How to Plan a Cruise the Smart Way (So Your Vacation Is Actually Amazing)
If you’re like me and my husband, you understand how precious vacation time is. Most of us only get one or two real trips a year, so when we travel, we want it to be GOOD good. Not stressful. Not chaotic. Not full of “I wish we knew that before.”
And here’s something people don’t talk about enough… planning should be fun. You are literally planning one of the best weeks of your year. The research, the dreaming, the talking about it at dinner, sending each other videos, all of that is part of the experience.
The key to an amazing cruise actually starts before you book. So let’s break it down.
1. Figure Out Where You Want to Go First
Before ships. Before cabins. Before prices.
Ask yourself: Where do I even want to cruise?
I always tell people to make a list of 3 to 5 places you would love to visit on a cruise. If you have a partner or family, make it fun and talk about it together. You will be surprised what everyone says.
If you don’t know specific ports yet, that’s okay. Start with an area. For example, Europe, Caribbean, Alaska, etc. We will zoom in later.
Also, you would be shocked at how many places cruises actually go. For example, Royal Caribbean sails to hundreds of destinations across dozens of countries. There are way more options than most people realize.
Now here’s something important. If this is your first cruise, going to a bucket list destination is a double dose of a new experience. You are learning cruising and visiting a place you have never been. That can be exciting, but it can also feel like a lot. Just something to keep in mind.
Also, believe it or not, you might not want your very first cruise to be in a bucket list location. Sometimes it is nice to learn how cruising works in an easier, more relaxed destination first. That way you are not overwhelmed trying to figure out the ship, the process, and a major dream destination all at the same time. There is nothing wrong with doing a “practice cruise” before your big, once-in-a-lifetime itinerary.
2. Start Your Research and Narrow Things Down
This is where the dreaming turns into details.
Once you have a general area in mind, start zooming in. Maybe you said Europe. Now you might realize you really want to see Spain. So now you look for cruises that stop in multiple Spain ports. That is how you narrow things down.
But here is where reality sometimes steps in.
My personal example. Switzerland is on my bucket list. I would LOVE to go. But Switzerland is landlocked, which means it has no ocean coastline. So guess what. We are not cruising to Switzerland on a regular ocean cruise.
Yes, there are river cruises that go through parts of Switzerland, but that is a totally different experience and usually a much higher price point. Right now, I am not trying to spend that kind of money on a river cruise. So I had to adjust my expectations.
This is what research does. It helps you match your dreams with what cruising can realistically offer.
And while you are researching, ask yourself and your travel crew these questions.
Questions to Ask:
Do I want lots of sea days or a port almost every day?
Am I looking for relaxation, adventure, or both?
Do I care more about the ship or the destination?
Do I want a lively vibe or something quieter?
How important is food and specialty dining to me?
Will we actually do excursions or mostly explore on our own?
Are we planners or last-minute people?
Am I okay with an older or smaller ship if it goes where I want?
Do I want this trip to feel luxurious, budget-friendly, or in between?
These questions prevent disappointment later. Everyone may think they want the same trip until you actually talk it out.
3. Determine Your Budget (This Is Where It Gets Real)
This is the part where dreams meet numbers.
Think about what you are comfortable spending as a whole. Not just the cruise fare. You may also have to consider flights, hotels before the cruise, excursions, drink packages, WiFi, and spending money.
For me, budget has always guided my choices. My very first cruise was all about affordability, which is why Carnival made the most sense at the time. Once I knew that, I focused my research there and started watching ship tours and vlogs for those specific ships.
Another real-life example. I have always wanted to do a Norway cruise. The views look unreal. But those cruises are expensive. So I had to postpone that dream for now. That is what the budget section does. It shows you what you can do now and what you may want to save for later.
No shame in that at all.
4. Don’t Wait Too Long to Book and Know When to Get Help
Once you have your destination, ship style, and budget in mind, don’t sit on it forever. Prices and availability change all the time.
This is also the point where you ask yourself, do we feel confident booking this on our own?
Cruising for the first time can feel like you are taking a chance because there are a lot of moving parts. Some people love doing everything themselves, and I truly get that. No pressure from me.
I have tools you can grab and use on your own. But if you would rather have someone walk you through it, answer questions, and make sure nothing is missed, that is what I do. Click here to reach out for more information.
A Quick Note About Extras
As you plan, you will start seeing add-ons like excursions, specialty dining, drink packages, and WiFi. Some of these are worth it, some are not depending on your travel style.
This is why research and budget go hand in hand. You do not have to do everything. Pick what actually fits your trip.
Want to Stay Organized While Planning?
Cruise planning can go from fun to overwhelming fast if everything is floating around in your head. That is exactly why I created my cruise planners. They help you track ideas, questions, budgets, and decisions all in one place so you can actually enjoy the process.
Here click to view the cruise planners. Because planning your cruise should feel exciting, not stressful.
And trust me, when you board that ship knowing you thought everything through, it just hits different.
