No matter how many times you've been on a cruise or if this is your first one, you can always learn more about how to have a great time. If you are still deciding whether or not to go for booking a cruise, keep in mind that if you look for good deals, the whole trip can cost less than three nights in a hotel.
Whether you want to save a few dollars or not (since the best deals are only available through travel agents), here are some often-overlooked ways to book your next trip.
When is the best time to book a cruise?
If you can, during the off-season is the best. If you live somewhere in the north where winters are long and cold, you should go in the winter. You not only get a break from your cold country, but you also usually get good deals.
Most people take their vacations of cruise booking in the summer, from May to September, even though some of the places they visit in the summer are very hot. In general, depending on where you are, cruises are cheaper in the winter.
Avoid places that are too crowded, like the Caribbean, where the best time to go is from November to March. (It's uncomfortable to sweat all the time, especially in the middle of the night!)
For how long days you should book a cruise?
If you want to go on a short cruise (3–7 days), which is good for people who have never been on a cruise before, book it about 3 months in advance. If you're going for 7–21 days, you should book 5 months ahead.
If you have a lot of time, money, and freedom and want to go on a world cruise (usually over 100 days), you need to book it a year in advance. These tours don't happen as often as short trips, and they fill up quickly.
Book your flight and cruise together to save money
If you booked a flight outside of your cruise package, make sure to give yourself extra time to get to your ship. If your flight is late, they are not required to wait for you. If you find out you missed the ship, you can fly to their next port of call and start your cruise there.
Setting that up is a pain and a stress, so just get there on time. If you book cruise online overseas, get there a day or two early to make sure you don't miss it. This will also give you time to rest and get used to the different time zone and weather.
Get details about what services are offered in decided price
Make sure to ask what's included in the price of your cruise. Usually, the price includes tips, drinks (usually water and maybe juice), taxes, and fees, but shore excursions, spa treatments, massages, alcoholic drinks, and soda pop are usually extra.
There is one more thing to say in process to book a cruise. If you think you might get motion sickness, get a prescription or over-the-counter medicine to help you fight this unpleasant and often debilitating feeling. There is a doctor on cruise ships, but they usually charge extra and your health insurance might not cover it.
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