Important info to know about taking a cruise

Cruise deals are always available. The key to booking is booking early. If you plan to cruise in the months of March to August , plan on booking  at least a year in advance so that way you can get the room and the price you want. You may find a great deal last minute but it is going to be for a for a less desirable cabin. If you are a person who can cruise anytime of the year and you just want to get a good deal, try cruising in the months of January, February, September, October, November and early December. For year round destinations such as the Caribbean, deals are much easier to find all year long. For season cruises, such as Europe and Alaska , plan on booking over a year in advance. The higher in demand a cruise is , means that the rate will be higher. 

By now you have heard the term" all inclusive". A cruise is still one of the best values in travel, because it does include lodging, meals and entertainment. After the cruise fare is paid then there are some out of pocket expenses that you will need to set aside some money for. Most of the out of pocket expenses paid on a cruise is things of a more personal nature. Check with your cruise line for everything that is included and not included.

Soda and alcohol: Carbonated drinks(soda) is not included in the fare. These beverages are charged by the glass or can. They can range anywhere between $1.00 to $1.75 depending on the cruise line. If you are a big soda drinker then you are going to want to purchase a soda card. Most cruise lines have that card so that way you can get an unlimited amount of soda throughout your cruise. Those cards are one set rate and can range between $12 to 50 per person depending on the length of cruise and the cruise line. Most cruises lines will allow you to bring your own soda, but with moderation. Alcoholic beverages are also not included on most major cruise lines. When purchasing alcoholic beverages your tab can add up. Higher priced cruise lines charge more for alcoholic beverages. Most major cruise lines allow you to bring your own wine or champagne. There really aren't any cruise lines that allow you to bring hard liquor. Ask your cruise planner to give you a price list of the drinks offered so that way you can know about how much you will be spending.

Souvenirs: More than likely, you are going to want to purchase thing to remember your cruise or bring back gifts for you loved ones. Most souvenirs on board will be a little overprice, so if you can try and purchase something in the gift shops near port. If you see a must have item on board ask the gift shop workers about any sales.

Shore Excursions: A shore excursion is a tour or activity that you do once you reach port. Prices for a shore excursion can range between $15 to $150 depending on the length and type of excursion. When purchasing a shore excursion it is a good idea to purchase the excursion from the cruise line. Even though a shore excursion may come at a lower price from a private tour company, cheaper is not always better.If your tour is running late or anything happens that causes you to be running late for your departure , the cruise will leave without you. When you are booked on a tour offered by the cruise line, then you have no worries about missing your ship. If your budget is not allowing you to do any tour a self guided tour is always good. Research the port you are visiting and make a plan to visit popular spots that the cruises port has.

Casino: The casino is one of the most popular spots on board. Many people spend their spending money at this spot. Set a limit to how much you are willing to spend. Avoid the casino if you can.There is plenty of free entertainment offered on board.

Tipping: Most cruise lines will recommend tips at $10 per day per person. Tips are not required but highly recommended. Most of the staff gets paid off of tips and they work very hard, so it is recommended to tip them.

Choosing the right cabin can be the most important part in planning your cruise. There are usually four different types of cabins: interior, ocean view, balcony and suite. The location of your cabin can either be a noisy location, keep you seasick or be just right. The price of a cabin is based on the type of cabin cabin and the cabin location. If you are get seasick easily or are worried about being in a noisy area, DO NOT BOOK A ROOM IN A TBA status. A TBA status or a guaranteed is a cabin picked at random by the cruise line that guarantees a cabin in the category that you've chosen, and there is a possibility of an upgrade. The biggest risk with that choice is giving up the option to pick your cabin location. If you do not care about where you end up on the ship, then this is the BEST way to go. The TBA or guarantee cabin choice is always offered at the lowest rate. If you are a first time cruiser I recommend paying the extra money to pick out your cabin style and location, because if you get the guarantee or TBA room then you may not be happy where you are put or the type of cabin you end up in. Once you are not happy  about the cabin you end up in then it can absolutely ruin the entire cruise.