We just came back from a 9-day cruise with Royal Caribbean and had a fantastic time. Cruising is a great way to vacation with our 4-year-old son ... all the planning is done for us; no wondering where to go for dinner, or what to see and do. We just show up and enjoy.
As most cruises are all-inclusive, they are also a terrific bang for your buck. Here's some helpful tips on how to get the biggest bang for your buck:
1. Book early. To get the best price and cabin, most guests book a year in advance. If the price drops after you reserve your space, the difference is always refunded back to you. The busiest and most expensive time to book a cruise is when kids are out from school, so if you can go outside of the Summer, you'll find great deals, particularly September through December.
2. Avoid airfare packages. If you need to fly to the cruise port, you can usually get a better deal if you book the airfare separately as airlines typically have frequent sales.
3. Watch out-of-pocket expenses. Although cruises are all-inclusive, there are a few things that your cost does not include. For example, soda is not included, but most cruise lines offer a soda card that you can purchase on your first day that will cover all your soda for the entire trip. If you're a soda drinker, it's worth it. Water, iced tea and lemonade are usually free.
