How to Book a Cruise Online, Step by Step
The ten screens of a cruise booking, and the question to ask on each.
Get a Free Cruise QuoteHow to Book a Cruise Online, Screen by Screen
Cruise line and agency booking engines look different, but nearly all of them move through the same screens in the same order. Here is what you will see when you book a cruise online, and the one question to ask yourself on each screen.
1. Search
You filter by destination, month, departure port and length. Tip: start wide. Filtering on one port and one week can hide a better sailing on the next ship over.
2. Choose the sailing
The results list ships and dates with a “from” price, usually the cheapest inside cabin. Open the itinerary and check the ports and the sea days, not only the headline destination. Ask: is this the ship and route I want, or just the lowest number?
3. Guests
Enter how many people are in the cabin and their ages. Third and fourth guests, children and solo travellers are priced differently, so the totals change here. Many sites ask for state of residence, age or loyalty number at this point to show fares you may qualify for.
4. Cabin category
Inside, ocean view, balcony and suite, each split into sub-categories by deck and position. Cruise Ship Deck Plans explains how to read the deck plan before you pick.
5. Specific cabin or guarantee
Some fares let you choose the exact cabin number; a guarantee lets the line assign one in that category or better. Ask: do I care where on the ship I sleep?
6. Fare type
Here is the click most people rush. You may see a lower non-refundable-deposit fare beside a refundable one, and bundles that include drinks, Wi-Fi or gratuities. Read what each includes and what happens if you cancel. Web Cruise Reservations explains deposits and fare types in depth.
7. Guest details
Type names exactly as they appear on passports or other travel documents, with correct dates of birth. Add loyalty numbers now so the sailing counts toward your status.
8. Add-ons
Insurance, flights, transfers, pre-cruise hotels and packages may be offered before payment. You can usually add most extras later through the line’s cruise planner. Cruise & Travel Insurance explains what cruise insurance covers.
9. Review and pay
Check the total, the deposit amount and the final payment date on the review page, then pay. Save the confirmation and the booking number.
10. After you click “book”
Create an account on the line’s website or app, link your booking, and note the dates for final payment and online check-in. Check-in itself is covered on Cruise Check.
Five Online Booking Slips We See Most
- A middle name or surname spelled differently from the passport.
- A non-refundable deposit chosen by mistake because it was the default.
- Two cabins booked separately for a family, with no link between the bookings.
- Loyalty numbers left blank and never added.
- Flights booked to arrive on the morning of sailing, leaving no margin for delays.
None of these is hard to avoid if you slow down on the screens above. If you would rather have someone check, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can review the choices with you before you pay.
Get a Second Pair of Eyes Before You Pay
Send us the sailing you are looking at. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will check the fare, cabin and total, free.
Check My Cruise