How to Book Your First Cruise

The beginning steps

If you are ready to book your first cruise and wondering how to do so, I will share four tips in this post to help you get started.

If you want a further guide to help you plan everything from booking to boarding day, I have also created a 130-page cruise planning workbook to help you get started.

In this workbook, I will share with you booking tips, pre-cruise planning, excursion and port day planning, packing tips to help you pack like a pro, plus ways to save money onboard.

How to Book Your Cruise?

1. Understanding Different Types of Cruises

First, let's talk about understanding the different types of cruises you can book.

• Ocean Cruises

• River Cruises

• Specialty Cruises

  
  

Ocean cruises are the most recognizable and most popular cruises. Most likely, this is the type of cruise you are looking to book. Ocean cruises take place on larger ships and offer a variety of onboard activities, while the most popular destinations are the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and Alaska.

River cruises can offer a more intimate experience, sailing through inland waterways. River cruises often offer more scenic and luxurious travel experiences, while providing more of a cultural experience in the towns and cities along the river.

Specialty cruises encompass a broad spectrum of unique themes, such as adventure, luxury, or wellness. On these cruises, you can find activities included, such as kayaking, hiking, high-end services, exclusive shore excursions, and spacious accommodations.

You may already know the type of cruise you want to book, but it is important to know the different types of cruises that are available when you begin your research.

2. Research Your Cruise Line

Researching your cruise line allows you to understand the right cruise for you and for your budget.

I have a full breakdown of choosing your cruise for your budget and a budget tracker for you to use in my Ultimate Cruise Planning Workbook.

Different cruise lines cater to various preferences, experiences, and budgets.

Ask yourself these questions before you begin your research:

• What is your cruise budget?

• How are you traveling with?

• What type of cruise are you looking for (family friendly, adults only, budget friendly, adventure, luxury)?

• What destinations do you want to visit?

• When will you cruise (some destinations, such as Alaska, are not year-round)?

• How long do you want to cruise?

Asking yourself these questions before beginning your research can help you narrow down your cruise line and the ship within that cruise line.

I've heard many people come back from their first cruise saying they will never cruise again. Oftentimes, this is due to choosing the wrong ship.

Tip:

• Not all cruise ships in a cruise line are the same. Some offer different activities.

• If you are not looking for a party cruise, my suggestion would be to book at least a 7-day cruise, while weekend cruises can tend to have more of a party vibe.

3. Choosing Your Cabin

You will choose your cruise cabin at the time of booking your cruise, but it is a good idea to understand what type of cabin you are looking to book before you begin the booking process.

Different types of cruise cabins:

• Interior Cabin

• Ocean View Cabin

• Balcony Cabin

• Jr. Suite Cabin

• Suite Cabin

• Guaranteed Cabin

An interior cabin will be the cheapest cabin you will find. While some people enjoy the scenery of the ocean from a porthole or balcony in the room, many people prefer to save money as they will be out and about on the ship rather than in their room.

An ocean view cabin can look different on many ships, while some have just a small porthole, others provide nice-sized windows with a ledge inside the room for viewing the ocean. These cabins are typically lower on the ship.

A balcony cabin can come in many different sizes. If you book the starboard or port side of the ship, oftentimes the balcony cabins are the same size. Some ships offer basic balcony cabins with extended balconies, while some ships also offer aft-view balconies. An aft-view balcony is on the back of the ship, and typically a much larger balcony.

Jr. Suites and Suites on a cruise will vary by the cruise line. Not all cruise lines offer Jr. Suites (a smaller suite), but all cruise lines will offer various styles to their suite cabins. Suite cabins will also come with extra room and sometimes a bathtub in the bathroom, but you can receive extra amenities onboard as well, such as spa service, private pool area, etc..

A guaranteed cabin is basically allowing the cruise line to book your cabin for you. You will book a cabin, such as an interior, ocean view, or balcony, and based on the bookings the cruise line receives, they will place you in the cabin category you booked, anywhere on the ship, or upgrade you at the same price you booked. In a sense, the cruise line will place you where they have an open cabin, and you do not have a choice in where your cabin location is, but you will not receive a downgraded category from what you chose.

Tip:

If you know you are prone to motion sickness, it is best to book a cabin that is midship and lower for less movement. For me, I always like to book a balcony cabin in case I am feeling any motion sickness, as the fresh air can help.

4. Booking Your Cruise

When you are ready to book your cruise, you need to understand when the best time is to book your cruise to get the best deals.

I go more into when to book your cruise and help you outline the best options for you in my Ultimate Cruise Planning Workbook.

Seasons to cruise:

• Peak Season

• Shoulder Season

When to book your cruise:

• Last-Minute (1-3 months out)

• Advanced (6-18 months out)

• Wave season

• Black Friday

How to book your cruise

You have a couple of options to choose from on how to book your cruise:

• Booking directly with the cruise line

• Booking with a travel agent

• Booking online through a travel website

TIP!

Mix & Match: You can research using online tools, then book through a travel agent or the cruise line directly once you know what you want.

Sign up to receive emails from the cruise line to receive updates on price drops.

All of these cruise booking options come with pros and cons. Ask yourself if you are looking for more personal service with a travel agent or if you would like the option to research your pricing and amenities offered yourself.

Booking your cruise is just the first step in the planning process. The pre-cruise planning and shopping are so important, plus your travel itinerary, getting to your cruise port, and getting back home.

If you would like help with the entire planning process and have everything you need in one place, then check out my Cruise Planning Workbook to guide you in saving time and money.

You deserve this, and you deserve an amazing first cruise!

Happy cruising!

Hey y’all, I’m Tiffany!

I'm an avid cruiser and love exploring new places. I’m passionate about sharing everything I’ve learned along the way. I use my real-life adventures to bring you practical tips, honest advice, and a little inspiration to help you plan your own unforgettable journeys.