Planning a cruise is almost as fun as going on the actual trip. This is your chance to fulfill some of the items on your bucket list, after all.
I’ve been writing about cruises for newspapers, magazines, and websites for 25 years now and have been lucky enough to experience more than 200 ships and all seven continents over this time. I like to think that I have planning down to a fine art after trying everything from ocean cruises to river voyages and expeditions, traveling solo, with my kids, and with my partner.
In the months leading up to your vacation, you get to research all the different destinations you’d like to visit, look at different stateroom options, and even start booking the onshore excursions you’ll experience.
Even if you’re a first-time cruiser and don’t know where to begin, planning a cruise is pretty easy. Discover how to plan a cruise with this step-by-step guide.
How To Plan a Cruise for the First Time
Many travelers feel overwhelmed when booking a cruise for the first time—but rest assured, the process is simple. You’ll have some exciting decisions to make throughout the process, and once you’ve finished your cruise planning, the countdown begins.
Here’s how to prepare for a cruise:
Define Your Budget and Timing
The first steps to planning your cruise are deciding on your budget and timing, which will clarify your options as you move through the process. Your cruise fare covers the itinerary, accommodations, onboard activities, and dining. However, some amenities and experiences are often charged separately, such as:
- Specialty restaurants
- Drink packages
- Accommodation upgrades
- Therapeutic treatments
- Shore excursions
- Wi-Fi
Cruise fares vary based on the ship, time of year, sailing duration, and destination, so even if your budget is modest, there are still plenty of options available. If certain excursions or specialty dining venues appeal to you, remember to leave some space in your budget for these.
In terms of timing, you have two options: either book in advance (which usually means more accommodation options are available) or wait for last-minute deals. There’s no right or wrong way to go about it. Last-minute deals are a great way to spontaneously whisk yourself away for a week, though they leave less time for planning and preparation.
If you prefer to prepare for your cruise well in advance of the sailing, you can book as early as the fare becomes available, often up to two years before the sailing.
If you book a veranda stateroom, you’ll have your own private outdoor space to watch the ocean go by. You’ll often hear from seasoned cruisers that once you stay in a veranda, it’s hard not to cruise with your own private balcony again.
If you’re planning a cruise as a family, consider interconnecting staterooms, which are indicated on the deck plan for each ship. Or book a veranda stateroom for the adults and an interior just across the corridor for the kids.
Edge Villa
For true indulgence, book The Retreat, the ultimate vacation experience, which offers guests stunning suite accommodations, private restaurants and lounge areas, and exclusive services and amenities like a butler.
You’ll be astonished at the beauty of some of these accommodations; a duplex Edge Villa on Edge-series ships, for example, has its own plunge pool.
I’ve been lucky enough to experience The Retreat, and it really is next level. The menu in Luminae at The Retreat, exclusive to guests of The Retreat, is exceptional. I loved the idea of a private lounge, too. The Retreat pools on Edge-series ships are gorgeous. What’s best about The Retreat is that you have the experience of something really exclusive, but all the buzz of the ship when you venture “out,” from multiple bars and dining venues to shows in the theater and exciting nightlife.
Book Your Flight
If you don’t live within driving distance of your departure port, you’ll need to book flights, too.
With Flights by Celebrity, you can book your cruise and airfare all in the same place. You’ll be sure to find a competitive price for your airfare thanks to the Flights by Celebrity Lowest Airfare Guarantee.
You can also browse flights by any specific airline you prefer to fly on and accrue loyalty points on your preferred mileage rewards program.
Flights by Celebrity has a team of dedicated specialists available to get you to your cruise ship on time in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
Plan Your Shore Excursions
Now that all of your travel reservations have been handled, it’s time for the extra fun part: choosing your shore excursions.
From lazy days at beach resorts to adventurous hikes and active watersports, there’s no shortage of fun activities to sign up for during your cruise vacation.
Look up your cruise itinerary online and start researching all of the exciting shore excursions available at each port. You can look for specific family-friendly activities, cultural outings, sporty excursions, and all-encompassing destination tours.
Once you’ve picked the shore excursions you like, reserve your spot. Popular excursions, like whale-watching tours in Alaska and tours of Pompeii, Italy, can fill up quickly and may be sold out by the time you board the ship.
While it’s great to have your bucket list excursions planned and confirmed, don’t overdo it. Europe, in particular, is a destination where you can end up exhausted if you’re on tour all day, every day. Perhaps factor in some beach time, or see if there’s a port where simply wandering around and stopping for gelato is the best way to enjoy the destination. I’ve found that when cruising with kids, this is particularly important.
Book Specialty Restaurants
Aside from booking your shore excursions early, you can also reserve dinner at specialty restaurants before your cruise. From fresh seafood at Raw on 5 to the awe-inspiring dining experience at Le Petit Chef, specialty restaurants can fill up quickly, so it’s best to reserve your spot early.
Plan these special occasions to fit in with your itinerary. If you’re out on a full-day tour in the heat, that evening may be one for a quiet meal in the informal Oceanview Café. But if you’ve been relaxing by the pool all day, you’ll most likely be ready for a special evening.
Personally, I’ve tried Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud on both Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond and was so impressed. For a special occasion, you won’t find anything like this at sea in terms of presentation, creativity, and flavor.
Choose Your Beverage Package
If you plan on enjoying a glass of wine with lunch and dinner or sunset cocktails while on board, it’s worth looking into beverage packages and deciding if one of them is right for you.
Drink packages are unlimited, available at the main restaurant, specialty restaurants, casual dining restaurants, and all bars and lounges. By choosing a package, you’ll be able to forget about running up costs during your vacation, as everything will already be covered.
With the Classic Drinks Package, choose from a variety of spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, frozen drinks, and wines by the glass. With the Premium Beverage Package, you’ll have unlimited access to higher-end liquors and wine, plus a variety of craft beers.
For the non-drinkers, the Non-Alcoholic Drink Package offers unlimited bottled water, specialty coffees, coconut water, smoothies, and juices.
Finally, you could opt for the popular “All Included” offer, which gives you the Classic Drinks Package and Wi-Fi.
Stay a Little Longer
Why end your vacation when the cruise is over? Celebrity offers a wide choice of City Stays, with all details like hotel bookings and transfers taken care of.
You could also add on a thrilling land adventure to the citadel of Machu Picchu or a Galapagos expedition.
There is a wide range of Alaska Cruise Tours available, too, taking you seamlessly to the vast expanse of Denali National Park or as far north as Fairbanks before or after your Alaska cruise.
Why Book a Cruise Vacation?
If you’ve never been on a cruise before, the whole idea may have a certain mystique. You may have questions, too. Is cruising for me? Will I feel confined? Will I like my fellow passengers? Will I be bored?
These are common concerns for first-time cruisers. The truth is, cruising is an adventure. You wake up in a new destination every day. It’s effortless; you only unpack once, and there’s no complex travel planning involved.
You don’t waste any time getting from one place to another; there’s no waiting in airports or train stations.
Not only is your ship your stylish home, but it’s packed with things to do, from watching Broadway-standard shows and lounging by the pool to working out in the gym.
As for the other people, you can be as sociable or as solitary as you wish. Some people choose cruising to make new friends, while others simply enjoy slow ocean travel and relaxing with a book.
It’s also worth noting that Celebrity cruises are welcoming and inclusive to people from all backgrounds. Cruising is the opposite of feeling confined; it’s the freedom to enjoy your vacation exactly as you wish.
Tips for Your First Time Planning a Cruise
Now you’ve got the steps down, here are a few cruise tips to make the booking and planning process all the easier:
- Plan to arrive early at the departure city: Arrive a day or two early to leave a buffer for any unexpected travel hiccups. That way, you also have time to explore the departure city and ease into vacation mode.
- Book shore excursions and dining in advance: Excursions, drinks packages, and specialty dining, while available to book on the ship, are usually at lower rates when you book them with your cruise fare. Popular excursions can also fill up fast, so the earlier you confirm your spot, the better.
- Dress according to the destination: As you’re packing your luggage, remember to tailor your clothing to the destination. A cruise to Alaska in April requires a very different wardrobe from a cruise to Santorini in July.
- Pack essentials in your carry-on bag: When you arrive on the ship, it can take a few hours for your luggage to reach your accommodation. Pack essentials like a swimsuit, sunglasses, and medications in your carry-on bag so you can use them right away.
- Motion sickness: If you get motion sickness, a mid-ship stateroom provides stability, and the fresh air and horizon views in a balcony stateroom also work wonders in settling an upset belly.
- Download the cruise line’s app: Check daily activities and make onboard bookings via the cruise line’s app.
Bring necessary toiletries or medications: Cruise ships provide amenities and essentials, but if you have preferred products or necessary medications, ensure you bring them with you on vacation.
Start Planning Your Next Coastal Vacation
Booking a cruise requires a few steps and decisions, but the process is straightforward—and the results are well worth the effort. Have fun customizing your cruise vacation, and enjoy the anticipation of your upcoming trip.
Now that you know how to plan a cruise, are you ready to make your dream vacation a reality? Explore cruises and book your next escape.
