1. Identify Your Travel Style: Determine your travel style. What do you most enjoy about vacationing and what do you most like to avoid? Quiet, relaxing, intimate, or does a lively, even party-like atmosphere suit you better? Are you traveling with kids and need lots of kids’ activities? Are you seeking enrichment, cultural experiences, adventure, or luxury? Cruise lines cater to various demographics and travel styles.

2. Budget Considerations: Cruises have various price-points and inclusions. Consider what is included and what you can anticipate for extra expenses. Consider excursions, gratuities, specialty dining, beverages, pre- and post-cruise stays and your airfare options. Look for value for your money no matter your budget.  Ultimately finding what fits your budget, while getting what you most want in a vacation ensures a great experience.

3. Destination and Itinerary: Your choice of cruise line should align with your desired destinations and the specific itinerary in which you are interested. Some cruise lines specialize in specific regions or voyage type.

 4. Cruise Line Reputation and Reviews: Sifting through reviews can be tricky, but worth considering. Research the reputation and customer reviews of different cruise lines. Websites, forums, and travel review platforms and vlogs can provide valuable insights into the quality of service, onboard experience, and overall satisfaction of past passengers. Pay attention to both positive and negative feedback and reflect on the expectations of the reviewer in making an informed decision. Watch for bias or reviews of product that is not matching what you are contemplating buying (it may be easy to like, for example, a large suite on a luxury cruise liner if that is not your usual form of paid vacation travel). I find too that complaints sometimes arise when a reviewer obviously chose the wrong cruise line or product for their expectations. Look for what “on balance” people are reporting. Your travel advisor can really help sort through some of this and is always most interested in making sure you are happy.

5. Onboard Amenities and Activities: Cruise lines offer a variety of onboard amenities and activities. Depending on your interests, look for features such as spa facilities, fitness centers, entertainment options, specialty restaurants, and unique experiences like water slides, zip lines, or enrichment programs. Larger ships tend to have more options, larger entertainment shows and options, but can also sometimes feel a bit more crowded and busier especially when getting on and off in ports or utilizing popular amenities on board. Ensure that the cruise line provides the onboard experiences you desire and know what is included and what will be an extra charge onboard. 

Bonus Tip: Loyalty Programs and Perks: If you’re a frequent cruiser or plan to become one, consider the cruise line’s loyalty programs and benefits for returning passengers. These programs can offer perks such as priority boarding, cabin upgrades, re-booking discounts, extra inclusions, and exclusive events that can add significant value to your cruise purchase. Not all loyalty programs are alike.

Remember that the right cruise line for you may not be the same as for another person – it’s one of the reasons there are so many choices. 

It’s important you understand what you enjoy most in a holiday and what you most want in your next cruise vacation. There are lots of ways to discover what cruise line might best fit you by watching and reading reviews or visiting various cruise line websites.  Most importantly, talk to me, as your professional travel advisor, and together we will find the best match to ensure a fantastic cruise experience.