Most ships are outfitted with a wide range of amenities and services, providing you with the opportunity to make your vacation as relaxing, luxurious, or adventurous as you want. There are some tips to follow if you want to savor the most fun cruising experience possible.

Choose Your Itinerary Carefully

There are several different cruise lines you can choose to cruise with, and each often offers dozens of itineraries to choose from for your vacation. Take time to carefully research each port of call offered on an itinerary.

Each destination will offer its own unique sights to see, activities to join, and excursions that you can sign up for. For a truly fun vacation, opt for a cruise that takes you to ports of call that suit your interests more fully.

Find On-Board Amenities and Services That Suit Your Interests

Many travelers will plan their cruise vacation entirely around the ports of call, but the fact is that you will be spending quite a bit of time on board the cruise ship as well.

In fact, on a cruise ship, “getting there” really is half the fun of your vacation. Amenities and services on board a cruise ship will vary. Many offer casinos, spas, and shops. Others offer more unique experiences like an on-board water slides, karaoke, arts and crafts events, and more.

Schedule Excursions

When you actually arrive at your ports of call, you will have two choices. You can either hop off the ship and explore the destination on your own, or you can join an excursion. Excursions provide you with the ability to more easily plan your time in port.

Some excursions may be adventurous with zip-lines, scuba diving, and other activities. Others may be oriented to sightseeing, taking you to ancient ruins, historic palaces, or other such sites.

For travelers who don’t want to hassle with hailing a taxi cab, run the risk of not making it back to the cruise ship before it departs, or try to plan a great day in a port they are unfamiliar with, excursions are a great option.

Explore On Your Own

There are some downsides associated with excursions, however, and so these are not the right option for all travelers. Some downsides to excursions include having to travel to only select, pre-determined destinations and not having the ability to explore the area freely on your own.

Many also enjoy being away from crowds at ports of call, too. With some research, you can experience a port of call that is fully customized to your own interests.

When You Pack Your Bags

The last thing you want to do is to be on board a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean or otherwise in a foreign port of call and realize that you forgot something important. Often, you can purchase what you need at the ship’s store or at a port of call, but this is not always the case.

Further, often you will pay a higher price by buying an item in a store ship or at port. So take time to carefully think through each of your days on board the ship, and make a list of everything you may need for your getaway. Then when you pack your backs, cross each item off the list individually.

Be sure, however, to leave some extra space in your bags for any souvenirs or duty-free purchases you make at port.

Bring Extra Spending Money

Many cruise lines tout their experience as being all-inclusive, providing room, travel to destinations, and on-board food all in your cruise price.

However, there are a host of other expenses that are not covered in this fee. Excursions can often be purchased before your cruise, but they can also be purchased on board the ship. Many cruise ships will charge you for extras such as a fine dining experience, a massage at the spa, and alcoholic beverages.

Tipping is generally expected of staff who tended to your needs while on board. Further, you may want to purchase souvenirs and duty-free merchandise at port, too. So for a truly fun, care-free vacation, be sure to bring lots of extra spending cash.

Get Travel Insurance

Of course, even the most well-planned cruise vacation may still hit some snags. Cruise lines offer options of travel insurance that can provide you with reimbursement due to bad weather, illness, or other itemized events that may thwart your plans.

Often, coverage is affordable and is well worth paying for as it can prevent you from financial loss if you run into a minor or major issue on vacation.

Keep these tips in mind as you plan your cruise vacation. These tips can help to ensure your cruise is as fun and memorable as you hope it will be.

Author Bio: Jessica works for an insurance company that provides car insurance for worldwide vacationers. She is married and has two kids.

Bring the Right Luggage
Think of the nature of your trip. Will you be staying in one hotel, or will you be constantly on the move? Are you planning on taking a multi-day hike through the mountains? For lots of globetrotters, large backpacks with lots of pockets are the way to go. They store everything you’ll need, and they’re easy to carry and leave both of your hands free. If you are pretty much just going from the airline to one hotel, you’ll do fine with a rolling suitcase. In either case, use lightweight luggage.

Make a Packing List
Writing a list is absolutely essential. Do not skip this step! Create a list of everything you want to bring, and double check it before you go. Globetrotters have a master packing list to refer to for every new trip. As they gain more travel experience, they’re able to update their list until it’s perfect and packing becomes every time becomes a breeze. Also create a separate section of your list for items to be packed right before departure, like your toothbrush and glasses. Most importantly, don’t forget to list all the must-have documents, like ticket confirmations and your passport.

Pack Light and Buy As You Go
If you truly want to be a globetrotter, you’ll pack as lightly as possible. You’ll only bring the absolute basic essentials with you, because you’ll be able to get the other things you need as you go. Bring only basic clothing and a few different outfits rather than your entire wardrobe. Add a small bottle of laundry detergent, and you’re set. Better yet, plan to purchase some local clothing.

Don’t Forget Your Walking Shoes
A comfortable pair of sneakers or walking shoes is probably the second most important item you’ll bring with you after your passport. You’re going to be doing a lot of walking. If not, you’re missing everything. Don’t be concerned about bringing fashionable footwear. Go with whatever is most comfortable, even if it’s the beat up, ugly pair of sneakers you do yard work in at home.

Take a Photo for Security
Before leaving, it’s a good idea to photograph your luggage, just in case. Take a photo of your bags from the outside, and also snap a picture of the insides just before you close them. If you suspect your luggage has been tampered with, this will give you evidence of what it looked like before. Just don’t leave your camera in your bag!

World Traveler Maddie Sharp is never without her passport, tablet and grammar checker. She travels extensively and loves to blog about her adventures.