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.