We list the top seven things you should ask yourself when booking a cruise.
More and more people are choosing to go on a cruise than ever before. In the past thirty years the cruising world has changed considerably. We now see gigantic ships, full of activities, which cater for five thousand or more people. But, at the opposite end of the spectrum, the smaller intimate ships cater for less than one hundred people. As the saying goes there really is a cruise to suit everyone!
If you have never cruised before then the range of cruises available, from the destinations and ports, to the cruise ships themselves - with all their different features and activities - may seem daunting. Indeed, even for cruise veterans, the sheer numbers of new ships being launched year on year leaves one with the mind boggling task of choosing which one to go on.
Before opening the array of cruise brochures, or going online to each of the company’s websites, it is important to decide on the following seven things:
What is your budget?
Where would you like to cruise from?
Where would you like to cruise to?
Do you mind flying before or after the cruise?
Do you want a family friendly ship or adults only?
When do you want to go i.e. the time of year?
How long do you want to be away for?
Choosing your budget
The budget is important for various reasons, but the main thing to remember is that if something is not included in the brochure price, then you can guarantee it’s available at an extra charge. For example, excursions and spa treatments - these extras soon add up. A budget therefore is not just for the initial cost of the cruise but also for all the added extras. Although the good thing is due to the cashless system on-board most ships, these extras are not payable until the end of the holiday, instead of before when paying the initial brochure cost.
What is included with the brochure cost varies between cruise lines (see our reviews of the different cruise lines to see what is included and excluded in brochure price), but generally the following is included at no extra charge:
Accommodation
Food (excluding speciality restaurants)
Toiletries
Tea and Coffee making facilities (if provided in the room)
Laundrette including washing powder (dependant on ship)
Children’s facilities
Gym
Swimming Pool(s)
Where would you like to cruise from?
If you are willing to fly then the world really is your oyster. Most travel companies will include return or pre-voyage flights from most international and regional airports.
If you live in the United Kingdom and its winter, but you fancy a bit of sun, then you could fly to Miami for a cruise to the Bahamas or perhaps you want skip the sea days sailing to the Mediterranean by flying to Barcelona or Venice to join the ship.
If flying is not for you then that’s not a problem, the major cruise port in the UK is Southampton (although others do serve cruise ships such as Dover, Newcastle, Hull and London). From Southampton you can sail to the Canaries (warm all year round), the Mediterranean, Iceland, the spectacular Norwegian Fjords, or perhaps something a little more historic, to Saint Petersburg.
Where would you like to cruise to?
This will very much be dictated by where you are cruising from. If sailing from the port of Southampton, England, then unless you are on a world cruise (literally sailing around the world for three months) then destinations such as Australia, Asia or Alaska are normally out of reach. Likewise for those sailing from the port of Miami a cruise to the Baltic is unlikely to be bookable!
Cruises typically last from two to thirty nights and destinations vary in the UK from a short hop to Guernsey to the capital Saint Peter Port, or a transatlantic voyage to the Bahamas and back (usually in November / December time).
If you’re happy to fly then a seven night cruise to the Bahamas from the port of Miami, or a seven night voyage to Quebec City, Canada, from New York are well within reach.
Do you want a family friendly ship or adults only?
If you’re taking children with you then you will have no choice but to sail on a family friendly ship, of which there are many! Most ships limit the number of children on-board within a particular age group; this is due to safety and the provision of qualified staff to look after them. You don’t need to be worried about taking children on a cruise though, wondering whether they will enjoy it, or be thoroughly bored. There are loads of activities and things for them to do from breakfast until bed, they will entertained throughout the day – remember that it’s in the cruise line’s interest to keep them happy, because happy children make happy parents!
If you want to get away from everything, including the children, then you can opt for an adult’s only ship which more and more cruise lines are providing. These only allow over eighteens on-board, and the general ambiance on-board will be different to a family friendly ship. These ships typically won’t have log flumes, and other activities which normally cater for children, for example.
If you find yourself on a family friendly ship and want to escape, most have an area designated for adults only. These areas typically have a lot of facilities, from jacuzzis to sun beds to bars – there may be a charge for using the area but it is well worth it if you want to escape for a few hours.
When do you want to go i.e. the time of year?
There are cruises all year round with destinations all over the world to suit those that love the sun and those that don’t such as the three examples below:
- The Mediterranean in the summer with its calm waters offers a relaxed cruising experience with lots of ports of call to choose from.
- The Baltic, which is rich in fascinating history, art and architectural treasures offers exciting destinations which will keep your camera clicking!
- The Norwegian Fjords are considered to be a natural wonder and once you go there you will see why. Crystal clear icy cold waters surrounded by impressive waterfalls, not to mention snow up high and glaciers, are all within reach by ship compared to a long and tricky route via road. Visit this beautiful area and you won’t be disappointed, it is a place you will want to come back to time and time again.
There are also the festive holidays that people like to go away for such as Easter and Christmas, with cruise lines keen to accommodate those who sail at these times. At Christmas time the ships will be decorated top to toe in decorations to make the festive season feel like home – but with someone else doing the cooking and washing up! At Easter some cruises lay on special events for the children, and have displays of delicious looking eggs which one can only dream eating.
How long do you want to be away for?
Cruises typically last from two nights to thirty nights. For those that opt for a shorter cruise there are likely to be limited ports of call, simply because of the speed the ship can travel at. If you’re a keen sailor you may choose a longer cruise which may incorporate a significant number of sea days e.g. a transatlantic crossing (seven nights) or you may choose to combine multiple cruises into one long one, known as back to back cruising.
Having answered the seven questions you can be sure to find a cruise to suit your requirements. Prices fluctuate throughout the year so if there is a cruise you like the look of, and you have plenty of time, then watch the price and see if it goes up or down. Remember though, the closer you get to the sailing date, the more limited the choice of stateroom.
