A balcony can completely change a cruise if you'll actually use it. A suite can be worth the splurge when the extra space, service or included perks matter to you. But the most expensive cabin isn't automatically the best choice. I'll help you look at how you'll use the room, where it's located and what you're actually getting for the extra money.

Two cruises can look similar on paper and deliver very different trips. Look at how long you're actually in port, whether the ship docks or tenders, and what you can realistically do with the time you have. Sometimes the better itinerary is worth paying more for, even when the ship isn't the newest or flashiest.

You don't need an organized excursion in every port. Sometimes the right choice is a private tour, sometimes it's a ship excursion, and sometimes it's simply getting off and exploring on your own. I'll help you decide where an excursion adds something special, and where you can save the money for something you'll enjoy more.

I almost always recommend arriving at least a day before your cruise. It gives you breathing room if travel doesn't go as planned and takes the stress out of embarkation day. And when you're sailing from somewhere worth exploring, adding a night or two before or after can turn your departure city into part of the vacation instead of just the place where you board the ship.