21 Tips and Things to Know for Cruising

Cruises that depart from the U.S. are back in operation as of this summer, but that doesn't mean there won't be any bumps along the road. As the pandemic continues running its course, travelers will want to make sure they know what to expect - as well as how cruise lines have changed to make cruising safer for everyone.

If you're planning a fall getaway and considering a cruise, these tips and insights into cruising right now can help you save money and have a better experience.

Regardless of vaccination status, the CDC is recommending that travelers who are at increased risk for severe illness should avoid cruise ship travel.

The CDC recommended that people who are not fully vaccinated avoid traveling on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide. People with an increased risk of severe illness should also avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, regardless of vaccination status.

Some cruise lines are requiring vaccination while others are suggesting vaccination and requiring travel insurance if you skip it. Also note that, if you're not vaccinated, your shore excursion options off the ship could be limited or downright nonexistent. Additionally, some ships are limiting areas for unvaccinated cruisers.

Either way, the CDC says people who are not fully vaccinated should avoid travel on cruise ships altogether.

Depending on which cruise lines you intend to set sail on, you will most likely need to present a negative COVID-19 test before boarding, regardless of vaccination status.

Feeling overwhelmed trying to book a cruise on your own? Turn to a professional travel agent, who can help you select a cruise line and familiarize yourself with its current protocols. A travel agent can even help you save money on your cruise or score special upgrades.

You probably plan to spend a lot of time outdoors on your cruise, but you should still pack masks for the rest of your trip. Cruise lines are increasingly requiring masks for indoor spaces on the ship when you're not actively eating or drinking. Bring masks you're comfortable wearing with you and you won't have to worry about it.

Cruise lines have had to enact new safety protocols to keep cruise passengers safe - and to help stop the spread of COVID-19. You should know this going in, but you should also find out about specific rules and standards your cruise line has put in place. If you find out how your cruise will look and work ahead of time, you won't be surprised.

With the pandemic creating issues around the globe, you should probably keep in mind that your itinerary might change - even at the last minute. Our advice? Book a cruise with an itinerary you're interested in, but know ahead of time that your ship may have to change course for reasons beyond the cruise line's control.

You should have travel insurance or a flexible rebooking policy for every trip you're planning right now. For cruises, in particular, it's smart to have travel insurance that covers possible interruptions or cancellations due to the pandemic.

Caribbean cruises in the fall also come with increased risk due to hurricane season, so make sure you have coverage that can reimburse you in these scenarios.

If you're planning to cruise the Caribbean, you might notice that many ships have plenty of time allotted on their cruise line's private island. This makes sense since cruise lines themselves have more control over these stops, and since cruise passengers can stay self-contained this way.

Cruise loyalty programs can help you earn elite status with cruise lines while securing special discounts. For example, members of the MSC Cruises Voyagers Club receive a 5% discount on all cruises and even more discounts on select itineraries. The best part? Like other loyalty programs, you can join your favorite cruise line's loyalty club for free.

If you're trying to limit crowds and in-person interaction due to the pandemic, downloading your cruise line's app can help. Depending on the app, you may be able to use it to take care of tasks that would normally require in-person interaction. For example, you can use cruise apps to book cruise excursions or dinner reservations or to get answers to questions you have during your trip.

Cruise lines are pretty eager for business right now, so they're offering cruise deals left and right. If you're booking a cruise for this fall, you should be able to find a discounted cruise fare that comes with special perks. What should you look for? We suggest comparing cruises to find offers with drink packages, room upgrades, free wifi or free excursions.

Flights have been rescheduled a lot more often since the pandemic started, which is yet another reason to fly into your cruise departure point the night before you leave. After all, a late or rescheduled flight on the day your cruise departs could derail your travel plans altogether.

This was good advice well before COVID-19 came into play, but it's even more important for cruisers now.

If you had a cruise canceled in 2020 or 2021 and you chose a credit over a refund, you should try to use your future cruise credits if you can. Doing so will help you save money on a new cruise fare, but it will also ensure your cruise credits don't expire.

As you browse cruise options for this upcoming fall, you'll probably notice a lot more shorter cruises (3-5 nights) and a lot fewer long-haul cruises of 9 nights or more. While shorter cruises don't give you as much time to relax, they can give you a taste of cruising without a big commitment. Shorter cruises are also considerably less expensive to book.

Worried about the big crowds on the world's largest cruise ships? Consider booking your cruise on a smaller ship that will have fewer passengers and a much smaller crew. Not only will smaller ships have fewer people on board, but cruises on smaller ships with the big cruise brands tend to cost less overall.

You should absolutely book a balcony cabin if you're planning to cruise this year - even if you have to pay slightly more to get one. After all, your balcony will allow you to sit outdoors far away from others without a mask on any time you want. Book an interior cabin to save a few bucks and you could live to regret it.

Maybe you booked an interior cabin or a basic balcony room. In that case, you should know that some cruise lines let you "bid" on upgrades within a few weeks of your trip. Since cruise ships are at reduced capacity right now due to the pandemic, a relatively low bid has a better chance of being accepted.

Want to save big on a last-minute cruise deal? The website VacationstoGo.com lets you save up to 82% off cruises within a 90-day window of departure.

This website also makes it easy to search and compare offers. All you have to do is enter your preferred destination, your dates and the cruise port you want to depart from, and you'll see deals from all major cruise lines.

Cruise safety protocols seem to be working, which means the likelihood of you having to quarantine at sea is relatively low. If you want some peace of mind, however, it can make sense to pack some extra clothes for your trip. If you wind up stuck in your cabin for longer than you planned, you'll be glad you have clean laundry.

Finally, it definitely makes sense to have a backup plan for your cruise if you're planning it for later this year. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's that anything can happen - even the wholesale cancellation of cruises for months on end. Have a backup plan for the days you take off work and make sure to buy travel insurance, and you can go with the flow without losing your shirt.