Don Herman Everything you need to know about how to plan a cruise, in the order we’d do it.
I remember planning my first cruise. Or rather, I remember trying to plan my first cruise. I had no idea what I was doing. I looked at the promo material, thought everything looked great, signed up online and waited for it all to happen.
Then reality showed up. I’d missed the deadlines for securing excursions and booking specialty dinners. And the cabin I’d been assigned was right under the Lido deck pool area, so the joggers and chair movers woke me up at 7:30 every single morning. I made a lot of mistakes because I didn’t know any better.
And yet, Alaska was magical: glaciers, totem poles, coffee on a balcony surrounded by floating ice. It just could have gone a lot more smoothly.
That’s why we wrote this guide. If you’re wondering how to plan a cruise without repeating my mistakes, you’re in the right place. Over more than two dozen ocean and river cruises together, Dwaine and I have learned what really matters. This cruise planning guide breaks it all into 13 steps, in the order we’d tackle them. Follow along from start to finish, or jump to the step where you’re stuck.
The goal is simple: walk into that first conversation with a travel agent informed, not flustered.
How to Plan a Cruise: Your 13-Step Roadmap
Missed excursion deadlines? That’s Step 9. The noisy cabin? Step 5. Everything else I got wrong is in here somewhere, too.
1. What a Cruise Really Costs
Start with the dream, then put real numbers to it. See what a cruise costs beyond the fare, so nothing surprises you later.
2. Choose Your Cruise Type
Ocean or river? Mega-ship or small ship? Find the style that fits how you like to travel.
3. Cruise Itinerary Planning Tips
Where to go, when to go, and how ports, sea days and seasons shape the trip.
4. Decide How to Book
Travel agent, cruise line direct or online? Compare your options, and learn how fare tiers work so you know what you’re paying for.
5. How to Choose a Cruise Cabin
Inside, oceanview, balcony or suite, plus where on the ship you’ll want to be (and which decks to avoid).
6. How to Lock In and Protect Your Booking
Deposits, payment deadlines and travel insurance, so a change of plans doesn’t cost you the trip.
7. Pre- and Post-Cruise Stays
Getting to the ship, and whether to add a night or two on either end.
8. Are Cruise Drink and Wifi Packages Worth It?
Drinks, Wi-Fi and other extras. Which are worth paying for, and which aren’t?
9. How to Book Cruise Shore Excursions
Ship excursions or independent tours? How to book, and how to keep your days in port relaxed.
10. Pre-Cruise Requirements Checklist
Documents, check-in and the final to-do list before you leave home.
11. Cruise Embarkation Day Tips
What to expect from the pier to your first evening onboard.
12. Make the Most of Your Days Onboard
First-time cruiser advice for getting the most out of your days at sea.
13. Cruise Disembarkation Tips
Getting off the ship smoothly and wrapping up the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should you plan a cruise?
Earlier than you think. Popular sailings, especially Alaska and river cruises, often sell the best cabins and dates months ahead, and early booking gives you more choice on ship, cabin and excursions. Also watch the deadlines after you book, like final payment and excursion or dining reservations. I missed a few on my first cruise. See Cruise Itinerary Planning Tips and Decide How to Book
How much should you budget for a cruise?
The fare is only the starting point. Budget for taxes and port fees, gratuities, shore excursions, drink and Wi-Fi packages, airfare, travel insurance, and any hotel nights before or after the cruise. Add those up before you commit so nothing surprises you onboard. Our budgeting guide walks through each category in What a Cruise Really Costs
Is it better to book through a travel agent or the cruise line?
Both work, and the right choice depends on how much guidance you want. A travel agent can answer questions, compare fare types and help sort out cabins, while booking direct gives you full control. Either way, know what you want before you call. We compare the options in Decide How to Book Personally, we use an online travel agent – one assigned to us with a direct line we can call. It’s so helpful to have someone who can answer questions and maybe get you out of a jam!
What should first-time cruisers know before booking?
Know your priorities before you book: the cruise style, the itinerary, and the cabin. Check where the cabin sits on the ship (noise from above or below matters more than you’d expect), and understand what your fare includes before paying for upgrades. Start with Choose Your Cruise Type and How to Choose a Cruise Cabin
Do you need travel insurance for a cruise?
It’s worth serious consideration. A cruise is a big, mostly prepaid commitment, and plans can change for reasons you can’t control. Policies differ in what they cover, so read the details before you buy. We cover the basics in How to Lock In and Protect Your Booking.
Who’s Behind This Guide
We’re Don and Dwaine, retired travelers who have been together almost 30 years, and we’ve been comparing cruise notes for most of them. Our cruises include the Caribbean, Alaska, the Panama Canal, the British Isles, a Norway northern lights sailing, the Nile, and the Rhine, Danube and Elbe rivers. Our experience is mostly on Princess and Viking, and we try to point out when there are differences in the cruise lines. We don’t rewrite press releases. Everything in this guide comes from trips we’ve actually taken, mistakes included.
Ready to Get Started?
Start with What a Cruise Really Costs
Sign up for our newsletter below for quarterly updates, insights and travel tips from our travels. No spamming and we will never, ever sell your address.
