Welcome to our comprehensive guide on planning the perfect cruise vacation! Here, we’ll break down the key components to ensure your next cruise is smooth sailing from start to finish. Prefer to listen to this? Check out our podcast on this very thing!
Cruise Line Differences
Understanding Reservation Systems
Each cruise line has unique reservation systems for dining and excursions. Major ocean liners like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Holland America allow dining reservations to be made 8-12 months in advance. This early planning can significantly enhance your dining experience by ensuring you get your preferred dining times. For accurate info, our travel agency put together a chart with all the relevant info below.
Some cruise lines even have themed nights, if that’s important to you, you’ll want to know how to stay informed.
Timing and Cabin Class Impact
For smaller river cruises like Viking, the timeframe for reservations is shorter. Your ability to make reservations often depends on your cabin class. Higher cabin classes can book excursions and dining options up to 60 days before departure, while the lowest class may only be able to book once on board.
Want to find out the best deck on a cruise ship?
Viking Ocean Dining Availability
| Cabin Type | Dining Reservation Availability |
|---|---|
| Owner’s Suite | 100 days from sail date |
| Explorer Suites | 90 days from sail date |
| Penthouse Junior Suite | 80 days from sail date |
| Penthouse Veranda | 70 days from sail date |
| Deluxe Veranda | 60 days from sail date |
| Veranda | No priority reservations |
Excursions
Booking Priority
The selection and booking of excursions can greatly depend on the type of cruise and your cabin class. On Viking river cruises, for instance, higher cabin classes enjoy priority booking, allowing them to secure the best excursions well in advance. Lower cabin classes might find themselves with limited options if they wait until they are on the ship.
Impact on Cruise Experience
Choosing the right excursions can significantly enhance your cruise experience, especially on river cruises where deeper exploration of cities is possible. Plan ahead to make the most of your time at each destination.
Cruise Line Dining and Excursion Availability
| Cruise Line | Dining Availability | Excursion Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Ama Waterways | Booked only onboard | 30 – 45 days prior in client’s cruise check-in |
| Avalon Waterways | n/a | 90 days prior |
| Azamara | Booked only onboard | 220 – 180 days prior to departure |
| Celebrity Cruises | Within 1 year of departure | Within 1 year of departure |
| Cunard | 180 days prior | 180 days prior |
| Disney Cruise Line | New Disney cruisers – 75 days; Silver – 90 days; Gold – 105 days; Platinum – 120 days | n/a |
| Explora Journeys | 60 days prior | 90 days prior |
| Holland America Line | 120 days prior but could be sooner | Approx. 6 months but could be sooner |
| MSC Cruises | Booked only onboard (but you can purchase in advance) | Available at the time of booking |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | 120 days prior | Approx. 6 months but could be sooner |
| Oceania Cruises | Suites – when final payment is made; PH – 75 days; Concierge & Veranda – 60 days; Inside – 45 days | 1 year prior they starting loading into the system |
| Princess Cruises | Around 180 days prior | Around 180 days prior |
| Regent Seven Seas | Concierge & higher – 90 days; Lower categories – 60 days | Concierge & higher – 365 days; Lower categories – 240 days |
| Royal Caribbean International | 8-12 months prior | 9-12 months prior |
| Seabourn | No set time; have to check for each booking | Typically 120 days prior |
| Silversea Cruises | 120 days prior | As soon as deposit is made |
| Viking Expedition | Depends on category | Depends on category |
| Viking Ocean | Depends on category | Depends on category |
| Viking River | Booked onboard | 120 days prior but could be available sooner |
| Virgin Voyages | Rockstar Suite – 60 days prior | Other cabins – booked onboard | Rockstar Suite – 135 days prior | Other cabins – booked onboard |
| Windstar | Booked only onboard | 180 days prior but could be sooner |
Ports
Embarkation and Disembarkation Locations
Understanding the port locations for embarkation and disembarkation is crucial. Major cities like Rome and Venice often have ports far from the city center. For example, Rome’s port can be about three and a half hours away from the city center, and Venice’s port is now located an hour away from the city itself.
Transportation Planning
It’s important to plan your transportation from the port to the city center. Many cruise lines include transport as part of their package or offer it as an add-on. Keeping your transport arrangements in-house with the cruise line can ensure everything runs smoothly.
Flights
Cruise Packages with Flights
Some cruises offer flight packages, but these might not always be the most convenient. These packages typically focus on cost efficiency, which can result in flights with multiple connections and less favorable seating arrangements.
Upgrading Flight Packages
Consider upgrading to flight packages that offer more control over your flight selections. This upgrade can help you avoid long layovers and ensure you and your companions are seated together.
Arrival Timing
Importance of Early Arrival
One of the best tips for cruise planning is to arrive in your departure city at least a day before your cruise. This precaution helps you avoid missing the start of your cruise due to flight delays or cancellations.
Protecting Your Cruise Time
By arriving early, you protect your valuable time on the cruise, ensuring you don’t miss out on any part of your voyage due to unexpected travel disruptions.
Planning a cruise involves many moving parts, from understanding reservation systems to managing transportation and flights. By following these tips and planning ahead, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable cruise experience. If you have any questions or need assistance with your travel plans, feel free to reach out to us.
