Cruises are one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors.
PLANNING YOUR CRUISE
1.
Know your personality, Woodruff says.
Another ship-size insight to keep in mind: Larger ships are often less expensive, says Woodruff.
Open loop is where you start in one place and end in a totally different place.
(That said, its important to confirm this detail with the cruise line.)
Those who want to bookend their cruise with mini adventures may be better off with the open-loop route.
That way you might vacation in different cities on either side of your cruise.
you could also seek out sites like cruisecritic.com, cruiseline.com or cruisehive.com.
People are honest with their opinions, Woodruff says of these third-party groups.
When to book
Choosing when to book your cruise depends largely on the destinations popularity and season.
This short season limits availability.
Meanwhile, options abound in year-round escapes like the Caribbean, Woodruff says.
These in-demand rooms typically sell out quickly, so book as early as you could.
On some ships, the lower decks only have a porthole with no balcony, she says.
Try a solo cruise
According to CLIA, solo travel is growing in popularity.
Companies are also making the travel style more feasible by retrofitting ships with additional single cabins.
Beane, who was initially nervous about cruising alone, now enjoys these solo voyages.
Theres always somebody to take care of you.
Theres so much [in terms of logistics that cruisers] dont have to worry about.
Read ourSmart Guide to Solo Travelfor more tips.
Some of the more well-known [niche cruises] are around music, says Faust.
The options are about as diverse as your cruises travel destinations.
This customization makes cruising perfect for multigenerational family trips, says Faust.
Varying budget options, especially when it comes to cabins, ensure everyone can join too.
There are different price points for different budgets.
Try an expedition
An expedition cruise centers on exploration and adventure.
The ships are often smaller, giving travelers the chance to more deeply experience a destination.
This is particularly important in places like Antarctica, where international law means strict regulations.
A ship of 200 people can get up close and personal, says Faust.
In addition to access, expedition ships ensure you travel alongside experts.
They have an expedition staff thats with you to help you interpret the nature and wildlife, says Faust.
What a great way to retire, says Faust.
But really think about what you want after a trip.
Do you still want to be in a group environment or do you want more free time?
Theyre free to passengers.
Companies that offer cruise-specific insurance include World Nomads, Allianz Travel and Travel Guard.
Note:Insurance policiesvary and not all offer a full refund.
check that you read all the fine print.
GET A DEAL
15.
Its when cruise lines do big pushes to get sales up, Woodruff says.
A lot of them have deals, whether its for free Wi-Fi or free airfare.
