Plan your trip with our routes

For people who have never booked a holiday on a cruise ship before, it can be a little daunting to know where to begin when doing so. Word of mouth is all well and good, and actually it is a good idea to do a little research online, firstly to find reputable travel agents who are experienced in arranging cruise-style holidays and also to read accounts from other travellers who have already been on the trip that you are planning, you never know, there may be something that you have overlooked that would make this a holiday that is not for you!

Here are a few matters to take into account when planning your first cruise.

Over ninety percent of cruises are still booked through the travel agents as opposed to online, which is remarkable considering how many ‘normal’ holidays are booked on the Internet. Holidaymakers seem more than comfortable buying their travel insurance, booking their flights or arranging car-hire online, so why the difference with cruises? Perhaps it is because cruises are very expensive if people are spending a lot of cash they want to be absolutely sure that their holiday is going to be perfect, or maybe it is just the fact that booking a cruise can be complicated. Also, as with anything that people do for the first time, there will be a host of questions needing expert answers and people looking for advice.

Choosing your cabin, destinations, flights and transfers, it is a lot to organize with no help at all, and so easy to make a mistake, that many cruise lines do not even give customers the option for booking online as they know from experience how complicated it can be. Also, cruise liners will only be able to advise you on the specific cruises they have on offer, whereas a travel agent can help you choose which particular cruise line is most suited to your own needs.

Take time to speak with a few different travel agents to find one who you are happy with, shop around until you are satisfied you are dealing with an agent who knows exactly what they are speaking about, and make sure you write a list of questions that are important to you and make sure you get answers to each of them. Here are a few ideas for information that you need to know.

Firstly, where do you want to go? Jot down the countries that you are wanting to visit and see which cruises cover the destinations that are of interest to you. The more popular your destinations, the greater choice of cruise liners you will have to pick from. The Caribbean, Scandinavia, the Canary Islands and the Baltics are all areas that are covered by many cruise companies.

How long do you wish to travel for? There are long haul cruises that cover many destinations and shorter ones that concentrate on a smaller area, like the Canary Islands for example, taking in Lanzarote, Tenerife, Las Palamas and Fuertaventura. Also, bear in mind that some cruises require an overnight stay in a hotel if you are joining the cruise in a foreign location. Take a look at the new Conquistador hotel if you are heading to the Canaries.

Which ship will be best suited for my holiday? Each cruise ship, has their own style and ambience and are focused on attracting specific types of people. Gone are the days when cruising was solely aimed at the well-to-do older ladies and gentlemen for whom dining at the captains table would be the ultimate attraction for their holiday! Be sure to ask about on-board entertainment and also find out about mealtimes and what kind of foods will be served. Larger ships have all manner of ways to keep you occupied while on board, from swimming pools to libraries, ice-rinks to health spa’s and nightclubs to ballrooms, it’s up to you to check which is right for you.

How long before my holiday should I book? The earlier you book your cruise the better! Cruise liners offer special discounts such as early bird discounts and even vouchers to be used on-board to spend on drinks and day trips. Also, there will be a greater choice of cabin available for those early bookers.

What will I get for my money? It is vital to know what you will have to pay for on-board the ship. It is normal for food to be included, plus the use of facilities that are provided, however some will charge for fine dining, spa treatments and use of sports facilities. Also, find out if port taxes are included in the cost of your cruise. Port taxes are the amount various ports charge the ship for being docked there. Most ships do not carry money, so any additional costs you incur on your trip, will be added to an account which you then pay at the end of your holiday, be clear as to what you will and will not be charged for.

Remember, to make the most of your holiday, find out everything you can before you go, this way, you’ll be cruising through your vacation and having the splendid experience you deserve!

Bon Voyage!