Would You like a feature Interview?
All Interviews are 100% FREE of Charge
The opinions expressed by entrepreneurial contributors are their own.
This story was originally business insider.
Flying on the same day your cruise leaves port can be a recipe for disaster.
Consider the travel time between the plane terminal and the port terminal.Jennifer Green
If your cruise Departs at 4pm. Do not schedule flights that arrive that morning. This is the biggest mistake clients make.
There are many uncertainties in air travel, and one small problem can cause you to miss your ship. You should also consider collecting your luggage and traveling from the airport to the cruise terminal. Some terminals take 15 minutes, others over an hour.
Pro Tip: Fly into the port city the night before you set sail. Enjoy a more leisurely morning on your way to the cruise port. If you change your time zone, you can also adjust it before you set sail.
Book your cruise for the wrong season and don’t miss out on anything to do.
The timing of your cruise is as important as the activities you plan.Jennifer Green
Cruising is all about timing. When you go is as important as where you go.
If whale watching in Alaska is on your to-do list, take the August cruise. Visit the Caribbean during the winter months to avoid hurricanes and large crowds.
Instead of randomly choosing dates, we intentionally schedule our cruises to maximize our time at each destination. If you don’t want to do your own research, working with a travel expert can help.
Some guests forget to check before departure if the cruise is all-inclusive.
Additional charges may apply for certain excursions.Jennifer Green
Cruise fares usually include a lot, but not everything.
Additional charges apply for some restaurants, activities and excursions, depending on the cruise company.you probably need to budget Please check what is included in the package beforehand.
For example, many guests don’t consider the cost of their drinks and are in complete sticker shock when the bill comes.
Skipping travel insurance can also cost you later.
When you buy travel insurance, you can’t feel too safe.Jennifer Green
Travel insurance can protect your hard-earned money holiday $, if you need to cancel your trip. Even if you think something is not going to happen, unfortunately it does.
It is also essential to be prepared for medical situations that may arise while traveling or cruising.
Researching the best travel insurance plans is one of the things I’ve helped clients with.
Cruise rooms are small so don’t over pack for your trip.
Your bathroom will probably be on the small side.Jennifer Green
While figuring out what to pack, don’t skimp on the essentials. Be sure to pack your medications, certain products, and other necessary items that cannot be purchased onboard.
However, the bathroom is small, so don’t pack your entire makeup bag.
If you’re heading to the Caribbean, you may not need heavy jackets and boots. But you might need them for your Alaskan cruise.
Pro Tip: Bring comfortable sneakers or sandals for daily wear as you will be walking a lot on board and on excursions.
It is usually recommended to buy wine by the bottle rather than by the glass.
Alcohol can be enjoyed in a financially responsible manner. Matt Hochberg/Royal Caribbean Blog
Without a beverage package, ordering wine by the glass every night can be expensive.
But if you bought a bottle and didn’t finish it, I could have asked the server to re-cork it and keep it for the next night. is a very simple method.
Pro-tip: Some cruise lines also allow you to bring two bottles of wine per private room.
If you don’t book certain add-ons in advance, you may miss them.
Cruise lines may offer discounted rates if you book a drink package in advance.Jennifer Green
If you want to be sure of securing a particular shore excursion, find out how far in advance you can book your experience on your cruise and try to book it that day.
You don’t have to plan your cruise in detail, but some are worth booking in advance. Popular restaurants, spa time, and rental cabanas sell out quickly. If you wait for your reservation before boarding, you may end up on the waiting list.
Pro-tip: Cruise lines sometimes offer discounts on drink packages, Wi-Fi plans, and shore excursions if you book in advance.
I always recommend my clients to bring cash on their cruises.
Cash tends to help tip.Jennifer Green
Small bills come in handy as there are many opportunities to tip on cruises.
When in port it is usually best to have cash for local markets and small vendors.Some merchants charge a card fee on top of the price so cash is the best deal tends to be
If you intend to gamble, you also need cash.Every cruise ship I’ve been on, except Disney Cruise Linehas a casino.
Choose the right trip to suit your vacation plans and needs.
Choosing the right cruise ship is essential to a great vacation.Jennifer Green
not all cruise ship Choosing the wrong one can ruin your vacation.
The ship will be your home for over a week. If you prefer family-friendly options or want a low-key atmosphere, decide which amenities are important to you.
We have a huge variety of cruise lines to suit every need. Also, the industry is continuously expanding to include niche markets.