The 1 Thing Cruise Experts Say Most Travelers Forget To Book

It's almost time to go on your dream cruise . You've checked your passport and visa requirements and bought travel insurance. You've picked out all your outfits—including just the right thing to wear in heat and humidity at your destination. You've packed your suitcases efficiently, like a pro. You've made your onboard dinner reservations and spa appointments, and even downloaded the cruise line's app. So you're all ready to go, right?

Not so fast. There's one more thing you absolutely must do before you board your cruise ship in order to guarantee you have the best possible experience: book your shore excursions. Here's why it matters, according to the experts.

Pre-Book Shore Excursions To Get Your First Choices

Whether you're on a massive oceangoing ship that holds thousands of passengers, or a smaller vessel for a boutique river cruise, chances are good that many others on board will want to experience the same once-in-a-lifetime highlights as you once you get to port. But due to excursion capacity, not everyone will be able to do the same thing; make sure you get first dibs by booking ahead.

"Planning ahead allows guests to take advantage of popular and intimate experiences that book up quickly," says Keith Lane, a senior vice president at Celebrity Cruises, in particular highlighting popular small group excursions for which spots are limited.

Cruise writer and cruising expert Jill Schildhouse paints a picture of what that might look like in a real-world scenario: "If an experience is on your bucket list, then pre-booking that shore excursion at home is your guarantee you'll get the chance to do so."

She explains that "these popular shore excursions book up quickly once onboard" when passing through legendary ports. In such cases, "everyone is vying for the limited spots available."

Book Shore Excursions Ahead To Save Money

Another advantage to booking in advance of sailing is the potential cost savings. Booking shore excursions in advance means getting access to exclusive offers only available prior to sailing. 

Schildhouse underscores the point. "Some cruise lines offer discounts of up to 30 percent for doing so," she says. "Now you've locked in your top picks and are saving money you can then spend on extra drinks or specialty dining."

In short, she says, "It pays to plan ahead." Often, it pays off in the form of saving more of your hard-earned dollars for souvenirs. 

Book Early For Peace Of Mind On Your Cruise

It just comes down to peace of mind: If you have your shore excursions all booked before you embark on your cruise, you'll have the assurance of smooth sailing and the chance to relax and enjoy every moment.

"Advanced planning ensures guests don't miss out on their desired shore excursion and can relax as soon as they board knowing their vacation experience is planned," Lane says.

Read the original article on Southern Living