Five things worth knowing before you book a cruise

<p>After thirty years of arranging cruises, I have had the same conversations many times. Not because clients are uninformed — they are not — but because cruise brochures are designed to present the product in the most appealing light, and some important details get buried or glossed over. Here are five things I think are worth knowing before you book.</p><h2>1. Cabin grade matters more than you might think</h2><p>The difference between an inside cabin and a balcony cabin is not just a window. It is the difference between waking up with no natural light and waking up to a view of the sea. On a seven-night cruise, that difference compounds.</p><p>That said, inside cabins are not always the wrong choice. On a short cruise where you plan to spend most of your time ashore or in the public areas, an inside cabin at a lower price point can make sense. On a longer cruise, or one with scenic itineraries — the Norwegian fjords, the Canaries, the Mediterranean — a balcony is worth the extra cost.</p><p>The cabin grade also affects where on the ship you are. Lower decks are more stable in rough weather. Mid-ship cabins are the most stable overall. Aft cabins can have engine noise. Forward cabins can be noisy in rough seas. These are things worth knowing before you choose.</p><h2>2. The headline price rarely includes everything</h2><p>Most mainstream cruise lines charge separately for drinks, gratuities, speciality dining, and shore excursions. On some lines, these extras can add a significant amount to the total cost of the trip.</p><p>Drinks packages vary considerably. Some are good value if you drink regularly; others are not. Gratuities are typically charged per person per day and are added to your onboard account automatically. Speciality restaurants charge a cover fee on top of the included dining.</p><p>Before you book, it is worth understanding what is and is not included in the price you are being quoted. I will always make this clear.</p><h2>3. Not all cruise lines are the same</h2><p>P and O, MSC, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Cunard, Silversea, Seabourn — these are not interchangeable products. They have different passenger profiles, different onboard atmospheres, different food quality, different entertainment styles, and different price points.</p><p>What works brilliantly for one traveller is completely wrong for another. A first-time cruiser who books a Cunard voyage expecting a lively, sociable atmosphere may be disappointed. A seasoned cruiser who books a large Royal Caribbean ship expecting a quiet, refined experience will certainly be disappointed.</p><p>The right cruise line depends on who you are, how you like to travel, and what you want from the trip. I will ask you the right questions before I make any recommendations.</p><h2>4. Shore excursions booked through the cruise line are not always the best option</h2><p>Cruise lines make a significant margin on shore excursions. The tours they offer are generally reliable and well-organised, but they are not always the best way to see a destination, and they are rarely the cheapest.</p><p>In some ports, independent exploration is easy and preferable. In others — particularly in destinations where the port is some distance from the town, or where local transport is unreliable — booking through the cruise line makes sense. I will advise on which is which for the specific itinerary you are considering.</p><h2>5. Travel insurance is not optional</h2><p>This applies to all travel, but it is worth stating clearly for cruises. Medical treatment on board a cruise ship is expensive. Medical evacuation from a ship at sea is very expensive. If you need to be flown home from a port in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, the costs can be substantial.</p><p>Make sure your travel insurance covers cruise-specific risks, including cabin confinement, missed port cover, and itinerary changes. Not all standard travel insurance policies cover these.</p><p>If you are thinking about a cruise and want to talk through the options, get in touch. A conversation costs nothing, and it is the best way to make sure you end up on the right ship.</p>