Cruise Planning Tips

Disclosure: This post is not sponsored in any way. 

This content was written based by my experience with planning previous and current cruises.

Hi there! I'm Amy, founder and author of Love & Hot Chocolate and Rhode Island State Rep for Northeast Bloggers. If you've visited my blog before, you know that I am completely head over heels for cruising. I've been on two and currently planning my third with my husband for March of next year. I'm here to share with you some valuable advice I've learned when it comes to planning a cruise.

One // Research, Research, Research!

Royal Caribbean | Carnival | Norwegian | Disney | Princess | Holland

*just listing a few popular cruise lines

While my heart is set on Royal Caribbean, there are other great cruise companies out there that offer so many different things. It's all about what you are looking for during your cruising experience. Be sure to check out cabin and dining options, beverage packages, entertainment and shore excursions before making final decisions. Cruise Critic even has some great information and reviews to help make your final decision.

Two // Book With a Travel Agent

While it might be easier booking a small vacation yourself, but when it comes to cruises, I highly recommend using a travel agent. With a travel agent, we have the ability to get the best price with the best room. If you need to change a date (which we did a few times) it's so simple with no hassle whatsoever. If you need to modify your dining, done. Setting up a payment plan to pay off your cruise? Done. You want to have the best cruising experience, so why not make the booking experience hassle-free too? 

Three // Splurge on the Balcony

If you can do it, definitely go for a balcony. When I went on my first cruise out of New Jersey, I had a balcony and it was absolutely amazing. During my second cruise, my husband and I opted for a promenade room and even though it was affordable, we traveled out of New Jersey in April and hit rough seas. It was awful when we couldn't have access to fresh air 24/7. 

Even though most people are right, you don't spend that much time in your room, it's nice to be able to get the fresh air when you need it or relax during activities. Even laying in bed at night with the door propped open listening to the ocean breeze is a nice way to utilize your balcony. 

Four // Create a Budget

Most, if not all cruise lines require you to obtain a sea pass during your vacation. It allows you on and off the ship, into your room, and links up to your credit card which allows you to pay for drinks, specialty dining and shopping. I highly suggest sitting down before your cruise and create a budget. It's so easy to lose track of what you've already spent and you don't want that surprise bill on the last day of your cruise. Even though you're on vacation, you do still have that rent/mortgage, monthly bills and other expenses. 

Five // Important Cruise Documentation 

This is SO important. I've heard so many stories about people not being able to go on their cruises because they don't have the correct documents they need to board. If you're unsure of what documentation you need, check the FAQ's, and if you're still unsure, call the company and speak with a representative. You will also need a passport. Please, please, please make sure your passport is up to date with correct name and information.

I am not a travel agent or mega experienced cruiser in any means, but I'd be happy to answer any questions and share more photos!

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Friday Five Hop and 5 Ways to Have the Best Fall Ever!

Welcome to the Friday Five! Please feel free to link up your Friday Five post with us below and check out today's Friday 5 article!

As much as I love the freedom and sunshiney, flip-floppy fun of summertime, fall has always been my favorite season. As a lifelong New Englander, fall has always equaled great sleeping weather, cozy sweaters, hot cider and breathtaking foliage. It means a trip to the Big E, a pumpkin decorating party at my mom's house, getting lost in a corn maze with my boys (thank goodness for the iPhone's built-in GPS), and the whole fam snuggled up on the couch for the Pats on Sunday afternoons.

A couple of years ago, my son brought home a drawing and writing sample from school. In his precious little handwriting he explained that his favorite thing about fall was "apple picking with mama." The problem was, I hadn't taken him apple picking for at least a couple of years. Needless to say we made plans straight away to go! It made me realize how important this little tradition had become for my son. This leads me to my first of four ways to have the best fall ever:

 1. Consider a bucket list. I know what you are thinking. ENOUGH with the bucket lists already. It does not have to be anything fancy. It can just be a little post-it note that you stick to the fridge. This is a a great way to live more intentionally and be sure to incorporate things that everyone in your family likes to do. Like apple picking! Here is a super cute printable fall bucket list in case you need a little inspiration.

 2. Enjoy the foliage! We have a hammock in our backyard tucked between two trees that must be at least 50 feet tall. One of my favorite fall pastimes is lying in the hammock under a canopy of turning leaves bursting with color. Some of you may need to make a little more effort to seek out the best foliage. It may not come as a surprise to you that there is an app that can help you do just that! Check out the (free) Foliage Leef Peepr app from good old Yankee magazine!

 3. Find a fall festival. As much as I L.O.V.E. summer, I have to admit that I am a total heat wimp. I love to be in the water or in the shade in the summer so the idea of a summer festival is a huge turnoff for me. A fall festival on the other hand sounds awesome! We live about 20 minutes from the Big E which is both a blessing and a curse. Super fun but also mega traffic. It can also get pricey but the food is amazing and it IS tradition! There is also an adorable itsy bitsy fall fair out in Granville, MA, that we love to go to. But these are just two needles in the haystack. Check out this ultimate guide to New England fall festivals! I know some of you Northeasterners are a little farther south but this is the perfect excuse to come up and visit!

 4. Try something new. I haven't dressed up for Halloween in years. I don't know why. I used to have a blast coming up with fun costumes. One year my husband and I dressed up as my sister and her husband. Only my husband dressed up as my sister and I dressed up as my brother-in-law. We thought we were hilarious! Of course this was all pre-kiddos. So maybe this year I will dress up again. Or finally make a wreath for our front door. Or carve a pumpkin with a drill! Head on over to Pinterest and check out all of my fall related boards including: autumn, boo!, gobble gobble, and wreaths. I hope something inspires you.

5. Start a gratitude journal or jar! Fall wraps up with my favorite holiday of the year: Thanksgiving. The spirit of love and gratitude that Thanksgiving brings me each year is almost enough to carry me through the harsh winter to come. But why wait to feel that love and gratitude. Try keeping a gratitude journal. It doesn't have to be anything cute, a simple notebook will do. Each day write down 5 things you are grateful for. I remember my mom telling me about this idea years ago. She and I did it together for a while. We would email each other our lists each night. Enlisting a friend or relative to do it with you is a great way to help you stick with it. Want to get the whole family in on the fun? Consider a gratitude jar.

I hope you are getting excited to make this your best fall yet. And whatever you do, don't forget to jump in a pile of leaves! Put it on the list! XO, ellie from Creative Geekery

And now it's your turn! Do you have a Friday Five post to share with us? Link up below!
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