8 Questions to Ask a Travel Advisor Before Booking a Cruise

By Lisa LoBracco-Smith, Certified Travel Advisor and owner of Bracco Cruise & Travel

One of our favorite questions at Bracco Cruise & Travel is, “What’s the one thing you’d be disappointed to miss?”

Say you’ve always wanted to go whale watching in Alaska. Two seven-night cruises might look almost identical online, right down to the balcony cabin and glacier viewing. Then we pull up the port schedules. One gives you a full afternoon in Juneau. The other has a shorter stop that could leave you choosing between whale watching and seeing Mendenhall Glacier. Suddenly, the two cruises look very different.

That’s the kind of detail our family-run team enjoys sorting out. Here are eight questions we’d ask before putting down a deposit, whether you’re taking your first cruise or bringing the whole family on your tenth.

1. Which ship fits the way I like to travel?

Picture your ideal sea day. Are you racing the grandkids to the waterslides, settling into a quiet lounge with a book, or meeting friends for lunch and a show? Even ships from the same cruise line can feel different. When you tell us how you’d actually spend your day, we can help you narrow down the choices.

Bracco pro tip: Give us one must-have for each traveler. If the kids want a splash area and Grandma wants a quiet spot with an ocean view, we’ll look at where those spaces are and check any age, height, or access rules that might matter to your family.

2. Will I have enough time to do what I want in each port?

When an itinerary lists Rome, your ship docks in Civitavecchia. Getting into the city and back takes time. We look at how long you’ll be in port, how far the sights are from the pier, and whether you’ll need to take a tender boat ashore. In Alaska, we also look at which glacier the ship plans to visit and when you’ll be scenic cruising.

Bracco pro tip: Tell us the excursion you’d be most excited to book. We’ll check the travel time and the ship’s all-aboard time. If you’re considering an independent tour, ask what happens if the ship arrives late or skips the port.

3. What’s the total cost for everyone?

Start with the total fare for your party, including taxes and port fees. Then add the things you’ll actually use, such as gratuities, Wi-Fi, drinks, excursions, flights, hotels, and transfers. If you’re happy with coffee in the morning and a glass of wine at dinner, we’ll help you compare what that would cost with and without a drinks package.

Bracco pro tip: Ask for a breakdown of what’s due today, what’s due later, and what you’re likely to spend during the trip. A smaller deposit can feel like a better deal while you’re booking, even when the total is higher.

4. Can I see the actual cabin on the deck plan?

This is one of the first things I like to pull up with clients. What’s above the cabin? How far is it from the elevator? Are the other people you’re traveling with nearby? If you’re considering a guarantee cabin, ask how it works. The cruise line assigns the room, so you’ll want to know what you’re comfortable leaving up to them.

Bracco pro tip: If you’re a light sleeper, look for cabins with other staterooms directly above and below. If you’re paying for a balcony because you want to sit outside and watch the scenery, ask about the view from that specific cabin before you book.

5. Are any perks available on this exact sailing?

We’ll look at the cruise line’s promotion and any eligible agency or group offers. Onboard credit, prepaid gratuities, or an included package may add value. We’ll also check which offers can be combined and whether a different fare changes your deposit or cancellation terms.

Bracco pro tip: If you see “kids sail free” or “third and fourth guests sail free,” ask for the total for the whole cabin. Taxes and fees can still apply, and eligibility can depend on the sailing and who’s sharing the room.

6. What happens if our plans change?

Get the deposit terms, final payment date, and cancellation schedule in writing. I especially like to go over this when friends are sharing a cabin or several families are traveling together. One person’s change of plans can affect what everyone else pays.

Bracco pro tip: Ask, “What would I lose if I canceled next week? What about after final payment?” If you’re sharing a cabin, ask what happens to the remaining traveler’s fare. If you’re considering travel protection, review the policy terms before buying.

7. How are we getting to the ship?

When we plan a cruise, we think about the trip from the moment you leave home. If you’re flying in, we’ll look at a hotel for the night before and how you’ll get from the airport to the hotel and then to the pier. If your cruise ends in a different city, we’ll compare flights into one city and home from the other before you commit.

Bracco pro tip: Before booking your flight home, ask for the earliest flight time the cruise line recommends for your sailing. You’ll need time to get off the ship, collect your bags, and get to the airport. Give yourself a little breathing room on that last morning.

8. Who do I call after I book?

Ask who you’ll contact if something changes and what help is available before and during your trip. At Bracco, we can put your itinerary, hotel, and transfer details together in a personalized travel app. If plans shift, we can help coordinate with suppliers so you know what needs to happen next.

Bracco pro tip: Save your advisor’s contact information and key confirmations somewhere you can access offline. You’ll be glad you have them handy if you land without cell service and need to find your transfer.

Before you pay a deposit, get a written quote that shows the ship, sailing dates, cabin or guarantee category, total price, included perks, and payment deadlines. If you’re deciding between two cruises, pull up the port schedules side by side. Those extra hours in Juneau might be worth more to you than the onboard credit.

Already have a cruise open on your screen? Send us the ship, sailing date, and who’s coming to braccocruiseandtravel@gmail.com. Tell us what you’d be disappointed to miss. We’ll help you see whether that sailing gives you time for it.

Lisa and the team at Bracco Cruise & Travel