While getting excited about all the destinations you want to see it’s easy to forget all the logistics of how you will get to the ship on the first day. If you are fortunate enough to live within driving distance of the port, there is not much to consider.

Most cruise terminals have parking, either on site or close by. Parking prices vary; therefore check with the port you will be departing to make arrangements. If staying at a nearby hotel the night before, the hotel may offer parking packages, and shuttles to and from the port for cruise ship passengers.

If you are flying into your departure port, take into account the time it will take to collect your luggage and get to the cruise terminal. I advise you check this information first. Before you book your flights, find out how long it takes to get from the airport to the ship. For example, ships leaving out of Galveston, Texas require at least an hour’s drive from Houston airport.  And when joining a ship in Civitavecchia, Italy you need to fly into Rome which is about one hour away from the cruise terminal or two hours by train.

Note: When flying internationally, take into account the time spent getting through customs and immigration.

You may also need to consider the time zones you might be flying against. It is virtually impossible to fly west to east across more than 3 time zones and make a ship on the same day before it sails, unless it sails late. Most ships depart the port around 5pm, meaning you have to be onboard by 4pm at the very latest.

Most cruise lines offer a fly/cruise or an air/sea package, which are different names for the same thing. Basically, they are “all inclusive” packages for the cruise and airfares. All inclusive packages usually include transfers between the airport and the ship. Check the ticketing conditions as the airfare usually come with some restrictions such as not letting you chose your airline or make any kind of changes or cancellations without a fee. You may also lose the option to earn frequent flier miles.

The flights will generally be arranged for same day arrival and departure, meaning you will arrive on the same day as the cruise date and go straight to the ship. And for your return trip home, your flight will be in the afternoon the same day you debark the ship. This also means a hotel will not be required. Remember, the all inclusive packages usually include an airport greeting and transfers between the airport and the ship, including luggage service.

If you don’t book an air/sea package, transfers from the airport to the ship can be purchased through the cruise line in advance. Failing that, there are plenty of taxis and shuttles to take you to the ship, and then back to the airport at the end of your cruise.

Note: Transfers are between the ship and the airport, not your home and the airport.

A big advantage of having an all inclusive package is, if your flight is delayed for any reason, the ship is more likely to wait for you to arrive, but this is by no way guaranteed. If you have booked your flights separately the ship will not wait if you have not yet arrived when it’s time to sail. Either way, arriving a day early is highly recommended.

Many people miss the ship because their flight was delayed. If this happens, you can always join the ship in the next port of call. If the ship’s first day is at sea; you will have to wait for day 3 to join.  Don’t risk it, arrive the day before your scheduled departure.

When booking your return flight, consider booking for an afternoon departure, or even staying over night before flying. It relieves you of the stress and anxiety of trying to make your flight on time. You will feel better waking up on the last morning of your cruise without having to rush.

To make the most of your cruise, read my book Cruise Ship Secrets.  It will help you with beating sea sickness, cruising with kids, saving money, what to expect onboard, what to pack, and a lot more.

In many cases, the dates you choose to go on vacation may have a bearing on how much you will spend.  For example, summer time is peak season and more popular than spring and fall months. 

Choosing to cruise during spring or fall may save you money on cruises, flights, hotels, rental cars and other ancillary expenses, but the weather is more uncertain.  The Mediterranean for example is a lovely place to visit during the summer and shoulder seasons, but can be very cold and windy during winter.  And because the seas are usually rough for this time of year there is an increased chance of missing one or two ports of call due to bad weather.  However, you may consider this to be a small price to pay for a cheaper cruise.

You can also get good deals by booking well in advance, or if you have the flexibility and don’t mind the limited cabin options, you can grab even better bargains by booking within a week or two of sailing.  This may be more challenging for a family with children, but if possible this can be a great way to get a fantastic discount; often up to half off the original price, and some times more.

Some destinations have limited seasons.  For example, the larger cruise lines only send their ships to Alaska and northern Europe between May and September, and the Mediterranean between April and November (Although becoming more popular year round).  South of the equator, like Australia, New Zealand, Asia and South America are popular November through March.

The Caribbean is a little easier to plan for, with ships going there all year round.  In fact it’s surprising to note that deciding when to cruise is one of the most overlooked areas of cruising… yet it can have the biggest impact.

For example, cruising in Alaska at the start of summer is very different to the end of summer.  There are more snow peaks, stronger waterfalls and a better chance of seeing wildlife at the start of the season. However, due to all the ice in the water your ship will have less chance of getting up close to the glaciers.

By the time summer finishes, more of the ice has melted and your ship can usually get closer to the glaciers for a spectacular view and a great once in a life time experience.

Cruising the Caribbean during Spring Break is often regrettably overlooked by first time cruisers.  Spring break is at different times from state to state within the US and Canada, and spans from the start of March to the end of April.

Hurricane season

There are two ways of looking at cruising during the Caribbean hurricane season from June 1st to November 30th.  On one hand, the ship can easily change its itinerary, and often does, if the destination port is in the path of a hurricane.  If this happens, your vacation continues as planned but with a change of itinerary, or an additional sea day. For some this is not a problem. But on the other hand, if you are really looking forward to swimming with dolphins in Cozumel, or scuba dive in Belize, a pending hurricane could see you miss this port altogether.

Additionally, if you are on a 3 day cruise, missing one or both of the port days can be very disappointing and poor value for money… an important point to keep in mind.

Another point to note is the possible disruption to getting to and from the ship.  It’s not the change in the ships’ itinerary but the flights in and out of Florida and surrounding states that often experience delays and/or cancellations.

Planning your perfect cruise continues finishes with Part 6.

To make the most of your cruise, read my book Cruise Ship Secrets.  It will help you with beating sea sickness, cruising with kids, saving money, what to expect onboard, what to pack, and a lot more.

Do you want a tropical setting? A European cruise for two? Or sightseeing with friends in Alaska? With so many wonderful destinations to choose from, you may already be planning your second, third or forth cruise.

To help you decide, look at the itinerary and shore excursions of each cruise line you are considering and make a list of sites and activities you would like to do. Then compare.

As mentioned earlier check the cruise ship’s itinerary carefully; especially the time spent in each port of call. Ships arrival and departure times can vary from ship to ship depending on its itinerary. If there is a certain place that you have your heart set on seeing, it would be a shame to only have a five hour visit because the ship arrives later in the day or departs early in the day.

When deciding where to go, keep in mind the weather or season for the part of the world you are interested in visiting. Which leads us to Part 5.

To make the most of your cruise, read my book Cruise Ship Secrets.  It will help you with beating sea sickness, cruising with kids, saving money, what to expect onboard, what to pack, and a lot more.

What type of cruise do you have in mind? What is your price range?  Do you have luxury in mind or something a bit more affordable?

There are many cruises to choose from; therefore it is best to determine our budget before planning your cruise.  A cruise can appear very cheap when looking at the advertised price, but after taxes, gratuities, travel arrangements and onboard expenses the final price tag might be more than you expected, therefore, budget accordingly.  After all, it’s important you have enough money to enjoy yourself while onboard.

With larger cruise lines, like Carnival and Royal Caribbean, the two biggest cruise lines in the world with a growing fleet of around 22 ships each; the newer the ship, the nicer the décor and amenities.  With these cruise lines, the service is pretty standard across the fleet but the amenities of the ship differ with the ships.  Going on a newer ship will be an entirely different experience than going on an older ship, even within the same cruise line.

This is very important when talking to previous cruisers and learning of their experiences.  If someone really liked their Costa cruise, it doesn’t guarantee they would like all Costa cruises.  The same goes for all large cruise lines.

However, with smaller cruise lines, the level of service and amenities depend on the star of service for the ship.  You can have an immaculate older ship that is Five Star, for example, Crystal, Holland America and Celebrity Cruises.  These companies also have newer ships, therefore you get Five Star service with ‘new ship’ amenities.

But remember, the higher Star of service doesn’t always mean you will have a better cruise.  For example, some people prefer Princess Cruises over the Five Star services of Celebrity.  Or prefer Royal Caribbean instead of the Six Star services of Azamara Cruises.  It all depends on your individual tastes and lifestyles.  Therefore don’t let the price tag be your only deciding factor.

Special Note: There are three things that can blow your budget out of the water:

• Shore excursions
• Spa treatments
• Alcoholic beverages

All three have the ability to tempt you in the heat of the moment.  Keep these three things in check and you will have enough money left over for your next cruise.

Planning your perfect cruise continues with Part 4.

To make the most of your cruise, read my book Cruise Ship Secrets.  It will help you with beating sea sickness, cruising with kids, saving money, what to expect onboard, what to pack, and a lot more.