Cruising With Jada: First Time Cruisers
Cruising has undoubtedly taken on a new definition in 2020. Gone are the days of "The Love Boat" and here are the days of a new way to do all-inclusive travel for millennials and everyone in between.
When looking at my options for my annual summer trip, cruising was never on the top of my list. I associated cruising with the old 70's show The Love Boat and retirees that traveled the world. I was first introduced to cruising by a family friend who had been cruising for over 20 years. Immediately I did my research on what cruising looked like for the next generation of cruisers.
"Cruise lines are innovating to fit in with the Millennial crowd, and many have invested in revamping their brands to offer the best cruises for young adults. The stereotype that cruises are only for older adults are becoming a thing of the past, and these days, cruises are now as diverse as any other types of travel. With more Millennial-friendly options and prices that are often all-inclusive, young adults are now booking cruises at a higher rate than their generational counterparts" - Generali Global Assistance
First Time Cruising? What you need to know
Resources
As a first time cruiser, it is important to know that there are tons of resources available for your consumption. My first instinct was to turn to youtube. There I found a lot of "Cruise-tubers" that had a number of cruises under their belt. Some great youtube channels are La Lido Loca and Edna's World. For a lot of first-time cruisers, there can be a lot of questions and anxiety surrounding the experience.
Boat or Ship?
Fair Warning, if you are heard referring to your cruiseliner as a boat you will never hear the end of it!
Some experienced cruisers either choose an itinerary based on the ship or they choose their cruise solely based on the itinerary without any regard for the ship. As you cruise more you will become more acquainted with cruise directors, ships, and port activities. Each ship has different amenities and layouts that may or may not matter to you. Stateroom sizes and types will also vary.
Drink Packages and Pictures
These extras all depend on the traveler. If you are not someone that consumes alcoholic beverages, it might not be a good idea for you to purchase a drink package. I personally recommend paying for pictures if you plan on utilizing the pictures for a Christmas card or to send them to family members. The pictures are professionally taken and I always find myself regretting not purchasing pictures.
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