One of the most beloved travel personalities from the NatGeo channel, Julia Dimon. Even better we did this on a boat! We are going to be doing a live remote with her from the deck of the cruise line in Los Angeles to talk about tips on cruising and how to travel with kids when on one.
Overall 2012 Cruise Trends
Planning the trip
• Plan to stay at a nearby hotel the night before departure to minimize the stress and risk of missing the ship due to travel delays. Be sure to choose a hotel that has free transfers to the pier as well.
• Think about whom you are traveling with and the amenities you will use the most when picking your cabin. On larger ships, make sure stay close to stairwells and elevators, as it can be a long walk to everything.
• If you’re traveling to the Caribbean or Bahamas, pick a cruise that has a visit to a cruise line’s private island. The private island stops are often cruisers’ favorite parts of the trip.
Traveling with children
• Select a cabin on the deck close by to the kid’s program area and the pool.
• Make sure to take advantage of the child programs so you and your spouse can enjoy an adult evening (or two) out at one of the specialty restaurants.
• If you have small children and are not carrying on luggage, pack a carry-on with sunscreen and bathing suits, as several hours can pass between checking in and the arrival of luggage.
Cruising in a group
• If you are traveling with more than 3 guests, think twice before you try to fit everyone into one cabin. You may be able to find a combination of two cabin categories that still fit within your budget and deliver a much better experience.
Onboard
• If you plan to dine in any of the alternative dining restaurants, book in advance if possible, or as soon as you get onboard – same goes for spa appointments and shore excursions. Consider the ship times in port when making reservations too. Sea days are the toughest to get reservations for anything, so book those first. Some cruise lines offer discounts on services on the days the ship is in port.
