How to Plan your CRUISE VACATION

     

      Have you been on a cruise before? Is this something in your bucket list  but you haven't done it because you don't know what to expect and how to plan it? Here's what I can say, before you do it, either do a lot of research or simply read my blog to save you time from doing all the work.

There are so many reasons why I recommend this vacation. 

1.  For one price, it's all inclusive accommodation, food, and entertainment. Some of their amenities also include swimming pool, water slides, gym, spa, beauty salon, night club, casino, bars, art gallery, kids/youth camps, library and shopping area. Each cruise lines has different features in their ship. Some ships are more kid friendly than others, it just depends on what you're looking for. I've only been on a Carnival Cruise because my kids loved it last time and they want the same experience again.

promenade

casino

gym

beauty salon

2. The shore excursions, spa and beauty salon services, alcoholic and soda beverages are not free but they are also optional.  Carnival ship lets you bring certain amount of beverages as long as they're in cans or cartons. They used to allow a bottle of wine per adult but not anymore. But if you want unlimited alcohol drinks, it's $50/day and unlimited soda for kids $5 and adults $9/day.

     The spa packages, I find it cheaper if you book it onboard because everyday they have different promotions.

spa services

3.  Unlike other all inclusive vacations, the cruise takes you to different country so you can go down the island to explore or just stay in the ship.

Nassau Bahamas

4. Shopping is tax free!

shops

Here are some tips you should know before you cruise:

1. Prices vary from $200-$1000 depending on how many people and if you'll choose the interior, oceanview or balcony cabin. Last year we booked the balcony cabin and this year we booked the oceanview. I must say that if I have to choose next time, I really like having the balcony in the room because we can just go out and enjoy the breeze instead of going up the deck all the time. For some who are scared of the ocean, the inside cabin is recommended and it's the cheapest too. 

     Summer, spring and holidays are usually more expensive. If you're a couple or with little kids,  go on a cruise during schooldays because it's so much cheaper and less crowded.

    

2.  Also check for deals online. Expedia usually has a promotion at a certain month where if you book with your MasterCard, you get a certain $$ that you can use for any of your onboard purchases such as drinks or shopping. Some cruise lines also give onboard credits if you book early or if you're a past guests. Last year, we got $100 onboard credit but this year we only got $30 because I missed the MasterCard promotion. 

    If you book 6-12 months early, you can even give a small amount for your deposit and pay it installment until at least 60 days prior to your cruise. That will give you enough time to save up or even wait for your tax refund to pay your trip.

3.  Before you book your cruise, check the immigration requirements in the country that you plan to visit. Most of them will let you just bring your US passport or green card without getting a visa. Make sure your passport is current, if not you can renew it in your nearest post office. It usually takes a month to apply or renew so don't wait too close to your trip to do it.

      If you're a non-citizen, you might need to get a visa from the consulate. Another option is to find a cruise ship that goes NOWHERE, they just sail for few days in the sea and doesn't stop on any port. Or you can also check a destination within US territories.

  

4. For first time cruisers, I will recommend 4-5 days only. It's fun, not too short but not too long. If you have to fly or drive to a different state, plan to get there at least 1-2 days before your ship's departure incase there's any delays.

5.  If you have a car, there's a parking in the terminal and fees range from $15-20/day. Some hotels offer a "park and sail" package where you can leave your car and their shuttle will drop off and pick you up at the terminal. We chose not to do this because they also charge for the shuttle services. This end up almost the same much as if we park in the terminal. it's also more convenient not to wait for the shuttle when we get back from the cruise.

5. Carnival cruise charge $12/person per day for tips and this will be distributed to your servers and housekeepers. So for our 5 day cruise, we paid $240 tip at the end. This is still cheaper than giving tips everytime you eat in the restaurant. You have the option to prepay or pay it at the end of the cruise.

6.  Check in online and print your boarding passes and luggage tags prior to going to terminal. Also check your cruise line's policy on what you can bring or not. I recommend checking in your luggage bags so you won't have to carry them around if you decide to board early and enjoy the ship's amenities. Just give your bags to the porters and tip them $1/bag.

     During debarkation, you have the same option. If you carry your own luggages, most likely they will let you out first. But if you're like us who are not rushing to leave the ship, just check in your luggages and pick them up at the terminal. It's more convenient and you get to hang out a little longer.

7. In choosing your cabin, check the deck plan of the ship whether you want to be at what level, and if you want to be at the back, mid or aft of the ship. We always choose the upper level and back of the ship because it's closer to the pool and dining room. If you're a couple, choose the aft so it's closer to more adult activities. Oh, and don't choose a cabin under the dining room because the travel agents told me that it gets loud when it's mealtime. I also find it better to choose a cabin on the right side of the ship so you can have a better view of the port.

8. For dinner, you have the option on dining at your own time or at a certain schedule. If you do option 1, it's good because you can plan your meal schedule with your activities. The disadvantage is that you have to fall in line to get into the dining room. If you choose the scheduled dining, in Carnival, it's either 6:15pm or 8:15pm, it's better because you have an assigned table and same waiter the entire time so when you go to the dining room, you know where your spot is already. I would recommend doing the 6:15pm scheduled dining because most of the shows at night starts after 7pm. 

     If you can't make it to your scheduled dining, there's always a buffet option somewhere else in the ship so you won't get hungry. There's also pizza, deli. coffee and ice cream stations that's open 24 hours. Room service is also another option if you're too lazy to get out of your cabin.

9. Purchases. It's cashless in the ship so your room key is also the card that you'll use for all your purchases onboard. You can either link it with your credit/debit card, or you can prepay it online or at the guest services.

     You also have the option to give your kids permission to make purchases from their own keycard or not. This is good if you have older children so they don't have to wait for the parents all the time just to buy smoothie or something.

10. Lastly, if you're scared of being seasick, don't worry about it. The ship is so big that you could barely tell that you're in it. But few times, I felt some rocking in the ship but it didn't really bother me. Just to make sure, bring an anti-nausea medicine or bracelet in case you need it.

     So now that you have all this informations, start searching for your cruise on your next vacation. I guarantee that you'll LOVE it as much as I do!

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