Ten Things You Need to Know About Cruises in 2024

FYI: There were 31.5 million cruise passengers in 2023, shattering pre-pandemic records, and expected to go up to 37.2 million in 2025.

1. Wave Season. Cruise companies roll out “wave season” deals from January-March. This is when they offer their best deals of the year in hopes of booking up early. While there may be other deals and promotions offered throughout the year, these are typically the BEST deals overall. Look for stateroom upgrades, flight credits, fare discounts, and more. Some of the best fares are for ships that are not brand new but more like five years old. Royal Caribbean just launched the largest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas, in January 2024. It can carry 7,700 passengers.
2. Always read the fine print. Does the price include taxes and port fees? What is the cost for the third or fourth person in a room? What exactly is included?
3. Expect crowded ships. Effective 9/23, Covid vaccine mandates are no longer required. Many cruise lines will not even require negative tests. And gone are the days of minimum occupancy cruises.
4. Environmental changes include no plastic straws, no single use plastic bottles, no more manual control lights and power (key card controls), and no more daily ship planner (on app now instead of paper).
5. There will be no more “cruises to nowhere” due to security and immigration/visa issues.
6. Port entry fees will be required for some European destinations to limit day-trippers to overcrowded destinations, such as Venice, Amsterdam, and Dubrovnik.
7. You should not wait until you are on the ship to book day excursions and ship amenities, such as specialty dining and spa treatments. Savvy cruisers pre-book so they don’t get shut out.
8. Thinking everything is included in an All-Inclusive Cruise. Sometimes, alcoholic drinks are not included unless you buy a Drink Package. Tips may not be included. Gambling and special activities are not included. Again, read the fine print.
9. It is important that you research your destination(s), cruise line, and so forth before booking. For instance, are you traveling during hurricane season? If you have never cruised, it is a good idea to book a short cruise or 3 or 4 days before taking a 10-day or 21-day cruise. You may hate it or suffer sea sickness. Will it be warm or cold weather? Are there formal nights on the ship? Will you be doing lots of walking? Do you need medication refills before you go? Do you have special needs the crew needs to know about before you board? Make sure to pack accordingly. Is your ship large or mega-sized? Where exactly is your stateroom? Is it in a noisy area of the ship or have an obstructed view from your window or balcony? If it is a complicated itinerary or expensive cruise, you may want to use a cruise travel specialist. Believe me, they know a lot more than you do and can often score upgrades and reservations you can’t.
10. If flying in, arrive the day before. With flight delays and cancellations these days, it is better to arrive early than late. If you miss the ship, it will not wait for you and getting to the next port to catch up to the ship is on your dime. Consider travel insurance.

COMING SOON! Cruises in 2024 Part II (including best cruise destination, best cruise lines, expedition cruises, river cruises, and more you need to know before you go)

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