Planning a Summer Cruise

Finding the perfect summer cruise destination depends on a few different factors such as cruise length, prices, departure port location, and your ideal destination. The experienced cruiser knows what seasons are best for specific destinations and price points. If you have never gone on a cruise before and you’re planning to do so this summer, be sure you are looking for the best destinations to enjoy during the summertime. Here are some things you should know before booking your next cruise:

• It is important to note that June 1st through November 30th is officially hurricane season on the East Coast. While this may seem like it should deter you from cruising to the Eastern Caribbean in the summertime, it is actually one of the best times to score a cheap cruise to this destination. The odds of cruising during a hurricane are very slim and if there is a storm, your cruise liner should be able to avoid it by a simple  change of course. However It is a good idea to buy the additional insurance that will cover your cruise or travel needs in case of a weather related emergency. The best part of an Eastern Caribbean cruise is that there are ports of departure located up and down the East Coast and cruises range from 3  to 12 days on average.
• Alaska is a popular summer cruise destination as this is when the Alaskan weather is at its best with temperatures ranging between 50 and 70 degrees. The summer months are the longest days, with June 21st offering the most sunlight due to it being the longest day of the year. You also have the best chance of seeing Alaskan wildlife on a summertime cruise. You should allow yourself a decent amount of vacation time for an Alaskan cruise Keep in mind your travel time  to get to the port of departure and on average these cruises tend to last 7 days.
• Mediterranean cruises are also a popular for the summertime c because they tend to be longer cruises, with the kids out of school, you won’t have to  worry about them missing time. A lot of people enjoy being able to visit multiple cities throughout the Mediterranean without having to worry about the cost of travel and lodging, as a cruise takes care of those worries. This destination is on the expensive side, but should be worth every penny spent enjoying different cultures, cuisine, and warm weather.

Now that you know where you will be going on your cruise and for how long, it is important to make sure you pack right. You will want to check with your cruise line to see if there are any dress codes that must be followed for dining outside of the general buffet area. Some formal dining options including the inclusive dining rooms require you to dress up for dinner. This means packing some formal and business casual type outfits. Another thing to keep in mind when packing is to prepare for your specific destination. If you will be going somewhere warm, pack summer clothes. If you are going to cooler destination, such as Alaska, you will want to pack warmer clothes that include pants, jackets, and sweatshirts.

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