Planning a Cruise: Where, When, and Why?

Cruising is a way of life for some people. It's the only way they like to travel, whether they choose ocean cruises, river cruises, and big or small ships. But not everyone is such an expert and devotee when it comes to adventures on the water. Cruises are still a new and strange concept to a lot of people who might have contemplated them before but haven't yet taken the leap and planned one for a holiday. If you've never done it before, planning a cruise may seem pretty daunting. Where do you even start?

Where should you go on a cruise? Why should you go on a cruise? When's the best time to go? Is it even a good choice for you? Before you book anything, it's worth thinking about a few things that will help you to plan the perfect cruise.

Is Cruising Right for You?

Firstly, you need to ask yourself whether taking a cruise is right for you (and anyone else who might be going with you). Can you survive being on a ship, only able to get off when it calls into its next stop? Do you like the idea of stopping for a short time in different ports before you leave for your next destination? Do you want to avoid a lot of the hassle of planning while still having some flexibility to do your own thing?

Cruises are great if you're looking for something that combines both adventure and relaxation. In fact, there's probably a cruise out there for everyone, since they can be pretty different. You can find a cruise that suits you in size, destination, and activities - except, perhaps, if you get terribly seasick. However, not everyone will enjoy the idea of a cruise. You might feel that you don't want to share your holiday with so many people or you want to have a bit more control over where you go and what you get to do.

Types of Cruises

If you're still not sure whether cruising is for you, it's a good idea to consider the different types of cruises available. Some cruises are more family-oriented while others are for adults only. Some ships are like giant floating resorts, while others might be more basic and designed to get you from A to B.

The type of cruise you might be most familiar with is the mainstream ocean cruise. These are like floating hotels and resorts, which can carry thousands of passengers and have multiple restaurants, activities, swimming pools, and more. A cousin to these types of cruises is the river cruise. River cruise ships tend to be smaller and they will often travel at night, leaving you time during the day to explore the places where you stop. There are different cruise types for different types of travellers too, including family cruises and adult-only cruises.

If floating resorts aren't for you, there's also the option of an adventure cruise. The ship is likely to be a lot more basic because the focus is on seeing the scenery and nature, and stopping at interesting places for adventure.

Top Cruise Destinations

You can explore a huge range of cruise destinations, but there are definitely some favourites that a lot of people have on their bucket lists. One thing you might want to consider first is whether you're looking for a warm-weather cruise or if you don't mind somewhere cooler. Both summer cruises and winter cruises can be fun, but you can also go at other times of the year.

If you're looking for a cruise in warm weather, some popular destinations include the Caribbean, Florida, and the Mediterranean. For cruises in Florida and the Caribbean, Disney is a very popular operator. Ocean Florida can help you to find the right cruise ship and the right destination. If you're considering a cruise in a colder climate, you might consider the Norwegian fjords, the Arctic Circle, Patagonia, or even an Antarctic cruise. When you're choosing where to go, think about whether you want somewhere fairly close to home or if you want to book a fly-cruise. You can book your flights and your cruise at the same time.

Choose a Room
Once you've chosen where you want to go and what style of cruise you're looking for, you can start booking your trip. One of the things that you'll need to do is decide on your room(s). Larger cruise ships will generally have a choice of rooms and even suites so you can choose one that suits your needs and budget. Some of the cheaper rooms will be those without windows or lower down in the ship, while you'll pay more for things like a great view or a big suite. If you're travelling as a family, a suite could work for you because it will put you all together.

Plan Your Time on Land

Whether there's plenty to do onboard or not, part of the fun of a cruise is getting to stop and explore different destinations. You could have anywhere from a few hours to a few days in one place, so it's worth planning what you might want to do in advance. You can often choose from a number of excursions offered by the cruise operator or you might be able to go off and explore on your own. You might not necessarily go on excursions at every stop. Sometimes you might be happy to stay on the ship and rest or continue to enjoy all of the amenities.

Make Reservations on the Ship

Ocean cruises often have several restaurants and eateries (while river cruises might have just one option and set meal times). You can just turn up to some restaurants and eat when you like, but there are also some restaurants that you might want to book in advance. It's a good idea to check if there might be anything else you need to book too, such as certain onboard activities.

Cruising is a fun way to travel with lots of different options, so you can find a cruise that suits your travel style.

Photo by Brandon Nelson on Unsplash