First Cruise: just book, what next?

[ohio440]

We booked our first cruise ever last night on Allure of the Seas in late May. I know there's a lot to no research, decide on and book, what is the best order?

 

Should we start with:

shows on the ship

restaurants on the ship

shore excursions

flight and night before hotel

 

something else?

 

Thank you! :)

[Biker19]

If you have MTD, book dining and the shows. Reads lots of threads about the ship. Also, join and subscribe to the roll call thread for your sailing.

[Sobro]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

Here's my booking/research order:

Cruise

Flights

Excursions

Entertainment

Dining

 

There are threads on CC that will help with each phase.

[lbjen]

I would probably have checked the flights before booking the cruise, so you probably need to get on that right away! Then hotel, shows and dining might not even be open for booking yet but you'll want to do it as soon as they are. Excursions can be booked anytime but they're less likely to be fully booked than shows.

[cruzgryphon]

I agree with the postings above regarding order. When you're looking at excursions, I would start off by researching the ports that you'll be visiting first. That way you can get a feel for what you're interested in seeing/doing. Then you can compare private offerings vs. RCI offerings (look at the Ports of Call forum and its sub-forums for ideas). Enjoy - you're in for a fun time :)