There are many decisions to make when selecting a cruise-which cruise line should you sail with, where do you want to go, how long of a cruise will you take, what are the best cruise staterooms for your holiday? Not all cruise lines have the same amenities and destinations and not all staterooms (or cabins) are created equal.
Your cruise stateroom is a floating hotel room , a hotel room where you spend a fair amount of time as you progress from port to port. It’s considerably smaller, but offers similar features such as daily cleaning, turn down service and room service. Just as when determining which hotel room level suits you during your land travels, you’ll need to pick from multiple cruise stateroom options. So, how do you decide? We’ve put together a few tips to help you pick the perfect cruise staterooms for you and your family.
1. Determine your budget – Stateroom categories vary by price, so, before you pick, you’ll need to decide how much you can afford to spend. I suggest putting together a budget and researching prices before you make final plans. Factor in the price of the cruise, accommodation and meals before and after your cruise (if applicable), transportation to the ship (flights, gas & parking fees, train tickets), beverages, excursions and gratuities.
Also, look for cruise deals before making your purchase. You might find our Caribbean cruise money saving tips article to be helpful to keep more money in your pocket.
You may be able to get a free onboard credit, free drink package or kids sail free offer. Don’t forget to look at what amenities are available with upgrades. You might find that the added perks of one stateroom over another will level out the expenses.
Our travel budget planner might be a helpful tool for recording the numbers.
