To properly plan a celebrity class cruise may take a little more time than just an hour or so in front of your computer, browsing through holiday websites. However, don’t let this put you off, as planning a luxury cruise can be an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding task.

If you have set you mind on a trip Down Under on one of the many cruises Australia has to offer, you can effectively narrow down you search by focusing on Australian cruises only. This, believe it or not, means that you are in the second phase of your planning, which comprises of ship selection and a few other important factors that need to be carefully considered.

To help you with this part of your celebrity cruise planning, we have put together a list, which we believe will help you to make the right choices for your luxury cruise selection.

1. Choosing the Right Cabin

To get the most out of your celebrity cruise, it is advisable to carefully select your cabin. Don’t feel rushed; take your time looking at the ships layout and design. A cabin that faces out onto a public deck area, elevator or busy bulkhead entranceway for example could be noisy and at times even rather annoying. Take your time and carefully choose your cabin location.

2. Ports of Call

Sightseeing trips are of course, a big part of any cruise. So, it always pays to spend some time researching the scheduled ports of call on your shortlisted cruises. By taking your time, researching the shore excursion areas, you can get a much better idea of which places will interest you, as well as the durations of the stopovers. You can also get a better idea of any clothing you may need for sightseeing activities, such as walking or snorkelling.

3. The Weather

The weather can obviously make a huge difference to any cruise experience. If you are choosing a Caribbean or Australian cruise, you can be sure of warm climes but at certain times of the year there can be rain and high winds. It always pays to check the local weather patterns of an area to make sure that you are booking at the very best possible time of year. Cool seasons in the tropics and subtropics are usually the best time of year for most people, being warm, clear but not overly humid.

4. On-Board Amenities

You can be sure that all celebrity class cruise ships will have luxury amenities for your comfort and entertainment. However, by spending some time researching exactly what a ship has to offer, you can find the on-board package that suits you best. You can also check out the various dining options as well as charges for room service and other important factors.

5. Dress Codes

Some cruises host events and dining evenings where formal dress is required. So, if you don’t have a tuxedo or evening gown, or you don’t particularly like formal events, try a ship with a more relaxed dress code. This, of course, is purely down to the individual but worth checking as part of your pre-booking research.

6. Dining

As well as formal dining dress codes, some ships have fixed evening meal schedules. If you like a bit more flexibility regarding what time you like to eat, a more relaxed restaurant timetable may prove to be the better option. All of these details can be found on a cruise ship’s itinerary prior to booking.

7. Flight Booking

If you need to book a flight to your port of embarkation, it is generally considered a good idea to schedule your arrival at least a day in advance of your ship’s departure. This allows plenty of time for last minute shopping as well as giving you that extra bit of breathing time, should there be a delay with your flight. A good precaution that also allows you to enjoy a day in your town or city of embarkation.

These are just a few of the things that you should consider before booking a dream celebrity class cruise. A little planning can make your entire experience that much more enjoyable for both you and your family.