Introduction

Cruises are a great way to see the world and enjoy some relaxation. But if you want to make sure your next trip is truly amazing, you’ll need to do some research beforehand. Here are eight of our best tips for making sure your luxury cruise vacation is everything you’ve dreamed it would be:

Research the ship before you board.

There’s no better way to make sure your cruise is everything you dreamed it would be than by doing a little research before you board. Here are the top tips for planning your next luxury cruise:

• Know what to expect

You might have booked a cruise because of its location or itinerary, but if you’re not familiar with how ships work, what they offer and how they’re laid out, you may find yourself at sea when it comes time for shore excursions or activities on board. So before booking anything, do some reading and learn everything there is to know about luxury cruises as a whole—and specific ships in particular! One great place to start is by checking out the ship’s website; most major lines now offer virtual tours of their vessels via video and photos so that potential travelers can get an idea of what life will be like aboard each one before making any decisions about which one suits them best based solely upon price points or destinations offered. Other useful sources include reviews written by other passengers who’ve gone on similar trips (if possible), along with opinions from people who have worked at these companies themselves over time (such as travel agents).

• Have a plan for what you want to do during your trip

Choose a line and itinerary that fits you best.

Choosing a line and itinerary that fits you best is essential to having the most enjoyable experience on your luxury cruise vacation.

• Choose a cruise line that fits your personality. Some lines are known for their family-friendly atmosphere, while others cater more to adults. Some offer lots of activities and entertainment, while others do not. You’ll have an easier time if you choose a line that matches your personal style and interests!
• Choose a cruise line that fits your budget. Most cruises range from $600-$1,000 per person per week (plus taxes), but there are some options out there that can be more expensive than others—this can make it hard to decide what’s right for you! If cost is an issue for you then try checking out our article on “Cruise Tips” where we share some helpful tips on getting the best price possible so they don’t break the bank when booking this type of trip 🙂

See if you’ll be able to get a free upgrade.

If you’re a member of the cruise line’s loyalty program, or if you are a frequent cruiser, there’s a good chance that you’ll be eligible for upgrades.

Some cruises offer interior cabins for free upgrades. If this is the case on your next cruise, ask about it when making your reservation.

Know what’s included and what isn’t.

Before you book your cruise, it’s important to know what’s included and what isn’t. That way, you’ll have a better understanding of how much money to budget for your trip.

• What is included in the price? The cost of the cruise includes meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), drinks such as water or soda and gratuities for servers on board who provide services like room service or bar service. It also includes travel insurance (if purchased) and access to all activities aboard ship such as Broadway shows or casino gambling.
• What isn’t included in the price? Some things that aren’t included in the cost of a luxury cruise vacation include shore excursions – which are optional tours that allow passengers an opportunity to explore ports of call on land – spa packages; babysitting services; port fees; alcoholic beverages at resorts located within ports-of-call; specialty restaurants outside dining room hours; fitness center membership fees if not already included with onboard services package purchase (which usually costs between $6-$25 per person per day); laundry service unless prepaid prior during booking process; tips for other crew members like chefs who prepare meals while onboard ship

Don’t bring your entire closet onboard.

The first thing to remember is that you will be living out of a suitcase for the duration of your cruise. It’s important not to bring too much because you don’t want to be lugging it around all day! Try packing outfits that can be mixed and matched so that you can wear each piece more than once, but not necessarily consecutively. Also bring a bathing suit and cover-up, shoes that are comfortable on the ship (no heels!), light jacket or sweater, hat or scarf, and an umbrella in case rain threatens while at sea.

Be careful when going on a land excursion.

• Be wary of excursions. Many cruises include excursion packages, but be sure you understand what’s included in the package before booking it. For example, some tours might be described as “pickup and drop-off” only, without any mention of how much time will actually be spent at your destination or whether a guide will be provided.
• Read reviews before booking an excursion. If you’re planning on taking an excursion off the ship and don’t have anything else planned for that day, read reviews from other passengers who have gone on similar excursions to see if there are any common complaints about poor service or unsafe practices that may apply specifically to yours (e.g., lack of sleep on overnight tours). You should also check out websites like TripAdvisor to see if anyone has posted specific warnings about particular tour operators or motorcoaches within recent months or years—good reviews are not always reliable indicators that problems won’t happen later!

Get out of town one day before sailing.

• Get your bags packed and ready to go.
• Check out of your hotel so that you can enjoy the last night in town.
• Have a final meal at your favorite restaurant before getting on the ship.
• Pack sunscreen, your swimsuit, a change of clothes or two, and anything else that you think you might need for the day ahead (e.g., extra cash).
• Set the alarm for early in the morning so that you can catch a cab or make sure there’s enough time for breakfast before leaving for Port Canaveral or other nearby ports where cruise ships sail from each day!

Pack some comfy shoes.

One of the most important tips for those considering a luxury cruise vacation is to pack some comfy shoes. It’s easy to forget about the importance of footwear when packing for your trip, so it’s best to start by thinking about what you plan on doing on your cruise and what type of shoes would be appropriate for that activity. For example, if your itinerary includes excursions such as hiking or biking, you’ll want to bring along some comfortable athletic shoes that can handle outdoor activities without causing blisters or discomfort.

If you’re planning on participating in more formal activities during your trip (such as dinner at one of the ship’s restaurants), then dressier footwear may be appropriate—ideally something comfortable yet stylish enough that it won’t stand out among all the other elegant attire around you. And even though flip flops are typically considered acceptable poolside attire at most resorts these days, they probably aren’t going to fly well with everyone aboard ship—especially since there isn’t always much space between chairs and tables outside food venues where people could accidentally step on them!

A cruise can provide a relaxing getaway like no other destination can, but there are some things to consider before booking your trip.

When you’re planning your next luxury cruise vacation, it’s important to consider the following tips:

• Some cruise lines have different policies regarding free upgrades. For example, if you’re booking a ticket on Royal Caribbean and you’ve booked an inside cabin then they may be able to upgrade you to a balcony or even suite! If they aren’t able to offer an upgrade or if they aren’t willing then that’s fine too – just make sure their policy is clear before booking so there are no surprises later on.
• You can’t bring everything that comes into your home onto a luxury ship like this one. There will not be enough space for all of those suitcases! So take only what is necessary with you – remember this is about relaxing and having fun after all! Make sure when packing your bags that everything fits within their strict size requirements as well (nothing larger than 22″X14″X9″). This also means don’t pack anything breakable in case there is any shifting around during travel time; also make sure any liquids are properly sealed because liquids are not allowed unless otherwise noted by security staff prior

to boarding at port locations or during customs inspection once entering international waters

Conclusion

When you’re on a cruise, you have to think about more than just packing your bags. You have to consider what kind of experience you want—do you want it all included (including alcohol) or would you rather do it yourself? Do you need to bring all of your toiletries and medicine? How will the weather impact your decision? Will there be any opportunities for excursions at sea or nearby ports? These are just some of the questions that come up when planning a luxury ocean voyage. We hope our tips help!