Byte Size Cruises here and welcome back to the blog! If this is your first time here, we are glad you found us. We are a small travel agency just outside of Philadelphia, PA and we specialize in all things cruising. If you are interested in crafting your best cruise vacation, you're in the right place! 

In our last blog post we reviewed several tips and tricks to save money on your cruise. In this post, we are going the opposite way. Here we will review ten tips to make your cruise unforgettable and extravagant, while also spending a bit more cash. Let's get started!

1) Our first tip starts before you even board the ship! The night before you board the ship, stay in a fancy hotel. If you're departing out of Miami, maybe try the Inter-Continental or if you're in another big city, the Ritz Carlton or the Four Seasons. Treat yourself to something above the average for your first night of vacation. 

2. Rather than taking a taxi to the port from your hotel, get a limo or upgraded ride share! This doesn't necessarily cost a ton of extra cash, however arriving in style to port will absolutely make you feel like a million bucks. 

3. Find an amazing travel agent or concierge who can really help you plan out each detail of your cruise vacation. You'll want someone who really knows the ports of call and can help you select experiences and restaurants that are to your liking. This person can get you the ins and outs of what to look for as well as help to set up unique adventures. Bringing a professional on board to plan your cruise also takes the pressure off of you to spend the time doing all that research. Let them handle all the details and you stay stress free!

4. Book a suite! If you book a suite on a cruise you are going to experience what they call "a ship within a ship." You will have access to more private and upscale locations that are off limits to passengers who did not book an upgraded room. This may include a private pool area, restaurant, lounges, and more! You also will be allowed on the ship earlier than other passengers and escorted off the ship at ports before the regular disembarking time. There are a ton of little perks that make booking a suite totally worth it if you are looking for an extravagant cruise vacation. 

5. Book a Chefs Table. Most contemporary cruise lines host Chefs Tables, which is a fancy dinner for about 10 to 12 guests. You will have a dedicated waiter and chef who will take you through a 5 course meal. Everything is going to be beautiful and they will explain each course to you. You'll get to go into the kitchen and tour behind the scenes of the ship. Some cruises even include a cookbook with this experience. 

6. Indulge in the specialty dining! This is one really simple way to up-level your cruise experience without even booking a suite or going all out on the Chefs Table dinner. You'll be able to experience a higher level of service and food on the ship without breaking the bank and you'll be able to choose a select type of cuisine you'd like to eat. 

7. Wine (or other) Tastings. Tastings are awesome on cruise ships and whether your tasting wine, whiskey, champagne, or other beverage, this is a great way to elevate your cruising experience. It's usually about $20 additional to your cruise fare and they'll also provide some food pairings to go with them. This is also a great way to learn about wine or another beverage and maybe you'll find your new favorite drink!

8. Private Excursions. Did you know you can call the cruise line and book a private adventure for you and your family or friends? You can! You can also do this with an outside company (obviously, do your homework or book with an agent to make sure the company is reputable.) They will offer you a private excursion for a group of 4 to 10 people and you'll have the opportunity to go places that you might not be able to get to with a group of 50. 

9. Spa Treatments! This goes without saying; being pampered makes you feel amazing and this is a great way to level up your cruise. Visit the sauna, book a massage or another body treatment, get pampered and you'll feel (and look) like a million bucks. 

10. Exclusive Activities. If you're stopping at a private island, most likely you'll have the opportunity to book into an exclusive yacht or beach club. Do it! This is another great way to enhance your cruise. When you book an exclusive activity, you'll get access to a special area on the island with an upgraded pool, private sunning area, private restaurants, and more. You can rent out a cabana as well as a private space for you and your group to relax. If you do this, there will be a butler assigned to your space to bring you snacks, drinks, towels, etc. to make your day that much more special. 

Those are our top 10 tops to cruising extravagantly! Is there anything you would add? We would love to hear from you! Comment below and tell us what has made your cruise vacation unforgettable.