What ports would you like to visit? Cruise lines tend to visit the same ports in the Bahamas and Caribbean. Check the itinerary of your ship before booking and make sure to know where you will be stopping.
3. What is your preferred boarding port and how will you get there?
Consider your port of embarkation when choosing the best cruise. Some cruise lines do not sail from all ports. Travel Weekly has put together a searchable guide that makes it easy to find out.
Consider the following when deciding where to set sail:
- Will you drive or take a flight to the port of embarkation? In 2012, the average cost of flying to a port was $374/person. Flying costs increase as the number of passengers increases.
- If you are driving, be aware of port parking fees. They usually range from $15 to $20 per day. You should also consider whether you will need to stay in a hotel the night before your cruise (which can range from $80-$200/night).
- What cruise line would you like to sail (not all cruise ships leave from all ports). Carnival is the only cruise ship that sails from Charleston, SC. Disney, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean do not sail from Tampa. You get the picture!
4. What Cabin should you choose?
In general, the inside cabins tend to be the most affordable. Some people insist on booking interior cabins. They’re cheaper, so you can spend more on fun things. They’re not my favorite. They’re dark!!! Although they are dark, I didn’t find them to be as claustrophobic as I had expected. Even after many cruises, I still find it exciting to open the curtains in the morning and see the first view of a port.
The balcony cabins are usually more expensive. You’ll be tempted, I know. Imagine yourself enjoying your morning coffee while the sun warms you on your balcony. When our children were young, we booked balcony cabins for extended naps. Then when they were teenagers, we wanted a quiet space to escape late at night.
The balcony looked great the first time, even though it was December. The unseasonably warm weather allowed us to relax for hours. Our second cruise was a scorcher, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. It was too hot to sit on the balcony. Then, an early-season, freak hurricane hit, dropping temperatures into the 50s. We couldn’t warm up enough, no matter what we tried! We were forced to stay indoors by heavy winds and rain.
Here’s a warning tale that will help you select the best cruise for your family.
5. Are there any activities and adventures that you’ll enjoy at the ports of call?
This is not something you need to do before booking, but it’s worth doing if your budget will allow. You’ll need to consider your budget if you have to book shore excursions to visit a certain port.
You’ll find duty-free shopping, sun, sand, and adventure in any port. The similarities stop there. Jamaica is one of the islands that are less safe than others, especially those in developing countries. Freeport, in the Bahamas, is a port that offers little to do near the ship. To enjoy the island you will need to arrange an excursion.
You don’t need to worry if you have booked a shore excursion with a cruise line, but you are late returning to the ship. The ship will wait! You can plan your own excursions. I do it all the time. Be sure to include a buffer. Return to the ship at least an hour early to avoid being left behind. It happens. It happened on my last cruise… but not me.
When you have chosen the cruise that you like, check out the ports. You may find an adventure you will enjoy. You can use this resource, created by Cruise Critic to learn more about each port.
The Bottom Line
Do not be overwhelmed. Take it slowly when choosing the best cruise for you and your family. Calculate your budget and include the travel costs to the embarkation point. Choose the cruise line that best suits your needs. Plan your adventures according to your budget. Choose your cabin! That’s it. It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3, 4!