What to Book, When to Book, and What to Bring
If you’ve never been on a cruise before, our Newark Airport parking company highly suggests trying it out. Rather than a trip to the beach or a weekend in a major city, a cruise is a different kind of vacation. You’ll enjoy entertainment, dining, excursions, beaches, cities, and more – all in one trip.
Having never been on a cruise, knowing which one to book, when to book, what to bring, and more can be a little confusing. Here’s what to know:
How to Book
Unlike a spontaneous road trip or a day at the shore, a cruise takes planning and the earlier you book, the more likely you are to get the dates and the cabin room you want. Most cruisers book their trip 5-8 months in advance. While you can easily book a cruise through the cruise website, we suggest looking into a travel agent. Travel agents usually have a special relationship with certain cruise lines and can get you a better deal than if you were to book yourself.
Expectations
Many first-time cruisers really don’t know what to bring with them or what will happen once they board the ship. If you’re taking an international cruise, be sure to let your credit card companies know you’ll be in a different country and when you pack, remember your passport and photo ID. In addition, convert your American currency before you leave. (It’s usually more expensive to convert it when you’re already at your destination.)
Once you board the ship, you’ll be shown to your cabin and will be given a list of daily events, dining hours, and more. You can expect to spend some (anywhere from a few hours to two days) time at the port. You may be anxious to get your trip under way, but this is a great time to check out the local dining or shopping areas, take a tour of the ship, or head to a show.
When to Go
The Caribbean: It’s warm any time of the year in the Caribbean, but look for deals December through March.
The Bahamas: Hurricane season in the Bahamas is late August through September, so try going in May or early June.
Europe: To avoid the crowds from May through August, book your trip in March, April, September, or October.
Alaska: July and August boast warmer temperatures, but are more likely for rain, while early May and late September are drier, but temperatures tend to be pretty chilly.
Mexico: Because Mexico is warm, peak tourist season is during the winter months. Look for deals in May and early November.
No matter when you decide to book your cruise, make sure you make a Newark Airport parking reservation with us!