Planning your next cruise vacation

When planning your next cruise, you have to decide whether you want to plan through a travel agent or to be your own travel agent. The choice is yours, but The Cruise Junkie is here to help make your planning a little easier. Here are some planning tips to make the hardest part a little less stressful.

Plan in Advance

• The earlier you plan, the less expensive your trip will be! If you go to a travel agent they will include all preparations for your cruise. Check first with your cruise line consultant for prices and compare them with your travel agent.
• You can be your own travel agent and save a lot of money by research and diligent planning. Remember every time you get someone else involved in your vacation, your cost will go up in one way or another.
• I would recommend planning a year or more in advance. The earlier you book your cruise, the less expensive it is. Sometimes you might be able to get a last minute deal on a cruise, but you may not get the type of cabin you want. You may also have to pay more for a plane to get there.
• If this is your first cruise, or if you get queasy or seasick, my recommendation is to pick a room halfway up and halfway from bow to stern (or in the middle of the ship). You will not feel the seas or the engine vibration as much. If  you are going on a cruise that has spectacular scenery while you are sailing, such as the Panama Canal or Alaska, you might want to consider getting a front cabin. You might feel the waves a little, but the view is unbelievably spectacular. They usually are more expensive but well worth it.
• Cruise prices usually include: food, shows, ship activities and room service. For an extra cost you can buy sodas, alcohol, go to specialty restaurants, casinos, spas, shopping and more!
• Always get travel insurance. It’s a great investment that your travel agent or cruise consultant can set up for you.
• Book your own airfares. It may be less expensive, but check first, you might get a great deal with your travel agent that has a deal including air and sea pricing.

Travel

• If driving to your port, you should leave 1 day prior to the cruise and always “expect” delays such as: car problems, accidents, bad weather, road construction, etc…Never assume it will take you only a few hours. All of these play a part of trying to make you miss your ship. Your investment of a hotel stay the night before your cruise is cheap insurance to protect your vacation.
• If you’re flying, still plan to leave at least 1 day or possibly more before your cruise and “expect” delays at both your local and connecting airports, and possibly lost luggage. You never know when weather or mechanical problems with the plane can cause long delays. I’ve been stuck at airports overnight because of such delays.
• Check out taxi or limo services from your hotel to the cruise terminal. I do realize that traffic is key in the cost of a cab, but you can save big by knowing your charges up front rather than being surprised after you arrive at the port. Here are some questions to ask prior to reserving your cab or limo:

1. What is the charge from your hotel to the pier? Is there a flat charge or does a meter keep ticking?

2. Are there any additional charges such as a fuel surcharge tax? (Bridge or tunnel charge, or a charge for a larger car)

Hotels

• While planning your cruise and your 1 day or more early departure from home, do your research on a hotel that offers a park and fly program where you can leave your car for the duration at no charge. Some hotels will offer to keep your car but also will charge you $20 or more a day for that service. If you go through a travel agent and are flying, make sure that the hotel you’re staying at has a shuttle that will pick you up at the airport, as well as take you to the pier the next day. Some hotels will pick you up at the airport but do not shuttle you to the pier. They will call a cab for you, and that could be quite pricey.

Know about Programs for Children on Board

• Programs on board the ship for children are very well organized activities. Check to see what your cruise line offers for kids before you book your cruise. For example, see if there are programs that are age appropriate for your child.