How to Choose Your Cruise

Cruising - how can we pick the right cruise. What are the most important things we should look for when cruising for the first time?

Here are some top tips to consider when making your decision:

1. Think of where you would like to go. How do you pick your destination? Have you dreamt of cruising the Greek Islands? Or are you just wanting to explore the idea of cruising as you have never cruised before and want that experience? Is it a river cruise or ocean cruise that you are after? So basically you need to decide your DESTINATION.

2. Once you have picked your destination, next thing to look into is what sort of cruise ship is right for you. Here are a number of factors that can affect your choice – budget, onboard facilities, dining, entertainment, service...the list goes on! Cruising offers a great deal of choice, but if you know what kind of holiday you are after relaxed, adventurous, family-orientated etc. you will be able to find a cruise ship that suits you!

3. Activities and Entertainment on board - Are you looking for fun on board? Cruise ships come with lots of onboard activities. So you may want to look into the kind of activities they offer on the ships and make your choice of ship.

4. Shore excursions are another important factor too. You do dock and shore excursions can add to your experience as well. However, it also depends on what sort of shore excursions you are after. Do you want action and adventure or are you the traveller who has an appetite for culture? 

5. Demographic of people - Did you want to sail on a cruise ship for travellers in a certain age group? Perhaps kids free cruise - only adult cruise? Or a family friendly cruise? A small intimate group? You can use the onboard activities to decide what sort of demographic will be sailing on board.

6. Budget - This is, of course, the most important. You want to ensure you get value for your money. Look out for sales periods and try and book during those periods as that's where they have special add-on benefits as well.

These are basically some of the tips to look into before booking a cruise.

By Premila Dawson

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