Because my friends all have different budgets, finding a vacation everyone can afford is a top priority when looking for girls’ or guys’ weekend trip ideas. Having planned many group vacations over the years, I've learned that the value in cruising is hard to beat. Very few other travel options include all of your dining, most onboard activities and plenty of nightly entertainment in the cost of your room. Plus, when traveling in groups, you can take advantage of the Royal Caribbean family and friends discount.

Even if we decide to go further afield to catch a ship — say, Vancouver or even Barcelona — it's easier to find ways to save on airfare because some cruise lines bundle flights with the fare. Some will even guarantee the lowest price on your choice of airline, or they'll give you the difference as an onboard credit. Major cruise lines and luxury brands also tend to have specialists available 24/7 to help if you experience unexpected flight delays or cancellations. As a frequent traveler, I've had to deal with my fair share of trip interruptions, so having a dedicated team to handle hiccups and ensure I make it onto the cruise ship is a huge stress reliever.

There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all vacation — and my friends and family all have wildly different ideas of what the perfect getaway entails. The one love we all have in common is spending time together. So when I'm brainstorming guys’ or girlfriends’ weekend ideas, I try to look for itineraries that offer a variety of activities, experiences, entertainment and dining options. Weekend cruises to the Caribbean or the resort towns along the West Coast and Mexico are options that cater to a diverse array of personalities. Each offers plenty of sun and opportunities to relax beachside or chase thrills inland.

On the other hand, if everyone in your group enjoys more rugged outdoor activities like hiking or kayaking, consider heading away with friends on a cruise to Alaska. Granted, these itineraries are usually around a week long, but if your party can swing the additional days off, you'll be in for an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind adventure. If fall foliage and charming seaside towns are more your speed, consider a sailing along the northeast coast. These beautiful cruises tend to be shorter in length and often depart from easy-to-access cities like Boston. The options are endless — and most offer a good mix of experiences to choose from.

You should always talk to the people in your group about how much time everyone can spare before you start looking for sailings. This is crucial when planning girls’ or guys’ weekend cruises, as coordinating time off can be a difficult, time-consuming process. Understanding how much time everyone can dedicate to a vacation before starting the planning process can prevent a lot of stress and potential disappointment.

Knowing what time constraints you're working with across your group can also help narrow your options. Most major cruise lines offer filters on their booking sites that let you browse sailings based on duration, ship, departure port or destination, so you don't have to spend hours scrolling through itineraries. If you're booking your getaway with a travel agent or the cruise line reservations hotline, you'll get better options faster if you can provide specific criteria. This includes your preferred length of sailing or departure port. Keep in mind that shorter cruises have fewer ports of call, so selecting a cruise ship with lots of activities on board helps you squeeze more fun into your getaway.

You'll also want to consider the time of year that you and your friends can travel, as this may impact your choice of itinerary. Some people have more leeway to travel during certain times of the year (especially if they're trying to work around kids' school schedules). Also, some popular vacation destinations deliver vastly different price points and experiences depending on when you go.

I always try to time my getaways during a destination's shoulder season to take advantage of better deals and fewer tourists. All it takes is a little research into your destination or region of choice. You might have fewer dates or ships to choose from, but flexibility can result in huge cost savings and a better overall experience during your vacation.