How to Plan a Cruise

Ten decisions, each narrowing the next, so you never compare a hundred ships at once.

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How to Plan a Cruise in Ten Decisions

Knowing how to plan a cruise is mostly knowing the order of decisions. Each one narrows the next, so you never compare a hundred ships at once.

The Decisions, in Order

1. Who is going? Ages, mobility, interests and whether anyone has cruised before.
2. When can you travel? A date window, not a single date, gives you more choice.
3. How long? A short sailing to test cruising, a week, or a longer voyage.
4. Which region? Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Hawaii, or further away. The season matters as much as the place.
5. Which line suits you? Lively or quiet, family-focused or adult, mainstream or luxury.
6. Which ship? Size, age and onboard features differ widely, even within one line.
7. Which cabin? Inside, ocean view, balcony or suite, and where on the ship.
8. What is the budget? The whole trip, not just the fare. See our budget page.
9. How will you book? Directly, online, or with an advisor who compares for you.
10. What protects the trip? Travel insurance, a refundable deposit if plans may change, and valid documents.

Narrowing the Field

After the first four decisions you will usually have a handful of lines and ships. Compare them on what matters to your group: dining style, entertainment, kids’ clubs, accessibility, included extras and the ports on the route. Deck plans help with cabin choice; check where the cabin sits relative to lifts, theaters and pool decks.

Then ask for quotes on two or three options, with the same cabin type, so you compare like with like.

A traveler leaning on a car holds open a large road map in a desert landscape

Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Ship

Does the ship have what each member of the group needs, from kids’ clubs to quiet adult spaces?
How formal are the evenings, and is there a dress code you will enjoy?
Which restaurants are included, and which charge extra?
How many sea days are there, and what happens on them?
Are the ports ones where you can explore on foot, or will you need excursions?

After You Book

Booking is the start of planning, not the end. Put the final payment date in your calendar. Buy insurance; Cruise & Travel Insurance explains what to look for. Then work through flights, the hotel the night before, excursions and the paperwork, in the order shown in our timeline. If documents are a worry, Travel From Home covers passports and trip paperwork in general.

How to Plan a Cruise: Questions

Should I choose the ship or the itinerary first?

Usually the region and dates first, then compare ships sailing it. If a ship itself is the attraction, reverse the order.

Is it better to book a cruise directly or through an advisor?

Fares are generally set by the cruise line either way. An advisor adds comparison, advice and help when plans change, at no extra cost to you in most cases.

Get Two or Three Options to Compare

Tell our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise who is travelling and when. We will suggest the best-fitting sailings, free.

Get My Options