2020 is over and you’ve cut your hair, gone back to the office and stopped baking bread. Now its time to travel! Cruises are one of the more affordable ways to travel to exotic places such as the Caribbean, Europe, or Alaska. Since so much is included, you can almost leave your wallet at home. This guide will help you plan the perfect cruise and provide you with hacks to save you money and time.
Picking Your Cruise
Not all lines are created equal, so do a little research into the different lines. Depending on your destination, some cruise lines may not travel there or offer the amenities you want. Love the spa and want to spend your time relaxing in the sauna or getting a massage? Most cruise lines will have specialty rooms that are close to the spa and have exclusive access to various areas, restaurants, or treatments. If you’re more of a foodie, menus for the various restaurants and buffets are available on the cruise line’s website.
What’s Included?
The beauty of cruising is that everything is always at your fingertips and convenience and service are the number one priorities of cruise lines. While each company is a little different, these four things will always be included with your ticket: room, food, entertainment, recreation. Whether you are cruising on a budget or taking the luxurious trip of a lifetime, you will always have a place to rest your head, food to fill your belly, daily entertainment and access to pools, gyms, basketball courts, waterslides and more. However, alcohol and sodas will usually need to be purchased separately, so cruise lines will offer beverage packages for a set daily price.
Taking it to the Next Level
After picking your destination, dates, and buying the ticket, you’re ready to boost the experience with some spa treatments, shore excursions and maybe a night at the steak house or sushi bar. The add- ons can get expensive, so these hacks can save you money on the extras. Book that massage or facial on a day that the boat is in dock. Most people get off the ship and the spa will usually run deals to bring people in. Shore excursions can be costly and sometimes crowded if it is a particularly popular activity or destination. Going off the beaten path and planning your own excursion can be fun and budget friendly. Make sure you know the exact time you must be back on the ship and plan accordingly. Also always check for any travel warnings and follow government guidelines for tourist safety before going into unfamiliar territory where you may not speak the language or know the culture. But with a little bit of information under your belt, you can plan the perfect outing that fits your budget. Also, you can just get off the boat and hang out around the dock. There are usually shops and restaurants that are tourist friendly if you just want to put your feet on dry land for a bit.
What to Wear and Pack
Location is everything and the internet is your friend here. Look online for the average temperatures during the time you are traveling and pack accordingly. For Alaska or Canada pack sweaters, raincoat, and warm shoes. Caribbean weather is best enjoyed in shorts, sandals, sunhat, and swimwear. Cruise lines typically will feature a black-tie dinner, so pack one or two outfits for those occasions. If dressing up is not your cup of tea, there will always be other dining options on those nights for anyone who wants to keep their trip casual. It can be easy to pack too much and end up with luggage that takes up the space in your room. On cruise lines laundry service can cost just a few dollars or even be complementary and is worth taking a little time out of your vacation to use self-service laundry or simply have it taken care of by your steward.
There are restrictions on items you can bring on the boat, such as bringing you own food or drinks. However, you can usually bring one bottle of wine onboard and enjoy a glass of your favorite vintage throughout the voyage. Bring your own corkscrew and avoid any corkage fee unless you want to drink it in the dining room and then a fee will be charged. Unless you want to buy bottled water onboard, bring your own water bottle or thermos to carry around with you and have in your room. In the dining areas, filtered water will be available to fill your bottle any time of the day.
Getting to the Boat
Arrive the day before the boat departs. Life can throw curve balls sometimes and the boat will not wait for you. Giving yourself a 24-hour buffer can provide a less stressful start to your trip. If driving, research cruise parking that is available around the terminal. Often hotels near the cruise terminal will offer deals to guests and you can kill two birds with one stone by booking lodging and parking at the same time. For air travel, cruise lines will provide shuttles to and from the airport and booking through the line can make things so much easier. More tips on air travel here.
