Some people are put off taking a cruise holiday because they aren’t sure where to begin with deciding which cruise is for them. Here’s a few things you should know before you book your first ever cruise to ensure you have the holiday of a lifetime.
Choose Your Cruise Line and Ship Carefully
All cruise lines are different and picking the right cruise line can mean the difference between the holiday of a lifetime and a dismal one. It can also mean the difference between falling in love with cruising and hating it and vowing never to embark upon another.
Each cruise line targets a different market, has its own style and its own individual features and quirks. Some cater to an older market, some cater to families, some cater to everyone.
Some are very formal and require formal dressing, some are completely casual. It’s best to do a lot of research and speak to people who have cruised before in order to make an informed and successful decision.
Pick the Right Itinerary For You
If you’re not a big beach person then a cruise around the Caribbean probably isn’t going to appeal to you. If you’re not a fan of culture and history then ancient cities with lots of ruins and historical sites probably won’t be top of your list of places to see.
Use your common sense when picking your itinerary to assure you won’t make any bad decisions relating to your chosen destinations. Also, if you’re not a fan of the ideas of days at sea then there are itineraries that will have no days at sea, or perhaps only one. Consider one of these if you like to discover as many new places as possible and be constantly on the go.
Select the Right Stateroom for Your Needs
Everyone has different needs and wants from their on board accommodation and there are usually many different types of stateroom to choose from, so it can be hard to know where to begin.
There are windowless inside cabins, outside cabins with portholes or picture windows, balcony cabins with shared or private balconies, suites and on some ships there may even be special suites which come complete with butler service.
If you plan to spend very little time in your stateroom then an inside cabin could be the easiest, and cheapest option. However, if you like to relax in your accommodation and spend time there then perhaps a balcony cabin with your own private space would appeal.
If you’re celebrating a special occasion then that’s surely the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a suite, and maybe even a butler!
Check the Dress Code
This one is important. You don’t want to turn up on your first cruise with a suitcase full of cocktail dresses and formal gowns only to find out that the dress code for your holiday is casual, or vice versa.
Make sure you check before you leave and pack appropriately.
If you have already cruised before please leave your comments below!
Thanks Emma
