How to Plan Your First Cruise: Choosing Dates, Ships & Itineraries

Planning your first cruise can feel overwhelming, but travel advisors Ryan and Julie break down the entire process in this comprehensive beginner's guide. In this first episode of their three-part Cruising 101 series, they cover the essential planning steps you need to take before booking your cruise vacation. Starting with choosing your travel dates, Ryan and Julie discuss key factors including celebrations and milestones, work and school schedules, and special themed cruises like Halloween on the High Seas or Marvel Days at Sea. They share important timing considerations, from Wave Season promotions to age-specific requirements that could impact your vacation experience. The hosts then dive into selecting the right ship and itinerary for your needs. For first-time cruisers, they recommend specific cruise lines: Virgin Voyages, Princess, Celebrity, or smaller Royal Caribbean ships for adults, and Disney Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean for families. They explain why mid-size ships often work better than mega-ships for beginners, preventing that overwhelming feeling while still offering plenty of activities. Itinerary selection varies by destination. For Caribbean cruises, they suggest 4-5 night sailings with stops at private islands like CocoCay or Castaway Cay. European and Mediterranean cruises require careful consideration of specific ports, pre- and post-cruise stays, and whether you prefer one-way or roundtrip sailings. Alaska cruises demand attention to port stops like Skagway, Ketchikan, and Juneau, each offering unique excursions from glacier viewing to whale watching. River cruising receives special attention, with recommendations for European rivers like the Rhine and Danube as ideal starting points, before expanding to destinations in the United States, Africa, or South America. The episode concludes with a preview of parts two and three, which will cover preparing for your cruise and the embarkation/onboard experience. Whether you're completely new to cruising or looking to plan your next voyage, this episode provides practical, expert advice to help you make informed decisions and avoid common mistakes. Support the show Love the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: Ready to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress! Visit our website and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation" Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page ! Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show ! Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!

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How to Plan Your First Cruise: Choosing Dates, Ships & Itineraries is an episode from All Things Travel Podcast by Ryan Hedstrom and Julie Shaffer.

This episode is 18:44 long.

This episode was published on Feb 4, 2026.

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