8. Cruising - Where do I start?

Grab your favorite bev and let's chat about three crucial considerations when choosing a cruise!

1. Cruise - Where you choose to cruise is influenced by discounts, deals, dream locations, and more. 

Location - Do I want to visit there? Do I need a passport? Is it accessible/affordable to get to the port? 
Entertainment - Can I enjoy myself at the ports without spending a ton of money? Do I need/want to book excursions?
Cost - Longer cruises, and cruises over weekend are usually more expensive. 
Timing and length - PTO, time of year, and days of the week are all factors for taking time away from work/family. Plus, time of year is important for weather. 

2. Flight - If you're not near a port, transportation to the port can be a significant  consideration. 

Availability - Do I have a variety of flight options? Do the available flights work for my timing?
Cost - Beyond the cost of the flight, consider the cost of transportation to/from the airport, and the cost of luggage.  
Baggage - Can I afford to take the number of bags I'll need for the length of this cruise? Do I have status/points that allow me to take the luggage I want? (I love that Southwest lets you check 2 bags for free!)


3. Lodging - I love to fly in the night before the cruise 

Location - Is it practical (e.g. between the airport and the cruise port)? Is it safe and affordable? Is it in an area of town I want to explore? Am I going to have dinner/breakfast options within walking distance, or will I need to make arrangements for dining.
Transportation - Is a shuttle from the airport included? Is it affordable/easy to get from the airport to the hotel/AirBnB/Verbo, then to the port? 
Check In - If I'm arriving early to maximize exploration time, is early check in or baggage holding offered? Do I need late checkout so I'm not getting to the cruise terminal too early?