Book Cruises & Compare Cruise Deals
Book cruises by comparing destinations, itineraries, cruise lines, sailing dates, and available cruise options. Explore Caribbean, Alaska, Mediterranean, and holiday cruises, then compare itineraries and trip lengths to find a cruise that fits your destination, schedule, and budget.
Find the Right Cruise for Your Trip
Caribbean Cruises
Explore Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries, ports, sailing dates, and cruise options.
Search Caribbean Cruises
Alaska Cruises
Compare Alaska cruise itineraries, departure ports, sailing dates, and trip durations.
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Mediterranean Cruises
Explore Mediterranean itineraries across popular European ports and destinations.
Search Mediterranean Cruises
Holiday & Festive Cruises
Explore holiday-season cruises and special sailings.
Explore Cruises by Destination
Caribbean & Bahamas
Caribbean Cruises
Bahamas Cruises
Eastern Caribbean Cruises
Western Caribbean Cruises
Alaska
Alaska Cruises
Inside Passage Cruises
Europe & Mediterranean
Mediterranean Cruises
Greek Isles Cruises
Italy Cruises
Spain Cruises
Other Destinations
Asia Cruises
Transatlantic Cruises
World Cruises
Find Cruises by Travel Style
All-Inclusive Cruise Vacations
Last-Minute Cruises
Weekend & Short Cruises
Holiday Cruises
How to Choose and Book a Cruise
Choosing the right cruise starts with deciding where you want to go, when you want to travel, how long you want to cruise, and what you want from the experience. Compare destinations, itineraries, departure ports, cruise lines, ships, cabin types, and total trip costs before booking.
1. Choose Your Cruise Destination
Start with the places you want to visit. Your destination affects the available departure ports, sailing seasons, cruise lengths, ports of call, and activities.
Popular choices include:
- Caribbean Cruises — Popular for beaches, warm-weather getaways, island hopping, and a wide selection of itineraries.
- Alaska Cruises — Known for scenic cruising, wildlife, glaciers, and ports throughout Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
- Mediterranean Cruises — Combine multiple European destinations and ports into a single itinerary.
- Bahamas Cruises — Often attractive to travelers looking for shorter tropical getaways.
- Holiday Cruises — Offer sailings around Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and other holiday periods.
Compare several destinations before choosing your sailing, especially if your travel dates are flexible.
2. Compare Cruise Itineraries
Two cruises visiting the same region can provide very different experiences.
Review the complete itinerary and consider the number of ports, destinations visited, sea days, time spent in each port, and where the cruise begins and ends.
A port-intensive itinerary may appeal to travelers who want to explore multiple destinations, while an itinerary with more days at sea can provide additional time to enjoy the ship.
3. Select a Convenient Departure Port
Your cruise fare is only one part of your vacation cost.
Consider how you will reach the departure port and include airfare, hotels, ground transportation, parking, and other pre- or post-cruise expenses when comparing options.
A cruise with a slightly higher fare but a more convenient departure port could produce a different overall trip cost than a lower-priced sailing requiring expensive flights and additional hotel nights.
4. Choose the Right Cruise Length
Cruises range from short getaways to extended voyages.
Short cruises can work well for quick vacations or first-time cruisers, while longer sailings can offer additional destinations and more time onboard.
Compare the itinerary—not simply the number of nights—to determine how much time will be spent visiting destinations versus sailing.
5. Compare Cruise Lines and Ships
Cruise lines and individual ships can provide significantly different experiences.
Consider the ship’s dining choices, entertainment, pools, children’s programs, adult-only areas, activities, nightlife, accessibility, and overall atmosphere.
Families, couples, solo travelers, groups, and travelers seeking quieter or more premium experiences may prioritize different features.
6. Choose Your Cabin
Cabin selection can substantially affect both the cruise price and onboard experience.
Interior cabins generally offer the lowest-priced cabin category but do not have an exterior window.
Ocean-view cabins typically provide a window or porthole.
Balcony cabins provide private outdoor space and can be particularly appealing on scenic itineraries.
Suites generally provide additional space and may include extra amenities or services depending on the cruise line and ship.
Also consider the cabin’s location. Proximity to elevators, entertainment venues, restaurants, pools, and other high-traffic areas can affect convenience and noise.
7. Compare the Total Cruise Cost
Don’t choose a cruise based solely on an advertised starting fare.
When comparing cruise options, consider the complete potential trip cost, including:
- Cruise fare
- Taxes and port-related charges
- Gratuities
- Transportation to the departure port
- Pre- or post-cruise hotels
- Beverages
- Specialty dining
- Wi-Fi
- Shore excursions
- Travel insurance
- Onboard activities or services that cost extra
What’s included varies by cruise line, ship, fare type, and promotion. Review the booking details carefully before purchasing.
8. Review the Fare and Cancellation Terms
Before booking, check the deposit requirement, final-payment date, cancellation policy, refund conditions, and rules for making changes.
Also determine whether you’re selecting a refundable or more restrictive fare when those choices are available.
A lower advertised price isn’t necessarily the best option if its restrictions don’t match your travel plans.
9. Check Travel Documents and Entry Requirements
Confirm the identification and travel documents required for your itinerary before booking.
Requirements can vary according to citizenship, itinerary, departure country, ports visited, and whether the cruise begins and ends at the same port.
International itineraries may involve passport, visa, entry, or other requirements. Verify current requirements with the appropriate government authorities and cruise line before traveling.
10. Compare Available Cruises and Book
Once you’ve narrowed your choices, compare cruises using the factors that matter most to you:
Destination → Travel Dates → Departure Port → Itinerary → Cruise Line → Ship → Cabin → Inclusions → Total Cost
Then review the final booking details carefully before completing your reservation.
Search and Compare Cruises
Ready to explore your options? Search available cruises and compare destinations, itineraries, sailing dates, cruise lengths, and cabin choices to find a trip that fits your plans and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions About Booking Cruises
How do I book a cruise?
Start by choosing your destination, preferred travel dates, departure port, cruise length, and number of travelers. Compare available cruise itineraries, cruise lines, cabin types, and prices before selecting the sailing that best fits your trip. Review the fare details and booking terms before completing your reservation.
How do I compare cruise deals?
Compare cruise deals using the total trip value rather than the advertised fare alone. Check the cruise length, itinerary, cabin category, taxes and port fees, included dining, onboard benefits, cancellation terms, and any available promotions. Similar-looking cruise fares can include different benefits or restrictions.
What’s typically included in a cruise fare?
Cruise fares commonly include your cabin, transportation between ports, many onboard activities, entertainment, and meals at selected dining venues. Specialty restaurants, alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, gratuities, spa treatments, and other services may cost extra. Inclusions vary by cruise line and fare type, so review the specific terms before booking.
How far in advance should I book a cruise?
The ideal booking window depends on the destination, sailing date, cabin type, and availability. Booking earlier can provide a wider selection of cabins and itineraries, particularly for popular destinations and peak travel periods. Travelers with flexible dates may also find options closer to departure, but availability can become more limited.
Can I book a last-minute cruise?
Yes. Last-minute cruises may be available when cabins remain open close to the departure date. However, availability, cabin selection, airfare to the departure port, and overall trip costs should all be considered. Compare the complete cost of the trip rather than choosing a sailing based only on the cruise fare.
What is the difference between interior, ocean-view, balcony, and suite cabins?
An interior cabin generally has no exterior window. An ocean-view cabin typically includes a window or porthole. A balcony cabin provides a private outdoor space, while a suite generally offers additional space and may include extra amenities. Exact cabin features vary by ship and cruise line.
Do cruise prices include taxes and port fees?
It depends on how the fare is displayed and the booking provider. Taxes, government charges, and port-related fees may be included in the displayed total or presented separately during the booking process. Check the final price breakdown before completing your reservation.
Are shore excursions included in a cruise?
Shore excursions are generally separate from the base cruise fare unless a particular fare, package, or promotion specifically includes them. Travelers can usually choose from sightseeing tours, activities, transportation, and other experiences offered for individual ports of call.
Should I choose a cruise by destination or cruise line?
Start with what matters most for your trip. Travelers focused on visiting particular places may want to compare itineraries and ports first. Travelers interested in specific ships, onboard activities, dining, entertainment, or loyalty benefits may place more emphasis on the cruise line. Comparing both can help narrow the available choices.
What should I check before booking a cruise?
Before booking, review the itinerary, departure and arrival ports, sailing dates, cabin category, fare inclusions, taxes and fees, deposit requirements, payment schedule, cancellation terms, identification or travel-document requirements, and additional onboard costs. If you need to fly to the departure port, consider those transportation costs as part of your total trip budget.
How can I find a cruise that fits my budget?
Compare multiple sailing dates, destinations, cruise lengths, ships, and cabin categories. Look at the total trip cost—including transportation to the port, cruise fare, taxes and fees, gratuities, excursions, beverages, Wi-Fi, and other optional purchases—rather than relying only on the advertised starting fare.
Where can I search for cruises?
Use the Ibis Connect Travel cruise search to explore available cruise destinations, itineraries, sailing dates, and booking options. Compare your choices based on destination, schedule, cruise length, cabin preferences, and total trip cost before booking.
