9 Common Cruise Booking Mistakes You Should Avoid As A Traveller

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Source: cruisecritic.com

How often should you travel? The answer depends entirely on who you are and where you want to go. If you enjoy being away from home, then you might not mind spending two weeks or even months at a time in another country. On the other hand, if you prefer to stay close to home, you might want to consider traveling once every three years.

Many people don’t realize how much they can benefit from frequent international travel. For example, research shows that frequent travelers tend to live longer than those who rarely leave their homes. And it turns out that these benefits apply whether you fly halfway across the world or take a short train ride to a foreign land.

Some people say that international travel boosts brain power because it keeps us learning new languages, broadens our minds, and helps us retain information better. However, some experts believe that frequent relocation can have negative side effects, such as stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

A cruise holiday is great fun and relaxing way to enjoy some time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. What’s a cruise vacation without a little bit of adventure? If you’re looking for a way to get away from the everyday grind, a cruise might be perfect for you. Whether you dream of relaxing on a tropical beach or exploring exotic ports, cruises offer plenty of opportunities for fun.

Cruise vacations are becoming increasingly popular as they offer travelers a chance to enjoy the comforts of home while traveling abroad. You don’t even need to leave your room to take part in some of these amazing adventures.

Cruises give travelers the ability to explore new destinations while enjoying the luxury of staying at their favorite resorts. The travel season also provides passengers with the opportunity to experience exciting activities such as diving, snorkeling, sailing, and zip lining.

Are you looking to book a cruise vacation or ship tour for next year? While cruising offers many benefits, it also comes with its share of challenges. Like the booking mistakes, you might do while making an online reservation. We will present to you today some of them so that you can try to avoid them in the future.

I am sure you have heard about cruise travel booking mistakes and how people end up paying hundreds of dollars extra for their vacation. Here are some tips to avoid some of these common mistakes.

1. Not checking prices before buying

Source: royalcaribbeanblog.com

Don’t do that! You should always check the prices of cruises before you book a cruise online. If you’re not careful enough you might get lured in by a deal and end up spending thousands of dollars without knowing what’s going on.

2. Booking online vs. offline

Booking tours and activities online are much easier than making arrangements on the phone. Sometimes, however, there’s just no substitute for talking to a live person. In addition, if you book a tour via email, you won’t have time to ask questions about what to expect and how long things will take. Make sure to always check out reviews about the company and look for customer service numbers and call times.

3. Not checking the itinerary

When booking a tour or activity, make sure to double-check the details of the itinerary. You don’t want to end up spending hours in line only to find out that your tour or activity was canceled due to inclement weather. Also, try to schedule activities around meal times. When dining onboard, make sure to keep track of the menu so you know what dishes are included. Be aware that some restaurants post their menus on their websites.

4. Getting the wrong time zone

When you book a cruise trip you need to make sure that your destination is going to be in the right time zone to fit into the cruise schedule. Most cruises depart at night so if you live outside of the U.S. the day you want to go on a cruise will probably be in the middle of the night for you.

5. Buying tickets directly from cruise websites

Source: orlandosentinel.com

You may think that it’s safer to buy your cruise tickets online since they guarantee that you won’t be scammed but sometimes you still run into problems. When you book a ticket on the shipboard website you never know what kind of conditions you will encounter while traveling on the boat. There could be issues with the internet connection, the computers, etc.

6. Booking the cheapest room

This mistake is even worse than the first one. Even though you book a cheaper hotel room you can end up getting stuck with a room that doesn’t meet your standards. Try to find hotels that offer free breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, and a gym.

7. Paying for extras without asking

If you don’t ask the cruise line about additional charges, you definitely shouldn’t pay for them yourself. Things like laundry services, drinks packages, spa treatments, etc. are just examples of things that you should try to negotiate with the company before you book your trip.

8. No cancellation insurance

Cancellation insurance can help cover any costs related to canceled services or trips. However, many companies charge a hefty fee if the policy is purchased after the fact. Before paying the premium, make sure you’ll use the coverage. Check if there are any exclusions and read the fine print.

9. Not reading the review

Before booking anything, make sure to read reviews about the company you’re considering. Reviews can give your insight into how well the company does business and whether they stand behind its products and services. Read reviews on TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google, and Facebook.

There are plenty of simple details that people overlook when booking a trip or activity. From buying tickets to arrival information, these details could save you a ton of money and hassle later. Make sure to remember the following details about yourself and your group, and try to prevent making any huge mistakes that will cost you dearly. Hope you liked our article and it is going to be a useful guide for your next trip. I wish you a safe and wonderful journey.