Approaching how to book a cruise for the first time has always been somewhat daunting, with a dizzying assortment of itineraries, companies, destinations, and ships to choose from. How can first-timers book a cruise without going wrong? We asked three Traveler-approved experts for their seasoned advice: Gene Sloan is cruise editor for The Points Guy; Jason Leppert is cruise editor for TravelAge West; Carolyn Spencer Brown is Cruise Media’s chief content officer. All three are industry experts that have decades of experience across various types of cruises.
What’s the ideal cruise length for a first-timer?:
A week or so is the sweet spot for most first-time cruisers, which will offer three to six ports. Three-day sampler itineraries won’t allow you to explore more than one or two destinations, and you can’t decompress as thoroughly, either. Read more…
