UPDATED JULY 2024. At Get Away Today, we love everything about cruising. Whether you're a first time cruiser or have been on enough cruises to fill a travel journal, taking a cruise is always a good idea.

To help you plan, we've put together six questions to ask before booking a cruise

There are few things quite as exciting as booking a cruise. Whether it's your first cruise or tenth, it's fun to look forward to a new adventure. And now it is easier than ever to book your cruise right here online. You can compare cruises, see what specials are available and so much more. But before you get there, there are six questions you need to ask before booking a cruise.

We cover each of these six questions to help walk you through planning your perfect cruise from shore excursions to dress codes, cruise fares and even tips for first-time cruisers. Now let’s get sailing!

The first question to ask yourself before booking a cruise should be your destination. Are you craving the warmth of the Caribbean? Do you dream of seeing the majesty of Alaska? Would you like to see a sample of the most popular European cities?

Your cruise vacation can be any one of these dream destinations! Here are a few highlights of our most popular cruise destinations:

• See dramatic landscapes with glaciers and wildlife in their natural habitat. If this sounds like something you would enjoy, an Alaskan cruise can take you there!
• Is the laid back life calling to you? Soak up all the pleasures of The Bahamas on a cruise to this chain of islands and private cays located in the Atlantic Ocean near Florida.
• White sand beaches, palm trees swaying in the breeze, fun-filled and action packed itineraries is what Caribbean cruising is all about. Does this fit your vibe, we can help you make those dreams come true.
• Drop anchor near the world’s most talked about destinations. Enjoy the food, culture, shopping and sights in locations throughout Europe, the British Isles and more. Get Away Today vacation experts can help make your European cruise dreams a reality.

Deciding on your destination is the first step to planning your first or next cruise. And once you decide that, it will affect the next few questions.

Another question to consider is where you want to sail from. Some of the most common things to consider when choosing a port city are:

• Choosing the closest port to you
• Finding good airfare deals to a specific port city
• Adding on days to your vacation by spending time in your port city
• If you have time and/or want to get a passport (If you’re sailing in and out of the United States, passports aren't required, although we always recommend them.)

The amount of time you spend cruising depends on you! Cruises typically range anywhere from 2 nights to 7 nights or more!

Choosing your cruise length can depend on a few factors. Ask yourself these questions when deciding your cruise length:

• How much time off do I have?
• What does the school calendar look like?
• How many different places do we want to explore?
• How much time do I want to spend on a ship during “at sea” days?
• Do I need a quick getaway or a full escape to get away from it all?

Keep in mind that you'll likely want to arrive in your port city a day before your cruise departs.

One thing is certain, no matter how much time you have, there's a cruise out there for you. Deciding how much time you have for your cruise is hopefully one of the easier questions to answer.

The best time to go on a cruise not only depends on your schedule and wish list, but also has to do with the weather. Here are a few things to keep in mind depending on your destination choice:

• Hurricane season in the Caribbean generally occurs between mid-August and early November.
• Mid-November through April is the Caribbean's dry season.
• For an Alaskan cruise, you'll need to plan on going during summer for optimal weather conditions.
• Spring and Fall are gorgeous times to explore Europe

Other things might make your time of year decision for you. For example, if you have a summer celebration for an anniversary or graduation, it makes sense to travel in June or July.

If you’d like to sail Halloween on the High Seas, you’ll likely be cruising with Disney Cruise Line in October, which leads us perfectly into our next cruise question.

Deciding on a cruise line can be tricky. However, if you've already decided where, when and how long you can go, that may have already narrowed down your options.

But finding the best cruise line depends on which cruise line fits your needs best. Will you be traveling with children? Are kids camps important to you? Or do you care more about exclusive adult offerings? Or is the best deal most important to you?

Even things like if you have been on a cruise before factors into the best cruise line question. Do you want to stay with the same cruise line or try something new?

Even things like if you have been on a cruise before factors into the best cruise line question. Do you want to stay with the same cruise line or try something new?

Our team loves cruises and particularly enjoys Disney Cruise Line as the best Cruise line for families, along with Royal Caribbean for popularity among families with teens.

Now that you know which cruise line, you can pick which cruise ship. There have been so many new cruise ships over the last few years and they just seem to be getting bigger and better.

Just like when picking the cruise line, you should consider your travel needs and preferences when choosing which cruise ship is right for you.

If you're looking for the best technology and some of the newest things to hit the sea, one of the newer cruise ships may be the best option for you. It may even come down to the type of entertainment and/or characters (if offered) are found on each ship.

Here are some of our Get Away Today team’s favorite ships and why:

• Disney Wish because it is one of the newest in the Disney Fleet, also offers Cinematic Dining Experiences, AquaMouse and amazing Kids Clubs.
• Royal Wonder of the Seas because of its 8 neighborhoods, 25 Dining options, 2 Flow RIders, ice skating rink, zip line and more.
• Carnival Jubilee because it features Seuss at Sea™, Playlist Productions™; and even newer favorites like BOLT®, RedFrog® Tiki Bar and Family Feud™ Live.

If you're not sure which ship is best for you, you can always call our cruise experts at 877-510-2929 for personalized help!

And the last, best question…

We hope the answer is YES and we want to help make that happen. We hope these top questions to ask before booking a cruise make it even easier for you to book.

The best way to book any of our cruise packages is online right now to compare cruise fares, see ports of call and more. Or feel free to give our cruise experts a call at 877-510-2929. You won't regret making memories on a cruise this year!