Five tips from a travel expert for spring break cruise
Cruise is a popular vacation choice for Spring break get aways
Spring break is just around the corner, and you know what that means… time to start planning your vacation cruise.
So here are five tips on what you need to know to have the most amazing experience.
1. By air or sea?
When it comes to airfare, it’s not great news. With airlines continuing to slash routes, that means decreased competition, which translates into increased airfare. So where are the deals? It depends on where — and how — you’re traveling.
“For those of you who are flexible with your travel, it can pay to wait until the last minute,” says Steven Fischer, vice president of cruise development at Travel Holdings, Inc. “That’s when airlines and cruises need to unload inventory, so stay on top of deals through last minute booking sites like LastMinuteCruises.com and LastMinuteTravel.com. Get a great deal and you don’t have to book 6 months in advance.”
2. Find the best-suited cruise
Whether you’re a family with two kids under 10 looking for a memorable vacation, a couple trying to revive some romance or a college student envisioning a trip on a fixed income, there is a cruise, destination and price point that is perfect for you.
“Disney cruises give families everything they’re looking for — kid-appropriate entertainment and relaxing adult-only escapes for parents,” Fischer says. “To spice up the romance, I recommend a Caribbean cruise on Celebrity Solstice class ships where you can relax and be pampered in luxury while traveling to exotic locations. And for those college students looking for dance clubs, bars on every floor and endless entertainment, Carnival cruises to the Bahamas are the perfect laid back, economical vacation.”
3. Plan ahead
Book your excursions before boarding the ship. Cruise lines generally have an updated list of shore excursions for your cruise before departure. Many cruise lines allow for advance booking. Book your top two or three in advance because many popular shore excursions sell out. If you decide to wait to plan your shore excursion, you can also book at the ship’s shore excursion desk.
4. Budget
Find out how many days you’ll be at sea and give yourself an allotted amount to spend. Having a room key as a credit card can make for easy spending. You don’t want to end your blissful vacation with an excessive tab.
“Don’t bring your credit card to the island,” Fischer says. “And only bring the amount of money with you to land that you feel comfortable spending.”
5. What to bring
“Just pack your smile,” Fischer says. “Don’t bring your laptop. Don’t check your email. Don’t bother bringing books to study. The best part of a Spring Break vacation is the time to truly relax. This is a time to let loose and have fun. You’re going to end up packing heavy textbooks that sit on the cabin floor.”
Category: Travel
About the Author (Author Profile)
Markham began his journalism career writing columns in the mid-1980s for Western People Magazine, then reported for a small Saskatchewan daily. He has spent most of his career in media and communications, likes to dabble in politics, was actively involved in economic development for many years, thinks that what goes on in the community is just as important as what happens provincially and nationally, and has a soft spot for small business (big business, not so much). Markham is a bit of a contrarian and usually has a unique take on the events of the day.
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