Top Nine Tips For Round The World Cruisers

Planning any holiday can be time-consuming, especially if you're embarking on an epic round the world trip. Read on and I'll give you my top nine tips that can make your round the world cruise a delight from start to finish.

Book at the right time:
Keen on getting the best deal possible? Flexible on travel times or even destination? You've two main options - either book 3-6 months in advance and bag an early bird discount - often up to 12-45% the usual price, or leave it to the last minute and see what deals are still available. With advance discounts, not only can you save a substantial amount, but you have the full choice of cabins and balconies, plus you could put your advance saving towards an upgrade on spending money on board. Last minute deals can be great, but you may need to factor in more expensive transfers or awkward connections to make it work.

Speak to a cruise expert:
There are specialist cruise companies that can help you sort through all the myriad options on a cruise holiday and make sure you get a good deal that actually suits you. Cruise ships can vary quite a lot in terms of dress code, level of service and excursion options so make sure you get the advice you need to plan your well deserved trip.

Try cruising from home:
With the ever increasing inconvenience (and expense) of flying, more and more people are simply driving to a local port to begin their cruise. In the UK, many round the world cruises now depart from Southampton and you can be onboard and enjoying your holiday within 15 minutes of arrival if you time it right.

Test the waters:
If you've been dreaming of getting away for a long cruise, why not try a sector cruise first? You can hop onboard round the world cruises for a week or two and see if it's for you. This not only gives you a chance to try out that specific cruise ship and crew, but you'll have the chance to meet people who've been on the same ship for much longer, which can be far more insightful than any brochure.

Family cruises:
Round the world cruise ships vary in their target market - some are definitely adults only and focus heavily on upscale luxury and gourmet experiences geared towards more mature cruisers. Some however, are more family friendly and you can save more on your trip by taking a family room together at a progressive discount per person. Whilst this might be a little cramped for some people, the shared experience of seeing the world together might be for you.

All inclusive:
Check what's actually included in your 'all inclusive' package - nobody wants a large bill at the end for all the little things you've accumulated over the voyage, so make sure and budget accordingly. Read independent reviews of the specific ship you're travelling on and make sure that you understand the various meal plans and opening hours of your all inclusive package to avoid frustrations on your trip.

Tipping:
Tip generously in cash early on with anyone you'll be seeing a lot of and you'll be amazed at how fast your drinks arrive poolside next time! It's always prudent to be nice to any service staff, but as many of the crew will be paid nearer the end of the trip, putting some spendable cash in their pocket will be highly appreciated.

Packing:
Pack light, and remember that many cruise ships have laundrettes. If you're going for a long cruise, there's no way you could bring enough clothes with you anyway. Longer cruises tend to be more upmarket, so make sure you pack a few formal outfits, but let's face it, shopping for new clothes as you cruise around the world is part of the fun.

Excursions
Keep an eye on the prices of shore excursions, sometimes what the holiday company charges you is several times what the exact same trip costs when you get on shore. Obviously it's less hassle to have the crew take care of everything, and you'd be wise not to skimp on anything potentially dangerous like diving, but often it's more fun to jump ashore and explore things for yourself - surely the main attraction of a round the world cruise in the first place!

So there you have it, the top nine most useful things to consider when embarking on your first round the world cruise!

And when you’re ready to start planning your next world cruise, I’d like to invite you to visit: www.worldcruiser.co.uk.