Recommendations for Choosing a Cruise and Important Tips for a recommended Cruise
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
Considerations for Choosing a Personalized Cruise
When choosing a cruise, you should pay attention to several factors:
The Cruise Line - The differences between companies also lie in what is included in the cruise, the passenger composition, and the level of the ships, service, entertainment, and food.
The Chosen Ship - Each cruise line has new and old ships, large and small, recommended and less recommended, with cool and unique facilities or literally without anything special.
The Cruise Itinerary - What is the length of the itinerary? Which destinations and how many sea days?
Not every ship on every itinerary is recommended and suitable for every group composition.
I have already sailed many times with people who chose the most unsuitable cruise for them.
Examples? Here you go:
- A cruise for seniors on one of the largest ships in the world. Where walking distances are enormous, it is hard for them to find their way in the vast size, and crowds of children are constantly milling around their feet.
- Or exactly the opposite: a family sailing on a ship where most passengers are seniors, and which has no attractive facilities or activities for children and youth.
- Or: people who are not lovers of the sea and marine sports/leisure activities sailing to the Caribbean islands where most of what there is to do is spend time at the beach.
- Or: people for whom this is their first cruise choosing a 12-14 day cruise without knowing if the concept even suits them.
- Or: people looking for fun, vacation, and peace who choose a cruise with no sea days at all or with only one day at sea.
- Or: people sailing in the wrong season like Alaska or the Baltic Sea at the end of September when the weather is problematic and many things are inactive both on the ship and in the destinations it reaches.
And these are just a few examples.
Recommendations from friends or an agent - Do not choose a cruise just because a neighbor or relative did it and recommended it, do not be tempted by a deal offered by a travel agent or some company, do not run and book an additional cruise on the ship when you are a "captive audience," check and compare. Sometimes it pays off and sometimes it doesn't. Check all options for the date that suits you, compare data - ship size, its facilities, what's included, what the expected weather is for that season, read articles, posts, reviews, turn to experts in the field and you won't be disappointed.
A cruise is the ultimate vacation for everyone in any group composition, but only if you choose correctly.
Five Important Tips Regarding Cruise Booking
1. Book only from a recognized agent who specializes in cruises. There are many agents who have no clue and have never sailed in their lives or did one or two cruises and think they are experts. there are so many small letters and a multitude of options on the same ship, so it is very important that only an understanding and reliable agent handles you.
2. When comparing the cruise price between agents or sites, it is important to pay attention to many things:
- Is the deposit fully refundable? The difference between a "non-refundable" deposit and a deposit that is fully refunded up to 75-90 days before the cruise is sometimes very significant.
- What is the room location? The room price is affected by its location. The cheapest and worst rooms are located at the bow, in the front of the ship. Agents lacking understanding or sensitivity offer the worst rooms to show that they are cheap.
- What does the price include? Beverage package? Tips? Wi-Fi? Specialty dining? There are different deals including various packages that affect the price. There are very worthwhile packages and there are those that are not recommended at all.
3. At the time of booking the room, you must choose a dining time or dining type (there is sometimes an option to choose a fixed or flexible time), table size. Ask the agent to book what fits you. If you don't book in advance, what you are interested in may not be available.
4. If an agent approaches you because they saw you were interested on Facebook or in another way - do not cooperate! Unless you have checked their reliability and you know them. It is better to book only through someone you approached.
5. It is very important to know the cancellation terms before payment. Often the terms are quite rigid. A good agent will update you on the cancellation and payment policy along with the price.
Monitoring the Cruise Booking and Possibility for Changes
When people book a cruise, they check, compare, research, and finally make the reservation at the place they chose and pay a deposit on it.
After doing so, many do not deal with the booked cruise anymore almost until the sailing date.
But this is a mistake! You should book a cruise with a fully refundable deposit, and then occasionally, both ahead of holidays and deals and regardless of a specific date, you should check the cruise line's website and other sites to see if there is a change in the cruise price. Usually, in normal times, the price only goes up and then you enjoy seeing that you paid a cheaper price, but occasionally the price drops and then you should contact the place from which you booked and request a price adjustment.
I saved $1200 this way on a relatively expensive cruise; friends on a cheap cruise with another company saved $300. All this with minimum effort.
Therefore, it is very important how and where you book. If you booked with a non-refundable deposit—usually this will pay off less for you (beyond the lack of flexibility and committing long in advance to a specific cruise).
Otherwise: if you book on the company website or through wholesalers in Israel, you will usually be forced to cancel the booked cruise, sometimes pay handling fees (depending on the company and where you booked from), and make a new booking. This is still very worthwhile, but it is much better to book through agents who, in certain companies, can simply adjust your booking to the new price.
Even more so: there are agents who check the cruise price themselves occasionally (without you asking) and when they see a reduction—change the price for you without you even asking or being aware of it! This is another good reason to book through an independent agent and not through the company's website or wholesalers who are unable or unwilling to do extra work for less commission...
There is no doubt that a cruise is the perfect vacation for every age and group. But why pay more and discover in a conversation with other passengers during the cruise that you were suckers? Book correctly and especially stay alert and check again and again.
It is important to remember that usually 100-120 days before the sailing date, you can no longer update the price because you start entering serious cancellation fee periods.
Travel Insurance before a Cruise
Booked a cruise? There is absolutely no need to take the expensive and unnecessary insurance from the cruise lines. Arrange travel insurance for all passengers immediately.
What is Hidden Behind "Deals" in Cruises and What is Important to Notice
Every week or two, cruise lines come out with new "deals":
"Black Friday" deal, "Thanksgiving" deal, "Christmas" deal, and when holidays and singles days are over, they just announce a "deal" for a limited time. The promises are sky-high: second passenger at 70%, children for free, free tours, beverage packages, food, internet, upgrades, and more. Every time they invent something new, but if you compare the bottom line for that specific room, you discover that the differences between the deals are quite negligible.
There is an official "list price" which has no relation to the actual cruise prices, there is a "deadline" for every deal that is about to end, and everything is designed to pressure on one hand and blur the real prices on the other.
Do not be pressured if a deal ends. Within two days—a new deal will arrive, sometimes better than the previous one. If you are not sure about the ship/room type/itinerary/timing, do not let agents or wholesalers or companies pressure you!
Even in airplanes where there are only 3-4 classes, every passenger pays a different price for the same flight at the same time; all the more so in cruises where there are dozens of categories depending on both room type and its location. Therefore, within this jungle, it is a bit hard to compare prices.
Especially when the same room itself has several price lists: a price with a non-refundable deposit (highly not recommended! Any price drop or future benefit—will not apply to you, beyond the long-term commitment), a price with a fully refundable deposit (whereas in Israel they still charge "fines" contrary to the rest of the world), a price including various packages (each company has its own packages, changing from time to time), and a price that can only be obtained during a cruise with unique benefits.
Generally, the best prices can be obtained either a year or two in advance or literally at the last minute (in cruises that did not sell well).
Last-minute deals are suitable for non-peak seasons and especially for those who are very flexible and spontaneous and live near a cruise port. For example: for pensioners residing in Florida.
For those restricted by travel dates or who know which cruise they want or those who want to book cheap flights and accommodations in advance - last-minute deals are not relevant. Therefore, what should be done are the following actions:
1. Book a cruise at least a year in advance (or as early as you can). Book only at a flexible rate with a fully refundable deposit!
2. Compare the cruise price in a specific category (not just a balcony room, but in the location you are interested in) between 2-3 travel agents who specialize in cruises. The differences are sometimes extremely significant and depend on many factors. Approach only agents you received personal recommendations for from people you trust. It is preferable not to book on the companies' websites. The price there is not cheaper, usually you do not enjoy unique benefits, and changing/canceling/adding is more cumbersome, and of course without personal attention.
3. Periodically monitor if the cruise price has changed. There are agents who will update you themselves and give you a happy surprise of a price reduction, or "onboard credit," or some benefit, but most do not have the time and more importantly—no interest in lowering the price. Therefore, it is your job to check and compare and request a check and update and price/deal adjustment if necessary.
4. During your cruise, book your next cruise. Usually there are unique benefits, the most flexible rate, an especially small deposit, and what's good: the booking can be transferred to your agent who can continue to monitor and take care of you (booking a cruise while on a voyage also helps morale when the sad moment of parting from the ship arrives...).
5. Be open to discovering additional cruise lines. Sometimes companies where you are not a "frequent sailor" have new and worthwhile ships, interesting itineraries, and above all: an attractive price or higher value for money. The advantages of repeat customers (except for those who have sailed hundreds and thousands of days in the same company) are truly negligible and do not justify "loyalty" and conservatism. It is highly recommended to diversify!
recommended Companies for a Family Cruise
The three most recommended companies for a family cruise are: Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian. Their ships have the most family facilities, supervised activities for children, youth, and young adults, and family shows.
Of course, these three companies also have less suitable ships (especially the older and smaller ones with very few attractions for children and a meager variety of options) and they have highly recommended series.
In Royal Caribbean, the Freedom class, Oasis class, and Quantum class are the most recommended ship series for a cruise with children or for young people; in Carnival, the Horizon series, the Mardi Gras, and the Celebration; and in Norwegian: the Epic, Getaway series, Bliss series, and the Prima series, whose first ship (Prima) was just launched.
Every series of ships in every cruise line is named after the first ship in the series. Sometimes there are one or two ships and sometimes five or six.
In addition to cool attractions like water parks, surf pools, roller coasters, go-karts, bowling, laser tag, skydiving simulators, IMAX theaters, and more, family ships have more programs and activities for children of different age groups and many more connecting rooms and family rooms.
Therefore, when choosing a family cruise, it is important to choose not only the itinerary or the line but the most suitable ship.
Another line that is very suitable for family cruises but at an exorbitant price (like everything of theirs) is Disney Cruise Line. For those for whom price is not a factor at all (it usually costs at least double the price of a cruise on a similar itinerary by the American companies), it can certainly be suitable.
10 Facts You Should Know About Choosing Rooms on Cruise Ships
1. First of all - do not call the room a "cell." Cells are in prison. On a ship, there are cabins/staterooms. Though not large, they are usually very comfortable, well-equipped, and pleasant.
2. There are four main types of rooms:
- Interior rooms - without a window or balcony, with a large mirror or picture instead. Usually slightly smaller than other room types, and of course the cheapest.
- Oceanview rooms - with a window that does not open. Usually in the least recommended locations (only where a balcony cannot be placed).
- Balcony rooms. The same size as an oceanview room with the addition of a small balcony with two chairs and a table which adds a lot of light and views.
Most balconies overlook the sea. Only in Royal Caribbean's Oasis class are there balconies (at a cheaper price) overlooking Central Park or the Boardwalk.
- Suites of various sizes. From mini-suites, which are like balcony rooms just slightly larger and more spacious, to two-story suites with giant balconies and jacuzzis. The price accordingly...
3. Most rooms are doubles, but there are also rooms for three or four. Usually the same size (more accurately: smallness...) of a room with a sofa that turns into a bed or upper bunks. It is highly, highly not recommended to have more than three in a room. Extremely crowded and a queue for the small bathroom and shower (where it's not really possible for two to be simultaneously). There are indeed larger family rooms on some ships, but still - it's crowded and two rooms are much preferable for four passengers (even if some are children).
4. Most ships have connecting rooms. They are very much in demand and get taken first; therefore, for those interested (very important for families with young children), you must book long in advance!
5. Different companies have additional special rooms: Norwegian has a floor with extra small rooms and their own lobby for single rooms on newer ships. On newest Carnival ships, there is a special floor for families with a play area and restaurant just for those living on the floor, and also rooms with balconies called Havana in a Caribbean atmosphere with hammocks. On some Royal Caribbean ships, there are interior rooms with a window to the Promenade (the vibrant interior mall of the ship) and interior rooms with a virtual balcony (a TV screen showing the view), and so on.
6. There are many accessible rooms with a wide door and accessible bathroom.
7. Room location is very important. Location affects both price and stability. Rooms in the location most sensitive to swaying are at the bow (front of the ship). It is highly not recommended to choose them (they are of course the cheapest). Most stable: rooms in the center of the ship or the rear third, and not on the highest decks.
8. You can book a room without a number in the "Guarantee" category. They are usually cheaper. If you purchased a balcony room in this category, it is guaranteed that you will receive a balcony room but it can be in any location on the ship. recommended for someone needing one room (not families) who is not sensitive to swaying or does not care about a specific location.
9. Some rooms are in less recommended locations - for example: near a laundry or above a dance club. Therefore, it is important to notice what is around your room and also on the deck above and below it.
10. The rooms are not large (except suites) but they have plenty of storage space in closets, drawers, and also under the bed there's lots of room for suitcases and everything you don't need (like the shopping you did before the cruise). Every room has a safe, a small refrigerator, a TV with several channels, and most importantly - in American companies: cleaning and room service twice a day!
Tips Regarding Shore Excursions
What is written here is general, not regarding a specific destination or itinerary. Of course, there are large differences in conduct between a cruise in Norway or the Caribbean, but these tips apply to all:
1. Plan your destination activity well in advance. It is not recommended to arrive at the port and then look for a random taxi driver or a local tour offered at the pier. Many of the drivers are unprofessional, unreliable, and not good English speakers. There are many hacks. It is rare to stumble upon a high-quality and honest driver/guide.
2. Book as few excursions as possible through the cruise lines because most tours are in very large groups, slow, and expensive. Exceptions are ports in particularly remote places where the cruise line sometimes buys all tours of all companies or there are no local companies at all but only guides arriving specially from afar, or when the ship stands at anchor and is not moored to the pier and the stay duration is short. There is priority in disembarking to boats for those who purchase a ship tour.
3. It is recommended to book private tours or in small groups from recommended local companies or specific guides with many good reviews.
Sites with a very large selection of tours, user ratings, and very convenient cancellation options are:
♦ Viator ♦ GetYourGuide ♦ or TripAdvisor.
4. There are ports where there's no need for a guided tour because the cruise pier is in the city center. You can tour independently in the city/town among its tourist sites. It's advisable to plan the walking route in advance and consider hours and days, check what is open and active, what requires advanced booking, and prepare alternatives suitable for any weather. There are ports (especially in the Caribbean and in destinations with beaches) where you can take a taxi/Uber/shuttle to a beautiful beach or attraction within a relatively short drive. It's important to know the name of the destination: the beach or tourist site and not ask for a recommendation from the driver.
5. Most importantly! Cruise ships do not wait for passengers. The departure time from each port is published in advance. The line requires arriving at the ship half an hour before the sailing time at the latest.
To avoid heartache and seeing the ship leave without you, plan to reach the pier at the latest one hour before this time. Then you can linger near the port for last-minute shopping or a short walk near the ship.
6. When going ashore, carry your room card (or on Princess: the Medallion), a photo ID, cash, credit cards (you get used to paying with the room card but it doesn't really help in the various ports), and it's highly recommended to also carry a copy of your passports.
7. There are popular ports with short seasons and many ships (like Iceland, Alaska) where demand far exceeds supply. Therefore, excursions should be booked very far in advance!
8. You don't have to go on an excursion in every port. Sometimes you reach a destination you've already exhausted or there are exhausting consecutive port days. It is possible and recommended to sometimes stay on the ship and enjoy its facilities when it is less crowded.
10. When going ashore, it is forbidden to take fruits and vegetables. It is definitely possible and even recommended to stock up on sandwiches, cookies, or snacks for the trip.
Differences between a port where you stand at anchor or are moored to a pier
Standing at anchor and disembarking in a "tender" (usually in one of the ship's lifeboats) is quite tedious and not pleasant. It wastes a lot of time both in descending and ascending. My recommendation: choose cruises with as few "tenders" as possible and as many pier-moored stops as possible.
If you do anchor outside the port—take a long buffer time for both disembarking and returning (tour coordination time and return time) and get tickets at the first possible moment. In every line and every ship the system is different. Sometimes it's possible the day before, sometimes early in the morning, and sometimes only when ready to disembark.
Internet on the Ship
When at sea, there is only reception for the ship's satellite internet. For those for whom constant communication is important: buy ship internet. Not cheap but available all the time. For those who do not need internet 24 hours a day and can survive a few hours and also a sea day without communication, take a regular browsing package from one of the Israeli companies.
Beverage Packages on the Ship
Cruise prices in various cruise lines do not include hard liquor. In most companies (except luxury lines), the price also does not include soft drinks and premium coffee and tea.
For those who drink one or at most two glasses of wine or beer a day, it usually doesn't pay to purchase a liquor package.
You can order a glass of wine or a bottle and keep it with the waiter for subsequent days.
But for those who want to drink more than two glasses a day, it often pays to purchase a beverage package.
It is most expensive to purchase the package on the ship. You pay a very high price. You can purchase packages—not just for drinks but also internet, specialty dining, etc.—before the cruise in your personal area on the site or app at a certain discount (varies between companies and also without notice on the same cruise of the same company), but this is still a fairly expensive business.
It is most worthwhile for those interested in a package to include the beverage package in the cruise price at the time of booking.
Many companies have various combined packages, where in the cruise rate (which is of course higher than the price for cruise only) a beverage package and additional benefits are included: pre-paid tips, internet package, meals in a high-end restaurant, excursion packages or discounts on excursions, and more.
The package is per room—meaning it cannot be only for one of the passengers who drinks and not for their partner.
Usually, those who booked without the packages cannot add them to the booking after it was made. They will usually be forced to cancel the booking and make a new one (and usually the price goes up).
Many agents do not offer the extended package at all, but only the basic price, primarily to show they are cheaper, but it's always worth asking if a benefit package exists and what it includes and doing the math to see if it suits you.
For those who are not fans of ship tours, a package with free tours does not contribute. Those who do not need internet on the ship - do not need a package including internet and so on.
Compare and check carefully and book what best suits your needs.
Of course, it is recommended to compare between 2-3 agents because the differences are huge! But compare the same content, in the same location and room type and no less importantly—at the same rate: highly recommended with a fully cancellable deposit!
The hard liquor package usually also includes soft drinks (coke, juices, etc.), mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails), and a quality coffee package. Beverages in the drink packages usually include hard liquor up to a certain price (approx. $15 per glass) and not all hard liquor. There are expensive premium packages for those who need beyond that.
On ships, there are professional wine pourers, serving you the drink with all the formalities and along with a gourmet meal, when you don't have to drive at the end of the meal (another big advantage of the cruise) - the wine upgrades the cruise experience and even those who are not serious drinkers enjoy a glass or two with every meal, especially if they don't have to swipe the card every moment and think about how much it costs them...
Cheers!
Laundry During a Cruise
It is very important to know if your ship has washing machines and dryers and/or a laundry service at a sane price. Otherwise you have to bring many more clothes or wash by hand and hang on the balcony, not a great experience.
There are several companies where there are washing machines and dryers on every floor of the ship at a reasonable fee. Among them: Carnival, Princess, and some Holland America ships (the older ones). There are companies where there is no machine at all: Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, and more. They have laundry service but it's hideously expensive like in luxury hotels (better to buy a new garment than to send laundry...).
And there are lines that are truly all-inclusive, like Oceania, where you also receive free laundry service to the room (including folding) several times a cruise (depending on cruise length and category booked) and there are also washing machines and dryers almost on every floor—free! And the detergents are also free! So convenient and friendly and above all—economical.
Ten Things You Should Do on the Day You Board the Ship
1. Arrive at the port by 11:00 AM at the latest so you can board the ship as early as possible and enjoy its facilities and activities.
2. If you haven't pre-booked spots in restaurants or shows throughout the cruise - book immediately upon boarding to secure spots at the times that suit you.
3. Take an independent tour of the ship to get to know all its facilities and attractions.
4. Eat lunch in one of the ship's restaurants that are active on this day (every ship has several free options) and not at the buffet which is much more crowded and packed on boarding day than on other days.
5. Bring swimsuits in the trolley you board with. This is the day the pools and jacuzzis are clearest. There's nothing like watching the ship set sail from the pool or jacuzzi.
6. Take a tour of the spa (even if you don't intend to do any treatment). On the first day they do tours to see the various spa facilities and hold drawings for free treatments and demonstrations.
7. Watch the show on the first evening where you first meet the Cruise Director, who is responsible for entertainment on the ship.
8. Put all cash and important documents in the safe, unpack the suitcases and organize everything in the closets and drawers. This way you'll feel "at home" immediately. Stash the suitcases under the beds. You won't need them until the day before arrival.
9. If you are interested in beverage/internet packages and haven't purchased them yet - do so immediately upon boarding; of course, it's better in advance on the app or site.
10. If traveling with children, go with them to the kids' club for their age group to meet the responsible staff and receive an appropriate bracelet stating their assigned rescue station.
What to Avoid on Boarding Day
1. Never land at the cruise starting point on the sailing day and it is highly recommended (especially in these days of flight delays and cancellations) not to land the day before either. At least two nights are preferred.
2. On boarding day, it is preferable not to arrive from a destination requiring a border crossing (for example: don't stay in Vancouver the night before an Alaska cruise departing from Seattle). Border crossings can be busy and congested!
3. Do not plan tours and attractions on boarding day. It's advisable to reach it as early as 11:00 AM. Also to enjoy it but also if there's a mishap or problem there will be time to handle and fix it (example that happened: passengers forgot passports in a safe a three-hour drive from the port and had to go back). In US ports, due to federal law, in the last two hours that the ship is in port it's already forbidden to board!
4. Do not send all your suitcases and hand bags. Just like a flight - board the ship with everything important and gear for the first two days. Usually suitcases are received on boarding day afternoon but here too there can be unpleasant surprises...
5. Do not wait with filling out forms and check-in until the day you board the ship. Do it two or three days before to avoid surprises.
6. Do not wait with ordering a browsing package until boarding day. Pre-order prices in most companies are cheaper.
Remember, the ship will not wait for you if you are late and will not board you, even if the ship is still tied to the pier! You will not board the voyage if you are missing relevant documents.
Start the cruise on the right foot and at peace.
Cruise with Children and Grandchildren
Want to take children or grandchildren on a trip abroad and worry about long drives, or days that are too intense? Worry they'll get bored or miss the company of their peers? The ultimate solution is to take them on a cruise on one of the large ships full of attractions. An optimal "star trip," where without driving and without moving between accommodations, you can show them famous cities in several countries (for example on a Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona or Rome) or exotic beaches and fascinating cultures (on a Caribbean cruise) or fjords and glaciers on a Norway cruise (there are of course many more options).
Between the touring days at various destinations and also in the evenings after you leave the port, you will enjoy pampering service, wonderful food, Broadway-level shows, and of course time at wonderful attractions on the ship itself: see a movie on a giant screen under the stars, ice skate, play mini-golf, bowl, ride the horse carousel, and much more. In the kids' and youth activity rooms, grandchildren will meet many children their age and participate in sports, music, challenge, and art activities. They won't have a dull moment and you can rest in a coffee shop overlooking the sea or on the room's balcony.
The price is usually cheaper than an organized tour of similar length or an independent vacation of a similar level, and the reward is enormous.
This cruise has only two drawbacks:
You are really sad when it ends, and no matter what the cruise length - it happens too fast...
And every other vacation will seem less attractive to you in the future and you will be forced to go on more and more cruises...
Quality of Shows on Cruise Ships
Between cruise lines there are large differences between the quality of shows and the nature of their theaters.
Read about this in the article: Quality of Shows on Cruise Ships
Modern and unique performance hall on Celebrity Beyond:
Performance of the Jersey Boys on the Norwegian Bliss:
