How To Book A Cruise For The First Time
The subject of how to book a cruise for the first time has always been rather intimidating because there is such a bewildering variety of cruise itineraries, companies, destinations, and ships to select from. Even more so in the wake of the pandemic, as cruise lines have gotten widespread media coverage in the wake of the CDC’s decision to cease operations for the industry beginning in the spring of 2020. Now, cruising is making a comeback; it has been reimagined, and it is prepared to take on new ways of experiencing the water.
Keeping this information in mind, what are some of the most common mistakes that first-time cruise bookers make? We sought the counsel of three Traveler-recommended specialists for their extensive knowledge. Carolyn Spencer Brown is a respected figure in the industry and serves as the Chief Content Officer for Cruise Media. Doug Parker, host of one of the most popular podcasts that covers the company, operates out of Cruise Radio. Tom Baker is the proprietor of one of the most successful travel firms in the United States that specialises in cruise vacations. He is regarded as one of our most accomplished travel specialists. The following is an account of what they said.
The perfect amount of time spent at sea for first-timers.
The ideal length of time for most people’s first cruise is about a week, during which they will visit two or three different ports. You won’t be able to explore more than one location on itineraries that are only three days long, and you won’t be able to decompress as completely either. On the other hand, vacations lasting ten days or longer attract a disproportionate number of seniors and other individuals who are less dependent on vacation pay or other compensation for each day that they are not checking their emails. If you are a true beginner, Parker recommends that you schedule a day trip on a boat to a nearby lake first, simply to make sure that you are not overly susceptible to motion sickness.
The most convenient way to reserve a cabin on a ship
You can book a cruise online, but doing so is not recommended because it is a common beginner mistake. Cruisers who are truly astute will always use the services of a travel agent. Even while travel agents’ importance has decreased in the mass-market travel industry, the cruise industry continues to rely heavily on them. Ask a professional about shipboard credit, which is the ocean equivalent of a gift card to spend onboard and often ranges from $100 to around that amount. Not only can specialists offer seasoned guidance, but they can also negotiate offers and promotions.
According to Brown, having access to expert counsel is more vital than it has ever been before as the sector works to rebuild itself in the wake of the pandemic. “At the end of the day, the purpose of this vacation is for you to take some time for yourself, enjoy yourself, gain new experiences, and break away from the routine of your regular life. I want to have that kind of support.
Baker, a veteran travel agent, claims that he is as much a medical PA as he is a travel expert. He has produced paperwork for each cruise line‘s COVID-19 protocols, which he always sends to potential customers who are considering booking a trip. He explains, “I’m not a physician, but I’m brutally honest upfront about the requirements, so we can talk about them.” He clarifies that he is not a medical professional.
Parker stresses the point that you are not paying the wages of the agents, nor are you paying an additional fee for their expertise. According to what he has heard, “they make their commission from the cruise lines.” Because I make all of my reservations using that platform, I’ve never had to pay a single penny more.
The optimal time to make reservations for a cruise
If you are interested in taking advantage of new cruise deals, you might want to think about participating in the first phase of the relaunched sailings. According to Spencer Brown, “They have plenty of space, but they have to start from beginning, and they can’t fill the ships full to the brim otherwise.” Prices are expected to be robust in 2022 and 2023, she notes. “There has been such a buildup of demand. People haven’t gone on vacation in a year, so they’re shelling out more cash on the vacations they are going on—perhaps upgrading to a fancier suite.
It is also important to keep in mind that larger ships won’t be sailing at their full capacity because the CDC’s current criteria demand that every crew member must have his or her own stateroom. Traditionally, they would have bunkbeded in pairs. It indicates that some of the more affordable rooms that were formerly accessible to travellers would be removed from the public inventory and instead be converted into quarters for the workers. According to Baker, who describes the prices for 2023’s itineraries as “staggering,” “those constraints won’t go away for a number of years, I imagine,” adds Baker.
However, he emphasises that there is no danger in making preparations in advance. If the price of your trip reduces after you pay a deposit, but before the final payment, you will be protected, and you will be refunded the difference. This is something that is offered by all of the main cruise companies with the exception of Viking.
The kinds of cruises that are ideal for first-timers.
Plan a warm-weather getaway to the Caribbean this winter. It is simple and inexpensive to get to the boarding port, and taking a ferry from one cluster of islands to another provides a cultural experience that is condensed and easily accessible. According to Spencer Brown, “Think of a cruise as a tapas menu,” because it gives you the opportunity to taste locales that you may later return to for a lengthier visit. When taking a cruise across the Caribbean, it is even more convenient because practically every island will accept payment in dollars, eliminating the need to convert currencies. Additionally, the waters are relatively tranquil, which helps reduce motion sickness to a minimal.
The restrictions imposed by the CDC on cruising have also led many lines to reposition ships that might have roamed the globe onto itineraries that travel less far afield. As a result, you now have the opportunity to try out ultra-luxury cruise lines like Crystal, for instance, on a short jaunt to and from the Bahamas. Spencer Brown suggests that taking a cruise down a river is another excellent option for first-timers. “It’s wonderful,” she says, “because you can practically walk off the ship into town, go to a park or ride a bike, or just sit on the top deck smelling the air.”
The American Queen Steamboat Company has been running cruises on the Mississippi, and they are working toward resuming its trips to the Pacific Northwest as soon as possible. According to the company’s founder, John Waggoner, he has observed a shift in the way that people prepare for these voyages, leaning more toward the outdoorsy and socially distant activities that they might enjoy when docked. According to what he shared with Traveler, “a number of people have asked me about the bubble and how they do not want to get out of that.” “I’m a runner, and I can tell you that folks can get out while still avoiding crowds if they choose to do so. Bring along some comfortable clothes and shoes for trekking.”
The pandemic has caused significant disruptions to destination programming. The majority of cruise lines now concentrate on transporting guests to their own private islands, which is a reassuring but somewhat soulless alternative. The upside, though, is that there is no risk from any encounters with the locals; it’s essentially simply a landlocked version of the ship.
Even in the tourism-dependent Caribbean, some traditional ports of call are hesitant to welcome back giant ships because of the economic impact they have on the area. Many cruise lines now offer what Baker refers to as “beachcomber itineraries.” These itineraries typically take passengers off the usual route and to smaller islands or villages, which offer easier opportunities for social separation and activities that take place outside. According to him, cruises like Crystal’s and Royal Caribbean‘s that focus on the Bahamas are typical of this phenomenon. Take advantage of the opportunity to explore the world around you right now; classic ports, such as the ABC islands in the southern Caribbean, are likely to continue to be focal points into the 2022 season and beyond.
Comprehending the Different Types of Cabins
When it comes to staterooms, especially on larger ships, there is a bewildering variety of options (and pricing) to choose from. People who are travelling for the first time and only want a place to sleep will frequently book the least expensive category, which is an internal cabin with no windows or balconies. The COVID-19 outbreak and early scenes of visitors being restricted to their rooms on board cruise ships have decreased the desirability of those options without windows. They are also being phased out on modern ships; for example, MSC has abandoned the notion. Instead, internal areas are being repurposed for usage in social and recreational activities instead of being used for cabins.
Baker cautions travellers to avoid being purely motivated by cost, regardless of the style of lodging they book. It’s possible that the cheapest stateroom is directly across from the service area, where a door is constantly banging, or that it’s directly underneath the kitchen, where heavy carts are rolled around at 6 in the morning. It is recommended that you take a look at the comprehensive maps that are available on Cruise Deck Plans. This website provides guidance as well as user-generated input and may be thought of as a seagoing equivalent to Seat Guru’s airline seat maps.
A rundown of the available shore excursions
These can be difficult to understand for first-time users. Check the schedule frequently, get a spot on any excursions that might pique your interest, and book early because popular alternatives sometimes sell out far in advance of the departure date. Details are typically not posted to an itinerary until approximately six months before the date of the cruise. Before the epidemic, it was simple to order anything that wasn’t on the menu and organise private excursions through third-party organisations, which are frequently more cost-effective than the choices provided by the cruise operator. However, once sailing resumes, the priority will shift to maintaining the ship’s own bubble in order to keep passengers and crew members together and ensure their safety. This may imply that these independent options will no longer be available. Check the regulations when you make your reservation, and continue to do so regularly because procedures such as these will inevitably evolve.
What exactly is a day at sea?
As with the word “shore excursions,” “sea days” are a term used only in the cruise industry. During transits, when the ship is travelling from one port to another, passengers are required to remain on board the vessel. Many first-timers worry that they will be spending time at sea rather than touring, but sea days may actually be a pleasant opportunity to discover more about the ship itself as well as to relax between ports. However, you should make sure that they are spread out fairly across an itinerary rather than being placed at the beginning and finish of a week-long trip, since this will not allow you to profit as much from the leisure.
Where do you recommend a family go on their very first cruise?
It is difficult to provide a satisfactory response to that question at the moment because the United States government has not yet licenced a vaccination for use in children. Because of this, multi-gen journeys are practically prohibited on many lines for the time being. MSC, on the other hand, will accept passengers of any age, regardless of whether or not they have been vaccinated. When looking into the future, the megaships, such as Norwegian‘s 4,200-passenger Escape or the Quantum-class fleet from Royal Caribbean, including Anthem of the Seas, will always be ready to be the ideal first choice for families. This is true for both lines. The emphasis is placed on activities, ranging from skydiving simulators that deliver a rush of excitement to aboard water parks.
According to Parker, families with extremely young children should think about going to Disney or Carnival. He praised the pricing on the latter option, saying that a week on a Carnival ship in a balcony stateroom might cost the same as a short vacation with Disney that is only three days long. He calls the family programmes on the latter option “fine-tuned.”
What passengers need to know about purchasing cruise insurance
When it comes to cruise insurance, you shouldn’t skimp. Baker recommends Seven Corners because it offers reasonable prices for comprehensive coverage that can also include COVID-related cancellations. This is something that has always been true, of course, but it is absolutely necessary in the travel industry because there is so much more that can go wrong.
Plan to arrive at the port of embarkation the day before if you are going to get there by flying; the ship won’t wait for you if you are stuck in morning rush-hour air traffic congestion. In the past, there may have been a method to resume the journey at one of its ports; but, because to the logistics of pandemic regulations, this is currently nearly impossible to do. One more argument in favour of making sure you have insurance.
