Cruising.  Is it for you?  How does it compare with a land based vacation?  How do I go about booking a cruise?  What's included and what about tipping?  It's enough to make even the most adventurous traveler shy away from the idea of a cruise.  Read on, to help you decide if a cruise is for you!

     First of all - Why Cruise?  Flexibility, variety, choice quality experiences and excellent value for your vacation dollar are just some of the reasons that spring to mind.  Additional dining choices for formal and informal meals, greater diversity in ports of call, amazing feats of design style and comfort while you are transported place to place.  State of the art facilities for entertainment, sports, activities, enhanced programs for children and adults alike can all add up to the ultimate travel experience.

     Trying to research your own cruise vacation can be a daunting task.  With all the information out there it is not easy to narrow it down to the key points you need to be aware of in order to decide if a cruise vacation is for you.  Having an idea of what to expect before you embark can be helpful.

     Research, read reviews and contact us for recommendations on the cruise vacation you have in mind.  A 2KT - TPI agent can give you a clear idea of what to expect before you embark.

   What's included in a cruise?  Accommodation, entertainment and meals are the core elements of a basic cruise booking.  Although airfare and transfers are sometimes a part of the advertised price they are not always so be sure to find out.  Upgrading to include air and transfers to the port for departure can be added through the cruise line or booked separately for you by your travel agent.  Some extras to consider are gratuities, drinks (both alcoholic and non) and of course shore excursions, and shopping for souvenirs - as with any vacation.   A pre and/or post cruise hotel stay may be necessary in order to be at port for departure and upon your return while waiting for your return flight to bring you home.

   When is the best time to cruise?  Traveling during the off season through the school year or during the Caribbean Hurricane Seasons will bring the price down.   For a combination of the best prices and the best weather, booking for Caribbean cruising from January to May is recommended.  Generally speaking the newer ships (less than 5 years old) will have less deals and specials than the older ships in the fleet.  So if you are expecting the glass elevators, grand atriums larger common areas awesome decor and maximum quality and quantity in amenities such as elite spas and activities that the larger crowds demand then expect to pay slightly more for bookings made on these ships.  To their credit the older ships in the fleet may not have these but those looking for a more intimate cruising experience with less action will appreciate both the price point and the experience.  Remember also that holiday times such as Christmas, New Years and Spring break as well as summer months tend to cost more.

   When should I book?  Optimally to get the best price the earlier the better up to a year in advance of your travel date.  Or within three months of sailing date.  We at 2KT-TPI LONDON can track the cruise you are interested in in the interim and will also watch for price drops after your booking which may be passed onto you from the cruise line either as a refund or in the form of shipboard credit or an upgrade.

   Staterooms.  For best value you will want to book and inside cabin or an inside "guarantee".  Be aware that inside cabins mean NO natural light but upgrading to an outside cabin with a porthole, or even a balcony means an additional cost.  How much time do you actually plan to spend in your room is a consideration when choosing your accomodation.  With so much going on the ship its probably the last place you will find yourself at any given time!  Also good to remember that although the layout of the inside cabins will remain the same the higher the deck the higher the price.   When upgrading from one "type" of cabin to the next a general rule of thumb is and increase in price of approx. $100p.p. based on double occupancy or $200 per cabin is considered a good deal.  Before we conclude with accomodation options let us answer any questions you may have about a guarantee.  What is a guarantee?  If you are flexible about where on the ship you will be and would like to save a little money you can book a designated category but not a specific stateroom number within that category at a discounted price.  Allowing the cruise line to assign your specific stateroom allows them the ability to sell as many rooms at market value as possible.  This way should your guaranteed category "sell out" you will automatically be upgraded to the next category leaving the room to be assigned at the discretion of the  cruise line within that category.  Guarentee cabin assignments are made shortly after final payment is received or as late as upon check in at the ship!

   Embarkation.  This is truly exciting and can be a little overwhelming.  The sheer size of the ship and huge number of people but it is necessary to come prepared in order to minimize the hectic atmosphere of embarkation and maybe even the wait time.  There is no magic to avoiding the waiting time to get onto the ship.  The key is to have all your documentation with you.  A passport is a must for cruise vacations.  Any other ID required of you and your cruise documentation and paperwork.  Your travel agent can advise you on filling out your embarkation forms in advance online and what information you will need to access those forms.  If done enough in advance your cruise documentation will arrive with the information necessary at embarkation to take you through the process that much faster.

   Pier Upgrades.  You may have the opportunity to upgrade pending availability at the port.  Free upgrades are a rare thing of the past for the most part and a coordinator may even be available with a price list for available cabins of ships that did not sell out, again upgrading at the ship is at least $200/level p.p. or $400 per cabin and up.  Booking in advance in this case then for the cabin or category you want is advisable.

   On the Ship.  Most ships begin embarking passengers within an hour or two of passengers from the previous week disembarking.  Your stateroom will most likely not yet be ready but you can board the ship, store your carry-on luggage and begin exploring the ship and get lunch while you are waiting for your cabin.  You may be able to get yourself onto an change request wait list if you did not get the dining option you wanted at time of booking.  Soda cards are available for purchase at this time and off ship excursions can be booked in advance.

  Child Care.  All ships today will offer some form of kid's programming.  Most programs are comprehensive and offer a range of activities with optional babysitting services for additional cost available as well.  It is customary to tip caregivers for their services.  Teen activities such as miniature golf, a sports area for basketball, volleyball, inline skating, rock climbing and internet cafes are found on many ships to keep older kids busy having fun.

   Extra Expenses to Plan For.  Some people feel that cruising means hidden costs but if you know in advance what is not included and plan for it you will find that cruising when it is all said and done for all it provides is comparable to a moderately  priced all inclusive land based vacation with the bonus of many destinations as opposed to one week in one place.  Airfare and transfers  ($300 p.p. and up)  may need to be booked separately if you have booked a cruise only package and may require a hotel stay pre and/or  post  in order to meet your ship on time for departure. Tipping  is usually the big one on peoples minds.  A conservative estimate is to plan on approximately $150 per person for a seven day cruise although this amount may vary depending on the amount of money you spend. Your bar tab is another place to watch your budget but plan on approx. $200 - $250 per person on average.  Shore excursions can range from $30 to $120 p.p. per excursion or more.  Shopping  is  of course a personal matter and entirely up to the individual.  There are many opportunities to spend money on items both on and offboard the ship.  Plan a budget, be aware of how much things cost at home to be sure you are getting a deal on things. 

     When it comes down to it you have to decide what it is that you are looking for in your vacation.  If it is reading a book on a beach and some R & R you may not need all the fun, activity and stimulation a cruise has to offer with its nonstop activities programming and endless opportunities for entertainment and socializing available to you on this type of vacation.  Indeed it is almost necessary to pace your self and avoid the urge to do everything the ship has to offer.  In the end a cruise experience has so much to offer you take away simply what you want and it is in that sense what you make of it.

   Questions on cruising or looking for a cruise quote?  Click here and go to our online travel request form and choose the cruise button to inquire by email or call us!  We are looking forward to assisting you in finding the cruise that suits you today!