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How to Plan Your Next Cruise Like a Pro

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A cruise is a great way to spend a vacation. You can find cruises for everybody: families, couples and even singles. Even the most experienced cruisers may be clueless when it comes to making plans. Whether this is your first cruise or whether you're an experienced cruiser, you can plan a cruise like a pro with a few tips. Here's some advice on how to make your next cruise the best one yet:

Take Advantage of Deals.

Cruises can be expensive, but you can save money if you're willing to look for deals. Check out your favorite cruise line and see what specials they're running, and see if you qualify for a return cruisers' discount. Or you may consider branching out and seeing what other cruise lines have to offer. You may find a new favorite ship or route, or you may find a price that you can't resist. Take advantage of last minute deals to save 50 percent or more. If you're flexible and you can make plans at a moment's notice, you can really save some money.

If You Don't Want to Spend Extra on Alcohol, BYOB.

Most everything on a cruise is all-inclusive, but sometimes you'll find that alcohol is extra. When you have to pay for cocktails, you can rack up quite the tab. If you don't want to waste too much money on expensive alcohol, bring your own booze aboard the ship. You'll want to check out the cruise line's alcohol policy to make sure that you can bring what you want along with you. Most of the time you can bring a bottle of wine aboard, or you can grab your favorite mixer, take it with you and order just the alcohol to create your own cocktails.

Stay Onboard During a Port Day.

When a cruise ship makes its way into port, almost everybody disembarks to enjoy a day on the town. The ship is deserted, but all of the amenities and services are still available for anyone who is still on the ship. If you're on a cruise with multiple stops, take one port day to stay on the ship. It's almost like having the whole ship to yourself. You won't have to wait in line for anything, and you may be able to enjoy the pool or hot tub all to yourself. Think of the ship as your own personal playground if you skip one port day.

Splurge a Little.

If you've been on multiple cruises, you should consider making your next cruise an unforgettable experience by splurging just a little. Upgrade your accommodations and stay in a nicer room. Plan to enjoy a formal night, especially if you've never been part of one before. Book a special shore excursion to do something you've never done before - or may never even have dreamed of doing. Some excursions take advantage of nature sights or aquatic fun, while others give you plenty of thrills. Try a cruise to a destination you've never experienced before. You may discover a new favorite place to visit.

Have Some Fun with Specialty Dining.

While you can enjoy terrific food in the main dining space of the ship as part of your cruise, every ship features specialty dining restaurants for an extra charge. You can take advantage of special dining experiences to add more culinary fun to your travels. Try something you've never tasted before, learn more about a cuisine you're unfamiliar with or enjoy your favorite foods in a whole new setting. You can try one specialty meal or enjoy multiple experiences. An evening in a specialty dining restaurant on the ship can be the capstone to an exciting and fun vacation at sea.